World stock markets gain as US economic reports boost sentiment; Tokyo up nearly 1 pct

World stock markets gain after US economic reports

HONG KONG – World stock markets turned higher Friday as modestly positive reports about the U.S. economy underpinned optimism about the global recovery.
Asian markets fluctuated earlier in the day before trading largely green while Europe opened moderately higher. Oil prices slipped below $82 a barrel, and the dollar …. Original article  : World stock markets gain as US economic reports boost sentiment; Tokyo up nearly 1 pct.

No new tax in Tamil Nadu deficit budget for 2010-11

CHENNAI – Tamil Nadu Finance Minister K. Anbazhagan Friday presented a deficit budget with no additional tax for the financial year 2010-11.

“The total revenue receipts of the government for 2010-11 are estimated at Rs.63,091.74 crore and the total revenue expenditure is estimated at Rs.66,488.19 crore. Accordingly, the revenue deficit is estimated at Rs.3,396.45 crore,” he … Read more : No new tax in Tamil Nadu deficit budget for 2010-11.

Health care bill would increase wage taxes, add new levy on investments for high earners

Health care bill extends wage tax to investments
WASHINGTON – High-income families would be hit with a tax increase on wages and a new levy on investments under President Barack Obama’s health care overhaul bill.
For the first time, the Medicare payroll tax would be applied to investment income, beginning in 2013. A new 3.8 … Read the original article on Gaea Times at : Health care bill would increase wage taxes, add new levy on investments for high earners.

Lloyds Banking Group expects to report a profit for 2010, says impairments less than expected

Lloyds Banking Group expects profit this year

LONDON – Britain’s Lloyds Banking Group PLC said Friday it expects to report a profit this year as trading has so far been strong and provisions for bad assets are not as large as previously forecast.
In a brief statement, the part-nationalized bank said that in the first 10 weeks …. Original source  : Lloyds Banking Group expects to report a profit for 2010, says impairments less than expected.

PROMISES, PROMISES: Obama, activists make noise on immigration overhaul, but what happens now?

PROMISES, PROMISES: Obama in immigration dance
WASHINGTON – President Barack Obama promised to make overhauling the immigration system a top priority in his first year as president. He’s now in Year Two, and the odds that he’ll get to sign a bill before the November midterm elections appear long.
Grass-roots activists are frustrated …. Original article on Gaea Times at  : PROMISES, PROMISES: Obama, activists make noise on immigration overhaul, but what happens now?.

Asian stock markets gain as US economic reports boost sentiment; Tokyo up nearly 1 pct

Asian stock markets gain after US economic reports

HONG KONG – Most Asian stock markets turned higher Friday as modestly positive reports about the U.S. economy underpinned optimism about the global recovery.
Markets fluctuated earlier in the day before trading largely green. Oil prices slipped below $82 a barrel, and the dollar gained against the yen and … Original article on : Asian stock markets gain as US economic reports boost sentiment; Tokyo up nearly 1 pct.

Democrats on track for health care vote Sunday as Obama, leaders pressure wavering lawmakers

Democrats push toward Sunday vote on health care
WASHINGTON – Slowly but steadily, support is building behind President Barack Obama’s health care legislation in the House, the result of intense lobbying and politically targeted changes aimed at reassuring waverers and winning over critics.
Obama himself was to talk up the sweeping overhaul in a midday … Original article on : Democrats on track for health care vote Sunday as Obama, leaders pressure wavering lawmakers.

SC Gov. agrees to pay $74,000 in ethics fines over travel, spending; His divorce becomes final

SC gov agrees to pay ethics fine, gets divorced

COLUMBIA, S.C. – South Carolina Gov. Mark Sanford has closed two chapters of his life, agreeing to pay $74,000 in fines to resolve ethics charges brought against him after last summer’s revelation of an extramarital affair, and receiving word that a judge had formally ended his 20-year …. Original article  : SC Gov. agrees to pay $74,000 in ethics fines over travel, spending; His divorce becomes final.

Fight over India bid drives Nepal to passport disaster

KATHMANDU – April 1 bodes to be no laughing matter for Nepal with the fledgling republic heading for a passport disaster as the ruling parties continue to bicker over a bid by an Indian company to print new passports.

As per the norms of the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO), Nepal needs to switch over to …. Original article on Gaea Times at  : Fight over India bid drives Nepal to passport disaster.

