Imported timber industries in Kutch likely
GANDHINAGAR – A six-member committee set up by the Supreme Court in the face of environmental concerns has agreed in principle that imported timber-based industries should be housed in the Kutch region of Gujarat, sources in the state government say.

The panel is on an on-the-spot tour following a host of environmental and wildlife concerns which …. Source  : Imported timber industries in Kutch likely.

Uttar Pradesh sugar output up despite adversities
LUCKNOW – Adversities and low output in other parts of the country notwithstanding, the sugar output has gone up in Uttar Pradesh and the state remains India’s second highest producer of the sweetener after Maharashtra.

“According to an assessment we made on Feb 17, the state’s sugar production was expected to touch 41.60 lakh (4.16 million) …. Source  : Gaea News Network.

Mukherjee has room to budget for lower fiscal deficit
NEW DELHI – Having opened the purse strings to weather the ills of global slowdown the past two years, Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee appears set to re-start the process of fiscal consolidation in the national budget for 2010-11 to be presented Friday with the twin objective of pushing inclusive growth and containing prices.

With fiscal deficit …. Read the original article  : Mukherjee has room to budget for lower fiscal deficit.

RBI organises outreach programmes in northeast villages
AIZAWL – In an effort to touch base with people in far-flung areas, the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) is organising financial outreach programmes in remote villages of the country’s northeast as part of its 75th anniversary celebrations.

The seventh such camp by the central bank was held in Mizoram’s Seling village, 55 km from [..] Read the original article: here.

RBI asks nationalised banks to reach far-flung areas
AIZAWL – The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has asked nationalised banks to provide banking services in all villages, far-flung areas and human habitations in the country, RBI deputy governor Subir Gokarn has said.

“It is very important for every adult Indian citizen to have a bank account since a scheduled bank is not only a … Read more : RBI asks nationalised banks to reach far-flung areas.

A tour that traces the life of Princess Diana for tourists
LONDON – A tour tracing the life of Princess Diana, who died in 1997, has been launched here, taking tourists on a trip that includes the London flat where she lived before meeting Prince Charles, Buckingham Palace and Westminster Abbey.

The three-hour trip, costing 75, shows all the key places in 36-year-old Diana’s life, Daily Express …. Source article on Gaea Times at  : A tour that traces the life of Princess Diana for tourists.

Reliance Life launches new unit linked insurance product
MUMBAI – Reliance Life Insurance, a part of the Reliance Anil Dhirubhai Ambani Group, Sunday launched a new unit-linked insurance plan that “guarantees high returns” and targets policy holders from 30-day infants to 65-year senior citizens.

“The new plan has been developed with the objective to maximise returns for policyholders and guarantees benefit at the highest …. Read the original article  : Reliance Life launches new unit linked insurance product.

China to tighten control on sex-related TV advertisements
BEIJING – China’s television watchdog has initiated a fresh round of crackdowns on sex-related TV commercials, warning it might go as far as revoking broadcasting licences for those companies acting out of line.

According to a circular posted Saturday on the State Administration of Radio, Film and Television (SARFT) website, all commercials for drugs, medical equipment … Read this article on Gaea Times at : China to tighten control on sex-related TV advertisements.

Reports: Japan’s Transport Ministry to review car recall system, in sharpening focus on safety

Reports: Japan to review car recall system

TOKYO – Japan’s transport ministry may review and improve its car recall system, reports said Sunday, as Toyota Motor Corp. battles accusations it may have delayed acting on drivers’ complaints.
The step reflects deepening concerns in Japan over Toyota’s recalls of more than 8 million vehicles, most of them in … Read more : Reports: Japan’s Transport Ministry to review car recall system, in sharpening focus on safety.

McGrady scores 26 points in Knicks debut, but Durant has 36 in Thunder’s 8th straight win

Durant, Thunder spoil McGrady’s Knicks debut

NEW YORK – Tracy McGrady’s dazzling debut was just about everything the New York Knicks could have hoped for.
It just wasn’t enough to stop Kevin Durant and the surging Oklahoma City Thunder.
Durant scored 36 points and made the go-ahead jumper with 16 seconds left in overtime, and the Thunder beat …. Source article on Gaea Times at  : McGrady scores 26 points in Knicks debut, but Durant has 36 in Thunder’s 8th straight win.

