Lack of money stalls Obama’s jobs agenda; GOP objects, as does leading Senate Democrat

Obama election-year jobs agenda stalls in Congress
WASHINGTON – The election-year jobs agenda promised by President Barack Obama and Democrats has stalled seven months before voters determine control of Congress.
Democrats have no money to pay for the program. That’s because both Republicans and the Democratic chairman of the Senate Budget Committee objected to taking …. Original article  : Lack of money stalls Obama’s jobs agenda; GOP objects, as does leading Senate Democrat.

Mentally ill Holocaust survivors’ suffering lingers on 65 years later

For mentally ill survivors, Holocaust lives on

PARDES HANNA, Israel – Some patients refuse to shower because it reminds them of the gas chambers. Others hoard meat in pillow cases because they fear going hungry.
At the Shaar Menashe Mental Health Center in northern Israel, it’s as though the Holocaust never ended.
As Israel on Sunday night begins … Read more : Mentally ill Holocaust survivors’ suffering lingers on 65 years later.

UK investigating 800,000 organ donor list errors; some transplants may have been improper

UK investigates 800,000 organ donor list errors

LONDON – Britain’s transplant authority said Saturday that it was investigating several hundred thousand errors in its organ donor list stretching back about a decade.
The National Health Service Blood and Transplant organization said a proportion of its 14 million-strong organ donor list has been affected by technical errors since …. Original article  : UK investigating 800,000 organ donor list errors; some transplants may have been improper.

US reinforces softer hand in relations with Afghanistan’s mercurial leader

US seeks to smooth relations with Afghan leader
KABUL – President Hamid Karzai got a VIP briefing at NATO headquarters and the top American diplomat in Kabul went out of his way to smooth U.S.-Afghan relations – signs that Washington is using a softer touch in dealing with the unpredictable Afghan … Read : US reinforces softer hand in relations with Afghanistan’s mercurial leader.

Far-right Hungarian party could make gains, damaging governing party blamed for economy

Far-right party poised to make gains in Hungary
BUDAPEST, Hungary – A far-right party backed by black-clad paramilitary extremists is poised to make dramatic gains Sunday in Hungary’s national elections, mirroring recent advances by anti-immigrant parties across Europe.
Fidesz, the mainstream center-right party led by former Prime Minister Viktor Orban, is widely pegged to gain …. Source article on Gaea Times at  : Far-right Hungarian party could make gains, damaging governing party blamed for economy.

Despite Stupak’s retirement, many voters value effectiveness over small-government ideology

Stupak constituents seek federal aid over ideology

CHEBOYGAN, Mich. – Even as tea party activists gloat over Rep. Bart Stupak’s decision to retire after becoming one of their top targets for defeat, it’s far from certain that his constituents will elect a successor who shares their antipathy to government spending.
Michigan’s northernmost district has a history of … Read : Despite Stupak’s retirement, many voters value effectiveness over small-government ideology.

Potential presidential hopeful Pence says GOP will repeal health law “lock, stock and barrel”

Indiana congressman addresses 2012 “cattle call”
NEW ORLEANS – Indiana Rep. Mike Pence has vowed that House Republicans will repeal President Barack Obama’s health care overhaul law “lock, stock and barrel.”
In a fiery speech before the Southern Republican Leadership Conference, Pence noted that Obama recently dared the GOP to try to repeal the law. … Read more »».

History repeats: $1B transit project in St. Paul’s old black neighborhood stirs bad memories

Rail line stirs bad memories in black neighborhood

ST. PAUL, Minn. – When the Rev. George Davis learned the government was coming to take his family’s home to make room for a shiny new interstate, he told his loved ones he’d defend 304 Rondo Avenue with a shotgun.
But Davis was old, about 80, and his wife …. Original article  : History repeats: $1B transit project in St. Paul’s old black neighborhood stirs bad memories.

Indian Airlines-Air India Merger Criticized

MUMBAI, India, (GaeaTimes.com)-Indian Airlines has been merged with Air India as instructed by the Civil Aviation Ministry. Following the proposal all the union members organized a meeting in Mumbai to discuss the issue which they think will be an absolute spoiler to Indian Airlines.
Sitaram Yechuri who happens to be the Chairman of the Standing Committee …. Original article  : Indian Airlines-Air India Merger Criticized.

SEBI ULIP Ban Announced

MUMBAI, INDIA (GaeaTimes.com)- In a move that has taken the finance sector in India by surprise, market regulator SEBI has imposed a ban on issuing fresh Unit-Linked Insurance Plans by 14 life insurance companies operating in India. The private insurance entities like ICICI Prudential Life, Reliance Life Insurance, TATA AIG, HDFC Standard Life, Birla … Original source on Gaea Times at : SEBI ULIP Ban Announced.

