WASHINGTON - The US Supreme Court refused Friday to intervene in the legal battle aimed at ending the military's policy banning gays from openly serving in the armed forces.

BHUBANESWAR - At least eight pro-industry tribal groups Friday moved the Orissa High Court against the central environment ministry's order disapproving the London-listed Vedanta's refinery expansion in the state citing violations, a lawyer said.

BHUBANESWAR - Orissa Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik Friday said his government will wait for the Supreme Court verdict on the controversial Polavaram dam project, to be built by Andhra Pradesh on river Godavari, to chalk out its future course of action.

NEW DELHI - In a setback to the Gujarat government, the Supreme Court Friday rejected its petition challenging the setting up of a Special Investigating Team (SIT) by the state high court to investigate the killing of Ishrat Jahan and three others in an alleged fake shoot-out.

LONDON - Pro-democracy leader, Nobel Laureate and India-educated Aung San Suu Kyi is to be set free, most probably Saturday, after Myanmar's military junta Friday signed an order authorising her release.