Worldwide briefing

Starbucks apology

Starbucks president and chief executive Orin Smith has apologised after a Starbucks employee charged a New York Midwood Ambulance rescue worker who asked for water to distribute among those involved in the rescue operation on 11 September. Starbucks has since apologised to Midwood Ambulance and reimbursed the $130 (£88) that was spent on the water. Starbucks has since criticised reports of the incident for using the single action to characterise the behaviour of its more than 2,000 New York employees.

Double blow The Australian Hotels Association said the terrorist attacks in the USA and the Ansett airline collapse could cost the hotel sector Aus$200m (£66.2m). Research by the association suggests that the twin blows cost the industry Aus$15m (£4.9m) and 80,000 lost roomnights in the first week, according to its national executive Richard Mularchy.

Las Vegas upturn Occupancy rates in Las Vegas hotels were 8% higher this past weekend than the previous weekend, according to figures from the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority. Las Vegas saw 75% of its 125,000 available bedrooms filled last weekend. The authority expects the figures to continue to increase for some time.

Canadian aid Tim Hortons, the Canadian coffee chain, is donating Cdn$1m (£428,000) to the Canadian Red Cross USA Appeal to help with relief and recovery efforts in New York and Washington.