News bites: Stock rule shakeup

Federal regulators are considering relaxing rules on how private companies issue shares that could make it easier for startups to raise capital.

The continued fight to avert a government shutdown is being played out by top advisers to congressional leaders.

European regulators are rolling out a fresh round of bank stress tests, which could force weaker institutions to shape up or shut down.

The IRS is pushing bank HSBC for account data as it hunts for offshore tax evaders.

An accountant's tip has earned him $4.5 million as the IRS's first whistleblower.