Euro trades near 2-month highs despite downgrade for Ireland’s public debt

Euro hovers short of 2-month highs
BERLIN – The euro hovered a little short of two-month highs against the dollar on Monday, despite a rating agency’s downgrade for Irish government bonds, as concern persisted over prospects of slower U.S. growth.

The 16-nation currency slipped as low as $1.2872 before recovering to $1.2970 in morning European trading – … Original source on Gaea Times at : Euro trades near 2-month highs despite downgrade for Ireland’s public debt.

Rains hit Agra region, could salvage bajra crop

AGRA – Rains lashed the Agra region of Uttar Pradesh Monday after a long dry spell, reviving hopes of a good bajra crop this kharif season.

Farmers in the region had gone in for early sowing of bajra after the met department forecast good rains in July. But there was only 90 mm of rainfall till …. Read the original article  : Rains hit Agra region, could salvage bajra crop.

India, Pakistan showcase aviation wares at Farnborough airshow

FARNBOROUGH – Led by their respective state-run agencies, India and Pakistan are exhibiting their aviation wares at the Farnborough International Airshow that got underway Monday at this town, some 55 km from southwest of London.

India’s Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd (HAL) and the Pakistan Aeronautical Complex (PAC) are among 1,393 exhibitors from 40 countries taking part in …. Original article on Gaea Times at  : India, Pakistan showcase aviation wares at Farnborough airshow.

Clinton reveals new aid projects in Pakistan visit aimed at improving US image

Clinton reveals new aid projects in Pakistan visit

ISLAMABAD – U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton sought Monday to convince skeptical Pakistanis that American interest in their country extends beyond the fight against Islamist militants by announcing a raft of new aid projects worth $500 million.
The projects, which include hospitals and new dams for badly … Read more >>>.

World shares retreat after Wall Street, consumer confidence tumble

World shares retreat after Wall Street tumble

BANGKOK – World stock markets fell Monday after U.S. consumer confidence plunged and corporate results fell short of expectations, signs the world’s biggest economy may be in danger of falling back into recession.
Oil prices fell slightly to below $76 a barrel as traders eyed falling global stocks markets ahead …. Source article on Gaea Times at  : World shares retreat after Wall Street, consumer confidence tumble.

Money Market Operations as on July 17, 2010

…. Original article on Gaea Times at  : Money Market Operations as on July 17, 2010.

Clinton unveils $500-mn aid projects for Pakistan

ISLAMABAD – US Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton Monday announced more than $500 million worth of development projects for Pakistan that focus on improving water storage, the energy sector, food exports and medical facilities.

The aid, which is the part of a $7.5-billion five-year development package passed by the US Congress last year, aims at …. Source  : Clinton unveils $500-mn aid projects for Pakistan.

Swedish appliance maker Electrolux says Q2 profits rise by 56 pct due to cost savings

Electrolux Q2 profits rise, helped by cost savings

STOCKHOLM – Swedish appliance maker Electrolux AB on Monday said its net profit rose by 56 percent in the second quarter despite weaker sales as cost-saving initiatives started to bear fruit.
The company, based in Stockholm, said net profit totaled 1.03 billion Swedish kronor ($140 million), up from 658 …. Original article  : Swedish appliance maker Electrolux says Q2 profits rise by 56 pct due to cost savings.

Abu Dhabi firm, U.S. helicopter maker Sikorsky team up to service military aircraft in Mideast

Abu Dhabi, Sikorsky to service military aircraft

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates – A state-owned Abu Dhabi aircraft company is launching a joint venture with Sikorsky Aerospace Services to maintain and repair military aircraft across the Middle East.
Abu Dhabi Aircraft Technologies said its deal with Sikorsky is worth more than $800 million.
The new company will eventually be …. Read the original article  : here.

Moody’s cuts rating on Ireland’s government bonds due to weak economic outlook

Moody’s downgrades Irish government debt rating

DUBLIN – Moody’s ratings agency on Monday downgraded Irish government bonds by one notch due to a deteriorating economic outlook, a heavy debt burden and liabilities in the banking system.
Ireland was hit hard by the global financial crisis as a collapse in the property market nearly took down the banking … Read more »».

