Apple dismissal request in AirTag suit is denied

Boeing seeks disposal of some defense assets

Boeing Co. has been exploring the sale of at least two of its defense businesses, as the beleaguered aircraft manufacturer fights through its biggest crisis in years.

Financial advisers have contacted potential buyers on Boeing's behalf to gauge interest in several smaller units, according to people familiar with the discussions, who asked not to be identified because the deliberations are confidential. The efforts have been underway for about a year, predating the Jan. 5 accident that has placed the planemaker under intense scrutiny, one of the people said.

Assets potentially on the block include Boeing's Digital Receiver Technology Inc. unit, which makes products for government intelligence and defense customers, the people said. Possible buyers have also been sounded out about some defense programs in its global services division, some of the people said.

The planemaker earlier explored divesting its Argon ST subsidiary, although that process is on hold, one of the people said. It acquired Argon, which makes systems for military command and control, surveillance and reconnaissance, for about $775 million in 2010.

Boeing declined to comment. The stock rose as much as 1.1% after Bloomberg reported on the deliberations.

The company also continues to weigh options for its stake in United Launch Alliance, the rocket-launch joint venture co-owned with Lockheed Martin Corp., the people said. Fisker halts production, warns of bankruptcy

Fisker Inc. is pausing production for the next six weeks as the electric vehicle maker looks to rein in inventory and avoid possibly having to file for bankruptcy.

The company didn't make a required interest payment of about $8.4 million last week on its unsecured convertible notes due in 2026, according to a regulatory filing Monday. Fisker warned it may not be able to meet obligations to service its debt and “could need to seek protection under applicable bankruptcy laws.”

Fisker also said Monday that it plans to raise up to $150 million through a financing deal reached with the holder of its 2025-dated convertible notes. It didn't identify the existing investor and said the funding will be organized in four tranches.

The company said Feb. 29 it would cut 15% of its workforce and has struggled with production issues, technical glitches and criticism from short sellers.

Fisker said it remains in negotiations with “a large automaker” about a potential investment and joint development partnership. Bloomberg reported earlier this month that the company was in talks with Japan's Nissan Motor Co., citing people familiar with the matter.

A judge has denied Apple's motion to dismiss a class-action lawsuit claiming that stalkers are using its AirTag devices to track victims — and that the tech giant hasn't done enough to prevent them.

Apple's $29 AirTags have become popular items since their 2021 release, helping users keep tabs on the location of anything from their lost keys to wallets and luggage. But stalkers have also taken advantage of AirTags and similar products to follow individuals without their consent.

In December 2022, Apple was sued by dozens of plaintiffs who said they were stalked by AirTag users. They alleged that Apple failed to mitigate such dangers and should have done more to protect victims — claiming AirTags “revolutionized the scope, breadth, and ease of location-based stalking” and that current safety features are inadequate.

Compiled from Bloomberg and Associated Press reports.