BILLINGS, Mont. (AP) — U.S. government officials on Thursday finalized an overhaul of how they plan for oil and gas drilling, mining, grazing and other activities across public lands in the West. The move by the Bureau of Land Management aims to address longstanding criticism of an often-cumbersome process that dictates development across almost 250 … Continue reading
PELLA, Iowa (AP) — A pickup truck smashed through the front doors of an Iowa Wal-Mart store on Thursday, killing three people and scattering merchandise on the floor before it came to a stop at the fresh produce section in what authorities believe was a tragic accident. A photograph posted by the Des Moines Register … Continue reading
MOSCOW (AP) — An unmanned Russian cargo spaceship heading to the International Space Station broke up in the atmosphere over Siberia on Thursday due to an unspecified malfunction, the Russian space agency said. The Progress MS-04 cargo craft broke up at an altitude of 190 kilometers (118 miles) over the remote Russian Tuva region in … Continue reading
WASHINGTON (AP) — Steven Mnuchin, President-elect Donald Trump’s expected choice to be the nation’s 77th treasury secretary, has had a long history as a successful financial executive and a shorter but significant period in a job that ushered him into Trump’s inner circle: head of Trump’s campaign finance operation. When Mnuchin, 53, was chosen by … Continue reading
WASHINGTON (AP) — Air conditioning company Carrier said Tuesday that it had reached a deal with President-elect Donald Trump to keep nearly 1,000 jobs in Indiana. Trump and Vice President-elect Mike Pence planned to travel to the state Thursday to unveil the agreement alongside company officials. Trump spent much of his campaign pledging to keep … Continue reading
The election of Donald Trump as U.S. president creates new uncertainties for a world economy that’s already fragile, say investors and economists who wonder how far he will take his promises to tear up trade deals and restrict immigration. The real estate billionaire struck a conciliatory tone in his victory speech, arguing he would seek … Continue reading
PHILADELPHIA (AP) — The city’s crippling weeklong transit strike ended early Monday, ensuring that all buses, trolleys and subways will be up and running by Election Day. The Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority and the union representing about 4,700 transit workers announced a tentative agreement before daybreak. By 9 a.m., subways were operating again, though on … Continue reading
LAS VEGAS (AP) — Electricity was restored and a major hotel at the heart of the Las Vegas Strip reopened Friday after a complete blackout and overnight evacuation blamed on damage to the main basement electric line. The 2,900-room Paris Las Vegas was declared open shortly before daybreak — nearly 20 hours after the hotel, … Continue reading
LONDON (AP) — British Prime Minister Theresa May sought Friday to reassure European Union leaders that her timetable for Britain to leave the EU remains intact despite a court ruling requiring British lawmakers to have more of a say in the process. She telephoned Jean-Claude Juncker, the EU’s top official, and German Chancellor Angela Merkel … Continue reading
UNITED NATIONS (AP) — The Paris Agreement to combat climate change became international law on Friday — a landmark deal about tackling global warming amid growing fears that the world is becoming hotter even faster than scientists expected. So far, 96 countries, accounting for just over two-thirds of the world’s greenhouse gas emissions, have formally … Continue reading
Acura’s most popular vehicle, the MDX luxury sport utility, has a more upscale look and more standard safety features for 2017. The roomy MDX, which is the only Acura with three rows of seats, offers new amenities, too, such as two captain’s chairs for seating in the second row instead of a bench seat or … Continue reading
NEW YORK (AP) — For Doug Stephens, the free event seemed like a good way to learn how to flip homes. An online ad for the December gathering sported pictures of Tarek and Christina El Moussa, the stars of HGTV’s “Flip or Flop” who buy rundown homes, renovate them and try to sell them for … Continue reading
WASHINGTON (AP) — Facing new challenges to a legacy law, the Obama administration on Wednesday, October 19, 2016, set its goals for the president’s final health care sign-up season. Health and Human Services Secretary Sylvia Burwell said she expects 13.8 million people to sign up. This is shaping up to be the most difficult sign-up … Continue reading
