[naviga:h3]Jobless claims fell 12,000 last week[/naviga:h3]

WASHINGTON — The number of Americans applying for unemployment benefits fell by 12,000 last week to 260,000, as claims returned to more normal levels following the disruptions caused by Hurricane Irma in Florida and Georgia.

The Labor Department said Thursday that the less-volatile four-week average declined by 9,500 to 268,250. Overall, the number of Americans collecting unemployment checks has fallen 6.2 percent over the past year to 1.94 million.

[naviga:h3]Costco earnings exceed forecasts[/naviga:h3]

ISSAQUAH, Wash. — Costco Wholesale Corp. said its fiscal fourth-quarter earnings increased 18 percent as the warehouse club’s sales also improved.

The Issaquah, Washington-based company said Thursday that it had $919 million net income, or $2.08 per share. That’s up from $779 million, or $1.77 per share, a year ago when the quarter was one week shorter.

The results exceeded Wall Street expectations. The 13 analysts surveyed by Zacks Investment Research expected earnings of $2.02 per share on average.

[naviga:h3]U.S. ready to block N. Korean seafood[/naviga:h3]

U.S. Customs and Border Protection says it is ready to block U.S. imports of seafood — as well as any other goods — produced by North Korean laborers who work in China.

The North Korean workers found in Chinese factories aren’t allowed to leave, and receive only a fraction of their pay — most goes straight to the North Korean state. This means that American consumers buying seafood labeled “Caught in the USA, Processed in China” may inadvertently be subsidizing the government of Kim Jong Un and also supporting forced labor.