1.   World financial markets became increasingly volatile as the Gulf crisis continued encouraging swings in oil prices, currency and share markets.

2.   Mubarak was to meet with French Prime Minister Lionel Jospin before continuing his swing through Europe with visits to Germany and Italy.

3.   The Sharks, who lost to the last-place Lightning on Tuesday, continue their swing through the Sunshine State.

4.   Vietnamese Prime Minister Vo Van Kiet continued his swing through Central Europe on Tuesday with a visit to Budapest.

5.   Chinese President Jiang Zemin met his Nigerian counterpart Olusegun Obasanjo for trade talks Monday as he continued a swing through Europe, Africa and the Middle East.

6.   Defence Minister Chi Haotian did not cut short an Asian trip, as China watchers had expected, but instead continued the swing with a visit to Indonesia.

7.   Despite the official low profile of the visit, preparations continued full swing Friday for the visit of the man seen by his followers as a god-king.

8.   She is due to continue her swing through Latin American Friday with stops in Chile, Bolivia, Honduras and Guatemala.