"Customer demand for Starbucks handcrafted espresso beverages, including our Pumpkin Spice offerings, contributed positively, " said Chief Executive James Donald , who took the opportunity to point out that the globe-sprawling company had opened 1, 672 new outlets this year--ahead of their target of 1, 500.

FORBES: Double Digit Growth Shot For Donald's Starbucks

Finance is scarce, and it doesn't help that currencies--now including the South African rand (see our editor-in-chief's comment, p. 13)--are debauched.

FORBES: Sidelines

Assistant Chief Constable Julian Kirby said: "Our message to those who commit crime, including those people who think they are above the law and offend again and again, is that you won't be left alone".

BBC: Gwent Police 15% crime drop biggest in England and Wales