food
Doughnut sandwich set
Dunkin’ Donuts is adding a doughnut breakfast sandwich to its national menu this week.
The sandwich, which comes with fried eggs and bacon between a split glazed doughnut, will become a part of the permanent menu starting Friday, which the chain claims is National Donut Day. Dunkin’ Donuts had tested the sandwich in select stores in eastern Massachusetts in April, creating considerable buzz online.
Notably, Dunkin’ Donuts says the Glazed Donut Breakfast Sandwich clocks in at 360 calories, which is less than the 390 calories for the turkey sausage sandwich it recently introduced for people looking to eat better.
ECONOMY
Construction spending up
Spending on U.S. construction projects rose in April despite weakness in residential projects and government spending. Construction spending rose 0.4 percent in April, compared with March, when spending fell a revised 0.8 percent, the Commerce Department reported Monday. Construction activity has been volatile in recent months, falling by a record 4 percent in January, but rising in February only to drop in March. Construction spending stood at a seasonally adjusted annual rate of $860.8 billion in April, 4.3 percent higher than a year ago.
Manufacturing index drops
The Institute for Supply Management says its index of manufacturing activity fell to 49 last month, down from 50.7 in April. That’s the lowest level in nearly four years and the first time it has fallen below 50 since November. A reading under 50 indicates contraction. A gauge of new orders fell to 48.8, its lowest level in nearly a year. Production and employment also declined.
LEGAL
Credit settlement set
General Electric Co. reached a settlement with the New York Attorney General’s office resolving an investigation into a GE health-care credit card that charged interest rates as high as 27 percent. The agreement with GE Capital Retail Bank and CareCredit LLC adds protections for consumers, who were often unaware of the costs, Attorney General Eric Schneiderman said.
New trucking suit
Another former Pilot Flying J customer has sued the company over the continuing accusations of fuel-rebate fraud. Paul Otto, an independent truck owner and operator for W.N. Morehouse Trucking in Omaha, Neb., filed the federal lawsuit in Tennessee.
LABOR
Cambodia worker strike
Cambodian police have detained seven workers at a factory that makes clothing for the U.S. sportswear company Nike in the latest strife linked to a strike over salaries there.
Free Trade Union of Workers of the Kingdom of Cambodia organizer Son Vanny said its members traded barrages of sticks and stones Monday with members of a rival union opposing the strike. He said police then arrived and started beating workers. Police declined to comment on any arrests or possible injuries. The protest at the Taiwanese-owned Sabrina (Cambodia) Garment Manufacturing plant west of Phnom Penh began May 21 over demands that salaries be raised to $88 per month from $74.
TECHNOLOGY
Layoffs at Zynga
Online game maker Zynga says it is cutting 520 jobs, about 18 percent of its workforce, and closing several offices. The San Francisco company is shedding costs in the face of a decline in the number of users of its games, which include Farmville and Words With Friends.
Zynga Inc. says the cuts will save it between $70 million and $80 million a year and are expected to be largely complete by August.
AIRLINES
New service to Texas
United Airlines announced new daily nonstop service between Cleveland Hopkins International Airport (CLE) and Austin-Bergstrom International Airport (AUS) starting Sept. 25.
“We are excited to have this new daily nonstop service to Austin,” said Airport Director Ricky Smith. “With this new service, we will be connecting the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame to the Live Music Capital of World.” The new CLE to AUS flight departs Cleveland at 8:40 a.m. and arrives in Austin at 10:50 a.m. The returning flight departs Austin at 2 p.m. and arrives in Cleveland at 5:55 p.m. Flights will be on United’s CRJ-700 aircraft.
Compiled from staff and wire reports