India to set up autonomous civil aviation watchdog

NEW DELHI – The Air India Express crash in Mangalore in May that killed 158 passengers and crew has led India to fast-track an independent Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) to ensure better aviation safety, security and regulation, a top official said.

The autonomous authority will provide for more flexibility and faster decision-making, along with greater … Read more >>>.

A bewitching Taj under the full moon

AGRA – The Taj Mahal looked ethereal as it glistened under a full moon Saturday, providing an “unforgettable experience” to a large number of tourists who had come to view the 17th century white marble mausoleum in Agra.

All the 400 tickets to the Taj were sold Friday and people were allowed to enter in …. Read the original article  : A bewitching Taj under the full moon.

Exporters expect demand to pick up, wary of currency fluctuations

NEW DELHI – Indian exporters are optimistic about rise in demand in key markets such as the US and European Union (EU) in the coming months, although the spike in prices of raw material and an appreciating rupee continue to hurt margins.

About 64 percent of exporters’ current conditions are substantially better compared to the …. Read the original article  : Exporters expect demand to pick up, wary of currency fluctuations.

From Tetris to Batman: new video games with familiar faces

MUNICH – Whether its former New York cop Kyle Hyde – now investigating crime as a detective – or Batman, this autumn making his umpteenth digital return to Gotham City, one thing is clear, old favourites are in fashion for gaming this season.

Tetris is perhaps the most familiar face to return to the gaming …. Original article on Gaea Times at  : From Tetris to Batman: new video games with familiar faces.

Villagers give nod to Jindal project

RAIPUR – Dozens of villagers Saturday gave the nod to Jindal Power Limited’s (JPL) coal washery project but expressed concern about pollution fallout due to the project to Kelo river, the lifeline of the people in Raigarh district.

A public hearing was held at a school complex at Tamnar area, some 250 km from here … Read more : Villagers give nod to Jindal project.

Mamata hints at CPI-M hand in Kolkata Metro snags

KOLKATA – Trinamool Congress chief and Railway Minister Mamata Banerjee Saturday hinted that the recent snags in Kolkata Metro and train accidents in West Bengal are the handiwork of the ruling Communist Party of India-Marxist (CPI-M) to defame her.

“I have all the information. I know who are creating these problems in Metro,” …. Original article on Gaea Times at  : Mamata hints at CPI-M hand in Kolkata Metro snags.

India- Bangladesh sign MOU to establish Border Haats

NEW DELHI – India and Bangladesh here on Saturday signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) for establishing Border Haats, a traditional commodity market, along the Meghalaya-Bangladesh border.

Two agreements on procedures were signed to facilitate movement … Read more »»».

Categorise households for legal entitlement of foodgrain: NAC

NEW DELHI – The National Advisory Council (NAC), chaired by Sonia Gandhi, Saturday urged the government to move beyond the below poverty line (BPL) criteria and recommended “priority” and “general” categories for legal entitlement of foodgrain under the proposed food security act.

“The priority households (46 percent in rural areas and 28 percent in urban … Read more : Categorise households for legal entitlement of foodgrain: NAC.

Kids come before jobs for working women: Survey

NEW DELHI – Women prefer to work part time, rather than take up a full-time job, in order to spend maximum time with their children, a report said Saturday.

According to the study “Women’s Preference Towards Work”, conducted by the Associated Chambers of Commerce and Industry of India’s (Assocham) Social Development Foundation, (ASDF), seven in …. Source  : Kids come before jobs for working women: Survey.

Pakistani legislators want liquor ban to be lifted

ISLAMABAD – Pakistani legislators are advocating lifting of the ban on sale of liquor in state-run hotels and resorts in a desperate bid to “attract tourists and increase revenue”, the Express Tribune reported Saturday.

In a meeting of the Senate’s standing committee on tourism, chairperson of the committee Nilofer Bakhtiar questioned the “wisdom behind … Original article on : Pakistani legislators want liquor ban to be lifted.

Mothers prefer part-time jobs: Survey

NEW DELHI – Working women prefer to opt for part-time jobs if they have kids, a study published by the Associated Chambers of Commerce and Industry of India (Assocham) said Saturday.

