These are stories Report on Business is following Monday, Sept. 17, 2012.

Follow Michael Babad and the Globe's top business stories on Twitter.

Toronto the good

I question the wisdom of Toronto Mayor Rob Ford leading a trade mission to Chicago.

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The executives on board - they include Barclays Canada chief Michael Wilson and TMX Inc. CEO Thomas Kloet - aren't the issue. They're high profile, well known and respected Canadian business leaders.

It's Mr. Ford I don't want representing me on the mission tomorrow and Wednesday.

The mayor is being dogged by troubling conflict of interest allegations over his youth football efforts. But more importantly, as all Torontonians know, his comments can be embarrassing, and not at all representative of a city that is the financial heart of Canada.

Just yesterday, on a radio show that comes just a little too close to Wayne's World for my liking, Mr. Ford and his city councillor brother, Doug, raged against those on the mayor's case over the alleged used of city resources for his pet project of youth football, which he denies.

To their mind, as The Globe and Mail's James Bradshaw reports, the folks who are complaining are "lefties" and "elitists" and "cocktail socialists."

"We're just warming up," Doug Ford said on the radio show. "The fireworks are going to start on a bunch of these left-wing, elitist socialists."

Of course, the mayor has already said he skipped orientation and didn't read the guide on how to avoid conflicts of interest.

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I hope he didn't skip the orientation session on the city of Chicago. For Torontonians, he's the conflict of interest.

Lowe's drops Rona bid

Lowe's Cos. Inc. is pulling out of a controversial contest for control of Canada's Rona Inc.

The U.S. retailer says it still wants the Canadian chain, but has been spurned by its board over the $1.8-billion (U.S.) bid, The Globe and Mail's Bertrand Marotte reports.

"Lowe's continues to believe that a combination of Lowe's and Rona makes business sense and would create significant value for all stakeholders," Lowe's said in a statement as it pulled its $14.50-a-share (Canadian) offer.

"It is unfortunate that the Rona board of directors did not recognize the important economic and commercial benefits of this proposal for its stakeholders and for Canada. Lowe's remains committed to the Canadian market and will continue delivering outstanding home improvement products and services to its Canadian customers."

Home sales slip

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The Canadian Real Estate Association is cutting its forecasts for both home sales and average prices, reporting today that national sales over the MLS system fell 5.8 per cent in August from July, the largest month-over-month decline in two years.

While the MLS Home Price rose 4 per cent from August, 2011, that gain actually marks the slowest rate of increase in over a year, The Globe and Mail's Tara Perkins reports.

The figures suggest that the moves Finance Minister Jim Flaherty made in July, which were designed to curtail housing activity and the rise in consumer debt loads, are having an impact, the Canadian Real Estate Association said.

CAW tackles Ford

Negotiators for Ford Motor Co. and the Canadian Auto Workers union are bargaining against a midnight deadline as talks with General Motors Co. and Chrysler Group LLC take a back seat.

As The Globe and Mail's Greg Keenan reports, the union believes it has the best chance with Ford. If it can strike a deal, it would then attempt to force GM and Chrysler to match it.

"These negotiations are pivotal in shaping the future of an automotive landscape in this country," Chrysler said Sunday, warning it may not play ball should Ford be the model in pattern bargaining.

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Tensions rise

Trade tensions between Washington and Beijing are escalating, as the United States takes fresh action against China at the World Trade Organization.

The White House is is lodging complaints related to subsidies and duties on autos and auto parts.

The U.S. alleges Beijing is subsidizing exports of both cars and parts.

Shell delays plan

Royal Dutch Shell PLC is delaying its Arctic drilling plans because of damage to safety equipment known as a containment dome on its Arctic Challenger barge.

The dome was damaged in a final test, the company said today, and it will take some time to fix it and assess whether its worthy.

"The time required to repair the dome, along with steps we have taken to protect local whaling operations and to ensure the safety of operations from ice floe movement, have led us to revise our plans for the 2012-2013 exploration program," Shell said.

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"In order to lay a strong foundation for operations in 2013, we will forgo drilling into hydrocarbon zones this year. Instead, we will begin as many wells, known as 'top holes,' as time remaining in this season allows."

Apple cites record

The iPhone 5 is off to a record start.

Pre-orders of the new smartphone hit 2 million in 24 hours, Apple Inc. said today, more than double what had been the record of 1 million set by the its predecessor, the iPhone 4S.

"Demand for iPhone 5 exceeds the initial supply and while the majority of pre-orders will be delivered to customers on Sept. 21, many are scheduled to be delivered in October," it added.

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