Swiss minister to meet U.S. attorney general on tax probes
ZURICH/WASHINGTON (Reuters) – Switzerland’s finance minister was set to meet Eric Holder, the U.S. attorney general, in Washington on Friday to discuss a tax-evasion probe into Swiss banks by U.S. authorities, a Swiss ministry spokesman said.
Canada says won’t use NAFTA to challenge U.S. on Keystone
OTTAWA (Reuters) – Canada is not considering a NAFTA challenge after the United States once again delayed its decision on approving TransCanada Corp’s controversial Keystone XL pipeline, Natural Resources Minister Greg Rickford told reporters on Friday…
Broke Shamokin, Pennsylvania, seeks state crutch that few cast off
HARRISBURG, Pennsylvania (Reuters) – Shamokin, Pennsylvania, tucked away in the coal country about 120 miles northwest of Philadelphia, has $800,000 of unpaid bills and can’t get a loan from a bank. It’s so broke, the gas service to city hall was tempo…
Philippines to give U.S. forces access to up to five military bases
MANILA (Reuters) – Up to five Philippine military bases will be made available for U.S. forces to rotate aircraft, ships, equipment and troops, Manila’s chief negotiator of a new security pact said on Friday, as the Philippines looks to counter China’s…
Commerce Department study finds no evidence 2012 jobs data faked
WASHINGTON (Reuters) – The U.S. Commerce Department found no evidence to support allegations that the monthly unemployment rate was manipulated before the 2012 presidential election, according to a report issued by the agency’s office of inspector gene…
New York reaches ‘landmark’ agreement with teachers
NEW YORK (Reuters) – New York City struck a tentative $4 billion nine-year agreement with its teachers that could pave the way for settling a years-old dispute with the city’s workforce by the end of the fiscal year on June 30.
White House seeks privacy balance in a ‘Big Data’ world
WASHINGTON (Reuters) – The White House on Thursday suggested updates to laws and other measures to enhance privacy and prevent discrimination based on the data trail left by consumers on their phones and computers that companies and researchers collect…
Senator puts substance over speed on fast-track trade power
WASHINGTON (Reuters) – A senior Democratic senator said on Thursday he would take the time needed to put together a bill granting the White House power to fast-track trade agreements while Republicans called for swift action.
Seattle mayor plans to raise minimum wage to $15 over three to seven years
SEATTLE (Reuters) – Mayor Ed Murray announced a plan on Thursday to raise the minimum wage in Seattle to $15 per hour over three to seven years, making it the first major U.S. city to commit to such a high base level of pay.
U.S. says Obamacare enrollment points to stable costs
WASHINGTON (Reuters) – The Obama administration on Thursday predicted stable health insurance costs for consumers who have purchased Obamacare plans, defying critics who warn that President Barack Obama’s landmark healthcare law will lead to skyrocketi…