Feb 05 U.S. employers add just 49,000 jobs as unemployment falls to 6.3 percent By Christopher Rugaber, Associated Press U.S employers added just 49,000 jobs in January, a sign that that the viral pandemic retains a tight grip on the economy nearly a year after it triggered a painful recession. Continue reading
Feb 05 Senate approves fast-track of COVID-19 aid, Harris casts tie-breaker By Josh Boak, Associated Press The Senate has approved a measure that would let Democrats muscle through President Joe Biden's $1.9 trillion coronavirus relief plan without Republican support. Vice President Kamala Harris was in the chair to cast the tie-breaking vote, her first. Continue reading
Feb 04 Sanders, Ocasio-Cortez seek climate emergency declaration By Matthew Daly, Associated Press A week after President Joe Biden signed signed executive orders intended to combat the worst effects of climate change, progressive lawmakers are urging him to go even further and declare a national emergency on climate change. Continue reading
Feb 04 McKinsey & Company agrees to pay nearly $600 million over opioid crisis By Geoff Mulvihill, Associated Press In a deal announced Thursday with attorneys general for most states, the company agreed to make public documents showing communications with OxyContin maker Purdue Pharma and three other companies that have been in the opioid business. Continue reading
Feb 04 WATCH: Dems push Biden to cancel $50,000 in student loan debt By Associated Press Sen. Elizabeth Warren says data shows that canceling federal student debt would result in higher incomes, more jobs, greater homeownership rates and more small business formation. Continue reading
Feb 04 Myanmar’s new military government blocks Facebook By Associated Press Myanmar's new military government blocked access to Facebook as resistance to Monday's coup surged amid calls for civil disobedience to protest the ousting of the elected government and its leader, Aung San Suu Kyi. Continue reading
Feb 04 WATCH: Labor Secretary nominee Marty Walsh testifies before Senate committee By Associated Press If the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee approves the Walsh nomination, the full Senate will make a final vote in the coming days. Continue reading
Feb 04 WATCH: Experts, leaders testify before House on the small business economy during COVID-19 By Joyce M. Rosenberg, Associated Press As the U.S. economy undergoes an uneven recovery from the virus pandemic, many small business owners face a tough decision on whether and when to take on employees. Continue reading
Feb 04 U.S. unemployment claims fall to 779,000 but job cuts grind on By Christopher Rugaber, Associated Press The number of Americans seeking unemployment benefits declined to 779,000 last week, a still-historically high total that shows that a sizable number of people keep losing jobs to the viral pandemic. Continue reading
Feb 03 Watch 7:04 How unconventional trading led to turmoil on Wall Street By Paul Solman, Lee Koromvokis In late January, a handful of unlikely Wall Street stocks began skyrocketing in value, which has led to big market volatility. The spike was driven by an unconventional group of traders who had banded together on a buying spree, determined… Continue watching