In Tuesday's South Asia papers

01 April 2008 04:30  [Source: ICIS news]

THE TIMES OF INDIA

Front Page

Baichung Bhutia refuses to carry Olympic torch
As the Olympic torch was flown into the Chinese capital on Monday to be taken around the world, the shadow of Tibetan pro-tests over the Beijing Games seems to be growing.

Indian workers protest outside White House
Braving a steady drizzle and the cold, nearly 65 Indian workers, who claim they were lured to move to the US by false promises of permanent jobs, have protested before the White House against the "abuses" in the H2B visa system, which was used to traffic them. 

Business

IPL action all set to go global
The DLF Indian Premier League is set to carve out a distinct niche for itself in the international cricketing calendar with live coverage of the matches to be made available to several countries other than India. Arab Digital Distribution (ADD), a pay-TV platform management company, has won the 10-year exclusive television coverage rights for the DLF Indian Premier League Twenty20 cricket tournament. 

Air Deccan seeks govt nod for foreign crew
Air Deccan, which becomes eligible to fly abroad from 26 August, has sought government permission for hiring foreign cabin crew. Interestingly, Kingfisher had last summer applied for a similar permission with the directorate general of civil aviation (DGCA). Since this airline is not eligible to fly abroad, it did not give its approval. 

THE ECONOMIC TIMES

Front Page

Market now dogged by cos' derivatives losses; Sensex crashes 727 points
Of late, not a day goes by without some bad news. And much of it has been home grown. On the heels of rising inflation and slackening industrial output comes the latest change in accounting norms, requiring Indian companies to disclose losses arising out of derivative contracts. 

Now, lottery system to decide number of H-1B visas
As the application process for the temporary H-1B visas begins on 1 April, IT services companies are set to vie for the limited number of visas that would be decided through a lottery system in the likely event of demand exceeding supply. 

THE BANGLADESH TODAY

Front Page

Charge sheet submitted against Tarique, his wife, mother-in-law
Charge sheet was Monday submitted against BNP joint secretary general Tarique Rahman, his wife Dr Zubaida Rahman and mother-in-law Syeda Iqbalmand Banu accusing them of accumulating unearned wealth and concealing those in statement of wealth.

AL threatens to launch agitation if Hasina not freed before 5 April
Awami League leaders on Monday threatened to launch a tough agitation programme if their detained party President Sheikh Hasina is not freed before the Mass-Signature Programme on 5 April.

Business

Government to borrow $300m for BPC
The government Monday approved a hard-term borrowing of $300m from Standard Chartered Bank to meet the increased financing for oil imports by the cash-strapped Bangladesh Petroleum Corporation (BPC).

Best Air to run flights on 7 international routes
Best Air, a new airliner in private sector, will introduce its service soon to seven international destinations.

DAILY MIRROR

Front Page

UNP- JVP vow to fight Kithulgoda appointment
The main opposition UNP and the JVP which are up in arms over Dhammika Kithulgoda’s appointment as the acting Secretary General of Parliament, yesterday vowed to voice their opposition on 8 April when the House meets.

Controversial report names perpetrators of ACF killings
Even as the Commission of Inquiry hearings into the killing of 17 aid workers of Action Contre la Faim (ACF) continued this week a highly controversial report due to be released today draws its own conclusion into the incident and goes to the extent of naming the perpetrators of the crime.

Business

IMF blames Government for soaring inflation
Sri Lanka's double-digit inflation is not driven by runaway global crude prices but by poor economic management, the International Monetary Fund (IMF) said yesterday. Sri Lanka’s official year-on-year inflation rate rose to 24% in February, up from 21.6% in January and 7.1% a year earlier.

New rule on dishonored cheques will not solve the key issue
The Ceylon National Chamber of Industries yesterday expressed their dissatisfaction over the recent decision taken by the Lanka Clear, the National Cheques Clearing house over cheques dishonoured by banks due to lack of funds.

DAWN

Front Page

Cabinet takes up judges issue, FCR
The federal cabinet, in its first meeting held immediately after its swearing-in on Monday, decided to form two committees to prepare recommendations for reinstatement of judges and repeal of the Frontier Crimes Regulation (FCR).

Cheerless president swears in cabinet
President Pervez Musharraf administered oath of office to 24 ministers of the federal cabinet on Monday in a seven-minute ceremony which appeared to be dull and dreary.

Business

Revamping of food subsidy plan proposed
The State Bank of Pakistan has proposed revamping of subsidised food programme for low-income groups, suggesting involvement of private sector to make it more effective.

Government told to restrict borrowing
The country will miss the growth target of 7.2% for the current fiscal year as both agriculture and large-scale industry under performed and its impact on the growth rate could not be compensated by strong growth in the services sector.

BUSINESS RECORDER

Front Page

Pemra's black laws to be dismantled: Sherry
Minister for Information and Broadcasting Sherry Rehman has said that Ministry of Information will work as a facilitator to help media discharge its responsibilities effectively in the democratic dispensation. 

Israeli settlements to expand as Rice wraps up peace talks
Israel on Monday announced plans to build hundreds of new houses in a Jewish settlement in annexed east Jerusalem, dealing a new blow to faltering Middle East peace talks.

Business

All key targets would not be achieved: SBP
The State Bank of Pakistan on Monday predicted great economic challenges for the new government, projecting that all key economic targets including GDP growth, inflation, monetary growth, budgetary balance and current account deficit would not be achieved during the current fiscal year due to domestic turbulence and external shocks.

''Food inflation eroded SBP monetary policy impact''
The State Bank has said that the impact of monetary policy measures have swiftly eroded due to the sustained increase in food commodity prices and impact of rising costs of oil products, besides a stimulus from expansionary fiscal policies. 

By: Staff Reporter
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