Obama seeks ‘irreversible’ opening to CubaJAY GORY, MANAGING EDITOR, business This story is part of a weeklong Yahoo series marking one year since the opening of relations between the United States and Cuba. Working, eating and sleeping at the officeJAY GORY, MANAGING EDITOR, business The sight of workers sleeping on the job is common in China, where a surplus of cheap labor can lead to downtime and employees at startup companies work long hours. Sprint's new unlimited plan adds HD streaming, four lines for $90JAY GORY, MANAGING EDITOR, business The war over customers attracted to unlimited data continues to heat up, this time with Sprint adding fuel to the fire. MapR, DataStax offer options for container persistenceJAY GORY, MANAGING EDITOR, business If it's lack of options for persistence that's keeping you from using containers, maybe it's time you reconsider. Comparing unlimited plans from TJAY GORY, MANAGING EDITOR, business Who has the best unlimited wireless plan? That depends. How to make Apache more secure by hiding directory foldersJAY GORY, MANAGING EDITOR, business If you serve up your websites with Apache, you might want to prevent the server from listing subdirectories. Here are two simple tricks for securing your Apache server. German minister backs PeugeotJAY GORY, MANAGING EDITOR, business By Pamela Barbaglia and Ilona Wissenbach LONDON/FRANKFURT (Reuters) - Germany expects PSA Group's proposed acquisition of General Motors' Opel business to go ahead, a minister said on Thursday, after the U.S. carmaker sought to allay fears of large-scale plant closures. "I expect it to take place," Economy Minister Brigitte Zypries told reporters after discussions with senior executives from General Motors and PSA, maker of Peugeot and Citroen cars. The German government is "doing everything we can" to preserve Opel's domestic plants, Zypries said. U.S. court to rehear challenge to SEC judgesJAY GORY, MANAGING EDITOR, business A U.S. appeals court on Thursday said it would rehear a challenge to the Securities and Exchange Commission's use of in-house judges. The order issued by the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit wiped out a three-judge panel's August decision in favor of the commission. Oral arguments will be held on May 24. Wall Street rally loses steam as banks and energy weighJAY GORY, MANAGING EDITOR, business (Reuters) - Wall Street dipped on Thursday, weighed down by energy stocks as oil prices dropped and banks fell broadly for the first time in six days. Lenovo's data center ambitions remain work in progress following Q3 resultsJAY GORY, MANAGING EDITOR, business Lenovo's data center unit saw sales fall 20 percent in the fiscal third quarter from a year ago. Lenovo said it has a clear improvement plan in place and is investing in sales throughput. Microsoft openJAY GORY, MANAGING EDITOR, business The simulator may offer a cheap way to generate enough data to train AI systems for autonomous vehicles. Using Apple in the enterprise: Factors to considerJAY GORY, MANAGING EDITOR, business Apple is making a big push for business customers, so how do tech chiefs feel about the prospects for using Apple products at work? This peerJAY GORY, MANAGING EDITOR, business An IBM and Weather Company Android app is designed to save lives by spreading warnings of impending disasters. IBM, Visa partner to make the Internet of things commerce friendlyJAY GORY, MANAGING EDITOR, business IBM will connect its Watson IoT platform with Visa's token technology to allow devices to conduct commerce on your behalf. The move may enable new business models. As Couchbase 4.6 goes GA, NoSQL finds its grooveJAY GORY, MANAGING EDITOR, business Couchbase proves it: match the right database, with the right features, to the right class of application, and Enterprise NoSQL ceases to be a contradiction in terms. Why Facebook could be where you find your next tech jobJAY GORY, MANAGING EDITOR, business Facebook launched its new job search feature this week, setting to compete with LinkedIn, Indeed, and others. Microsoft's Surface Book, Surface Pro: Hefty price hikes blamed on Brexit impactJAY GORY, MANAGING EDITOR, business Microsoft has raised the UK price of its Surface Book and Surface Pro in response to the Brexit-weakened pound. Apple's WWDC event will kick off June 5 in San JoseJAY GORY, MANAGING EDITOR, business This year Apple is expected to introduce iOS 11, macOS 10.13, and updates to watchOS and tvOS. Cisco's Q2 highlights enterprise tech shifts: Here are six takeawaysJAY GORY, MANAGING EDITOR, business Cisco's second quarter was solid, but more notable was the data center shifts the company highlighted. Microsoft's AI system for training autonomous cars and drones goes open sourceJAY GORY, MANAGING EDITOR, business Microsoft's AirSim is a platform for researchers to work with technologies like deep learning and computer vision to improve the operation of autonomous vehicles. Microsoft tries again to tackle healthcare with new services, toolsJAY GORY, MANAGING EDITOR, business Microsoft is trying again to tackle the healthcare market with a concerted