Category: Business

Economic losses from hurricanes and other natural disasters soared in the U.S. last year and were above average globally, reflecting another year of costly severe storms, floods and droughts. Damage caused by Hurricanes Helene and Milton helped push total economic losses from natural disasters in the U.S. to $217.8 billion last year, according to insurance […]

LONDON — Google pledged to crack down on fake online reviews with tougher punishments for rogue reviewers and businesses that try to profit from them, British regulators said Friday following an investigation. The Competition and Markets Authority said that Google has committed to “rigorous steps” to detect and remove sham reviews, so it can quickly […]

Senators demand answers on rising airline fees

SALT LAKE CITY — Utah lawmakers advanced a bill Thursday that experts say would establish one of the most restrictive labor laws in the country as Republicans seek to curb the political influence of unions serving teachers and other public service professionals. The GOP proposal would ban collective bargaining across all of Utah’s public sectors […]

BANGKOK — Ford Motor Co. is recalling 272,827 Broncos and Mavericks due to a power problem that can cause vehicles to stop unexpectedly or fail to start. Information from the National Highway and Transportation Safety Administration says the problem is related to a 12 volt battery made by Camel Battery of China that has “internal […]

DAMASCUS, Syria — Samir al-Baghdad grabbed his pickax and walked up a wobbly set of stairs made of cinderblocks and rubble. He is rebuilding his destroyed family house in the Qaboun neighborhood near Damascus, Syria ‘s capital. The traditional building, which once housed his family, parents and some relatives, had a courtyard decorated with plants […]

TOKYO — The Bank of Japan raised its key interest rate to about 0.5% from 0.25% Friday, noting that inflation is holding at a desirable target level. The decision by the central bank came at the end of a two-day policy board meeting in Tokyo. BOJ Gov. Kazuo Ueda, set to speak to reporters later […]

Boeing Co. said it incurred nearly $3 billion worth of charges in the fourth quarter of 2024 due to a lengthy labor stoppage, job cuts and problems with a number of government programs. As a result, the Chicago-based aerospace giant said Thursday that it will report a loss of $5.46 per share next week when […]

UnitedHealth Group will promote one of its top insurance executives to replace Brian Thompson, the slain CEO of its UnitedHealthcare arm. The company said Thursday that Tim Noel will become the next UnitedHealthcare leader. Noel most recently led UnitedHealthcare’s Medicare and retirement business. He joined the company in 2007. UnitedHealthcare is the nation’s largest insurer, […]

WASHINGTON — The Supreme Court on Thursday revived a requirement that owners of millions of small businesses register with an arm of the Treasury Department charged with fighting money laundering and other financial crimes. The justices granted an emergency plea made by the Justice Department in the waning days of the Biden administration to allow […]