Snohomish County’s hotels and motels saw more than 57 percent of their rooms occupied nightly during February, compared with less than 49 percent for the same month last year. Last month’s local occupancy rate was well above the statewide average of 53 percent and nearly even with the rates in King and Pierce counties, according to Smith Travel Research. The average rate charged per local room was $66.51 a night, up more than $2 from last year.
U.S. accuses 61 of blocking trade
Focusing on China, Japan and the European Union, the Bush administration on Wednesday accused 61 countries and groups of nations of significant trade barriers that harm U.S. manufacturers and farmers. The report on trade barriers is designed to guide negotiators over the next year in their efforts to attack barriers seen as doing the most damage to American companies.
FTC fines three in debt schemes
The government Wednesday announced it has reached settlements with three companies accused of bilking thousands of debt-ridden people out of more than $100 million using schemes that often left customers in even worse financial shape. The Federal Trade Commission settled lawsuits it brought last year against National Consumers Council, Better Budget Financial Services and Debt Management Foundation Services, which have since ceased most operations. The settlements order the companies and their principles to pay back about $7 million to consumers, based on the companies’ assets.
Microsoft starts media service
Television addicts, rejoice. Now you can take more shows on the road. Microsoft Corp. on Wednesday launched a paid service that lets people download certain TV shows to portable devices such as media players and advanced cell phones. The company has already offered free short clips of some TV shows on Windows-based portable devices. With the new paid service, MSN Video Downloads, customers will have access to more content.
AIG delays report, admits bad moves
Amid widening government probes, insurance giant American International Group Inc. acknowledged Wednesday it had improperly booked transactions with a unit of Berkshire Hathaway Inc. that artificially boosted its reserves. AIG also said that it had not yet completed an in-house review of its accounting and would have to delay filing its annual report until April 30. New York-based AIG earlier had said it expected to file the report today.
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