Government And Institutions

Government-controlled mortgage companies Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac posted profits for the July-September period as the U.S. housing market continued to recover.

The first county in the United States to impose an outright ban on oil and gas development could see its controversial ordinance gutted, if not tossed all together, as a federal judge considers the measure's constitutionality.

Republicans' resounding victory gives them an opportunity to push legislation that's been bottled up in the Democratic Senate, from targeting elements of President Barack Obama's health care law to constructing the Keystone XL oil pipeline to rolling back environmental regulations.

Figures on government spending and debt (last six digits are eliminated).

Chinese officials and businesspeople used a state trip by President Xi Jinping and other high-level visits to smuggle ivory out of Tanzania, an environmental watchdog said Thursday, casting doubt over Beijing's efforts to end the illegal trade that has led to rampant elephant poaching throughout Africa.

Not even Oregon's backyard chicken owners and vegan foodies had enough money and clout to persuade voters to require labeling of genetically modified foods.

Speaker John Boehner says the Republican-controlled Congress will act to approve the Keystone XL pipeline, make changes in the health care law and encourage businesses to hire more veterans.

Bank of America says it is taking a $400 million charge to cover additional litigation costs and cut its results for the third quarter.

Asian stock markets wavered between gains and losses Thursday as investors awaited a U.S. jobs report that might deliver a verdict on whether the Federal Reserve's withdrawal of stimulus was warranted.

Oregon and Washington, D.C., voted to legalize recreational marijuana Tuesday, and Alaska looks poised to do the same.

A newly re-elected Gov. Rick Snyder is hoping to achieve his No.

Philip Morris International Inc. is partnering with two U.S. tobacco leaf suppliers to buy its tobacco rather than working directly with farmers.

Nevada's mining industry already makes a big contribution to the state, and it still will, the industry's top lobbyist said Wednesday after voters narrowly rejected a constitutional amendment that would have removed a 5 percent cap on mining taxes that dates to statehood in 1864.

Republican Sen. Mitch McConnell, in line to be the next majority leader, says voters expect newly empowered Republicans and the Democratic White House to find common ground for fast action.

The head of Hungary's tax authority acknowledged in a report published Wednesday that she has been banned from entering the United States because of suspected links to corruption.

A new private sector initiative announced Wednesday will provide at least $450 million in commercial financing to the three West African countries hardest hit by Ebola to promote trade, investment and employment.

Dominion Resources Inc. is asking federal regulators to begin its environmental review of a proposed $500 million project to connect its transmission facilities to a proposed natural gas pipeline.

The Supreme Court on Wednesday appeared sympathetic to a Florida fisherman who says the government went overboard in prosecuting him for throwing undersized grouper off his boat.

Further evidence has emerged to suggest the 18-country eurozone is more likely to sink back into recession than rebound strongly.

Money that was loaned to Montana's Yellowstone Club for the ultra-rich and then largely diverted to the luxury resort's founder, Tim Blixseth, should be counted as income, a state tax board ruled.