Business Briefs – March 29, 2017

Environmental Groups File Lawsuit Over Trump Climate Actions

CHICAGO (AP) – Environmental groups and an American Indian tribe have filed the first lawsuit challenging President Donald Trump’s plans to roll back U.S. efforts to curb global warming. They’re asking a federal court to block an order that lifts a moratorium on new coal leases on federal lands. Mr. Trump’s executive order also includes reviewing former President Obama’s plan to restrict greenhouse gas emissions from coal-fired power plants.

Tracking Phones: Insurers Deny Claims Based on Doubtful Data

HARTFORD, Conn. (AP) – Some experts say insurers are misusing information from cell towers to pinpoint people’s whereabouts. The information has come under question at criminal trials; experts say phones can actually be 20 miles away when connecting to a tower. An Iowa woman was acquitted last month of arson and insurance fraud in a case that centered on cellphone tower information.

Dirty Air From Global Trade Kills at Home and Abroad

WASHINGTON (AP) – A study that measures the human toll of air pollution from global manufacturing and trade shows how buying goods made far away can lead to premature deaths both there and close to home. More than 750,000 people die prematurely from dirty air that is generated by making goods in one location that will be sold elsewhere. Consumption in Western Europe and the U.S. are linked to the most air pollution deaths elsewhere, often in China and India.

President’s Budget Priorities Set Small Businesses Strategizing

NEW YORK (AP) – The priorities laid out in President Donald Trump’s budget message have some small business owners strategizing. For some, it’s how they might benefit from a big boost in defense spending, and others it’s about how to make up for any revenue they might lose to cuts in grant programs and subsidies. Mr. Trump’s plan is far from the final word on the subject, but it gives small business owners a sense of his goals.

Windows Update Will Bring 3-D, Game Tools and Doodling

NEW YORK (AP) – A major update to Microsoft’s Windows 10 system will start reaching consumers and businesses on April 11. New features include 3-D drawing tools, game-broadcasting capabilities, doodling on maps and photos and better ways to manage your web browsing. Microsoft will also make updates less disruptive.