Business International

Starbucks backs Ethiopian coffee growers

Starbucks Corp plans to open a farmer support center in Ethiopia's capital next year to help growers improve the quality of their coffee crops and boost production using sustainable practices.

It's time for smart investors to plug into solar power

Now that you've blown your next two years' bonuses on subprime mortgages and homebuilder stocks, you need a recovery strategy.

AMR to divest American Eagle in '08

AMR Corp, the parent of American Airlines, plans to divest its American Eagle regional carrier after a drop of as much as 34 percent in the company's stock this year spurred some shareholders to push for asset sales.

Canada probes chocolate 'cartel'

Regulators have launched an investigation into allegations that the Canadian divisions of Nestle, Cadbury, Hershey, Mars and others have teamed up in a price-fixing scheme in the multibillion-dollar Canadian business of chocolate bars, company officials confirmed on Wednesday.

Beaudoin to succeed Beaudoin at helm

Bombardier Inc said on Wednesday it had named Pierre Beaudoin as its new CEO, taking over from his father, Laurent, who will remain chairman of the global plane and train maker.

IN BRIEF (Page 16)

Economists want King to keep BoE crown

Mervyn King deserves a second term as Bank of England governor because his success at containing inflation outweighs concerns that he contributed to the run on Northern Rock Plc, a survey of economists shows.

Kloppers says rivals can't match Rio offer

BHP Billiton Ltd, under pressure from investors to increase its hostile $128 billion offer for Rio Tinto Group, said rivals could not match the proposal and it wouldn't speculate on making a higher bid.

Luxury spending 'set to double'

Spending on luxury goods will double in five years, said Bernard Arnault, chief executive officer of LVMH Moet Hennessy Louis Vuitton SA, the industry's biggest member.

Online shoppers boost US holiday sales

Online shopping reached a record this week as US retailers cut prices as much as 60 percent to lure shoppers returning to work after the Thanksgiving holiday.

The dreaded 'R' word starts tripping off the tongue

Everywhere you turn, recession is staring you in the face.