(Adds more comments from interview.) DAVOS, Switzerland -(Dow Jones)- European Union Trade Commissioner Catherine Ashton said Saturday she hoped the Doha round trade talks could be concluded within months, and said they would be a useful barrier against protectionism.

When Don Dunn first came to The Dalles, he did so over the twisty, two-lane Highway 30, because Interstate-84 hadn’t yet been built. When he arrived, he found a town of 5,000 people.

DAVOS, Switzerland -(Dow Jones)- European Union Trade Commissioner Catherine Ashton said Saturday she hoped that Doha round trade talks could be concluded within months, and they would be a useful barrier against protectionism.

WARSAW -(Dow Jones)- Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk said after two days of negotiations with cabinet members, he’s optimistic the government will be able to save 17 billion zlotys ($4.91 billion), or about 10% of budget spending earmarked for the first half of 2009.

DAVOS, Switzerland -(Dow Jones)- International trade ministers present at the World Economic Forum in Davos Saturday voiced hopes the World Trade Organization could reach a new free-trade deal this year and said a resolution of the talks could help revive the global economy.

(Updates with details of declaration, comments from ministers and adds background.) DAVOS, Switzerland (AFP)–Leading trade ministers on Saturday said there was a “sound basis” for agreeing a new global free trade pact this year amid growing fears about protectionism as the economic crisis bites.

DAVOS, Switzerland (AFP)–Key trade ministers on Saturday issued a statement pledging to attach the “highest priority” to concluding a global free trade pact, saying that progress made in 2008 provides a basis for a deal this year.

State Sen. James Rhoades died after October accident Without offering proof, the Monroe County man charged in the fatal crash of state Sen. James Rhoades accused authorities Friday of bias and blamed a high blood-alcohol level on anesthesia, not booze.

(Adds comments beginning in the fourth paragraph.) DAVOS, Switzerland -(Dow Jones)- French Finance Minister Christine Lagarde said Saturday that social unrest and protectionism are the two key risks the world economy faces.

DAVOS, Switzerland -(Dow Jones)- French Finance Minister Christine Lagarde said Saturday that social unrest and protectionism are the two key risks the world economy faces.