INTERNET

Senate to hold symbolic vote on net neutrality

The Senate will hold a vote on Net neutrality — albeit a symbolic one. Less than a month after the Federal Communications Commission reversed Obama-era rules that prohibited Internet providers from blocking or slowing down certain websites, or accepting payment for faster service, Democratic senators have collected enough support to force a vote to block the changes from taking effect. The Democrats, led by Massachusetts Senator Ed Markey (left), are using a vehicle known as a Congressional Review Act, or CRA, which is essentially an official form of disapproval of the FCC’s action. If passed, it would block the commission’s new rules. If 30 senators call for a CRA, they can make the entire Senate vote on it. Claire McCaskill became the 30th senator to get behind Markey’s move. None of them are Republicans. To take effect, the CRA would need majority votes in both houses, in addition to sign-off from the president. Given that Republicans have almost unanimously supported the FCC’s new rules, the prospects for the CRA are dim. But in this case having a vote is the entire point. Democrats are eager to make Net neutrality a political issue, and they want Republicans on record taking a stance they’re convinced will be unpopular. — BLOOMBERG NEWS

MEDIA

Vermont editor fired for tweet

The editor of Vermont’s largest newspaper, who was fired after a series of tweets about a state proposal to add a third gender option to driver licenses, said he voiced the wrong opinion. Gannett, the owner of the Burlington Free Press, said former editor Denis Finley violated the company’s social media guidelines. Finley was criticized after tweeting about the possibility of adding a third gender option on driver’s licenses. On Friday, he tweeted: ‘‘Awesome! That makes us one step closer to the apocalypse.’’ In a story published on the newspaper’s website Monday, the Free Press said Finley ‘‘left the company.’’ USA Today Network vice president Randy Lovely said Finley’s tweets failed to adhere to company policies. Finley said Tuesday his comments were ‘‘intended to question why the state would sponsor a third sex on driver’s licenses.’’ — ASSOCIATED PRESS

AUTOMOBILES

Toyota recalling 601,000 more vehicles over defective airbags

Toyota is recalling 601,000 more vehicles in the United States to replace defective and potentially deadly Takata airbag inflators. The company said the recall covers the Toyota Corolla and Matrix, Scion xB, Lexus IS250 and 350, and the Lexus IS-F from 2009, 2010, and 2013. Also covered are the 2010 and 2013 Toyota 4-Runner, Lexus IS250C and 350C, and Lexus GX460, as well as the 2009 and 2010 Toyota Yaris and Lexus ES350, and the 2013 Toyota Sienna. The recalls came after Takata revealed that another 3.3 million inflators are defective. Its inflators can explode with too much force and hurl shrapnel. At least 20 people have died worldwide and more than 280 have been hurt. Owners will be notified by March and dealers will replace front passenger inflators or airbag assemblies. — ASSOCIATED PRESS

EMPLOYMENT

Fewer jobs posted in November

Employers posted fewer open jobs in November, the second straight month of decline after openings reached a record high in September. The Labor Department said Tuesday that the number of available jobs slipped 0.8 percent to 5.88 million, down from 5.93 million in October. September’s peak was 6.18 million. Job openings are still 4.4 percent higher than a year ago. — ASSOCIATED PRESS

MEDIA

Virgin Trains, Daily Mail feud over newspaper’s editorial stances

Virgin Trains and the Daily Mail are sparring in Britain after the rail operator said it had stopped stocking the newspaper on its west coast trains amid concern it was ‘‘not compatible’’ with the company’s brand. An internal memo in November took issue with the newspaper’s ‘‘editorial position on issues such as immigration, LGBT rights, and unemployment.’’ The newspaper, which has been critical of Virgin founder Richard Branson (right) and ever-increasing rail fares in Britain, called the decision ‘‘disgraceful,’’ and said Virgin was ‘‘censoring’’ the choice of newspapers ‘‘for political reasons.’’ — ASSOCIATED PRESS

BENEFITS

Companies offer ‘pawternity’ leaves to care for a new puppy

Think having a baby is rough? Just try bringing home a new puppy. But don’t worry. It’s 2018. The labor market is tight, good employees are in high demand, and paid time off, particularly for new parents, is a hot benefit many firms are offering. Now some of these firms are taking this concept one step further and offering the ultimate solution to the ultimate first-world problem: paid time off specifically for new pet owners. It’s called ‘‘pawternity.’’ More firms — particularly in urban areas that attract a younger workforce — are also allowing pets to be brought to work as well as other perks like pet insurance, time off for veterinary appointments, pet adoption consulting, and even pet bereavement leave. — WASHINGTON POST

FINANCE

Dimon regrets dismissing bitcoin

Jamie Dimon is having second thoughts about wading into the bitcoin controversy. The JPMorgan Chase & Co. chief executive, who earlier called the cryptocurrency a “fraud,’’ said Tuesday he wishes he hadn’t dismissed the technology in such broad terms. “I regret making’’ those comments, Dimon said in an interview with the Fox Business network. “The blockchain is real. You can have crypto yen and dollars and stuff like that.’’ In September, Dimon said bitcoin was “worse than tulip bulbs,’’ and threatened to fire any trader who bought or sold them for being “stupid.’’ The 61-year-old CEO said Tuesday he’s still not very interested in the subject, and thinks that government intervention may eventually hamper bitcoin’s growth and acceptance. — BLOOMBERG NEWS

ADVERTISING

Athletes, artists weigh in on H&M ad

NBA star LeBron James, rapper Diddy, and other artists have responded with outrage to an advertising image by retailer H&M showing a black child in a sweat shirt with the words ‘‘Coolest monkey in the jungle.’’ The retailer has apologized and removed the image, but not before the ad was widely challenged Tuesday on social media as being racist and inappropriate. James posted a refreshed image showing the model wearing a crown. Diddy posted an image with a sweat shirt revised to read ‘‘Coolest king in the world.’’ Singer The Weeknd, who has a clothing line at the retailer, said he was ‘‘shocked and embarrassed’’ by the photo and that he would end his ties with the company. — ASSOCIATED PRESS

TECHNOLOGY

Paris prosecutors open probe into slowed-down iPhones

French prosecutors have opened an investigation into Apple over revelations it secretly slowed down older versions of its handsets. The Paris prosecutor’s office said Tuesday a probe was opened last week over alleged ‘‘deception and planned obsolescence’’ of some Apple products. It is led by the French body in charge of fraud control, which is part of the finance ministry. It follows a legal complaint filed in December by a French consumer rights group that aims to stop intentional obsolescence of goods by companies. In France it is illegal to intentionally shorten the life span of a product in order to encourage customers to replace it. A 2015 law makes it a crime, with penalties of up to two years in prison and fines of up to 5 percent of the company’s annual turnover. — ASSOCIATED PRESS