Wellington  - Air New Zealand announced Thursday a 79-per- cent slump in after-tax profits for the six months ending December 31, after what chairman John Palmer said was one of the toughest periods airlines had ever faced.

The airline, which is 76 per cent owned by the government, reported net profits of 24 million New Zealand dollars (12.24 million US dollars) for the half-year.

Palmer cited the unprecedented price of fuel, which rose 36 per cent on the same period in 2007, adding 211 million New Zealand dollars to costs of running the airline.

Christchurch (New Zealand), Feb. 25 : New Zealand beat India by seven wickets in the first of two Twenty20 matches at the AMI Stadium here on Wednesday.

Wicketkeeper batsman Brendon McCullum and opener Mark Guptill powered the Kiwis to 166 for 3 in reply to India’s 162 for eight.

McCullum scored 56 and Guptill 41. For India, middle-order bat Suresh Raina top scored with an unbeaten 61. Kiwi pacer Butler snared two wickets for 29 runs.

Wellington - Air New Zealand criticized Wednesday the handling of a preliminary report by French investigators into a crash of one of its Airbus planes in the Mediterranean that blamed crew error.

New Zealand investigators also said a low-altitude stall which happened before the A320 plane crashed into the sea off Perpignan in southern France could not happen under normal flying operations.

The two German pilots and five New Zealanders performing in-flight checks before returning the plane to Air New Zealand at the end of a lease agreement with XL Airways died instantly.

Christchurch (New Zealand), Feb. 25: The New Zealand cricket team will seek to put pressure on explosive Indian opener Virender Sehwag during the series that includes two Twenty20 matches, five one-day internationals and three Tests.

New Zealand captain Daniel Vettori made no attempt to diminish the influence the 30-year-old could exert throughout the tour.

Christchurch (New Zealand), Feb. 25: New Zealand cricket captain Daniel Vettori has said that India are notorious for not touring his country, and therefore, this could be an advantage for his side in the upcoming series.

"This will be a huge challenge," stuff. co. nz quoted Vettori, as saying.

Vettori is at least in a position to fight fire with fire at the top of the order with Jesse Ryder and Brendon McCullum reunited.

Christchurch (New Zealand), Feb. 25: Nathan McCullum will join younger brother Brendon on the field for the first time in New Zealand colours at home when the Black Caps meet India in tonight''s Twenty20 cricket international in Christchurch.

The Otago pair have played together at international level twice at the 2007 World Twenty20 Cup in South Africa and this month against Australia.

No spectators will be watching the match more intently than their Christchurch-based parents, Stu and Jan McCullum.