Defense secretary says he regrets Northrop withdrawal from bidding to build Air Force tanker

Gates regrets Northrop withdrawal from tanker bid

A U.S. MILITARY BASE IN SOUTHWEST ASIA – U.S. Defense Secretary Robert Gates says he regrets that a major defense contractor has pulled out of the contest to build a badly needed new Air Force plane.
And he warns that the lone surviving bidder shouldn’t expect to be able to … Original article on : Defense secretary says he regrets Northrop withdrawal from bidding to build Air Force tanker.

German carmaker Volkswagen confirms 2009 net income fell 80 percent to $1.3 billion

Volkswagen confirms 2009 net income fell 80 pct

FRANKFURT – Europe’s biggest carmaker Volkswagen AG says its 2009 net income declined 80 percent to euro960 million ($1.3 billion), confirming its preliminary estimate released in February.
The Wolfsburg-based carmaker earned euro4.8 billion in net income in 2008.
Revenue in 2009 was down nearly 8 percent to euro105.2 billion from [..] Read the original article: here.

Palestinians threaten to call off peace talks to protest Israeli settlement plan in Jerusalem

Palestinians threaten to call off peace talks

JERUSALEM – The Palestinians are threatening to pull out of U.S.-mediated peace talks with Israel before the negotiations even start.
The two sides agreed this week to resume indirect talks through a U.S. mediator.
But the Palestinians say Israel’s plan to build 1,600 new homes in disputed east Jerusalem makes it … Read this article on Gaea Times at : Palestinians threaten to call off peace talks to protest Israeli settlement plan in Jerusalem.

US brings troops charged with removing NKorea’s weapons of mass destruction to military drills

US anti-WMD unit joins military drills in SKorea

SEOUL, South Korea – U.S. troops tasked with eliminating North Korea’s weapons of mass destruction are participating in military drills with South Korea, the top U.S. commander in the country said Thursday.
“They are here for this exercise and if we ever went to war, they would naturally come …. Original article on Gaea Times at  : US brings troops charged with removing NKorea’s weapons of mass destruction to military drills.

Bank Of Baroda Announces Recruitment Notice

NEW DELHI, INDIA (GaeaTimes.com)- The third largest public sector bank of India, Bank of Baroda has recently announced recruitment notices for Probationary Officers in its various branches across India. As per the announcement, 1200 vacancies exist. The interested applicants need to apply before April 10, 2010. They will be able to apply by means of …. Source article on Gaea Times at  : Bank Of Baroda Announces Recruitment Notice.

Google says it is prepared to leave China if censoring continues

WASHINGTON – Search engine Google has said that it is not prepared for further censorship at the hand of the Chinese Government, and is ready to leave the country if pushed further.

“We are no longer willing to censor our search results in China, and we are currently reviewing our options,” … Read : Google says it is prepared to leave China if censoring continues.

Oil falls to near $82 in Asia as traders look for US crude demand to match growing economy

Oil near $82 as traders eye weak US demand

SINGAPORE – Oil prices fell to near $82 a barrel Thursday in Asia as traders eyed tepid U.S. crude demand amid an overall economic expansion.
Benchmark crude for April delivery was down 14 cents to $82.29 a barrel at late afternoon Singapore time in electronic trading on the …. Original source  : Oil falls to near $82 in Asia as traders look for US crude demand to match growing economy.

World airlines rebound on Asian and Latin American demand, halve 2010 losses forecast to $2.8B

World airlines see blue skies ahead
GENEVA – Global airlines are undergoing a surprisingly strong recovery with Asian and Latin American carriers leading the way, the leading industry group said Thursday as it halved its loss forecast for 2010 to $2.8 billion.

The International Air Transport Association said carriers began bouncing back late last year, and have …. Read the original article  : World airlines rebound on Asian and Latin American demand, halve 2010 losses forecast to $2.8B.

Asian stocks lackluster as spike in China inflation tempers economic confidence; Europe lower

Asian stocks post tepid gains; Europe lower

BANGKOK – Asian stock markets posted tepid gains Thursday as China’s burst of inflation tempered confidence in the regional economic rebound. European shares opened lower.
Most Asian benchmarks fluctuated throughout the day as the latest figures raised doubts about the outlook for major economies.
Oil prices lingered near $82 a barrel …. Source  : Gaea News Network.

BP to buy exploration rights in Brazil, Azerbaijan, Gulf of Mexico from Devon Energy for $7B

BP to pay $7 billion for exploration rights

LONDON – Oil company BP PLC said Thursday it will pay $7 billion to acquire exploration rights in Brazil, Azerbaijan and the Gulf of Mexico from Devon Energy Corp.
BP will buy the rights for 10 offshore exploration blocks in Brazil and a portfolio of rights in the U.S. …. Source  : BP to buy exploration rights in Brazil, Azerbaijan, Gulf of Mexico from Devon Energy for $7B.

