US court ruling lifts shares
Key Asian share markets rose and the US dollar hit a 16-month high on Wednesday after the US Supreme Court handed down a ruling favouring Republican George W Bush in the presidential contest. The court voted to cancel a Florida Supreme Court ruling allowing disputed votes to be recounted and said there was no time for further recounts, which Democrat Al Gore had hoped would give him enough votes to overcome Bush's razor-thin lead.

Paswan consults law ministry
The communications ministry on Wednesday began consultations with the law ministry to find ways to tackle the indefinite postal strike following a directive from the Delhi High Court to resolve it within the next two days even as the agitation entered the ninth day.

Oppn moves censure motion
Opposition in the Lok Sabha on Wednesday moved a censure motion seeking removal of three chargesheeted ministers and the resignation of Prime Minister AB Vajpayee. After a week-long stand off following Vajpayee's controversial remarks on Ram Temple construction, the two sides settled down to discussing the issue through a motion under Rule 184.

Film producer Rizvi arrested
In a swift operation, police on Wednesday arrested Nazim Hassan Rizvi, producer of the forthcoming Hindi film Chori Chori Chupke Chupke for entering into a criminal conspiracy with underworld don Chhota Shakeel to eliminate certain key personalities of Bollywood.

Bank staff to protest against bill
Bank employees all over the country would hold demonstrations on Thursday to protest against the introduction of the banking bill which seeks to reduce the government equity in the public sector banks from 51 to 33 per cent in the Lok Sabha. The United Forum of Bank Unions has also called an all-India bank strike next week.

Bill on finance companies
The government on Wednesday introduced a bill in the Lok Sabha seeking to enact a legislation for making registration of all finance companies mandatory to protect the interests of depositors.

Dalmias extend open offer to Jan 24
Renaissance Estates director Abhishek Dalmia on Wednesday said he had extended the closing date for the open offer to January 24 for mopping up 45 per cent of all outstanding shares of realty company Gesco Corporation.

Godrej Foods ropes in Kotak Mahindra
Godrej Foods Ltd has roped in Kotak Mahindra Capital to advise it on restructuring options. Godrej Foods has been undergoing a bad patch financially. The company reported a loss of Rs 8.59 crore in the second quarter ended September 2000, as compared to a net profit of Rs 90.18 lakh last year.

UTI to launch MIP 2001
Unit Trust of India (UTI) would be launching Monthly Income Plan (MIP) 2000. It has filed its offer document with the Sebi. The offer opens on January 1, 2000 and closes on February 14, 2000.