India’s budget: NRIs wake up and smell the coffee (Comment)

India’s budget yet again demonstrates to NRIs that investing in their homeland is probably the best option right now. The West is still struggling to climb out of one of its deepest recessions and provides low returns, while India’s growth story promises healthy returns. Surely, it’s time to wake up and smell the Indian coffee.

Soon …. Source article on Gaea Times at  : India’s budget: NRIs wake up and smell the coffee (Comment).

Is Dubai’s retail glory fading? (Comment)

Shopping is the soul of Dubai, a place whose very name can be pronounced “Do-Buy”! Retail is a key driver of Dubai’s economy. It is the major tourist attraction. Dubai lures visitors from Asia, Africa, Europe and the Middle East since it offers very enticing shopping experiences. The city offers scintillating malls, almost every brand … Read more >>>.

Toyota’s president to talk about the company’s quality woes in Beijing on Monday

Toyota’s president to visit China on Monday

TOKYO – Fresh from a grilling by U.S. lawmakers, Toyota President Akio Toyoda will speak Monday in China about his company’s quality problems, seeking to boost confidence and ease consumer worries in the world’s biggest auto market.
Toyoda, who testified at a U.S. Congressional hearing last week about the spate …. Source article  : Toyota’s president to talk about the company’s quality woes in Beijing on Monday.

Calif. Attorney General Jerry Brown tells Democrats to stay tuned on expected bid for governor

Brown keeps Calif. Democrats guessing on gov. run

SACRAMENTO, Calif. – With less than two weeks before he must enter the race for governor, state Attorney General Jerry Brown told college-age Democrats on Saturday to stay tuned for news about his presumed bid.
Brown, 71, has been acting rather coy for more than year about his plans, …. Source article on Gaea Times at  : Calif. Attorney General Jerry Brown tells Democrats to stay tuned on expected bid for governor.

More foreign tourists flocking to Chandigarh

CHANDIGARH – Foreign tourists seem to be falling in love with Chandigarh’s greenery, clean air and clear spaces. The number of tourists visiting one of India’s most well-planned and well-maintained cities has increased by 18 percent in the past year.

The number of foreign tourists visiting the union territory surged to 37,967 last year compared …. Original article on Gaea Times at  : More foreign tourists flocking to Chandigarh.

Visitor center at NY’s controversial African Burial Ground celebrates slaves who built America

Visitor center opens at NY’s African Burial Ground

NEW YORK – The government considers the African Burial Ground in lower Manhattan the most important historic urban archaeological project in the United States. But most people don’t know why.
Now, they can learn at a visitor center that opened Saturday at the site where about 15,000 Africans were …. Source article on Gaea Times at  : Visitor center at NY’s controversial African Burial Ground celebrates slaves who built America.

Pamela Anderson appeals to Canada’s PM to end the country’s annual seal hunt

Pamela Anderson asks Canada to end seal hunt

VANCOUVER, British Columbia – Pamela Anderson sent a letter Saturday to Canada’s prime minister requesting an end to the country’s annual seal hunt.
The Canadian actress and spokeswoman for People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals dropped the letter to Prime Minister Stephen Harper in a mailbox in front … Original source on Gaea Times at : Pamela Anderson appeals to Canada’s PM to end the country’s annual seal hunt.

Reports: Prudential PLC may buy AIG unit in deal valued at $25 billion

Reports: Prudential PLC may buy AIG unit
NEW YORK – Prudential PLC, Britain’s largest life insurer, is exploring a bid for the Asian life-insurance arm of American International Group Inc., according to media reports Saturday.

The Wall Street Journal, citing people familiar with the matter it did not name, reported a deal could come in a week. … Read more >>>.

Report: Toyota president to defend company in China, plans to speak in Beijing on Monday

Report: Toyota leader to defend company in China

NEW YORK – Toyota President Akio Toyoda plans to appear in Beijing on Monday to reassure Chinese consumers the company is committed to making safe vehicles, according to a published report.
On its Web site Saturday, The Wall Street Journal reported that a company spokesman said Toyoda will speak … Read the original article on Gaea Times at : Report: Toyota president to defend company in China, plans to speak in Beijing on Monday.

Excerpts from billionaire Warren Buffett’s annual letter to Berkshire Hathaway shareholders

Excerpts from Warren Buffett’s annual letter

Investor Warren Buffett released his annual letter to Berkshire Hathaway Inc. shareholders Saturday morning. The Berkshire chairman and chief executive spent a large part of the letter explaining the guiding principles he and Vice Chairman Charlie Munger follow in running the Omaha-based company. The full letter is available online at … Original article on : Excerpts from billionaire Warren Buffett’s annual letter to Berkshire Hathaway shareholders.

