Nation, world business highlights, Jan. 17

DALLAS — United Airlines is trying again to raise prices after a similar move failed earlier this month. United said Wednesday that it raised prices for travel within the U.S. by up to $20 per round trip. United Continental Holdings Inc. said it raised prices $2 each way for flights under 500 miles, $3 for 501 to 1,000 miles, $5 for 1,001 to 2,000 miles, and $10 each way for flights longer than 2,000 miles or involving Hawaii or Alaska. United tried to raise prices by up to $10 per round trip on Jan. 3 but rolled back the increase after others, notably Southwest Airlines Co., kept their fares unchanged. JPMorgan analyst Jamie Baker, who spotted Wednesday's increase shortly after United entered it in ticket-distribution systems, said he expected some other big airlines to raise prices too but that Southwest's support would be needed for the increase to stick.

Bikes get a role in auto show

DETROIT — Transportation of the two-wheeled variety is sharing the floor at the Detroit auto show with the latest cars, trucks and concept vehicles. Some are shown as accessories on vehicles. At Subaru's display, for example, bikes are shown with the Outback wagon aimed at outdoor enthusiasts. An electric-powered bicycle at Smart's display is sold by the mincar maker in Europe. Bikes weren't the focus of presentations during this week's press previews, but they're often used in marketing cars. Other prominent bike displays in Detroit this year include the Prius X Parlee concept bicycle among Toyota's vehicles. And at Hyundai's spot, a bike is shown perched out the rear and rooftop of a Veloster coupe.

World

Cirque du Soleil lays off 400

MONTREAL — The world-renowned Cirque du Soleil circus troupe is laying off 400 people — most of them at its Montreal headquarters. A company spokeswoman announced the layoffs Wednesday after Cirque executives met with employees in Montreal. Increased production costs and expenses are being blamed for the layoffs, which will begin by the end of the month. The Cirque employs about 5,000 people worldwide, including 2,000 in Montreal. It still has 19 productions being presented worldwide and is currently working on a new show that will open in May in Las Vegas.

N. Korea blamed in cyberattack

SEOUL, South Korea — South Korea said Wednesday that North Korea was behind a cyberattack last year against a conservative Seoul newspaper critical of Pyongyang. North Korean hackers distorted the website of the mass-circulation JoongAng Ilbo newspaper and deleted some data from the paper's news filing and production system last June, the National Police Agency said in a statement. The paper quickly restored the system and its newspaper production was done without any major problem.