London- Financial stocks led a rally on almost all world stock markets Monday, caused by the US government's decision to take control of embattled mortgage backers Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac.

The only significant market indices to buck the trend were China's Shanghai Composite and the smaller Shenzhen Component, which fell 2.7 and 3.0 per cent respectively.

In London, Halifax Bank of Scotland (HBOS) was the strongest performer, gained as much as 15 per cent, with Royal Bank of Scotland and Barclays rising more than 14 per cent.

London- Embattled British Prime Minister Gordon Brown vowed Monday that he was the right man to lead the country through an "astonishing period of change" as trade unions plotted to challenge the government's policy of public sector pay restraint.

Brown, whose ability as leader has been openly questioned from within the ruling Labour Party, took his entire cabinet to Birmingham, central England, for its first session after the parliamentary summer recess in an attempt to demonstrate that the government is "close to the people" and listening to their concerns.

London, Sept 8 : A new book by American psychotherapist Gary Neuman has created an uproar in Britain and America, as it blames wives for their cheating husbands.

Statistics have suggested that nearly half of all American husbands have had affairs, to which 68 per cent never admit, or only do so when confronted with the evidence.

Neuman’s book advocates the role of a conventional and subservient wife, urging them to forgive their wayward husbands, never refuse sex, embrace his hobbies, and show excitement at his achievements in the workplace.

London, Sept 8 : If you thought tyres were just meant for wheeling around on the roads, you certainly need a reality check, for they can also be used to shed that extra flab around your waist— courtesy the new wheelie clever exercise programme

The fitness programme has been launched by Gym chain LA Fitness, in collaboration with Continental Tyres.

The ten-step programme was created after it was found that the average Brit carries the weight of a tyre – 10kg or just over one-and-a-half stone – around their waistline.

The routine was also tried in Birmingham by Daily Star Sunday babes Alice Goodwin and Porchia, both 20, which encouraged many volunteers to burn some rubber with them.

London  - Banking shares led a strong rally on European markets Monday, following the announcement that the United States government would bail out the embattled mortgage lenders Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac.

In London, Halifax Bank of Scotland (HBOS) was the strongest performer, gaining 13 per cent to 310.25 pence, followed by a rise of 26.25 cents for Royal Bank of Scotland and 37.5 cents for Barclays.

In Frankfurt the DAX index of the 30 top German shares clawed back much of last week's losses, with banking stocks leading the way.

Deutsche Bank was up 8 per cent to above 61 euros (87 dollars). All 30 shares benefited from the positive sentiment.