Tongas to go off roads, no second thoughts: MCD

NEW DELHI – The Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) Monday said it will not reconsider the decision to pull out tongas, or horse-driven carriages, off the roads in the national capital.

Tongas, driven by horses, mules or ponies and used to ferry passengers or carry loads in areas of Old Delhi, have been asked to stop …. Source  : Tongas to go off roads, no second thoughts: MCD.

Vodafone launches handset at Rs.809 in Delhi

NEW DELHI – Cellular services provider Vodafone Essar Monday said it has launched here a low-cost handset at Rs.809 to make mobile phones accessible to the rural millions.

The company said it would roll out the phone, Vodafone 150 (VF 150), in other parts of India over the next few days.
“The cost of … Original article on : Vodafone launches handset at Rs.809 in Delhi.

World stock markets climb as Europe sets massive defense package for euro

World markets climb as EU moves to defend euro

SINGAPORE – World stock markets surged Monday as the European Union agreed on a nearly $1 trillion defense package for the embattled euro, hoping to contain global fallout from Greece’s debt crisis and protect the common currency.
As trading opened in Europe, Britain’s FTSE 100 index soared 227.03 … Read the original article on Gaea Times at : World stock markets climb as Europe sets massive defense package for euro.

RBI to publish report on food inflation

KOLKATA – The Reserve bank of India (RBI) will come out with a report on food inflation in a few weeks time, deputy governor of the central bank Subir Gokarn said Monday.

“The paper would study whether the food price rise is due to less monsoon last year or it is due to the impact of [..] Read the original article: here.

Research group: China passenger car sales climb 34 percent in April as surge in demand slows

Growth in China passenger car sales slows in April

SHANGHAI – Growth in China’s passenger car sales slowed to 34 percent in April as a yearlong surge in demand began to falter, a private research group reported Monday.
Sales had jumped 63 percent in March from a year earlier.
The 1.11 million cars sold in April was down … Read the original article on Gaea Times at : Research group: China passenger car sales climb 34 percent in April as surge in demand slows.

US Transportation Secretary says more fines for Toyota are a possibility

US official says more fines for Toyota possible
TOYOTA, Japan – Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood said Monday the U.S. wants to see results from Toyota’s efforts to improve safety, and more fines would be imposed if needed.
“If a fine is required, I think everyone recognizes now that safety is our number one priority, and … Read more »».

Sensex holding firm in afternoon trade

MUMBAI – A benchmark index for Indian equities Monday extended its morning gains and in afternoon trade was ruling 2.59 percent higher than its previous close.

The 30-scrip sensitive index (Sensex) of the Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE), which opened at 16,799.49 points, was ruling at 17,203.79 points, 434.68 points or 2.59 percent higher than its previous …. Read the original article  : here.

ICT solutions to transform healthcare, bridge India’s rural-urban health divide

New Delhi, May 10 (ANI-Business Wire India): Apollo Hospitals, Asia’s largest health care provider, and Cisco today announced an alliance to help transform health care through information and communications technology (ICT).

The joint initiative will help drive inclusive growth and wellbeing … Read the original article on Gaea Times at : ICT solutions to transform healthcare, bridge India’s rural-urban health divide.

Done with pro sports, some ex-athletes look to political office

Ex-sports pros in races for political office

LAKE OSWEGO, Ore. – Gubernatorial candidate Chris Dudley ducked through the coffeehouse door, and the barista shouted a greeting. Several people waiting in line looked up – way up – and smiled in recognition.
The first thing everybody notices about Dudley is his height.
At 6-foot-11, with a broad body that … Original source on Gaea Times at : Done with pro sports, some ex-athletes look to political office.

Shutdown hits life in Srinagar

SRINAGAR – Normal life was adversely affected by a shutdown called by the bar association here Monday as authorities imposed restrictions in the old city areas, officials said.

The shutdown was called by the association against what it alleged was a “collapse of judiciary, maltreatment meted out to political prisoners, and veiled attempts to change the … Read more : Shutdown hits life in Srinagar.

