Reliance Infra transfers 433 MW capacity to Reliance Power

MUMBAI – The Anil Dhirubhai Ambani group controlled Reliance Infrastructure has transferred 433 MW of power generation capacity valued at Rs.1,095 crore to another firm in the group, Reliance Power.

The transferred assets comprise 220 MW at Samalkot in Andhra Pradesh, 165 MW in Kerala and 48 MW in Goa.
“With this acquisition and commissioning of … Read more >>>.

Vaiko fumes over dam, Kerala calls him ignorant

PALAKKAD – Tamil Nadu MDMK leader Vaiko Friday warned Kerala not to pull down the Mullaperiyar dam, but the state’s Left Democratic Front accused him of whipping up needless passions.

The MDMK blocked all vehicular traffic at 12 points on the Kerala-Tamil Nadu border and said the Kerala government should not construct a new dam in …. Source article on Gaea Times at  : Vaiko fumes over dam, Kerala calls him ignorant.

Food inflation eases to 16.23 percent

NEW DELHI – India’s annual food inflation dipped to 16.23 percent for the week ended May 22 from 16.49 percent in the previous week, official data released Thursday showed.

Data on the wholesale price index (WPI) released by the commerce and industry ministry showed both food and non-food index dropped 0.1 percent each during the week … Read : Food inflation eases to 16.23 percent.

Pakistan’s 2010-11 budget to levy fresh taxes of $1.6 bn: Report

ISLAMABAD – Pakistan’s budget for fiscal 2010 beginning July 1 will levy fresh taxes of Rs.138 billion to mop up Rs.1,650 billion through various levies, a media report Friday said.

The proposals also include relief of Rs.5 billion on salaries and electricity consumption, Dawn said.
The proposals, prepared by a revenue advisory committee in consultation with … Read more >>.

Air India says all operations restored to normal

MUMBAI – All operations of Air India have been restored to normal two days after a crippling strike by some 15,000 employee was called off, the national carrier announced Friday.

“Our operations have been restored 100 percent, with all the employees reporting back to work,” a spokesperson said adding the carrier’s top management also intends … Read more »».

Marriott International spends $160,000 in first quarter to lobby federal government

Marriott spends $160K in 1Q lobbying
WASHINGTON – Marriott International Inc. spent $160,000 in the first quarter to lobby on travel issues and the economy, as well as other matters, according to a recent disclosure report.

That’s less than the $200,000 the company spent in the fourth quarter on lobbying, and the $190,000 it spent in the … Read more >>>.

Tata Motors profit surges

MUMBAI – Tata Motors, India’s top vehicle maker, beats market estimates with a surge in March quarter earnings, helped by rising sales and profitability at its Jaguar Land Rover (JLR) unit.

The leading maker of trucks and buses is riding a surge in demand at home, but said … Original article on : Tata Motors profit surges.

Cold, what cold? NFL owners pick NJ for outdoor 2014 Super Bowl (You got a problem with that?)

Brr! NFL going outdoors in NJ for 2014 Super Bowl

IRVING, Texas – Check the antifreeze, grab the mittens, make sure the airport’s not snowed in.
We’re going to the Super Bowl.
In New Jersey. In February!
NFL owners voted Tuesday to put the 2014 Super Bowl in the new $1.6 billion Meadowlands Stadium that this season will become …. Source  : Gaea News Network.

Bill from Okla. House committee would put state agencies’ attorneys under AG’s office

Bill would put Okla. agencies’ lawyers under AG

OKLAHOMA CITY – An Oklahoma House budget panel on Wednesday approved a plan to save some money by transferring authority for state agencies’ lawyers to the attorney general’s office.
If implemented, the bill is expected to save the state an estimated $10 million annually by reducing the number of …. Source  : Gaea News Network.

Stocks dip as investors remain jittery about Europe’s financial strength; euro falls

Stocks open lower on continued European worries

NEW YORK – Stocks are falling as investors remain jittery about the strength of Europe’s financial sector and economy.
The drop comes even as major European indexes have recovered much of their early morning losses Monday.
Investors remain concerned about Europe’s financial stability. The Bank of Spain had to bail out …. Source  : Stocks dip as investors remain jittery about Europe’s financial strength; euro falls.

Obama administration urges court to throw out Virginia’s lawsuit against new health care law

Administration urges end to Va health care suit

WASHINGTON – The Obama administration is urging dismissal of Virginia’s lawsuit against the new health care law, arguing that Congress acted well within its authority when it passed the legislation.
A court filing late Monday in Richmond, Va., is the first by the administration in response to court challenges …. Original article on Gaea Times at  : Obama administration urges court to throw out Virginia’s lawsuit against new health care law.

