A government is a body that has the authority to make and the power to enforce laws within a civil, corporate, religious, academic, or other organization or group. In its broadest sense, "to govern" means to administer or supervise, whether over a state, a set group of people, or a collection of assets.

The word government is derived from the Greek Κυβερνήτης (kyvernites), which means "steersman", "governor", "pilot" or "rudder".

Typically, "the government" refers to the executive function. In many countries (particularly those having parliamentary systems), the Government refers to the executive branch of government or a specifically named executive, i.e. the Blair Government (compare to the administration as in the Clinton administration in U.S. usage). The Welsh Assembly Government is the name of the executive branch of Wales, and Scottish Government is the unofficial term to describe the Scottish Executive. In countries using the Westminster system, the party in government will also usually control the legislature.

More on [ Government ]

BBC News | Europe | World Edition

UK threatens new Burma sanctions
Sat, 04 Jul 2009 17:32:06 -0000
UK PM Brown threatens new sanctions against Burma after it refused to let the UN chief meet the jailed opposition leader.
Chechen police die in Ingushetia
Sat, 04 Jul 2009 07:58:32 -0000
Nine Chechen police are killed in Russia's volatile republic of Ingushetia in one of the deadliest attacks in recent months.
Serena powers to Wimbledon title
Sat, 04 Jul 2009 14:41:10 -0000
Serena Williams ends her sister's recent dominance at Wimbledon with victory over Venus that gives her a third Wimbledon title.

NYT > Europe

Heading to Russia, Obama Is Mindful of Its Power Equation
By CLIFFORD J. LEVY Sat, 04 Jul 2009 22:46:47 -0000
As he heads to Russia, President Obama must prepare for separate meetings with President Dmitri A. Medvedev and Prime Minister Vladimir V. Putin.
Governing Party in Albania Seeks to Assemble a Coalition
By THE ASSOCIATED PRESS Sat, 04 Jul 2009 22:09:19 -0000
The opposition Socialist Party said the prime minister and the Democratic Party were acting prematurely in building a government during an election recount.
Russia to Open Airspace to U.S. for Afghan War
By PETER BAKER Sat, 04 Jul 2009 15:12:22 -0000
The move is one of the most concrete achievements in the effort to rebuild strained U.S.-Russian relations.

L.A. Times - Europe

Anti-Americanism plays in Russia
Sat, 04 Jul 2009 00:00:00 -0700
President Obama is to visit Russia next week, but U.S. hopes to 'reset' ties with Moscow may run into the problem that being in opposition to America is a stance that serves the Kremlin. When President Obama visits the Kremlin next week, he will face the task of trying to reset relations with a government that has built its power base and defined itself by its anti-American, neo-Cold War stance.
Iran plans to put British Embassy staffers on trial
Sat, 04 Jul 2009 00:00:00 -0700
Ahmad Jannati, head of the Guardian Council, says Iran's enemies 'made an effort to poison the people' during postelection unrest. European Union nations consider pulling ambassadors from Tehran. A senior Iranian cleric said Friday that the British Embassy employees arrested in Tehran in recent days would be put on trial on unspecified charges of acting against Iran's national security, a move immediately denounced by members of the European Union.
PASSINGS
Sat, 04 Jul 2009 00:00:00 -0700
Mollie Sugden, British actress, dies at 86; Mary Lou Forbes, journalist, dies at 83; Godfrey Rampling, Olympian runner, dies at 100; Jan Rubes, actor and opera singer, dies at 89 Mollie Sugden

UN News Centre - Europe

Cypriot leaders discuss territory issue during latest round of UN-backed talks
Thu, 02 Jul 2009 00:00:00 -0500
Greek Cypriot and Turkish Cypriot leaders discussed the issue of the territory that each of the two constituent States would occupy in a future federation during their latest round of United Nations-backed talks today.
New UN report spotlights challenges to rural development in Western Balkans
Thu, 02 Jul 2009 00:00:00 -0500
Economic development in the rural areas of several nations in the Western Balkans is being hindered by challenges related to agriculture, climate change and migration, according to a new report by the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) and the World Bank.
Georgia: UN envoy reports progress during latest round of international talks
Wed, 01 Jul 2009 00:00:00 -0500
The United Nations envoy to Georgia and his European co-chairs led talks today as part of the continuing international discussions aimed at preventing an outbreak of renewed violence following last year's deadly conflict in Georgia.

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