Rescue official says sounds heard in flooded Chinese coal mine where 153 workers trapped

Sounds heard in China mine where 153 trapped

BEIJING – Sounds of tapping and maybe shouts were heard Friday coming from the pipes of a flooded Chinese coal mine where 153 workers were trapped more than five days earlier, a rescue official said.
Rescuer Zhao Chuan told The Associated Press by telephone that rescuers at the Wangjialing [..] Read the original article: here.

Tourists throng Himachal for long weekend

SHIMLA – The sizzling heat wave in the north Indian plains and a long weekend have led to thousands of tourists thronging various destinations in Himachal Pradesh.

More than one lakh tourists are expected to reach the state for the Good Friday weekend, according to representatives of the hospitality industry.
“As usual, the response of …. Original article on Gaea Times at  : Tourists throng Himachal for long weekend.

Obama plans North Carolina trip to talk jobs programs, increase popularity

Obama heads to NC to talk jobs
WASHINGTON – President Barack Obama is pushing his administration’s plans to create jobs, a crucial campaign issue for Democrats as they look toward November’s midterm elections.
Obama planned remarks Friday at a North Carolina company that has hired new workers and expanded its operations with grants … Read more »»».

BHEL to invest Rs.690 cr for piping plant in Tamil Nadu

TIRUCHIRAPPALLI – Power equipment maker Bharat Heavy Electricals (BHEL) will invest Rs.690 crore to set up a new piping plant at Thirumayam in the state and expand its boiler division here.

The companys Board Thursday sanctioned Rs.250 crore for setting up a new piping plant at Thirumayam. The piping plant, apart from serving the current needs, …. Original article  : BHEL to invest Rs.690 cr for piping plant in Tamil Nadu.

India buys $70m worth of LNG from Trinidad

Port-of-SPAIN – Trinidad and Tobago exported US$70 m worth of liquified natural gas( LNG) to India in 2007, according to Trade and Industry Minister Mariano Browne.

Browne told a T&T/India Trade seminar that this gas export contributed to a trade surplus between both countries for the first time in 11 years.
“Between 1998 and 2006, trade …. Read the original article  : India buys $70m worth of LNG from Trinidad.

Healthy, stable economic relations will help both China and US: Hu

BEIJING – Healthy and stable economic and trade relations between China and the US serve the interests of both countries, Chinese President Hu Jintao said Friday.

Hu spoke with US President Barack Obama on the telephone Friday, where he hoped both sides could settle their trade disputes through dialogue and consultation, Xinhua news agency reported.
As … Original source on Gaea Times at : Healthy, stable economic relations will help both China and US: Hu.

Brickbats and bouquets for private power discom

AGRA – The transfer of power distribution from government to private hands has got a mixed response in this Taj city. More than 2,000 people had complaints while many others praised the private power discom Torrent Private Limited for its prompt response.

The transfer was not a smooth affair on the first day Thursday with … Read the original article on Gaea Times at : Brickbats and bouquets for private power discom.

Insurance for Goa’s pretty and prized coconut palms

PANAJI – The humble coconut is to Goans what perhaps the camel is to desert dwellers. So nearly 100,000 coconut palms in the coastal state of Goa are now set to be insured in an unprecedented exercise, complete with a physical examination of their girth!

Satish Tendulkar, director of agriculture, says since coconut is an important …. Original article on Gaea Times at  : Insurance for Goa’s pretty and prized coconut palms.

Home prices dip, sales up in the first quarter in high-profile Manhattan

Home prices down in Manhattan in 1Q; sales higher

NEW YORK – Home prices in Manhattan dipped in the first quarter of the year, but sales activity rocketed from last year’s low levels.
Two housing reports released Friday showed how Manhattan is navigating a choppy housing market recovery.
Sales have been helped by low mortgage rates and a …. Original source  : Home prices dip, sales up in the first quarter in high-profile Manhattan.

Employers expected to create jobs in March as recovery gains steam

Job creation expected in March as recovery builds

WASHINGTON – The economy is likely to have added jobs last month for only the second time since the recession began 27 months ago.
That, economists say, would mark a significant turning point in the recovery. It would mean the worst is over and that more job creation could … Read more »».

GM says China sales up 68 percent in March to monthly record 230,048

GM says China sales up 68 percent in March

SHANGHAI – General Motors Co. and its joint ventures say their sales jumped 68 percent in March over a year earlier to a new monthly record.
The 230,048 GM vehicles sold in March in China set a record for the 15th straight month, the company said Friday.
Sales in … Original article on : GM says China sales up 68 percent in March to monthly record 230,048.

