Bangladesh parliamentary panel to probe Airtel deal

DHAKA – A parliamentary committee in Bangladesh is to probe a possible loss to the country from the sale of a substantial portion of mobile operator Warid’s stake to Indian telecom firm Bharti Airtel.

The parliamentary standing committee of the planning ministry Sunday asked the Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission (BTRC) to submit a report …. Source  : Bangladesh parliamentary panel to probe Airtel deal.

I’m not biracial: Some African-Americans with white parent decline to check ‘white’ census box

Black or biracial? Census forces a choice for some
There were 784,764 U.S. residents who described their race as white and black in the last census. But that number didn’t include Laura Martin, whose father is black and mother is white.
“I’ve always just checked black on my form,” said Martin, a 29-year-old university employee …. Read the original article  : I’m not biracial: Some African-Americans with white parent decline to check ‘white’ census box.

TCS to announce Q4 Results 2010

NEW DELHI, INDIA (GaeaTimes.com) — Tata Consultancy Services (TCS) is all set to announce its Q4 Results 2010 today on April 19, 2010. The board of directors, as report said, will meet and decide on the final dividend to be distributed among the share holders.
TCS is also said to go for a salary hike …. Source article  : TCS to announce Q4 Results 2010.

Sensex in the red on weak Asian cues

MUMBAI – A key Indian equities index Monday joined its poorly performing Asian peers and was ruling 1.51 percent lower from the previous close.

The sensitive index (Sensex) of the Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE), which opened at 17,584.86 points, was ruling at 17,326.19 points, down 264.99 points or 1.51 percent from its previous close at … Read more >>>.

AP source: Toyota will agree on record $16.4 million fine for faulty gas pedals

Toyota set to agree on record fine, AP source says

WASHINGTON – Toyota Motor Corp. is expected to agree to a fine of more than $16 million on for failing to promptly report to the government problems with sticking gas pedals on its vehicles, a Transportation Department official said.
Toyota faces a Monday deadline to accept or … Read more : AP source: Toyota will agree on record $16.4 million fine for faulty gas pedals.

NALCO to produce 1,000 MW as independent producer

BHUBANESWAR – State-owned National Aluminium Co Ltd (NALCO) said Monday it will produce at least 1,000 megawatts power by 2016 as an independent power producer.

The company expects to generate the power from the standalone projects it has planned in the nuclear, thermal, hydel, wind and solar energy sectors, NALCO’s finance director B.L. Bagra …. Read the original article  : here.

Folk singing scientist and seed expert becomes first Cuban to win Goldman environmental prize

Cuba’s ’seed man’ wins global environmental prize

BAUTA, Cuba – The folk-singing scientist strides over dry, fluffy soil that’s brown with a hint of red, like brownies fresh from the oven. He’s talking about seeds. He’s always talking about seeds.
Humberto Rios Labrada’s campaign to let Cuban farmers choose the crops and seed varieties best for their …. Original article  : Folk singing scientist and seed expert becomes first Cuban to win Goldman environmental prize.

Poll: Americans’ confidence in the federal government at a 50-year low, 80 percent are wary

Poll: 4 out of 5 Americans don’t trust Washington
WASHINGTON – America’s “Great Compromiser” Henry Clay called government “the great trust,” but most Americans today have little faith in Washington’s ability to deal with the nation’s problems.
Public confidence in government is at one of the lowest points in a half century, according to a …. Original source  : Poll: Americans’ confidence in the federal government at a 50-year low, 80 percent are wary.

Bihar’s litchis are food for wine

PATNA – It’s sweet, pulpy, juicy and perfect wine material. The litchi may soon be seen in a new avatar as two private companies are keen to use the fruit – that grows in abundance in Bihar’s Muzaffarpur district – to produce wine.

Kingfisher and Litchika International have approached Muzaffarpur-based National Litchi Research Centre to sign … Read this article on Gaea Times at : Bihar’s litchis are food for wine.

Oil plunges below $82 in Asia as volcano ash cloud undermine Europe’s economic recovery

Oil plunges below $82 on volcano, Goldman jitters

SINGAPORE – Oil prices plunged below $82 a barrel Monday in Asia, extending big losses on expectations that disruption to air travel from the Icelandic volcano will undermine the global economic recovery and crude demand.
Benchmark crude for May delivery was down $1.62 to $81.62 a barrel at late …. Read the original article  : Oil plunges below $82 in Asia as volcano ash cloud undermine Europe’s economic recovery.