Fed’s Bullard: Europe debt crisis unlikely to spark another global recession

Bullard: Europe’s woes unlikely to spur recession

WASHINGTON – A Federal Reserve official says the European debt crisis isn’t likely to throw the global economy back into a recession.
James Bullard, president of the Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis, says the turmoil “will probably fall short of becoming a worldwide recessionary shock.”
He says that in the …. Source article on Gaea Times at  : Fed’s Bullard: Europe debt crisis unlikely to spark another global recession.

Governors of 3 big states urge FCC to allow Comcast to take controlling stake in NBC

3 governors urge FCC to allow Comcast-NBC deal

WASHINGTON – The governors of three large states are urging federal regulators to let Comcast Corp. proceed with its plan to take a controlling stake in NBC Universal.
In a letter to the Federal Communications Commission, Governors David Paterson of New York, Arnold Schwarzenegger of California and Ed Rendell …. Source  : Gaea News Network.

Chandigarh to get country’s first PDS smart cards

CHANDIGARH – Chandigarh will soon become the first city in the country to

distribute smart card-based ration cards to below poverty line (BPL) families who benefit from the Public Distribution System (PDS).
HCL Infosystems, a hardware, services and ICT system integration company, has bagged the order to implement the project.
The smart cards will capture all …. Original article on Gaea Times at  : Chandigarh to get country’s first PDS smart cards.

No need to worry about Super Bowl weather, but NFL wins with vote anyway

Super Bowl vote shows NFL power
The biggest surprise about the New York area landing a Super Bowl turned out to be that the NFL owners were more concerned about the cold than they should have been.

It took four ballots to declare the Meadowlands a winner, which seemed about three too many considering the Jets and … Read more : No need to worry about Super Bowl weather, but NFL wins with vote anyway.

Treasury names private equity exec Magner to gov’t-owned Ally Financial board of directors

Treasury names board member to Ally Financial

NEW YORK – The Treasury Department has named a new member to the board of the government-owned Ally Financial Inc., the consumer lending company said Wednesday.
Marjorie Magner, a founding member and partner at private equity firm Brysam Global Partners and a former executive at Citigroup Inc., became a board … Original article on : Treasury names private equity exec Magner to gov’t-owned Ally Financial board of directors.

Judge delays some decisions in Texas Rangers’ bankruptcy case after creditors’ objections

Creditors voice concerns over Rangers’ bankruptcy

FORT WORTH, Texas – A bankruptcy judge says he doesn’t want the Texas Rangers “to go hungry” during the team’s bankruptcy case but that a resolution may not come as quickly as the baseball club wants.
The day after the Rangers filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection, U.S. Bankruptcy Judge D. … Read the original article on Gaea Times at : Judge delays some decisions in Texas Rangers’ bankruptcy case after creditors’ objections.

Manpower jumps after Barclays upgrades, says Europe’s debt crisis won’t be big hit to business

Barclays upgrades Manpower after stock sell-off

NEW YORK – Shares of Manpower Inc. rose Wednesday as a Barclays analyst upgraded the company after a stock sell-off, saying fears of a deep hit to Manpower’s staffing business because of Europe’s debt crisis are overblown.
THE SPARK: Analyst Gary Bisbee his rating to “Overweight” from “Equal Weight,” citing a … Original article on : Manpower jumps after Barclays upgrades, says Europe’s debt crisis won’t be big hit to business.

Economist: hiked value of US dollar caused by Europe debt crisis hurting Wyo. energy prices

Economist: Europe debt hurting Wyo. energy prices

CHEYENNE, Wyo. – The state’s economy will benefit if Greece and other European countries don’t default in their debt crisis and if their government spending is reduced, an economist said Tuesday.
Creighton University economist Ernie Goss said Wyoming’s economy should improve if the value of the dollar comes down, which … Read : Economist: hiked value of US dollar caused by Europe debt crisis hurting Wyo. energy prices.

Juggling act: small businesses rebuilding this summer have to work around employees vacations

Companies juggle rebuilding, employee vacations

NEW YORK – Small business owners may feel in a bit of a bind this summer. Just as many companies are recovering from the recession and making do with fewer staffers, it’s high season for employee vacations.
Owners may feel anxiety and resentment when workers say they want time off. They may …. Source  : Juggling act: small businesses rebuilding this summer have to work around employees vacations.

