Senate leaders modify rescue bill...Asian markets improve...oil prices rise in Asia

Washington (AP) The political wrangling continues as lawmakers tackle the Bush administration's financial rescue bill. The Senate is set to vote on a modified bill Wednesday night. Their version adds tax cuts meant to appeal to Republicans in the House, which rejected the measure.

TOKYO (AP) Most Asian markets have bounced back on hopes that a financial rescue bill will soon win approval in Washington.

Japan's benchmark Nikkei 225 index, gained 139.74 points, or 1.24 percent by the end of the morning session. Many markets were closed for holidays.

SINGAPORE (AP) Oil prices have risen to above $101 a barrel in Asia on expectations that U.S. lawmakers will pass a revised bank rescue plan. Traders are still expressing skepticism that a bailout of bad mortgage debt will quickly reverse slowing global economic growth and weakening demand for crude.

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) A new survey suggests nearly half the workers in America expect to still be working by the time they hit 67 and not just because they'll need the money. Sun Life Financial finds that more than 80 percent of those polled say they want to stay mentally engaged.

BOSTON (AP) There's a settlement in a wrongful death suit resulting from a tunnel ceiling collapse at Boston's big dig.

Attorneys say the family of Milena Del Valle settled for more than 28 million dollars. Del Valle was killed in July 2006.

(Copyright 2008 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.) APNP 10-01-08 0051CDT | save this article / add to your favorites list