Buffett criticizes business world where shareholders hurt more than execs when risky bets fail

Buffett: Execs should pay price for risky bets

OMAHA, Neb. – Billionaire Warren Buffett, in his annual letter to shareholders, sternly urged companies to develop harsh penalties for executives who get into trouble with risky investments.
Buffett’s Berkshire Hathaway Inc. delivered a 61 percent jump in net income because the value of its investments and derivatives rose …. Original article  : Buffett criticizes business world where shareholders hurt more than execs when risky bets fail.

Co-workers weep during orcas’ SeaWorld performance, 1st since ‘Tilikum’ killed trainer

Emotional orca show marks 1st since trainer killed

ORLANDO, Fla. – Employees wept and audience members grew silent Saturday at SeaWorld as the theme park’s popular killer whale show resumed with a photo montage memorial for a trainer who was killed by one of the orcas in front of horrified spectators three days ago.
The show had … Read more »»».

Michael Jordan faces stiff challenges after agreeing to buy the Charlotte Bobcats

Jordan faces challenges in owning the Bobcats

CHARLOTTE, N.C. – Michael Jordan’s drive and immense physical talent made him an NBA superstar. His stardom and shrewdness helped him make millions in business.
His latest venture will test his talents and skills like no other.
NBA commissioner David Stern said Saturday he expects Jordan to be approved as majority …. Read the original article  : here.

Bags and shoes set the pace for Milan’s winter runway in these money-tight times

Accessories call the shots on Milan runway

MILAN – These parsimonious days fashion trends often start with the accessories, usually the least expensive and therefore most sellable items in a collection.
For this round of preview showings for the fall-winter 2010-2011, accessories are all about handle bags and booties, which appear in almost every show and underline … Read the original article on Gaea Times at : Bags and shoes set the pace for Milan’s winter runway in these money-tight times.

Analysis: Globalization turned on its head, cultures collide with Toyoda testimony on recalls

Analysis: Disparate cultures on display on Hill

WASHINGTON – Corporate leaders in Japan are affable cheerleaders who solicit everyone’s views and avoid confrontation at almost any cost. It’s called “nemawashi.” U.S. lawmakers are cutthroat partisans who clamor for the spotlight, especially in an election year. It’s called politics.
These cultures collided Wednesday in the appearance of a …. Source article  : Analysis: Globalization turned on its head, cultures collide with Toyoda testimony on recalls.

NBA commissioner David Stern expects Michael Jordan to be approved as owner of Bobcats

Stern expects Jordan to be approved as owner

CHARLOTTE, N.C. – NBA commissioner David Stern expects Michael Jordan to be approved as majority owner of the Charlotte Bobcats by the end of next month.
Stern released a statement Saturday saying he was “pleased” the former NBA superstar had reached a deal to buy the money-losing team from …. Source article  : NBA commissioner David Stern expects Michael Jordan to be approved as owner of Bobcats.

Pranab Mukherjee looks to promising financial year

NEW DELHI – Union Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee on Saturday admitted that the last two years have been tough for the country’s economy, as he inaugurated 82nd annual session of the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI) in the national capital.

A … Read more »».

ALL BUSINESS: Former executives snag lucrative consulting deals at their old companies

ALL BUSINESS: Big pay for CEOs turning consultants

NEW YORK – Tough job market? Not for corporate honchos who snag cushy consulting deals at their former companies for $3,000 an hour.
That’s what General Motors is paying Fritz Henderson – the same guy the struggling automaker ousted three months ago because he wasn’t doing a good enough …. Original article on Gaea Times at  : ALL BUSINESS: Former executives snag lucrative consulting deals at their old companies.

Academy ponders action against ‘Locker’ producer who sent e-mails soliciting Oscar votes

‘Lockergate’?: Producer apologizes for e-mails

LOS ANGELES – The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences is considering action against a producer of “The Hurt Locker” who sent multiple e-mails urging academy members to vote for his movie in the Oscar best-picture race and “not a $500 million film” – an obvious reference to close-competitor “Avatar.”
The …. Source article on Gaea Times at  : Academy ponders action against ‘Locker’ producer who sent e-mails soliciting Oscar votes.

Killer whales perform for 1st time at SeaWorld since orca killed veteran trainer during show

Whales perform for 1st time since trainer’s death

ORLANDO, Fla. – More than 2,000 people watched killer whales perform Saturday at SeaWorld for the first time since one of the orcas dragged a trainer to her death underwater in front of horrified spectators three days ago.
The audience seemed thrilled, applauding and cheering as the whales zipped … Read this article on Gaea Times at : Killer whales perform for 1st time at SeaWorld since orca killed veteran trainer during show.