MOSCOW / Reuters Russian holding company Sistema said it is in talks with private investors about selling a further stake in children’s goods retailer Detsky Mir. Sistema, which has said it plans to list the unit, sold a 23.1 percent stake in Detsky Mir to the Russia-China Investment Fund (RCIF) for 9.8 billion roubles ($143 million) in December, valuing the …

Male / AFP The Maldives government has kicked off a controversial $800-million expansion of the country’s main airport by a Chinese company, a move likely to irritate giant neighbour India. President Abdulla Yameen inaugurated construction work in a ceremony this week in the capital city Male. The expansion means the Airbus A380 will be able to land at the airport …

WELLINGTON / AFP Air New Zealand said it would not resume flights to Vanuatu until the runway of the Pacific nation’s international airport is properly fixed. The Kiwi flag carrier, along with Virgin Australia, suspended services to Port Vila in January, citing safety concerns over the deteriorating runway at Bauerfield International Airport. Qantas also suspended a code-share agreement with Air …