WTO talks end in agreement
Doha, Nov. 15. The WTO's fourth ministerial meeting concluded on Wednesday with Ministers from 142 countries drawing up the `Doha Development Agenda' for new trade liberalisation talks; with India approving the ministerial declaration only after it was satisfied that the conference Chairman's statements had addressed the country's concerns in the four ``Singapore issues'' of foreign investment, competition policies, transparency in government procurement and trade facilitation.

India withdraws bid for NAM summit
New Delhi, Nov. 15. India on Wednesday withdrew its bid to host the next summit of the non-aligned movement (NAM) and the choice fell in favour of Jordan, diplomatic sources here said.

Osama tried to build n-bomb: report
London, Nov. 15. Osama bin Laden's Al-Qaeda network was in the thick of preparing ``detailed'' plans for nuclear devices including a fission bomb similar to the one dropped on Nagasaki, The Times reported today, claiming it confirmed the West's ``worst fears'' about more terrorist attacks, even deadlier than the September 11 outrage in New York and Washington.

All help for Afghan brethren: PM
New Delhi, Nov. 15. The Prime Minister, Mr. Atal Behari Vajpayee, today applauded the string of victories by the Northern Alliance over the Taliban and hoped that these developments would bring lasting peace to Afghanistan.

U.S. fines SBI
Washington, Nov. 15. The U.S. authorities have imposed a $ 7.5- million fine on the State Bank of India for violation of banking laws and failure to maintain accurate records and the bank has consented to comply with the penalty.

Drug haul
Dubai, Nov. 15. The Dubai police have seized 13.7 tonnes of hashish worth Rs. 72 crores in what may be the world's biggest drug haul and arrested four Indians and five Afghans.

RDX seized
Srinagar, Nov. 15. The Army has seized 512 kg of RDX and a huge cache of arms and ammunition, including 39 rifle grenades, seven detonators, 14 IED fuses, two AK rifles, 107 mm rockets and nine rocket projectile guns, from an abandoned militant hideout in Darsun jungle in Kupwara district.

Suicide bomb attack
Colombo, Nov. 15. In a suicide bomb attack in the eastern town of Batticaloa, three soldiers were killed and one soldier and nine civilians wounded.