Spokesman for striking Los Angeles-Long Beach port clerks says contract talks may resume

Talks could resume in SoCal port clerk strike

LOS ANGELES – Negotiators for the striking clerical workers at the ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach have agreed to restart contract talks with shippers and terminal operators soon, a union representative said.
John Fageaux Jr., president of the International Longshore Warehouse Union local that represents the workers, … Read more »»».

World markets mixed ahead of key US jobs report amid fears of slowing global recovery

World markets mixed ahead of US jobs report

SINGAPORE – World stock markets were mixed Friday as investors awaited a crucial reading on the U.S. jobs market that comes amid signs economic recovery is losing momentum around the world.
The choppy trading in Asia and Europe followed Wall Street beginning the third quarter with another loss after …. Original article on Gaea Times at  : World markets mixed ahead of key US jobs report amid fears of slowing global recovery.

Schwarzenegger’s minimum wage order pressures lawmakers, unions in budget battle

Calif. gov pressures lawmakers in budget battle

SACRAMENTO, Calif. – Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger’s order to pay 200,000 state workers just the minimum wage sent a signal to California lawmakers: In the impasse over closing California’s $19 billion budget deficit, Schwarzenegger is ready to play hardball.
The Legislature’s deadline to send a spending plan to the governor passed …. Source  : Schwarzenegger’s minimum wage order pressures lawmakers, unions in budget battle.

Indian mines minister to visit Canada

TORONTO – Close on the heels of India and Canada signing a memorandum of understanding (MoU) in mining last week, India’s mines minister Bijoy Krishna Handique will visit Canada next week to invite leading mining companies to India. Canada is home to the largest number of mining companies in the world.

During his visit from … Read this article on Gaea Times at : Indian mines minister to visit Canada.

RBI releases draft Guidelines on Compensation of Whole Time Directors/CEOs/Risk takers and Control Function Staff of Private Sector and Local Area Banks and Foreign Banks operating in India

The Reserve Bank today released on its website, draft guidelines (www.rbi.org.in/scripts/bs_viewcontent.aspx?Id=2223) on compensation of whole time directors/chief executive officers/risk takers and control function staff of private sector and local area banks and all foreign banks operating in India for comments and feedback. Comments/feedback on the draft guidelines may …. Source  : Gaea News Network.

Oil hovers near $73 in Asia as investors look to US jobs report amid pessimism about economy

Oil hovers near $73 as traders eye US jobs report

SINGAPORE – Oil prices hovered near $73 a barrel Friday in Asia as investors look to the monthly U.S. jobs report for clues about the strength of global crude demand.
Benchmark crude for August delivery was up 15 cents to $73.10 a barrel at late afternoon Singapore …. Original source  : Oil hovers near $73 in Asia as investors look to US jobs report amid pessimism about economy.

India out of Nepal’s new passport deal

KATHMANDU – Amid growing security concerns in India about the misuse of Nepali passports, Indian companies seeking to bid for a fresh passport deal in Nepal have crashed out due to unfavourable yardsticks.

India’s state-owned Security Printing and Minting Corporation of India Ltd (SPMCIL), which had been awarded the contract to print modern, machine-readable Nepali passports …. Source article on Gaea Times at  : India out of Nepal’s new passport deal.

Spain jobless claims down 2 percent in June, third straight monthly decline

Spain jobless claims down sharply in June
MADRID – Spain says the number of people seeking unemployment benefits fell by nearly 84,000 in June as companies stepped up hiring for the summer tourism season.

The 2 percent drop marked the third straight monthly decline and made for the best month of June – traditionally good for job-creation …. Original source  : Spain jobless claims down 2 percent in June, third straight monthly decline.

SAIL’s Bhilai unit records best ever Q-1 output

RAIPUR – Bhilai Steel Plant, the highest profit-making unit of India’s largest steel maker in the public sector, Steel Authority of India Ltd (SAIL), has recorded the best ever first quarter (April-June) output, the plant said Friday.

“The plant recorded the best ever hot metal production of 1.39 million tonne (MT) in first quarter in fiscal …. Source  : Gaea News Network.

Their ‘moon shot’: Blind organization to showcase vehicle that can be driven by the blind

Group to show car that can be driven by the blind

WASHINGTON – For advocates of the blind, it’s akin to reaching the unreachable goal of landing a man on the moon: developing a vehicle that a blind person could drive.
The National Federation of the Blind and Virginia Tech plan to demonstrate a prototype vehicle next …. Read the original article  : here.

