COMPANIES

• Kishore Chhabria in talks with Interbrew
• Sterlite opts out of copper business demerger
• Ranbaxy gets USFDA approval to market `Panixine'
• BIFR seeks new proposal from Ferro Alloys Corporation
• Gail in pact with Philippines
• Dr Reddy's releases annual report on corporate safety
• Heritage promoters consolidate holding
• Indian Rayon eyeing overseas markets
• IDBI recommends debt revamp for Gayatri Sugars
• Samsung targets Rs 5,000 crore turnover
• Orchid eyes Rs 1,000-cr turnover by 2005

GENERAL

• SC puts the brakes on HPCL, BPCL sell-off
• Verdict will have far-reaching impact: Shourie
• Mobile phones permitted in aircraft on ground

BANKING AND FINANCE

• SBM to computerise all branches by next year
• Madras HC declines to set aside order on winding
  up of finance co — Appoints administrator
• Central Bank of India For Agri-priority Survey
• Escorts in tie up with UCO Bank
• SIDBI signs pact with Oriental Bank
• IDBI Homefinance slashes rates by up o 150 Bps
• RBI discourages repatriable bank deposits
• RBI asks IBA to prepare report on PLR system

MARKETS

• HPCL stock takes a beating on bourses
• RBI bars OCBs from investing in India
• Electrolux case: CLB to issue notice to SEBI
• Benchmark lines up FoF scheme
• Instanex Skindia ups Infosys, ICICI ADR weight

INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS

• Fiat set to make India R&D hub
• SEZ to freeze Vivendi ex-CEO's pay
• Oil prices slip as traders track Hurricane Isabel
• Iraq to attend Opec meet
• Same Deutz-Fahr tractors to make India an export hub