http://www.ajc.com The latest headlines from AJC en-us Copyright 2008, Cox Newspapers Inc., AJC Thu, 24 Jul 2008 07:30:00 EDT Newspapers COXnet RSS Generator v1.0 http://img.coxnewsweb.com/C/08/17/52/image_1352178.jpg http://www.ajc.com 5 http://www.ajc.com/services/content/business/stories/2008/07/23/habitat_for_humanity_investing.html?cxtype=rss&cxsvc=7&cxcat=6 http://www.ajc.com/services/content/business/stories/2008/07/23/habitat_for_humanity_investing.html?cxtype=rss&cxsvc=7&cxcat=6 Wed, 23 Jul 2008 21:56:36 EDT Habitat for Humanity is looking to grow funds by borrowing a developing-world concept: microloans. The Atlanta-based nonprofit, which builds homes for people in need, is expected to announce Thursday the launch of a microloan program in partnership with the Maryland-based Calvert Foundation. It will allow individuals to invest in — rather than simply donate to — Habitat's philanthropic mission. Investors can buy a stake in Habitat's microloan program for as little as $100. If the program is a success, investors eventually would receive interest payments on their money. http://www.ajc.com/services/content/business/stories/2008/07/23/minimum_wage_increase.html?cxtype=rss&cxsvc=7&cxcat=6 http://www.ajc.com/services/content/business/stories/2008/07/23/minimum_wage_increase.html?cxtype=rss&cxsvc=7&cxcat=6 Wed, 23 Jul 2008 21:49:29 EDT Seven decades after Franklin Roosevelt signed the law creating a minimum wage, each increase still sparks a version of the original debate. This week is no different. The minimum wage rises Thursday from $5.85 to $6.55 an hour — part of a boost that will lift it to $7.25 an hour next summer — with many business representatives decrying the change while low-wage workers and advocates say it's about time. And not enough. http://www.ajc.com/services/content/business/stories/2008/07/23/ups_health_care.html?cxtype=rss&cxsvc=7&cxcat=6 http://www.ajc.com/services/content/business/stories/2008/07/23/ups_health_care.html?cxtype=rss&cxsvc=7&cxcat=6 Wed, 23 Jul 2008 18:32:19 EDT In a series of warehouses in Louisville, Ky., drugs from A to Z are lined up in six-story racks that reach toward a 40-foot ceiling. The racks hold boxes with drugs for allergies, asthma and diabetes from some of the world's best known drug companies: Abbott Laboratories, Dr. Reddy's, Philips Healthcare and many more. There are also aisles of spare parts — 55,000 for one customer alone — for CT scans, defibrillators and other medical machines. Refrigerated and freezer units, just installed in June, hold temperature-sensitive remedies as they wait to be shipped to doctors offices, pharmacies, hospitals and nursing homes. Some drugs — wrapped in a special pink cellophane — are stored pending approval for sale in the United States. http://www.ajc.com/services/content/business/stories/2008/07/23/mcdonalds_0724.html?cxtype=rss&cxsvc=7&cxcat=6 http://www.ajc.com/services/content/business/stories/2008/07/23/mcdonalds_0724.html?cxtype=rss&cxsvc=7&cxcat=6 Wed, 23 Jul 2008 18:21:13 EDT McDonald's, as American as apple pie and baseball, has become a bigger hit in Europe than on its home turf, despite many Europeans' disdain for fast food. [ Post your comments below. ] A big part of the reason is upgraded menus and high-design restaurants that have been so successful that they may be exported to the United States. http://www.ajc.com/services/content/business/stories/2008/07/23/georgia_natural_gas_rebate.html?cxtype=rss&cxsvc=7&cxcat=6 http://www.ajc.com/services/content/business/stories/2008/07/23/georgia_natural_gas_rebate.html?cxtype=rss&cxsvc=7&cxcat=6 Wed, 23 Jul 2008 17:51:20 EDT Georgia's largest natural gas marketer, Georgia Natural Gas, earned millions more from longtime customers than newer ones over the past 18 months. Next week is the deadline for customers who want some of that money back. So-called "legacy" customers have until July 31 to ask GNG for a $25 credit on their bills, based on a pricing scheme