• Aditya Birla group to merge units and create Aditya Birla Nuvo Ltd.
• Major setback for Karnataka IT event as business chamber joins boycott
• Govt. steps up heat on RIL for failing to sign gas purchase agreement with NTPC
• Assocham survey: US visa administration most difficult for IT professionals
• MMTC to set up Rs.4000-cr power project in Orissa

GENERAL

• PM: India to further strengthen strategic ties with France
• With SAFTA looming closer SAARC talks enter crucial phase
• Govt. report: 39 out of 44 power projects on track
• FICCI survey: 18 service sectors to achieve 20-60 pc growth in current fiscal

• Team-9 initiative: US$15mn LoC to Equatorial Guinea from Exim Bank
• Increased autonomy for PSU banks coupled with accountability
• LIC Housing to shift focus to project finance
• Bajaj Allianz Life ties up with Bombay Mercantile Co-op Bank

• EU finance ministers ask non-OPEC nations to boost oil production