http://www.katu.com/news/business RSS Feed for KATU - News - Business en-us Thu, 23 May 2013 17:30:15 GMT http://www.katu.com/news/business/US-new-home-sales-up-23-percent-in-April-208672381.html U.S. sales of new homes rose in April and nearly matched the fastest pace in five years, driving the median price to a record high. The gains suggest the housing recovery is strengthening. http://www.katu.com/news/business/Google-to-add-Galapagos-Islands-to-Street-View-208673791.html Mountain View, Calif.,-based Google sent hikers to the Galapagos with Street View gear called "trekkers," 42-pound computer backpacks with large, soccer ball-like cameras mounted on a tower. http://www.katu.com/news/business/Applications-for-US-unemployment-aid-fall-to-340K-208675561.html The number of Americans applying for unemployment benefits fell 23,000 last week to a seasonally adjusted 340,000, a level consistent with solid job growth. http://www.katu.com/news/business/Review-Google-music-plan-solid-serendipitous-208679001.html The All Access service represents Google's attempt to grab a bigger piece of the digital music market as more people stream songs over mobile phones. http://www.katu.com/news/business/House-backs-variable-rate-student-loans-208680071.html The U.S. House says student loans' interest rates should be pegged to the financial markets. Senate democrats say there is no support for the bill in the Senate. http://www.katu.com/news/business/Birth-control-coverage-up-for-federal-appeal-208677181.html In the most prominent challenge of its kind, Hobby Lobby Stores Inc. is asking a federal appeals court Thursday for an exemption from part of the federal health care law that requires it to offer employees health coverage that includes access to the morning-after pill. http://www.katu.com/news/business/Oil-falls-on-concerns-for-China-demand-Fed-policy-208677661.html The price of oil fell Thursday as weak manufacturing data from China raised questions about the strength of oil demand in the world's No. 2 economy. http://www.katu.com/news/business/Free-hotel-suites-On-top-of-big-salaries-companies-pile-on-perks-208550351.html Wynn Resorts kept a suite open all year at its tony Las Vegas hotel and casino for founder and CEO Steve Wynn, at a cost of nearly $452,000. http://www.katu.com/news/business/Apple-case-seen-as-possible-spur-to-tax-reform-208492861.html Now that tech darling Apple Inc. has been dragged front and center into the debate over the U.S. tax code, lawmakers are hoping that the spotlight on such a high-profile company could be the catalyst for Congress to take action to close loopholes or reform the law. http://www.katu.com/news/business/US-home-sales-tick-up-to-highest-in-3-years-208492571.html Sales of previously occupied U.S. homes ticked up last month to the highest level in three and a half years, helped by a jump in the number of houses for sale.