The prevailing stiff global financial conditions have impacted the export business of the country. Exports growth remained less at 10.4 percent in September 2008. However, import business has grown by 43.3 percent for the same period.

India's export stood at $13.74 billion during September 2008 as per the provisional figures released by the Department of Commerce. It was $12.45 billion in the same period last year. Exports grew by 36.7 per cent at Rs 4,05,118 crore during April-September 2008 in terms of Indian currency. It was Rs 2, 96,423 crore in the same period of last year. 

US credit card and banking giant, American Express is likely to start retrenchment drive in India and other locations. It would retrench about 10 percent workforce, cutting around 7,000 jobs. The staff would be eliminated in all business units, including markets and staff groups. Some staff in its Indian operations is also likely to be laid off.

Hamburg - Champions League hopefuls Chelsea suffered an unexpected defeat Tuesday on a night of surprises in the lucrative Champions League.

Also on the night Inter Milan and Liverpool had to come from behind to snatch late draws in their group matches, while Barcelona and Sporting Lisbon became the first clubs to go through after making sure of finishing in the top two positions in Group C.

Last year's finalists Chelsea lost their Group A game in Italy against AS Roma 3-1 and had Portuguese international Deco sent off, while Liverpool needed a last-minute penalty in their Group D game against Atletico Madrid for a 1-1 draw at home.

Los Angeles - With patience and passion, California residents turned out to vote in record numbers, adding to the more than 100 million US voters expected to exercise their franchise Tuesday.

That meant long lines that snaked around parking lots, through shopping malls and across entire city blocks.

For many voters, especially those supporting Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama, the day was suffused with a sense of destiny.

Washington - Americans headed to the polls Tuesday in a historic presidential election as Republican John McCain and Democrat Barack Obama made a final push for votes in key battleground states.

McCain campaigned in Colorado where he claimed he had regained momentum and expressed confidence that he would defeat Obama when all the ballots are counted.

Manacor, Spain - Rafael Nadal was Tuesday facing a massive fitness fightback after being diagnosed with tendinitis in his right knee.

Doctors said that the 22-year-old world number 1 will need nearly a week of physiotherapy treatment and rest, with a further evaluation on his troublesome knee to be made early next week.

Nadal's dream is to lead Spain in the November 21-23 Davis Cup final in Argentina.

Already, the four-time French Open champion has had to withdraw from the Masters Cup in Shanghai, starting on Sunday.