New Delhi  - Indian equity indices rose by over 3 per cent in early trading Monday, trailing a rally in Asian markets after China announced a stimulus package of 586 billion dollars to spur its economy in the wake of the global slowdown.

The Bombay Stock Exchange's 30-share sensitive index Sensex was trading at 10,298.45 around noon, about 3.35 above its previous close.

The broader 50-share S&P CNX Nifty of the National Stock Exchange was hovering around 3,076.75 about 3.49 above Friday's close.

Lahore, Nov 10 : Punjab province Governor Salmaan Taseer has reportedly said that that PML-N leader and former premier Nawaz Sharif was still learning politics from President Asif Ali Zardari.

The Governor said that he himself had been in prison in the Lahore Fort along with Nawaz Sharif, and that no one could teach him about politics.

Taking a dig at Nawaz while replying to a question, Taseer said that Nawaz’s English had “improved” during his stay abroad.

Nairobi/Khartoum  - Sudan and Chad restored diplomatic ties after six months of no diplomatic contact, a news report said Monday.

The two neighbouring African countries broke all diplomatic ties six months ago on mutual accusations of supporting rebel groups in the other country.

Sudan accuses the government in N'Djamena of support for rebels in its Darfur province, who earlier this year almost reached the capital Khartoum. Chad, on the other hand, accuses Sudan's leaders of being the power behind rebels in the east of their country.

Washington, November 10 : Former teen heartthrob David Cassidy dropped in some lines of wisdom for the 20-year-old ‘High School Musical’ actor Zac Efron including: Keep it real.

The veteran actor, who dazed many with his role as Keith Partridge, in the 1970s musical ‘The Partridge Family’, advised the budding artist not let fame get to his head.

“All I can say to Zac is that as long as he does good work, doesn''''t lose his mind and stays grounded as a human being, he''''ll be fine,” People magazine quoted him as telling the Daily Mail.

Tokyo  - Japan's key Nikkei 225 Stock Average Monday crossed the 9,000-point threshold, up more than 5 per cent thanks to a strong rally on Wall Street last week and the US dollar's advance against the yen.

The Nikkei index soared 498.43 points, or 5.81 per cent, to close at 9,081.43.

The broader Topix index of all first-section issues was also up 37.65 points, or 4.28 per cent, to 916.65.

London, Nov. 10 : Arsenal coach Arsene Wenger has said that the race for the 2008-09 Premier League title will be a tight one, despite the club’s recent 2-1 victory over previous season winner Manchester United over the weekend.

Wenger’s Arsenal has lost to Fulham, Hull and Stoke this season, but is currently placed third in the table after beating Manchester United.

United have managed to take only one point from trips to Anfield, Stamford Bridge and the Emirates.