1. Obama to propose $10-a-barrel oil tax
President Obama is proposing a $10-a-barrel tax on oil in a budget proposal to be unveiled next week. The White House said the tax would raise $20 billion a year for mass transit systems and clean energy technology. "The president's plan creates a clear incentive for private sector innovation to reduce our reliance on oil," the White House said. The fee could raise gas prices by 25 cents a gallon, and is considered unlikely to make it through the Republican-controlled Congress.
2. Shrekli declines to answer lawmakers' questions
Widely reviled former Turing Pharmaceuticals CEO Martin Shkreli invoked his Fifth Amendment right against self-incrimination on Thursday and refused to answer questions at a congressional hearing. Members of the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform summoned Shkreli — known in the media as "Pharma Bro" — to discuss his price hike for a life-saving pill to $750 each from $13.50. Despite his silence at the hearing, Shkreli tweeted afterwards: "Hard to accept that these imbeciles represent the people in our government."
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3. US adds 151,000 jobs in January, unemployment rate falls
Following a December boom, job growth cooled in January, with the nation slightly disappointing expectations with the addition of only 151,000 jobs. The unemployment rate, however, dropped to 4.9 percent, the first time it has started with the numeral "4" since February 2008.
4. Obama administration says ObamaCare sign-ups on target
The Obama administration announced Thursday that 12.7 million people signed up for individual private insurance policies or renewed their coverage for 2016 under President Obama's signature health-care law. ObamaCare "is helping millions of people and has become an important part of health care in America, said Health and Human Services Secretary Sylvia M. Burwell. The number fell in the range of government forecasts for sign-ups. Polls show Americans remain divided over the law.
5. Playboy offers sneak peek at first non-nude issue
Playboy on Thursday provided a preview of its first non-nude issue, due for release next week. The March edition of the men's magazine features women in provocative poses and revealing clothing, but none of the fully nude women the publication was known for over decades. The cover features social media star Sarah McDaniel gazing into the camera as if in a Snapchat selfie, with "heyyy ;)" printed underneath. Playboy, which is trying to adjust to online competition, tweeted McDaniel's picture with the caption, "Say hello to a new era."
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