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Business International

Rice price gains for fifth day

Rice gained for a fifth day as the extent of the devastation in Myanmar from a cyclone became clearer with as many as 100,000 people dead, and Malaysia agreed to purchase the grain from Thailand, the world's biggest exporter.

US puts brake on Toyota earnings

Toyota Motor Corp, the world's second-largest automaker, posted its first drop in quarterly profit in almost three years because of a stronger yen and slumping US auto sales. It also said profit will likely fall this fiscal year.

Unilever expects to beat forecast

Unilever, the world's second-largest maker of food and detergent, said revenue will beat its forecast for the first time in six years after raising prices and selling more Dove soap, Hellmann's mayonnaise and Lipton tea.

Brazilian flood dampens Inbev quarterly profit

InBev NV, the world's largest brewer, said profit unexpectedly fell in the first quarter after flooding hurt sales in Brazil and power, grain and aluminum prices rose.

ECB keeps its benchmark rate at six-year high

The European Central Bank kept interest rates at a six-year high yesterday to fight inflation, even as the euro's appreciation and fallout from the US housing slump curb economic growth.

IN BRIEF (Page 16)

Carlsberg suffers loss on costs

Carlsberg A/S, the Danish brewer that took over Scottish & Newcastle Plc last month with Heineken NV, reported a first-quarter loss on higher costs for power, malt and aluminum.

Indian govt hopes to open nation's insurance sector

India's government will try to win agreement from coalition allies to ease restrictions on foreign investments in insurance, banking and pensions in its final year in office, Finance Minister Palaniappan Chidambaram said.

Business International

Ambani sells artworks to assist wife's charity

Indian billionaire Anil Ambani will sell 12 artworks to raise cash for a charity run by his wife Tina, a former Bollywood star, Christie's International said.