Chhattisgarh to invest Rs.2,000 crore on infrastructure

RAIPUR – Chhattisgarhs ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) will invest Rs.2,000 crore on infrastructure in Maoist-infested Bastar region, Chief Minister Raman Singh said Wednesday.

“The government will invest Rs.2,000 crore during the next three years to boost infrastructure in Naxal-hit Bastar region,” Singh told reporters.
He said the government has formed a committee headed by … Read the original article on Gaea Times at : Chhattisgarh to invest Rs.2,000 crore on infrastructure.

Human chain in Bangladesh to demand dredging of Padma river

DHAKA – Villagers backed by several non-government organisations and environmentalists formed a human chain to demand early dredging of the silted Padma river, one of Bangladeshs main river systems.

Residents of Godagari sub-district in Rajshahi, bordering Indias West Bengal, formed a human chain and held a rally demanding that the river should be dredged immediately …. Original article on Gaea Times at  : Human chain in Bangladesh to demand dredging of Padma river.

2 new laws in Neb. bar later-term abortions, require screenings for women seeking procedure

New laws in Neb. add restrictions on abortions

LINCOLN, Neb. – Two first-of-their-kind laws in Nebraska put new restrictions on abortion, including one that uses a new legal rationale for a ban on later-term abortions.
That law bars the procedure at and after 20 weeks of pregnancy based on the assertion that fetuses can feel pain at …. Source article on Gaea Times at  : 2 new laws in Neb. bar later-term abortions, require screenings for women seeking procedure.

More aboard! Amtrak studies long-distance route improvements to attract more riders, money

More aboard! Amtrak weighs long route improvements
COLUMBUS, Ohio – In many states, travelers who take Amtrak’s long-distance trains for vacations or out-of-state business trips board in the middle of the night and return home from such cities as Chicago or New York City at times that are just as inconvenient.
But some improvements are … Read the original article on Gaea Times at : More aboard! Amtrak studies long-distance route improvements to attract more riders, money.

Markets to remain close on Dr. Ambedkar’s birth anniversary

MUMBAI – The Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE), the National Stock Exchange (NSE), forex, money and oilseeds markets will remain closed on Wednesday on the 119th birth anniversary of Dr. B. R. Ambedkar.

In the international market, the prices of Japanese share opened higher, with the benchmark Nikkei-225 index … Original article on : Markets to remain close on Dr. Ambedkar’s birth anniversary.

Senate Democrats say they can beat GOP challenges to jobless bill, extend benefits through May

Senate Dems say jobless benefits bill on track

WASHINGTON – A measure to restore eligibility for the jobless to receive up to 99 weeks of unemployment checks appears on track despite objections from Republicans concerned about its $18 billion cost.
Democrats are also seeking to extend those benefits through Memorial Day instead of risking another cutoff in [..] Read the original article: here.

Parity for pedalers? Not everything is smooth cycling for LaHood’s bike, walking policy

Transportation’s bicycle policy hits potholes

WASHINGTON – Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood, a weekend bicyclist, might consider keeping his head down and his helmet on. A backlash is brewing over his new bicycling policy.
LaHood says the government is going to give bicycling – and walking, too – the same importance as automobiles in transportation planning and the …. Original article  : Parity for pedalers? Not everything is smooth cycling for LaHood’s bike, walking policy.

Indian IT major Infoys bags three-year Microsoft outsourcing deal

MELBOURNE – India’s Infosys Technologies has bagged a three-year IT outsourcing deal with technology giant Microsoft that covers 104 countries.
Infosys will manage Microsoft’s global internal IT services including helpdesk, desk-side services, IT infrastructure and applications support, reports The Australian.

The value of the deal was not disclosed, but analysts believe it could be worth more than …. Read the original article  : here.

Infosys net profit grows 2.21 pct in quarter four results

BANGALORE – Infosys Technologies, a software services exporter posted 2.21 percent growth in net profit at rupees 16.17 million for the fourth quarter ending March 31, 2010.

S D Shibulal, Chief Operating Officer, Infosys, Bangalore … Read more »».

Meat, chicken farmers await new antitrust rules expected to be toughest since Great Depression

Meat, poultry industries await new antitrust rules

KANSAS CITY, Mo. – Federal regulators are set to release the most sweeping antitrust rules covering the meat industry in decades, potentially altering the balance of power between meat companies and the farmers who raise their animals.
Activists, farmers and meat industry officials have been anxiously awaiting the new rules, …. Source  : Gaea News Network.

