1.   This confirmed rumours which had been circulating in previous months.

2.   Mr Suen would not confirm the rumour that he would be heading the office in Beijing.

3.   Cai said that even if the rumour was confirmed, or the news announced officially, the market would recover soon, because it had been discounted by investors.

4.   Faction leader Charles Taylor on Tuesday confirmed persistent rumours that fighting was taking place in southeast Liberia for the past two weeks.

5.   Yet another police probe failed to confirm rumours that the cult was involved in plots to blow up Hydro-Quebec installations.

6.   Smith, who said he instantly fell in love with the African continent, also confirmed rumours that he intended on buying a house in South Africa.