North Korea, Myanmar to dominate Southeast Asian security meetings in Vietnam

North Korea expected to steal ASEAN spotlight
HANOI, Vietnam – Tensions with North Korea are expected to overshadow Asia’s largest security forum this week in Vietnam – four months after 46 South Korean sailors were killed in the sinking of a warship that was blamed on Pyongyang.
The reclusive North, which has denied attacking the … Read the original article on Gaea Times at : North Korea, Myanmar to dominate Southeast Asian security meetings in Vietnam.

Demand lifts Electrolux Q2 profits

STOCKHOLM – Higher demand in several markets including North America helped lift second-quarter earnings, Swedish home appliance maker Electrolux said Monday.

Net profit, excluding items affecting comparability, was 1.1 billion kronor ($148 million), compared with 633 million kronor a year earlier.
Sales in the quarter were down 1 percent to 27.3 billion kronor.
Electrolux said the … Read more : Demand lifts Electrolux Q2 profits.

IRDA is micro managing life insurers: Experts

CHENNAI – The Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority (IRDA) seems to be trying to micro-manage the sector with its proposed measures on hiking the policy persistency (policy continuity/renewal) ratio, say life insurance industry experts.

In an exposure draft on persistency of life insurance policies, the IRDA has suggested a target of 20 policies per year for …. Source  : Gaea News Network.

Lighting and electronics maker Philips says Q2 profit rebounds after global economic crisis

Philips Q2 profits up on strong sales
THE HAGUE, Netherlands – Royal Philips Electronics NV, the world’s largest maker of lights, said Monday its second quarter profit rose sharply, thanks to strong sales at its lighting and consumer electronics divisions, particularly in emerging markets.

Net profit was euro262 million ($340 million), up from euro45 million in the … Original article on : Lighting and electronics maker Philips says Q2 profit rebounds after global economic crisis.

Abortion rights groups denounce Obama administration decision to deny coverage

Abortion foes win a round in health overhaul

WASHINGTON – Abortion foes have scored a victory and traditional allies of the Obama administration are grumbling about a decision to ban most abortion coverage in insurance pools for those unable to purchase health care on their own.
The Catholic bishops “welcome this new policy,” said Cardinal Daniel DiNardo, … Read the original article on Gaea Times at : Abortion rights groups denounce Obama administration decision to deny coverage.

Lighting and electronics maker Philips says Q2 profit rebounds after global economic crisis

Philips Q2 profits up on strong sales
THE HAGUE, Netherlands – Royal Philips Electronics NV, the world’s largest maker of lights, said Monday its second quarter profit rose sharply, thanks to strong sales at its lighting and consumer electronics divisions, particularly in emerging markets.

Net profit was ???262 million ($340 million), up from ???45 million in the …. Original article on Gaea Times at  : Lighting and electronics maker Philips says Q2 profit rebounds after global economic crisis.

Pa. Senate race underscores Democratic troubles with independent voters in midterm vote

Independents crucial to Dems’ election prospects
MEDIA, Pa. – Democrat Joe Sestak – a son of the Philadelphia suburbs – needs the independent voters in his backyard as he campaigns for a Senate seat in a swing state that may tilt Republican this year.
Independents have been turning away from President Barack Obama and … Read more »»».

La. biologist hopes to make crawfish boils part of football tailgating with different species

Louisiana biologist sees future in shrimp crawfish

NEW ORLEANS – Way down South, where football and food are close to religions, tailgate parties could turn into crawfish boils a few autumns from now if a Louisiana State University project works out.
“I certainly hope so. It would be a nice option to have,” said Greg Lutz, an … Read more >>>.

La. scientist hopes to make crawfish boils part of football tailgating with different species

Louisiana scientist sees future in shrimp crawfish

NEW ORLEANS – A Louisiana State University biologist hopes his work will bring crawfish boils to football tailgate parties within a few years.
Aquaculture specialist Greg Lutz is studying whether shrimp crawfish could be raised profitably, like the currently farmed red swamp and white river crawfish.
Those species are a staple [..] Read the original article: here.

Oil prices fall below $76 as investors mull stocks markets, corporate earnings

Oil prices fall below $76 as traders eye equities

SINGAPORE – Oil prices fell slightly to below $76 a barrel Monday in Asia as traders eyed falling global stock markets ahead of more key corporate earnings reports this week.
Benchmark crude for August delivery was down 13 cents to $75.88 a barrel at midday Singapore time in … Read the original article on Gaea Times at : Oil prices fall below $76 as investors mull stocks markets, corporate earnings.