Dozens of deaths and recalls lead to effort for congressional ban on drop-side baby cribs

Move afoot in Congress to ban drop-side cribs

WASHINGTON – Drop-side cribs may soon be a thing of the past.
The cribs, which have a side rail that moves up and down, are blamed in the deaths of at least 32 infants or toddlers since 2000 who suffocated or were strangled in a drop-side crib.
Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand, … Original source on Gaea Times at : Dozens of deaths and recalls lead to effort for congressional ban on drop-side baby cribs.

Naga blockade of Manipur enters 42nd day

IMPHAL – The ongoing deadlock in Manipur entered its 42nd day Sunday with the main lifeline, National Highway 39, remaining paralysed due to an indefinite economic blockade enforced by Naga tribal groups, although supply of essentials has started trickling in through an alternative route, besides airdropping of food, fuel and medicines, in recent days.

“The crisis …. Original article  : Naga blockade of Manipur enters 42nd day.

93 mobile phones per 100 people in Brazil

Rio de Janeiro, May 23 (IANS/EFE) The number of mobile phone connections in Brazil has climbed to 180 million – or 93.8 cell phones per 100 people, a telecommunications regulator in the country has said.

A total of 6.8 million phone lines were activated in the first four months of 2010, said a statement from the … Read the original article on Gaea Times at : 93 mobile phones per 100 people in Brazil.

Israel begins annual civil defense drill at time of rising regional tension

Israel holds defense drill amid regional tension

JERUSALEM – Israel held a dress rehearsal for disaster Sunday, beginning a defense drill to test the response of soldiers, emergency crews and civilians to simulated missile barrages, terrorist attacks and chemical strikes.
Israel embarked on its fourth annual home front drill at a time when Iranian-backed militants are rearming … Read this article on Gaea Times at : Israel begins annual civil defense drill at time of rising regional tension.

South Korean, Chinese, Japanese trade ministers praise free trade agreement study effort

SKorea, China, Japan trade chiefs praise FTA study

SEOUL, South Korea – Trade ministers from China, Japan and South Korea on Sunday praised efforts to explore a potential joint free trade deal to boost commerce among three of Asia’s biggest economies.
South Korean Trade Minister Kim Jong-hoon, Chinese Commerce Minister Chen Deming and Japanese Economy, Trade and [..] Read the original article: here.

Stage set for world telecom meet in Hyderabad

HYDERABAD – A meeting here, beginning Monday, of global telecom experts will adopt the Hyderabad Action Plan that will set the agenda for development of telecommunication and information and communication technologies (ICT) over the next four years.

Over 700 delegates from across the world will attend the fifth world telecommunication development conference being organised by …. Source article on Gaea Times at  : Stage set for world telecom meet in Hyderabad.

India’s computer sales up 33 percent in first quarter

NEW DELHI – India’s personal computer sales touched 2.2 million in the first quarter of this year, registering a growth of an impressive 33 percent, says IDC, a leading technology consultancy and think tank.

Among the various segments, desktop computers accounted for nearly two-thirds of the total sales at 1.44 million units, representing an 18 percent …. Read the original article  : India’s computer sales up 33 percent in first quarter.

As Europe falters, China balks at revaluing currency, courting fresh friction with US

As Europe falters, China balks at revaluing yuan
SHANGHAI – Saleswoman Li Li stood in a booth at the Canton trade fair, surrounded by luggage decorated with floral, leopard and news headline prints like “credit crunch” and “economic disaster looms.”
She pointed to one that said “dollar exchange rate” with a chuckle. “We’re all worried … Read more »».

The goose with the golden spectrum (Comment)

Finally, it’s over. Eleven years after the birth of third generation (3G) telephony and near the end of its life, India’s auction for enabling spectrum or airwaves concluded May 19.

Here’s to the teamwork among India’s communications, finance and defence ministries that set telecom back by a half-decade. From its place ‘ahead of the curve’ … Read this article on Gaea Times at : The goose with the golden spectrum (Comment).

Give food stamps to poor instead of subsidised food: FICCI

NEW DELHI – The government should issue food stamps directly to families living below poverty line (BPL), instead of subsidised food, to ensure food security of the poor, an industry lobby said in a report.

The Federation of India Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI) said the current system of providing subsidised food items through the …. Read the original article  : Give food stamps to poor instead of subsidised food: FICCI.

