HAITI

Nobel laureate offers money for businesses Nobel peace laureate Mohammad Yunus announced that his pro-business development group is financing several endeavors through a mix of loans and equity. The projects include two poultry farms, a bakery and a plantation of jatropha plants that can be used for biodiesel, offering an alternative energy source while creating 200 jobs. The amount invested in each will range from $80,000 to $500,000. Yunus, an international development expert, is in Haiti for a conference examining ways to use his development to ease poverty.

CHINA

Exports rise, hinting at a glimmer of revival China's exports to the United States and Southeast Asia rose last month while the country's money supply expanded faster than expected, in the first signs that the Chinese economy might be starting to bottom out. But strengthening exports to the U.S. could also increase frictions at a politically touchy time for both countries. Mitt Romney and President Obama have competed to present themselves as more willing to confront China on trade.

CALIFORNIA

22 saved from sinking boat near Alcatraz Nearly two dozen people who were enjoying a bachelor party on what's billed as San Francisco Bay's only "floating wine-tasting room" are OK after their boat hit a shoal near Alcatraz Island. The 45-foot Neptune hit the shoal and started taking on water after the impact left a 1-foot gash in the side of the boat. Three Coast Guard boats took all 22 passengers and crew members off the vessel.

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