UnitedHealth boosts dividend sharply, may invite criticism amid hotly contested health costs

Insurer UnitedHealth sharply raises dividend

INDIANAPOLIS – UnitedHealth Group is sharply raising the dividend it pays shareholders, a move that may fuel criticism of an industry that has reaped strong profits while health care costs have soared.
UnitedHealth, which is the largest publicly-traded health insurer based on revenue, will spend about $560 million over the next 12 …. Source article on Gaea Times at  : UnitedHealth boosts dividend sharply, may invite criticism amid hotly contested health costs.

Amazon and Penguin reach e-book pricing agreement; new Penguin e-books to be sold on Amazon

Amazon and Penguin make e-book pricing deal

SAN FRANCISCO – Amazon.com Inc. and book publisher Penguin Group reached an agreement regarding the pricing of Penguin’s electronic books, the online retailer and book publisher said Wednesday.
With the new agreement, which both companies declined to detail, Penguin’s newest e-books will begin selling through Amazon. In April, Penguin halted … Read this article on Gaea Times at : Amazon and Penguin reach e-book pricing agreement; new Penguin e-books to be sold on Amazon.

Gov’t says 89 reported deaths linked to Toyota unintended acceleration

Gov’t: 89 deaths tied to Toyota acceleration

WASHINGTON – Unintended acceleration in Toyota vehicles may have been involved in the deaths of 89 people over the past decade, upgrading the number of deaths possibly linked to the massive recalls, the government said Tuesday.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration said that from 2000 to mid-May, it had …. Original article on Gaea Times at  : Gov’t says 89 reported deaths linked to Toyota unintended acceleration.

NFL owners pick Meadowlands in NJ for 2014 Super Bowl, first time cold site will host the game

Brr! NFL owners pick NJ for 2014 Super Bowl

IRVING, Texas – Check the antifreeze, grab the mittens, make sure the airport’s not snowed in.
We’re going to the Super Bowl.
In New Jersey!
NFL owners voted Tuesday to put the 48th Super Bowl in the new $1.6 billion Meadowlands Stadium that this season will become home to the …. Original article on Gaea Times at  : NFL owners pick Meadowlands in NJ for 2014 Super Bowl, first time cold site will host the game.

Appeals court temporarily blocks order that Tennessee Commerce Bancorp take back fired CFO

Appeals court blocks order that Tenn bank keep CFO

NASHVILLE, Tenn. – A federal appeals panel has temporarily blocked a court order that would impel Tennessee Commerce Bancorp to reinstate the chief financial officer that it fired.
A three-judge panel of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit issued a preliminary injunction Tuesday that reverses … Original article on : Appeals court temporarily blocks order that Tennessee Commerce Bancorp take back fired CFO.

Crystal Bowersox’ path to ‘Idol’ fame gives her Ohio hometown reason to smile in tough times

‘Idol’ finalist connects with struggling hometown

TOLEDO, Ohio – She’s a bit rough around the edges with blue collar roots.
“American Idol” finalist Crystal Bowersox is a lot like the Ohio towns where she grew up, and her unlikely path to stardom has hit just the right note with people in an area that has fallen on [..] Read the original article: here.

Trans fats are gone, and many foods didn’t get worse as feared, report says

Report: Trans fat limits lead to healthier foods

LOS ANGELES – Holy fish sticks! Scientists finally have some good news about fat in our foods.
Contrary to fears, most food manufacturers and restaurants did not just swap one bad ingredient for another when they trimmed artery-clogging trans fats from products and menus, an analysis finds.
Even the french … Read more »».

Fannie Mae: Delinquency rate for some home loans dipped in March; apartment mortgages worsened

Fannie Mae: Rate of late home loans eased in March

WASHINGTON – Fannie Mae said Thursday the rate for single-family home loans behind in payments by at least 90 days dipped slightly between February and March. But the rate of serious delinquencies for mortgages on apartment buildings worsened.
The government-controlled lender said its conventional single-family serious delinquency … Read more >>>.

Product Recalls: boys’ hooded jackets, basketball-shaped furniture sets, girls’ coats

Recalls: jackets, basketball chairs, girls’ coats

The following recalls have been announced:
-About 200 boys hooded jackets, made in China and distributed by Hind Fashions of New York, because the jackets have a drawstring through the hood that can pose as a strangulation hazard to children. No incidents or injuries have been reported. This recall involves boys … Read more »».

Former NFL commissioner Paul Tagliabue says Big East won’t wait for Big Ten to make moves

Tagliabue says Big East is being proactive

DE PERE, Wis. – Former NFL commissioner Paul Tagliabue thinks the Big East Conference is being proactive about its future and sees cable giant ESPN as the key player in any long-term decisions the 16-member conference will make.
With conference expansion rumors swirling and Big Ten commissioner Jim Delany perhaps … Read more »».

