Washington - US stock indices posted steep drops on opening Friday, plunging more than 4 per cent on continued uncertainty over the state of the global economy.

The weak opening in New York followed sharp falls in Europe, Asia and the Middle East earlier in the day on fears of a recession following the widening financial crisis.

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Kathmandu - A senior United Nations official said Friday that Nepal faced multiple challenges to its peace process despite making tremendous progress in ending its decadelong conflict that pitted the government against Maoist rebels.

While the election in April of a constituent assembly was a landmark achievement, major hurdles lie ahead for the successful conclusion of the peace process, said Ian Martin, the head of United Nations Mission in Nepal.

 Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt, who said they would only marry after USA legalized gay marriages, may just have to eat their words.

Talking to Italian Vanity Fair for its latest issue, Jolie who has six children: Maddox, 7, Pax, 4, and Zahara, 3, Shiloh, 2, and newborn twins, Knox and Vivienne with partner Pitt, admitted that their children have begun to question why the two are not married like the ‘Shrek’ movie characters - Shrek and Fiona.