Latest Government programs News

Editorial Roundup: United States

Dec. 10, 2024 20:42 PM EST

Excerpts from recent editorials in the United States and abroad: ___ Dec. 6 The Washington Post on the Senate and a shrinking window to protect press freedom In 2021, Attorney General Merrick Garland established new, but long-needed, press...

Making a $1B investment in the US? Trump pledges expedited permits — but there are hurdles

Dec. 10, 2024 18:38 PM EST

WASHINGTON (AP) — President-elect Donald Trump is promising expedited federal permits for energy projects and other construction worth more than $1 billion. But like other Trump plans, the idea is likely to run into regulatory and legislative hurdles, including a landmark law that requires...

For now, 'Dreamers' will be shut out of the health care marketplace in 19 states

Dec. 10, 2024 16:07 PM EST

BISMARCK, N.D. (AP) — Young adult immigrants known as “Dreamers” in 19 U.S. states will be temporarily blocked from getting health insurance through the Affordable Care Act's public marketplace, a federal judge has ruled, limiting an effort by the Biden administration to help immigrants...

Soros' Open Society Foundations say they remain focused on human rights

Dec. 10, 2024 15:09 PM EST

NEW YORK (AP) — Despite years of internal turmoil and changes, Open Society Foundations wants those in the human rights sector to know their movements will still receive support from the organization, its president Binaifer Nowrojee said Tuesday. The foundations, founded by...

How to bridge a retirement shortfall

Dec. 10, 2024 14:44 PM EST

If you want to get yourself thoroughly depressed, spend a little time looking at statistics about Americans’ retirement preparedness. In  Vanguard’s most recent How America Saves report, the average participant balance in Vanguard plans was $134,000 in 2023, but the median...

Boosting Cyprus' defense is key so close to the war-wracked Mideast, defense minister says

Dec. 10, 2024 11:58 AM EST

NICOSIA, Cyprus (AP) — Bolstering Cyprus ' defense capacity is critical for the east Mediterranean island nation so close to the war-wrecked Middle East, the country's defense minister said Tuesday. The priority for Cyprus is to procure better defense systems, said Defense Minister...

Iran to shut offices, colleges and schools in Tehran because of air pollution

Dec. 10, 2024 07:56 AM EST

TEHRAN, Iran (AP) — Iran announced Tuesday that all governmental offices, universities, and schools in the province of Tehran will be closed for two days because of poor air quality, state TV reported. The capital city of Tehran — home to over 10 million people — saw the...

Trump's Cabinet picks set off political chain reaction in Florida congressional races

Dec. 09, 2024 19:21 PM EST

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (AP) — The field of candidates has been set for two special elections in Florida to replace members of Congress nominated for positions in President-elect Donald Trump’s new administration. Two dozen candidates have filed to run for the seats of outgoing Republican Reps. Matt...

Five years since its inception, a US development agency competes with China on global projects

Dec. 09, 2024 18:34 PM EST

WASHINGTON (AP) — When President Joe Biden visited Angola last week, one of the highlights was his pledge of hundreds of millions of dollars for an ambitious trans-Africa rail project that would bring copper and cobalt from central Africa to the Atlantic port of Lobito. The project...

Syrian government services come to a 'complete halt' as state workers stay home after rebel takeover

Dec. 09, 2024 17:30 PM EST

DAMASCUS, Syria (AP) — Syria's prime minister said Monday that most cabinet ministers were back at work after rebels overthrew President Bashar Assad, but some state workers failed to return to their jobs, and a United Nations official said the country's public sector had come “to a complete...