PepsiCo will on Monday pledge to cut levels of salt, sugar and saturated fats in its top-selling products by a quarter during the coming decade amid rising pressure from governments to encourage healthier eating.The US group – which in addition to Pepsi, owns the Frito-Lay and Quaker brands – plans a reduction of 25 per cent in sodium content from 2006 levels by 2015, and the same amount in sugar
U.S is in talks with the Beijing municipal government on setting up a renminbi-denominated private equity fund as the Swiss bank looks to expand in China.Financial groups are flocking to set up local currency funds in China because of the stricter regulatory hurdles that surround investments made in foreign currency.
The head of Iraq’s electoral commission on Sunday rejected calls from Nouri al-Maliki, the prime minister, for a recount in the hotly contested general election.Mr Maliki, who is facing intense competition in his attempt to be re-elected, issued a statement late on Saturday saying a recount was needed to “maintain the credibility of the elections.
Pope Benedict XVI’s letter of profound apology to Irish sufferers of child sex abuse by Catholic priests disappointed some victims’ groups at the weekend but in Vatican circles it was seen as a damning vote of no confidence in the bishops of Ireland.The Pope’s unprecedented pastoral letter on paedophilia, in which he expressed his “shame and remorse, was issued in response to the Irish government
Dividends at European groups are set to jump this year as profitability recovers from the credit crisis.Pay-outs to shareholders are expected to rise 18 per cent for large European companies, according to a consensus forecast compiled by Factset, a data provider.
The US business community can no longer resist political pressure for Washington to take a tougher stand against China on trade issues, according to a senior figure from the US Chamber of Commerce.Myron Brilliant, senior vice-president for international affairs, who has previously helped to protect Beijing from hawkish trade policies, told the Financial Times: “I don’t think the Chinese governmen
The US is grappling with a dilemma over how to arm its Arab allies, delaying by months a request from the United Arab Emirates for information about possibly buying the showpiece Joint Strike Fighter.The UAE’s interest in the JSF – along with its acquisition of US missile defence technology – highlights the Gulf states’ concern about Iran and its determination to build military capacity.
Credit Suisse has severely restricted travel to Germany by private bankers working for rich German clients with accounts in Switzerland, amid fears such employees could be detained by the authorities across the border.The move follows the disclosure that authorities in Düsseldorf, capital of the German state of North Rhine-Westphalia, have purchased stolen data with the names of 1,100 Credit Suis
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