The government safety net was created to keep Americans from abject poverty, but the poorest households no longer receive a majority of government benefits.

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Even Critics of Safety Net Increasingly Depend on It

See the share of Americans’ income that comes from government benefit programs.

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<img src="http://graphics8.nytimes.com/images/multimedia/icons/map_icon.gif" width="12" height="12"…

The leaders of the two parties left in the coalition government acknowledged austerity measures set out by Greece’s lenders were harsh, but warned that the alternative would be worse.

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Greek Leaders Urge Lawmakers to Approve Debt Deal

The assassination of a government stalwart was another step away from the nonviolent roots of the antigovernment protests.

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Syrian General Killed by Gunmen in Damascus

MSPs have approved the Scottish government’s £30bn budget in a Holyrood vote which saw 70 members backing it and 52 members rejecting it.

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MSPs pass £30bn Scottish budget

CAIRO — Investigative judges in Egypt said Wednesday that the Americans and Egyptians who have been charged in the government’s crackdown on U.S.-funded pro-democracy groups could face up to five years in prison for working at unlicensed organizations. Read full article > >

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NGO workers could face 5 years in prison, Egyptian judges say

With little fanfare, federal prosecutors on Friday dropped their investigation of Lance Armstrong , nearly two years after it began. After convening a grand jury, summoning dozens of witnesses and involving several federal agencies, the government decided not to bring fraud and conspiracy charges against Armstrong stemming from allegations that he used performance-enhancing drugs during his legendary cycling career. Read full article > >

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End of Lance Armstrong probe raises questions about media’s reporting

The Treasury is criticised for the way it monitors government spending and manages risk, in an MPs’ report.

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Accounts ‘expose Treasury flaws’

MPs and peers are are urging the government to bring in a law in England and Wales against stalking – as is already the case in Scotland.

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MPs demand law against stalking

The government is planning to create a national reading competition in England to encourage a love of books and boost children’s literacy.

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Contest to boost reading for fun

As government cuts 15,000 jobs.

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Greece Delays Rescue Deal

The actions include freezing all property of the Central Bank of Iran, other Iranian financial institutions and the Iranian government in this country.

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White House Moves to Tighten Sanctions on Iran

Why biggest firms in UK feel let down by the government

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Multinationals feel spurned by government

Somalia starts a major operation to remove tens of thousands of people who have been squatting in government buildings in the capital.

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Somalia moves to evict squatters

Somalia starts a major operation to remove tens of thousands of people who have been squatting in government buildings in the capital.

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Somalia moves to evict squatters