http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/businesstechnology en-us Copyright 2008 The Seattle Times Company Fri, 5 Sep 2008 22:02:02 PDT Fri, 5 Sep 2008 22:02:02 PDT MattBase 480 http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/art/ui/stlogo_231.gif http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/businesstechnology http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/businesstechnology/2008161363_webboeing05.html?syndication=rss Negotiators fail to reach agreement in Orlando. Business & Technology http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/businesstechnology/2008161363_webboeing05.html?syndication=rss Fri, 5 Sep 2008 21:03:47 PDT http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/businesstechnology/2008160261_webeconomy05.html?syndication=rss The nation's unemployment rate zoomed to a five-year high of 6. 1 percent in August as employers slashed 84,000 jobs, dramatic proof of... Business & Technology http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/businesstechnology/2008160261_webeconomy05.html?syndication=rss Fri, 5 Sep 2008 00:00:00 PDT http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/businesstechnology/2008159735_windowsad050.html?syndication=rss Microsoft's much-anticipated advertising campaign, expected to be a counter to withering Apple attacks on its most important product, debuted... Business & Technology http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/businesstechnology/2008159735_windowsad050.html?syndication=rss Fri, 5 Sep 2008 09:13:44 PDT http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/businesstechnology/2008159717_hardrock05.html?syndication=rss Hard Rock Café will open a Seattle restaurant next fall a half-block from the Pike Place Market. Business & Technology http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/businesstechnology/2008159717_hardrock05.html?syndication=rss Fri, 5 Sep 2008 09:27:40 PDT http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/retailreport/2008159727_retailreport05.html?syndication=rss Several months of sniffing and sampling later, Dry Soda arrived at its next two flavors — juniper berry and vanilla bean — which will debut this fall. Dry Soda is sold nationwide and this summer began distribution at grocery stores in Canada. Retail Report http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/retailreport/2008159727_retailreport05.html?syndication=rss Thu, 4 Sep 2008 22:16:39 PDT http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/businesstechnology/2008159714_fcccomcast05.html?syndication=rss Comcast is appealing an FCC ruling that it is improperly blocking customers' Web traffic, triggering a legal battle that could determine... Business & Technology http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/businesstechnology/2008159714_fcccomcast05.html?syndication=rss Thu, 4 Sep 2008 22:13:14 PDT http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/businesstechnology/2008159716_gaspriceqa050.html?syndication=rss Oil prices have fallen more than 26 percent from their July 11 record high of $147.27 a barrel, and all evidence points to further declines... Business & Technology http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/businesstechnology/2008159716_gaspriceqa050.html?syndication=rss Thu, 4 Sep 2008 22:15:26 PDT http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/businesstechnology/2008159723_oilpricesurvivors05.html?syndication=rss Conventional wisdom had long held that some industries would collapse if oil topped $100 a barrel. As oil neared $150, sending costs higher... Business & Technology http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/businesstechnology/2008159723_oilpricesurvivors05.html?syndication=rss Thu, 4 Sep 2008 22:18:52 PDT http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/businesstechnology/2008159733_yahoo05.html?syndication=rss Yahoo's stock sank to its lowest level in nearly five years Thursday, magnifying the challenge facing the Internet company as its management... Business & Technology http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/businesstechnology/2008159733_yahoo05.html?syndication=rss Thu, 4 Sep 2008 22:12:35 PDT http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/businesstechnology/2008159711_bonds05.html?syndication=rss Treasury prices rose moderately Thursday, as a plummeting stock market sent investors back into safer, fixed-income government securities... Business & Technology http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/businesstechnology/2008159711_bonds05.html?syndication=rss Thu, 4 Sep 2008 22:09:44 PDT http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/businesstechnology/2008160415_webmba05.html?syndication=rss A record 9 percent of U.S. homeowners with a mortgage were either behind on their payments or in foreclosure at the end of June. Washington state's troubled-loan rates remain low, although there are modest signs they are growing. Business & Technology http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/businesstechnology/2008160415_webmba05.html?syndication=rss Fri, 5 Sep 2008 00:00:00 PDT http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/businesstechnology/2008159720_homeafford05.html?syndication=rss Prices of single-family homes fell nationwide in the second quarter, but at a slower rate than in the previous three-month period, an economic-analysis... Business & Technology http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/businesstechnology/2008159720_homeafford05.html?syndication=rss Fri, 5 Sep 2008 09:25:12 PDT http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/businesstechnology/2008159713_econ050.html?syndication=rss