Fri, February 7, 2025

by: ABC

Trump 2nd term live updates: Trump sued over effort to dismantle USAID

President Donald Trump has begun his second administration with a series of controversial moves and decisions.

by: MSN

Elon Musk emerges as Democrats' new boogeyman in Trump 2.0

Democrats are turning their attention to the richest man in the world as a way to target Republicans and win back key voter groups.

by: MSN

Factbox-What Trump has done to remake the US government so far

President Donald Trump has signed a series of executive orders and taken other actions since his inauguration on January 20 to remake and reduce the size of the United States' 2.2 million-strong federal workforce.

by: MSN

Kenya's digital struggle: AI, activism and crackdowns

Kenya's government has recently ramped up efforts to regulate social media and artificial intelligence, as AI-generated content fuels dissent and sparks a heated debate on free speech and regulation.

by: MSN

House GOP rushing to produce Trump's big budget bill with tax cuts, program cuts and other promises

House Republicans are working overtime after a lengthy White House meeting to meet President Donald Trump's demand for a big budget package that includes some $3 trillion in tax breaks, massive program cuts and a possible extension of the nation's debt limit.

by: Time

Trump and Musk Promote Misleading 'Scandal' About Government Funding Media

Trump has bundled two of his long-favored political targets—federal government spending and the media—into one attack while offering no evidence for his claims.

by: MSN

Trump sued by USAID workers union after slashing thousands of jobs from government agency: Live

Trump sued by USAID workers union after slashing thousands of jobs from government agency: Live - President accuses ICC of 'illegitimate and baseless actions targeting America and our close ally Israe
Thu, February 6, 2025

by: fox13now

Trump signs executive order to 'eradicate anti-Christian bias' in government

President Donald Trump signed an executive order Thursday to "protect the religious freedoms of Americans and end the anti-Christian weaponization of government."

by: ABC

Trump calls USAID a 'tremendous fraud.' His wife and daughter promoted its work

In 2019 then-President Trump signed a memorandum launching a new "Women's Global Development and Prosperity" Initiative aimed at empowering women in the developing world. The $50 million fund, known as W-GDP, was developed to be distributed by USAID with an ambitious goal of empowering 50 million women in developing countries by 2025.

by: thenightly

Australian news and politics live updates: Veterans demand ex defence chief apologise for 'smearing' awards

Follow for live updates on what is happening in politics in Australia and abroad and for all the biggest breaking news stories.

by: ABC

Trump's record number of executive orders are testing the limits of presidential power

All told, Trump has signed 54 executive orders in just over two weeks back in office, which is already more than any president has signed in their first 100 days since President Harry Truman (57).

by: thenightly

Australian news and politics live updates: AFP shut out of Laos methanol deaths probe, Trump on Gaza

Follow for live updates on what is happening in politics in Australia and abroad and for all the biggest breaking news stories.

by: Politico

God, Trump and pancakes

During Obama's 2008 presidential campaign, it was revealed that BRAD PITT is a ninth cousin to the 44th president. The link is EDWIN HICKMAN, who died in Virginia in 1769, the Guardian reported in 2009. Obama is a direct descendant of Hickman's son JAMES HICKMAN, through the president's mother, ANN DUNHAM.

by: thenightly

Australian news and politics live updates: AFP offer to help Laos on methanol deaths rejected, Trump on Gaza

Follow for live updates on what is happening in politics in Australia and abroad and for all the biggest breaking news stories.

by: PBS

What you need to know about impoundment, and how Trump vows to use it

It's a concept that's normally dry, esoteric and distanced from Americans' everyday lives, yet the heart of the matter is a key question of American democracy.

by: lex18

Justice Department sues Illinois and Chicago over immigration laws

The Department of Justice is suing Illinois and Chicago over their immigration laws, claiming they endanger public safety and conflict with federal statutes.

by: Washingtonian

Spoons Are Becoming a Symbol of Feds' Resistance to Trump and Musk

Federal workers have a new response to the Trump administration's "Fork in the Road" push to convince them to resign: spoons. During a meeting with a former Tesla engineer Wednesday, employees at the General Services Administration's Technology Transformation Services office "rained down spoon emojis in the chat that accompanied the video meeting,

by: RealClearPolitics

Scott Jennings: America Elected Trump To Be A Sledgehammer, And Elon Musk Is His Instrument Of Destruction