Dhaka to enact law to make jute use compulsory

DHAKA – Bangladesh is set to enact a law to make use of jute compulsory in packaging certain commodities, taking a cue from a 1987 law enacted by India — also a major producer of the commodity — to raise domestic demand.

The move is also intended to meet the rise in demand for jute packaging … Read more »».

South Korean, Chinese, Japanese trade ministers meet as countries study free trade agreement

South Korea, China, Japan trade chiefs meet

SEOUL, South Korea – Trade ministers from China, Japan and South Korea met Sunday to discuss issues including a possible three-way free trade agreement, amid worries over the world economy sparked by Europe’s debt crisis.
South Korean Trade Minister Kim Jong-hoon, Chinese Commerce Minister Chen Deming and Japanese Economy, Trade …. Original source  : South Korean, Chinese, Japanese trade ministers meet as countries study free trade agreement.

Republican Djou wins Hawaii congressional vote, giving GOP a victory in Obama’s hometown

GOP wins House seat in Obama’s home district
HONOLULU – Republicans scored a midterm election victory Saturday when Honolulu City Councilman Charles Djou won a Democratic-held House seat in Hawaii in the district where President Barack Obama grew up – the latest triumph for the GOP as … Read more : Republican Djou wins Hawaii congressional vote, giving GOP a victory in Obama’s hometown.

Clinton courts Chinese people ahead of tough diplomatic mission _ trying to punish North Korea

Clinton courts Chinese people; tough mission nears
BEIJING – U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton said Sunday that she would be pushing the Chinese for a “more balanced economic relationship” with the U.S. in upcoming economic and strategic talks in Beijing.
Those talks, to be …. Source  : Gaea News Network.

Clinton headed to Beijing for economic, strategic talks with Chinese leaders

Clinton headed to Beijing for economic talks

SHANGHAI – Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton is heading to Beijing for high-level economic and strategic talks with Chinese leaders that will be dominated by efforts to win China’s support to punish North Korea for the sinking of a South Korean warship.
Clinton, who will co-chair the talks with …. Source article on Gaea Times at  : Clinton headed to Beijing for economic, strategic talks with Chinese leaders.

Taiwan protests its exports labelled ‘Made in Taiwan, China’

TAIPEI – Taiwan was to persuade China to drop its demand that all Taiwanese goods exported to China must be marked “Made in Taiwan Province of China,” it was reported Sunday.

“We will not accept China’s demand, and will hold talks with China to find a solution,” the Liberty Times quoted Vice Economics Minister Lin Sheng-chung … Original source on Gaea Times at : Taiwan protests its exports labelled ‘Made in Taiwan, China’.

British Airways talks disrupted as protesters storm building

LONDON – The chief executive officer of British Airways had to be taken away under police escort after demonstrators stormed the building where he was in negotiations with cabin crew about planned labour stoppages, Scotland Yard said.

Willie Walsh needed the police escort Saturday to get out of the building after the demonstrators managed to get …. Source article on Gaea Times at  : British Airways talks disrupted as protesters storm building.

30,000 to 35,000 NJ protesters rally against state budget cuts proposed by Gov. Chris Christie

More than 30,000 in NJ protest state budget cuts

TRENTON, N.J. – A crowd estimated at 30,000 to 35,000 people gathered Saturday near New Jersey’s Statehouse to protest Gov. Chris Christie’s proposed budget cuts.
State police, who gave the crowd estimate, said no problems were reported.
The crowd is believed to be one of the largest ever to …. Source article  : 30,000 to 35,000 NJ protesters rally against state budget cuts proposed by Gov. Chris Christie.

Astros ace Roy Oswalt says he didn’t demand a trade, but deal might be best

Oswalt: No trade demand, but deal might be best

HOUSTON – Astros ace Roy Oswalt said he has not demanded a trade, but questioned the direction of his team and thinks a deal might be the best thing for everyone.
The 32-year-old Oswalt (2-6, 2.66 ERA) said Saturday that it’s time for him to move on and …. Source  : Gaea News Network.

Grace Foods corned beef cans recalled due to high levels of anti-parasite drug

Grace Foods recalls cans of corned beef
MIRAMAR, Fla. – Caribbean food products maker Grace Foods USA is voluntarily recalling two batches of its canned corned beef because they have higher than acceptable levels of a drug used to treat cattle for parasites, the company said Saturday.

There is a remote possibility that people could be sickened …. Original article  : Grace Foods corned beef cans recalled due to high levels of anti-parasite drug.