Toyota owners remain loyal despite recalls: Study

WASHINGTON – Despite the 8 million Toyota vehicles recalled since October 2009, its customers are still maintaining high overall satisfaction, a report claims.

Rice University’s Jones Graduate School of Business conducted a survey-based study of a national sample of U.S. vehicle owners.
It was learnt that the level of overall satisfaction …. Source  : Gaea News Network.

China says it will move cautiously on currency, exports need 2-3 years to recover

China says it will move cautiously on currency
BEIJING – China’s central bank governor acknowledged Saturday that Beijing is using its controversial exchange-rate controls to cope with the global economic crisis and said it will be cautious about retreating from the policy.
Gov. Zhou Xiaochuan’s comments come as Beijing faces rising pressure to ease controls …. Source  : China says it will move cautiously on currency, exports need 2-3 years to recover.

Under administration Reader’s Digest UK finds 100 potential buyers

LONDON – The British edition of under administration Reader’s Digest has found nearly 100 potential buyers, with around 30 percent of them being interested in acquiring the whole business, administrators Moore Stephens has said.

The accounting firm, which was appointed after the 72-year-old Reader’s Digest UK collapsed last month, revealed that a deadline of the middle …. Source article on Gaea Times at  : Under administration Reader’s Digest UK finds 100 potential buyers.

Partisanship comes in waves, usually at turning points in nation’s history

Partisanship comes in waves at US turning points
WASHINGTON – The current partisan divide is as stark and nasty as any in recent history and on almost every issue – from health care to energy independence to reviving the economy – there’s little or no effort to find common ground.
But fierce political … Read this article on Gaea Times at : Partisanship comes in waves, usually at turning points in nation’s history.

‘Precious’ dominates Spirit Awards with 5 prizes, wins acting honors for Sidibe, Mo’Nique

‘Precious’ dominates Spirit Awards with 5 prizes

LOS ANGELES – The Harlem drama “Precious” took the best picture prize as it dominated the Spirit Awards, winning four other honors that included trophies for stars Gabourey Sidibe and Mo’Nique.
Jeff Bridges won best actor for the country-music tale “Crazy Heart” during Friday’s event honoring independent film, and Woody … Read more >>.

Amid clashes in Greece, Germany’s Merkel offers no financial support

Merkel: No financial help for Greece
BERLIN – German Chancellor Angela Merkel has avoided giving debt-plagued Greece a commitment of financial assistance, as Athens was rattled by more strikes and violent protests by unions outraged by harsh economic austerity measures.

Greece didn’t ask for financial support, and Germany didn’t offer any in talks Friday between Merkel and …. Source article on Gaea Times at  : Amid clashes in Greece, Germany’s Merkel offers no financial support.

Person familiar with negotiations: Dansby agrees to $43 million, 5-year deal with Dolphins

AP Source: LB Dansby agrees to terms with Dolphins

MIAMI – On the first day of free agency, linebacker Karlos Dansby flew to South Florida and decided to stay.
Dansby agreed to a $43 million, five-year deal with the Miami Dolphins on Friday, a person familiar with the negotiations said.
The person spoke on condition of anonymity because …. Original article on Gaea Times at  : Person familiar with negotiations: Dansby agrees to $43 million, 5-year deal with Dolphins.

Jackson, Wallace help Bobcats send Kobe, Lakers to 2nd straight loss, 98-83

Bobcats hand Lakers 2nd straight loss, 98-83

CHARLOTTE, N.C. – Stephen Jackson scored 21 points, Gerald Wallace added 17 points and 10 rebounds, and the Charlotte Bobcats handed the weary Los Angeles Lakers their second straight loss, 98-83 on Friday night.
With Michael Jordan watching courtside in Charlotte’s first win since he agreed to buy the team, … Original article on : Jackson, Wallace help Bobcats send Kobe, Lakers to 2nd straight loss, 98-83.

Person familiar with negotiations: Falcons reach agreement with free-agent CB Dunta Robinson

AP source: Falcons agree to terms with CB Robinson

ATLANTA – A person familiar with the negotiations said the Atlanta Falcons agreed to terms on a six-year deal Friday with free-agent cornerback Dunta Robinson, who had 13 interceptions in the last six seasons with Houston.
The person spoke on condition of anonymity because no contract had been … Read more >>>.

Sultry Amazons and contemporary Nefertitis heat up Paris’ ready-to-wear week

Paris heats up on day 3 of ready-to-wear week

PARIS – Sultry Amazons in negligees and jodhpurs and modern-day Nefertitis in identical blunt-cut black wigs skulked Paris’ catwalk on Friday, as the French capital’s fall-winter 2010-11 ready-to-wear shows moved into an exhilarating day three.
Christian Dior designer John Galliano was out of the gates with a sexy … Read : Sultry Amazons and contemporary Nefertitis heat up Paris’ ready-to-wear week.

