95 percent drowning cases in Goan beaches due to alcohol

PANAJI – If you are young, with a pale body, wearing a new ill-fitted tee shirt with ‘Goa’ conspicuously screen-printed on it, slightly tipsy and moving around on a beach in Goa in a group of four or five… chances are you will make the lifeguard posted on the beach earn his pay.

According to … Original article on : 95 percent drowning cases in Goan beaches due to alcohol.

Shutdown in Maharashtra town against TDP agitation, Naidu may be released

NANDED – A shutdown was observed Saturday in Dharmabad town in Maharashtra’s Nanded district to protest the agitation led by Telugu Desam Party chief N. Chandrababu Naidu against construction of the Babli Dam, which Andhra Pradesh fears will affect its water supply, an official said.

Naidu and his supporters, who were arrested Friday, are likely to … Read more >>.

Yankees find fitting tribute to Steinbrenner: Swisher’s single in 9th beats Tampa Bay 5-4

Fitting tribute to Steinbrenner: Yanks win in 9th

NEW YORK – Nick Swisher and the New York Yankees paid tribute to George Steinbrenner with the type of thrilling victory the demanding owner loved.
On a night that began with Mariano Rivera placing a pair of long-stemmed red roses across home plate and Derek Jeter speaking a touching … Original source on Gaea Times at : Yankees find fitting tribute to Steinbrenner: Swisher’s single in 9th beats Tampa Bay 5-4.

Virgin Galactic spaceship makes 1st crewed flight over Mojave Desert

Virgin Galactic spacecraft makes 1st crewed flight

MOJAVE, Calif. – A company working to send tourists on suborbital flights says it has tested its spacecraft with a crew for the first time.
Virgin Galactic says the craft remained attached to a specially designed airplane throughout a six-hour flight over California’s Mojave desert Thursday.
On its website, the company … Read the original article on Gaea Times at : Virgin Galactic spaceship makes 1st crewed flight over Mojave Desert.

New US law seeks disclosure of foreign payments

WASHINGTON – Publicly traded oil, gas and mining companies, including those from India and other emerging economies, will be required to disclose their payments to foreign governments under the landmark financial reform legislation.

The new law awaiting President Barack Obama’s signature will require companies to report on their filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) …. Original source  : New US law seeks disclosure of foreign payments.

Australia’s first woman prime minister announces Aug. 21 general elections

Australian PM announces Aug. 21 elections
CANBERRA, Australia – Australia’s first woman Prime Minister Julia Gillard, who has led the country for three weeks, on Saturday called a general election on Aug. 21 and urged voters to show trust in her by returning her party for a second three-year term.

Critics accuse her of rushing to an … Read more »»».

Congress acts on bank overhaul, now regulators will have to write new rules

Congress acts on bank overhaul, but work ahead
WASHINGTON – In the end, it’s only a beginning. The far-reaching new banking and consumer protection bill that President Barack Obama intends to sign on Wednesday now shifts from the politicians to the technocrats.
The legislation gives regulators latitude and time to come up with new rules, …. Original source  : Congress acts on bank overhaul, now regulators will have to write new rules.

Australian prime minister visits governor general in 1st step toward calling August elections

Australian PM poised to announce August elections

CANBERRA, Australia – Australia’s Prime Minister Julia Gillard visited the country’s governor general Saturday, a procedural step toward calling a general election for late August.
Gillard – who grabbed power in a surprise ruling party coup three weeks ago – must defend her first-term government’s massive spending at the polls, …. Source article on Gaea Times at  : Australian prime minister visits governor general in 1st step toward calling August elections.

Search being scaled back for Utah treasure hunters missing while looking for Arizona gold mine

Still no sign of 3 Utah men on Ariz. treasure hunt

APACHE JUNCTION, Ariz. – The search is being scaled back for three Utah men reported missing while looking for the legendary Lost Dutchman Gold Mine in the Arizona wilderness.
The hikers from Salt Lake City have been in the Superstition Mountains since at least Sunday.
Officials say …. Source article  : Search being scaled back for Utah treasure hunters missing while looking for Arizona gold mine.

Yankees remember George Steinbrenner with 15-minute pregame tribute

Yankees remember Steinbrenner with tribute

NEW YORK – Mariano Rivera laid two long-stemmed red roses across home plate. Tears filled Joe Girardi’s eyes. Derek Jeter’s face was flush with emotion.
As fans stood through “Taps” and a 2-minute moment of silence, the 27 World Series championship flags that George Steinbrenner cherished with all his might could be … Original article on : Yankees remember George Steinbrenner with 15-minute pregame tribute.

