Washington (AP) It's being called the biggest financial rescue in U.S. history, a 700-billion-dollar bailout of the financial system agreed to tonight by congressional leaders and the Bush administration. The basic idea is for the government to take over huge amounts of devalued assets in hopes of freeing up credit.

WASHINGTON (AP) President Bush plans to speak publicly about the financial rescue plan in the morning before the stock market opens. He's already issued a statement saying without it, the costs to the economy could be "disastrous."


LOS ANGELES (AP) Another private venture has made it into space. Space Exploration Technologies, on its fourth try, has hoisted a dummy, 364-pound payload into space atop a two-stage rocket launched in the South Pacific. SpaceX is a project of the co-founder of PayPal.

WASHINGTON (AP) Joe Biden and sarah palin this week get their one and only chance of the campaign to debate each other. The vice presidential candidates meet Thursday night in St. Louis. It's being portrayed as a white-knuckle moment for both campaigns as they go after the all-important independent vote.

HARTFORD, Conn. (AP) A long-time friend of Paul Newman says the actor rarely thought about his legacy. But on a fishing trip a few years ago, he said he wanted to make sure that all the profits from his popular food company would continue to help children.

Newman died Friday from cancer at 83.

(Copyright 2008 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.) APNP 09-28-08 2035CDT | save this article / add to your favorites list