Beijing - China's two main stock market indices soared by more than 3 per cent Wednesday after an overnight climb on Wall Street spurred regional gains across Asia.

The key Shanghai Composite Index, which tracks shares traded in foreign and local currencies, closed at 1,760.61 after gaining 53.91 points, or 3.16 per cent.

The smaller Shenzhen Composite Index also climbed by 3.04 per cent, or 13.88 points, to end the day at 470.86.

Dublin - Irish Prime Minister Brian Cowen on Wednesday congratulated Senator Barack Obama on being elected president of the United States, saying Obama's election was "a day of hope for the world".

"Barack Obama's remarkable personal story - allied to his eloquence and his huge political talents - sends a powerful message of hope to America's friends across the world."

"There is a palpable sense of history with the election of the first African-American president.

"On this day, we are all reminded of those who struggled for civil rights in America for so many years, as well as all of those who work for justice and peace around the world today."

According to contactmusic.com reports, the celebrated American actor, Will Smith, has been taking advice from “Slumdog Millionaire” director Danny Boyle, in an effort to fulfill his promise to star in a Bollywood movie.

Smith is serious about trying his luck in a different genre of pictures, as he made several trips to visit Boyle on set in India. Boyle said: “While we were filming there, Will Smith came over twice. There’s a massive coming together of Bollywood and Hollywood. It’ll only take one person to bring them together and it will be huge.”

Rome - Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi envisages a "continuing friendship" between Italy and the US under president- elect Barack Obama, and could assist him in improving US relations with Russia, the premier's spokesman said Wednesday.

Berlusconi - a personal friend of outgoing President George W Bush, whose military intervention in Iraq he backed - would have no problem adapting to the new Democrat president, spokesman Paolo Bonaiuti told Italian state radio.

New Delhi, Nov 5: Vice President Hamid Ansari today said that our political commitment to closer ties with our neighbours in South-Asia is serious. India's security interests are better served if our neighbours evolve as viable states with moderate and stable political and social environments and vibrant economies.

Seoul - Shares surged for the fi