Calif. state parks would be smoke-free (mostly) if Legislature passes landmark bill

Calif. considers smoking ban at all state parks

SACRAMENTO, Calif. – California lawmakers on Thursday will consider what is believed to be the nation’s most far-reaching smoking ban in state parks as a way to get unsightly cigarette butts off the beach, eliminate second-hand smoke and reduce the threat of wildfires.
Maine banned smoking at its state … Read more >>>.

Corporation Bank LIC Tie Up

MANGALORE, INDIA (GaeaTimes.com)- Corporation Bank, based in Mangalore is on an expansion overdrive as it seems from its recent activities. It is planning to open a number of new branches in India and to fill up the vacancies it has issued recruitment notice. Apart from that, the bank has also formed an alliance with …. Original source  : Corporation Bank LIC Tie Up.

Texas Rangers manager Ron Washington apologizes for “one-time” cocaine use

Rangers manager tested positive for coke
PEORIA, Ariz. – Before he could end a long day unlike any in his professional career, Ron Washington had to prepare for a game.

Hours after admitting he made a “huge mistake” by using cocaine – he says for the first and only time – and failing a Major League Baseball … Read the original article on Gaea Times at : Texas Rangers manager Ron Washington apologizes for “one-time” cocaine use.

Reserve Bank Cancels the Licence of Rahuri Peoples Co-operative Bank Ltd., Rahuri. Maharashtra

In view of the fact that Rahuri Peoples Co-operative Bank Ltd., Rahuri. Maharashtra, had ceased to be solvent, all efforts to revive it in close consultation with the Government of Maharashtra had failed and the depositors were being inconvenienced by continued uncertainty, the Reserve Bank of India delivered …. Read the original article  : Reserve Bank Cancels the Licence of Rahuri Peoples Co-operative Bank Ltd., Rahuri. Maharashtra.

Asian stock markets mostly lower while euro slides amid concerns about Greece

Asian stock markets mostly lower, euro falls

HONG KONG – Asian stock markets were mostly lower Thursday while the euro weakened after Greece said it might seek international assistance to resolve its debt crisis.
The largely muted trade came after Wall Street advanced for the seventh straight day. Oil prices fell to near $82 a barrel.
Global markets … Read the original article on Gaea Times at : Asian stock markets mostly lower while euro slides amid concerns about Greece.

UAW OKs severance agreement in shutdown of Toyota plant in Calif.

UAW OKs severance pact in Calif. plant shutdown

FREMONT, Calif. – The union that represents workers at the New United Motor Manufacturing Inc., known as Nummi, have voted in favor of a proposed severance package for the 4,600 workers about to lose their jobs when the plant closes, according to a United Auto Workers official.
Though unable …. Source article  : UAW OKs severance agreement in shutdown of Toyota plant in Calif..

Oil falls to near $82 in Asia after 2-day rally on brighter US demand outlook

Oil falls to near $82 after 2-day rally
SINGAPORE – Oil prices fell to near $82 a barrel Thursday in Asia, paring two days of gains that were fueled by signs U.S. crude demand may be improving.

Benchmark crude for April delivery was down 75 cents to $82.18 a barrel at late afternoon Singapore time in electronic … Read the original article on Gaea Times at : Oil falls to near $82 in Asia after 2-day rally on brighter US demand outlook.

Toyota chief says worker development failed to keep up with automaker’s rapid growth

Toyota chief says training lapsed amid fast growth

TOKYO – Toyota’s training of workers to maintain quality control failed to keep up with the company’s rapid growth, its president Akio Toyoda said in an interview with a major Japanese business daily.
Toyoda, grandson of the automaker’s founder, said the problem became especially acute after Toyota’s global production … Read this article on Gaea Times at : Toyota chief says worker development failed to keep up with automaker’s rapid growth.

Report: Former top North Korean official executed for botched currency reform

Report: North Korean executed over currency reform

SEOUL, South Korea – North Korea executed a former senior official last week as punishment for the country’s botched currency reform, a news report said Thursday.
In November, North Korea redenominated its currency as part of efforts to lower inflation and reassert control over the country’s nascent market economy. However, …. Original source  : Report: Former top North Korean official executed for botched currency reform.

Money Market Operations as on March 17, 2010

… Read : Money Market Operations as on March 17, 2010.

