Business

President Obama walks off the stage after speaking about the Affordable Care Act during an event in the East Room of the White House on Thursday. Obama argued that the law is holding insurance companies accountable and putting money back into the pockets

White House Muddles Obamacare Messaging — Again

6:13am July 20, 2013

by Julie Rovner

This summer was supposed to be a time for the Obama administration to reintroduce the public to the Affordable Care Act and teach people how to sign up for benefits this fall. But despite another White House speech, that's not happening. And an expert in political messaging thinks he knows why.

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Nearly 60 percent of Americans have smartphones, up from just 8 percent five years ago.

Economy

New Smartphone Upgrade Plans Can Be Costly In The Long Run

6:12pm July 19, 2013

by Dan Bobkoff

Three of the four major wireless companies are out with new plans for those who want the latest smartphone sooner. The plans, with names like Verizon Edge and AT&T Next, essentially let you rent a phone for six months or a year and then trade it in for a new one — but there's a catch.

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World News

Will Robot Nannies Save Japan's Economy?

9:40am July 19, 2013

by Lisa Chow

More than half of all Japanese women quit their job after giving birth to their first child.

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In Dubai, Weight Loss Is Worth Gold

7:06am July 19, 2013

If you want people to slim down, why not reward them with gold? That's the tack being taken in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. For every kilogram lost, the government will pay out a gram of gold.

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Federal Judge Green Lights Suit Against Private Equity Firms

6:00am July 19, 2013

by Chris Arnold

The investor lawsuit claims the companies, including Blackstone, Carlyle and Bain Capital, colluded to drive down prices on hundreds of billions of dollars in takeovers.

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More than 50 people have reported being victims to the "blessing scams" in San Francisco over the last year. Their losses topped $1.5 million.

Economy

Chinatown 'Blessing Scams' Target Elderly Women

4:52pm July 18, 2013

The scam plays off cultural superstitions among older Chinese residents. In San Francisco alone, more than 50 victims have come forward since 2012, with losses that total more than $1.5 million.

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Wal-Mart Fumes Over D.C. Council Wage Vote

4:52pm July 18, 2013

by Patrick Madden

Over the strong objections of Wal-Mart, the City Council in Washington D.C. has approved a bill that would require some large retailers to pay workers a minimum of $12.50 an hour. The city's minimum wage is $8.25. Wal-Mart has threatened to scrap plans to open three stores in the city if the measure is signed by the mayor and becomes law.

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New Law Creates Business Opportunities In China

4:52pm July 18, 2013

The law requires adults to provide financial and emotional support to their elderly relatives. The Wall Street Journal reports China's version of eBay now has listings that offer services like running errands and standing in line.

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Politics & Government

Senators Express Concerns About Smithfield Foods Merger

4:52pm July 18, 2013

by John Ydstie

Smithfield CEO Larry Pope tried to reassure lawmakers that the sale of his Virginia based company will not mean a transfer of jobs to China or a reduction in food safety. He appeared before lawmakers on the Senate Agriculture Committee on Wednesday.

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Wheat grows in a test field at Oregon State University in Corvallis. Some scientists believe that there's a chance that genetically modified wheat found in one farmer's field in May is still in the seed supply.

In Oregon, The GMO Wheat Mystery Deepens

4:34pm July 18, 2013

by Dan Charles

Government investigators are trying to solve an agricultural whodunit: How did genetically engineered wheat that was never approved for sale end up in a farmer's field in Oregon? Some are raising the possibility of sabotage; others suspect simple human error.

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