NEW DELHI: Parliament passed the controversial Patents (Amendment) Bill, 1998, with the Rajya Sabha approving the legislation today amid a walkout by the Opposition, barring the Congress, alleging that its provision was detrimental to national interests.

Rly Budget okayed

NEW DELHI: The Lok Sabha today approved the first stage of the Railway Budget for 1999-2000 after an assurance by Railway Minister Nitish Kumar that the government had a well laid out plan for improving passenger amenities and cleanliness of the railway stations.

Oil pricesfirst

The Hague: Five of the world's biggest oil producing nations have agreed to cut their output by "more than two million barrels a day" from April one. The announcement came at the end of two days of talks on ways to limit production to shore up flagging world oil prices. In London the price of North Sea Brent crude shot up to 13 dollars a barrel minutes after the announcement.

NATO expands

PARIS: FormerWarsaw Pact countries Poland, Hungary and the Czech Republic have formally become part of the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (NATO), their rival a decade ago, marking a new beginning in the European security alliance, despite stiff opposition from Russia.

Robber killed

MUMBAI: A robber was killed in an encounter this morning at Kurla (East) near Shivshrushti Municipal High School. On receiving a tip-off, the police laid a trap for 35-year-old Anbu Tevar who arrived at the spot at 3.30 am on a motorbike with another person. When asked to surrender, Tevar fired at the police. The police fired back killing him.