Eagle conferencing offers subscribers free conferencing to U.K

LONDON/ BANGALORE – Eagle Conferencing in a significant move has introduced a new offer to subscribers providing free conference calls between India and the U.K.

This groundbreaking and aggressive pricing design allows organizations registered with Eagle Conferencing to conduct audio conferences with business partners or …. Source article on Gaea Times at  : Eagle conferencing offers subscribers free conferencing to U.K.

Britain set to lose clash with France on new hedge fund rules

UK clashes with France on hedge fund rules

BRUSSELS – Britain, Europe’s center for investment funds, is set to lose a clash with France on new, tougher EU rules for the hedge fund industry that finance ministers will haggle over on Tuesday.
Paris leads most EU governments in favoring greater restrictions for alternative investment funds based outside …. Source  : Gaea News Network.

Obama turns up the heat on wavering Dems as lawmakers start countdown toward health care vote

Wavering Dems in Obama’s sights on health vote
WASHINGTON – Days away from a make-or-break vote on his health care overhaul, President Barack Obama is turning up the pressure as only presidents can, as Democratic leaders make a desperate scramble for votes.
The president is wooing freshman Democrats in the Oval Office, holding at least … Read the original article on Gaea Times at : Obama turns up the heat on wavering Dems as lawmakers start countdown toward health care vote.

PROMISES, PROMISES: AP review finds government use of FOIA exemptions up despite Obama pledge

PROMISES, PROMISES: Is gov’t more open with Obama?
WASHINGTON – The government’s use of legal exemptions to keep records secret rose during President Barack Obama’s first year in office, despite promises of increased openness, an Associated Press review found.
The review of annual Freedom of Information Act reports filed by 17 major agencies found that … Read more »»».

Michelle Obama takes campaign to end childhood obesity to the country’s largest food makers

Michelle Obama talks anti-obesity to food giants

WASHINGTON – Michelle Obama has talked to schools and nutrition groups across the country in her effort to reduce childhood obesity. On Tuesday she will face the food companies that make the snacks and junk food that stuff grocery aisles and school vending machines.
Not that the companies mind. The … Read more »».

Oil hovers below $80 in Asia as investors eye US Federal Reserve, OPEC meetings

Oil below $80 ahead of Fed, OPEC meetings
SINGAPORE – Oil prices extended losses below $80 a barrel Tuesday in Asia as investors eyed meetings of the U.S. central bank and OPEC for trading catalysts.

Benchmark crude for April delivery was down 17 cents to $79.63 a barrel at late afternoon Singapore time in electronic trading on … Read more >>>.

Asian stock markets turn in mixed performance ahead of Fed statement; oil below $80

Asian stocks mixed ahead of Fed statement
HONG KONG – Asian stock markets were mixed Tuesday as investors held back ahead of the U.S. Federal Reserve’s latest assessment of the world’s largest economy.

It marked the region’s third consecutive day of mediocre trade. Oil prices wallowed below $80 a barrel, while the dollar weakened against the yen … Read this article on Gaea Times at : Asian stock markets turn in mixed performance ahead of Fed statement; oil below $80.

Dueling financial reform plans in US, Europe, Asia could hurt efforts to avoid future crises

Financial reform efforts pit US against Europe

NEW YORK – U.S. policymakers are struggling to agree on new rules to avoid another financial crisis.
A global consensus? Even harder.
Efforts are raging on three continents, with at least as many ideas about the proper fixes. Unless the U.S., Europe and Asia adopt uniformly strict regulations, banks and high-risk … Read more : Dueling financial reform plans in US, Europe, Asia could hurt efforts to avoid future crises.

Debate heats up at Fed over how and when to signal higher interest rates

Fed weighs how and when to signal higher rates

WASHINGTON – Debate is heating up within the Federal Reserve over how and when to signal that the days of record-low interest rates are numbered.
A rate hike isn’t imminent. But at their meeting Tuesday, Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke and his colleagues will likely focus on how … Read more »»».

Jackson estate cuts up to $250 million posthumous recording deal with Sony Music

Jackson estate in record deal worth up to $250 mln

LOS ANGELES – Even in death, Michael Jackson is breaking new records.
The King of Pop’s estate has signed the biggest recording deal in history: a $200 million guaranteed contract with Sony Music Entertainment for 10 projects over seven years, according to a person familiar with the …. Original article  : Jackson estate cuts up to $250 million posthumous recording deal with Sony Music.

