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First-time unemployment claims fell by 2,000 to 313,000 last week, the Labor Department reported Thursday.

Forward Air Inc. said late Wednesday it has begun a three-year partnership with DHL Global Forwarding, under which Forward Air will be the primary provider of DHL Global Forwarding’s expedited ground transportation services.

The Department of Transportation has proposed to withdraw antitrust immunity from tariff-coordination meetings held by the International Air Transport Association that discuss and set passenger fares and cargo rates for U.S.-Europe and U.S.-Australia flights.

New Jersey political leaders agreed late Thursday to end a shutdown of the state's government following a five-day shutdown that halted road projects and closed everything from the Division of Motor Vehicles to Atlantic City's casinos, the Associated Press reported.

Crude oil prices fell briefly to below $75 a barrel Thursday before rebounding to close at $75.14, just a nickel below Wednesday's all-time record closing price, Bloomberg reported.

Hazmat Bill Advances in House • Illinois Boosts Vehicle Inspections • Study: West Virginia’s Highways Need Work

The U.S. trucking industry increased its share of the nation’s freight pool, hauling more goods than ever in 2005, American Trucking Associations reported Wednesday.

The average national price of retail diesel fuel rose 3.1 cents from last week to $2.898 a gallon, while gasoline jumped 6.5 cents to $2.934, the Energy Department reported Monday.

Corporate stablemates Volvo Trucks North America and Mack Trucks Inc. said last week they will use selective catalytic reduction to comply with the federal government’s 2010 diesel engine emission standards, becoming the second major truck and engine manufacturing group to commit itself to SCR technology.

UPS Inc. and the Independent Pilots Association said they have reached a tentative agreement on a new labor contract.