Obama’s final push for health care votes could falter in battle over abortion coverage

Abortion coverage dispute divides House Democrats
WASHINGTON – On the other side of the obstacle course that President Barack Obama must clear to get his health care overhaul, a final trapdoor is lurking: the divisive politics of abortion.
The issue pits House Democrats against each other just when Obama is calling on them to unite …. Source article on Gaea Times at  : Obama’s final push for health care votes could falter in battle over abortion coverage.

BAE Systems sells 10 percent stake in Swedish defense company Saab AB for $149 million

BAE Systems sells 10 percent stake in Saab AB

LONDON – Defense contractor BAE Systems PLC said Friday it has sold a 10.25 percent stake in Swedish defense company Saab AB for 1.066 billion kronor ($149 million) as part of an ongoing divestment process.
BAE said the sale to holding company Investor AB of Stockholm represented half … Original source on Gaea Times at : BAE Systems sells 10 percent stake in Swedish defense company Saab AB for $149 million.

Greek prime minister seeks Europe debt pledge as protests grow against austerity

Greek PM seeks EU debt pledge as protests grow
ATHENS, Greece – Greek workers protesting painful state spending cuts closed down hospitals, schools and public transport Friday, as Prime Minister George Papandreou headed for talks with European leaders in search of concrete support through the debt crisis.
The strikes come as … Read more : Greek prime minister seeks Europe debt pledge as protests grow against austerity.

American Amanda Blumenherst, South Korean Lim Ji-na tied for lead at Australian Masters

Blumenherst, Lim tied for lead at Aussie Masters

GOLD COAST, Australia – American Amanda Blumenherst shot a 3-under 69 to maintain a share of the lead with Lim Ji-na of South Korea after two rounds of the ANZ Australian Ladies Masters.
First-round leader Blumenherst and Lim (66) had a two-round total of 9-under 135 after Friday’s second …. Source article on Gaea Times at  : American Amanda Blumenherst, South Korean Lim Ji-na tied for lead at Australian Masters.

German steelmaker Salzgitter reports 2009 pretax loss of $675 million

Salzgitter posts 2009 pretax loss
FRANKFURT – German steelmaker Salzgitter AG says it had a pretax loss last year of ???497 million ($675 million) as a result of the economic downturn.

The company made a pretax profit of just over ???1 billion in 2008.
Salzgitter did not report net income or fourth-quarter results Friday but will release its … Read more : German steelmaker Salzgitter reports 2009 pretax loss of $675 million.

Asian stock markets rise amid optimism ahead US jobs report; Europe opens higher

World stocks rise ahead of US jobs data
HONG KONG – Global stock markets rose Friday amid hopes a key U.S. jobs report would show the world’s largest economy was on track toward a sustainable rebound.

European stocks opened higher after every major Asian market bounced back from declines the day before. Oil prices extended gains above …. Read the original article  : Asian stock markets rise amid optimism ahead US jobs report; Europe opens higher.

Support from influential NYC black leaders may buy time for Gov. Paterson amid scandals

Black leaders’ support may buy time for Paterson

NEW YORK – Embattled New York Gov. David Paterson might have won some time when he received what has become rare support from influential black leaders as he tries to ride out allegations in two scandals that threaten his job and prompted the resignation of three top staffers.
Paterson … Read more : Support from influential NYC black leaders may buy time for Gov. Paterson amid scandals.

With salary cap gone, NFL free agency steps into the unknown

NFL free agency begins without cap
NEW YORK – Into the great unknown.

The NFL has begun the final season of its contract with the players union by eliminating the salary cap. Free agency started Friday with no ceiling on spending for teams, and no floor, either.
Predictions on how free agency without a salary cap will turn … Read the original article on Gaea Times at : With salary cap gone, NFL free agency steps into the unknown.

New SeaBreeze OEM driver software from Ocean Optics

MUMBAI – Initially developed for OEM use in embedded system applications, Ocean Optics (www.OceanOptics.com) has introduced the new SeaBreeze OEM Driver Software. This compact, fast and flexible software saves OEMs time and money with a basic starting platform that can be customized, by developers, for their own unique applications and instruments.

Without the typical Java run … Read more : New SeaBreeze OEM driver software from Ocean Optics.

Australian court finds drug Vioxx doubled heart attack risk, awards man $259,000 in damages

Australian court: Vioxx doubled heart attack risk

SYDNEY – The once-popular painkiller Vioxx doubled the risk of heart attack and was unfit for consumption, an Australian court ruled Friday, awarding a man leading a class action suit against the drug’s maker 287,000 Australian dollars ($259,000) in compensation.
Melbourne Federal Court Judge Christopher Jessup’s decision opens the door … Read more : Australian court finds drug Vioxx doubled heart attack risk, awards man $259,000 in damages.

