400-job tech center planned at ULL's research park

LAFAYETTE, La. -- Gov. Bobby Jindal says Canadian-based CGI-Group Inc. plans a 400-job technology center at the University of Louisiana at Lafayette's Research Park.

CGI executive James Peake said Monday that employees will develop complex business and information technology solutions for clients.

CGI will get a $5.3-million performance-based grant for relocating, recruiting and training workers and for building operation.

Louisiana also offers a 35 percent tax credit on payroll and a 25 percent tax credit for production expenses under its Digital Interactive Media and Software Development program.

Its Quality Jobs program rebates 5 or 6 percent of annual gross payroll for up to 10 years.

Local incentives include up to $1.1 million from the Lafayette Economic Development Authority. The university's 10-year lease includes a $600,000 in-kind contribution for the first five years

Man killed with a silencer-equipped gun in Tripoli

BEIRUT: A man was shot and killed early Tuesday with a silencer-equipped gun in the northern city of Tripoli, security sources said.

The sources told The Daily Star an unknown assailant shot Abdel-Karim Hmeish, 53, while he was stacking vegetable crates at 4 a.m. in the Tripoli neighborhood of Souk al-Qameh. He died instantly.

There have been no major breaches after security forces launched a crackdown earlier this month to restore stability in Lebanon's second-largest city.

Hundreds of people have been killed and scores wounded in at least 20 rounds of armed clashes between pro- and anti-Syrian President Bashar Assad groups in Tripoli.

Detroit reaches deal with city's largest union

DETROIT -- A tentative deal on a contract between Detroit and some unions could speed up the city's bankruptcy process.

The city and the Coalition of Detroit Unions announced Monday they have agreed in principle on "major aspects" of the five-year collective bargaining agreement.

Bill Nowling, a spokesman for emergency manager Kevin Orr, said the deal with the unions and recent agreements with other creditors "will allow the city to exit from bankruptcy sooner and financially solvent."

Orr has said he expects the city to emerge from bankruptcy by fall.

A committee representing Detroit retirees already has agreed to endorse the city's plan to cut pensions in bankruptcy.

Michigan House Speaker Jase Bolger says he hopes the cooperation continues as "we all move closer to a resolution of Detroit's bankruptcy."

AOL reports email security breach

AOL says a security breach may have exposed the private information of a "significant number" of its email users' accounts.

The company said Monday that the email addresses, postal addresses, address books, encrypted passwords and encrypted answers to security questions of users may have been exposed, along with some employee information.

AOL believes spammers used this contact information to send "spoofed" emails. Spoofing is a tactic used by spammers to make an email look like it is from someone the recipient knows to trick him or her into opening it. These emails do not originate from the sender's email — the addresses are just edited to make them appear that way.

The company estimates these emails came from about 2 percent of its accounts. The investigation is still underway.

Health groups bolster NYC big-soda-ban efforts

NEW YORK -- New York City's push to ban big sodas is getting a boost in court from a group of health organizations and hospitals.

The National Alliance for Hispanic Health and nine other entities filed a brief Monday. They're calling the rule a "reasonable and measured attempt" at stemming a tide of obesity, diabetes and other illnesses.

The group says those problems are prevalent in minority communities where beverage companies target their marketing to particular ethnic groups.

New York's ban on purchasing soft drinks larger than 16 ounces is on hold pending an appeal. A hearing is scheduled for June 4.

The American Beverage Association represents soft drink companies in fighting the big-soda ban. The organization did not immediately return a message.

Tech firm fires CEO convicted of domestic violence

SAN FRANCISCO -- A San Francisco software company says it has terminated its CEO, a wealthy Internet entrepreneur who recently was convicted of domestic violence.

RadiumOne said in a statement that its board of directors decided Saturday night to fire CEO and Chairman Gurbaksh Chahal.

The 31-year-old pleaded guilty earlier this month to battery and domestic-violence battery, both misdemeanor charges, in the alleged August 2014 beating of his girlfriend.

Chahal was sentenced to three years' probation and ordered to take domestic-violence classes and do community service. He will not serve any jail time.

Before leading RadiumOne, Chahal founded and sold two Internet companies for more than $300 million.

RadiumOne says Chief Operating Officer Bill Lonergan will take over as CEO of the online advertising company.

Frontier Airlines now charging for carry-on bags

NEW YORK -- Passengers beware: More airline fees are on their way.

Another airline is promising to change the way we fly by offering cheap base fares but then adding on a bevy of additional fees. Passengers flying Frontier Airlines will now have to pay extra to place carry-on bags in the overhead bin or for advance seat assignments.

The move comes as the Denver-based airline tries to transform itself into a fee-dependent airline, similar to Spirit Airlines or Allegiant Air — the only other U.S. carriers to charge such fees. Frontier already charges $1.99 for a soda or water on its flights, a fee it added on July 1.

Frontier says that in exchange for these new fees, it is lowering its base fare by an average of 12 percent. The new charges apply to tickets purchased on or after Monday.

Frontier carries 8.4 million passengers a year, about 1 percent of the overall traffic flown by U.S. airlines.

There is no indication that larger carriers like American Airlines, Delta Air Lines, Southwest Airlines or United Airlines are considering such fees.

Frontier's fee for using the overhead bin ranges from $20 for frequent fliers who book online to $50 for those who fail to pay before getting to the gate. Most will pay $25 if they check-in online; $35 if they check-in at the airport. Personal items fitting under the seat remains free.

That's in addition to the $15 to $25 fliers will pay for their first checked bag.

Additionally, seat assignments — even for the dreaded middle seat — now cost an extra $3 for those who buy while booking online; $8 at check-in. If passengers don't pay extra, Frontier will assign them whatever seats are left over.

Frontier is also following the model of other airlines in charging extra for seats with more legroom or just those closer to the front of the plane.

For "select" seats, which are just in the front half of the plane, Frontier will charge an extra $5 to $15 per flight, depending on when they are purchased. "Stretch" seats with an extra 5 to 7 inches of legroom — including those in the exit row — will cost $15 to $50 per flight segment, depending on the distance flown. Connecting passengers would have to pay each fee twice.

Passengers who buy more-expensive, fully-refundable "Classic Plus" fares will get stretch seats for free as well as one checked back and one free carry-on bag. Similar benefits will be given for free to elite members of Frontier's frequent flier program.

In December, a struggling Frontier was purchased by Indigo Partners LLC, a private equity firm that has revamped several near-bankrupt airlines by changing their business model. One of its latest turnarounds was Spirit, based in Miramar, Fla. Just last week, Frontier named Barry L. Biffle as its new president. Biffle had spent nearly nine year working as chief marking officer of Spirit.

"Frontier is merely copying Spirit, reflecting its investment by Indigo," said Henry Harteveldt, an airline analyst. "I'm not surprised that the airline is doing this."