COMPANIES

• Astra Zeneca offer for 44% in local arm closes
• Ford expects Icon sales to grow
• Hero to set up third call centre in Chandigarh
• M&M To buy US-based Firm For $5 million
• Global firms seek licence for offshore mining
• Usha Beltron to use Gustav brandname for steel cords
• Bata to transfer Mokameh unit to BDCL
• Nelco declares dividends after seven years
• Jagatjit Case Against JV Partner Stayed
• PSL registers a net profit of Rs 30.97crores
• RINL global rating up
• HZL FY'02 net profit down 59.84%
• GE to acquire IPCL stake in India arm
• New Container Terminal Shortly At Vizag
• Samtel expects sales to go up by 40%
• Home Trade CEO's remand extended

INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS

• Bank Of Chinas Hong Kong arm to launch $2 IPO
• Mitsubishi Motors To Recall 4,00,000 Vehicles In Japan
• Fiats Creditor Banks Favour Car Unit Sale
• Gemstar loses patent ruling on TV set-top boxes
• Dynegy halts e-trading
• Hallmark may sell stake in Crown Media
• Pfizer eyes $7-b from candy, shaving biz exit
• VeriSign ordered to halt marketing campaign

GENERAL

• Govt effects major bureaucratic reshuffle
• Ambassadors told to raise travel advisory issues
• Direct Tax collection soars
• 1,213 foreign cos registered in '01

BANKING AND FINANCE

• Sicom To Close Down Housing Finance Arm
• Corporation Bank instals ATM in Chandigarh
• KMFL to convert into bank by year-end
• IRDA fixes cap on rider charges
• Om Kotak Mahindra launches policy for kids
• Andhra Bank to focus on MFs
• IFCI board discusses McKinsey report
• IDBI Bank launches new scheme
• Birla Corporation stock hits new high
• ING in talks with IRDA on life venture stake

CAPITAL MARKET

• No dividend for US-64
• SEBI-NIC set up data system
• Sensex drops 21 points
• Trent glows again

PEOPLE

• Damodaran gets two-year extension
• Kuppuswamy is Karur Vysya Bank CEO