U.S. Top News: Armstrong steps down from charity; Nike drops sponsorship

	Click to View in Browser 10/17/2012 Armstrong steps down from charity; Nike drops sponsorship (Reuters) - Lance Armstrong has stepped down as chairman of the cancer charity he founded, Livestrong, after U.S. anti-doping officials issued a scathing report detailing his use of performance-enhancing drugs for years as one of the world's premier cyclists, the foundation said on Wednesday. U.S. holiday spending to show a scant rise in 2012: survey (Reuters) - Consumers plan to spend an average of $749.51 on gifts, decorations and other holiday items this season, a mere 1.2 percent more than a year ago, according to a survey conducted for the National Retail Federation. Poll shows New Jersey Governor Christie beating potential challengers NEW YORK (Reuters) - New Jersey Governor Chris Christie enjoys a 56 percent approval rating and is positioned to edge out a Democratic challenger if he runs for a second term next year, according to a Quinnipiac poll released on Wednesday. Feds raid Massachusetts lab tied to meningitis outbreak BOSTON/NEW YORK (Reuters) - Federal agents on Tuesday raided the Massachusetts pharmacy linked to a widespread meningitis outbreak that has killed 16 people and sickened more than 200 others, federal prosecutors said. Moderate earthquake strikes Maine, felt in Boston BOSTON (Reuters) - A moderate earthquake struck the northeastern U.S. state of Maine on Tuesday shortly after 7 p.m. (2300 GMT), according to the U.S. Geological Survey. Canadian border officer shot at main Washington state crossing BLAINE, Washington (Reuters) - A gunman in a van shot and critically wounded a Canadian border officer on Tuesday at the main crossing between Washington state and British Columbia, then immediately killed himself, Canadian authorities said. Court leaves in place Montana caps on campaign contributions (Reuters) - A federal appeals court on Tuesday ordered that a Montana law limiting campaign contributions to candidates for state office remain in effect at least through the general election in November. New York construction spending rises to $30.7 billion in 2012: report (Reuters) - Spending on New York City non-residential building projects is expected to reach a record $12.6 billion in 2012, pushing up overall construction spending a surprising 9.0 percent to $30.7 billion, an industry group said on Wednesday. Libyan ambassador remembers Stevens as a "friend and hero" SAN FRANCISCO (Reuters) - Hundreds of mourners gathered on Tuesday for a memorial for slain U.S. envoy to Libya Christopher Stevens, as the Libyan ambassador to Washington called him a "friend and hero" and apologized for his death on behalf of the government in Tripoli. Air Force contacts ex-recruits to encourage sex abuse reporting SAN ANTONIO (Reuters) - The U.S. Air Force on Tuesday sent an email to every recruit who attended basic or technical training at a Texas base over the past decade to encourage them to report sexual misconduct, following the worst sex scandal within the military in years. Related Video Market Pulse: Europe cheers the downgrade that never was U.S. Morning Call: BofA posts break-even earnings in Q3 Great Debate The causes and consequences of plutocracy Biden changes 2016 race as well as 2012 A daily digest of breaking business news, coverage of the US economy, major corporate news and the financial markets. Register Today   The latest Reuters articles on M&A, IPOs, private equity, hedge funds and regulatory updates delivered to your inbox each day. Register Today   » MORE NEWSLETTERS - 3 Times Square New York, NY 10036 USA © Copyright 2010 Thomson Reuters Ensure delivery of Reuters Newsmails, add mail@nl.reuters.com to your address book. Details Subscribe to other Reuters newsletters. Unsubscribe from this newsletter. Follow us on Twitter Friend us on Facebook Forward to a friend