German industrial conglomerate Siemens wants to build wind turbine plant in UK

Siemens looks to build UK wind turbine plant

FRANKFURT – German industrial conglomerate Siemens AG says it wants to build a wind turbine production plant in the east or northeast of the U.K., but is still looking at locations.
Munich-based Siemens said in a statement Monday it is looking at potential sites and is focusing on harbor …. Original source  : German industrial conglomerate Siemens wants to build wind turbine plant in UK.

BSNL offers free installation to new broadband customers

NEW DELHI – State-run telecom operator Bharat Sanchar Nigam Ltd (BSNL) will offer free installation and unlimited data download for the first 15 days to customers who subscribe to its landline-based broadband service by March 31.

“BSNL will offer free installation, free broadband usage for first 15 days at speeds upto 2 mbps, free music and … Original article on : BSNL offers free installation to new broadband customers.

Additional LAF Operations ??? March 30 and 31, 2010

With a view to addressing the year-end liquidity requirements, it has been decided to conduct additional repo and reverse repo operations under Liquidity Adjustment Facility (LAF) on March 30 and 31, 2010 between 4.15 pm and 4.45 pm.
  Ajit Prasad
 Manager
Press Release : 2009-2010/1301

… Read the original article on Gaea Times at : Additional LAF Operations ??? March 30 and 31, 2010.

L&T bags Rs.1,400-crore order from Indian Oil

MUMBAI – Engineering major Larsen and Toubro (L&T) Monday said it has bagged a Rs.1,400 crore oil refinery project from state-run Indian Oil Corp.

“L&T has secured a major order valued at Rs.1,400 crore from Indian Oil Corporation for a 4.17 million tonnes per annum FCC (fluidised catalytic cracker) Reactor Regenerator project of a grassroots fuel … Read the original article on Gaea Times at : L&T bags Rs.1,400-crore order from Indian Oil.

Searchers believe they found remains of actor Errol Flynn’s son in Cambodia

Searchers: remains of Errol Flynn’s son found

PHNOM PENH, Cambodia – Forensic tests will be conducted on what two searchers believe are the remains of photographer Sean Flynn, son of Hollywood star Errol Flynn, who disappeared during the Cambodian War 40 years ago, the U.S. Embassy said Monday.
At least 37 journalists were killed or are listed …. Read the original article  : here.

Royal Bank of Scotland selling factoring unit to GE Capital

RBS sells German unit to GE Capital
LONDON – Royal Bank of Scotland Group PLC said Monday it has agreed to sell RBS Factoring GmbH, a unit that provides loans secured against company invoices, to GE Capital.

Terms of the sale, one of a series of divestments by the government-controlled bank, were not disclosed.
RBS Factoring’s loans are …. Original article on Gaea Times at  : Royal Bank of Scotland selling factoring unit to GE Capital.

Lentil … cookies? Healthy foods trend has farmers hoping to get legumes into more products

Farmers group touts lentils, other healthy legumes

BISMARCK, N.D. – Lentils are a hot topic among gourmets these days, with recipes for them popping up in most major food magazines.
Lentil and other legume farmers hope to capitalize on this interest and convince consumers and food producers to use them in breads and cookies as well as … Read more : Lentil … cookies? Healthy foods trend has farmers hoping to get legumes into more products.

THE INFLUENCE GAME: Lobbying pays off as drug industry hits jackpot with health overhaul.

THE INFLUENCE GAME: Drug lobby’s health care win
WASHINGTON – Chalk one up for the pharmaceutical lobby.
The U.S. drug industry fended off price curbs and other hefty restrictions in President Barack Obama’s health care law even as it prepares for plenty of new business when an estimated 32 million uninsured Americans gain …. Source  : THE INFLUENCE GAME: Lobbying pays off as drug industry hits jackpot with health overhaul..

Tata may source auto parts from Bangladesh

DHAKA – Indian auto giant Tata Motors has indicated interest in sourcing auto components from Bangladesh. But setting up a plant to manufacture the world’s cheapest car, Nano, would have to wait, a company official said.

According to Nitol Motors, Tata’s business partner here, a technical team from Tata will carry out a survey within the … Read : Tata may source auto parts from Bangladesh.

‘Blackmailing’ Bolivian sugar factories may be nationalised

La Paz, March 29 (IANS/EFE) Sugar refineries that are “blackmailing” the Bolivian people by selling their product at elevated prices may be nationalised, President Evo Morales has warned.

