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.

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Headlines from the Associated Press

Rangel invites ethics probe of his fundraising
Fri, 18 Jul 2008 03:52:51 -0000
NEW YORK (AP) -- Rep. Charles Rangel asked the House Ethics Committee on Thursday to investigate his fundraising for a college research center named after him, saying a probe would prove he did nothing wrong....
Pentagon documents sought in Pat Tillman probe
By ERICA WERNER Thu, 17 Jul 2008 23:01:07 -0000
WASHINGTON (AP) -- A House committee chairman asked the Pentagon on Thursday to declassify some documents about the friendly fire death of Army Ranger Pat Tillman, saying the public and Tillman's family should get to see them....
Govt OK sought for top pay at mortgage giants
By JULIE HIRSCHFELD DAVIS Thu, 17 Jul 2008 21:39:54 -0000
WASHINGTON (AP) -- Congress wants to require executives at Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac to have their pay packages approved by the government as part of a bill to throw a federal lifeline to the mortgage giants....

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