Economists think immigration boosts growth. So why does Trump want to cut it?

Aug 3, 2017
President Trump threw his weight behind a massive change to U.S. immigration policy this week, supporting a proposal that would cut legal immigration to the U.S. in half during the next decade. The bill would limit the ability of legal residents and American citizens to bring family members to the country in favor of highly […]

U.S. considering action against China over trade

Aug 2, 2017
The White House is planning to investigate China for unfair trade practices — specifically over intellectual property, or IP. U.S. companies that want to do business in China often have to turn over their IP in order to do so — plans, blueprints and technical specifications. The longstanding allegation is that Chinese companies then steal […]

O Canada! You're making it easier for tech workers to immigrate

Aug 1, 2017
In Canada, the tech scene is strong and growing, especially in Ontario. Competition for talent is tough with Silicon Valley in the picture, but with the U.S.’s stricter stance on immigration, Canada has been trying to capitalize on the uncertainty. It’s making it easier for tech workers around the world to move there.  Click the […]

Why the oil industry may be the most corrupt in the world

Jul 31, 2017
Two cases of illegal payments and bribery came to light recently. One is against the oil services company Halliburton in Angola. The other involves a mining subsidiary of Glencore doing business in the Democratic Republic of Congo. With government heavily involved and centralizing many so-called extractive industries, drilling and mining are more prone to corruption […]

Tax reform is the next battleground

Jul 31, 2017
With the drama around health care refusing to die, legislators already have begun the next big policy effort on the Hill: tax reform. Congressional Republican leaders last week laid out what they want — permanent tax reductions is what it boils down to. And conservative organizations and grassroots groups are getting ready to blast Congress […]

EPA turns to environmental cleanup, away from climate change

Jul 31, 2017
Tomorrow , the Senate subcommittee that oversees the EPA’s Superfund program is scheduled to hold a hearing on the program’s work. That’s the initiative, begun in 1980, that cleans up sites contaminated with hazardous materials. Under EPA Administrator Scott Pruitt, the agency is refocusing its attention toward environmental cleanups. But that doesn’t necessarily mean many […]

How close are we to tax reform?

Jul 28, 2017
Budget Director Mick Mulvaney says the White House and Republicans in Congress are on the same page, but questions remain.
Mick Mulvaney, director of the Office of Management and Budget, testifies during a Financial Services and General Government Subcommittee hearing on the budget on Capitol Hill in June.
Astrid Riecken/Getty Images

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Scaramucci's hedge fund sale to Chinese firm could pose a conflict of interest

Jul 27, 2017
Anthony Scaramucci, the new White House communications director, still has pending business with China. His hedge fund firm, SkyBridge Capital, will be sold to a Chinese company, the HNA Group, once regulators sign off. The Wall Street Journal reports the deal could be worth $250 million and that Scaramucci himself stands to earn between $62 […]

Avocado lovers, rejoice! Prices are starting to stabilize

Jul 27, 2017
Some good news for avocado fans: After hitting record highs this year, the price of the creamy superfruit is beginning to stabilize. The news comes as U.S. Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue visits with his counterpart today in Mexico, where most of the avocados consumed in the U.S. are grown. We explore avocado’s recent ups and […]

How POTUS could get his WOTUS repeal fast tracked

Jul 27, 2017
A House energy and water spending bill has a provision that would help the Trump administration get its desired repeal of the Waters of the U.S. rule, the rule by which the federal government regulates land use in the name of water quality. Click the audio player above to hear the full story.