Attendees have a ball at AGM

Shopping, meeting shareholders, and of course the chance to see famed 76-year-old investment guru Warren Buffett, were the attractions at this year's annual meeting of Berkshire Hathaway in Omaha, Nebraska.

Business International

Ex-Apple CFO 'to settle options claims'

Ex-Apple Inc Chief Financial Officer Fred Anderson will pay $3.5 million to settle US claims over backdated stock option grants approved by Chief Executive Officer Steven Jobs, a person familiar with the case said, making Anderson the highest profile finance chief ensnared in the probe.

Biz people: Siemens split on successor to CEO

Siemens' supervisory board is split on the question of whether to renew Chief Executive Klaus Kleinfeld's contract as some board members agitate for a fresh start, sources familiar with the matter said.

Biz people: Mortgage crisis hits auto sales

The crisis in the US mortgage market has hurt US auto sales this month, said a senior General Motors Corp executive in one of the highest-profile warnings on the risk of spillover from weaker housing to other areas of the economy.

Biz people: Fukui pins hopes on Accord

Honda Motor Co President Takeo Fukui (right), who spent his career improving the automaker's Accord, is betting that a new version of the car will bolster profits.

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Business International

Thales chief urges defense cooperation

French defense manufacturer Thales has proposed to the British government that the two countries cut costs on their next generation of warships by sharing the construction responsibilities, its chief said yesterday.

BP set to announce slump in profit

BP Plc replaced its chief executive officer, settled claims from a deadly Texas refinery blast and cleaned up leaks in Alaskan oil pipelines during the past year. Reviving profit and gaining investor confidence may take longer.

Nestle beats analysts' forecasts

Nestle beat forecasts with a 7.4 percent rise in first-quarter underlying sales but said profit growth would slow as it would not be able to fully pass on increases in the costs of raw materials.

IN BRIEF (Page 16)