Complete the work, it’s already late: Hooda on expressway

GURGAON – “Complete the work, it is already late.” This is what Haryana Chief Minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda had to say to the firm which is constructing the 135.65-km-long Kundli-Manesar-Palwal (KMP) expressway.

Hooda, who visited the expressway Saturday, directed DS Construction Limited officials to expedite the work and also ordered senior government officials to inspect the … Original article on : Complete the work, it’s already late: Hooda on expressway.

SpiceJet to introduce Kolkata-Agartala flight

AGARTALA – Low-fare private airline SpiceJet will introduce a Kolkata-Agartala flight next month as part of its plans to gradually increase its presence in the northeast, its Chief Commercial Officer Samyukth Sridharan said Saturday.

SpiceJet, with an over 12 percent market share, has so far been operating flights only to Guwahati in the northeast.
“Tripura’s capital … Original source on Gaea Times at : SpiceJet to introduce Kolkata-Agartala flight.

EU finance ministers work on tougher banking oversight, levy to pay for future bank collapses

EU finance ministers work on banking oversight

MADRID – European Union finance ministers were working Saturday on ways to ensure tougher banking supervision, and considering a bank levy to pay for banks that collapse in the future, hoping to prevent a repeat of the recent financial crisis which cost governments billions of euros.
French Finance Minister Christine … Original source on Gaea Times at : EU finance ministers work on tougher banking oversight, levy to pay for future bank collapses.

Paradip port’s new berth faces clearance delay

BHUBANESWAR – The construction of a new deep draught iron ore berth at Paradip port in Orissa is facing a delay as the state government has not yet granted clearance to the project, a senior port official said Saturday.

The port authorities had signed an agreement with Blue Water Iron Ore Terminal Pvt Ltd in …. Original source  : Paradip port’s new berth faces clearance delay.

Himachal fails to use World Bank funds

SHIMLA – Himachal Pradesh, a storehouse of bio-diversity, has failed to utilise 86 percent of forest funds provided under a World Bank-aided project, the Comptroller and Auditor General of India (CAG) has said.

On overall basis, the state failed to utilise 21 percent of the total allocated funds in the past two years.
“Under mountain livelihood …. Source article  : Himachal fails to use World Bank funds.

Democratic woes, tough economic times create political challenge for Calif. incumbent Boxer

California rough terrain for Senate incumbent
WESTLAKE VILLAGE, Calif. – A Democrat and a woman, Helen Sargent is the kind of voter that Sen. Barbara Boxer needs this year in her drive for a fourth term in Washington.
So, what does Sargent think of taxes and the U.S. debt? Too high.
President Barack Obama, Boxer’s …. Source  : Gaea News Network.

Hundreds stranded as US, Britain flights cancelled

MUMBAI – Around 900 passengers were stranded at the Chhatrapati Shivaji International Airport Saturday as flights to several places in Europe were cancelled following volcanic ash clouding the flight path.

All flights from Mumbai to London, cities in the US and Canada have been cancelled and flights to India are also delayed indefinitely, officials said.
“Our … Read the original article on Gaea Times at : Hundreds stranded as US, Britain flights cancelled.

Toyota recalls Sienna minivans

WASHINGTON – Toyota has announced a voluntary recall of some 600,000 Sienna minivans in the US and 270,000 in Canada because of safety concerns about potential corrosion in its spare tyre carrier.

The recall applies to certain models of the van from 1998 to 2010 that were driven in cold climates where road salt may have … Read : Toyota recalls Sienna minivans.

Regulators shut down 8 banks in Calif., Fla., Mass., Mich., Wash. for 50 closures this year

8 banks close in Calif., Fla., Mass., Mich., Wash.

WASHINGTON – Regulators on Friday shut down eight banks – three in Florida, two in California, and one each in Massachusetts, Michigan and Washington – putting the number of U.S. bank failures this year at 50.
The Federal Deposit Insurance Corp. took over the three Florida banks: Riverside …. Source  : Regulators shut down 8 banks in Calif., Fla., Mass., Mich., Wash. for 50 closures this year.

Regulators shut down 7 banks in Calif., Fla., Mass., Mich. for total of 49 closures this year

7 banks shut down in Calif., Fla., Mass., Mich.

WASHINGTON – Regulators have shut down seven banks – three in Florida, two in California, and one each in Massachusetts and Michigan – putting the number of U.S. bank failures this year at 49.
The Federal Deposit Insurance Corp. on Friday took over the three Florida banks: Riverside …. Source  : Gaea News Network.

Regulators shut down 6 banks in Calif., Fla., Mass., Mich. for total of 48 closures this year

6 banks shut down in Calif., Fla., Mass., Mich.

