Visa nets $17.9b in huge offering

Visa Inc, the largest payment-card network, set a record for US initial public offerings by raising $17.9 billion after the worst start for the Standard & Poor's 500 since 2001.

Coal makes a comeback in UK

Coal mining is making a comeback in the United Kingdom as the quest for secure energy supplies chips away at environmental objections and record high prices for the raw material make pits economically viable.

Unions 'threaten' Alitalia takeover

Air France KLM-Group Chief Executive Officer Jean-Cyril Spinetta said the company's offer to buy Alitalia SpA is "at risk" because of union opposition to the plan. Shares in the Italian carrier fell more than 20 percent for a third day.

New models expected to drive up Japanese car sales

Japan's passenger car sales may rise for the first time in two years next fiscal year as new models by Nissan Motor Co and Daihatsu Motor Co spur demand in the world's third-largest auto market.

IN BRIEF (Page 17)

Business International

Schultz seeks to perk up Starbucks

Starbucks Corp Chief Executive Officer Howard Schultz may introduce a plan for a loyalty program to stanch declining US sales at a shareholders meeting today.

Siemens chief loses investor confidence

Siemens AG Chief Executive Officer Peter Loescher told analysts in November that his plan to revive Europe's largest engineering company would have its setbacks.

Murdoch opens world's biggest printing plant

A printing plant being billed as the world's largest is now in operation cranking out newspapers for Rupert Murdoch's News International - a vote of confidence in Britain's troubled newspaper industry.

IN BRIEF (Page 17)

Business International

Bank staff face bleak prospects

Stunned dealers and traders at Bear Stearns Cos, the ailing US investment bank rescued by rival JPMorgan Chase & Co, turned up for work yesterday to find the value of their stock options in tatters and the future of their jobs up in the air.