GM recalling 117,000 vehicles for possible stalling problem

General Motors is recalling more than 117,000 vehicles from the 2013 and 2014 model years for a defect that could cause them to stall.

The recall involves the Chevrolet Tahoe, Suburban, Traverse, Express and Silverado; the Cadillac CTS, Escalade and Escalade ESV; the GMC Yukon, Yukon XL, Acadia, Savana and Sierra; and the Buick Enclave.

GM said that metal slivers in the chassis control module could cause an electrical short. If that happens, the vehicle could stall.

GM knows of no accidents or injuries related to the defect. It believes only 1 percent of the vehicles being recalled are affected.

Thirty-year mortgage rate slips to 4.19 percent this week

A key long-term U.S. mortgage rate dipped this week, the second drop after a large increase two weeks ago.

Mortgage company Freddie Mac said Thursday the nationwide average for a 30-year loan slipped to 4.19 percent from 4.20 percent last week. The average for a 15-year mortgage, a popular choice for people who are refinancing, was unchanged at 3.36 percent.

The 30-year rate is down from 4.53 percent at the start of the year. Rates have fallen even though the Federal Reserve has been trimming its monthly bond purchases, which are intended to keep long-term borrowing rates low. The purchases are set to end next month.

Mortgage rates often follow the yield on the 10-year Treasury note. The 10-year note traded at 2.41 percent at midday Thursday, down sharply from 2.57 percent a week earlier.

Insurer asks FAA to allow research on use of drones

Home and auto insurer USAA said it has asked the Federal Aviation Administration for permission to research how drones could be used to improve how it settles claims during natural disasters.

USAA, which serves 10.4 million current and former members of the U.S. military, said the idea would be to use drones that would get into neighborhoods immediately after catastrophes, lessening the need for humans to take on that risk.

Angry Birds maker will cut as many as 130 Finnish jobs

Angry Birds maker Rovio Entertainment Ltd. will cut as much as 16 percent of its workforce after building up its staff too quickly following the success of its most popular game.

In a blog post Thursday titled “Towards a simplified organization,” Chief Executive Mikael Hed called the layoffs of as many as 130 people in Finland, where the company is based, “painful measures,” but didn’t offer details.

— From news service reports