Thu, February 13, 2025

by: Politico

What DOGE is really up to: A Silicon Valley take

If you go take over a company, you have to go fast, you have to go early and you have to go with some level of certainty that you are right, because you can't wait. You don't dilly-dally trying to follow processes and procedures, because if you do that, nothing gets done.

by: KUOW

Drive a Tesla and have big feelings about it? KUOW wants to hear from you

KUOW wants to know what it's been like to drive a Tesla around the Seattle area during this time of sweeping and contentious political change. Get in touch with KUOW politics reporter Scott Greenstone via email at sgreenstone@kuow.

by: CNN

'People are just flipping out': Billions in federal funding remain frozen despite court orders to keep the taps open

Federal agencies across Washington are finding ways to keep funding frozen even after judges last month temporarily blocked the White House's effort to pause trillions of dollars in federal assistance.

by: Reuters

Musk will face consequences for meddling in German politics, election frontrunner warns

Elon Musk will face consequences for meddling in Germany's election campaign, Friedrich Merz, the frontrunner to become the country's next chancellor, said in an interview with the Wall Street Journal published on Thursday.

by: NPR

Covering the dismantling of federal agencies

Covering the paralyzation or drastic reduction of entire government departments requires a different approach.

by: ABC

Tesla shares have plunged while Musk takes on Washington. Is that the reason?

Shares of Elon Musk's Tesla electric car company have fallen sharply, leading some investors to wonder if the drop is related to his cost-cutting work in Washington.

by: katv

'Waste, fraud, and abuse': National Taxpayers Union praises DOGE efforts

A DOGE subcommittee held its first hearing focused on "improper payments" as the group takes a deeper look at how taxpayer dollars are being spent.

by: CNN

Senate confirms RFK Jr. as Health and Human Services secretary

The Senate voted on Thursday to confirm Robert F. Kennedy Jr. Health and Human Services secretary, a victory for President Donald Trump after Kennedy faced intense scrutiny over his controversial views on vaccines and public health policy.

by: CNN

Latest on Trump's presidency: Modi's visit, expected new tariffs and RFK Jr.'s confirmation vote

President Donald Trump is expected to announce new tariffs Thursday and meet with India's Prime Minister Narendra Modi at the White House as his Cabinet picks face key votes. Meanwhile, court hearings on challenges to the president's changes to USAID and ICE are set to take place.

by: CNN

In Congress, what's the difference between a budget resolution, reconciliation and spending bills?

There's understandable confusion over Capitol Hill lingo discussing the budget process and appropriations/spending process — which are two distinct things.

by: Reuters

Exclusive: JPMorgan CEO Dimon derides in-office work pushback, demands efficiency

JPMorgan Chase CEO Jamie Dimon scorned calls from some employees to soften the bank's five-day return-to-office policy in an animated town hall meeting on Wednesday, according to a recording reviewed by Reuters.

by: STAT

The biotech news stories you need to read today

The risk of pharma bribery, the risk of brain drain, and other risks (and rewards) in the biotech landscape this week.

by: CNN

Latest on Trump's presidency: Modi's visit, new tariffs expected and RFK Jr.'s confirmation vote

President Donald Trump is expected to announce new tariffs Thursday and meet with India's Prime Minister Narendra Modi at the White House as his Cabinet picks face key votes. Meanwhile, court hearings on challenges to the president's changes to USAID and ICE are set to take place.

by: Forbes

5 Must-Read Books To Understand Russia And The War In Ukraine

Recently published books can help readers better understand Russia and the war in Ukraine. Here is a list of must-read books.

by: MSN

Elon Musk's takeover of federal systems could blow cover of American spies: report

President Donald Trump's close associate and billionaire benefactor Elon Musk is doing more than crippling the civil service and infiltrating government IT networks with his Department of Government Efficiency project,

by: MSN

What to know about the federal workforce under Trump

Since President Donald Trump began his second term last month, he has focused on dramatically reducing the federal workforce at a breakneck pace.

by: MSN

"What happened with us, Kejriwal, could happen with Nitish and...": Aaditya Thackeray alleges EVM fraud

Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Aaditya Thackeray on Thursday said that the future of the country is in doubt as the BJP's dream is to break up and finish off every regional party in the country.Addressing a press conference here today,

by: MSN

US Congressman says Trump's aid freeze SA is 'driven by racist information and political bias'

Congressman Jonathan L Jackson condemns President Trump's decision to freeze financial aid to South Africa, labelling it as racially motivated and harmful to vital healthcare programmes.

by: MSN

Raila Odinga's AU Commission dream: 100 MPs in Addis Ababa, cost of flights and accommodation