Farmers say even recession didn’t bring Americans back to farm work, immigration reform needed

Farmers: Immigration reform needed for ag workers

MONTPELIER, Vt. – Even during the recession, foreign workers harvested vegetables, milked cows and picked apples on many U.S. farms, doing work that farmers say Americans don’t want to do.
Most Americans shy away from jobs such as hand-picking tomatoes or cutting cabbage because the work is seasonal, physically tough, …. Read the original article  : Farmers say even recession didn’t bring Americans back to farm work, immigration reform needed.

China reports more double-digit trade growth in April but quick action on currency unlikely

China April imports, exports grow strongly
BEIJING – China posted more double-digit trade growth in April in a positive sign for its recovery, but analysts said Beijing is unlikely to move quickly to let its currency rise because global demand still is too weak.
Imports jumped 49.7 percent over a year earlier to $118.2 billion, … Read : China reports more double-digit trade growth in April but quick action on currency unlikely.

Over 360 Chinese newspapers to be shut down

BEIJING – Over 360 newspapers or periodicals in China – or three percent of the nation’s total publications – would be shut down over the next three years.

A total of 188 newspapers and periodicals were closed in 2009, after China’s General Administration of Press and Publication introduced a market-oriented competition plan in 2008 that …. Source article  : Over 360 Chinese newspapers to be shut down.

Japan PM, hoping to break impasse, gathers Cabinet to discuss US base move

Japan PM meets Cabinet to discuss US Marine base
TOKYO – Japan’s prime minister has approved a draft proposal on the relocation of a major U.S. Marine base, paving the way for Japanese and U.S. officials to formally negotiate the plan later this week, reports said Monday.
Prime Minister Yukio Hatoyama, whose public approval levels …. Original article on Gaea Times at  : Japan PM, hoping to break impasse, gathers Cabinet to discuss US base move.

EU sets up $1 trillion eurozone/IMF defense package to protect euro from disintegration

EU creates $1 trillion package to save euro

BRUSSELS – European foreign ministers and EU leaders are voicing optimism that the $1 trillion plan to prevent its debt crisis from undermining the euro and derailing the global economy was working as hoped.
EU foreign affairs chief Catherine Ashton says the plan is good both for Europe and …. Read the original article  : here.

Stock exchange execs, SEC to discuss conflicting trading rules that may have sparked plunge

Exchange execs, SEC to discuss trading rules

WASHINGTON – Financial regulators have summoned the heads of major exchanges including the New York Stock Exchange Euronext and Nasdaq OMX Group to Washington on Monday to discuss how conflicting trading rules may have contributed to Thursday’s historic stock market plunge.
Securities and Exchange Commission Chairman Mary Schapiro on Friday …. Source  : Stock exchange execs, SEC to discuss conflicting trading rules that may have sparked plunge.

Iran launches first ‘homemade’ car

TEHRAN – Iran is moving towards technical independence with the launch of a new domestic automobile plant that will produce over 150,000 “homemade” cars every year and provide employment to over 23,000 people, President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad has said.

“The Iranian nation has showed the world that it has absolutely no need for foreign assistance, be it …. Read the original article  : Iran launches first ‘homemade’ car.

Sensex rises 1.26 percent at opening bell

MUMBAI – A benchmark index for Indian equities Monday started off the week’s trade in the green, rising 1.26 percent, at opening bell.

The 30-scrip sensitive index (Sensex) of the Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE), which opened at 16,799.49 points, was ruling at 16,980.48 points, 211.37 points or 1.26 percent higher than its previous close at 16,769.11 …. Original article  : Sensex rises 1.26 percent at opening bell.

Study says US cancer costs almost double in 20 years _ but not because of pricey treatments

US cancer costs double in nearly 20 years
ATLANTA – The cost of treating cancer in the United States nearly doubled over the past two decades, but expensive cancer drugs may not be the main reason why, according to a surprising new study.

The study confounds conventional wisdom in several respects. The soaring price of new cancer …. Original article on Gaea Times at  : Study says US cancer costs almost double in 20 years _ but not because of pricey treatments.

Money Market Operations as on May 07, 2010

…. Source article on Gaea Times at  : Money Market Operations as on May 07, 2010.