The construction industry reacted positively to news that the US has lifted tariffs on steel and aluminum imports from Canada and Mexico -- a move the Trump administration hopes will push Congress to approve the US-Mexico-Canada trade agreement. "[A] widening of export opportunities for US producers that have been burdened by the tariffs should lead to an uptick in orders for construction of export-oriented manufacturing, distribution and transportation facilities," said Ken Simonson, chief economist for the Associated General Contractors of America.

First-time unemployment claims fell 16,000 last week to 212,000, the US Labor Department said. Economists surveyed by Reuters had expected claims to drop to 220,000.

Those working to repair Paris' Notre Dame Cathedral have a tough decision to make: restore the medieval elements of the structure or replace them with modern materials and design. Barry Bergdoll, professor of art history at Columbia University, examines both sides of the question.

A two-year state grant awarded to Tennessee's Pre-Apprenticeship Certificate Training program will allow up to 200 Memphis-area students to receive training in construction trades in 2020. The after-school program will expand to support around 800 students during its third year.

After three years of construction, the retractable roof over No. 1 Court at Wimbledon Stadium in London was shown off to the public during a celebration event this weekend. The roof, similar to the one covering Centre Court, was leak-free during a rainstorm that day.

Three professors at the Southern Illinois University Edwardsville have combined their expertise in plants, environmental engineering, stormwater and energy to study ways to develop and maintain green infrastructure. One of their projects looked at the effect of high-speed winds on green roofs.

Students at Imperial College London unveiled biosolar panels, which are placed on rooftops and covered with microscopic organisms. The organisms remove carbon dioxide from the air and produce fresh oxygen.

The way business, government and education come together to navigate changes in technology and the economy will affect the workforce, a panel of experts said at the Workers and the Innovation Age event. Panelists also discussed the skills gap, growth in the gig economy and the impact of automation.

Leaders have a number of ways to become more empathetic, including appreciating the perspectives of others, expanding their own horizons and listening deeply without getting overwhelmed, writes Pamela McLean. "Whether we over-empathize and care too much, or completely miss the opportunity to connect with empathy, the result is similar -- we miss the opportunity to build a working relationship," she writes.

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration has released a final rule regarding 14 provisions in construction standards and record keeping, among other areas. One revision removes employers' requirements to "include an employee's social security number (SSN) on exposure monitoring, medical surveillance, and other records."

A new report released by market intelligence firm Tractica shows that a growing number of construction companies are incorporating robots to solve the challenges of increasing productivity, efficiency and profits without adding workers. It forecasts that more than 7,000 construction robots will be in use on sites to handle a variety of construction tasks and demolition work. Read more.