P525ORACLE 525 Mon 3 Mar C4 1712:09  1/2  GRAND MET'S £14m  SELL-OFF  IN BRIEF  Grand Met has sold its stake in West German brewers and soft drinks firm Stern Brauerei Carl Funke for £14m  The board of DIY outfit Home Charm says that talks about a possible takeover offer for the company have been called off.  Share dealings in both Staffordshire Potteries and the Coloroll Group have been suspended.  Thorn EMI has collected £6.1m from the disposal of TEG, a West German electrical wholesaling business. >>>>> City headlines 500 Newsfile 520 H/LIDAYS ABROAD 581 & 582

P525ORACLE 525 Mon 3 Mar C4 1710:56  2/2  BUSINESS NEWS  IN BRIEF  Japan has agreed to discuss concerted interest rate cuts at the next OECD meeting in Paris on April 17, Japanese foreign ministry officials say.  Construction outfit McAlpine is buying American firm Becker Sand and Gravel for almost £9m.  International Business Communications is to pay £2.5m for Stonehill Publications.  ICI's paints division is continuing its programme of expansion in Europe wit the acquisition of West German powder coatings specialist Knopp KG. >>>>> City headlines 500 Newsfile 520