Новости за 17.06.2015

WASHINGTON (AP) — Federal transit officials said Wednesday they are ordering the inspection of ventilation systems in train tunnels nationwide after an electrical malfunction filled a train inside a Washington tunnel with smoke, leading to a passenger's death. The Department of Transportation's Federal Transit Administration will require an audit at 25 public rail systems that have tunnels. The National Transportation Safety Board recommended a need for the audit in February, about a month after the Jan. Читать дальше...

WASHINGTON (AP) — The Federal Reserve took note Wednesday of a strengthening U.S. economy and appears on track to raise interest rates this year for the first time in nearly a decade. In a statement after its latest policy meeting, the Fed noted that the job market, the housing industry and consumer spending are all improving. "If you're an investor trying to get a clear view of what monetary policy might be going forward, there is still a great deal of uncertainty," said Carl Tannenbaum, chief economist at Northern Trust. Читать дальше...

ANCHORAGE, Alaska (AP) — Lightning sparked nearly a dozen new wildfires in Alaska as firefighters struggled Wednesday to keep up with two major fires threatening rural highway communities. After clearing U.S. Customs and having their tanks steamed for invasive species, they'll head to fires, Mowry said. Firefighters worked to protect structures and keep the fire from jumping the Kenai River to homes on its south side. The new fire burned 150 acres of mountain hemlock and spruce in steep terrain... Читать дальше...

CVS drugstores that quit tobacco sales last year are now getting health and beauty makeovers and a shot of ethnic diversity in some cases to attract customers who want more than a prescription refill. The nation's second-largest drugstore chain said Wednesday that it is adding fresh foods, healthy snacks and expanded beauty options to many of its locations. They've also added clinics and expanded their health care services in part to get more business from aging baby boomers and people who are... Читать дальше...

WASHINGTON (AP) — Congressional Republicans will move to temporarily continue health care subsidies for millions of people if the Supreme Court overturns the aid, according to plans discussed in the House and Senate Wednesday. Republicans on both sides of the Capitol met privately to discuss how to respond to the politically explosive ruling that's expected in the next two weeks and could result in some 7 million people losing subsidies to buy coverage under President Barack Obama's contested health care law. Читать дальше...

The film, written and directed by Famuyiwa, centers on a flat-topped, punk-playing, self-professed geek named Malcolm (newcomer Shameik Moore) who's trying to get into Harvard when a fleeing drug dealer (A$AP Rocky) stuffs his backpack full of drugs. Along with the film debut of Rocky, whose second album debuted at No. 1 on Billboard's chart last week, Pharrell Williams is a producer and wrote several songs for the soundtrack. "Dope" caused a sensation at the Sundance Film Festival, sparking a bidding war won by Open Road Films... Читать дальше...

CHICAGO (AP) — Two passenger jets simultaneously began to take off on intersecting runways at Chicago's Midway International Airport, forcing controllers to order one to halt to avoid a collision. The Federal Aviation Administration says it is investigating Tuesday night's incident in which a Southwest Airlines flight to Tulsa, Oklahoma, had been cleared for takeoff.

NEW YORK (AP) — Three New York postal workers have been accused of playing the Grinch and stealing gifts destined for underprivileged children by rigging the Operation Santa program where they worked. Federal criminal charges including conspiracy and mail fraud against two current and one former postal worker were unsealed Wednesday in federal court.

Goldman Sachs plans to start lending money directly to consumers and small businesses, according to an internal memo released to The Associated Press. The Goldman name may be well known to Americans, but not its services, which have focused on raising money for larger businesses and providing financial advice to wealthy individuals. Goldman hired an executive from credit card company Discover Financial in May to lead the firm's entry into consumer and personal lending, according to the memo, which was circulated to employees last month. Читать дальше...

FedEx's latest quarterly results missed Wall Street expectations, as lower fuel surcharges and the strong dollar cut into revenue at its big express-shipping business. FedEx reported a loss of $895 million, or $3.16 per share, in the quarter ended May 31, as results were dragged down by a $2.2 billion charge for a change in accounting of pension costs. The Memphis, Tennessee-based company said it would have earned $2.66 per share excluding the pension change, a write-down of aircraft, legal costs... Читать дальше...

Senate Judiciary Chairman Larry Martin says debate on allowing the roads bill to be considered could block the Senate from passing a budget for the fiscal year that starts July 1, and he won't allow that to happen. Both Republican and Democratic House leaders are frustrated by the Senate's inaction on an issue that lawmakers, business leaders and residents call a top priority.

(AP) — Worried that areas battered by flooding last month would see waters rise again, eastern Oklahoma residents filled thousands of sandbags on Wednesday before the remnants of Tropical Depression Bill were to arrive. Heavy rainfall and floods led to many rescues, at least 6 deaths and widespread damage. [...] state transportation officials closed highways and roads on Wednesday in at least a dozen counties due to flooding. NOAA Storm Prediction Center meteorologist Brynn Kerr said the storm's... Читать дальше...

