Global voices join against privatisation, anti-worker policies

CHANDIGARH – Workers across the world are against privatisation and capitalism and a global policy should be formed to prevent discrimination against workers, said communist leaders from European, Asian and Latin American countries gathered here to share their common concerns over unemployment, low wages, poor working conditions and privatization.

Rosane Bertotti, communication secretary of the biggest …. Original article on Gaea Times at  : Global voices join against privatisation, anti-worker policies.

Uproar in Nepal as Indian firm wins passport bid

KATHMANDU – Nepal’s ruling parties are pitted against one another and the Maoists have joined the uproar as Nepal’s government finally decided to award a prestigious contract for printing smart passports to a state-owned company in India.

The Nasik-based Security Printing and Minting Corporation of India has bagged the contract to print 4 million machine-readable Nepali … Read : Uproar in Nepal as Indian firm wins passport bid.

Abortion still a sticking point, undecideds tilt Obama’s way ahead of Sunday’s vote

Obama making final health care pitch to House Dems
WASHINGTON – Claiming unstoppable momentum but still short of the goal line, President Barack Obama is heading to Capitol Hill to rally House Democrats for a final push on landmark health care legislation.
The battle tilted in Obama’s direction Friday as more Democrats revealed their positions. …. Source article on Gaea Times at  : Abortion still a sticking point, undecideds tilt Obama’s way ahead of Sunday’s vote.

British Airways crew launches 3-day strike, forcing airline to cancel thousands of flights

Thousands of BA flights canceled as crew on strike

LONDON – British Airways was scrambling to deal with a three-day strike launched by cabin crew Saturday, throwing the plans of tens of thousands of travelers into chaos and risking harm to the Labour government before a tough general election.
BA chartered planes from rival airlines, drafted in …. Source article on Gaea Times at  : British Airways crew launches 3-day strike, forcing airline to cancel thousands of flights.

SilkAir to fly to Bangalore, Chennai

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM – SilkAir, the regional wing of Singapore Airlines, will soon fly daily to Bangalore and Chennai.

The airline would introduce the flights between Singapore and Bangalore from May 17 and between Singapore and Chennai from June 14 to compliment Singapore Airlines’ existing daily flights to both cities.
“SilkAir is very excited to introduce services to …. Source  : SilkAir to fly to Bangalore, Chennai.

Bank Of Baroda Steps Into Insurance

MUMBAI, INDIA (GaeaTimes.com)- It seems that Bank of Baroda, the third largest public sector banking institution in India is on an expansion overdrive. It is not only looking forward to opening more branched in India and abroad but is also trying to venture into hitherto untapped segments in 2010. In a recent move, …. Source article on Gaea Times at  : Bank Of Baroda Steps Into Insurance.

Costlier milk pinches Delhiites

NEW DELHI – Already battling rising food prices, Delhiites got a rude shock Saturday as Mother Dairy, one of the biggest suppliers of milk in and around the capital, raised its price by Rs.2 per litre.

Mother Dairy said the hike was forced by an increase in the procurement prices.
As per the revised rates, a …. Read the original article  : Costlier milk pinches Delhiites.

Sensex outperforms global indices, gains 2.4 percent (Weekly Market Review)

MUMBAI – Benchmark indices of Indian equities outperformed their global peers over the week, even though the rally ran out of steam in the last two days.

The 30-share sensitive index (Sensex) of the Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE) moved up 411.61 points or 2.4 percent to end at 17,578.23 points Friday.
The broader S&P CNX …. Source  : Sensex outperforms global indices, gains 2.4 percent (Weekly Market Review).

Himachal’s CRI resumes vaccine production

SHIMLA – Himachal Pradesh’s Central Research Institute (CRI), whose manufacturing licence was cancelled in January 2008, has resumed production of vaccines with the central government giving it clearance, a minister said here Saturday.

“CRI has resumed production of vaccines after the central government in its orders dated Feb 12 and 26 cleared its drug production licence,” … Read more : Himachal’s CRI resumes vaccine production.

Closure of Orissa railway sidings hits iron ore supplies

BHUBANESWAR – Supply of iron ore from mines in Orissa’s Keonjhar district has been hit after the authorities closed at least four railway sidings and prohibited loading and unloading of minerals, a Tata Steel official said Saturday.

“Our movement from the Joda siding has been adversely affected” Mohit Das, a Tata Steel spokesperson told IANS. … Read more >>>.

