Oil drifts above $81 in Asia as traders eye stronger US dollar

Oil drifts near $81 as traders eye stronger dollar

SINGAPORE – Oil prices drifted above $81 a barrel Tuesday in Asia as the U.S. dollar strengthened, making crude more expensive for investors with other currencies.
Benchmark crude for May delivery was down 12 cents to $81.48 a barrel at late afternoon Singapore time in electronic trading on … Read this article on Gaea Times at : Oil drifts above $81 in Asia as traders eye stronger US dollar.

Finance minister says Greece can keep borrrowing from markets with ‘no difficulty’

Greece: can keep borrowing from markets
ATHENS, Greece – Greece’s finance minister says his country will have no difficulty in borrowing money on financial markets in the upcoming months, despite persistently high lending rates.

George Papaconstantinou also says he expects a “positive outcome” from Thursday’s meeting of European Union leaders who will discuss how to help Greece …. Original article  : Finance minister says Greece can keep borrrowing from markets with ‘no difficulty’.

Ready Forward Contracts in Corporate Debt Securities

The market participants shall report their repo trades in corporate bonds only to the clearing corporations, i.e., National Securities Clearing Corporation of India Ltd. (NSCCL) and Indian Clearing Corporation Ltd. (ICCL) for settlement until the launch of the Fixed Income Money Market and Derivatives Association (FIMMDA) Reporting Platform, which …. Original article on Gaea Times at  : Ready Forward Contracts in Corporate Debt Securities.

AP sources: Charges eyed for Blackwater’s ex-president, others in NC gun case

AP sources: New charges eyed for Blackwater

WASHINGTON – People close to an investigation of the Blackwater private security company say federal prosecutors are considering filing weapons charges against the firm’s former president and two other former employees.
They tell The Associated Press the potential charges stem from a probe into whether the firm illegally stockpiled automatic … Read this article on Gaea Times at : AP sources: Charges eyed for Blackwater’s ex-president, others in NC gun case.

Health law will require calorie counts in menus in 200,000 restaurants nationwide

Health law will make calorie counts hard to ignore
WASHINGTON – That Caesar salad you’re about to eat? It’s 800 calories, and that’s without the croutons. The fettuccine alfredo? A whopping 1,220 calories. You may choose to ignore the numbers, but soon it’s going to be tough to deny you saw them.
A requirement tucked … Read : Health law will require calorie counts in menus in 200,000 restaurants nationwide.

For consumers, passage of health care bill brings an array of new options and trade-offs

Wanted: User manual for health care overhaul
WASHINGTON – President Barack Obama and the Democrats have overcome their doubts and divisions to pass landmark health care legislation affecting every family and one-sixth of the economy. The president will sign the main bill at a White House ceremony scheduled for Tuesday, and a companion package …. Original article on Gaea Times at  : For consumers, passage of health care bill brings an array of new options and trade-offs.

After signing health care bill, Obama to celebrate historic overhaul effort with supporters

Obama to sign health bill, celebrate with allies
WASHINGTON – President Barack Obama’s yearlong health care overhaul drama featured dozens of speeches, contentious debate and a televised summit with lawmakers before a divided Congress passed the bill. An elaborate White House signing ceremony kicks off the next act: selling the sweeping changes … Read more »»».

Asian stock markets mostly higher after US gains on health care reform; oil holds above $81

Asian markets mostly higher after US stocks gain

HONG KONG – Asian stock markets were mostly higher Tuesday, helped by an overnight rise on Wall Street after the passage of a sweeping U.S. health care measure.
Major markets gained by 1 percent or less, reversing course after declines the day before. The dollar was up modestly against … Read the original article on Gaea Times at : Asian stock markets mostly higher after US gains on health care reform; oil holds above $81.

Oil hovers above $81 in Asia as traders eye equity markets, crude supply data

Oil hovers above $81 as traders eye equity markets

SINGAPORE – Oil prices hovered above $81 a barrel Tuesday in Asia as investors look to equity markets and crude inventory data later this week for a trading catalyst.
Benchmark crude for May delivery was down 10 cents to $81.50 a barrel at midday Singapore time in electronic … Read more : Oil hovers above $81 in Asia as traders eye equity markets, crude supply data.

Lawmakers to debate structure of US mortgage market, changes could take years

Debate on the future of Fannie, Freddie heats up

WASHINGTON – There would be no housing market today without the government.
Over the past 18 months, Washington has taken extraordinary steps to keep home loans available and affordable. That caused a tentative housing recovery last year. Home sales reversed their four-year descent, while prices stabilized.
One big reason: …. Original source  : Lawmakers to debate structure of US mortgage market, changes could take years.