WASHINGTON – Regulators have shut down six banks – three in Florida, and one each in California, Massachusetts and Michigan – putting the number of U.S. bank failures this year at 48.
The Federal Deposit Insurance Corp. on Friday took over the three Florida banks: Riverside National Bank …. Read the original article  : Regulators shut down 6 banks in Calif., Fla., Mass., Mich. for total of 48 closures this year.

AP Interview: Tester says contentious $50 billion fund in bank bill is an ‘arbitrary figure’

Tester: $50B bank fund an ‘arbitrary figure’
HELENA, Mont. – A proposed $50 billion fund for taking apart banks that are “too big to fail” is an arbitrary figure that should not tank financial overhaul legislation – if Senate Republicans truly want to negotiate, Senate Banking Committee member Jon Tester said Friday.
But that fund …. Source article on Gaea Times at  : AP Interview: Tester says contentious $50 billion fund in bank bill is an ‘arbitrary figure’.

Regulators approve futures trading based on movie box office revenues; studios propose ban

Panel OKs market for movie bets; studios want ban

LOS ANGELES – U.S. regulators on Friday approved the creation of a futures market for trading in forecast box-office receipts, but major Hollywood studios immediately trumpeted a bill that would ban it.
The U.S. Commodity Futures Trading Commission approved the creation of the Trend Exchange, a forum that …. Source  : Regulators approve futures trading based on movie box office revenues; studios propose ban.

Proposed Wash. ballot measure would end state monopoly on liquor sales, distribution

Wash. initiative would end state liquor monopoly

OLYMPIA, Wash. – Voters could see an initiative this year to break up the state government monopoly on liquor sales, although it’s not clear who is behind the campaign or whether it has enough steam to make the fall ballot.
Supporters of the idea filed paperwork this week with state … Read more »»».

Kyrgyzstan turmoil prompts coordinated international response; new Kyrgyz leaders seek justice

New Kyrgyz leaders vow to prosecute ex-president
JALAL-ABAD, Kyrgyzstan – With the tremors of Kyrgyzstan’s violent revolution subsiding, the country’s provisional leader said Friday that her government will push for an international probe of the former president, who has fled the country.
Ousted leader Kurmanbek Bakiyev left Thursday for neighboring Kazakhstan on a flight arranged … Original source on Gaea Times at : Kyrgyzstan turmoil prompts coordinated international response; new Kyrgyz leaders seek justice.

Correction: Comcast executive compensation story

Correction: Comcast executive compensation story

PHILADELPHIA – In a story April 9 about the executive compensation of Comcast Corp.’s chief executive, The Associated Press erroneously tabulated the pay package. The story did not include $2.25 million in above-market benefits on deferred compensation for the CEO, Brian Roberts. As a result, Roberts’ total pay under the AP’s …. Original article on Gaea Times at  : Correction: Comcast executive compensation story.

Regulators shut down 5 banks based in Fla., Mass., Michigan; makes 47 bank failures this year

Regulators shut 5 banks in Fla., Mass., Mich.

NEW YORK – Regulators shut down five banks Friday – three in Florida, and one each in Massachusetts and Michigan – putting the number of U.S. bank failures this year at 47.
The Federal Deposit Insurance Corp. said it took over Riverside National Bank of Florida in Fort Pierce, … Read more »»».

Gannett’s CEO discusses the potential impact of the iPad on the company’s newspapers

On the Call: Gannett’s CEO on the iPad
NEW YORK – Many of the newspaper publishers who have lost so much of their advertising revenue to competitors on the Web are hoping Apple’s new iPad computer can help fix their business models.

Gannett Co. CEO Craig Dubow discussed the iPad’s potential on a conference call with analysts …. Original article  : Gannett’s CEO discusses the potential impact of the iPad on the company’s newspapers.

Former Obama car czar Rattner still under kickback cloud as new details emerge about conduct

Ex-Obama car czar remains under a kickback cloud

NEW YORK – Investigators probing a pay-to-play scandal at New York’s government pension fund have been turning up the heat on former Obama car czar Steven Rattner.
The one-time star of Wall Street and Washington has been dealing for more than a year with an investigation of allegations that …. Source article on Gaea Times at  : Former Obama car czar Rattner still under kickback cloud as new details emerge about conduct.

Detroit mayor, governor join US, Canadian officials in support of government-owned bridge

US, Canadian officials speak out for new bridge

DETROIT – Dangling the prospect of job creation in a region swamped by high unemployment, Gov. Jennifer Granholm, Detroit Mayor Dave Bing and other leaders from the U.S. and Canada urged state lawmakers on Friday to allow Michigan to enter a partnership to build a new international bridge.
The …. Read the original article  : Detroit mayor, governor join US, Canadian officials in support of government-owned bridge.