Jharkhand seeks Rs.3,000 crore for drought relief

RANCHI – The Jharkhand government has sought Rs.3,000-crore assistance from the centre to mitigate the effects of drought due to inadequate rains this year.

The government has also opened control rooms at the panchayat level to monitor the relief work and cancelled leave of all field-level officials.
A central team last week visited the state to … Read : Jharkhand seeks Rs.3,000 crore for drought relief.

Asian stock markets mixed on economic pessimism, Australia falls on tight election result

Asia shares mixed on economic pessimism, Europe up

BANGKOK – Asian markets were mixed Monday as pessimism about the world economy deepened and Australian stocks faltered on the likelihood of a weak minority government following weekend elections. European shares opened higher.
The lackluster showing in Asia came after Wall Street closed lower on Friday with sentiment in [..] Read the original article: here.

Officials to vote on plan to let billionaire build art museum on 2.5 acres in downtown LA

Decision looms for billionaire’s LA museum plan

LOS ANGELES – Officials are set to vote on a plan to let billionaire Eli Broad build a museum for his contemporary art collection in downtown Los Angeles.
The Grand Avenue Committee of state and local officials will decide Monday whether to lease 2.5 acres of county-owned land to Broad, … Read more »»».

Delhi women to get free bus rides on Rakhi day

NEW DELHI – Women in the capital city can enjoy a free ride in public buses Tuesday on the occasion of Raksha Bandhan, Chief Minister Shiela Dikshit announced Monday.

“Women in Delhi would be able to travel free of cost in DTC (Delhi Transport Corporation) buses on Raksha Bandhan day. The decision has been taken …. Source article  : Delhi women to get free bus rides on Rakhi day.

Mahindra inks pact to acquire Ssangyong Motors

MUMBAI – Indian automobile major Mahindra and Mahindra (M&M) Monday entered into an agreement with Ssangyong Motor to acquire a majority stake in the South Korean sport utility vehicle maker and expand its business in international markets.

“M&M today (Monday) signed an MoU (Memorandum of Understanding) with Ssangyong Motor Company (SMC) to acquire a majority stake …. Source  : Mahindra inks pact to acquire Ssangyong Motors.

China offers ‘anger-release’ service for netizens

BEIJING – More than 400 online stores in China are providing “anger-release” service to their customers who wish to get rid of their mental stress caused by family matters, studies and pressure at work places.

According to online shopping website Taobao, such stores have become popular among young netizens who are ready to pay the shop … Read : China offers ‘anger-release’ service for netizens.

Highlights of Pittsburgh Pirate financial statements

Highlights of Pirate financial statements
PITTSBURGH – Highlights of the Pirates’ 2007-08 financial statements, as obtained by the Associated Press:

???????????????2008??????????????????????????????2007?????????
Gate receipts ???$32,129,368?????????$34,422,355
Revenue sharing ???$39,046,312?????????$30,302,652
Total club-generated income ???$76,017,669?????????$74,990,600
MLB revenue …. Original article on Gaea Times at  : Highlights of Pittsburgh Pirate financial statements.

Tata Global Beverages may diversify into food business

KOLKATA – Tata Global Beverages (TGB), previously known as Tata Tea, may diversify into food business, Tata group chairman Ratan Tata said here Monday.

“Change in name (has been) done to reflect change in business of the company, which going forward would be more and more beverages and eventually and possibly into food,” Tata said while …. Read the original article  : Tata Global Beverages may diversify into food business.

Australian mining stocks rise over election uncertain as leader urges business as usual

Australian mining stocks rise on poll uncertainty

CANBERRA, Australia – Stocks in Australia’s biggest mining companies rose Monday as the government’s plans for a new tax on their profits were thrown into doubt after the nation’s closest election in almost 50 years delivered no clear mandate.
Trading in the rest of the market was flat, however, and …. Read the original article  : here.

Sensex choppy, Asian cues weak

MUMBAI – A benchmark index for Indian equities Monday was choppy amid negative cues from other Asian markets.

