IN BRIEF

Gasoline prices surge to record nationwide

Gasoline prices have surged to a record nationwide average of $3.07 per gallon, nearly 20 cents higher than two weeks earlier, oil industry analyst Trilby Lundberg said Sunday.

The previous record was $3.03 per gallon on Aug. 11, 2006.

Just two weeks ago, the U.S. average for a gallon of gas was $2.87, but the Lundberg Survey of 7,000 stations nationwide on Friday showed an increase of about 19.5 cents to $3.07. That’s up 88.4 cents since Jan. 19, Lundberg said.

The nationwide average for mid-grade gasoline was $3.18 and premium was $3.28.

Motorists in Nevada are paying higher than the national average. According to AAA’s Daily Fuel Gauge Report, Las Vegans were paying an average of $3.16 a gallon for regular unleaded on Sunday. That price is one cent shy of the record of $3.17 a gallon reached May 17, 2006.

NEW DELHI

Airbus A380 makes first landing in India

The world’s largest passenger plane — the Airbus A380 — made its first landing in India on Sunday, amid hopes by its maker that more Indian airlines will buy the super jumbo as the country’s rapid globalization drives demand for long-haul flights.

Onlookers cheered as the A380 circled twice over New Delhi’s Indira Gandhi International Airport before landing. At 148 feet, the runway was not wide enough for the behemoth double-decker, but airport officials cleaned up the grass shoulders along the sides to make way for the jet’s wings, which span nearly a football field.

Airbus officials say they plan to formally display the plane at a news conference today.

CLEVELAND, N.C.

Freightliner workers approve new contract

Workers at Freightliner’s largest truck manufacturing plant have approved a new contract, barely two weeks after rejecting an earlier agreement.

Members of United Auto Workers Local 3520 approved the latest contract Friday with an 89 percent vote, according to the union Web site.

A breakdown of votes and details of the agreement were not available. Messages left with the union and Portland, Ore.-based Freightliner were not immediately returned Saturday.

Freightliner, a unit of DaimlerChrysler AG, has said it is cutting up to 4,000 jobs nationwide, including about 1,900 in North Carolina.