Business News

KOFU, Japan, Dec. 31 (UPI) -- Fujiaqua Co., a mineral water producer in Japan's Yamanashi Prefecture, has been operating for eight years without a proper license, a report says.

LONDON, Dec. 31 (UPI) -- This holiday season, Britain saw a major increase in goods being bought online as shoppers turned away from crowded retail stores.

DETROIT, Dec. 31 (UPI) -- Detroit-based Ford Motor Co. says the Ford Interceptor will be one of the new cars at the North American International Auto Show.

NEW YORK, Dec. 30 (UPI) -- Chic clothier Yellow Rat Bastard cheated its workers of pay and retaliated against them if they complained, New York's attorney general alleges in a lawsuit.

Ore., Mo. declared U.S. disaster areas ... Stalemate continues in gas negotiations ... Care for elderly draining boomers' funds ... Care for Bowser creates pet job boom ... News from United Press International.

MOSCOW, Dec. 30 (UPI) -- Gas talks between Gazprom and Belarus aren't expected to proceed until a top Belarusian official travels to Moscow, the Russian energy monopoly said.

WASHINGTON, Dec. 30 (UPI) -- Pet care is booming across the United States, as more careers open up for nurses, groomers and masseuses for Fido, Fifi, Tramp and Taffy.

NEW YORK, Dec. 29 (UPI) -- Crude oil and gasoline futures staged a late-day rally in New York Friday to end the year and begin a four-day weekend with the price of oil above $61 a barrel.

MUMBAI, Dec. 28 (UPI) -- British cell phone operator Vodafone has submitted a bid of $17 billion to $18 billion for India's Hutchison Essar cell phone company.

MINNEAPOLIS, Dec. 30 (UPI) -- Costs of caring for elderly parents in the United States is zapping the savings of their children, who compromise their own retirement to provide care.

BEIJING, Dec. 30 (UPI) -- China's tourism boom made money for businesses that secured access to centuries-old landmarks and government officials, but not residents, observers said.

DETROIT, Dec. 29 (UPI) -- Chrysler said Friday it has struck a deal with a Chinese automaker to build small cars for Chrysler that will be sold worldwide, including the United States.

U.S. stocks fall, but surged over 2006 ... AT&T wins OK for $85B BellSouth deal ... Italian government seeks Alitalia buyers ... N.Y. firm buys Boston's Hancock tower ... News from United Press International

NEW YORK, Dec. 29 (UPI) -- U.S. insurance giant MetLife Inc. has agreed to pay $19 million to end an investigation into its group insurance business, New York's attorney general said.

CUPERTINO, Calif., Dec. 29 (UPI) -- Apple Computer Inc. told the U.S. government Friday it exonerated Chief Executive Steven Jobs of any wrongdoing in a stock options backdating probe.