CNN commentator Scott Jennings said Wednesday night about Elon Musk and DOGE's role in the Trump administration: SCOTT JENNINGS, CNN SENIOR POLITICAL COMMENTATOR: So, it's not illegal, not illegal. You don't like the politics of it.

by: wusf

Hundreds protest for immigration and LGBTQ rights in downtown Tampa

The demonstration was part of a nationwide movement opposing recent decisions from the Trump administration to crack down on immigration and LGBTQ individuals.

by: RealClearPolitics

Mary Katharine Ham: We're Told Waste And Fraud Is A Small Percentage, Also It's The End Of Democracy If We Start Auditing It

OutKick Columnist' Mary Katharine Ham defended Elon Musk's efforts to investigate government spending and inefficiency: MARY KATHARINE HAM: There is an old saying, 'that a hit dog hollers.' The dog is hollering right now.

by: CNN

The latest on Trump's presidency as he continues government restructuring

Lawmakers and world leaders are reacting to President Donald Trump's comments that the US "will take over" the Gaza Strip as Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu meets with lawmakers. Follow for live updates.

by: Island

US withdrawal from UNHRC, a boon to political repression and ultra-nationalism

by: MSN

Column: These are the legal obstacles that could stop Trump's assault on government in its tracks

Efforts to overturn existing government regulations must pass the 'arbitrary and capricious' test. Trump failed it, big-time, throughout his first term.

by: MSN

Politico denies it's a 'beneficiary of government programs' as questions swirl over receiving taxpayer funds

In a staff memo obtained by Fox News Digital, Politico chiefs denied they are a 'beneficiary of government programs' as the White House vows to cancel federal payments to the outlet.

by: MSN

Gov. Kim Reynolds testifies at U.S. House government efficiency hearing

White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt discusses USAID funding media outlets.

by: MSN

Trump can delete Elizabeth Warren's failed experiment once and for all

Rohit Chopra's departure as director of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau should not be just the end of his tenure but the beginning of the end for the CFPB itself.

by: MSN

Meet the 'nerd army' of Elon Musk: Here is how the 'Muskrats' are shaking up US government agencies and the education system too

Elon Musk's handpicked young tech experts, known as the "Muskrats" or "nerd army," are targeting US bureaucracy, with a special focus on the Education Department. Comprising talented individuals from top companies like Tesla,

by: ABC

Trump 2nd term live updates: US government vessels can transit Panama Canal for free

As President Donald Trump's second administration continued its swift recasting of the federal government and American foreign policy, the president and his top diplomat issued a stunning proposal, saying the U.S. would "take over" the Gaza Strip, "level the site" and rebuild it.
Wed, February 5, 2025

by: IJR

'So Pathetic': Long-Time Dem Operative Says Dems Fear Trump's Success As They'll Have Nothing To Sell To The Public

A long-time Democratic Party operative appeared Wednesday on Fox Business to criticize Democratic leaders and said the party fears that President Donald Trump will enjoy success implementing policies that are popular.

by: Reuters

State Dept says US government vessels can now transit Panama Canal without fees

The U.S. Department of State said on Wednesday American government vessels can now transit the Panama Canal without charge fees.

by: Reuters

US top diplomat Rubio will not attend G20 meeting in South Africa

U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio will not attend an upcoming G20 meeting in South Africa, the top U.S. diplomat said on Wednesday, days after President Donald Trumpthreatened to cut off funding to the African country.

by: ABC

Republicans block Musk from congressional subpoena as DOGE continues to access government data

Congressional Democrats are continuing their push for answers as Elon Musk continues to dismantle and disrupt government services.

by: CNN

First on CNN: Republican and Democratic former USAID leaders speak out against Trump's attempts to dismantle agency

Five former leaders of the US Agency for International Development (USAID) from across Republican and Democratic administrations spoke out against the Trump administration's attempts to dismantle the humanitarian agency.

by: komonews

Worker buyouts just 'peanuts' in crusade to cut government spending: expert

The federal government has congressionally approved buyout authority that's capped at $25,000. Trump's plan allows workers who resign before Thursday to keep getting paid through September. Kamarck said the average federal worker would hit the $25,000 limit allowed for buyouts within a few months.

by: RealClearPolitics

WH: Federal Government Canceling Subscriptions "Subsidizing" Politico

White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt revealed Wednesday that the U.S. government, including USAID, will no longer be spending "more than $8 million... essentially subsidizing subscriptions to Politico.

