Politics and Government

An explosion struck an Israeli-owned cargo ship sailing out of the Middle East on Friday, an unexplained blast renewing concerns about ship security in the region amid escalating tensions between the U.S. and Iran.

Saudi Arabia's crown prince approved an operation in 2018 to "capture or kill Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi," according to a report from the U.S. intelligence community released Friday.

There’s a spate of high-profile defamation lawsuits being filed over disinformation spread during the 2020 election. Two lawyers described the high burden of proof needed to prevail in these cases and their implications for free speech. 

A $1.9 trillion package aimed at helping the country rebuild from the pandemic seems headed toward House passage. Now, Democrats are also searching for a way to revive their drive to boost the minimum wage. 

President Joe Biden visits Texas Friday with a dual mission: surveying damage caused by severe winter weather and encouraging people to get their coronavirus shots.

A U.S. airstrike in Syria targeted facilities belonging to a powerful Iranian-backed Iraqi armed group, killing one of their militiamen and wounding a number of others, an Iraqi militia official said Friday.

Lawmakers are weighing a proposal to give families with kids a monthly, cash benefit to help ease the lifelong pull of poverty. Experts say it could cut U.S. child poverty nearly in half.

Backers of President Joe Biden's ambitious stimulus plan say it will help struggling families and businesses, but critics say it goes too far.

Minnesota finance officials say higher revenue and lower spending have turned what had been a budget deficit into a projected $1.6 billion surplus. Policymakers will use the latest figures to set a new two-year state budget, with taxes at the center of the discussion. 

Senate Democrats will not be forced to confront an internal political battle over increasing the federal minimum wage to $15 following a decision by the primary keeper of Senate rules.