Over 4,700 working parents in cities like Delhi, Mumbai, Chandigarh, Pune, and Bangalore, among others, were part of the survey conducted by Assocham’s … Original article on : Mothers prefer part-time jobs: Survey.

Rain adds to misery of paddy farmers in Punjab

CHANDIGARH – Friday’s rain has added to the woes of Punjab farmers, who have been desperately waiting for the procurement of their paddy crop which is lying in the state’s grain markets.

They fear rotting of their yield as the moisture content in it has gone up with rainfall and hailstorms. The farmers are also … Read : Rain adds to misery of paddy farmers in Punjab.

Southwest Airlines On A High

DALLAS (GaeaTimes.com)- Southwest Airlines the budget carrier is reaping the benefits of the acquisition deal it had signed with AirTran Airways. The airline is now going to extend its flight operations in places like South Carolina. From Greenville and Charleston the airline is going to begin its 7 flights a week scheme. … Read more >>>.

State Government of Andhra Pradesh announces Auction of State Development Loan 2020 for Rs.500.000 crore on October 26, 2010

Please refer to our earlier press release dated October 21, 2010, announcing SDL Auction for ten State Governments to be held on October 26, 2010. In this connection, the State Government of Andhra Pradesh has also announced the sale of its 10-year State Development Loan (SDL) for an aggregate amount of …. Source  : State Government of Andhra Pradesh announces Auction of State Development Loan 2020 for Rs.500.000 crore on October 26, 2010.

Investment by FIIs under PIS : M/s. GMR Infrastructure Limited

The Reserve Bank of India today notified that M/s. GMR Infrastructure Limited (rbi.org.in/scripts/BS_FiiUSer.aspx#GMRI) has agreed to enhance the limit for the purchase of its equity shares and convertible debentures by Foreign Institutional Investors (FIIs), through primary market and stock exchanges, under the Portfolio Investment Scheme (PIS) up to 35 per … Read the original article on Gaea Times at : Investment by FIIs under PIS : M/s. GMR Infrastructure Limited.

China launches online map service

BEIJING – China has launched an official online mapping service as internet giant Google is yet to apply for a licence to provide a similar service in the country.

The State Bureau of Surveying and Mapping (SBSM) officially unveiled the free online service Map World Thursday, the China Daily reported Friday.
The service will …. Read the original article  : here.

From next year, no operations from unlicensed airports

NEW DELHI – Air transport service providers that operate from smaller unlicensed airports will not be allowed to do so after June 30, 2011, a statement by the Ministry of Civil Aviation here Friday said.

No person shall operate scheduled air transport services to or from an aerodrome with effect from June 30, 2011, unless … Original article on : From next year, no operations from unlicensed airports.

Foxconn sets up $2bn plant in China

BEIJING – Electronic giant Foxconn Friday announced the opening of its new manufacturing plant in southwest China with an investment of $2 billion.

The new plant in Chengdu, provincial capital of Sichuan, will produce mainly laptop computers, Xinhua reported.
Investment for the first phase stands at $299 million, with total investment due to reach $2 …. Source article on Gaea Times at  : Foxconn sets up $2bn plant in China.

Reserve Bank of India ??? Bulletin Weekly Statistical Supplement ??? Extract

1. Reserve Bank of India – Liabilities and Assets

(` crore)

Item

2009

2010

Variation

Oct. 16

Oct. 8

Oct. 15#

Week

Year

1

2

3

4

5

6

Loans and advances

Central Government

—

—

—

—

—

State Governments

348

1,291

1,705

415

1,358

2. Foreign Exchange Reserves

Variation over

Item

As on Oct. 15, 2010

Week

End-March 2010

End-December 2009

Year

`
Crore

US$
…. Source article on Gaea Times at  : Reserve Bank of India ??? Bulletin Weekly Statistical Supplement ??? Extract.

Sensex closes 94 points lower, Wipro loses on poor results (Roundup)

MUMBAI – A benchmark index of Indian equities closed 94 points lower Friday with selling pressure intensifying in frontline stocks, erasing most of the gains from earlier sessions.

The 30-share sensitive index (Sensex) of the Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE), which opened at 20,334.14 points, closed at 20,165.86 points, down 94.72 points or 0.47 percent … Original article on : Sensex closes 94 points lower, Wipro loses on poor results (Roundup).