/list_7_1.html Politics zh-cn Use ToDig News to find breaking news, current events, the latest headlines, news photos, analysis & opinion on top stories, world, business, politics, entertainment, sports, technology, and more. ieij@qq.com /Treasury-bill-rates-decline_158.html WASHINGTON - Interest rates on short-term Treasury bills fell in Monday's auction to the lowest levels in three years. The Treasury Department auctioned $23 billion in three-month bills at a discount rate of 2.335 percent, down from 2.370 percent la 2008-01-31 U.S. Government Unknown ap.org /Rebel-gets-60-years-for-hostage-taking_157.html WASHINGTON - A Colombian rebel leader was sentenced to 60 years in prison Monday and labeled a terrorist for helping hold three U.S. contractors hostage as part of a decades-long struggle with the Colombian government. Though he denounced terrorism 2008-01-31 U.S. Government MATT APUZZO ap.org /Fed-holds-fourth-credit-auction_156.html WASHINGTON - The Federal Reserve, working to combat effects of a serious credit crisis, said Tuesday it had auctioned $30 billion in funds to commercial banks at an interest rate of 3.123 percent. It marked the fourth in a series of innovative aucti 2008-01-31 U.S. Government MARTIN CRUTSINGER ap.org /House-panel-to-subpoena-FDA-officials_155.html WASHINGTON - A congressional subcommittee voted Tuesday to subpoena former and current Food and Drug Administration investigators to testify about fraudulent clinical data that supported approval of the antibiotic drug Ketek. Ketek was approved in 2 2008-01-31 U.S. Government Unknown ap.org /Government-ethics-an-issue-at-all-levels_154.html WASHINGTON - Anyone who thinks Washington is an ethical quagmire should talk to a cross-section of government employees, who say the problem is worse at the state and local levels. Overall, three out of five government workers acknowledge witnessing 2008-01-31 U.S. Government PETE YOST ap.org /Disabled-spy-satellite-threatens-Earth_153.html WASHINGTON - A large U.S. spy satellite has lost power and could hit the Earth in late February or early March, government officials said Saturday. The satellite, which no longer can be controlled, could contain hazardous materials, and it is unknow 2008-01-31 U.S. Government EILEEN SULLIVAN ap.org /Study--Afghanistan-could-fail-as-a-state_152.html WASHINGTON - Afghanistan risks sliding into a failed state and becoming the forgotten war because of deteriorating international support and a growing violent insurgency, according to an independent study. The assessment, co-chaired by retired Marin 2008-01-31 U.S. Government ANNE FLAHERTY ap.org /FCC-wants-to-fix-phone-fund_151.html WASHINGTON - The government issued three proposals Tuesday aimed at reining in the spiraling costs of the Universal Service Fund, a subsidy program that provides affordable phone service to people who live in rural areas. The fund is an 11-year-old, 2008-01-31 U.S. Government JOHN DUNBAR ap.org /Fed-rate-cut-expected_150.html WASHINGTON - The Federal Reserve is likely to follow its bold action last week to battle an economic downturn with further interest rate reductions, although analysts are split on just what size the future cuts will be. Some believe the Fed will set 2008-01-31 U.S. Government MARTIN CRUTSINGER ap.org /US-unveils-new-child-seat-ratings-system_149.html WASHINGTON - Parents who struggle to install their child safety seats or fasten their toddlers in the back-seat chairs are receiving some new guidance from the government. The Transportation Department said Wednesday it was revamping a consumer rati 2008-01-31 U.S. Government KEN THOMAS ap.org /IRS-warns-of-rebate-scams_148.html WASHINGTON - Even before Congress passes an economic stimulus package, identity thieves are using promises of tax rebates to trick people into revealing financial and personal data, the Internal Revenue Service warned Wednesday. Under one scheme, th 2008-01-31 U.S. Government JIM ABRAMS ap.org /Judges-on-industry-backed-group-s-board_147.html WASHINGTON - A federal judge has resigned from the board of a corporate-funded group that provides free seminars and trips to judges after a judicial ethics panel recommended he quit. Two other judges remain on the board, either unaware of the ethic 2008-01-31 U.S. Government MARK SHERMAN ap.org /Former-Social-Security-official-dies_146.html WASHINGTON - Robert M. Ball, a former Social Security commissioner considered by many as its chief defender and the father of Medicare, has died at age 93. Ball's death Tuesday was announced by the National Academy of Social Insurance, which he foun 2008-01-31 U.S. Government JESSE J. HOLLAND ap.org /Confusion-reigns-over-TV-transition_145.html WASHINGTON - Much of what consumers are learning about the looming shift to digital broadcasting is just plain wrong and could end up costing them money, according to a survey. Some people think they need to buy new equipment when they don't, accord 2008-01-31 U.S. Government JOHN DUNBAR ap.org /Judge-hits-gov-t-on-Indian-money-delay_144.html WASHINGTON - A federal judge on Wednesday ruled that the Interior Department has unreasonably delayed its accounting for billions of dollars owed to Indian landholders. The federal agency has not, and cannot, remedy the breach of its responsibilitie 2008-01-31 U.S. Government MARY CLARE JALONICK ap.org