Business International

Tougher emission rules choke Volvo profit

Volvo AB, the world's second-largest truckmaker, posted the third straight drop in quarterly profit after stricter emissions rules caused US truck sales to plunge.

BMW may buy more Japanese parts

BMW AG, the world's largest maker of luxury cars, is considering buying more parts from Japanese suppliers to offset the decline of the yen against the euro.

Nissan's Ghosn aims for 'neutral' currency impact

Nissan Motor Co, Japan's third- largest automaker, aims for a "neutral" impact from currency fluctuations, Chief Executive Officer Carlos Ghosn said yesterday.

Drought drives Australian wheat farmers to brink

Farmer John Ridley won't be harvesting so much as a bag of wheat this season from fields that stretch to the horizon as Australia's worst drought in 100 years takes its toll on the country's grain belt.

Copper down in London

Copper fell in London on concern that the slowing US housing market will curb demand for the metal used in wires and pipes. Nickel and lead also declined.

Futures slide as Russia shelves further export tax increase

Wheat futures in Chicago declined for a second day as Russia said it had no plans to raise export duties further and on speculation that record high prices will encourage increased planting of the grain globally.

IN BRIEF (Page 16)

BP says Q3 profit declined by 29%

BP Plc, Europe's second-biggest oil company, said profit declined 29 percent in the third quarter because of lower refining earnings and natural-gas prices.

Crude up amid Mideast tension

Crude oil rose for the first day in three on tensions in the oil-rich Middle East, as Iran signaled a tougher stance in nuclear program talks and Turkey considered military action in Iraq.

Business International

Stakes rise in the drive to reach zero

Much talked-about US efforts to build a coal-fired power plant with near zero emissions are now concentrated in a single project, as the costs and difficulties of the endeavor have mounted and the stakes have risen.