Obama pitches health care as Dems point toward a vote and progress in courting lawmakers

Dems start countdown toward health care vote
WASHINGTON – Democratic congressional leaders showed signs of progress Monday in winning anti-abortion Democrats whose votes are pivotal to President Barack Obama’s fiercely contested remake of the health care system.
Obama expressed optimism Congress would approve his call for affordable and nearly universal coverage as he … Read more »».

Dot-com domain marks 25th anniversary

SAN FRANCISCO – The dot-com domain, which helped launch some of the most pioneering and successful internet companies, marked its 25th anniversary Monday.

“For anyone under the age of 30, they probably don’t remember when the Internet wasn’t in their life. It’s become such an essential part of how we work, live and play,” said Mark … Read : Dot-com domain marks 25th anniversary.

Mo. warns renters seeking tax credit that to qualify their landlords must pay property taxes

Landlords must pay taxes for renters to get credit

COLUMBIA, Mo. – Missouri tax officials are warning people who live in rented housing that they do not qualify for a tax break unless their landlords pay property taxes.
Low-income disabled people and senior citizens are entitled to a property tax credit on their state tax returns of … Original article on : Mo. warns renters seeking tax credit that to qualify their landlords must pay property taxes.

25 people confirmed dead in electrical fire at coal mine in central China

25 dead in central China coal mine fire
BEIJING – An electrical fire at an illegal coal mine in central China has left 25 people dead, the latest fatal accident to rock the country’s mining industry.

Three people – the mine’s owner, manager and an investor – have been detained by police following the Monday night blaze … Read more »»».

People familiar with negotiations: Mark Reynolds, Arizona agree to $14.5 million, 3-year deal

AP source: Arizona, Reynolds agree to $14.5M deal

TUCSON, Ariz. – Arizona slugger Mark Reynolds says he’s agreed to terms on a new contract with the Diamondbacks.
Two people familiar with the talks said on Monday that the deal was worth $14.5 million over three years and includes an $11 million club option for 2013. They spoke …. Source article on Gaea Times at  : People familiar with negotiations: Mark Reynolds, Arizona agree to $14.5 million, 3-year deal.

US unveils new broadband plan

WASHINGTON/SAN FRANCISCO – The US government has unveiled a new plan for high-speed internet access that will give the US “the fastest and most extensive wireless network in the world”, according to an executive summary of the proposal released Monday by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC).

The plan formulated by the FCC heralds a revolution in …. Source  : US unveils new broadband plan.

California pension fund makes move that is likely to increase its influence over corporations

Calif. pension fund seeks to boost its influence

SACRAMENTO, Calif. – The board of California’s giant public pension fund voted Monday to remove the limit on the number of shareholder proposals it can issue to companies in its portfolio.
Lifting the number of proposals its board can file each year means the fund’s influence is likely to …. Original source  : California pension fund makes move that is likely to increase its influence over corporations.

New lending at 9 bailed-out banks plummets in January, but overall loan balances rise modestly

9 bailed-out banks report declines in new lending

WASHINGTON – The Treasury Department said Monday that new lending plummeted in January at the nine largest banks that have yet to repay their taxpayer bailouts.
Treasury’s monthly survey of bank lending shows overall new loan origination dropped 35 percent from December’s level. Treasury says the drop “may be …. Source article on Gaea Times at  : New lending at 9 bailed-out banks plummets in January, but overall loan balances rise modestly.

Abbott Laboratories gives CEO almost $22 million in pay, down on lower stock options

Abbott CEO’s pay falls on reduced stock options

WASHINGTON – The chairman and CEO at Abbott Laboratories received a 13 percent drop in total compensation last year, mainly as a result of reduced stock options.
The North Chicago-based company disclosed in a regulatory filing Monday that Miles White’s total compensation as $21.9 million, down from $25.3 million …. Source  : Gaea News Network.

Mo. utility regulators consider AmerenUE’s request to increase electric rates $320M

Mo. regulators consider AmerenUE’s $320M rate case

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. – Customers of Missouri’s largest electricity provider appear likely to see a rate increase. The biggest question is how much more they will pay.
State utility regulators began hearing testimony Monday on a rate increase sought by St. Louis-based AmerenUE, whose 1.2 million customers are located largely …. Original source  : Mo. utility regulators consider AmerenUE’s request to increase electric rates $320M.