A bill in Congress could make it harder for workers to keep employers from getting access to their personal medical and genetic information and raise the financial penalties for those who opt out of workplace wellness programs. House Republicans are proposing legislation aimed at making it easier for companies to gather genetic data from workers and their families, including their children, when they collect it as part of a voluntary wellness program.
Category: Business News
County leads join political efforts to ban toxic chemical from refineries in Torrance and Wilmington
The county Board of Supervisors, prodded by increasing political and regulatory efforts to protect public health and safety, endorsed proposals Wednesday to ban highly toxic hydrofluoric acid from the two South Bay refineries that use the chemical. That has prompted the South Coast Air Quality Management District to propose banning the chemical by year’s end .
No Evidence for Trump’s Wiretap Claims, Former CIA, NSA Chief Says
Former CIA and NSA director Gen. Michael Hayden said Tuesday there was “no body of evidence” for President Trump to make the claim that former President Barack Obama ordered wiretaps of his phones during the election.
House, Senate Conservative Republicans Plan Own Obamacare Repeal Bill
Sen. Rand Paul, R-Ky., criticizes the House Republican healthcare reform plan as “Obamacare light” during a television interview on Capitol Hill in Washington, Tuesday, March 7, 2017. ( Conservative Republicans in Congress said on Tuesday they oppose aspects of the Republican leadership’s healthcare bill and they plan to introduce their own legislation on Wednesday to repeal Obamacare.
Trump on Hook to Clarify Policies With Speech to Congress
Lawmakers, investors and the American public want President Donald Trump to provide some much-desired clarity on his policy agenda with his first address to Congress on Tuesday. Six weeks into his presidency, Trump is under increasing pressure to answer core questions about how he’ll deliver on his promises to bring fundamental change to U.S. health-care policy, the tax system, defense spending and immigration.
Poll: Confidence in Military Remains High, in Media Low
More voters have faith in the U.S. military than in other national institutions, according to the latest Fox News Poll released Monday. Virtually all voters believe in the military: 96 percent have either a great deal or some confidence.
The a Father of the Border Taxa Explains Why it Will Work
On Monday, during a speech at the White House to the National Governors Association, President Trump renewed his commitment to simplifying the tax code, adding As Republicans in Congress work with the President on making these goals a reality, the highly contentious border-adjustment tax has quickly become a hot button issue both inside the party, and among the opposition. The tax, which is an income tax levied on imported goods sold domestically, is championed by House Speaker Paul Ryan, Dow Chemical CEO Andrew Liveris and the President himself.
J.C. Penney to close up to 140 stores
J.C. Penney on Friday said it plans to close between 130 and 140 stores in the next several months, a move that makes it the latest retail stalwart to pull back from the mall amid the rise of online shopping. The department store giant’s latest quarterly results, also released Friday, illustrate its struggle to connect with shoppers: Sales were down 0.7 percent at stores open more than a year.
Uber Criticized by Venture Backers Over Harassment Claims
A pair of venture capital investors in Uber Technologies Inc. criticized the company for tapping insiders to conduct an investigation into sexual harassment and discrimination claims by a former employee. Mitch and Freada Kapor, spouses and investing partners at Kapor Capital, said they have been unsuccessful in their attempts to convince Uber behind the scenes to prioritize diversity issues.
All Those Donations Are Giving The ACLU And Planned Parenthood Room To Experiment
Earlier this month, Jennifer Ande held an event in support of Planned Parenthood. She and a few dozen other people got together to make Valentine’s Day cards that they would then send to their local politicians in support of the organization.
HSBC Boosts CEO Gulliver’s Pay as Bank’s Bonus Pool Drops 12%
HSBC Holdings Plc boosted Stuart Gulliver’s total potential pay to 9.7 million pounds as the chief executive officer was rewarded for cutting costs, while the bank’s bonus pool dropped. Gulliver, 57, saw his annual incentive pay for 2016 raised to 1.7 million pounds from 1.1 million pounds a year earlier as he hit targets for paring expenses and assets, even as he fell short of a profit goal, the bank said in its annual report Tuesday.
RBS to Miss Target for Asset Sale – Takes $920 Million Charge
The bailed-out lender is exploring an alternative plan after saying it will miss an EC target to dispose of assets, including Williams & Glyn, and repay state aid Bailed out British lender, Royal Bank of Scotland said Friday that it will miss a European Commission deadline for selling off assets, including its Williams & Glyn division, and repaying taxpayer aid given to it during the financial crisis. It will report a A 750 million exceptional charge when it reports full-year results on Feb. 24 and is now considering an alternative plan for repaying state aid.
Dow, S&P 500 and Nasdaq Close Out Strong Week With Fresh Records
The Dow Jones Industrial Average rose 0.02% to 20,623, its seventh consecutive record close. The Nasdaq was up 0.41% to finish at 5,838, also a new record.