strategy involving artificial intelligence, productivity tools, and partnerships. GM tries to reassure UK, Germany over PeugeotJAY GORY, MANAGING EDITOR, business By Pamela Barbaglia and Ilona Wissenbach LONDON/FRANKFURT (Reuters) - General Motors has played down the possibility of large-scale factory closures in Germany and Britain following any deal to sell its European brands to Peugeot maker PSA Group , according to officials in both countries. News of the talks between the two automakers earlier this week sparked particular concern in Germany and Britain, where Opel and Vauxhall employ thousands of workers. JPMorgan moving mortgages online to please paperJAY GORY, MANAGING EDITOR, business JPMorgan Chase & Co is gradually introducing a digital mortgage platform where customers can apply online and track applications by mobile phone. The tools will allow customers to submit and sign documents online and exchange messages with bank staff and real-estate agents so loans can close more quickly and easily, consumer mortgage chief Mike Weinbach said in an interview. "This platform will allow us to be where more of our customers are, which is online and on their phones," Weinbach said. U.S. housing starts fall; building permits hit oneJAY GORY, MANAGING EDITOR, business U.S. homebuilding fell in January as the construction of multi-family housing projects dropped, but upward revisions to the prior month's data and a jump in permits to a one-year high suggested the housing recovery remained on track. Factory activity in the mid-Atlantic region vaulted to a 33-year high in February and the number of new applications for unemployment benefits was less than expected last week. "There is not much to complain about the economy as housing and manufacturing are improving and the labor market remains tight. Wall Street record rally falters as banks, health stocks weighJAY GORY, MANAGING EDITOR, business The six-day streak was sparked a week back by President Donald Trump's vow of a 'phenomenal' tax announcement, and fueled by optimism that his plans for corporate deregulation will expand the economy. Lone hacker Rasputin breaches 60 universities, federal agenciesJAY GORY, MANAGING EDITOR, business Rasputin has danced around the defenses of organizations from NYU and Oxford to the Oklahoma state government. Watch over 100 satellites deploy at the same time for India's space missionJAY GORY, MANAGING EDITOR, business India now holds the record for deploying the most satellites at the same time. For trivia buffs, Google now has 'fun facts' about living thingsJAY GORY, MANAGING EDITOR, business Add 'fun facts' to the end of a search about any living thing, and Google will give you a summary of information about it. New Microsoft Garage project aims to eliminate email search frustrationsJAY GORY, MANAGING EDITOR, business The new project, called Email Insights, was developed to make searching for emails easier-as long as you use Outlook or Gmail. U.S. weekly jobless claims rise less than expectedJAY GORY, MANAGING EDITOR, business The number of Americans filing for unemployment benefits increased less than expected last week, a sign that the labor market was continuing to tighten. Initial claims for state unemployment benefits rose 5,000 to a seasonally adjusted 239,000 for the week ended Feb. 11, the Labor Department said on Thursday. Claims have been below 300,000, a threshold associated with a strong labor market, for 102 consecutive weeks. U.S. housing starts drop; permits rise to oneJAY GORY, MANAGING EDITOR, business U.S. homebuilding fell in January as the construction of multi-family housing projects dropped, but upward revisions to the prior month's data and a jump in permits to a one-year high suggested the housing recovery remained on track. Other data on Thursday showed only a modest increase in the number of Americans filing new applications for unemployment benefits last week, a sign that the labor market was continuing to tighten. Housing starts fell 2.6 percent to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 1.25 million units last month, the Commerce Department said. Cisco helps Wall Street extend streak of record highsJAY GORY, MANAGING EDITOR, business (Reuters) - U.S. stocks eked out enough gains on Thursday for the three main indexes to notch a record intraday high for the sixth straight session, helped by gains in Cisco. Austria sues Airbus, Eurofighter consortium over suspected fraudJAY GORY, MANAGING EDITOR, business VIENNA (Reuters) - Austria filed a lawsuit on Thursday against Airbus and the Eurofighter consortium, alleging them of wilful deception and fraud linked to a 2 billion euro ($2.1 billion) order for Eurofighter jets in 2003, the defense ministry said. Wells Fargo to oppose nuns on review resolution: documentJAY GORY, MANAGING EDITOR, business The board of Wells Fargo & Co plans to oppose a resolution filed by shareholder activists led by the Sisters of St. Francis of Philadelphia seeking a review of the root causes of the bank's unauthorized accounts scandal, according to a draft document seen by Reuters. An ongoing