BlackBerry phone

TORONTO: Global telecom major Research in Motion (RIM), the makers of mobile handset BlackBerry, has finally unveiled its much touted BlackBerry Bold smartphone. BlackBerry Bold will operate on the much faster, next-generation 3G network and has a built-in GPS. Rich in features, including a half-VGA LCD display with 480x320 resolution, powerful 624 MHz processor and one GB internal storage memory, BlackBerry Bold is being described as a premier smartphone for business and enterprise users by its makers. — HNS

India-Syria trade

NEW DELHI: India on Friday approved an investment pact between it and Syria that was signed nearly two months ago. “The bilateral investment promotion agreement (BIPA) is aimed at protecting and promoting the interests of investors of either country in the territory of the other,” Science and Technology Minister Kapil Sibal told reporters here after a cabinet meeting chaired by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh. India and Syria signed three pacts to expand economic engagement during the visit of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad to India in June. — AFP

Tata GSM services

AGRA: Tata Teleservices will invest $2 billion to roll out GSM-based mobile services in India, said a top official. “The company will invest $2 billion for setting up nationwide services on GSM network over the next two years,” Tata Teleservices managing director Anil Sardana told reporters here. The company, which currently offers CDMA platform, plans to launch services in the GSM space by this year end. — HNS