Stock Futures Take Baby Steps in Effort to Extend Friday’s Record Run
Stock futures edge higher on Monday morning as good vibes from Friday’s record-breaking rally are sustained through the weekend. Stock futures edged higher on Monday morning as good vibes from Friday’s record-breaking rally were sustained through the weekend.
New chairman quickly shakes up FCC
Ajit Pai, the new Republican chairman of the Federal Communications Commission, is quickly making his mark on the agency, shaking up its operations and rolling back Obama-era initiatives. His moves have drawn Republican praise, but also alarmed Democrats and consumer groups, and set the stage for the fights ahead.
Scientists across the US are scrambling to save government…
Groups are downloading and archiving government data out of fear the Trump administration might delete it. Some sites have already undergone changes.
Dakota Access Pipeline Seen Online In 90 Days Despite Ongoing Native American Opposition
Construction on the controversial $3.8 billion, 1,200-mile Dakota Access Pipeline has officially resumed, and there’s already lawsuit to stop the work. Construction on the highly controversial Dakota Access Pipeline has officially resumed and is expected to be available for use in less than three months.
House Committee intel compromised by IT staff
Feb. 09, 2017 – 3:27 – House Judiciary & Foreign Affairs Committee Member Rep. Darrell Issa (R-Calif.) on the IT workers that compromised information from the House Committee.
In Net neutrality fight, broadband’s the fix
Less than a month after being sworn in, Donald Trump has begun to destroy the Internet. Well, at least that seems to be the opinion of multiple Internet activists and politicians.
Iran Carries Out New Missile Tests After Trump Imposes Sanctions
Iran carried out further missile tests during an annual military exercise, a day after President Donald Trump imposed fresh sanctions on a raft of individuals and companies in response to the country test-firing a ballistic rocket last week. The country successfully tested a range of land-to-land missiles and radar systems during the drills in a 35,000 square-kilometer stretch of desert in the northern Iranian province of Semnan, the semi-official Tasnim agency reported Saturday, citing Amir Ali Hajizadeh, commander of the Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps’ aerospace division.
Russia ETFs Gain as U.S. Eases Sanctions on Russian Intelligence Agency
The United States government’s move to ease sanctions on Russian intelligence agency FSB on Thursday spurred a surge in Russia ETFs. The United States government’s move to ease sanctions on Russian intelligence agency FSB on Thursday spurred a surge in Russia ETFs.
Facebook Beats Wall St Estimates
Facebook cruised past Wall Street’s earnings and revenue expectations on Wednesday with strong growth in its mobile ad business, demonstrating that controversy over so-called “fake news” and inaccurate advertising measurements had little impact on its financial performance. With quarterly profit of $3.57 billion, more than double the $1.56 billion it reported a year ago, the company showed no signs of slowdown in growth.
Trump Antitrust Policy Awaits Sessions Vote
The Alabama senator’s confirmation as U.S. Attorney General would allow him to fill senior staff positions at the Department of Justice, including antitrust chief. The nomination of Alabama senator Jeff Sessions for U.S. Attorney General is expected to move forward Wednesday morning when the Senate Judiciary Committee reconvenes to vote on sending his name to the full Senate.
Trump has two paths he can take on marijuana legalization – …
After his inauguration on January 20, Trump signed an executive order that directs federal agencies to start rolling back the Affordable Care Act, revived two controversial oil pipelines, staged a war on the media, and played a game of chicken with the president of Mexico. But we still don’t know much about Trump’s plans for marijuana legalization.
81 Years of Social Security’s Maximum Taxable Earnings in 1 Chart
Social Security income is vital to the financial well-being of a majority of seniors during retirement. Data from the Social Security Administration shows that better than three in five retired workers rely on their Social Security benefits for at least half of their monthly income during retirement.
Sources: U.S. Border Patrol Chief Morgan Asked to Leave the Agency
U.S. Border Patrol Chief Mark Morgan, a former longtime Federal Bureau of Investigation agent, has left the agency, two sources familiar with his departure told Reuters on Thursday. Morgan told employees on a phone call Thursday morning that he was not resigning but had been asked to leave by the Trump administration, said a Department of Homeland Security official who spoke on the condition of anonymity.
Trump bashed the unemployment rate. What happens now that he’s in charge of it?
During the campaign, Donald Trump called the official unemployment rate published by the Labor Department “such a phony number,” “one of the biggest hoaxes in American modern politics,” and “the biggest joke there is.” He variously described the real rate as 18, 19, 20, 21, 22 , 24 , 25, 28, 29, 30 and 35 percent .
Trump Looks for Markets to Go ‘Up, Up, Up’ After Dow Hits 20,000
The president said he is looking for markets to continue to rise after the Dow Jones Industrial Average crossed the 20,000 milestone on Wednesday. President Donald Trump, who just months ago said the market was in a “big, fat, ugly bubble,” has become much more bullish since his inauguration about the state of affairs on Wall Street.
