COMPANIES

• DD goes media savvy, hires JWT and TBWA
• Birlasoft plans 2 local centres, to invest $15 mn
• IBM-SCO spat may stymie Linux India initiative
• BPCL advisors to be named on May 30
• Ind-Swift to invest $15 m in R&D
• Alembic files four master files to expand biz in US
• PeopleSoft plans Bangalore centre with Hexaware
• India Pistons plans unit for two-wheelers
• GMR Tech to call EGM on group cos' merger
• No takeover threat, says Devaki Hospital
• CNBC Asia Pacific to invest 26 pc in TV 18
• Maruti declares 30 pc dividend
• GM scales down Opel Astra sales target
• Jindal Photo eyes Rs 500-cr turnover
• Taj Group to invest Rs 30 cr to revamp Nepal property
• Hyundai launches new-look Santro in five Variants
• IndeCorp enters India mart
• Essar to buy back FRN worth $250 m
• Best Western to unveil ‘Premier’ brand in India

GENERAL

• Core sector growth dips to a paltry 3.9 per cent in April
• Govt retains export target at 12 per cent
• EPF Panel favours 0.5 per cent cut in interest rate
• Exports to China double

BANKING AND FINANCE

• Stern spots 3 focus issues to achieve 8 per cent GDP growth
• ABN Amro to offer home loans
• Time to review FCI funding norms
• ABN Amro to expand Chennai back office
• LIC entry may change card business rules
• Ministry halts IRDA move on motor tariffs

CAPITAL MARKET

• BSE director suspended
• SEBI clears Maruti IPO
• New Securities Bill likely in ensuing session
• Rain Calcining in MF buy list
• Tech trio drags on indices
• Outlook bright for aluminium stocks

INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS

• BT pre-tax net up 44 per cent in '03 on pension relief
• Soros clued in to Iraq's oil revenues
• Bush to sign $350-bn tax cut plan
• Iraq work: Bechtel asked to favour coalition partners