Geert Wilders says it is 'constitutionally wrong' that he had to sacrifice his leadership ambitions
Anti-Islam lawmaker Geert Wilders says it is unfair and โconstitutionally wrongโ that he had to sacrifice his leadership aspirations in order to pave the way for a right-wing ruling coalition in the Netherlands after his party won elections in November.
Jan. 6 panel deepens probe to Trump Cabinet, awaits Thomas
The House Jan. 6 committee plans to interview more former Cabinet secretaries and is prepared to subpoena conservative activist Virginia โGinniโ Thomas, whoโs married to Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas, as part of its investigation of the Capitol riot and Donald Trumpโs role.
Doubts hang over UK's Johnson though bid to oust him fails
British Prime Minister Boris Johnson scrambled to patch up his tattered authority after surviving a no-confidence vote that exposed his shrinking support in a fractured Conservative Party and raised serious doubts about how long he can stay in office.
Israel tightens coronavirus restrictions as new cases surge
Israelโs government on Wednesday advanced a raft of new coronavirus restrictions, including sweeping implementation of a digital vaccine passport and tighter restrictions on mass gatherings, as the country struggles with skyrocketing new infections.
GOPโs DeVos says she will not seek Michigan governorship
Former U.S. Education Secretary Betsy DeVos says she will not run for Michigan governor in 2022, putting an end to speculation about the onetime Trump administration Cabinet member and partner in one of the stateโs most influential Republican couples.
Philippine leader unabashedly threatens to kill drug dealers
Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte has unabashedly renewed a threat to kill drug dealers in his final state of the nation speech, while defending his nonconfrontational approach in the countryโs territorial dispute with China in the South China Sea.
India's Modi drops 12 Cabinet ministers in massive reshuffle
In a massive Cabinet revamp, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi has dropped 12 senior ministers and inducted a younger team aimed at refurbishing his governmentโs image after widespread criticism of its handling of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Catalan separatists eye freedom after Spain's Cabinet pardon
Nine Catalan separatist leaders jailed for sedition are eyeing freedom, after Spainโs Cabinet pardoned them in the hope of starting what Prime Minister Pedro Sรกnchez called a much-needed reconciliation in the countryโs restive northeast.
Biden to hold first Cabinet meeting amid infrastructure push
(AP Photo/Evan Vucci)WASHINGTON โ Joe Biden will convene his first Cabinet meeting on Thursday, a presidential rite of passage that will be used to promote his new infrastructure plan. AdโThe meetings can help align priorities, build morale, and allow Cabinet members to develop relationships with colleagues who they donโt normally see,โ Lu said. The White House has highlighted that this Cabinet is the most diverse in history. In normal times, scheduling an in-person Cabinet meeting would require weeks, if not months, of planning to block off time in the travel schedules of the various principals. The Cabinet members will soon begin to fan out across the country to pitch both the COVID-19 relief and infrastructure plans, officials said.
Senators back off vow to withhold support of Biden nominees
The only senators of Asian American heritage, they said they would withhold their support for his nominees until the diversity issue was addressed. AdDuckworth had said earlier that she raised the issue with top Biden advisers on Tuesday and afterward called the situation โnot acceptable." โIโve been talking to them for months and theyโre still not aggressive, so Iโm not going to be voting for any nominee from the White House other than diversity nominees,โ Duckworth told reporters. But Hirono later said in a statement of her own that she too welcomed the appointment of an AAPI White House liaison and was dropping her objections. Tai, who was confirmed last week, is the first Asian American and first woman of color to serve as U.S. trade representative.
Biden Cabinet near complete but hundreds of jobs still open
(AP Photo/Patrick Semansky)WASHINGTON โ President Joe Bidenโs Cabinet is nearly complete with the confirmation of Labor Secretary Marty Walsh. A panel will also vote on advancing the nomination of Polly Ellen Trottenberg to be deputy secretary of transportation. And even as the Biden administration moves through picking nominees, there's no guarantee they'll all receive a smooth confirmation. And some of the deputies have become political footballs for Republicans looking to score concessions from the Biden administration. Cruz continues to hold up Bidenโs nominee for deputy secretary of state, Wendy Sherman, until sanctions are imposed.
Biden Cabinet near complete but hundreds of jobs still open
(AP Photo/Patrick Semansky)WASHINGTON โ President Joe Bidenโs Cabinet is nearly complete with the confirmation of Labor Secretary Marty Walsh on Monday. A panel will also vote on advancing the nomination of Polly Ellen Trottenberg to be deputy secretary of Transportation. And even as the Biden administration moves through picking nominees, there's no guarantee they'll all receive a smooth confirmation. And some of the deputies have become political footballs for Republicans looking to score concessions from the Biden administration. Cruz continues to hold up Bidenโs nominee for deputy secretary of State, Wendy Sherman, until sanctions are imposed.
Afghan president appoints 2 ministers, angers ruling partner
FILE - In this March 6, 2021, file photo, Afghan President Ashraf Ghani speaks during the opening ceremony of the new legislative session of the Parliament in Kabul, Afghanistan. Ghani has made two key Cabinet changes, evoking a strong response Saturday, March 20, 2021 from powerful governing partner Abdullah Abdullah amid increasing pressure from the U.S. to reach a peace agreement with the Taliban. In May 2020, Ghani and political rival Abdullah signed a power-sharing agreement, two months after both declared themselves the winner of the September 2019 presidential election. AdThe Cabinet changes could be a sign that Ghani is pushing back against the U.S. and oppositionโs increasing support for an interim administration. The talks in Qatar between the Afghan government and the Taliban have stalled, but Russia voiced hope that the talks in Moscow could help reinvigorate them.
Dutch PM Rutte's conservatives see 4th straight election win
Dutch caretaker Prime Minister Mark Rutte speaks with the media following exit polls in the general election in The Hague, Netherlands, March 17, 2021. The VVD selected Senator Annemarie Jorritsma, while D66 chose Kajsa Ollongren, who was interior minister and deputy prime minister in Rutte's last Cabinet. AdBaudet, arriving at parliament for a meeting of party leaders, told reporters he โwas actually hoping for moreโ seats in the election. The Green Left party, a big winner in the 2017 election, was forecast to lose half of its 14 seats. The Dutch election, coming just months after Britain's Brexit divorce with the European Union came into full force, saw gains among pro-EU parties.