Gov. Kathy Hochul used the state budget as a vehicle for policy initiatives, including a new second-home tax and a push to make the state less hospitable to immigration agents.

© Cindy Schultz for The New York Times

China’s tobacco monopoly has become so financially vital to the government that even its powerful leader has failed to curb the country’s smoking habit.

China’s tobacco monopoly has become so financially vital to the government that even its powerful leader has failed to curb the country’s smoking habit.

© Gilles Sabrie for The New York Times

The president’s $1.8 billion slush fund is causing further cracks in the Republican Party.

Times Opinion convened a panel of state experts to weigh in on the primary.

“You name it, we’re investing in it” does not inspire confidence.

With time running out, Taiwanese lawmakers approved funds for buying U.S. weapons, fearing they could lose support if they didn’t act now.