In the beginning, there was state government. Before there was a federal government, a collection of states organized under the Articles of Confederation in 1781. But the 13 separate entities with different interests soon realized they needed an overarching body to enforce laws, regulate commerce and wage war. So the U.S....
Budget Deficit to Break $1 Trillion Despite Strong Economy
WASHINGTON — An annual congressional report says the U.S. budget deficit is likely to burst through the symbolic $1 trillion barrier this year despite a healthy economy. Tuesday's Congressional Budget Office report follows a burst of new spending last year and the repeal in December of several taxes used to...
Why One County Might Give $1,000 a Month to Youth Aging out of Foster Care
When Dontae Lartigue left foster care right before his 19th birthday in 2009, finding housing in Santa Clara County was one of his biggest obstacles. He struggled to find places he could afford on his $12 an hour wages at Walmart, and with a limited income and no rental history,...
US Budget Deficit Running 11.8% Higher This Year
The U.S. budget deficit through the first three months of this budget year is up 11.8% from the same period a year ago, putting the country on track to record its first $1 trillion deficit in eight years. In its monthly budget report, the Treasury Department said Monday that the...
Iraq President Rejects Iran-Backed Bloc's Nominee as PM
BAGHDAD — Iraq's president refused Thursday to designate the Iran-backed parliamentary bloc's nominee for prime minister after he was rejected by anti-government protesters, saying he was prepared to submit his resignation to Parliament. Barham Saleh said in a statement issued by his office that he would not name the governor...
Report: Popular Chat App a Spy Tool for Mideast Government
NEW YORK — A chat app that quickly became popular in the United Arab Emirates for communicating with friends and family is actually a spying tool used by the government to track its users, according to a newspaper report. The government uses ToTok to track conversations, locations, images and other...
New Zealanders Hand in 50,000 Guns After Assault Weapon Ban
WELLINGTON, New Zealand — New Zealand authorities said Saturday their country will be a safer place after owners handed in more than 50,000 guns during a buyback program following a ban on assault weapons. But critics say the process was flawed and many owners have illegally stashed their firearms. The...
McConnell Blasts House Impeachment, Pledges Senate Action
WASHINGTON — The top Senate Republican on Thursday denounced the "most unfair" House impeachment of President Donald Trump and reassured Trump and his supporters that "moments like this are why the United States Senate exists.” Signaling in the strongest terms yet that the GOP-controlled Senate will acquit Trump, Majority Leader...
Do You Really Know the Bill of Rights? Take This Quiz.
December 15, known as Bill of Rights Day, celebrates the ratification by the states of the Bill of Rights, which happened on that date in 1791. The Bill of Rights, or the first 10 amendments to the U.S. Constitution, not only helped secure popular support for the fledgling government but...
US Economy Grew at a Moderate 2.1% Annual Rate Last Quarter
WASHINGTON — The U.S. economy grew at a moderate 2.1% annual rate over the summer, slightly faster than first estimated, the government said Wednesday. But many economists say they think growth is slowing sharply in the current quarter. The July-September growth rate in the gross domestic product, the economy’s total...