disagreement over the resolution could complicate the bank’s drive to regain shareholder confidence. A Wells Fargo spokesman, Mark Folk, declined to comment on whether the draft was still the bank's current position. Chinese firm files complaints with Chinese government over McDonald's China saleJAY GORY, MANAGING EDITOR, business By Michelle Price and Julie Zhu HONG KONG (Reuters) - A Chinese consultancy that has previously helped to win antitrust battles against Coca-Cola and Apple has taken aim at McDonald's Corp, arguing in a complaint to regulators that the American fast food giant's China sale may hurt workers and consumers. McDonald's said last month it had agreed to sell the bulk of its China and Hong Kong business to state-backed conglomerate CITIC Ltd and U.S. private equity firm Carlyle Group LP for up to $2.1 billion, in a deal that will see the consortium act as the master franchisee for a 20-year period. The complaint, which follows allegations from a U.S. labour union that the transaction will likely lead to poorer pay and conditions for McDonald's 120,000 workers in China, could delay regulatory approval for the deal. Deutsche Boerse CEO denies insider trading allegationsJAY GORY, MANAGING EDITOR, business Deutsche Boerse's chief executive said insider trading allegations against him would prove unfounded, pointing out that he did not determine the timing of his share purchases ahead of the announcement of merger plans with the London Stock Exchange . Deutsche Boerse's supervisory board created a unique share purchase plan for CEO Carsten Kengeter that allowed him to invest 4.5 million euros ($4.8 million) in shares in the stock exchange operator at a price of 69 euros apiece in December 2015, he told a news conference on Thursday. German police and prosecutors this month searched Kengeter's office and apartment as they investigate whether secret merger talks with LSE were already under way at that time. Exclusive: Big U.S. banks to push for easing of money laundering rulesJAY GORY, MANAGING EDITOR, business WASHINGTON/NEW YORK (Reuters) - America's largest banks are to propose a complete overhaul of how financial institutions investigate and report potential criminal activity, arguing that rules imposed in the years after the Sept. 11, 2001 attacks and strengthened during the Obama administration are onerous and ineffective, sources said. The Clearing House, a trade association representing the largest U.S. banks including Goldman Sachs , JPMorgan Chase & Co and Bank of America , has long raised concerns about the effectiveness of the current rules, but this will be the first time the group has publicly called for them to be revamped. The proposal, which could be published as soon as Thursday, will set the stage for an intensive lobbying effort targeting bank regulators and members of the Senate and House of Representatives finance committees. World stocks ride to record high, dollar retreatsJAY GORY, MANAGING EDITOR, business By Marc Jones LONDON (Reuters) - World stocks hit an all time high on Thursday as the latest round of robust global data matched hopes that major economies like the United States will soon be serving up large helpings of fiscal stimulus. MSCI's All Country World index, which spans 46 countries, notched the milestone as Wall Street hit its latest record and Asia and Europe consolidated the roughly 10 percent gains both have made since mid-December. There were surges in exports from Indonesia and Taiwan, falls in unemployment in Europe from Sweden to the Netherlands while stronger U.S. retail sales and inflation data on Wednesday came as Donald Trump again promised mass tax cuts. Deutsche Boerse CEO says insider trading allegations will prove unfoundedJAY GORY, MANAGING EDITOR, business Deutsche Boerse Chief Executive Carsten Kengeter said insider trading allegations against him would prove unfounded, given he had no role in determining the timing of his share purchases ahead of the announcement of merger plans with the London Stock Exchange . "We, Deutsche Boerse and myself, are fully cooperating with the public prosecutor. Kengeter said the company was pursuing its merger with LSE and that he was engaged in a "constructive dialogue" with policymakers in Hesse, the German state where Deutsche Boerse is headquartered. Austria to sue Airbus over suspected Eurofighter fraud: APA news agencyJAY GORY, MANAGING EDITOR, business By Kirsti Knolle and Alexandra Schwarz-Goerlich VIENNA (Reuters) - Austria's defense ministry is set to file a lawsuit against Airbus accusing the planemaker of wilful deception and fraud linked to a 2 billion euro ($2.1 billion) order for Eurofighter jets in 2003, APA news agency said on Thursday. A recently completed ministry investigation, to be released on Thursday, found that Airbus and the four-nation Eurofighter consortium misled Austria with fraudulent intent about the purchase price, according to APA and ORF radio, which cited a ministry spokesman. Austria's defense ministry was not immediately available for comment. GM's Opel, Peugeot lagging rivals in strong European market: ACEAJAY