WASHINGTON (AP) — Medicare on Friday, October 14, 2016, unveiled a far-reaching overhaul of how it compensates doctors and other clinicians. The goal is to reward quality, cost-effective care instead of just paying piecemeal for services. The complex regulation is nearly 2,400 pages long and will take years to fully implement. It’s meant to carry … Continue reading
MADRID (AP) — Spain is about to pass 300 days without a government. But guess what? Few Spaniards seem bothered by that as the country’s economy roars ahead. Spanish cities are boasting of packed cafes and restaurants, thriving fashion shops and art galleries, plenty of tourists. The overall impression is of a bustling, vibrant country. … Continue reading
LONDON (AP) — As if it wasn’t shaky enough, the British pound endured one of its biggest falls ever on Friday — with some in the markets blaming trading robots or a fat-fingered typo for sending the currency down a precipitous 6 percent in just a couple of minutes. For one of the world’s major … Continue reading
WASHINGTON (AP) — A dozen big-name business leaders, including lifelong Republicans and independents, say they won’t support real estate mogul Donald Trump for president. They say he would be bad for the economy, and they question how successful he’s been as a businessman. “For sustained investment, economic growth and job creation, American business needs as … Continue reading
COPENHAGEN, Denmark (AP) — Denmark will buy leaked data from a Panamanian law firm that helped customers open offshore companies to avoid paying taxes, the Scandinavian country’s taxation minister said Wednesday. Karsten Lauritzen said Danish tax authorities had received an anonymous offer over the summer to acquire data from the so-called “Panama Papers” that could … Continue reading
SANTA CLARA, Cuba (AP) — The first commercial flight between the United States and Cuba in more than a half century landed in the central city of Santa Clara on Wednesday morning, re-establishing regular air service severed at the height of the Cold War. The flight of JetBlue 387 opens a new era of U.S.-Cuba … Continue reading
LONDON (AP) — British Prime Minister Theresa May has firmly rejected the notion of a second referendum on the country’s membership in the European Union, insisting Wednesday that the U.K. wouldn’t attempt a back-handed effort to remain in the bloc. May underscored her position before chairing a Cabinet meeting at her country retreat, Chequers. She … Continue reading
Managing money can be complicated, and myths are often born from people’s struggles to make it simpler. But simplistic solutions can cost you instead of saving you money. If you believe any of these five money myths, it’s time to take a closer look at the financial realities. MYTH: EVERYONE NEEDS A FAT EMERGENCY FUND … Continue reading
Mylan will start selling a cheaper version of its EpiPen after absorbing waves of criticism over a list price for the emergency allergy treatment that has grown to $608 for a two-pack, making it unaffordable for many patients. The drugmaker says it will launch in several weeks a generic EpiPen version that is identical to … Continue reading
WASHINGTON (AP) â The Food and Drug Administration wants all U.S. blood centers to start screening for Zika, a major expansion intended to protect the nation’s blood supply from the mosquito-borne virus. Friday’s advisory means all U.S. states and territories will need to begin testing blood donations for Zika. Previously, the FDA had limited the … Continue reading
BRUSSELS (AP) — The world’s largest brewer, AB Inbev, expects to cut about 3 percent of its total workforce — equivalent to thousands of jobs — once it completes its huge takeover of its closest rival, SABMiller. The company headquartered in Leuven, Belgium, has about 150,000 workers while the London-based SABMiller claims to have around … Continue reading
LAS VEGAS (AP) — The latest multi-million dollar development on the Las Vegas Strip features a leafy outdoor pedestrian area, 20,000 seat arena and small theater. It’s a move to double-down on events and live entertainment that marks yet another significant pivot away from gambling in Sin City. This week, MGM Resorts International begins unveiling … Continue reading
Spartan Echo 