Kenyan opposition leader Raila Odinga is intensifying his bid for the AU Commission chairmanship. At least 100 MPs will travel to Addis Ababa to support him.

by: MSN

Behind the Curtain: Trump and Musk's masculine maximalism reshapes government

President Trump and Elon Musk, arguably the two most unorthodox and influential American leaders of the 21st century, are practicing and fine-tuning a fused theory of governing power: Masculine maximalism.

by: MSN

Ukraine's return to pre-2014 borders and NATO membership are 'unrealistic,' Hegseth tells allies

An argument escalated into a violence when a man attacked another with a meat cleaver near Jalan Meldrum, Johor Baru on Tuesday (Feb 11) afternoon. Police investigation indicated that the fight stemmed from a heated argument while both were inebriated. Read more at WATCH MORE: SUBSCRIBE: LIKE:

by: MSN

Priyanka Gandhi attacks BJP-led government, says border security rules changed for Adani's energy park

Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi Vadra on Wednesday questioned the BJP-led government over a media report concerning the relaxation of protocols for a renewable energy park near the Pakistan border being developed by Adani Group and asked if "one person's business interest bigger than the question of national security".

by: MSN

Elon Musk calls for US government to 'delete entire agencies'

Elon Musk called Thursday to "delete entire agencies" from the United States' federal government as part of his push under President Donald Trump to radically cut spending and restructure its priorities.

by: MSN

Clinics to close, doctors and nurses to lose jobs as a result of Donald Trump's funding cuts

US President Donald Trump's decision to cut funding in South Africa will severely effect health and environmental initiatives which receive almost $320 million annually for essential services, says Stellenbosch University Health Professor Emeritus,

by: MSN

Clinics to close, doctors and nurses to lose jobs as a result of Trump's funding cuts

US President Donald Trump's decision to cut funding in South Africa will severely effect health and environmental initiatives which receive almost $320 million annually for essential services, says Stellenbosch University Health Professor Emeritus,

by: CounterPunch

High-Tech Capitalism and Neo-Feudalism

This oligarchy/plutocracy constitutes 0.1% of the American population. It owns 14% of the nation's wealth, $22 trillion in stocks, bonds and real estate, while 50% of Americans own 2.4% of the national wealth ($4 trillion).

by: CNN

Latest on Trump's presidency: Putin call on Ukraine war, federal cuts and Cabinet pick votes

President Donald Trump is working to enact his agenda and shrink the federal government, despite a host of legal challenges. Tulsi Gabbard, Trump's pick for intelligence chief, faces a confirmation vote Wednesday.

by: thenightly

Australian news and politics live: Australia protests 'unsafe' incident after Chinese jet targets RAAF plane

Australia has 'expressed its concerns' to China after an 'unsafe and unprofessional' incident in which flares were released in close proximity to an Australian Defence Force aircraft.
Wed, February 12, 2025

by: redstateobserver

Kansas Governor's Veto Threatens Children's Health and Safety

Democratic Governor Vetoes Bill to Protect Kansas Children** Kansas Democratic Governor Laura Kelly has taken a controversial stand by vetoing a Republican-

by: Slate

Mitch McConnell Could Have Stopped This

It's a toss-up which is more pathetic: that just one Republican senator opposed the confirmation of Tulsi Gabbard as director of national intelligence or that the GOP's lone naysayer was Mitch McConnell.

by: AOL

Trickle-down effect of NIH funding battle worries healthcare analysts and medical experts

NIH funding was set to be cut Monday until a federal judge stepped in and delayed the impact. Some health experts and analysts are still concerned.

by: Time

Why Trump's Takeover of the Kennedy Center Will Reverberate in Hollywood and Beyond

Trump is now the Kennedy Center's board chairman, giving him control over a beloved arts institution that regularly interacts with Hollywood

by: LBC

Elon Musk and son join Donald Trump in White House as president pushes to slash US government workforce

Elon Musk joined Donald Trump in the White House as the president gave an executive order for US government agencies to comply with the billionaire's plans to slash their workforces.

by: Oregonian

Oregon's Senate Republican leader spreads fake examples of government waste using state resources

Examples included more than half a billion dollars spent on sushi and $1,280 per paper coffee cup — but those examples, which spread like wildfire on conservative social media, aren't real.

by: ABC

Trump and allies ramp up attacks on judges, courts as agenda hits legal roadblocks

Trump and his allies are continuing to question judicial oversight of the executive branch, ramping up criticism of judges who've put some of his agenda on pause.

by: MSN

MSNBC's Lawrence O'Donnell taunts Trump over 'most powerless image of a president ever'