Sarkozy’s party braces for potential electoral wipeout in regional elections favoring left

Sarkozy’s party braces for electoral wipeout

PARIS – President Nicolas Sarkozy’s party braced for a potential electoral wipeout in Sunday’s final round of regional elections, which an alliance of the rival left hopes will give it a national sweep and a staging ground for 2012 presidential voting.
Even damage control was difficult for the conservatives.
Sarkozy’s UMP party, … Read more : Sarkozy’s party braces for potential electoral wipeout in regional elections favoring left.

Gujarat acts on critically polluted clusters

AHMEDABAD – After the state pollution control board declared eight clusters of Gujarat as critically polluted, an action plan has been rolled out to ensure that industrial units in these areas comply with the laid down norms, an official said Saturday.

According to Gujarat Pollution Control Board (GPCB) official, efforts were being initiated to improve …. Read the original article  : Gujarat acts on critically polluted clusters.

Talks between British Airways, union collapse; strike affecting thousands of travelers begins

Strike begins as talks between BA, union collapse

LONDON – A three-day strike by British Airways cabin crew affecting thousands of travelers began Saturday after last-ditch talks between the airline’s management and union leaders collapsed.
The walkout has forced BA to cancel thousands of flights, but it still hopes to operate around 65 percent of its international …. Source  : Gaea News Network.

Gujarat to build expressway soon

AHMEDABAD – Gujarat will build it’s first expressway between Ahmedabad and Bhavnagar at a cost of Rs.2,200 crore to provide superfast road connectivity to Special Investment Region.

The investment region is coming up enroute at Dholera, an ancient port-city in Gulf of Khambhat, 30 km away from Dhandhuka village of Ahmedabad district.
According to Roads and …. Original source  : Gujarat to build expressway soon.

Lady Gaga fires back at music producer in NY court, files response challenging $30M lawsuit

Lady Gaga fires back in NY court at music producer

NEW YORK – Lady Gaga is firing back at a music producer who claims he launched her career and is suing her for $30.5 million.
Her lawyer said in a court filing made public Friday the agreement at the heart of the suit was “unlawful.”
Song writer and … Read more >>>.

Ilgauskas back in Cleveland area 3 days before he’s eligible to re-sign with Cavaliers

Ilgauskas back in Cleveland area
AVON, Ohio – Zydrunas Ilgauskas is back in the Cleveland area three days before he is eligible to re-sign with the Cavaliers.

Ilgauskas declined to comment to The Associated Press on Friday following a workout at a suburban gym.
His agent, Herb Rudoy, told the AP in an e-mail that he will talk … Read more : Ilgauskas back in Cleveland area 3 days before he’s eligible to re-sign with Cavaliers.

Nev. judge decides initiative to raise mining taxes can proceed, but says it must be reworded

NV’s mining industry loses bid to block petition

CARSON CITY, Nev. – Nevada’s mining industry has lost an early legal bid to keep Nevadans from voting on a ballot measure that would dramatically increase mining taxes in the richest gold mining state in the nation.
District Judge James Wilson Jr., at a hearing today in Carson City, … Read more : Nev. judge decides initiative to raise mining taxes can proceed, but says it must be reworded.

Report: Loophole allows Calif. nurse assistants to be rehired after abuse, other misconduct

Report: Nurse assistants rehired after misconduct

LOS ANGELES – A state Senate report released Friday said nurse assistants who lost their certification over abuse, negligence or theft in nursing homes were able to go to work as caregivers in assisted living facilities because of a computer tracking loophole.
A Senate subcommittee plans to hold a hearing next … Read this article on Gaea Times at : Report: Loophole allows Calif. nurse assistants to be rehired after abuse, other misconduct.

Scary hits, major injuries, push NHL toward ban of shots to the head

Long overdue, NHL set to eliminate hits to head

NEW YORK – The dazed and distant look on Brent Seabrook’s face after the Chicago Blackhawks defenseman got crushed against the boards cried out for a head shot ban – in time for the third period.
The sight of Boston Bruins star Marc Savard out cold on the …. Source  : Scary hits, major injuries, push NHL toward ban of shots to the head.

Regulators shut banks in Alabama, Georgia, Minnesota, Ohio and Utah; makes 37 this year

Regulators shut 7 banks in 5 states; 37 in 2010

WASHINGTON – Regulators on Friday shut down seven banks in five states, bringing to 37 the number of bank failures in the U.S. so far this year.
The closings follow the 140 that succumbed in 2009 to mounting loan defaults and the recession.
The Federal Deposit Insurance Corp. …. Original article on Gaea Times at  : Regulators shut banks in Alabama, Georgia, Minnesota, Ohio and Utah; makes 37 this year.