A recent study shows that beginning HIV treatment early sharply improves the survival chances of the patients.

Research was conducted on 8,374 patients in USA and Canada. According to lead researcher Mari Kitahata of the University of Washington-Seattle, it was found that 70% HIV patients who are treated later are likely to die than the ones who receive early treatment.

Washington - US stock indices continued their downward spiral at the start of a new week Monday, led by a drop in energy and metals producers.

The price of oil fell to its lowest point since May 2007, sparking fresh concerns that a potential global recession will depress demand for commodities. Crude oil for December delivery dropped 1.4 per cent to 63.22 dollars per barrel on the New York Mercantile Exchange.

The Dow Jones Industrial Average tumbled 203.18 points, or 2.42 per cent, to 8,175.77. The broader Standard & Poor's 500 lost 27.85 points, or 3.18 per cent, to 848.92. The technology heavy Nasdaq Composite Index fell 46.13 points, or 2.97 per cent, to 1,505.90.

Wellington - The New Zealand dollar was trading at a five- year low of about 54.5 US cents on Tuesday, as stock markets and commodity prices continued to fall around the world amid fears of a global recession.

The kiwi dollar has now fallen by 33 per cent against the US greenback this year, Radio New Zealand reported.

Robin Clements, an economist with the Swiss investment bank UBS, was quoted in Wellington's Dominion Post as saying the kiwi was likely to continue falling as the central bank's benchmark interest rate comes down.

Washington - Federal agents have foiled a plot by two Nazi- sympathizers to assassinate Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama and kill more than 100 African Americans at a school in Tennessee, according to court documents unsealed Monday.

According to a criminal complaint filed by the federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms, the two men said they planned to rob a gun store and go on a "killing spree" at a predominantly African American school in Crockett County, Tennessee.