The USDA has also reduced interest rates on its emergency loan program and worked with the major crop insurers to allow farmers to forego interest payments on unpaid premiums until November.

WHITEHOUSE: Our Top Stories

Then, on Nov. 18, at their monthly meeting on the 36th floor of the ECB headquarters, Europe's central bankers delivered an ultimatum to their Irish counterpart, Patrick Honohan: The ECB would disallow use of the Irish central bank's emergency loan program unless Ireland took the bailout.

WSJ: As Ireland Flails, Europe Lurches Across the Rubicon