McDonald’s said Thursday its french fries are now trans-fat-free in all its restaurants in the United States and Canada, catching it up with its fast-food rivals in that category. CEO Jim Skinner made the word official at its annual shareholders meeting at McDonald’s Corp. headquarters in Oak Brook, Ill. McDonald’s has lagged other restaurant operators in switching over to a zero-trans-fat cooking oil out of worries it would compromise the taste of its trademark fries. It has been under increasing pressure from consumer advocates and some public officials to make the change, but did so quietly.
Boeing to reduce emissions by 2012
The Boeing Co. says it plans to curb greenhouse gas emissions and energy use in the next five years, even as it manufactures more aircraft. In an environmental report Thursday in Seattle, the ÂChicago-based planemaker set goals to cut carbon dioxide emissions, energy consumption and hazardous waste 1 percent by 2012, and to improve solid waste recycling rates from about 60 percent to 75 percent. Boeing says the company will also push its suppliers to use less energy, produce less carbon dioxide and operate more efficiently.
Flight delay costs reach $41 billion
Flight delays are enough of a headache. Now Congress is saying that getting stuck in airports and on runways is a “$41 billion punch in the gut.” The congressional Joint Economic Committee, in a report released Thursday, found that the total cost of domestic air traffic delays to the American economy in 2007 was almost $41 billion. That included $19 billion in extra operating costs for the airlines, $12 billion in costs to passengers from reduced productivity and lost business and leisure opportunities and almost $10 billion in indirect costs, particularly to food and lodging industries that rely on air traffic.
Microsoft-Yahoo merger criticized
Google billionaire co-founder Larry Page said Thursday the Internet search leader opposed a Microsoft-Yahoo deal because it would monopolize the online communications market, stifle innovation and curb competition. But he discounted the idea that an advertising deal between Google Inc. and Yahoo Inc. — one the two companies are now exploring — would present any potential antitrust problems. In a rare visit to the nation’s capital, Page spoke at a forum sponsored by the New American Foundation think tank about expanding affordable access to high-speed Internet service and opening up cellular networks.
Feds report fewer jobless claims filed
The number of newly laid-off workers filing for unemployment benefits unexpectedly fell last week to the lowest level in a month. The U.S. Department of Labor reported Thursday that applications for jobless benefits totaled 365,000, down by 9,000 from last week. Economists had expected claims to rise slightly. Even with the unexpected decline, claims remain at a level that indicates the labor market is under stress from the sluggish economy.
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