U.S. economy likely shrank in quarter

WASHINGTON — A brutal winter, plunging investment by energy companies and a widening trade gap likely combined to shrink the U.S. economy at the start of the year.

The government today will issue its second of three estimates of the economy’s performance, as measured by the gross domestic product, in the January-March quarter.

Economists surveyed by data firm FactSet predict that the government will say GDP shrank at an annual rate of 0.8 percent last quarter. Though falling GDP can be a sign of a recession, economists are forecasting solid GDP growth the rest of the year.

Chevron pays death settlement

PITTSBURGH — Chevron has agreed to pay $5 million to settle a wrongful death lawsuit filed by the family of a contract worker killed last year when fire engulfed a Pennsylvania shale gas well.

The San Ramon, Calif.-based company said the settlement “enables all parties to move forward.”

An Allegheny County judge approved the settlement of the case brought by the family of 27-year-old Ian McKee this month.

The majority of the money will go into a trust for McKee’s son, who was born after the Warren resident died in February 2014.

Regulators blamed an inexperienced worker at Chevron’s site in Dunkard for loosening a bolt without proper supervision that likely caused the well to leak and catch fire.

Google gives Android upgrade

SAN FRANCISCO — Google’s next version of its Android operating system will boast new ways to fetch information, pay merchants and protect privacy on mobile devices as the Internet company duels with Apple in the quest to make its technology indispensable. The upgrade will give Android’s personal assistant, Google Now, expanded powers of intuition.

By The Associated Press