Oil rises to near $81 in Asia as crude follows stocks higher ahead of key US jobs data

Oil rises to near $81 ahead of key US jobs report

SINGAPORE – Oil prices rose to near $81 a barrel Friday in Asia as crude traders followed equity markets higher ahead of a key U.S. jobs report.
Benchmark crude for April delivery was up 53 cents to $80.74 a barrel at midday Singapore time in electronic … Read this article on Gaea Times at : Oil rises to near $81 in Asia as crude follows stocks higher ahead of key US jobs data.

Toyota holds holds rally with workers, dealers at headquarters amid recall woes

Toyota holds rally with workers, dealers
TOYOTA, Japan – Toyota President Akio Toyoda urged thousands of his employees Friday to work toward a new start and win back customer trust following safety lapses that have battered the world’s biggest carmaker.

“Let’s go with high spirits, have fun and be confident while staying humble,” Toyoda, choking up and …. Original source  : Toyota holds holds rally with workers, dealers at headquarters amid recall woes.

Japan says it won’t comply with possible bluefin tuna export ban ahead of key int’l vote

Japan says it won’t comply with possible tuna ban

TOKYO – Japan will not comply if a ban on international trade in Atlantic bluefin tuna is imposed, a senior official said after the United States threw its support behind the move ahead of a crucial vote on banning exports of the fish that’s prized in Japan … Original article on : Japan says it won’t comply with possible bluefin tuna export ban ahead of key int’l vote.

Premier says China to boost social spending, especially to restive ethnic groups

China boosts social spending, targets minorities
BEIJING – China’s government pushed ahead Friday with plans to strengthen economic growth while dampening social tensions, introducing a budget intended to narrow a rich-poor gap and bring growth to rebellious ethnic areas.
In a speech that is China’s equivalent of a state-of-the-nation address, Premier Wen Jiabao said the … Read more : Premier says China to boost social spending, especially to restive ethnic groups.

China’s Wen promises strong growth in ‘crucial year,’ efforts to promote clean industries

China promises strong growth in ‘crucial year’
BEIJING – China’s Premier Wen Jiabao promised strong growth this year and said the government will combat inflation and risks to banks to keep the rebound in the world’s third-largest economy on track.
In an annual report to China’s legislature, Wen announced a growth …. Source article on Gaea Times at  : China’s Wen promises strong growth in ‘crucial year,’ efforts to promote clean industries.

Asian stocks rise as optimism ahead US jobs report grows, China sets 8 pct growth target

Asian markets gain ahead of US jobs report

HONG KONG – Asian stock markets rose Friday amid hopes a key U.S. jobs report would show the world’s largest economy was on track toward a sustainable rebound.
Every major market was higher as the region bounced back from declines the day before. Oil prices extended gains above $80 …. Read the original article  : Asian stocks rise as optimism ahead US jobs report grows, China sets 8 pct growth target.

Money Market Operations as on March 04, 2010

…. Original source  : Money Market Operations as on March 04, 2010.

Redskins cut 10 players in youth movement on eve of free agency; C Casey Rabach re-signs

Redskins cut 10 players on eve of free agency

ASHBURN, Va. – The Washington Redskins unleashed a 30-something purge Thursday night, making the team significantly younger by cutting 10 players and clearing salary cap space for another aggressive run at free agency.
In the first major moves under the new brain trust of coach Mike Shanahan and …. Source  : Gaea News Network.

Premier says China to target economic growth of 8 percent this year, boost social spending

China expects 8 percent economic growth this year

BEIJING – China said Friday it will target economic growth of 8 percent this year, increase spending on social programs and direct more development money at ethnic areas.
Although in recent years China has always set a goal of 8 percent growth and usually exceeded it, the target shows …. Original article on Gaea Times at  : Premier says China to target economic growth of 8 percent this year, boost social spending.

Floyd Mayweather Jr. sees mental edge over Shane Mosley in May 1 bout

Mayweather thinks he’s in Mosley’s head
LOS ANGELES – Floyd Mayweather Jr. has known he was inside Sugar Shane Mosley’s head from the moment Mayweather’s last fight ended.

That’s when Mosley jumped into the ring last September to challenge Mayweather, who had just demolished Juan Manuel Marquez in his comeback bout from a 19-month layoff. After Mayweather …. Source article on Gaea Times at  : Floyd Mayweather Jr. sees mental edge over Shane Mosley in May 1 bout.