IN BRIEF (Page 16)

Business International

Indian harvest may have global impact

Farmers in India, the world's third-biggest wheat importer, are forecast to plant a record crop, helping cap world prices that have soared 64 percent this year.

Will Coles be the scene of next Norman conquest?

Archie Norman, the man credited with reviving UK retailer Asda Group Plc, joined Wesfarmers Ltd as an advisor for its A$19.7 billion ($17.4 billion) takeover of Coles Group Ltd.

Nestle nourished by pet food, ice cream

Nestle SA, the world's largest food company, increased third-quarter revenue by 10 percent after raising prices for Dreyer's ice cream and Purina pet food.

Firms dig deeper for good causes

Hurricanes Katrina and Rita and the Indian Ocean tsunami brought such a surge in corporate philanthropy that a sharp decline seemed likely to follow.

Biz people

'Mr Yen' says dollar may plunge

IN BRIEF (Page 16)

Business International

Philips says Q3 income slipped to 331m euros

Royal Philips Electronics NV, the world's biggest maker of light bulbs and electric shavers, said third-quarter profit plunged after it had a one-time gain from the sale of its semiconductor unit a year earlier.

Orange juice prices set to rise

The price of your morning glass of orange juice will rise, if recent action in the futures market is any indication.

Japanese economy to keep growing despite global instability

Japan's economy will keep growing, though global financial markets remain volatile following the US housing slump, central bank Governor Toshihiko Fukui said.