Officials in CA’s Contra Costa County reach tentative deal on plan for tax refund to Chevron

Calif county reaches deal on tax refund to Chevron

RICHMOND, Calif. – Contra Costa County officials have reached a tentative agreement on a repayment plan for an $18 million tax refund the county owes Chevron Corp.
Officials say the county and its agencies reached a deal with the oil giant to pay $6 million on Aug. 1 …. Source article on Gaea Times at  : Officials in CA’s Contra Costa County reach tentative deal on plan for tax refund to Chevron.

Asian markets rise slightly as strong US manufacturing data suggests economy rebounding

Asian markets rise amid signs US poised for growth

SINGAPORE – Asian stock markets rose slightly Friday after expanding U.S. manufacturing suggested the world’s biggest economy is poised for solid growth this year.
Japan’s benchmark Nikkei 225 stock average rose 41.69 points, or 0.4 percent, to 11,286.09. South Korea’s Kospi was up 0.3 percent at 1,723.49 and …. Original article on Gaea Times at  : Asian markets rise slightly as strong US manufacturing data suggests economy rebounding.

Part of Elton John stage at Mexico’s Chichen Itza ruins partially collapses, injuring 3

Elton John stage at Mexico ruins partly collapses

MEXICO CITY – Part of the stage being set up for a weekend concert by singer Elton John at Mexico’s famed Chichen Itza ruins collapsed during construction, injuring three workers, authorities said Thursday.
Two of the workers were treated for slight injuries and released, and the third was hospitalized …. Original article  : Part of Elton John stage at Mexico’s Chichen Itza ruins partially collapses, injuring 3.

Verizon to record non-cash charge of $970 million related to recently passed health care bill

Verizon to take $970M charge from health care bill

NEW YORK – The corporate tax impact of the recent health care overhaul grew Thursday as Verizon Communications Inc. announced it will record a related $970 million non-cash charge in the first quarter.
So far at least 15 companies have disclosed about $2.8 billion in charges prompted by … Read more >>>.

FDIC sells $491M in distressed mortgages; Roundpoint Mortgage pays $34M for 50 percent stake

FDIC sells $491 million in home loans
WASHINGTON – The Federal Deposit Insurance Corp. has sold $490.7 million in troubled mortgage loans from 19 banks that failed between August 2008 and March 2009 as it works through an inventory of assets from the institutions it has taken over.

The FDIC said Thursday that the winning bidder in …. Original article on Gaea Times at  : FDIC sells $491M in distressed mortgages; Roundpoint Mortgage pays $34M for 50 percent stake.

Asian markets open higher in early trade after Wall Street rise on strong US mfg. data

Asian markets open higher in early trade
TOKYO – Asian stock markets climbed in early trading Friday following a rise on Wall Street, but gains in the region were limited with investors turning cautious ahead of the release of a U.S. job report later in the day.

Japan’s benchmark Nikkei 225 stock average rose 50.04 points, or …. Original article  : Asian markets open higher in early trade after Wall Street rise on strong US mfg. data.

Morgan Stanley pulling out of Revel casino development in Atlantic City, imperiling project

Morgan Stanley pulling out of Revel casino in NJ

ATLANTIC CITY, N.J. – Morgan Stanley said Thursday it is pulling out of the $2 billion Revel casino in Atlantic City and is prepared to take “a substantial loss” on the stalled project, into which it has already sunk $1.2 billion.
The company, which owns more than 90 … Original source on Gaea Times at : Morgan Stanley pulling out of Revel casino development in Atlantic City, imperiling project.

Product Recalls: hockey sticks, glass bottles, shelving units, heated jackets, power strips

Recalls: hockey sticks, glass bottles, jackets

The following recalls have been announced:
About 67,000 youth and junior hockey sticks, shafts and blades made in China and sold at sporting goods stores nationwide from February 2005 through March 2010. Another 60,000 in Canada have been recalled. Paint and decals on the products have high levels of lead, which …. Original article  : Product Recalls: hockey sticks, glass bottles, shelving units, heated jackets, power strips.

Southwest says reported WestJet deal with Delta could jeopardize its plans to serve Canada

Southwest-WestJet deal could be in jeopardy

DALLAS – Southwest Airlines Co. may be looking soon for a new partner to provide service to Canada.
Southwest has planned for more than a year to sell travel to Canada on board flights operated by Canada’s WestJet.
But Canadian media reports indicate that WestJet is talking about a similar deal with …. Source  : Gaea News Network.