Government And Institutions

Congressional Republicans are laying the groundwork for an overhaul of the nation's food stamp program, trying again after an unsuccessful attempt two years ago.

European Union lawmakers have backed plans to reform the EU's vast greenhouse gas emissions trading scheme to protect it from fluctuations in the economy.

Nevada higher education officials on Tuesday asked legislators for three times more money than the governor has proposed to ramp up construction of a medical school in Las Vegas.

Soaring oil prices the past decade transformed this rural backwater into Colombia's richest city as nearby fields pumped black gold, drawing new businesses, international pop stars and vanity art projects such as the biblical-themed arch that towers over these sweltering grasslands.

Losing his job on a Norwegian oil rig meant more to Kristoffer Sandberg than saying goodbye to a high salary.

Wisconsin union leaders may not get much help from judges if they file a legal challenge to Republicans' right-to-work provisions, as courts have done little to weaken similar measures in other states.

House Speaker John Boehner (BAY'-nur) says Congress is sending President Barack Obama legislation to build the Keystone XL pipeline on Tuesday.

A task force designed to help Colorado settle disputes over oil and gas drilling is finishing up its recommendations, but those disputes are roaring back to life.

California officials are considering reducing the state's gas tax by 7.5 cents, although consumers may not see a difference at the pump.

Brazilian oil firm Petrobras has now been downgraded to junk bond status by Moody's.

Some lawmakers are pushing proposals to advance nuclear power as part of Washington's future energy mix.

The Wyoming Transportation Commission has awarded contracts totaling $29.5 million for eight projects around the state, including two highway projects to be funded through a 10-cent increase in the state fuel tax.

Interest rates on short-term Treasury bills were mixed in Monday's auction with rates on three-month bills rising to the highest level in five weeks while rates on six-month bills were unchanged.

The Obama administration is proposing tougher restrictions on brokers who manage Americans' retirement accounts, reigniting a confrontation with the financial services industry over rules affecting trillions of dollars in 401k and other savings accounts.

Ohio officials have tweaked questions on a new quiz used by the state to catch phony income-tax returns.

President Barack Obama warned Monday that states will feel the pain of a Homeland Security Department shutdown if Congress can't break an impasse by week's end.

Lawyers, accountants, camp directors and others whose customers would be newly taxed under Republican Gov. Paul LePage's budget plan told lawmakers on Monday that the proposal would drive away business and hurt their bottom lines.

A judge has ordered Republican New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie and the state Legislature to put more money into pension funds for retired public workers.

A special inspection is underway after damage to a nuclear reactor under construction in South Carolina, federal regulators said Monday.

The Czech government has approved a plan to cap public debt within a limit set by the European Union.