The Dow Jones industrial average plummeted 344 points Thursday on a confluence of poor news about the economy, although investors could... Business & Technology http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/businesstechnology/2008159713_econ050.html?syndication=rss Fri, 5 Sep 2008 09:26:37 PDT http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/businesstechnology/2008159730_stoxcenter05.html?syndication=rss After peaking in early July, natural-gas prices have cooled off. Both crude-oil and natural-gas prices have dropped sharply in recent days... Business & Technology http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/businesstechnology/2008159730_stoxcenter05.html?syndication=rss Thu, 4 Sep 2008 22:10:15 PDT http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/businesstechnology/2008159710_bizbriefs05.html?syndication=rss Pacific Northwest Bellevue-based Internet retailer drugstore.com said Thursday it has restructured its relationship with Rite Aid. Under the deal, drugstore.com... Business & Technology http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/businesstechnology/2008159710_bizbriefs05.html?syndication=rss Thu, 4 Sep 2008 22:21:06 PDT http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/businesstechnology/2008151022_apoilprices.html?syndication=rss Oil prices sank to a five-month low Friday as a jump in the U.S. unemployment rate signaled to traders that Americans might keep paring back their energy use to save money. Business & Technology http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/businesstechnology/2008151022_apoilprices.html?syndication=rss Fri, 5 Sep 2008 00:00:00 PDT http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/nationworld/2008149846_apapnewsalert.html?syndication=rss Talks with federal mediator fail to reach Boeing contract deal; Machinists to strike Nation & World http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/nationworld/2008149846_apapnewsalert.html?syndication=rss Fri, 5 Sep 2008 00:00:00 PDT http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/businesstechnology/2008160479_apustaltria.html?syndication=rss Altria Group, which owns Marlboro-maker Philip Morris USA, said Friday that a report of its impending acquisition of UST was "pure speculation." Analysts said the deal makes perfect sense. Business & Technology http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/businesstechnology/2008160479_apustaltria.html?syndication=rss Fri, 5 Sep 2008 00:00:00 PDT http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/businesstechnology/2008161857_apwallmain.html?syndication=rss U.S. companies have cut more than 550,000 jobs so far in 2008 as they try to preserve their profits in a slumping economy, but analysts say such downsizing must be done carefully for corporations to have any long-term benefits. Business & Technology http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/businesstechnology/2008161857_apwallmain.html?syndication=rss Fri, 5 Sep 2008 21:10:16 PDT http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/businesstechnology/2008160182_apassurantgebusiness.html?syndication=rss Specialty insurer Assurant Inc. has agreed to acquire the warranty management business of General Electric Co.'s appliance and consumer electronics division. Business & Technology http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/businesstechnology/2008160182_apassurantgebusiness.html?syndication=rss Fri, 5 Sep 2008 00:00:00 PDT http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/businesstechnology/2008160947_apbankofamericasettlement.html?syndication=rss Bank of America Corp. said Friday it is ready to settle federal and state investigations into sales of risky auction-rate securities, joining eight other big investment banks that have agreed to buy back a total of more than $50 billion of the securities. Business & Technology http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/businesstechnology/2008160947_apbankofamericasettlement.html?syndication=rss Fri, 5 Sep 2008 00:00:00 PDT http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/businesstechnology/2008154999_apboeingmachinists.html?syndication=rss Despite a 48-hour contract extension, negotiations between Boeing Co. and Machinists union officials failed Friday and the union said a strike was set to begin at 12:01 a.m. PDT Saturday. Business & Technology http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/businesstechnology/2008154999_apboeingmachinists.html?syndication=rss Fri, 5 Sep 2008 21:00:07 PDT http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/businesstechnology/2008161959_apscicassinimoonrings.html?syndication=rss The latest images from NASA's Cassini spacecraft show faint, partial rings orbiting with two of Saturn's small inner moons, scientists said Friday. Business & Technology http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/businesstechnology/2008161959_apscicassinimoonrings.html?syndication=rss Fri, 5 Sep 2008 21:40:10 PDT http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/businesstechnology/2008160431_apcontinentalbagfee.html?syndication=rss Continental Airlines Inc. said Friday it is charging some coach customers $15 for a first checked bag, matching a similar fee imposed by most other major U.S. carriers. Business & Technology http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/businesstechnology/2008160431_apcontinentalbagfee.html?syndication=rss Fri, 5 Sep 2008 00:00:00 PDT http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/businesstechnology/2008160943_apustaltriaglance.html?syndication=rss WHAT THE COMPANIES SAY: Altria Group, which owns Marlboro-maker Philip Morris USA, called