Union Pacific

The U.S.'s third largest railroad union rejected a deal with employers Monday, renewing the possibility of a strike that could cripple the economy. Both sides will return to the bargaining table before that happens.

Rail companies and their workers reached a tentative agreement on Sept. 15 to avert a nationwide strike that could have shut down the nation's freight trains and devastated the economy less than two months before the midterm elections.

The special board appointed by President Joe Biden to intervene in stalled railroad contract talks suggested on Aug. 16 that 115,000 rail workers should get 24 percent raises and thousands of dollars in bonuses as part of a new agreement to avert a strike.

The U.S. economy is growing at a painfully slow pace. Greece still threatens the euro. Chinese stocks have just pulled out of a frightening free-fall. Big companies in the U.S. are struggling to boost profits.        

You might think it?s been a rough year for investors, but it?s mostly been a smooth ride - and a profitable one.                 

A Metrolink train derailed in Oxnard in southern California after colliding with a tractor trailer on Tuesday, leaving at least 30 people injured.

The train, which was destined to Los Angeles, crashed about 100 kilometres before its final destination, the BBC reports.