Weighing the markets down were FMCG stocks, while consumer durables, metal and PSU scrips were under selling pressure.
The 30-scrip sensitive index (Sensex) of the Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE), which opened at 18,400.33 points, was at 18,432.48 points, … Read this article on Gaea Times at : Sensex choppy, Asian cues weak.

Two lakh Bihar government employees on strike

PATNA – More than two lakh employees of the Bihar government Monday went on an indefinite strike demanding implementation of recommendations of the sixth pay commission in “letter and spirit”.

The Bihar State Non-Gazetted Employees Federation (BSNGEF) called for the strike in support of their seven point charter of demands.
The federation leaders claimed that …. Source  : Two lakh Bihar government employees on strike.

New York leads US list in new jobs

NEW YORK – New York leads a list of cities in the US that are poised to offer the maximum number of new jobs in the country after the global recession, an astounding figure of 600,000.

Unemployment in New York now stands below the national average, and the city will soon offer a total of 578,897 …. Read the original article  : here.

Chinese locomotive company makes India foray

BEIJING – China’s Zhuzhou Electric Locomotive Company Limited (ZELC), one of the country’s biggest locomotive makers, has earned over $700 million from contracts with India, Malaysia, Singapore and Saudi Arabia. In June this year it signed a contract to supply subway trains to India.

ZELC, a subsidiary of China South Locomotive & Rolling (CSR), …. Original article  : Chinese locomotive company makes India foray.

Asian stock markets mixed on economic pessimism, Australia takes hung parliament in stride

Asian shares mixed on economic pessimism
BANGKOK – Asian markets were mixed Monday as pessimism about the world economy deepened and Australian stocks faltered on the likelihood of a weak minority government following weekend elections.

The lackluster showing in Asia came after Wall Street closed lower on Friday with sentiment in the doldrums because of the recent … Read : Asian stock markets mixed on economic pessimism, Australia takes hung parliament in stride.

China says to consider dropping death penalty for economic crimes

China may drop death penalty for economic crimes

BEIJING – China, which executes more people each year than any other country, said Monday it is considering dropping capital punishment for economic crimes.
A draft amendment to the country’s criminal code proposes cutting 13 “economy-related, non-violent offenses” from the list of 68 crimes punishable by the death penalty, …. Original source  : China says to consider dropping death penalty for economic crimes.

Food security stalls China’s quest for new energy

BEIJING – Corn-based ethanol fuel could help reduce vehicular emissions in China but high production costs and large population have hindered its growth in the country, say experts.

China launched a pilot project in 2004 to produce ethanol fuel in an effort to cut emissions from vehicles that depend on traditional fuels like petrol, and advance … Read the original article on Gaea Times at : Food security stalls China’s quest for new energy.

Money Market Operations as on August 20, 2010

… Original article on : Money Market Operations as on August 20, 2010.

Asian stock markets mixed; Australia shares flat amid political uncertainty

Asian shares mixed after tight Australia elections

TOKYO – Asian stock markets were mixed in early trading Monday, with Australian shares flat amid uncertainty over the result of weekend federal elections.
The S&P/ASX 200 inched up 0.1 percent to 4,434.0 as Australia’s two major political parties lobbied independent lawmakers to try to stitch together the nation’s first …. Source article on Gaea Times at  : Asian stock markets mixed; Australia shares flat amid political uncertainty.

Team documents show Pirates make money even during record-setting losing streak

Financial records show Pirates win while losing

PITTSBURGH – Don’t feel too sorry for the cellar-dwelling Pittsburgh Pirates. Losing has been profitable.
The Pirates made nearly $29.4 million in 2007 and 2008, according to team financial documents, years that were part of a streak of futility that has now reached 18 straight losing seasons. The team’s ownership …. Source  : Gaea News Network.

Paraguay’s president will work from home while undergoing chemotherapy for lymphatic cancer

Paraguay’s president works from home during chemo

ASUNCION, Paraguay – Paraguayan President Fernando Lugo will conduct his official duties from home while he undergoes chemotherapy for lymphatic cancer, the government said Sunday.
Earlier in the day, a physician, Alfredo Boccia, had said Lugo was doing well 10 days after this first chemotherapy session, but should avoid contact …. Read the original article  : here.