WASHINGTON/ DETROIT, Jan 31- The U.S. Department of Energy on Thursday eased off President Barack Obama's stated goal of putting 1 million electric cars on the road by 2015, and laid out what experts called a more realistic strategy of promoting advanced-drive vehicles and lowering their cost over the next nine years.
*Facebook shares pare losses, Qualcomm up. NEW YORK, Jan 31- U.S. stocks were little changed on Thursday as investors were cautious after a mixed bag of economic data, while stellar earnings from chipmaker Qualcomm helped the Nasdaq index to edge higher. The S&P 500 is on track to post its best month since October 2011 and its best January since 1997..
ALBANY, N.Y.-- The New York State Thruway Authority is planning 234 layoffs to help shore up its finances, but no toll increases are planned. Thruway spokesman Dan Weiller says the layoffs of full-time workers will be in all regions, including the Albany headquarters. Andrew Cuomo, but is legally independent of state government.
The House Finance Committee voted 13-8 to endorse the Republican governor's five-year, $3.1 billion plan and send it to the floor for a vote early next week. "It's a good start," House Speaker William J. Howell, R- Stafford and sponsor of the bill, said in an interview after the committee adopted a few relatively minor amendments and advanced the measure.
LITTLE FALLS, N.J.-- A commuter train slammed into a tractor-trailer in northern New Jersey in the morning fog Wednesday, injuring 10 people including a school crossing guard who was seriously injured by flying debris. "It was a matter of circumstance, unfortunately," spokesman John Durso Jr. said.
MIAMI-- Ryder Systems Inc.' s fourth-quarter profit increased nearly 12 percent to beat Wall Street's expectations on stronger revenue. The Miami- based company earned $53.8 million, or $1.05 per share, for the quarter that ended Dec. 31. Ryder's total revenue increased 3 percent to $1.58 billion from $1.54 billion.
TORONTO, Jan 29- Canadian Pacific Railway Ltd said on Tuesday its aggressive efficiency push would pay off in a 40 percent increase in earnings this year, sending its shares to an all-time high even after it reported a sharp drop in profit on charges related to the restructuring.
WASHINGTON, Jan 29- The U.S. National Transportation Safety Board said on Tuesday improper maintenance was the likely cause of a Dec. 7, 2011, sightseeing helicopter crash near Las Vegas that killed the pilot and four passengers.