China gives $20 bn to Venezuela in exchange for fuel

Caracas (Venezuela), April 19 (IANS/EFE) China would provide $20 billion to Venezuela for a “large volume and long term” financing plan in exchange for more petroleum, Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez has said.

China will contribute financing of $20 billion” to help with development in Venezuela under conditions that in no way have anything to do with … Read the original article on Gaea Times at : China gives $20 bn to Venezuela in exchange for fuel.

Economic numbers may be looking up, but in some places they don’t add up to optimism

Recession is ending? Some Americans don’t buy it

TWINSBURG, Ohio – The clerk at the candy shop does not want to cry. She is determinedly cheerful, a professional smiler, dressed head to toe in bright turquoise.
But standing next to a display of plastic-wrapped candles and teddy bears, her face crumples at the most basic of questions: …. Source  : Economic numbers may be looking up, but in some places they don’t add up to optimism.

Volcanic ash casts shadow over Abu Dhabi real estate show

Abu Dhabi, April 19 (IANS/WAM) Volcanic ash erupting from Iceland has cast a shadow over Abu Dhabi’s real estate exhibition with many visitors unable to attend the event due to cancellation of flights across Europe.

“Unfortunately, the catastrophic event thousands of kelometres away in Iceland has had an impact here in Abu Dhabi,” said Rohan Marwaha, … Read the original article on Gaea Times at : Volcanic ash casts shadow over Abu Dhabi real estate show.

Dish Network to carry Epix movies from Paramount, MGM and Lions Gate

Dish Network agrees to carry Epix movie channel

NEW YORK – Dish Network subscribers will have available to them some of the latest movies from three major Hollywood studios when Epix becomes one of their channel choices this month.
Epix, the pay TV channel owned by Viacom Inc.’s Paramount Pictures, Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Studios Inc. and Lions Gate Entertainment …. Source  : Gaea News Network.

Airlines seeing more passengers and add-on fee revenue, but profits not expected yet

Brighter skies haven’t yet helped airline profits

ATLANTA – Fares are higher, demand is up and the airlines have established a steady revenue stream from add-on fees for baggage, pillows and food.
That formula is moving the industry back toward profitability as early as this summer, a change that will have implications for travelers.
But first: more red … Read more : Airlines seeing more passengers and add-on fee revenue, but profits not expected yet.

Sensex plummets in opening trade

MUMBAI – A key Indian equities index fell sharply at opening bell Monday and was ruling 1.3 percent lower than its previous close, minutes into trade.

The sensitive index (Sensex) of the Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE) opened at 17,584.86 points and was ruling at 17,360.95 points, down 230.23 points or 1.31 percent from its previous close …. Read the original article  : Sensex plummets in opening trade.

Money Market Operations as on April 16, 2010

… Read : Money Market Operations as on April 16, 2010.

AP source: Toyota to agree to full $16.4 million government fine over sticking gas pedals

AP source: Toyota to agree to $16.4 million fine

WASHINGTON – Toyota Motor Corp. is expected to agree to a fine of more than $16 million, the largest government penalty levied against an automaker, for a four-month delay in telling federal authorities about defective gas pedals on its vehicles, a Transportation Department official said Sunday.
Toyota faces … Read the original article on Gaea Times at : AP source: Toyota to agree to full $16.4 million government fine over sticking gas pedals.

Asian stock markets fall sharply amid fraud charges against Goldman Sachs

Asian stock markets tumble in early trading

TOKYO – Asian markets fell in early trading Monday as financial stocks tumbled amid news of fraud charges against Goldman Sachs.
Japan’s Nikkei 225 stock average lost 1.8 percent to 10,901.33 and South Korea’s Kospi retreated 1.3 percent to 1,711.99. Stock markets in Australia, mainland China, Taiwan and Singapore were …. Read the original article  : here.

Cuban tobacco legend Robaina dead at 91

HAVANA – Alejandro Robaina, Cuba’s best known tobacco farmer, has died at age 91, state media reported Sunday.

He was part of a family that has been growing tobacco for four generations in San Luis near Pinar del Rio in western Cuba.
Robaina is widely credited with maintaining the quality standards of Cuba’s legendary cigar tobacco … Read more : Cuban tobacco legend Robaina dead at 91.