GORY, MANAGING EDITOR, business BERLIN (Reuters) - General Motors and PSA Group posted weaker European sales in January than any other major carmaker as they discuss a possible purchase of GM's European auto operations by PSA. A combination between GM and PSA would create a manufacturer with about 16 percent of the European passenger car market, ahead of French rival Renault and behind Germany's Volkswagen . New passenger car registrations at PSA, including the Peugeot, Citroen and DS brands in the European Union and the European Free Trade Association rose 6.5 percent in January, compared with 5. ... Asian stocks test new 19JAY GORY, MANAGING EDITOR, business By Saikat Chatterjee HONG KONG (Reuters) - Asian stocks inched to new 19-month highs on Thursday with thanks to an ongoing rally on Wall Street and bolstered by gains in Chinese stocks while the dollar came in for a bout of profit-taking after a recent bounce. MSCI's broadest index of Asia-Pacific shares outside Japan rose 0.2 percent to its highest since July 2015. European stock markets are set to open steady to slightly higher according to index futures Wall Street pushed relentlessly into record-high territory on Wednesday, with the S&P 500 notching a seven-session winning streak. Asia stocks seen looking overvalued at 19JAY GORY, MANAGING EDITOR, business By Saikat Chatterjee HONG KONG (Reuters) - Asian stocks edged to new 19-month highs on Thursday with gains underpinned by an ongoing rally on Wall Street while the dollar came in for a bout of profit-taking after its recent bounce. MSCI's broadest index of Asia-Pacific shares outside Japan rose 0.2 percent to its highest since July 2015. Wall Street pushed relentlessly into record-high territory on Wednesday, with the S&P 500 notching a seven-session winning streak. BOJ's Kuroda warns low rates may sow seeds of new financial crisisJAY GORY, MANAGING EDITOR, business Bank of Japan Governor Haruhiko Kuroda said low profitability at financial institutions could sow the seeds of a new financial crisis, offering his strongest warning to date of the demerits of aggressive monetary easing pursued by major central banks. Mergers and consolidation may be among options for financial institutions to boost profitability, Kuroda said in an unusually frank call for bolder steps to deal with Japan's over-crowded regional banking sector. Faced with low inflation and tepid economic growth, many central banks like the BOJ, the Federal Reserve and the European Central Bank, have adopted unconventional monetary easing steps since the global financial crisis in 2008. Workers at Boeing's South Carolina plant reject unionJAY GORY, MANAGING EDITOR, business Boeing Co handily defeated a union drive by workers at the company's aircraft factory in South Carolina on Wednesday, as almost three-quarters of workers at the plant who voted rejected union representation. The secret ballot vote, conducted by the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) at polling locations throughout the North Charleston plant, was the first for Boeing and a high-profile test for organized labor in the nation's most strongly anti-union state. Boeing said in Facebook post that 74 percent of the 2,828 workers who cast ballots voted against joining the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers (IAM). Asian stocks at 1JAY GORY, MANAGING EDITOR, business Asian stocks edged up to fresh 19-month highs on Thursday, helped by an extended rally on Wall Street and strong U.S. data though the dollar stepped back after a recent bounce. It rallied to a one-month high of 101.76 on Wednesday. Wickr, the encrypted messaging app, finally goes open sourceJAY GORY, MANAGING EDITOR, business All it took was nearly five years and a shuffle of senior management. The seven most dangerous attack techniques: A SANS Institute rundownJAY GORY, MANAGING EDITOR, business From ransomware to weak random number generators, the RSA Conference explores the worst threats and how to stop them. Cisco profit beats on strong demand for security productsJAY GORY, MANAGING EDITOR, business Revenue in the security business, which offers firewall protection and breach detection systems, rose 14 percent to $528 million. To offset sluggish demand for its traditional lineup of switches and routers, Cisco has been focusing on areas such as security, the internet of things and cloud computing. Cisco said it expected an adjusted profit of 57 cents-59 cents per share for the current quarter. CBS Corp's profit beats despite drop in advertising revenueJAY GORY, MANAGING EDITOR, business Advertising sales, which accounts for half of the company's total revenue, fell 2.8 percent to $1.80 billion partially due to fewer NFL Thursday night football games this quarter as well as lower-than-expected ratings for those games. On a call with analysts Wednesday, CBS Chief Executive Officer Leslie Moonves said that CBS was in talks with the NFL about new formats to speed up games to help with ratings, but he said CBS would not cut ads. "If there are ways to do advertising in different ways, we are looking at that," Moonves said. |
