Illinois pension fund lowers investment rate, hikes state payment
CHICAGO (Reuters) – Illinois faces an estimated $420 million increase in fiscal 2017 pension contributions after the state’s biggest public retirement system on Friday lowered its assumed investment rate of return to 7 percent from 7.5 percent.
Redstone granddaughter agrees to case dismissal, helps broader deal
CANTON, Mass. (Reuters) – The granddaughter of Viacom Inc’s controlling shareholder Sumner Redstone has agreed to let a Massachusetts court dismiss claims brought by former company leaders, a step that will help end a battle over the fate of the media …
U.S. considering speed-limit device rule for trucks, buses
WASHINGTON (Reuters) – Trucks and buses in the United States may have to be equipped with devices to limit their speed under a proposed rule issued on Friday by the U.S. Transportation Department which said the move could save both lives and fuel.
Judge in Redstone hearing urges attorneys to reach agreements
CANTON, Mass. (Reuters) – A Massachusetts judge on Friday told attorneys to see if they could agree to resolve at least parts of a lingering family dispute over the fate of the empire built by Sumner Redstone, the controlling shareholder of Viacom Inc …
Judge keeps in place California law allowing physician-assisted suicide
RIVERSIDE, Calif. (Reuters) – A California judge on Friday refused to suspend a new state law allowing physician-assisted suicide for terminally ill patients, citing the need to protect them from pain, but he allowed a legal challenge to proceed.
Devastating bird flu strain found in U.S. wild duck – USDA
CHICAGO (Reuters) – The type of avian flu that led to the deaths of about 50 million U.S. chickens and turkeys last year has been found in the country for the first time in 14 months, the U.S. Department of Agriculture said on Friday.
U.S. public universities turning to private sector to meet campus needs
NEW YORK (Reuters) – U.S. public universities are increasingly turning to public-private partnerships to develop student housing and other campus projects, sometimes using the structure to transfer borrowing and liability risks to the private sector.
Two plead guilty in 2014 armed standoff at Bundy ranch in Nevada
(Reuters) – Two men charged along with rancher Cliven Bundy in an armed standoff with federal agents in Nevada in 2014 have pleaded guilty, the first time any of the 19 defendants has agreed to forgo trial and admit wrongdoing.
Cuba says U.S. commercial flights welcome
HAVANA (Reuters) – Cuba said on Friday it was ready to receive U.S. commercial flights beginning next week and that it viewed their renewal after being suspended in 1961 as another positive step in a growing detente.
Popping balloons trigger stampede at Florida mall; nine hurt
(Reuters) – Popping balloons during a fire inspection at a Florida mall panicked shoppers who mistook them for gunfire, triggering a stampede in which nine people were hurt, authorities said on Friday.