Person familiar with negotiations: Tigers, OF Johnny Damon agree on $8 million, one-year deal

AP source: Tigers, Damon agree on $8M, 1-yr deal

A person familiar with the negotiations tells The Associated Press the Detroit Tigers and Johnny Damon have reached a preliminary agreement on an $8 million, one-year contract.
The person, who talked Saturday on condition of anonymity because the deal hasn’t been announced, says the contract is subject to … Read more : Person familiar with negotiations: Tigers, OF Johnny Damon agree on $8 million, one-year deal.

Designer Mark Fast deploys plus-size models, helps make London’s catwalk a little curvier

Designer keeps it curvy on the London catwalk

LONDON – Usually the domain of the waifishly thin, London’s catwalk got a dose of realism when knitwear designer Mark Fast deployed several plus-size models to fill his skintight creations Saturday.
The Canadian-born Fast was at the center of a minor stir at last season’s Fashion Week after media …. Original article  : Designer Mark Fast deploys plus-size models, helps make London’s catwalk a little curvier.

In London, John Rocha shows sleek-looking men’s coats _ but womenswear suffers by comparison

In London, Rocha shows sleek-looking men’s coats

LONDON – With autumn/winter fashion shows, it’s not a bad idea to toss in a few coats.
Designer John Rocha went a step further, showing a dozen layered shearling, leather and felt wool coats for men that blew away the rest of his collection Saturday at London Fashion Week.
The coats … Original article on : In London, John Rocha shows sleek-looking men’s coats _ but womenswear suffers by comparison.

In London, PPQ offers short shorts for winter; black dresses with golden trim

In London, PPQ proposes short shorts for winter

LONDON – The design team PPQ has decided there are only two colors for next fall and winter – black and gold – and the shortest of short shorts is exactly what women need to fend off the winter chill.
Really.
Funny thing was, their shiny gold one-piece short ensemble … Original source on Gaea Times at : In London, PPQ offers short shorts for winter; black dresses with golden trim.

In 86th birthday broadcast, Mugabe defends business take overs

Mugabe defends business take overs
HARARE, Zimbabwe – President Robert Mugabe defended a law requiring Zimbabwean businesses to be controlled by blacks, underlining differences with his governing partners in an interview Saturday.

Mugabe’s governing partner, Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai’s Movement for Democratic Change, has said the law is unworkable and will discourage much-needed investment. The law was … Original article on : In 86th birthday broadcast, Mugabe defends business take overs.

With states still reeling from recession, governors brainstorm about tough road ahead

Governors meet, brace for more economic turmoil

WASHINGTON – On the recession’s front lines, governors brainstormed Saturday about the road ahead for states struggling with unrelenting joblessness and cut-to-the-bone budgets even as Washington reports signs of economic growth.
“The worst probably is yet to come,” warned Gov. Jim Douglas, R-Vt., chairman of the National Governors Association. He …. Source  : With states still reeling from recession, governors brainstorm about tough road ahead.

AP Top News at 3:41 p.m. EST

AP Top News at 3:41 p.m. EST
Fighting rages as Karzai urges restraint from NATO
MARJAH, Afghanistan – U.S. Marines and Afghan soldiers advanced through poppy fields of Marjah on Saturday under withering gunfire from Taliban fighters shooting from mudbrick homes and compounds where families huddled in terror. President Hamid Karzai urged NATO to do more to … Read more : AP Top News at 3:41 p.m. EST.

With states still reeling from recession, governors brainstorm about the tough road ahead

Governors brace for more economic turmoil
WASHINGTON – On the recession’s front lines, governors are struggling to chart the road ahead for states staggered by unrelenting joblessness and cut-to-the-bone budgets even as Washington reports signs of economic growth.
“The worst probably is yet to come,” warned Gov. Jim Douglas, R-Vt., chairman of the …. Read the original article  : here.

AP Top News at 3:24 p.m. EST

AP Top News at 3:24 p.m. EST
Fighting rages as Karzai urges restraint from NATO
MARJAH, Afghanistan – U.S. Marines and Afghan soldiers advanced through poppy fields of Marjah on Saturday under withering gunfire from Taliban fighters shooting from mudbrick homes and compounds where families huddled in terror. President Hamid Karzai urged NATO to do more to … Read more »»».

AP Top News at 2:42 p.m. EST

AP Top News at 2:42 p.m. EST
Live From Washington! It’s Obama health care dramaWASHINGTON – Coming soon to daytime television: America’s long-running civic drama over how to provide better health care to more of its people without breaking the bank. President Barack Obama summons anxious Democrats and aloof Republicans to a … Read the original article on Gaea Times at : AP Top News at 2:42 p.m. EST.