Verizon’s basic telephone service will increase by $3.90 a month over the next two years under a rate hike unanimously approved Tuesday by the Washington Utilities and Transportation Commission. The first part of the increase comes May 1, when the monthly rate goes up $2.43. On July 1, 2007, the rate will increase another $1.43 a month. Fees for other services, such as directory assistance and call waiting, also will go up.
Iceland airline orders more 737s
The parent company of Icelandair will take five additional 737s for its growing aircraft leasing business, the Boeing Co. announced Tuesday. In January, Flugleidir Icelandair placed an order for 10 737-800s and took an option on five more. That deal was worth $650 million at list prices, although the airline said it had received “a very favorable price” for the jets. On Tuesday, the leasing company, now called The FL Group, exercised the option for the five additional planes.
Wal-Mart makes wildlife a priority
Wal-Mart, the world’s largest retailer, pledged Tuesday to spend $35 million compensating for wildlife habitat lost nationwide beneath its corporate “footprint.” Wal-Mart Stores Inc. said it would buy at least 138,000 acres in the United States as priority wildlife habitat. That includes a conservation easement on a private ranch in Oregon on the Deschutes River.
Microsoft offers fixes on 5 flaws
Microsoft Corp. released five security bulletins Tuesday to fix flaws that could allow an attacker to take complete control of someone else’s computer system. The security flaws, rated “critical” – Microsoft’s highest threat level, affect the company’s Windows computer operating system, Internet Explorer browser, MSN Messenger, Microsoft Word software and Exchange server system. The flaws affect operating systems dating back to Windows 98.
Data theft estimate is vastly expanded
Criminals may have breached computer files containing the personal information of 310,000 people, a tenfold increase over a previous estimate of how much data was stolen from information broker LexisNexis, the company’s parent said Tuesday. In March, London-based publisher and data broker Reed Elsevier Group PLC said criminals may have accessed personal details of 32,000 people. Information accessed included names, addresses, Social Security and driver’s license numbers, but not credit history, medical records or financial information, the company said.
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