From wire reports

United's parent firm sees losses mount

CHICAGO - United Airlines parent UAL Corp.'s first-quarter loss widened to $1.3 billion as the war in Iraq reduced already weak demand for air travel and led to higher prices for jet fuel.

The net loss for UAL, the world's second-largest airline, increased to $14.16 a share, from $510 million, or $9.92, in the same period last year. Sales slid 3.2 percent to $3.18 billion.

UAL, which filed the airline industry's biggest bankruptcy in December, posted an 11th consecutive quarterly loss.

Electronic tax filing more popular

WASHINGTON - A record number of taxpayers filed their returns electronically this year, the Internal Revenue Service said Friday.

Computer filing by individuals and paid tax preparers jumped 14 percent over this time last year.