Latest Government policy News
French far-right leader Le Pen questions president's role as army chief ahead of parliament election
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. ...
How troops convicted under a gay sex ban can apply for a pardon from Biden. Will benefits follow?
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
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
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
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
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...
Swiss central bank cuts its main interest rate by 1/4 point, citing easing inflationary pressures
GENEVA (AP) — The Swiss National Bank said Thursday it has lowered its main policy rate by a quarter of a percentage point, citing a drop in “underlying inflationary pressure” despite an uptick in some costs like rents, tourism services and oil products. The central bank...
New Petrobras chief is sworn in as market worries Brazil's government will have heavier hand
RIO DE JANEIRO (AP) — The head of Brazil’s state-run oil giant Petrobras, Magda Chambriard, was sworn in Wednesday amid market concerns of increased government intervention in the company. President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva — who nominated Chambriard — attended the ceremony...
EU criticizes France for excessive debt, putting pressure on Macron during election campaign
BRUSSELS (AP) — The European Union's executive arm on Wednesday criticized France for running up excessive debt, a stinging rebuke at the height of an election campaign where President Emmanuel Macron is facing a strong challenge from the extreme right and the left. The EU...
Australian opposition puts nation's first nuclear power plants in its energy plan ahead of elections
MELBOURNE, Australia (AP) — Australia’s main opposition party on Wednesday announced plans to build Australia’s first nuclear power plants as early as 2035, arguing the government’s policies for decarbonizing the economy with renewable energy sources including solar, wind turbines and green...