a New York Times report that it would buy rival UST Inc. for more than $10 billion "pure speculation." UST declined to comment. Business & Technology http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/businesstechnology/2008160943_apustaltriaglance.html?syndication=rss Fri, 5 Sep 2008 00:00:00 PDT http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/businesstechnology/2008160100_apsciasteroidflyby.html?syndication=rss The Rosetta deep space probe successfully passed close to an asteroid 250 million miles from Earth, the European Space Agency said Friday night. Business & Technology http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/businesstechnology/2008160100_apsciasteroidflyby.html?syndication=rss Fri, 5 Sep 2008 00:00:00 PDT http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/health/2008160374_apfdadrugsafety.html?syndication=rss The government on Friday began posting a list of prescription drugs under investigation for potential safety problems in an effort to better inform doctors and patients. Health http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/health/2008160374_apfdadrugsafety.html?syndication=rss Fri, 5 Sep 2008 00:00:00 PDT http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/nationworld/2008160166_apclimatechangesequoias.html?syndication=rss Federal researchers are warning that warming temperatures could soon cause California's giant sequoia trees to die off more quickly unless forest managers plan with an eye toward climate change and the impact of a longer, harsher wildfire season. Nation & World http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/nationworld/2008160166_apclimatechangesequoias.html?syndication=rss Fri, 5 Sep 2008 00:00:00 PDT http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/businesstechnology/2008161258_apgesec.html?syndication=rss General Electric Co. said Friday it has been informed that the Securities and Exchange Commission may recommend fines and other action for possible violations of securities law related to accounting changes the company made. Business & Technology http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/businesstechnology/2008161258_apgesec.html?syndication=rss Fri, 5 Sep 2008 00:00:00 PDT http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/businesstechnology/2008161260_apgesecuritiesviolations.html?syndication=rss General Electric Co. says the Securities and Exchange Commission staff has notified the company it may recommend fines and other action for possible violations of securities laws. Business & Technology http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/businesstechnology/2008161260_apgesecuritiesviolations.html?syndication=rss Fri, 5 Sep 2008 00:00:00 PDT http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/businesstechnology/2008160243_apgermanyeconomy.html?syndication=rss German industrial production fell 1.8 percent in July compartede with June, with the three main categories of output showing declines, the ministry of the economy said Friday. Business & Technology http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/businesstechnology/2008160243_apgermanyeconomy.html?syndication=rss Fri, 5 Sep 2008 00:00:00 PDT http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/businesstechnology/2008161349_apmortgagegiantscrisis.html?syndication=rss The government is expected to take over Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac as soon as this weekend in a monumental move designed to protect the mortgage market from the failure of the two companies, which together hold or guarantee half of the nation's mortgage debt, a person briefed on the matter said Friday night. Business & Technology http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/businesstechnology/2008161349_apmortgagegiantscrisis.html?syndication=rss Fri, 5 Sep 2008 21:45:10 PDT http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/businesstechnology/2008160248_aphomeforeclosures.html?syndication=rss The source of trouble in the mortgage market has shifted from subprime loans made to borrowers with bad credit to homeowners who had solid credit but took out exotic loans with ballooning monthly payments. Business & Technology http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/businesstechnology/2008160248_aphomeforeclosures.html?syndication=rss Fri, 5 Sep 2008 00:00:00 PDT http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/businesstechnology/2008160134_apjapanhondahybrid.html?syndication=rss Honda is bringing back the defunct Insight nameplate for a hybrid-only vehicle planned for the Japanese, European and North American markets early next year, as the automaker strives to play catch-up with rival Toyota in hybrids. Business & Technology http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/businesstechnology/2008160134_apjapanhondahybrid.html?syndication=rss Fri, 5 Sep 2008 00:00:00 PDT http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/businesstechnology/2008161216_apinfogroupdelisting.html?syndication=rss Database provider InfoGroup Inc. said Friday it no longer faces the threat of being delisted, but the Nasdaq plans to reprimand the firm publicly. Business & Technology http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/businesstechnology/2008161216_apinfogroupdelisting.html?syndication=rss Fri, 5 Sep 2008 00:00:00 PDT http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/businesstechnology/2008160169_apbritaininformatakeover.html?syndication=rss Shares at Informa PLC, the London-based publisher of Lloyd's List maritime newspaper, fell almost 7 percent on Friday after the company rejected a reduced $3.4 billion takeover bid from a private equity consortium. Business & Technology http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/businesstechnology/2008160169_apbritaininformatakeover.html?syndication=rss Fri, 5 Sep 2008 00:00:00 PDT http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/businesstechnology/2008160826_apitalyglobaleconomy.html?syndication=rss Oil prices are down, the dollar is up, and U.S. growth and exports have perked up a little. So is the global financial crisis winding down anytime soon? Top economists and business leaders meeting Friday at an Italian lakeside resort found plenty to discuss but little to agree on. Business & Technology http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/businesstechnology/2008160826_apitalyglobaleconomy.html?syndication=rss Fri, 5 Sep 2008 00:00:00 PDT http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/businesstechnology/2008158489_apspaceshuttle.html?syndication=rss NASA has delayed next month's space shuttle launch to the Hubble Space Telescope by two days. Business & Technology http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/businesstechnology/2008158489_apspaceshuttle.html?syndication=rss Fri, 5 Sep 2008 00:00:00 PDT http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/businesstechnology/2008161218_apnewyorktimesconsolidation.html?syndication=rss The New York Times plans to reduce the number of standalone sections of the New York metropolitan editions of the newspaper, a move designed to save money by cutting labor costs. Business & Technology http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/businesstechnology/2008161218_apnewyorktimesconsolidation.html?syndication=rss Fri, 5 Sep 2008 00:00:00 PDT http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/businesstechnology/2008161323_apgenreaigtrial.html?syndication=rss Federal prosecutors in Connecticut say a scheme to manipulate the financial statements of the world's largest insurance company, American International Group Inc., resulted in a loss of more than $1 billion to investors. Business & Technology http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/businesstechnology/2008161323_apgenreaigtrial.html?syndication=rss Fri, 5 Sep 2008 00:00:00 PDT http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/businesstechnology/2008153551_aprecalls.html?syndication=rss The following recalls have been announced: Business & Technology http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/businesstechnology/2008153551_aprecalls.html?syndication=rss Fri, 5 Sep 2008 00:00:00 PDT http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/businesstechnology/2008160497_apgreatlakeshealthreport.html?syndication=rss Substandard science has hurt a federal agency's seven-year effort to document possible links between industrial pollution and health problems in the Great Lakes region, an independent review panel said Friday. Business & Technology http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/businesstechnology/2008160497_apgreatlakeshealthreport.html?syndication=rss Fri, 5 Sep 2008 00:00:00 PDT http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/businesstechnology/2008161821_apbankclosuresilverstate.html?syndication=rss Regulators on Friday shut down Silver State Bank, saying the Nevada bank failed because of losses on soured loans, mainly in commercial real estate and land development. Business & Technology http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/businesstechnology/2008161821_apbankclosuresilverstate.html?syndication=rss Fri, 5 Sep 2008 20:50:10 PDT http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/businesstechnology/2008153676_apcommoditiesreview.html?syndication=rss Soybean prices tumbled Friday after the dollar continued its rally against the euro, giving investors more reasons to sell commodities that were bought as a hedge against inflation. Corn and wheat also fell sharply. Business & Technology http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/businesstechnology/2008153676_apcommoditiesreview.html?syndication=rss Fri, 5 Sep 2008 00:00:00 PDT http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/businesstechnology/2008158297_apbonds.html?syndication=rss Treasury prices fell Friday as investors cashed in profits from the strong gains the bonds made earlier in the week. Business & Technology http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/businesstechnology/2008158297_apbonds.html?syndication=rss Fri, 5 Sep 2008 00:00:00 PDT http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/businesstechnology/2008146784_aprigcount.html?syndication=rss The number of rigs actively exploring for oil and natural gas in the United States fell by 18 this week to 2,013. Business & Technology http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/businesstechnology/2008146784_aprigcount.html?syndication=rss Fri, 5 Sep 2008 00:00:00 PDT http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/businesstechnology/2008160067_apfarmscenemushroomboom.html?syndication=rss There's a mushroom boom in the wet woods of the Northeast this summer. Business & Technology http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/businesstechnology/2008160067_apfarmscenemushroomboom.html?syndication=rss Fri, 5 Sep 2008 01:00:16 PDT http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/businesstechnology/2008151205_apworldmarkets.html?syndication=rss World stock markets fell sharply Friday in the wake of a sell-off on Wall Street amid mounting concerns about a slumping U.S. economy and its impact on global growth. Business & Technology http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/businesstechnology/2008151205_apworldmarkets.html?syndication=rss Fri, 5 Sep 2008 00:00:00 PDT