Indian CEOs enjoy highest approval, says survey

LOS ANGELES – Executives in India have the highest faith in their CEOs and general corporate leadership, says a survey of 13 major nations.

Executives in China, Brazil and Russia also have much more faith in their CEOs and general corporate leadership than their counterparts in the US, Canada and Britain, says the survey released … Read this article on Gaea Times at : Indian CEOs enjoy highest approval, says survey.

Remittances to El Salvador rise 8.7 percent in March

San Salvador, April 14 (IANS/EFE) Remittances sent by Salvadorans living abroad – mostly in the US – rose 8.7 percent in March, compared to the same month in 2009, to $343.2 million, El Salvador’s Central Bank reported.

“This is first positive rate observed since October 2008,” the Central Bank said.
Remittances last month were $27.2 million …. Source  : Remittances to El Salvador rise 8.7 percent in March.

Haitians face acute oil shortage

PORT OF PRINCE – Haitians have been facing an acute shortage of petroleum fuel due to the delay in supply of oil to the country.

The government has called an emergency meeting to discuss ways to cope with the lack of gasoline and set a limit on sale of fuel worth $25 to each vehicle. …. Source  : Gaea News Network.

Asian markets mostly higher on strong Intel results, soaring Singapore economy

Asian markets mostly rise on strong Intel results

SINGAPORE – Stocks mostly rose in Asia on Wednesday on investors optimism that better-than-expected first quarter results from Intel Corp. will usher in a strong earnings season.
Singapore’s benchmark stock index led gainers, advancing 1.1 percent after the government said the economy grew an annualized 32 percent in the …. Original article  : Asian markets mostly higher on strong Intel results, soaring Singapore economy.

Glendale City Council approves Reinsdorf group’s Coyotes proposal, votes down 2nd group

Glendale council OKs Reinsdorf’s Coyotes proposal

GLENDALE, Ariz. – The Glendale City Council on Tuesday approved a proposed arena lease agreement submitted by a group headed by Chicago sports mogul Jerry Reinsdorf that is seeking to buy the Phoenix Coyotes.
The council also acted on a second proposal, rejecting a plan submitted by Ice Edge Holdings, a …. Read the original article  : Glendale City Council approves Reinsdorf group’s Coyotes proposal, votes down 2nd group.

Oil rises above $84 in Asia as stock market gains help break 5-day losing streak

Oil rises above $84, breaking 5-day losing streak

SINGAPORE – Oil prices rose above $84 a barrel Wednesday in Asia, breaking a five-day slide, as rising global stock markets boosted crude investor optimism.
Benchmark crude for May delivery was up 17 cents to $84.22 a barrel at late afternoon Singapore time in electronic trading on the New …. Original article  : Oil rises above $84 in Asia as stock market gains help break 5-day losing streak.

Recession is holding down prices but households also experiencing weakest wage growth in years

Even with low inflation households still squeezed

WASHINGTON – The deep recession has caused inflation to all but melt away. The problem is that the same severe downturn has also translated into weak income growth.
Economists say it is no wonder that consumer confidence is at such low levels. Americans’ pocketbooks are being squeezed, even though inflation … Read more »».

Fed boss to face lawmakers’ questions on rebound’s staying power, relief on high unemployment

Fed boss has bittersweet message on recovery, jobs

WASHINGTON – Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke goes to Capitol Hill on Wednesday with a bittersweet message: The economic recovery is taking hold but won’t be strong enough to quickly drive down unemployment.
Bernanke’s out-of-the box thinking during the 2008 financial crisis helped prevent the Great Recession from turning …. Source article  : Fed boss to face lawmakers’ questions on rebound’s staying power, relief on high unemployment.

Watchdog panel says Obama plan to ease foreclosure crisis does too little, comes too late

Watchdog: Obama foreclosure plan leaves many out
WASHINGTON – A watchdog panel overseeing the financial bailouts says the Obama administration’s flagship mortgage aid program lags well behind the foreclosure crisis and leaves too many families out.
The Congressional Oversight Panel says in a report released Wednesday that the administration projects only …. Original article  : Watchdog panel says Obama plan to ease foreclosure crisis does too little, comes too late.

Chavez urges militia fighters to be ready to defend Venezuela’s socialist government

Chavez raises sword before militia loyalists

CARACAS, Venezuela – Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez urged thousands of gun-toting militia troops Tuesday to be ready to fight for his socialist government, telling them that opponents may be plotting to oust or kill him.
Chavez rallied the civilian militia at an outdoor speech while marking the anniversary of a failed …. Original article  : Chavez urges militia fighters to be ready to defend Venezuela’s socialist government.