Business news in brief

NATION

Asia-Pacific region’s sales help GM in 2nd quarter

DETROIT — Although General Motors’ North American sales dropped sharply last quarter as it headed into U.S. bankruptcy protection, strong growth in its Asia-Pacific region offset much of the decline, and the automaker ended up with global sales down 15 percent for the quarter.

General Motors Co., which has received $50 billion in U.S. government aid and emerged from Chapter 11 on July 10, said Wednesday that it sold 1.94 million vehicles worldwide in the April-to-June period, despite a 32 percent decline in North America.

Much of the North American decline was offset by record sales in China, up 62 percent compared with the same quarter last year.

Wal-Mart to pay to settle a class-action lawsuit

SEATTLE — Wal-Mart Stores Inc. has agreed to pay up to $35 million to settle a class-action lawsuit brought on behalf of 88,000 workers at Washington state stores who were forced to skip meal and rest breaks or work off the clock.

The plaintiffs’ lawyers will receive $10.5 million to cover eight years of legal fees.

Three workers who brought the lawsuit will receive $10,000 each, and other workers will get between $50 and $950, depending on how long they worked for Wal-Mart and how much detail they can provide about the violations they suffered.

Associated Press