The late ticker

Andersen appeal

The High Court will tomorrow begin hearing Arthur Andersen's application to have the Government's lawsuit against it reopened in London.

Andersen was auditor to the De Lorean car company, which collapsed 17 years ago. In 1985, the Government served a writ on the firm but subsequently took the case to the Federal Court in New York.

Earlier this year, the Federal Court ruled that it should not try the case. Andersen wants the case brought back to London where it began, rather than starting a new court action in the US, which could delay settlement by many more years.

US Vietnam move

US Secretary of State Madeleine Albright said yesterday that Vietnam can expect most-favoured-nation trading status "very soon".

Ms Albright, on a two-day visit to Vietnam, said that progress towards MFN hinges on Hanoi making significant improvements on human rights issues, but she was "very encouraged" by commitments made by Vietnamese ministers.

BT in Indian deal

British Telecom and the Indian telecommunications company VSNL have agreed to invest about $500m (pounds 303m) in a proposed Indian joint venture, subject to the Indian government's approval. BT's participation will not affect VSNL's monopoly as an international carrier.

Merger release

JCI, South Africa's first black-controlled mining company, said it might release a statement this weekend on its merger talks with Lonrho