By Darren Ennis BRUSSELS, March 26 (Reuters) – Ryanair Chief Executive Michael O’Leary expects profits to halve this year and will freeze pay for top executives as the Irish budget airline seeks to avoid raising ticket prices to counteract high fuel costs. “Our guidance remains the same from our last,” O’Leary told a news conference

Magnit, Russia’s third-largest food retailer, said it aims to list on the London Stock Exchange to finance more hypermarkets and discount stores. Magnit, which is already listed in Russia, could raise about $552 mln, based on its current share price. It plans to offer 11.3 mln shares in the form of global depositary receipts (GDRs).

Input prices for a range of key construction materials accelerated in early 2008, according to figures from the Statistical Service Cystat. For example, the price of bituminous mixtures rose by 36.8% over the year-earlier period in January-February 2008, compared with an increase of only 6.1% in 2007. The price of gas oil was 22.4% higher

The merchandise trade deficit in Cyprus widened by 20.1% in 2007, reaching 3,084.8 mln in January-December 2007 compared with CYP 2.576.2 mln in January-December 2006, according to the latest figures from the Statistical Service. The main reason was a 15.2% increase in the value of imports. Total imports/arrivals (covering total imports from third countries and

Motorola, Inc. announced that Swisscom’s Hospitality Services subsidiary has signed a distribution agreement to deploy mT2a PowerBroadband system in partner hotels across Europe and North America. The mT2a has already been field-proven by Swisscom in more than 18,000 guestrooms across 10 countries due to its ability to maximize the communications experience of hotel guests while

Motorola, Inc. announced a $165 mln WiMAX 802.16e infrastructure contract with Etihad Atheeb Telecommunication Company (Atheeb) that will enable the new service provider to offer compelling and unique broadband services to subscribers in Saudi Arabia. The contract includes the delivery of Motorola’s new WAP 800 access point, featuring smart antenna technology, plus a comprehensive service

Nokia is inviting everyone to enter the 2008 Nokia Mobile Filmmaking Awards by creating and submitting their short videos to www.ovi.com/pangeaday to be considered for inclusion in the first Pangea Day broadcast event on May 10. Pangea Day was created by award-winning documentary filmmaker Jehane Noujaim after winning the prestigious 2006 TED Prize. Together, Noujaim,

In the first of six planned Special Comments outlining accounting observations on the 2007 results of companies in key sectors, Moody’s Investors Service has reviewed the results recently announced by Europe‘s largest paper and forest product manufacturers. The companies covered are M-real Oyj (rated B3/NP/negative), Norske Skogindustrier ASA (Ba2/rating under review for possible downgrade), Sappi

Sony Ericsson Mobile Communications AB, the 50/50 joint venture between Ericsson and Sony Corporation, announced that the company sees moderating growth of mobile phone units with related effects on sales and profit in the first quarter 2008.Sales are expected to decline slightly but net income before tax (NIBT) is estimated to be in the range

Motorola, Inc. has achieved the first successful mobile WiMAX trial in Thailand, teaming up with United Information Highway Company Limited (UIH). The trial, demonstrating new wireless broadband experiences for users, marks the first among a series of Motorola’s mobile WiMAX engagements in Thailand. UIH acquired a WiMAX trial licence last year from the National Telecommunications