A two-day strike by car workers across the US was set to end today after the United Auto Workers union said it had reached a tentative agreement with General Motors Corp.

Negotiators who bargained into the early hours were close to reaching a contract agreement to end a nationwide strike by 73,000 US car workers, two people who were briefed on the talks said today.

Health authorities in Canada have closed a hospital to new patients because of a possible fresh cluster of SARS cases and reinforced orders for all staff treating patients in the Toronto area to wear gloves, masks and gowns.

Canadian sprinter Venolyn Clarke, who finished eighth in her World Championships 100 metres quarter-final on Sunday, competed while still unaware she had failed a drugs test.