Money Market Operations as on March 22, 2010

… Read this article on Gaea Times at : Money Market Operations as on March 22, 2010.

Warriors’ longtime owner Chris Cohan puts team up for sale

Warriors announce they’re for sale
OAKLAND, Calif. – The Golden State Warriors are for sale and Oracle Corp. CEO Larry Ellison has already made it well known he wants to buy the team.

The Warriors said Monday they have hired Galatioto Sports Partners, or GSP, to handle current owner Chris Cohan’s sale of the franchise and that [..] Read the original article: here.

AL MVP Mauer signs $184 million, 8-year extension with hometown Twins

Twins, Mauer make it official: $184M extension

FORT MYERS, Fla. – Sitting a few feet from the people who inspired him to become one of the games best players, Minnesota Twins catcher Joe Mauer became one of the game’s highest-paid ones as well.
The 26-year-old Mauer signed an $184 million, eight-year contract extension Monday at a news … Read this article on Gaea Times at : AL MVP Mauer signs $184 million, 8-year extension with hometown Twins.

No compromise in Texas couple’s $58M judgment against homebuilder and political donor Perry

No settlement in $58M judgment against homebuilder

DALLAS – Mediation efforts were unsuccessful Monday between an elderly Fort Worth-area couple and the politically powerful Houston homebuilder who lost a $58 million judgment to them, the couple’s lawyers said.
Van Shaw and Dan Hagood, attorneys for Robert and Jane Cull of Mansfield, said they failed to reach an … Read more : No compromise in Texas couple’s $58M judgment against homebuilder and political donor Perry.

California lawmakers take step to ban smoking at state parks, beaches under landmark bill

Calif. moves to ban smoking at all state parks

SACRAMENTO, Calif. – California lawmakers on Monday moved a step closer to banning smoking at state beaches and parks, following the lead of hundreds of communities nationwide.
The state Assembly voted 42-27 in favor of the ban. Anti-smoking groups say the bill would make California the first state … Original article on : California lawmakers take step to ban smoking at state parks, beaches under landmark bill.

Struggling MGM studio says it received several offers of support; review to take several weeks

MGM studio says has received several rescue offers

LOS ANGELES – Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Inc., an iconic Hollywood studio that has fallen on hard times, said Monday it has received several offers from suitors wanting to acquire it or keep it operating as a standalone company.
MGM said it will take several weeks to evaluate the offers, which came …. Source  : Struggling MGM studio says it received several offers of support; review to take several weeks.

A Broadway theater is renamed for composer Stephen Sondheim on his 80th birthday

A Broadway theater is renamed for Stephen Sondheim

NEW YORK – So what did Stephen Sondheim get Monday on his 80th birthday?
A Broadway theater renamed for the composer of “Company,” ”Follies,” ”Sweeney Todd” and other memorable shows.
The Henry Miller’s Theatre on West 43rd Street will now be known as the Stephen Sondheim Theatre.
The announcement was made …. Original article on Gaea Times at  : A Broadway theater is renamed for composer Stephen Sondheim on his 80th birthday.

49ers team president Jed York: GM Scot McCloughan out as general manager

McCloughan out as 49ers GM
SANTA CLARA, Calif. – The San Francisco 49ers have a new man in charge of personnel decisions merely a month before draft day.

Scot McCloughan is out as the Niners’ general manager in a “mutual parting,” and director of player personnel Trent Baalke will lead the team into next month’s draft.
Team president … Original source on Gaea Times at : 49ers team president Jed York: GM Scot McCloughan out as general manager.

Repeal of children’s program puts Arizona’s Medicaid funding at risk under health overhaul

KidsCare repeal said to jeopardize Ariz. funding

PHOENIX – A controversial decision by Arizona lawmakers to eliminate a health insurance program for poor children puts it at risk of losing billions of dollars in federal Medicaid funding under the historic health care bill approved by Congress.
Arizona last week became the first state to eliminate its Children’s …. Source  : Gaea News Network.

Chardonnay, zinfadel and cabernet sauvignon push California’s 2009 grape crush above 4M tons

Chardonnay helps Calif grape crush top 4M tons

FRESNO, Calif. – Chardonnay led the way last year as California vintners crushed more than 4 million tons of grapes, up from 3.7 tons in 2008.
Although the white wine grape was the single most popular grape varietal crushed during the 2009 harvest, accounting for nearly 18 percent of … Original source on Gaea Times at : Chardonnay, zinfadel and cabernet sauvignon push California’s 2009 grape crush above 4M tons.