MSK Projects: Welspun-Gujarat Takeover

MUMBAI, INDIA (GaeaTimes.com)- Welspun-Gujarat Stahl Rohren, which happens to be pipe manufacturers had declared its decision of taking over a control stake which is linked to the construction firm MSK Projects India. The stake is quoted at 400 crore.
However, the subsidiary of Welspun Infratech shall only be taking charge over 75% stake involved in … Read more »»».

Bank of Baroda Unveils US Expansion

MUMBAI, INDIA (GaeaTimes.com)- The third biggest public sector bank of India, BOB or Bank of Baroda is about to open a branch in Houston in USA. The leaders in the regional Indian-American community think that it would be good to see a leading Indian origin bank starting operations in Houston. It may pave … Read : Bank of Baroda Unveils US Expansion.

‘Way paved for excellent commercial outcome of Obama visit’

WASHINGTON – The groundwork has been laid for an “excellent trade and commercial outcome” of President Barack Obama’s expected visit to India later this year, Commerce and Industry Minister Anand Sharma said here.

“I believe through these meetings we have been able to build the groundwork of an excellent trade and commercial outcome for the forthcoming … Read this article on Gaea Times at : ‘Way paved for excellent commercial outcome of Obama visit’.

Samsung sees strong 2010, aims for double-digit sales growth as global economy expands

Samsung aims for double-digit sales growth

SEOUL, South Korea – Samsung Electronics predicted a strong 2010 as economic expansion in advanced and large developing economies gains speed and said it is aiming for double-digit sales growth from last year’s record high.
The world’s largest manufacturer of flat screen televisions and second-biggest seller of mobile phones held its … Read this article on Gaea Times at : Samsung sees strong 2010, aims for double-digit sales growth as global economy expands.

China calls on Washington to cool ‘emotionalization’ on currency, warns of risks of yuan rise

China calls on Washington cool yuan pressure
BEIJING – China stepped up resistance Friday to U.S. pressure over currency, calling on Washington to cool its “politicization and emotionalization” of the issue and warning a further rise in its yuan could drive exporters out of business.
Beijing is trying to head off pressure from U.S. lawmakers …. Read the original article  : here.

Oil drifts below $82 in Asia as month-long rally stalls

Oil drifts below $82 as month-long rally stalls

\SINGAPORE – Oil prices drifted below $82 a barrel Friday in Asia, pulling back from a monthlong rally that was fueled by mostly positive news about the U.S. economy.
Benchmark crude for April delivery was down 28 cents to $81.92 a barrel at late afternoon Singapore time in electronic … Read more »».

Asian stock markets mixed as Greece uncertainty weighs; oil slips below $82 a barrel

Asian markets mixed as Greece uncertainty weighs

HONG KONG – Asian stock markets turned in a mixed performance Friday, fluctuating as uncertainty over debt-laden Greece weighed on investors.
A number of markets were little changed, while oil prices slipped below $82 a barrel and the dollar gained against the yen and weakened against the euro.
Investors were unnerved …. Original article  : Asian stock markets mixed as Greece uncertainty weighs; oil slips below $82 a barrel.

India wants US help to become a world-class manufacturing hub

WASHINGTON – India has invited US companies to take advantage of its rapid growth and help shape the country into a world-class manufacturing hub with greater investment in its infrastructure.

“Just as our strategic partnership has matured and grown, Indo-US trade and investment has increased dramatically over the past 20 years,” India’s Commerce and Industry Minister … Original source on Gaea Times at : India wants US help to become a world-class manufacturing hub.

Money Market Operations as on March 18, 2010

… Read more >>>.

Agent: general manager Scot McCloughan still with San Francisco 49ers as of now

Agent: GM McCloughan still with 49ers _ for now

SANTA CLARA, Calif. – The agent for San Francisco 49ers general manager Scot McCloughan said Thursday night his client is still employed by the team – for now, anyway.
Peter Schaffer, McCloughan’s representative, told The Associated Press in a phone interview that he has “not heard any different” …. Original article  : Agent: general manager Scot McCloughan still with San Francisco 49ers as of now.

Ill. high court: Hospital doesn’t provide enough charitable services to get tax-exempt status

Ill. high court: Hospital shouldn’t be tax exempt

CHICAGO – The state Supreme Court ruled Thursday that an Urbana hospital doesn’t provide enough charitable services to qualify for a property tax exemption, a decision hospitals in Illinois worry could lead local governments to try to overturn other exemptions in a hunt for badly needed cash.
National hospital … Read more >>.