Obama urges Americans to take advantage of tax breaks for homebuyers, college students, others

Obama advertises tax breaks ahead of Tax Day
WASHINGTON – Just ahead of Tax Day, President Barack Obama is urging Americans to take advantage of tax credits for first-time homebuyers, college students and others.
Obama used his weekly radio and Internet address Saturday to promote some …. Original article  : Obama urges Americans to take advantage of tax breaks for homebuyers, college students, others.

Ice Edge CEO says memorandum of understanding signed on new Coyotes lease

Ice Edge signs memorandum of understanding

PHOENIX – The head of Ice Edge Holdings says the company has signed a memorandum of understanding on a new lease with the city of Glendale that could pave the way for a purchase of the Phoenix Coyotes.
The city council is to vote on the proposal Tuesday.
Chief executive officer Anthony … Original article on : Ice Edge CEO says memorandum of understanding signed on new Coyotes lease.

Regulators shut down South Carolina bank; makes 42 US bank failures this year

Regulators shut South Carolina bank
WASHINGTON – Regulators on Friday shut down a bank in South Carolina, marking 42 bank failures in the U.S. so far this year amid mounting loan defaults, especially in commercial real estate.

The Federal Deposit Insurance Corp. took over Beach First National Bank, based in Myrtle Beach, S.C., with $585.1 million in … Read more >>>.

Gov’t tells Toyota it’s considering 2nd civil penalty against the automaker

Gov’t considers 2nd civil penalty against Toyota

WASHINGTON – The government says in a letter to Toyota that it’s considering a second civil penalty against the automaker.
Toyota is already facing a fine of more than $16 million for failing to promptly notify the government about defective gas pedals.
The Transportation Department told Toyota in a letter this … Read the original article on Gaea Times at : Gov’t tells Toyota it’s considering 2nd civil penalty against the automaker.

ValueClick CEO Tom A. Vadnais steps down, shares fall after hours

ValueClick CEO steps down, shares fall
WESTLAKE VILLAGE, Calif. – Web advertising company ValueClick Inc. said its CEO, Tom A. Vadnais, is retiring and resigning effective Friday, to be replaced by James R. Zarley, who’d been serving as executive chairman.

Vadnais, who’d served as CEO since 2007, also stepped down as director, a position he has held … Read this article on Gaea Times at : ValueClick CEO Tom A. Vadnais steps down, shares fall after hours.

Northrop Grumman CEO Sugar received 2009 pay package valued at $17.9 million, down 7 percent

Northrop Grumman CEO got $17.9M in 2009 pay

NEW YORK – The chairman and CEO of defense contractor Northrop Grumman Corp. received a pay package valued at $17.9 million in 2009, a decline of about 7 percent compared with the previous year, according to a regulatory filing Friday.
The bulk of Ronald Sugar’s compensation came from stock … Read more >>>.

The North Face settles lawsuit with The South Butt, Mo. teen’s company selling parody clothes

North Face, South Butt reach settlement in lawsuit

ST. LOUIS – The North Face Apparel Corp. has settled its lawsuit against The South Butt, a company started by a Missouri teenager that markets parody clothing.
The agreement entered in federal court Friday didn’t disclose terms. An attorney for The South Butt said it was an amicable resolution. … Read more »»».

Final frontier for Vegas ‘Star Trek’ props is warehouse sale, where they’ll boldly go to fans

‘Trek’ fans, want Picard’s chair? It’s for sale

LAS VEGAS – “Star Trek” lovers looking for Enterprise chairs, Starfleet uniforms or a model Klingon Bird of Prey can seek out new life for the dismantled pieces of a closed Las Vegas attraction based on the famous franchise.
Auctioneer Propworx Inc. plans to sell roughly 1,000 items large … Read the original article on Gaea Times at : Final frontier for Vegas ‘Star Trek’ props is warehouse sale, where they’ll boldly go to fans.

Alcoa, Constellation Brands, Williams-Sonoma, Ambac Financial among big market movers Friday

Alcoa, Constellation Brands are big movers

NEW YORK – Stocks that moved substantially or traded heavily Friday on the New York Stock Exchange and Nasdaq Stock Market:
NYSE:
Alcoa Inc., down 48 cents at $14.39
A JPMorgan analyst downgraded the aluminum producer, saying lower metal prices will hinder the company despite recent cost reductions.
BJ’s Wholesale Club Inc., up $1.44 …. Source  : Gaea News Network.

Analysts say Wal-Mart Stores price cuts hard to separate from retailer’s usual promotions

Summary Box: Wal-Mart’s price-cutting
PRICE CUTS: Wal-Mart Stores Inc. is trumpeting what it calls a large round of price-cutting on all of its products, including food. The world’s largest retailer says it will cut prices on 10,000 items in stages.

THE SKEPTICS: Analysts question whether the changes differ meaningfully from the retailer’s usual promotions. They also note … Original source on Gaea Times at : Analysts say Wal-Mart Stores price cuts hard to separate from retailer’s usual promotions.