MSNBC's Lawrence O'Donnell taunts Trump over 'most powerless image of a president ever' - Lawrence O'Donnell said that Elon Musk delivered 'a picture of presidential subservience the likes of which we have never seen' during a Tuesday afternoon Oval Office press conference.

by: MSN

Ukraine-Russia war live: Trump and Putin agree to talks after US defence chief says pre-war borders unrealistic

Trump and Putin agree to talks after US defence chief says pre-war borders unrealistic - Trump says he and Putin have 'agreed to work together, very closely'

by: MSN

Donald Trump holds phone call with Vladimir Putin on starting Ukraine negotiations

Trump posted the details of his conversation with the Russian President on his social media platform, Truth Social. View on euronews

by: MSN

U.S. House Republicans suggest raising debt limit, tax cut and spending cuts

The U.S. House Republicans have suggested a new budget resolution that includes raising the debt limit by $4 trillion. This proposal is part of a larger fiscal strategy that also includes a $4.5 trillion tax cut and $2 trillion in cuts to mandatory spending over the next decade.

by: MSN

Ramaphosa's SONA full of empty promises, say EFF and MK Party

The opposition parties still insist on the expropriation of land without compensation while the Health Minister said the NHI will be implemented gradually in line with available financial resources.

by: MSN

US Senate confirms Tulsi Gabbard as director of national intelligence

The Senate voted 52 to 48, mostly along party lines, to confirm Tulsi Gabbard to the position overseeing the 18-agency intelligence community and acting as Donald Trump's top adviser on intelligence issues.

by: MSN

Senate confirms Gabbard as Trump's director of national intelligence after Republicans fall in line

The Senate on Wednesday confirmed Tulsi Gabbard as President Donald Trump's director of national intelligence after Republicans who had initially questioned her experience and judgment fell in line behind her nomination.

by: MSN

JPH sends aid to Palestinian refugees in Gaza

THE Philippines donated thousands of gloves, bonnets and blankets to Palestinian refugees in Gaza to ease their troubles this winter season, the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) said. DFA-Office of the Middle East and African Affairs Assistant Director Jomar Sadie lauded the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) for its valuable contributions to the Philippine humanitarian efforts.

by: Slate

South Carolina Doctors Ask for Right to Follow Conscience and Perform Abortions

Claims about religious conscience are nothing new in debates about reproduction in the United States. Employers cited it in refusing to include contraception in employee insurance plans; anti-abortion doctors relied on conscience when trying to establish standing in a case to shut down access to mifepristone.

by: MSN

Peter Salasya alleges rigging in poll ranking him 5th among top MPs: "I'm rigged"

The Infotrak survey has spotlighted top lawmakers led by MP Babu Owino, who have excelled in representation, development initiatives, and legislative contributions.

by: MSN

Trump will stack metal tariffs on top of looming 25% levies: White House

If stacked on top of broad levies, Donald Trump's tariffs on Canadian steel and aluminum imports into the U.S. would go up to 50 per cent.

by: Sky

Will the far right be the second largest party? Everything you need to know about Germany's elections

Chancellor Olaf Scholz is expected to be voted out of office as Europe's biggest economy goes to the polls. Sky News looks at the key issues in the elections and what could happen next.

by: MSN

Inflation rises to 3% in latest report - and the spike could have a major impact on the Trump agenda

The consumer price index increased by three percent in January compared to a year ago, according to a Wednesday report from the Labor Department. U.S. inflation rose last month with the price of groceries,

The wall Trump wants to tear down isn't on the border: The fight over church and state

The president wants to round up, remove, and wall off those who, for the most part, are not White and don't practice his approved brand of Christianity.

The article from MSN discusses former President Donald Trump's ongoing efforts to challenge the separation of church and state, a principle deeply embedded in American governance. Trump has been vocal about his desire to dismantle what he perceives as an unnecessary barrier between religion and government, often citing his belief that America should be more explicitly Christian in its public life. This stance has led to significant controversy, particularly as it touches on issues like school prayer, religious symbols in public spaces, and the role of religion in public policy. Critics argue that Trump's push could undermine the First Amendment's establishment clause, which prevents the government from making laws "respecting an establishment of religion." The article highlights how this debate reflects broader cultural and political divides in the U.S., with Trump's supporters seeing it as a return to traditional values, while opponents view it as an erosion of constitutional protections for religious freedom and pluralism.

Read the Full MSN Article at:
https://www.msn.com/en-za/politics/government/the-wall-trump-wants-to-tear-down-isn-t-on-the-border-the-fight-over-church-and-state/ar-AA1yWInA