The Boeing Co. named Frederick Kiga on Friday as a vice president in the Northwest region for state and local government relations and global corporate citizenship. He will report to Tod Hullin, senior vice president for public policy. Kiga, former state revenue director and Gov. Gary Locke’s chief of staff, replaces Bob Watt, who retired at the end of 2007.
‘Spam King’ faces new charges
Four additional charges have been filed against a man described by federal investigators in Seattle as the “Spam King.” That brings the number of charges against 27-year-old Robert Soloway in Seattle to 40. He was arraigned Thursday on charges of aggravated identity theft, mail fraud and two counts of willful failure to file income tax. Soloway was arrested May 30 and accused of using stolen e-mail addresses and “zombie” computers to send massive amounts of spam worldwide. Authorities believe he earned more than $1 million in four years.
Trade level hits 14-month high
The U.S. trade deficit in November rose to the highest level in 14 months, reflecting record foreign crude oil prices. The deficit with China declined slightly while the weak dollar boosted exports to another record high. The Commerce Department reported that the trade deficit, the gap between imports and exports, jumped by 9.3 percent, to $63.1 billion. The imbalance was much larger than the $60 billion that had been expected. The increase was driven by a 16.3 percent increase in America’s foreign oil bill.
Buyer confidence clouded by worry
Consumer confidence fell as worries about jobs, energy bills and home foreclosures darkened people’s feelings about the country’s economic health and their own financial well-being. According to the RBC Cash Index, confidence tumbled to a mark of 56.3 in early January. That compares with a reading of 65.9 in December — and a benchmark of 100 — and was the worst since the index began in 2002.
Oil futures still dropping
Oil prices extended their slide Friday on a growing sentiment that the country might be headed for a recession that would depress demand for oil. Energy investors remained focused on recent government jobs reports that suggest the economy is struggling to make headway against the challenges posed by a troubled housing market and high oil prices.
From Herald wire services
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