WASHINGTON (AP) — Federal regulators have slapped restrictions on the mortgage businesses of six banks, saying they haven't fully complied with requirements imposed on them to resolve allegations that they abused the foreclosure process after the collapse of the housing market. The agency said the banks haven't met all the requirements of the 2011 enforcement orders issued by the government, which found that some lenders rushed the foreclosure process without carefully reviewing documents. A chart... Читать дальше...

The Nevada Highway Patrol said the closure lasted about 45 minutes longer than expected, with the popular route shut down in the southbound lanes near the California border from 1 a.m. until 4:45 a.m. Wednesday. Most of the 500 vehicles that took the planned exit to the Nevada resort town of Primm were semi-trucks and most of the vehicles were not from Nevada, authorities said.

The commission, however, found that Uber acted like an employer, and the driver, like a delivery person for a pizza parlor, was an employee. The ruling is among legal challenges facing the company, along with Lyft, another ride-hailing service, from drivers seeking benefits and protections afforded to regular workers.

SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — Google's Nest Labs is releasing new versions of its surveillance-video camera and talking smoke detector as part of its attempt to turn homes into yet another thing that can be controlled and tracked over the Internet. Like several other technology companies, Google is implanting its own products and services into homes as more appliances and other gadgets feed into an Internet-connected matrix. Google and other technology companies will still need to overcome people's concerns... Читать дальше...

Stocks are closing higher after the Federal Reserve kept its benchmark interest rate unchanged at historic lows. The Fed has kept its benchmark rate near zero for more than six years in an effort to bolster the economy and encourage borrowing, lending and investment.

The number of millionaires in the country rose 26 percent last year, the biggest percentage gain among major countries in a report out Wednesday showing the ranks of millionaires around the world at a record. The number of people worth $1 million or more around the world rose by 920,000 to a record 14.6 million last year, according to an annual tally from consultant Capgemini and RBC Wealth Management. More than a third of new millionaires — 345,000 — were in the U.S., where a broad index of stocks... Читать дальше...

TAYLORS, S.C. (AP) — Two people have died after their car was struck by a train at a crossing in Greenville County. Multiple media outlets reported the collision happened around 10:30 p.m. Tuesday in Taylors. South Carolina Highway Patrol Lance Cpl. Gary Miller said the driver of the car ignored flashing lights and warning signals at the crossing. Miller said the driver and a passenger died at the scene. The Greenville County Coroner's office identified the dead as 23-year-old Reginald Mitchell II and 61-year-old Carolyn Mitchell. Читать дальше...

PROVIDENCE, R.I. (AP) — More than a dozen children at a day care have been given preventative antibiotics as a precaution after a toddler there died of a suspected bacterial infection, the state Department of Health said Wednesday. Children's Workshop President and CEO Maggie Teller said the day care remains open, and staff members are working closely with the Health Department and the state Department of Children, Youth and Families. [...] the department is working to confirm that the infection was caused by meningococcal bacteria... Читать дальше...

WASHINGTON (AP) — A high-ranking Senate Democrat is probing retailers and online companies about sales of dubious dietary supplements, especially those promising seniors protection from memory loss, dementia and other age-related problems. The pills, tablets and formulas targeted by Senator Claire McCaskill bear names like Brain Awake, ''Dementia Drops and Food for the Brain, which claims to ease forms of dementia such as Alzheimer's disease. In letters sent this week to 15 companies — including Wal-Mart... Читать дальше...

The Federal Communications Commission said Wednesday that the company misled consumers into buying plans they believed would give them unlimited ability to send and receive data, including Web browsing, GPS navigation and streaming videos. "The FCC has specifically identified this practice as a legitimate and reasonable way to manage network resources for the benefit of all customers, and has known for years that all of the major carriers use it," the company said in a statement released to reporters. Читать дальше...

The far-north state is sweltering under unusually hot, dry weather that has broken records and intensified conditions fueling two large wildfires. The Alaska panhandle town of Sitka, some 600 miles southeast of Anchorage, on Tuesday recorded a high of 77, breaking the 65-year-old record of 71. The lack of snow has meant less moisture to melt into the ground during the spring thaw, resulting in abnormally dry conditions at the start of fire season. On top of that, relative humidity plummets as temperatures heat up... Читать дальше...

FAIRBANKS, Alaska (AP) — A family is reunited with their cat Moosie after the 2-year-old gray tabby survived a two-month journey trapped inside a mattress when its owners moved to their new home in Alaska. A moving company left with their belongings, but the Chelfs spent three more days in Texas searching for their feline friend.

(AP) — Gov. Bruce Rauner has said that he wants to reduce Amtrak train service in the state starting July 1, but the Illinois Department of Transportation hasn't informed the national rail line about any cuts to its state aid, according to an Amtrak spokesman. Rauner announced a new round of cuts to state programs Friday as he continues to negotiate with Democratic leaders in the Illinois Legislature, namely Democratic House Speaker Michael Madigan and Senate President John Cullerton, over the state budget. Читать дальше...