Trump Calls For More U.S. Jobs, Factories Ahead of Auto CEO Meeting
U.S. President Donald Trump on Tuesday will push the chief executives of General Motors, Ford Motor and Fiat Chrysler Automobiles to increase production in the United States and boost American employment. “I want new plants to be built here for cars sold here!” Trump said in a tweet ahead of the breakfast meeting with automakers, saying he would discuss U.S. jobs with the chief executives.
Pai ‘deeply grateful’ to be new FCC chairman
President Donald Trump on Monday picked a fierce critic of the Obama-era “net neutrality” rules to be chief regulator of the nation’s airwaves and internet connections. In a statement, Ajit Pai said he was grateful to the president for choosing him as the next chairman of the Federal Communications Commission.
Trump picks PIO to head communications body
WASHINGTON: US President Donald Trump has picked Ajit Vardaraj Pai, an outspoken opponent of new net neutrality, to head the crucial Federal Communications Commission , making him the fourth Indian-American in the administration at the senior level. “I am deeply grateful to the President of the United States for designating me the 34th cairman of the Federal Communications Commission,” Pai said in a statement.
Trump’s Telecom Chief Is Ajit Pai, Critic Of Net Neutrality Rules
Ajit Pai, the senior Republican on the Federal Communications Commission, will be the country’s new chief telecommunications regulator. He’s a proponent of limited government and a free-market approach to regulations.
Trump Adviser Kellyanne Conway Says Obamacare – Penalty’ Will End
Kellyanne Conway, a key adviser to President Donald Trump, said the new administration plans to end the Affordable Care Act’s requirement that most people have health insurance, a step that could destabilize the law’s markets. Conway, in an interview airing Sunday on NBC News’ “Sunday Today With Willie Geist,” appeared to indicate that the law’s requirement that most employers offer coverage to their full-time workers would also end.
Trump’s Inaugural TV Ratings Fall Short of Obama’s in 2009
Nearly 31 million people watched President Donald Trump’s inauguration, falling short of the audience that tuned in for Barack Obama eight years ago, according to Nielsen. Fox News topped all broadcast and cable networks with 8.4 million viewers for its coverage from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. It’s a sign that a Trump presidency may bode well for the channel, which is owned by Rupert Murdoch’s 21st Century Fox Inc. CNN averaged 2.5 million viewers, and MSNBC had 1.35 million viewers during the same eight-hour period.
Author Sued for “Children’s Versions” of ‘Breakfast at Tiffany’s,’ ‘2001: A Space Odyssey’
Big publishers and the estates of Truman Capote, Jack Kerouac, Ernest Hemingway and Arthur C. Clarke have teamed up for a copyright lawsuit. Swedish author Fredrik Colting, who infamously went to court a decade ago after writing a “sequel” to J.D. Salinger’s classic novel, Catcher in the Rye , is now in a legal dispute for allegedly infringing the copyright to four classic novels – Breakfast at Tiffany’s , The Old Man and The Sea , On the Road , and 2001: A Space Odyssey .
As tax season approaches, so do scammers
Last summer, Cindy Hockenberry decided she’d had it with threatening phone calls claiming she was behind on her taxes. Sometimes the calls were automated.
Rolls-Royce To Pay $800M to U.S., U.K., Brazil in Bribery Settlements
Rolls-Royce has agreed in principle to settle bribery and corruption cases with U.S., U.K. and Brazilian authorities by paying the equivalent of more than $800 million to the three countries, the company said in a news release Monday. Rolls-Royce said it has cooperated with authorities on the cases, which involve bribery and corruption of intermediaries in overseas markets, concerns about which the company said it passed to the SFO from 2012 onwards.
Trump Offers Britain Quick Trade Accord as He Shuns Europe
U.S. President-elect Donald Trump said he would offer the U.K. a quick and “fair” trade deal when he meets Prime Minister Theresa May shortly after taking office, as he signaled a major shift in trans-Atlantic relations. “We’re gonna work very hard to get it done quickly and done properly.
SEC’s Power to Recoup Illegal Profits Draws High Court Scrutiny
The U.S. Supreme Court agreed to rule on the scope of a favorite tool used by securities regulators to recoup money from people found to have violated federal laws. The court said it will decide whether the Securities and Exchange Commission is bound by a five-year statute of limitations when it seeks “disgorgement,” or the return of illegal profits.
Hillary Clinton Email Criminal Investigation to Reopen
Fox News Senior Judicial Analyst Judge Andrew Napolitano says the Hillary Clinton e-mail investigation is about to be re-open. Editor’s Note: The Justice Department’s Office of the Inspector General announced Thursday it will launch an internal probe on the Federal Bureau of Investigation handling of Hillary Clinton email investigation, according to The Wall Street Journal .