Japan's McCafes

McDonald’s Corp, the world’s biggest restaurant company has opened 15 McCafe coffeehouse-style stores in Japan as the company seeks to widen its customer-base and take on chains such as Starbucks. McDonald’s has 3,800 stores in Japan, the world’s second-largest economy, and is seeking to boost sales by offering consumers bakery items and coffee drinks.

Flight bids

A seat on the maiden commercial flight of the A-380 has attracted a bid of $10,200 as hopefuls from around the world seek to board the largest passenger plane. The inaugural flight from Singapore to Sydney’s Kingsford Smith Airport is scheduled for Oct. 25, to return the following day.  Nearly three-quarters of seats in all classes are already gone.

Nightmare deaths

Taiwan police are investigating the death of a Thai worker who died mysteriously in his sleep in a suspected case of Nightmare Death Syndrome,  reportedly common in Thailand. Adul Phanakan’s, 41, death is similar to that of dozens of young Thai workers who were also in apparent good health and also died during the night in their sleep with loud screams.

Ad ban

Beijing will ban celebrities, including movie stars and pop singers, from endorsing medicines, health supplements and food tonics in a move to ensure product quality. The government, facing global scrutiny amid recalls of tainted seafood and toys, is starting a four-month crackdown to enhance product quality and safety across all its industries.

Raging bull

A once drug-addled elephant fed heroin-laced bananas by illegal traders will soon return to the wild. “Big Brother,” a bull elephant that once “lived peacefully” with his herd near the China-Burma border in Yunnan province, was caught by traders in 2005. To control it so that it could lead the herd to where they wanted, the traders kept it drugged.