by: Crikey

World leaders slam Trump's Gaza takeover plan

US President Donald Trump has suggested America 'take over' Gaza to widespread condemnation, and China is bristly about the Australian government's DeepSeek ban.

by: Newsweek

Trump Is Moving Fast and Breaking Things. These Voters Can't Get Enough

Voters who cast ballots for Trump in November told Newsweek they are thrilled over the rapid speed and breadth of the president's action over his two-and-a-half weeks back in office, applauding him for for "doing everything he said he would."

by: ABC

Trump 2nd term live updates: White House won't rule out military deployment in Gaza

As President Donald Trump's second administration continued its swift recasting of the federal government and American foreign policy, the president and his top diplomat issued a stunning proposal, saying the U.S. would "take over" the Gaza Strip, "level the site" and rebuild it.

by: krtv

CIA offers employee buyouts as Trump aims to shrink government

The CIA became the first national security agency to reportedly offer employees buyouts amid President Trump's plan to shrink the federal workforce.

by: MSN

All the times Project 2025 has appeared in Trump's executive orders

All the times Project 2025 has appeared in Trump's executive orders - Trump said he doesn't know 'what the hell' Project 2025 is — but there are dozens of parallels between the document and his execut

by: MSN

The former head of the OPM condemns Trump buyout offer and says federal workers are being 'tormented'

Acting as a kind of HR department for the federal government and tasked with managing that workforce, the OPM made headlines last week when it sent millions of federal workers a b

by: CNN

Trump and Musk are moving to smother these three pieces of the government

Donald Trump ran his presidential campaign promising to abolish entire federal agencies and departments, but it's not quite so easy for a president to simply end an organization that was created and funded each year by Congress,

by: scrippsnews

CIA begins offering employees buyouts as Trump aims to shrink federal government

The CIA became the first national security agency to reportedly offer employees buyouts amid President Trump's plan to shrink the federal workforce.

by: Newsweek

US Trade Deficit Widens Significantly Ahead of Trump Tariffs

The U.S. trade deficit hit near-record levels in late 2024 as America's trading partners prepare to navigate Trump's tariffs.

by: MSN

UK politics live: Starmer confirms talks with Trump over shock plan for US takeover of Gaza

Starmer confirms talks with Trump over shock plan for US takeover of Gaza - Sir Keir Starmer refused to call out Donald Trump on his controversial plan for Gaza during PMQs

by: MSN

Njuri Ncheke reprimands Justin Muturi, orders him to reconcile with Ruto: "Wacha hiyo fitina"

Public Service Cabinet Secretary Justin Muturi has found himself at odds with the Njuri Ncheke, who have criticized his constant criticism of the government.

by: BBC

Starmer and Badenoch clash over Chagos Islands deal at PMQs

The Tory leader says "when Labour negotiates, our country loses"; the prime minister questions whether Badenoch has been "properly briefed" on UK security.

by: MSN

Delhi Elections 2025: Close contest between AAP and BJP, Saffron camp likely to win 36 seats

Exit polls released by Zeenia, Zee News' AI-powered news anchor, suggest that the Arvind Kejriwal-led AAP will get 33 to 38 seats while the BJP secures 31 to 36 seats in the Delhi Assembly.

US withdrawal from UNHRC, a boon to political repression and ultra-nationalism

The US' reported withdrawal from the UNHRC and some other vital UN agencies could be seen as a fillip to anti-democratic and ultra-nationalistic forces worldwide. Besides, the stark message is being conveyed that the developing regions of the world would from now on suffer further impoverishment and powerlessness.

The article from "Island.lk" discusses the implications of the United States' withdrawal from the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC) in 2018, arguing that this move has had significant negative repercussions for global human rights. It suggests that the U.S. withdrawal has emboldened political repression and ultra-nationalism worldwide, particularly in countries like Sri Lanka. The piece highlights how the absence of U.S. leadership in the UNHRC has weakened the body's ability to enforce human rights standards, thereby allowing nations with poor human rights records to act with greater impunity. It also points out the rise of ultra-nationalist movements, which often use the lack of international scrutiny to further their agendas of exclusion and repression. The article critiques the U.S. for prioritizing geopolitical strategies over human rights, which has led to a decline in the global commitment to human rights, affecting vulnerable populations and diminishing the international community's capacity to address human rights abuses effectively.

Read the Full Island Article at:
https://island.lk/us-withdrawal-from-unhrc-a-boon-to-political-repression-and-ultra-nationalism/