Sharif for Taliban-like laws
Pakistan Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif has said he wants to impose a ``Taliban-like'' system of justice in Pakistan which he said will weed out crime and ensure speedy justice. Sharif also reiterated his desire to enforce the Islamic system of justice by introducing public hangings and punishments.

Hoechst AG to split into two listed companies
German chemicals group Hoechst AG said it was splitting into two listed companies, one focusing on life sciences and one on its industrial chemicals activities. Hoechst said in a statement the two companies would be called Hoechst AG and Celanese AG, with Hoechst concentrating on life sciences and Celanese on industrial chemicals.

We had an `unconditional' deal, US reminds Israel, PLO
The United States on Monday criticized belligerent comments by Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat while implicitly asking Israel not to retaliate by delaying its West Bank withdrawal.

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