FAST FOOD

Burger King plans a major remodeling

Burger King says it will update all of its 12,000 restaurants worldwide over the next few years. Franchisees must pay most of the cost.

Japan Airlines puts finance talks with American Airlines, Delta on hold

Japan Airlines reportedly has put its talks with American Airlines and Delta Air Lines on hold until a government task force has finished its review of the carrier's financial structure.

Mexican president to receive award

Latin Trade, a leading business magazine focusing on Latin America and the Caribbean, has announced that Mexican President Felipe Calderón will be recognized as the Leader of the Year at its annual Bravo Business Awards.

Latin Trade magazine to honor Mexican president

Latin Trade, a leading business magazine focusing on Latin America and the Caribbean, has announced that Mexican President Felipe Calderón Hinojosa will be recognized as the Leader of the Year at its annual Bravo Business Awards.

THE CARIBBEAN

Historic Haiti trade mission by Bill Clinton fuels conversation, optimism

A historic Haiti trade mission led by Bill Clinton fueled conversation and changed perceptions among both Haitians and, hopefully, investors.

MARKETING

Jamaica considers cashing in on its image

Boltmania has Jamaica trying to protect its brand through trademarking anything from the national colors to its celebrities.

PHARMACEUTICALS

OPKO takes 1st step in worldwide expansion

OPKO Health, the Miami-based pharmaceutical company, announced it has entered into an agreement to pay $16 million for a Chilean pharmaceutical distribution company -- the first of a series of planned moves to stretch its reach worldwide.

13TH ANNUAL AMERICAS CONFERENCE

Latin America to lead world recovery, expert says

Latin America will see 3 percent growth next year as it helps lead global recovery, said a World Bank economist.

Latin American economies on the rebound

The construction industry here in Lima is booming, middle-class residents are once again snapping up new apartments in Rio de Janeiro and software companies in Santiago, Chile, are expanding.

International trade recovery to be slow

Econocaribe president John Abisch says lowering tariffs will help.

Bills could transform U.S./Cuba business

When it comes to crafting Cuba policy, Congress has been in the back seat of late. The sweeping new rules released last month that loosen the 49-year-old U.S. embargo against the island came from the executive branch and the Office of Foreign Assets Control.

PUBLISHER'S NOTE

Americas Conference to focus on challenges ahead

Once again this year, leading business, government and academic leaders will come together on Tuesday and Wednesday, Sept. 29 and 30, to discuss key issues and trends affecting political and economic relationships between Latin America, the United States and the Caribbean.

JAMAICA

Jamaica seeks to diversify battered economy

Hurricanes, coupled with the collapse of key industries, have forced Jamaica to look into ways of diversifying its battered economy.

HAITI

Royal Caribbean boosts Haiti tourism push

By far the biggest private investment in Haiti tourism in decades, a multimillion-dollar expansion by Royal Caribbean on the northern coast is igniting hopes of a tourism comeback.

TOURISM

South Florida hotels still reeling from `AIG effect'

A year after a posh AIG retreat at a resort, the backlash appears to be more of a drag on South Florida hotel bookings than the economy.

INTERNATIONAL TRADE

G-20 summit will have new focus

Unlike their last meeting when they dealt with the economic crisis, the leaders of the world's strongest economies will discuss how to rein in spending.

SWISS BANKS

UBS: We'll say who is on IRS list

In order to comply with the order of a Swiss court, Swiss bank UBS will inform American clients if their bank accounts are being targeted by the IRS.

OFFSHORE ACCOUNTS

IRS extends amnesty program for tax cheats

The IRS extended a deadline for Americans to come clean about their offshore accounts until Oct. 15. The program, part of a larger crackdown on global tax cheats, was scheduled to expire Wednesday.

Cuba's pace of U.S. patent filings picks up

It was a brief item in a newsletter that tracks U.S. government activities: U.S. Patent No. 7,556,726 was awarded on July 7 to the National Center for Scientific Investigations in Havana.

G-20 ECONOMIC SUMMIT

U.S. tries to steer G-20 summit agenda

President Barack Obama is pushing the Group of 20 leading industrial nations to make dramatic changes in how they run their economies in the years ahead.