New York  - US stock indices continued their strong monthly showing on Thursday on some positive company earnings reports, the latest in a string of better-than-expected economic news in the midst of the US recession.

US electronics chain Best Buy Co, food producer ConAgra Foods Inc and drinks maker Dr Pepper Snapple Group Inc led a 4-per-cent rally in consumer shares.

General Motors Corp surged 14 per cent after about 7,500 workers accepted the company's buyout offer, helping the US carmaking giant reduce labour costs.

Mexico City  - US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton on Thursday visited the Basilica of Our Lady of Guadalupe and the Federal Police command centre in the second day of her visit to Mexico.

In the morning hours, Clinton went to the religious building, where she heard an explanation of the importance that this statue of the Virgin Mary has for the Mexican people.

Washington  - US President Barack Obama marked the 30th anniversary Thursday of the Israeli-Egyptian peace agreement by saying it should inspire efforts to expand peace in the Middle East.

"As we commemorate this historic event, we recall that peace is always possible even in the face of seemingly intractable conflicts," Obama said in a statement.

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Washington  - President Barack Obama's administration, in a massive overhaul of the US financial regulatory system, is seeking the power to keep watch on all types of financial firms and to seize failing companies integral to the health of the system.

US Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner unveiled the plans in congressional testimony on Thursday, arguing that the current financial turmoil has proven the system is "too unstable and fragile" to be allowed to manage itself.