Tokyo - Mizuho Financial Group Inc cut its earnings projections for fiscal 2008 that runs through March 31 due to the impact of the global financial crisis, the group said Friday.

Japan's mega banking group lowered its net profit by more than half to 250 billion yen (2.55 billion dollars) from an initial projection of 560 billion yen.

Mizuho Financial expected revenues of 3.8 trillion yen for the full year, down from an earlier forecast of 4.3 trillion yen.

Conducted from October 22 to October 26, the Associated Press/GfK's Obama vs McCain CO poll shows Obama leading McCain by 9 % points — 50 % to 41 % among the likely voters of Colorado.

Conducted from October on 26, the Rasmussen Reports/Fox News' Obama vs McCain CO poll shows Obama leading McCain by 4 % points — 50 % to 46 % among the likely voters of Colorado. According to the poll, Obama holds 84.5 % chance of carrying Colorado on Election Day.

Conducted from October on 26, the Politico/InsiderAdvantage's McCain vs Obama CO poll shows Obama leading McCain by 8 % points — 53 % to 45 % among the likely voters of Colorado.

British telecom firm Vodafone has clinched a strategic partnership with Russia-based Mobile TeleSystems (MTS) OJSC, which includes collaboration on future technological developments.

According to the sources, the non-equity partnership agreement has been signed to offer clientele with high quality communication services.

The pact would also offer Mobile TeleSystems (MTS) access to products, services and devices from Vodafone for its markets of operation in Russia, Ukraine, Uzbekistan, Turkmenistan and Armenia.

New Delhi, Oct 31 : External Affairs Minister Pranab Mukherjee will begin his three-day visit to Iran from today to discuss ways to push the proposed trilateral gas pipeline project.

During his visit, Mukherjee will attend the Joint Commission meeting during which the two sides are expected to discuss various other initiatives to enhance their ties.

The two sides will also hold talks on several issues, including trade and business to enhance the bilateral ties.

According to scientists, a simple blood test could now give an accurate prediction of when women will hit the menopause.

This unique test has developed by an International team and led by scientists from Michigan University, claims to tell women about their reproductive life by measuring hormone levels in the blood. With the help of this test women can plan pregnancies accordingly.

Taipei - Taiwan's EVA Air will resume the Taipei-Paris service in 2009 after suspending the service in 2007 due to rising fuel prices, EVA Air said Friday.

Starting January 1, EVA will use a Boeing 777-300ER to provide thrice-weekly Taipei-Paris flight, with the flight taking off from Taipei Wednesday, Friday and Sunday and returning to Taipei Monday, Thursday and Saturday.

EVA said that the Boeing 777-300ER uses 20 per cent less fuel than the Boeing 747-400 which was previously used to fly the Taipei-Paris route, thus cutting costs of operation.