Regulators shut down banks in 4 states, making 26 US bank failures this year

Banks shuttered in Fla., Ill., Md., Utah
CHARLOTTE, N.C. – Regulators on Friday shuttered banks in Florida, Illinois, Maryland and Utah, boosting to 26 the number of bank failures in the U.S. so far this year following the 140 brought down in 2009 by mounting loan defaults and the recession.
The Federal Deposit Insurance Corp. … Read more »»».

Six Flags junior noteholders get financing commitment on eve of battle on reorganization plan

Six Flags junior noteholders line up financing

DOVER, Del. – Holders of junior notes issued by Six Flags Inc. have received a $1.1 billion financing commitment that could bolster their fight against the company’s Chapter 11 reorganization plan.
The junior noteholders filed a commitment letter from Goldman Sachs and UBS on Friday in Delaware bankruptcy court, where …. Original article  : Six Flags junior noteholders get financing commitment on eve of battle on reorganization plan.

Federal mediator appointed for Major League Soccer labor talks

Federal mediator appointed for MLS labor talks

NEW YORK – A federal mediator will be at the bargaining table when Major League Soccer’s labor talks resume next week in Washington, D.C.
Management and the MLS Players Union said Friday they have accepted an offer from George H. Cohen, director of the Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service, to …. Source article  : Federal mediator appointed for Major League Soccer labor talks.

GAO: FDA should strengthen oversight of food ingredients, including spices, artificial flavors

GAO: FDA should strengthen ingredient oversight

WASHINGTON – Congressional investigators say the Food and Drug Administration should pay more attention to the safety of some food ingredients, including one involved in a widespread recall this week.
A report released Friday by the Government Accountability Office points out that some spices, artificial flavors and other ingredients are not …. Source article on Gaea Times at  : GAO: FDA should strengthen oversight of food ingredients, including spices, artificial flavors.

Jeff Gordon: NASCAR needs some rivalries, trash-talking to shake out of lethargic start

Gordon: NASCAR needs some rivalries to stir it up

HAMPTON, Ga. – The drivers keep saying how much the racing has improved in the opening month of the NASCAR season, yet there’s all sorts of evidence that defies their optimism.
Television ratings? Down. Empty seats? Plenty. Potholes and errant caution lights? Those, too.
And look who’s won two … Original source on Gaea Times at : Jeff Gordon: NASCAR needs some rivalries, trash-talking to shake out of lethargic start.

Economist predicts improvement in Iowa economy by summer following flat spring

Iowa economist predicts improvement by summer

DES MOINES, Iowa – A leading economist who advises Gov. Chet Culver predicted Friday that Iowa’s economy will stay flat for much of the spring but should perk up by summer.
“I think we’re going to get through this,” said Charles Whiteman, a University of Iowa economist who sits on the … Read more >>.

Recalls: dip mixes, spinach dips, soup, seafood sauce

Recalls: McCormick mixes, spinach dips, soup

The following recalls have been announced:
- McCormick & Company is recalling certain best buy and product codes of McCormick French Onion dip mix, McCormick vegetable dip mix, McCormick onion gravy mix and McCormick corn bread stuffing. They could be contaminated with salmonella, an organism that can cause serious and sometimes … Read more >>.

Mincing Overseas Spice recalls black pepper over salmonella concerns

Mincing Overseas Spice recalls black pepper

DAYTON, N.J. – Mincing Overseas Spice Co. said Friday that it is voluntarily recalling some black pepper products due to possible contamination with salmonella.
The company said the black pepper was sold in 50-, 25- and 20-pound cartons bearing the company’s name and was not distributed at a retail level. The … Original article on : Mincing Overseas Spice recalls black pepper over salmonella concerns.

BigBand Networks names new Ravi Narula as chief financial officer

BigBand Networks names new Ravi Narula as CFO

REDWOOD CITY, Calif. – BigBand Networks Inc. said it has named Ravi Narula as its new chief financial officer, effective May 1.
Narula succeeds Moe Castonguay, who is leaving the company to move to the East Coast.
Narula joined BigBand in 2005 and is currently vice president of finance and …. Source  : Gaea News Network.

Correction: Obama-Travel Promotion story

Correction: Obama-Travel Promotion story
WASHINGTON – In a story March 4 about President Barack Obama signing a travel promotion bill, The Associated Press reported erroneously that the U.S. Travel Association said the U.S. had 2.4 million fewer overseas visitors last year than in 2000, depriving the country of an estimated $509 billion in spending …. Source article on Gaea Times at  : Correction: Obama-Travel Promotion story.