What We’re Watching Monday

Good Morning. It’s December 2, 2013 and here’s some of the news on our radar today.

Rebuilding Healthcare.gov

• The Department of Health and Human Services says it has met goal of getting the Healthcare.gov web site to run smoothly, now serving 9 out of 10 users.

• The site’s capacity to serve users has now doubled to 800,000 per day, but the agency warns peak volumes may yet overwhelm it before the December 23 deadline.

Black Friday Aftermath

• The National Retail Federation estimates that shoppers spent nearly 3% less this holiday weekend than last year. Deep discounts cut into retail profits, while online sales soared.

  Ukraine EU Protests

• Thousands of pro-EU protesters rallied in Kiev, blocking entrances to the main government building and demanding the ouster of Prime Minister Nikolai Azarov.

Thailand Protests

• After a violent weekend, Thailand’s Prime Minster Yingluck Shinawatra says she will “open every door” to peaceful resolution, but rejects handing over power. The protesters are refusing to negotiate.

New York Train Derailment

• An investigation underway in the crash of a New York City commuter train that killed 4 and injured more than 60 on Sunday.

• The aftermath of the crash is complicating the commute for thousands of New Yorkers.