Latest Government policy News

Estonia's ruling party taps climate minister for the Baltic country's top job

Jun. 29, 2024 08:56 AM EDT

HELSINKI (AP) — Estonia’s ruling center-right Reform Party has chosen Saturday Climate Minister Kristen Michal to replace outgoing leader Kaja Kallas as prime minister of the Baltic country. The unanimous decision to nominate Michal was made following a closed-door meeting by...

Biden administration extends temporary legal status to 300,000 Haitians, drawing a contrast to Trump

Jun. 28, 2024 15:59 PM EDT

SAN DIEGO (AP) — About 300,000 Haitians already in the United States will now be eligible for temporary legal status allowing them to remain in the U.S. and work because conditions in the strife-torn Caribbean nation are considered unsafe for them to return, the Homeland Security Department said...

Von der Leyen, Costa and Kallas endorsed for the EU's top jobs. Here's who they are and what they do

Jun. 27, 2024 21:45 PM EDT

BRUSSELS (AP) — Following the elections for EU Parliament, European Union leaders have agreed on the officials who will hold the key positions in the world’s biggest trading bloc in the coming years for issues ranging from antitrust investigations to foreign policy. The three...

European Union leaders agree on top officials who will be the face of world's largest trading bloc

Jun. 27, 2024 19:32 PM EDT

BRUSSELS (AP) — European Union leaders signed off on a trio of top appointments for their shared political institutions on Thursday, reinstalling German conservative Ursula von der Leyen as president of the European Commission for another five years. At the side of von der Leyen,...

French far-right leader Le Pen questions president's role as army chief ahead of parliament election

Jun. 27, 2024 19:22 PM EDT

NICE, France (AP) — With just three days to go until France's landmark legislative elections, the country’s far-right leader on Thursday raised the uncomfortable question of who would be in charge of the military if her party takes over the government after the two-round balloting — prompting...

How troops convicted under a gay sex ban can apply for a pardon from Biden. Will benefits follow?

Jun. 26, 2024 15:24 PM EDT

WASHINGTON (AP) — President Joe Biden announced Wednesday that troops who were convicted under an old military policy criminalizing consensual gay sex would receive full pardons — a move that could restore their discharges from military service to an honorable status and pave the way for...

French far-right leader Bardella seeks to reassure voters, EU partners on economic, foreign policies

Jun. 24, 2024 12:26 PM EDT

PARIS (AP) — Far-right leader Jordan Bardella sought to reassure French voters, European partners and international observers on Monday that his potential government would lead “realistic” economic policies and “not weaken” France’s voice abroad, if his party wins the upcoming...

Senior Blinken aide is taking a top job with Austin after Senate confirmation holdup

Jun. 24, 2024 10:39 AM EDT

WASHINGTON (AP) — Secretary of State Antony Blinken announced Monday that one of his most senior aides is leaving for a top job with Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin and will be replaced by a brother of President Joe Biden’s national security adviser. State Department counselor...

California Gov. Gavin Newsom to deliver State of the State address on Tuesday

Jun. 23, 2024 21:39 PM EDT

SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP) — California residents will be able to watch Gov. Gavin Newsom's State of the State address online this week, his office said Sunday. After sending the text of the address to the state Legislature Tuesday morning, Newsom will record the speech on video. ...

Bank of England keeps main interest rate at 16-year high of 5.25% despite inflation fall

Jun. 20, 2024 09:57 AM EDT

LONDON (AP) — The Bank of England on Thursday kept its main interest rate at a 16-year high of 5.25% even though inflation has fallen to its target of 2%, with several policymakers warning that a premature cut could stoke another bout of price rises. For the second meeting in a...