Ex-freshman Massa and Democratic kingpin Rangel spell political trouble for party

Ex-freshman, veteran kingpin equal Democratic woes
WASHINGTON – One is a former Democratic freshman little known outside his Corning-Olean-Pittsford, N.Y., district. The other, a 20-term Democratic kingpin from Harlem, is widely known to New Yorkers and anyone following tax legislation.
But now, Republicans – looking for any opening to regain control of the House – …. Source article  : Ex-freshman Massa and Democratic kingpin Rangel spell political trouble for party.

Congressional Democrats, near deal on health legislation, must sell it to rank and file

Democrats, White House close in on health bill
WASHINGTON – A final agreement nearly in hand, President Barack Obama and Democratic leaders are about to embark on one last sales job that will determine the outcome of the president’s signature health care overhaul.
It will come down to a phenomenal effort by congressional leaders and …. Source  : Gaea News Network.

Lawmakers to probe govt safety agency’s handling of Toyota recalls, auto industry

Safety agency under spotlight in House hearing
WASHINGTON – Toyota’s massive recalls are bringing new scrutiny to the government’s auto safety agency, prompting Congress to look at how federal safety officials have lived up to their mission of protecting motorists.
A House panel on Thursday planned to examine the National Highway Traffic Safety … Original source on Gaea Times at : Lawmakers to probe govt safety agency’s handling of Toyota recalls, auto industry.

Forbes says Gates no longer the world’s richest

NEW YORK – Mexican tycoon Carlos Slim is the world’s richest person, knocking Microsoft founder Bill Gates into second spot, as the wealth of the world’s billionaires grew by 50 per cent over the last year.

Forbes magazine reports it’s only the second time since 1995 that …. Source article on Gaea Times at  : Forbes says Gates no longer the world’s richest.

Debt-plagued Greece grinds to halt with new general strike as unions protest austerity plan

Greece paralyzed by strike over austerity plan

ATHENS, Greece – Greek public transport was halted, flights grounded and state hospitals left with emergency staff only on Thursday as workers held yet another general strike to protest painful spending cuts.
Debt-plagued Greece has faced a new wave of labor discontent since the Socialist government’s harsh new austerity plan …. Source  : Gaea News Network.

German salt, fertilizer company Kali+Salz’s Q4 net income falls 93 pct to $22 million

Kali+Salz’ Q4 net income falls 93 pct to $22M

FRANKFURT – German salt and fertilizer company Kali+Salz AG said Thursday that its fourth-quarter net income plunged 93 percent to euro16 million ($22 million) as the downturn significantly affected demand in global agricultural markets.
The Kassel-based company earned euro227 million in net income in the fourth quarter of …. Source article  : German salt, fertilizer company Kali+Salz’s Q4 net income falls 93 pct to $22 million.

China inflation rises in February, adding to pressure on Beijing to keep recovery on track

China’s inflation accelerates in February
BEIJING – China’s inflation spiked higher in February, adding to pressure on Beijing to prevent overheating and keep the recovery in the world’s third-largest economy on track.

Consumer prices rose 2.7 percent in February over a year earlier, up from January’s 1.5 percent increase, the National Bureau of Statistics reported Thursday. Driven …. Source article  : China inflation rises in February, adding to pressure on Beijing to keep recovery on track.

India aims to become world’s fastest growing economy by building roads and enriching the poor

India aims to be world’s fastest growing economy
MUMBAI, India – Just how fast can India grow? Ask Manal Farooq, who can’t make gloves quickly enough.
“We are facing a major problem,” said Farooq, a senior executive at Marvel Gloves Industries, which produces 3 million pairs of gloves a month, most used in … Original source on Gaea Times at : India aims to become world’s fastest growing economy by building roads and enriching the poor.

Richest Indian Mukesh Ambani amongst Forbes top ten Billionaires

MUMBAI – Reliance Industries chairman Mukesh Ambani has become the richest man in the Asia-Pacific region and the fourth in world rankings as per the 2010 Forbes list of world’s billionaires released on Wednesday.

The number of tycoons from the Asia-Pacific region with a ten-figure net worth …. Read the original article  : Richest Indian Mukesh Ambani amongst Forbes top ten Billionaires.

China limits bonuses for bankers, joining global effort to reduce financial risk

China limits bonuses for bankers to manage risk

BEIJING – China has tightened controls on pay for its top bankers, joining global efforts to try to limit financial risks by linking longer-term performance more closely to compensation.
Chinese banks must withhold at least 40 percent of bonuses for top executives for a minimum of three years and …. Source  : Gaea News Network.