Republican Rep. Robin Hayes, who is locked in a closely contested House race in North Carolina, has also been criticized after telling a crowd Saturday that “liberals hate real Americans that work and accomplish and achieve and believe in God.”

At first, Hayes denied making the remarks, but he was forced to acknowledge them after an audiotape of the speech was produced. Clarifying his comment, Hayes said: “I actually was trying to work to keep the crowd as respectful as possible, so this is definitely not what I intended.”

Damascus - Damascus has called on Europe to be more politically engaged in the Middle East and to play a role that is parallel or complementary to the US role.

"The Europeans are able to play a more effective role in the Middle East and to make their political weight equal to their economic one," the official Syrian mouthpiece, Tishrin newspaper, wrote in its editorial on Wednesday.

More lows late New York; stops drive trade into next technical support. Option barriers reported on the dip. Official interest noted traders say around the 1.3250 area on the break with stops driving the dip lower.

OK to look to the buy side now; rotation off the lows to hold above 1.3350 suggests a near-term bottom. Rate is an absolute screaming buy in my view—I can't see further weakness being ignored by the buyers. Oil two-way spills over into pricing but rate firm despite lower oil. Traders note stops building above the market along with offers.

Government has decided to restructure the equity capital of UCO Bank and Punjab & Sind Bank.

The Indian government holds the majority stake in both the Banks i.e. 74.98 percent stake in UCO Bank and 100 percent stake in Punjab & Sind Bank.

The total paid up capital of UCO Bank is approximately Rs. 800 crores out of which Rs. 250 crores will be converted into perpetual non-Convertible preference shares.

New low late trade today; pressured lower from stops and general technical selling. Light UK data no help overnight; traders note middle-eastern names on the bid as the rate drops.

Today's action again very two-way; stops under the lows drive trade also. Drop under psychological support at 1.7000 challenged again. Rate at buy zone now but range appears wider. Drop under the 1.7200 handle finds light stops. Monthly lows give way as sentiment won't rally.

Traders note quality bids on the dip suggesting a bottom is in here somewhere.  Aggressive traders can buy under 1.7000 area but expect more whippy action. Follow-on selling likely from technical's but spillover strength from EURO likely to be better to end the week.