He said the financial market turmoil that has led to massive losses at Wall Street banks had eased. "We're closer to te end of this than the beginning," Mr Paulson told the Associated Press news agency. The rebate cheques reached bank accounts last week.

When the euro was launched there were plenty of people who thought it would crash and burn. Ten years on, its role as a global currency is secure, even if it hasn't achieved everything its founders hoped. Wednesday is the 10th anniversary of the agreement that launched the single currency.

EVANSVILLE, Ind. - Like marathoners on their second wind, Barack Obama and Hillary Rodham Clinton raced for advantage until the final hours in the campaign for the Indiana and North Carolina primaries Tuesday.

Olympic legend Carl Lewis has called on governments around the world to make the use of banned substances in sport a criminal offence. Lewis, who won nine Olympic golds during a glittering career, believes only urgent action can rescue athletics' drug-tarnished reputation.

Two female Japanese tourists kidnapped in Yemen's Marib province were freed on Wednesday after tribal mediation, a Yemeni security official said. It was not immediately clear if the tribesman was released.

Indian doctor Sabeel Ahmed arrived in Bangalore early on Thursday morning. Sabeel, 26, served 18 months in a UK jail for withholding information about his brother Kafeel's suicide plot to blow up Glasgow Airport.

Democratic hopeful Hillary Clinton has vowed to continue her campaign despite losing ground in the latest primary contests and her financial problems.   Mrs Clinton beat rival Barack Obama by just two points in Indiana's primary, while he won by 14 in North Carolina.

Friday's ruling by the Supreme Court in Sri Lanka that President Chandrika Kumaratunga must step down by December marks the end of a turbulent presidency.

The Beijing Olympic flame reached the summit of Mt Everest on Thursday morning, marking high point of the torch relay.  The mountaineers celebrated the event at the 8,844 metre peak,holding Chinese national flag,and another with Olympic's five-rings.

Mumbai Indians put up a resurgent effort to thrash table toppers Rajasthan Royals by 7 wickets. After a couple of mid innings hiccups, Mumbai Indians recovered well to overhaul the target with almost 5 overs to spare.