3G spectrum auction could raise Rs.45,000 crore: Raja

NEW DELHI – The ongoing auctions to award radio frequency spectrum for third generation (3G) telecom services and for rolling out broadband wireless internet services could raise Rs.45,000 crore, Rs.10,000 crore more than anticipated, the government said Thursday.

“We anticipated that the auction would raise Rs.35,000 crore. It may go up to Rs.45.000 crore,” Telecom Minister …. Source article on Gaea Times at  : 3G spectrum auction could raise Rs.45,000 crore: Raja.

Israeli PM rejects Obama demand for total east Jerusalem construction halt

Israel to US: No building halt in east Jerusalem
JERUSALEM – Aides to Israel’s prime minister said Thursday that his government has officially rejected President Barack Obama’s demand that it suspends all construction in contested east Jerusalem, a move that threatens to entrench a year-old deadlock in Israeli-Palestinian peacemaking.
The aides said Israeli Prime Minister …. Source article on Gaea Times at  : Israeli PM rejects Obama demand for total east Jerusalem construction halt.

Oil hovers near $84 a barrel in Asia, dampened by weak demand in the US

Oil eases hovers near $84 in Asia
KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia – Oil prices hovered near $84 a barrel Thursday in Asia amid indications of weak crude demand in the U.S., the world’s largest energy consumer.

Benchmark crude for June delivery was up 25 cents to $83.93 a barrel at late afternoon Kuala Lumpur time in electronic trading …. Source  : Oil hovers near $84 a barrel in Asia, dampened by weak demand in the US.

Single window clearance to tourism projects in Maharashtra

MUMBAI – The Maharashtra government will provide single window clearance of tourism and hospitality projects in a bid to develop the state as an important tourism destination.

Anand Kulkarni, principal secretary in the state tourism department, announced this at a tourism business conference here Wednesday.
Kulkarni said the state government will fast track all tourism-related … Read this article on Gaea Times at : Single window clearance to tourism projects in Maharashtra.

Despite protests, Kelly Clarkson will go ahead with cigarette-sponsored show in Jakarta

Kelly Clarkson refuses to cancel Indonesia concert

JAKARTA, Indonesia – Former American Idol winner Kelly Clarkson says she will perform in Indonesia despite growing protests Thursday from fans and anti-tobacco groups unhappy over a cigarette company’s sponsorship of her upcoming show.
Clarkson said in a posting on her blog that she was surprised to learn that billboards …. Source  : Despite protests, Kelly Clarkson will go ahead with cigarette-sponsored show in Jakarta.

Credit Suisse reports 1Q net profit of $1.93 billion; says well-placed to meet new rules

Credit Suisse makes $1.93B profit in Q1
GENEVA – Credit Suisse Group reported a first-quarter net profit of 2.06 billion Swiss francs ($1.93 billion) Thursday and said it was well placed to meet new banking rules due to come into force in Switzerland later this year.

The figures met analyst expectations and are a marginal improvement on …. Source  : Credit Suisse reports 1Q net profit of $1.93 billion; says well-placed to meet new rules.

Fiat to sell industrial unit in stock market

Turin, April 22 (IANS/AKI) Automobile maker Fiat will separate its industrial business and sell it on the stock market by the end of the year as it aims to manufacture six million cars a year by 2014.

The separated farming and construction equipment business would be named “Fiat Industrial,” with an initial stock sale planned by …. Original article  : Fiat to sell industrial unit in stock market.

Indian, Chinese firms bid to build Dhaka-Chittagong highway

Dhaka, April 22 ((IANS) Two construction firms from India and China are competing to build a second highway between Dhaka and Chittagong at an estimated cost of $4.3 billion, an official said.

Soma JV of India and Sino Global Enterprise JV of China have submitted the bids in response to Bangladesh government’s pre-qualification tender, Project Director …. Original article on Gaea Times at  : Indian, Chinese firms bid to build Dhaka-Chittagong highway.

Nestle Q1 sales rise 4.4 percent to $24.6 billion on strong growth in emerging economies

Nestle first-quarter sales rise 4.4 percent

GENEVA – Nestle AG posted a 4.4 percent increase in first-quarter sales on Thursday as the world’s largest food and drink maker made gains in emerging economies.
The Swiss-based company said sales totaled 26.3 billion Swiss francs (about $24.6 billion), which it described as a strong performance in a still-difficult economic …. Original source  : Nestle Q1 sales rise 4.4 percent to $24.6 billion on strong growth in emerging economies.

