Poor nations may decide Doha meet outcome
Doha, Nov. 9. In an unusual development, the outcome of the fourth ministerial conference of the World Trade Organisation could well be determined not by the traditional big players at the WTO, the Quad group of the U.S., E.U., Canada and Japan or large developing countries like India, Brazil and Malaysia, but by the position that some of the world's poorest countries - the least developed countries, the Africa group at the WTO and the members of the Africa Caribbean and Pacific (ACP) group of countries - take on the launch of a new round of trade talks.

Bush to speak to PM?
Doha, Nov. 9. The U.S. President, Mr. George Bush, may speak to the Prime Minister, Mr. A.B. Vajpayee, at the Indo-U.S. summit about the need for India to give up its opposition to the launch of a new round of trade talks at the WTO.

Mazar-e-Sharief falls?
Jabal saraj (Afghanistan), Nov. 9. Opposition forces claimed they broke through Taliban defenses on Friday and captured the key northern city of Mazar-e-Sharief. An American official confirmed that Opposition forces had entered the city and the Taliban forces were fleeing.

Abducted official released
Islamabad, Nov. 9. The Indian High Commission official, who was expelled four days ago and picked up by unidentified persons on Thursday night, was released in the early hours of Friday after three hours of alleged physical and mental torture.

Oil, LPG prices go up
New Delhi, Nov. 9. Even as international oil prices remain at relatively low levels, the Government has hiked the prices of petrol, diesel and LPG (liquefied petroleum gas or cooking gas) owing to a revision in dealers' commission.

Harshad Mehta arrested
New Delhi, Nov. 9. The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) today arrested `Big Bull' Harshad Mehta and his two brothers - Ashwin and Sudhir - in connection with a case relating to alleged misappropriation of 27 lakh shares of 90 blue chip companies.

Abdul Kalam retiring
New Delhi, Nov. 9. Dr. A.P.J.Abdul Kalam, is stepping down as the Principal Scientific Adviser to the Government, after over four decades of distinguished service in different posts in the Government. He is being replaced by Dr. R.Chidambaram, former Chairman of the Atomic Energy Commission.

Court order
Kanpur, Nov. 9. A local court here has ordered Mumbai police to comply with its orders on attachment of property of the leading stars of the Hindi film `Lajja' and its director, Mr. Raj Kumar Santoshi, in a case of criminal contempt of court and gave time upto November 26 to give a report on the matter.