1.   Although UN sources were not immediately able to confirm the release, Bosnian Serb TV, closely controlled by the Bosnian Serb leadership, later carried the same reports.

2.   Bloomberg should have clearly explained that it had been unable to confirm the release or get a comment from the company, he said.

3.   A State Department spokeswoman confirmed the release Saturday night and said the two could be home as early as Sunday.

4.   The release was confirmed by a spokesman for the U.S. Central Command in Tampa, Fla.

5.   Police and the diocese confirmed the release.

6.   A bulletin series will be expedited as soon as his release is confirmed.

7.   A duty officer for the security service in Moscow confirmed the release, but could not give details.

8.   A Russian embassy spokesman in Dushanbe confirmed the release, saying the freed hostages were taken to the eastern regional center of Obigarm, Interfax reported.

9.   A police spokesman said he could not confirm the release of the men.

10.   A Japanese Embassy spokesman, speaking on condition of anonymity, confirmed the release.