The FINANCIAL -- World stocks and the euro started the final month of the year on a positive note yesterday as a Spanish debt sale saw good demand and a liquidity move by major central banks raised hopes policymakers would take more steps to tackle the crisis, according to gulfnews.

The FINANCIAL -- Asian stocks jumped, with the regional index set for its biggest gain in more than a month, after six central banks cut the cost of emergency dollar funding for European banks and China reduced curbs on lending,according to gulfnews.

The FINANCIAL -- Indian shares surged 2.2 per cent yesterday to their best close in two weeks as investors bet on a revival in foreign fund buying after moves by six major central banks to boost cash supplies to troubled European banks,according to gulfnews.

The FINANCIAL -- On Wednesday, this writer had the opportunity of seeing young children play on the Upper West side of Manhattan,according to gulfnews.