1.   Inflation prospects were encouraging following the fall in the headline and underlying rate, which excludes mortgage rates, in April.

2.   Brokers said there was continued bargain-hunting in the market following recent falls in share prices.

3.   Brokers said there was continued bargain-hunting in the market following recent falls that were triggered by the slump on Wall Street.

4.   Chechnya considers itself independent and has been running its own affairs since Russian troops withdrew last fall following a two-year war.

5.   CHECHNYA -- Latest on the situation in Grozny following the fall of the presidential palace.

6.   Hong Kong stocks slumped on profit-taking following the fall on Wall Street and expectations of a rise in local interest rates.

7.   The twice-weekly flight primarily serves Italians doing business in Romania following the fall of Communism there.

8.   The United Nations said it would take up a humanitarian role following the fall of Aden in southern Yemen to northern forces Thursday.