No green means no red-white-and-blue spectacular for some towns, cities this July Fourth

No bucks, no boom for the Fourth
WASHINGTON – Expect fewer booms this July Fourth because of financial busts in some cities and towns.

As many folks pack up picnics and head to see the fireworks this holiday weekend, the skies over a couple-dozen cash-strapped communities will be missing the spectacular crackle of color that Americans associate …. Read the original article  : here.

Opera house v. tennis dome: Kan. race for Senate reveals tricky business of earmarks

Kan. race shows earmarks are tricky business

McPHERSON, Kan. – For some members of Congress, bringing home the bacon isn’t what it used to be. And for two of them seeking represent Kansas in the U.S. Senate, it’s become a bad career move.
U.S. Rep. Jerry Moran is locked in a bitter primary fight for the Republican … Read this article on Gaea Times at : Opera house v. tennis dome: Kan. race for Senate reveals tricky business of earmarks.

Sensex crawls up after a brief slip, Asia weak

MUMBAI – A key index for Indian equities Wednesday crawled back into the green after a brief slip into the red, even as other Asian markets took a tumble.

The 30-scrip sensitive index (Sensex) of the Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE), which opened at 17,523.47 points, was ruling at 17,548.21 points, 38.88 points or 0.22 percent up … Read more »»».

UK’s Chloride accepts Emerson’s sweetened takeover bid

UK’s Chloride accepts Emerson’s takeover bid

LONDON – British power supply company Chloride Group said Friday that it has accepted an improved takeover bid from U.S. competitor Emerson Electric Co. that values it at 997 million pounds ($1.5 billion).
Chloride said its board unanimously recommended that shareholders accept Emerson’s offer of 375 pence per share.
Emerson clinched the …. Source article on Gaea Times at  : UK’s Chloride accepts Emerson’s sweetened takeover bid.

Now, read comics on your mobile phone

NEW DELHI – Comics’ publishers, once lamenting dropping sales as youth turn to the internet and other media for entertainment, are now laughing all the way to the bank after providing their works on mobile phones to attract the generation on the move.

According to industry estimates, two major comics publishers – Amar Chitra Katha and …. Original article  : Now, read comics on your mobile phone.

ITA Software Acquired By Google

SAN FRANCISCO, (GaeaTimes.com)- ITA Software which happens to a flight-information software company has been acquired by Google. Reportedly, the world’s largest search engine plans to venture into travel business and have fixed a deal to purchase ITA Software for a whopping sum of $700 million in cash.
The decision to acquire ITA Software was announced …. Original source  : ITA Software Acquired By Google.

Finnair plans to reduce emissions by 41 percent by 2017

NEW DELHI – Nordic carrier Finnair says it plans to reduce aircraft emissions by 41 percent by 2017 through continuing fleet renewals.

“Our goal is to reduce emissions between 2009 and 2017 by 24 percent per seat and per 100 kilometres. Between 1999 and 2009 we succeeded in reducing emissions by 22 percent. Our ambitious …. Source  : Gaea News Network.

Asian markets mostly down ahead of key US jobs report amid fears of slowing global recovery

Asia stocks mostly down ahead of US jobs report

SINGAPORE – Most Asian stock markets posted losses Friday as investors awaited a crucial reading on the U.S. jobs market that comes amid signs economic recovery is losing momentum around the world.
The downdraft in Asia followed Wall Street beginning the third quarter with another loss after reports …. Source article  : Asian markets mostly down ahead of key US jobs report amid fears of slowing global recovery.

Gazans endure worst power cuts in 4 years, as political rivals quarrel over electricity bill

Longer blackouts for Gaza, as politicians quarrel

GAZA CITY, Gaza Strip – An escalating dispute between the rival Palestinian governments over who should pay Gaza’s electricity bill has caused some of the worst power cuts here in years, leaving Gazans stewing in sweltering heat and cursing politicians of all stripes.
Gazans are used to daily blackouts, especially … Original article on : Gazans endure worst power cuts in 4 years, as political rivals quarrel over electricity bill.

Australia relents on ’super tax’ on mineral company profits, aims for smaller resource tax

Australia relents on contentious mining profit tax

CANBERRA, Australia – Australia’s government on Friday retreated from a planned 40 percent tax on booming profits in the mining industry, defusing a damaging row with big business and clearing the way for national elections to be called at any time.
Mining companies had campaigned mightily against the proposed tax, …. Original article on Gaea Times at  : Australia relents on ’super tax’ on mineral company profits, aims for smaller resource tax.