US urging UN Economic and Social Council to accredit gay rights group so it can work at UN

US pushing UN status for gay rights group
UNITED NATIONS – The Obama administration and 14 members of the U.S. Congress are urging the U.N. Economic and Social Council to accredit the International Gay and Lesbian Human Rights Commission so it can work at the United Nations.

The U.S.-based organization, which has offices in South Africa, Argentina … Read more >>.

Apple offers protective cases to disgruntled iPhone buyers

SAN FRANCISCO – Hoping to stem growing disgruntlement over its latest iPhone 4, Apple Friday announced it would provide free protective covers and offer a full refund to owners whose phones suffered from widespread antenna glitches.

Apple Chief Executive Officer Steve Jobs made the offer at a hastily convened press conference after the company faced growing …. Source article on Gaea Times at  : Apple offers protective cases to disgruntled iPhone buyers.

Report: Cyclist LeMond subpoenaed in federal doping investigation

Report: Cyclist LeMond subpoenaed
NEW YORK – Three-time Tour de France champion Greg LeMond has been served with a grand jury subpoena as part of a federal investigation of possible fraud and doping charges against Lance Armstrong and his associates, according to the New York Daily News.

The newspaper reported Friday on its website that a grand … Read more >>.

State Supreme Court says Great Falls natural gas plant illegally zoned

Supreme Court sides against power plant
HELENA, Mont. – The state Supreme Court ruled Friday that Cascade County illegally zoned property for a proposed natural gas power plant, reversing a lower court decision that had sided with the county and Southern Montana Electric.

The high court, in a 4-3 decision, said the special zoning set up for … Original source on Gaea Times at : State Supreme Court says Great Falls natural gas plant illegally zoned.

Regulators shut down banks in Florida, Michigan, So Carolina; 96 US bank failures this year

Regulators shut banks in Fla, Mich, SC
WASHINGTON – Regulators on Friday shut down three banks in Florida, two in South Carolina and one in Michigan, bringing to 96 the number of U.S. banks to succumb this year to the recession and mounting loan defaults.

The Federal Deposit Insurance Corp. on Friday took over the banks: Woodlands …. Source  : Regulators shut down banks in Florida, Michigan, So Carolina; 96 US bank failures this year.

Wyoming coal industry warns of curtailed production if federal reserves not opened soon

Coal industry: Delays could affect Wyo. production

CHEYENNE, Wyo. – Wyoming’s coal industry says long delays obtaining new reserves is making it difficult to plan for the future and could take a bite out of production if the government doesn’t act soon.
The U.S. Bureau of Land Management has been taking longer than expected to sell new … Original article on : Wyoming coal industry warns of curtailed production if federal reserves not opened soon.

Christian publisher announces delay in printing Sarah Palin biography for 9- to 12-year-olds

Publisher delays Palin biography for tweens
JUNEAU, Alaska – Christian book publisher Zondervan is delaying publication of a Sarah Palin biography for young readers.
Cheryl Lundberg, Zondervan’s director of customer service, said in an e-mail that after “careful review and discussion,” it was deemed that October was not an “optimal time” to publish the book. [..] Read the original article: here.

Product recalls this week include jewelry, go-carts, play tents, drop-side cribs

Recalls this week: Jewelry, go-carts, play tents

Products that could put children and babies at risk highlight this week’s list of recalls.
Among the defective products were children’s jewelry containing the dangerous metal cadmium, and mini-bikes and go-carts with potentially faulty gas caps. Other recalls involve products that can present risks of strangulation: drop-side cribs, and small … Read this article on Gaea Times at : Product recalls this week include jewelry, go-carts, play tents, drop-side cribs.

Product Recalls: Slim-30 Herb Supplement

Product Recalls: Slim-30 Herb Supplement
The following recall has been announced:

- J&H Besta Corp. is recalling Slim-30 Herb Supplement because it contains weight-loss ingredients that have not been approved for the product. The Hicksville, N.Y., company said the product was found to contain N-Desmethyl sibutramine and traces of sibutramine, drugs used as an appetite suppressant for …. Original article  : Product Recalls: Slim-30 Herb Supplement.

Summary Box: Latest poor indicators on US economy send rates down in Treasury market

Summary Box: Weak economic news sends rates down

MORE WEAK DATA: A new report on plunging consumer confidence was the latest sign of weakness in the U.S. economy.
HOW BAD WAS IT: A survey by the University of Michigan and Reuters found that consumer confidence fell in July to its lowest point in nearly a year.
EVEN LOWER … Read the original article on Gaea Times at : Summary Box: Latest poor indicators on US economy send rates down in Treasury market.