Travel briefs

Travel briefs

18th century-style coffeehouse opening at Colonial Williamsburg

After battle for a trumpet factory, workers come back to economy gone bust

ELKHART, Ind. — By 10:30 a.m., the lot at Disabled American Veterans Post 19 is nearly full, and a table spread with potato salad and Port-a-Pit chicken beckons.

One benefit of US recession is the boon to consumers: America is on sale

NEW YORK — There has never been a better time to be a consumer. America is on sale.

Soccer-only stadium to be crown jewel of MLS, could trigger comeback in tiny northern NJ town

HARRISON, N.J. — An intimate, soccer-only stadium rising in a careworn former industrial city is expected to be the crown jewel of Major League Soccer and one of the keys to a local redevelopment project.

Slider in the seats: Major League Baseball attendance drops for second straight season

NEW YORK — Rich Aurilia noticed all the empty seats as he made his way around the major leagues during the second half of this season.

Can’t keep ‘em away: Sports fans still find time, money for games in bad economy

Sports fans are familiar with pain that’s supposed to end their love affair with the game. There are the labor spats between billionaire team owners and millionaire athletes. The off-field antics that land players in handcuffs. The losing seasons.

IOC members undecided over host of 2016 Olympics, agonizing over tough choice as vote nears

COPENHAGEN — The International Olympic Committee is familiar with tough decisions. It gambled by giving the games to Beijing and even turned down New York after 9/11.

Tokyo mobilizes robot, holds rallies and readies billions of dollars in 2016 Olympic bid

TOKYO — If anything can make the busy citizens of Tokyo take notice of their city’s bid to host the 2016 Olympics, it’s a robot large enough to take on Godzilla.

Judge approves Star Tribune reorganization, company to emerge from Chapter 11 by month’s end

NEW YORK — A federal judge cleared the Star Tribune of Minneapolis on Thursday to emerge from bankruptcy protection by the end of the month under a reorganization that puts Minnesota’s largest newspaper in the hands of its main lenders.

Golden goal: UEFA, elite clubs to share $1.55B as Champions League deals defy recession

GENEVA — The world’s most lucrative club soccer competition, the European Champions League, will earn a record $1.55 billion in marketing and television revenues for clubs and organizer UEFA this season.

BSkyB posts solid 4th quarter profit as recession-hit consumers enjoy home entertainment

LONDON — Satellite TV service British Sky Broadcasting Group PLC posted a solid fourth-quarter net profit on Thursday as more consumers turned to home entertainment in the recession — drawing the company closer to its target of 10 million subscribers by 2010.

BSkyB posts solid 4th quarter profits as recession-hit consumers enjoy home entertainment

LONDON — Satellite TV service British Sky Broadcasting Group PLC posted Thursday a solid fourth-quarter net profit as more consumers turned to home entertainment in the recession — drawing the company closer to its target of 10 million subscribers by 2010.

New world ranking formula might encourage more play

TURNBERRY, Scotland — Vijay Singh can now play as much as he wants without overly affecting his world ranking.

South African construction workers go on strike at 2010 World Cup stadiums

JOHANNESBURG — South African construction workers went on an indefinite strike Wednesday at stadiums being built for the 2010 World Cup — a move that could derail Africa’s historic first World Cup tournament.

European markets steady as US readies for Independence Day celebrations

LONDON — European stock markets traded in a narrow range Friday as investors caught their breath after big losses the day before on U.S. jobs data. Wall Street’s closure for the Independence Day holiday kept trading volumes exceptionally light.

European markets steady as US takes holiday break after disappointing jobs news

LONDON — European stock markets steadied themselves Friday after big losses the previous day, when weak U.S. jobs data reinforced doubts about recovery in the world’s biggest economy. Wall Street was closed for the Independence Day holiday.

Recession hasn’t sacked Packers, but front office wary of rising player costs

GREEN BAY, Wis. — The Green Bay Packers haven’t been sacked by the recession despite a rough season on the field and significant financial challenges off it, but officials remain wary of the future.

In Pa. speech, George W. Bush says private sector, not government, will lead economic comeback

ERIE, Pa. — The country will emerge from the recession on the backs of businesses — not the government, and the private sector will thrive as long as the United States continues to promote free-market expansion, former President George W. Bush said Wednesday night in one of his rare appearances since leaving office.

In downturn, some businesses finding the best strategy is to offer something for nothing

LAKEWOOD, N.J. — Some businesses are finding that the best price they can charge is nothing at all.

Frank Stronach: the man behind the auto parts empire as he expands into Europe

TORONTO — Frank Stronach, the Canadian owner of auto parts maker Magna International Inc., once referred to himself as “king” at one of his shareholder meetings. He’s now added another property to his business empire: General Motors Corp.’s Opel unit.