that landed the marketer in regulatory hot water this spring. http://www.ajc.com/services/content/business/stories/2008/07/23/pepsi_earnings.html?cxtype=rss&cxsvc=7&cxcat=6 http://www.ajc.com/services/content/business/stories/2008/07/23/pepsi_earnings.html?cxtype=rss&cxsvc=7&cxcat=6 Wed, 23 Jul 2008 16:28:20 EDT PepsiCo Inc. reported Wednesday that second-quarter profits rose 9 percent to $1.7 billion and revenues increased 14 percent to $10.9 billion thanks to gains in its food divisions and international operations. Much like rival Coca-Cola Co., which reported results last week, Pepsi's weakness was its North America beverage business, where declines in carbonated soft drinks and unflavored water pulled down volumes. Pepsi's results were lifted by strong beverage sales abroad and growth in its food business, both in North America and abroad. http://www.ajc.com/services/content/business/delta/stories/2008/07/23/northwest_delta_merger.html?cxtype=rss&cxsvc=7&cxcat=6 http://www.ajc.com/services/content/business/delta/stories/2008/07/23/northwest_delta_merger.html?cxtype=rss&cxsvc=7&cxcat=6 Wed, 23 Jul 2008 16:23:18 EDT Merger preparations between Delta Air Lines and Northwest Airlines are helped by "having people on both sides who have known each other over time," Northwest Airlines CEO Doug Steenland said Wednesday during a conference call on the airline's financial results. Delta CEO Richard Anderson, who would be head of the merged airline, is former chief executive of Eagan, Minn.-based Northwest. Steve Gorman, executive vice president of operations for Atlanta-based Delta, is a former Northwest executive vice president. http://www.ajc.com/services/content/business/delta/stories/2008/07/23/airline_service.html?cxtype=rss&cxsvc=7&cxcat=6 http://www.ajc.com/services/content/business/delta/stories/2008/07/23/airline_service.html?cxtype=rss&cxsvc=7&cxcat=6 Wed, 23 Jul 2008 16:12:30 EDT It seems counter-intuitive. Just as consumers are tightening spending on optional expenses like travel, airlines like Delta and AirTran are adding fees and cutting flights, workers and free services that could woo fliers their way. But the reality for airlines is that bad service won't necessarily lose many customers, especially in hubs like Atlanta, marketing and industry experts say. Fliers have gotten so used to it, that poor service is not much of a factor in whose ticket they buy. http://www.ajc.com/services/content/business/stories/2008/07/23/dhl_ups_protest.html?cxtype=rss&cxsvc=7&cxcat=6 http://www.ajc.com/services/content/business/stories/2008/07/23/dhl_ups_protest.html?cxtype=rss&cxsvc=7&cxcat=6 Wed, 23 Jul 2008 14:49:47 EDT Between 60 and 70 DHL pilots and workers are expected to protest in front of UPS' Sandy Springs headquarters for two hours Thursday. The pilots, represented by the Air Line Pilots Association, will be doing "informational picketing" about a proposed deal for UPS to fly DHL's air cargo in the United States, Canada and Mexico. This will be the pilots' third protest after one at DHL headquarters in Plantation, Fla., and another at a DHL sponsored Major League Baseball event in New York. http://www.ajc.com/services/content/business/stories/2008/07/23/northwest_earnings.html?cxtype=rss&cxsvc=7&cxcat=6 http://www.ajc.com/services/content/business/stories/2008/07/23/northwest_earnings.html?cxtype=rss&cxsvc=7&cxcat=6 Wed, 23 Jul 2008 12:01:29 EDT Northwest Airlines Corp. reported a second-quarter loss of $377 million Wednesday as it took another large accounting charge and fuel expenses continued to rise sharply. Northwest shares jumped 94 cents, or 10.4 percent, to $10.02 in morning trading. The Eagan, Minn.-based carrier lost $1.43 per share on revenue of $3.58 billion. During the same period last year, when Northwest emerged from bankruptcy protection, it made a profit of $2.15 billion, including $1.94 billion in bankruptcy items. It would have made $273 million a year ago without bankruptcy items.