“If owners of sugar refineries continue selling their sugar more cheaply abroad and more dearly (domestically), I will see myself forced to nationalise … those factories, without any … Original source on Gaea Times at : ‘Blackmailing’ Bolivian sugar factories may be nationalised.

NKorea warns of deadly consequences over DMZ activities; no mention of sunken ship

NKorea accuses South of psychological warfare

SEOUL, South Korea – North Korea warned the U.S. and South Korea on Monday of deadly consequences for engaging in “psychological warfare” by allowing journalists into the heavily fortified Demilitarized Zone dividing the two Koreas.
The stern statement was the first from North Korea’s military since a South Korean naval ship … Read : NKorea warns of deadly consequences over DMZ activities; no mention of sunken ship.

Oil rises above $80 in Asia as investors look to US jobs data later this week

Oil above $80 as traders look to US jobs data

SINGAPORE – Oil prices rose above $80 a barrel Monday in Asia as investors look to a key U.S. jobs report later this week for clues about the outlook for consumer spending.
Benchmark crude for May delivery was up 64 cents to $80.64 a barrel at late …. Source  : Oil rises above $80 in Asia as investors look to US jobs data later this week.

Sensex starts week in the green

MUMBAI – A benchmark index for Indian equities started the week in the green and was ruling about 40 points higher an hour into trade Monday.

The 30-scrip sensitive index (Sensex) of the Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE), which opened at 17,639.18 points, was ruling at 17,682.87 points, 38.11 points or 0.22 percent higher than its previous …. Original source  : Sensex starts week in the green.

Asian stock markets mostly higher as Chinese company earnings boost sentiment.

Asian stock markets mostly higher
HONG KONG – Asian stock markets were mostly higher Monday as stronger earnings from Chinese companies and a deal to provide Greece a financial safety net helped buoy sentiment.

The dollar was higher against the yen, while crude oil prices rose as investors showed more appetite for riskier assets.
Chinese shares led the …. Original article  : Asian stock markets mostly higher as Chinese company earnings boost sentiment..

Money Market Operations as on March 26, 2010

…. Source  : Gaea News Network.

Women-driven taxis are popular in Middle East

CAIRO – Fleets of “pink” taxis, driven by women, are cruising the streets of Middle East cities, providing a safe and comfortable ride for women wary of getting into taxis driven by men.

“Many times I had problems with (male) drivers acting indecently,” said Noha Mohammed, a veiled Egyptian housewife.
“When I told my husband, he …. Source  : Gaea News Network.

Asian stock markets mixed in early trading after tepid session on Wall Street

Asian stock markets mixed in early trading

TOKYO – Asian markets were mixed early Monday after shares in New York on Friday gave back most of their gains on concerns over whether a recent rally could be sustained.
Japan’s benchmark Nikkei 225 stock average was down 57.24 points, or 0.5 percent, at 10,939.13 while South Korea’s Kospi …. Source article on Gaea Times at  : Asian stock markets mixed in early trading after tepid session on Wall Street.

Chinese firm buys Volvo’s car plant for $1.8 bn

GOTEBORG – China’s Geely Holding Group has signed a deal worth $1.8 billion with Ford Motor Co. to acquire the US auto giant’s Volvo car manufacturing unit in Sweden.

Under the definitive stock purchase deal, Geely will own 100 percent of Volvo Cars and its related assets.
The agreement was inked Sundya by Li Shufu, founder …. Original article on Gaea Times at  : Chinese firm buys Volvo’s car plant for $1.8 bn.

Shell sells New Zealand refining and distribution businesses for $490 million

Shell sells New Zealand gas stations for $490M

WELLINGTON, New Zealand – Royal Dutch Shell PLC is selling its century-old distribution and retail business in New Zealand, including hundreds of gas stations and a share in the country’s only oil refinery, for 696 million New Zealand dollars ($490 million).
Europe’s largest oil company said Monday the assets …. Read the original article  : Shell sells New Zealand refining and distribution businesses for $490 million.

Iran’s nuclear program to top agenda when G-8 foreign ministers meet in Canada

Iran sanctions top concern at G-8 meeting
OTTAWA – Iran’s nuclear program is of “critical concern” and will top the agenda when foreign ministers from the Group of Eight nations meet Monday to discuss global security, Canada’s foreign minister said.

Foreign Minister Lawrence Cannon said he’ll press for stiffer sanctions against Iran when G-8 ministers assemble in … Read more >>.