Monday, April 2, 2001		Lens on IT

Microsoft Chairman Bill Gates talks to the media during the presentation of "HailStorm," and its plan on how it is Internet-based. Net system will provide services for customers and revenue for the company in Redmond, Wash. Consumers, however, won't see the system until 2002, at least .

One of Cuba's few Internet users surfs the Web at an office in Havana . Critics say President Fidel Castro's government deliberately blocks access for political reasons but authorities counter that they are hampered by economic limitations, and are nevertheless trying to increase usage across the Caribbean island.

A man, reflected in the window of an Optus World store, talks on his mobile phone in Sydney after it was announced earlier in the day that Cable and Wireless Optus Ltd, Australia's second largest telecommunications carrier, has been bought by Singapore Telecommunications Ltd. Singtel, Asia's eighth-largest carrier, has valued its proposal at A$14.9 billion ($7.5 billion) to A$16 billion, and will create a pan-Asian carrier capitalised at $24 billion. 

General secretary of the Korean Organizing Committee for the World Cup (KOWOC), Moon Dong-hoo (L) clicks to draw winners of 2002 FIFA World Cup Korea and Japan tickets in Seoul . KOWOC decided the winners of 2,30,000 tickets that is the first sale for local applicants by computer drawing. South Korea and Japan will co-host the 2002 FIFA World Cup (Korea and Japan).

Singapore Telecommunications Ltd (SingTel) Chief Executive Lee Hsien Yang (R) speaks during a media conference in Sydney as the Cable and Wireless Optus Ltd Chief Executive Chris Anderson (L) listens on after it was announced that the Singaporean company had successfully won the battle to buy Australia's second largest carrier. Singtel, Asia's eighth-largest carrier, has valued it's proposal at A$14.9 billion ($7.5 billion) to A$16 billion, and will create a pan-Asian carrier capitalised at $24 billion.

— Reuters photos