Johnson & Johnson fined $4.14 billion, new hurdle in AT&T-Time Warner deal, and more top news

The news professionals are talking about now, curated by LinkedIn’s editors. Join the conversation on today's stories in the comments.

Johnson & Johnson has been found liable for having traces of asbestos in their talcum powder products. A Missouri judge ordered the health care giant to pay $4.14 billion in punitive damages after 22 women claimed the products gave them cancer. J&J was also ordered to pay the women compensatory damages of $550 million. This case is the biggest against the company thus far surrounding allegations that its talcum powder causes cancer. ? Here’s what people are saying.

The Justice Department is appealing a June ruling that would allow AT&T to merge with Time Warner. A judge had previously ruled that the government failed to prove its argument that the merger would harm the pay-TV market, thus allowing the merger to go through without conditions. The Justice Department believes that the “combined company would decrease competition and raise prices for consumers.” AT&T's lawyers say they're ready to defend that decision. ? Here’s what people are saying.

Seven fast-food chains have agreed to remove “no-poach” clauses from contracts blamed for locking workers into low-wage jobs. The provisions prohibit employees from going to another restaurant within the same chain, depriving workers of leverage with their bosses. The agreement, reached with Washington state, will apply nationally as the chains — including McDonald's, Buffalo Wild Wings and Auntie Annie's — have said they won't enforce the clauses elsewhere. ? Here’s what people are saying.

Investigators are looking into whether Facebook adequately warned investors that it had shared customer data to third parties, reports The Wall Street Journal. The SEC's probe comes after revelations that the political consulting firm Cambridge Analytica had used Facebook user data to help President Trump win the 2016 election. The investigation is also looking at how much Facebook knew about the U.K.-based firm's use of that data. ? Here’s what people are saying.

The Build-A-Bear “pay your age” promotion to attract customers seems to have worked a little too well, with overwhelming crowd numbers forcing a shutdown of the retailer’s U.S. and Canadian stores. Thousands of people showed up to the stores hoping to walk away with bears for as little as $1. The company said in a statement it had issued waiting guests vouchers for future purchases. ? Here’s what people are saying.

Idea of the Day: Consider allowing more flexible conditions for your workers, suggests Samantha Lee Dousouky, a director of strategic sourcing.

“You will most probably gain a very dedicated employee who loves their job and will save you so much more than you imagine.”

What's your take on today’s stories? Share your thoughts in the comments.

— Carmel Melouney and Jessica Hartogs