Senate votes to repeal Labor Dept. municipal retirement plan rule
WASHINGTON (Reuters) – A divided U.S. Senate on Thursday sent a resolution to the president’s desk killing a Labor Department regulation aimed at lightening federal restrictions for new municipally sponsored retirement savings plans for lower-income wo…
Environmental groups sue Trump administration for approving Keystone pipeline
WASHINGTON (Reuters) – Several environmental groups filed lawsuits against the Trump administration on Thursday to challenge its decision to approve construction of TransCanada Corp’s controversial Keystone XL crude oil pipeline.
Volkswagen settles 10 U.S. state diesel claims for $157 million
WASHINGTON (Reuters) – Volkswagen AG said on Thursday it has agreed to pay $157.45 million to settle environmental claims from 10 U.S. states over its excess diesel emissions, as the world’s largest automaker looks to move past the scandal.
U.S. awards AT&T contract to build wireless network for first responders
(Reuters) – The United States on Thursday awarded a contract to AT&T Inc to build a nationwide wireless broadband network to better equip first responders, years after a federal commission recommended setting up such a system following the 9/11 attacks.
Kansas governor vetoes Medicaid expansion bill
(Reuters) – The governor of Kansas on Thursday vetoed a bill expanding eligibility for Medicaid for the poor under the federal Affordable Care Act (ACA) because the measure was not fiscally responsible and would still fund Planned Parenthood.
Gulf airlines Etihad, Qatar work around U.S. cabin laptops ban
DUBAI (Reuters) – Qatar Airways and Etihad Airways are lending some passengers laptop computers and tablets to use on their flights following the new U.S. ban on allowing passengers’ to take their own devices into the cabin on flights to the United St…
Seeking end to boycott, North Carolina rescinds transgender bathroom law
(Reuters) – North Carolina on Thursday repealed a law restricting bathroom use for transgender people, hoping to bring back businesses and sports leagues that boycotted the Southern state because they saw the year-old measure as discriminatory.
Trump says ‘we must fight’ Freedom Caucus, Democrats
WASHINGTON (Reuters) – U.S. President Donald Trump had fighting words on Thursday for conservatives in his own Republican Party who helped block a healthcare bill last week, saying he would oppose House Freedom Caucus members in 2018 elections if they …
U.S. economic growth revised higher, boosted by consumer spending
WASHINGTON (Reuters) – U.S. economic growth slowed less than previously reported in the fourth quarter as robust consumer spending provided a boost that was partially offset by the largest gain in imports in two years.
SpaceX successfully launches first recycled rocket booster
CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. (Reuters) – A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket recovered at sea from its maiden flight last year blasted off again from Florida on Thursday in the first successful launch of a recycled orbital-class booster, then capped the feat with another…