Belmont, Saratoga, Aqueduct to keep running thanks to $25 million loan from state

NY tracks to stay open after state loan of $25M

ALBANY, N.Y. – The Belmont, Saratoga and Aqueduct racetracks will stay open after New York’s thoroughbred racing operator received a $25 million loan from the state.
The New York Racing Association notified more than 1,400 workers last week that the cash-strapped racing operator might have to close …. Original article  : Belmont, Saratoga, Aqueduct to keep running thanks to $25 million loan from state.

Money Market Operations as on May 26, 2010

…. Source article on Gaea Times at  : Money Market Operations as on May 26, 2010.

Oil hovers near $72 in Asia as investors mull how much Europe slowdown will hurt demand

Oil hovers near $72 as traders mull Europe impact

SINGAPORE – Oil prices rose to near $72 a barrel Thursday in Asia as investors mulled the impact slower European economic growth could have on global crude demand.
Benchmark crude for July delivery was up 38 cents to $71.89 a barrel at midday Singapore time in electronic trading …. Source article  : Oil hovers near $72 in Asia as investors mull how much Europe slowdown will hurt demand.

Russia to make new electric trains with Germany

Moscow, May 28 (IANS/RIA Novosti) Russia will produce the next generation electric trains with the help of a German rail company.

Russia’s railway firm RZD, high-speed train service Aeroexpress, and Germany’s Siemens have signed a deal to manufacture the new electric trains which will be powered by electric motors and magnatic elements.
The document was signed …. Original article on Gaea Times at  : Russia to make new electric trains with Germany.

Tour of Missouri canceled amid budget woes; race once a top stop for world’s best riders

Tour of Missouri canceled amid budget woes

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. – Organizers of the Tour of Missouri have canceled this year’s bicycle race after state tourism officials declined to help fund it.
Tour of Missouri chairman Mike Weiss said Thursday that organizers pulled the plug on the race after Gov. Jay Nixon’s administration refused to support it.
The … Read more : Tour of Missouri canceled amid budget woes; race once a top stop for world’s best riders.

Unexpected benefit of turmoil in Europe and markets: Mortgage rates near record low

Mortgage rates are back near record low
WASHINGTON – Turmoil in the stock market and the European debt crisis are making life easier for American homebuyers and families looking to refinance: Mortgage rates are inching closer to a record low.

The window of opportunity may close soon. Home loan rates will rise if investors grow more confident … Read more »».

NY court dismisses Costa Rican photogs’ lawsuit against NFL’s Tom Brady, model Gisele Bundchen

NY court dismisses suit against Brady, Bundchen

NEW YORK – A New York judge has dismissed a lawsuit by two photographers who said they were shot at by bodyguards of New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady and Brazilian supermodel Gisele Bundchen (jih-ZEHL’ BUN’-chen).
The April 2009 incident occurred during a party in Costa Rica celebrating the couple’s … Read more »».

IWC chief optimistic nations can settle whaling deal; US says difficult negotiations remain

Head of IWC optimistic on whaling deal
WASHINGTON – The head of the International Whaling Commission is optimistic that nations gathering in Morocco next month can settle a long-running dispute over whale hunting.

But a senior U.S. official says there are difficult negotiations ahead over a contentious IWC proposal that would effectively allow commercial whaling for the … Original article on : IWC chief optimistic nations can settle whaling deal; US says difficult negotiations remain.

J. Crew Group doubles net income in first quarter, raises guidance for fiscal year

J. Crew doubles 1Q net income, raises guidance

NEW YORK – Catalog retailer J. Crew Group Inc. doubled its first-quarter net income as revenue soared nearly 20 percent and raised its guidance for the year above estimates.
The clothing retailer said Thursday it earned $44.7 million, or 68 cents per share, in the three months that ended …. Original article on Gaea Times at  : J. Crew Group doubles net income in first quarter, raises guidance for fiscal year.

Summary Box: Home sales, manufacturing lift economy in April

Summary Box: Home sales lift economy in April

ORDERS UP: Orders for large manufactured goods increased 2.9 percent in April on rising demand for commercial aircraft.
HOUSING SALES: Sales of new single-family homes surged 14.8 percent as buyers rushed to take advantage of expiring tax credits.
OUTLOOK: Economists say the second quarter has gotten off to a good … Read the original article on Gaea Times at : Summary Box: Home sales, manufacturing lift economy in April.