UK bus-train operator Arriva backs Deutsche Bahn takeover

Deutsche Bahn taking over Arriva PLC
LONDON – U.K. bus and train operator Arriva PLC has agreed to be taken over by Deutsche Bahn in a deal valued at 1.6 billion pounds ($2.5 billion), the companies announced Thursday.

The 775 pence per share offer backed by the Arriva board represents a 34 percent premium over the closing … Original article on : UK bus-train operator Arriva backs Deutsche Bahn takeover.

Nascent Iraqi air force struggles to rebuild as US exit nears, hopes to get F-16 fighter jets

Iraq airmen blues: No MiG today; no F-16 either

NEW AL-MUTHANNA AIR BASE, Iraq – An Iraqi Air Force C-130 Hercules touches down at a base west of Baghdad as Iraqi pilots and their American instructors watch from the runway – a graceful landing for the bulky four-turboprop airlifter, one of several now owned by Iraq.
But [..] Read the original article: here.

ADB assistance increased by 42 percent in 2009: Report

MANILA – The Asian Development Bank (ADB) approved a record 16.1 billion dollars in financing operations, a 42 percent increase over the 11.3 billion dollars approved the previous year, according to ADB’s 2009 Annual Report, released ahead …. Source article on Gaea Times at  : ADB assistance increased by 42 percent in 2009: Report.

ADB 2009 performance on track: Report

MANILA – The Asian Development Bank (ADB) was on track in its performance in 2009 to deliver output targets in the core sectors of infrastructure, education and finance in the region, says an ADB report released yesterday.

The Development Effectiveness Review 2009 shows … Read more »».

Sensex up 132 points in noon trade

MUMBAI – After a weak opening, a benchmark index for Indian equities was ruling 132 points higher than its previous close in noon trade Thursday.

The 30-scrip sensitive index (Sensex) of the Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE), which opened at 17,476.48 points, was ruling at 17,605.05 points, 132.49 points or 0.76 percent higher than its previous [..] Read the original article: here.

Keeping up pressure for financial overhaul, Obama urging lawmakers to give him a bill quickly

Obama keeps up pressure for financial overhaul
WASHINGTON – Ramping up pressure for a financial overhaul, President Barack Obama is heading to the place where the economic meltdown began to argue for stronger government oversight of the industry and to urge Congress to finish a regulatory bill quickly.
In a speech Thursday at …. Original article on Gaea Times at  : Keeping up pressure for financial overhaul, Obama urging lawmakers to give him a bill quickly.

Chinese dam will not impact Brahmaputra: Krishna

NEW DELHI – China has assured India that a dam it is constructing on the Tsang Po river in Tibet for generating power will not impact downstream flow to the Brahmaputra, External Affairs Minister S.M. Krishna said Thursday.

“It is a fact that when we met in Beijing, the question of the power station did come … Read more : Chinese dam will not impact Brahmaputra: Krishna.

US unveils new design for $100 note

WASHINGTON – The US has unveiled a new design for the $100 note. Complete with advanced technology to combat counterfeiting, it retains the traditional look of US currency.

The unveiling was done by the US Department of Treasury, the Federal Reserve Board and the US Secret Service Wednesday.
“As with previous US currency redesigns, this note …. Read the original article  : US unveils new design for $100 note.

3G auction could raise Rs.45,000 crore: Raja

NEW DELHI – The ongoing auction of the 3G spectrum could raise Rs.45,000 crore, the Rajya Sabha was informed Thursday.

“We anticipated that the auction would raise Rs.35,000 crore. It may go up to Rs.45.000 crore,” Telecom Minister A. Raja said during question hour in the upper house.
Raja was responding to a question on …. Source  : Gaea News Network.

Food inflation rises to 17.65 percent

NEW DELHI – India’s annual food inflation rose to 17.65 percent for the week ended April 10 from 17.22 percent a week ago as prices of milk, fruits and lentils went up during the period under review, official data showed Thursday.

Data on the wholesale price index (WPI) released by the commerce and industry ministry showed …. Source  : Food inflation rises to 17.65 percent.

US, China announce anti-dumping steps against each other, possibly adding to trade tensions

US, China announce anti-dumping steps
BEIJING – The United States and China have announced new anti-dumping steps against each other over aluminum and nylon, raising the threat of new tensions over trade and currency that had eased in recent weeks.
The U.S. Commerce Department said Wednesday it was launching an investigation into whether Chinese extruded …. Source  : Gaea News Network.