NEW YORK (AP) Futures trading is setting Wall Street up for what appears to be a strong open today. The Dow Jones industrial average futures was up 136 points ahead of the opening bell.

Yesterday's decline for the Dow was the sixth straight decline. The index stands at 9,258 after losing 189 points.

Washington (AP) On the economic calendar today, the Labor Department gives a peak of the job market. New claims for unemployment benefits are due from the government.

LONDON (AP) European investor jitters appear to have been calmed somewhat by a coordinated intervention on interest rates by central banks around the world. Following on a relatively steady stock performance in Asia, European markets today recovered some of yesterday's hefty losses.

SINGAPORE (AP) oil prices fell below $88 a barrel Thursday in Asia. Investors worry that crude demand will weaken as turmoil in the financial system pushes economies in the U.S. and Europe into recession.

LITTLE ROCK, Ark. (AP) A well-known scientist says research money could be a casualty of the financial meltdown. Richard Leakey warns that the worldwide credit crisis will be "just devastating" as endowment interest income drops and companies cut donations.

(Copyright 2008 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.) APNP 10-09-08 0618CDT | save this article / add to your favorites list