Hooters workers sue restaurant chain, some Calif. locations over alleged wage, work violations

Hooters employees sue over work, wage violations

SACRAMENTO, Calif. – Three dozen current and former Hooters workers are suing over work and wage violations, saying they were forced to buy their own uniforms and work without pay.
Attorneys representing the former and current employees filed two lawsuits seeking class-action status Tuesday in Sacramento and Los Angeles. They … Read the original article on Gaea Times at : Hooters workers sue restaurant chain, some Calif. locations over alleged wage, work violations.

APNewsBreak: Report alleges Afghan security contractor fired shots that killed Indiana Marine

Report alleges Afghan contractor shot Ind. Marine

INDIANAPOLIS – The U.S. Marine Corps’ investigation of the February death of an Indiana Marine in Afghanistan concludes that he was fatally shot when an Afghan security contractor fired shots at a group of Marines.
The Marine Corps’ report, obtained Wednesday by The Associated Press through a Freedom of Information …. Source  : Gaea News Network.

Pennsylvania lawmaker calls health care ad outrageous and untrue, but group refuses to halt it

Lawmaker says health care ad distorts and hurts

WASHINGTON – A Pennsylvania lawmaker whose parents recently died of cancer is among the targets of an ad campaign by a conservative group that questions congressional Democrats’ interest in preventing the disease.
Democratic Rep. Kathy Dahlkemper said she was outraged by the ad, part of a widespread campaign in … Read more »».

Blacks must leave store, NJ Walmart announcer says, upsetting customers; company investigates

Black people must leave, NJ Walmart announcer says

WASHINGTON TOWNSHIP, N.J. – A Walmart store announcement ordering black people to leave brought chagrin and apologies Wednesday from leaders of the company, which has built a fragile trust among minority communities.
A male voice came over the public-address system Sunday evening at a store in Washington Township, in …. Read the original article  : Blacks must leave store, NJ Walmart announcer says, upsetting customers; company investigates.

Judge orders repair of treatment plants in US Virgin Islands after waste dumped into ocean

USVI judge orders halt to waste dumped in ocean

CHARLOTTE AMALIE, U.S. Virgin Islands – Federal authorities won a court order Wednesday requiring officials in this U.S. territory to repair sewage plants that have dumped raw waste at beaches renowned for snorkeling and surfing.
The islands’ Waste Management Authority dumped more than 50 million gallons (189 million … Original article on : Judge orders repair of treatment plants in US Virgin Islands after waste dumped into ocean.

Theravance says it will sell new stock to raise money for drug research or other purposes

Theravance plans to sell 7.5M shares of stock

SOUTH SAN FRANCISCO, Calif. – Drug developer Theravance Inc. said Wednesday it will sell 7.5 million shares of stock to raise money for general corporate purposes.
Theravance said the underwriters of the offering will have the option to buy another 1.1 million shares. The joint book-running managers of the [..] Read the original article: here.

Group: Idaho first to sign law that would sue federal government over health care overhaul

Idaho first to sign law aimed at health care plan
BOISE, Idaho – Idaho took the lead in a growing, nationwide fight against health care overhaul Wednesday when its governor became the first to sign a measure requiring the state attorney general to sue the …. Source  : Gaea News Network.

New rule on tarmac delays will come too late to help Virgin America fliers stranded in NY

New delay rule comes too late for Virgin fliers

NEW YORK – A new federal rule that is supposed to prevent travelers from being stranded on airport tarmacs will be implemented too late to help Virgin America passengers marooned for 4?? hours at a little-used New York airport.
Virgin America Flight 404 was forced to land at …. Original article on Gaea Times at  : New rule on tarmac delays will come too late to help Virgin America fliers stranded in NY.

Group: Idaho first to sign law that would sue federal government over health care reform

Idaho first to sign law against health care reform
BOISE, Idaho – Idaho is leading the charge in a states-rights push to defeat a proposal in Congress that would require people to buy health insurance, a key piece of reforms being pushed by President Barack Obama.
Republican Gov. C.L. “Butch” Otter used a ceremony Wednesday …. Source  : Gaea News Network.

McGraw-Hill Construction renews publishing deal with Associated General Contractors of America

McGraw-Hill renews magazine deal with contractors

ORLANDO, Fla. – McGraw-Hill Construction, part of publishing house The McGraw-Hill Companies Inc., said Wednesday it extended its publishing agreement with the Associated General Contractors of America for two more years.
McGraw-Hill Construction said it will continue to print “Constructor,” the official magazine of the contractors association, and produce the contractors’ … Read : McGraw-Hill Construction renews publishing deal with Associated General Contractors of America.