Military releases report on sex case discipline
WASHINGTON – The U.S. military says it fired or disciplined nearly 500 workers for sexual harassment in a 12-month period, and nearly 13 percent of the complaints filed involved repeat offenders.
The Pentagon released its first formal report on sexual harassment in a briefing Thursday that came amid criticism from Congress over how the department handles sexual assaults and related crimes.
The report says 1,366 reports of sexual harassment were filed in the fiscal year that ended Sept. 30. The cases involved 496 offenders across the services and National Guard. Officials say the harassment is vastly underreported.
Republicans block bid to renew tax breaks
WASHINGTON – Senate Republicans blocked a bill Thursday that would renew more than 50 expired tax breaks affecting millions of businesses and individuals.
The bill has widespread bipartisan support, but Republicans were unhappy because Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, D-Nev., wouldn’t agree to vote on GOP amendments. A similar dispute derailed an energy bill earlier this week.
“Why are Washington Democrats so afraid of a free and open exchange of ideas?” Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., said. “What are they afraid of?”
Reid called the dispute over amendments a “phony issue.”
FCC OKs proposed rules for Internet
NEW YORK – The Federal Communications Commission voted to go forward with the proposal of new rules that could set standards for Internet providers who wish to create paid priority fast lanes on their networks.
The preliminary vote submits the so-called net neutrality rules for formal public comment. After the 120-day period ends, the FCC will revise the proposal and vote on a final set of rules.
A previous set of rules from 2010 was struck down by an appeals court in January after Verizon challenged them.
The FCC says the rules currently proposed follow the blueprint set forth by that court decision. But the commission also will consider the possibility of defining Internet service providers as “common carriers,” like utilities, which could subject them to a higher level of regulation.
No MERS found among Florida health workers
ORLANDO, Fla. – The Florida Department of Health says all health care workers who came into contact with a Saudi resident infected with the second confirmed MERS case in the U.S. have tested negative for the rare virus.
Officials said in a statement Thursday that they are working closely with Orlando’s Dr. P. Phillips Hospital and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to ensure appropriate care for the 44-year-old man. He remains hospitalized, but is improving.
FDH says there is no broad risk of MERS infection for the general public.
The patient with whom the workers came into contact arrived at Phillips on May 8. Three days earlier, the patient had visited Orlando Regional Medical Center.
MERS is a respiratory illness that begins with flu-like symptoms, but can lead to shortness of breath, pneumonia and death.
Associated Press
