■ SRI LANKA
Full flights cost boss' job
The government is canceling the work permit of Sri Lankan Airlines' British boss after the national carrier refused seats to President Mahinda Rajapaksa and his entourage, the government's Board of Investment said yesterday. Rajapaksa went on a private visit to the UK this month to watch his son's graduation from a naval college but couldn't get a place on the flight home because of heavy holiday traffic. The government says the airline "misled" it and had promised seats to Rajapaksa and his 35-member entourage -- which airline sources deny. "We have recommended the cancelation of a work permit issued to [airlines chief] Peter Hill," said Dhammika Perera, chairman of the Board of Investment. Hill said he had not been informed of the decision. Rajapaksa ultimately had to charter a flight with government-owned budget airline Mihin Air to get home.
■ CHINA
Shanghai gangster executed
Shanghai's top gangster was executed this week after China's top court gave the order for him to be put to death, the Shanghai Daily reported yesterday. Li Bin (李斌), 41, the self-proclaimed "King of Shanghai's underworld" was executed on Tuesday after the Supreme Court issued the order, the newspaper said. Li was found guilty in October last year of heading a criminal gang that trafficked in drugs, was involved in organized gambling and illegally possessed firearms and other weapons, the paper said. His appeal was rejected by Shanghai's top court earlier this year, the report said. His wife, Yao Yinmei (姚銀妹), and 18 other members of his gang were handed prison terms ranging from life to 15 years.
■ CHINA
Couple sentenced to death
Two teachers who sold out pupils as young as 11 years old to men seeking virgins for sex have been sentenced to death for running a child prostitution ring, Chinese press reports said yesterday. The teachers, who were married, worked in southern Guizhou Province and most of the 23 girls forced into sex slavery were students from the schools where they taught, the China Daily said. Six of the girls were aged under 14, the Shanghai Daily said, adding that the victims supposedly being "virgins" was a main selling point. Other press reports said all the girls were aged from 11 to 17.
■ PHILIPPINES
Alleged bomb plotter nabbed
Police in the southern city of Cotabato said yesterday they had arrested a man believed to be of Middle Eastern descent allegedly plotting a bomb attack. Mohamad Sayed was arrested on Tuesday during a raid of an apartment in the Majad Islamic School, police said. Police say they found an explosive device fashioned from a 60mm mortar attached to a timing device during the raid. The device was later safely detonated.
■ INDONESIA
Port tries to block spill
Rescuers were trying to prevent an oil leak yesterday after a tanker overturned at a port in Surabaya, a port official said. The tanker capsized on Tuesday while being loaded with fuel oil at the port, harbor master Rocky Ahmad Suherman said. "We are discussing with related parties how to right the tanker without spilling the oil," he said. A small amount of oil had seeped from the Karisma Selatan but it appeared to have come from its engine, he said. No one was was hurt in the accident.
■ ISRAEL
Talks with Hamas possible
A Cabinet Minister said yesterday the government would accept "mediation" with the Hamas rulers of the Gaza Strip in an effort to stop rocket fire from the area. The remark by Transportation Minister Shaul Mofaz appeared to be the first indication that the government would consider talking to the militant group; it has refused to have any dealings with Hamas and has virtually sealed off Gaza, allowing in only food and humanitarian aid.
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