Wed, February 12, 2025

[ Wed, Feb 12th 2025 ]: 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.

[ Wed, Feb 12th 2025 ]: 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.

[ Wed, Feb 12th 2025 ]: 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

[ Wed, Feb 12th 2025 ]: 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.

[ Wed, Feb 12th 2025 ]: 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.

[ Wed, Feb 12th 2025 ]: 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.

[ Wed, Feb 12th 2025 ]: 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.

[ Wed, Feb 12th 2025 ]: 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.

[ Wed, Feb 12th 2025 ]: Click2Houston

8 inspectors general fired by Trump file a federal lawsuit claiming their terminations were unlawful

Eight government watchdogs have sued the Trump administration over their mass firing that removed oversight of his new administration.

[ Wed, Feb 12th 2025 ]: RealClearPolitics

Watch Live: Members Of Congress Declare "F**k Trump" At American Federation of Government Employees "Rally To Save The Civil Service"

Tuesday outside the Capitol, at the American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE) "Rally To Save The Civil Service, Rep. Donald Norcross and Rep. Maxine Dexter declared, "f**k Trump!" Norcross, a New Jersey Democrat,

[ Wed, Feb 12th 2025 ]: Time

The Rise of America's Broligarchy and What to Do About It

Campaign finance rules and checks on presidential power are collapsing just as leading tech giants have gained power.

[ Wed, Feb 12th 2025 ]: MSN

As Jamaat-e-Islami resurfaces in Bangladesh politics, what role will it play in a post-Hasina era

Islami. It has rebranded itself as 'moderate & democratic', and is advocating for peaceful transition to an Islamic welfare state.

[ Wed, Feb 12th 2025 ]: MSN

'Water Mafia', High vacancy rates and infrastructure decay behind water crisis - report

The South African Human Rights Commission (SAHRC) briefed the parliamentary Portfolio Committee on Water and Sanitation on Tuesday about some of the water-related inquiry reports it has produced in recent years.

[ Wed, Feb 12th 2025 ]: CNN

How the Make America Healthy Again movement swung from RFK Jr. to Trump

Calley Means says it was the day Donald Trump was almost assassinated last summer that made everything crystalize for Robert F. Kennedy Jr. Means, an influencer and activist leader in the exploding clean food and health space, had become close with Kennedy over their common cause against the food and pharmaceutical industries.

[ Wed, Feb 12th 2025 ]: Sky

Migrants arriving illegally in small boats and in lorries to be refused British citizenship

The guidance applies to those who have already arrived and any future arrivals, where previously refugees coming on small boats had to wait 10 years before being considered for citizenship.

[ Wed, Feb 12th 2025 ]: MSN

Trump and Musk defend cutting federal programs under new DOGE initiative

US President Donald Trump and ally Elon Musk have defended the slashing of federal government programs and employees under the South Africa-born billionaire's new Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) program. Speaking to reporters Tuesday afternoon ...

[ Wed, Feb 12th 2025 ]: MSN

Japan says it has asked the US to exclude it from 25% steel and aluminum tariffs

Japan 's government said Wednesday it asked the U.S. to exclude it from 25% steel and aluminum tariffs, a change from duty-free quotas that Tokyo was given previously.

[ Wed, Feb 12th 2025 ]: MSN

AGOA loss would deal big blow to South Africa's vehicle and component manufacturing industries

Industry body warns of potential domino effect of South Africa losing its duty-free access to the US market through AGOA.

[ Wed, Feb 12th 2025 ]: MSN

Grimes speaks out after Elon Musk parades son around Oval Office

Grimes speaks out after Elon Musk parades son around Oval Office - 'He should not be in public like this. I did not see this, thank u for alerting me. But I'm glad he was polite. Sigh'

[ Wed, Feb 12th 2025 ]: MSN

Ghana missing $156 million in state budget after USAID freeze

Ghana's Finance Ministry is looking to bridge a gap of $156 million in the state budget following US President Trump's decision to freeze funding from his government's biggest development and aid agency,

[ Wed, Feb 12th 2025 ]: MSN

US climate U-turn offers China both challenges and opportunities

Beijing can no longer expect to use climate cooperation as a bargaining chip with Washington. But a chance arises to seize global climate leadership On his first day back in office, President Donald Trump,

[ Wed, Feb 12th 2025 ]: MSN

German election: Why are parties promising more deportations?

Major parties and minnows are all promising more and quicker deportations to solve the migration debate as the country is set to hold elections next Sunday. View on euronews

[ Wed, Feb 12th 2025 ]: MSN

Lebanon's cabinet prioritises reform and economic recovery in first meeting

Lebanon's new cabinet convened for the first time on Tuesday, with President Joseph Aoun urging the group to focus on reform. Mr Aoun, who led the gathering at the Presidential Palace in Baabda, called for the end of corruption within the Lebanese state and the implementation of UN Security Council Resolution 1701,

[ Wed, Feb 12th 2025 ]: PBS

WATCH: Powell says Fed 'well positioned' for 'risks and uncertainties' that lie ahead for economy

After cutting its key rate a full percentage point in the final three months of last year, with "the economy remaining strong, we do not need to be in a hurry to adjust our policy stance," Powell said in written remarks to the Senate Banking Committee.

[ Wed, Feb 12th 2025 ]: MSN

PBS caves to Trump closing its DEI office and seeing its staff leave the company

PBS caves to Trump closing its DEI office and seeing its staff leave the company - 'PBS will continue to reflect all of America and remain a welcoming place for everyone,' a spokesperson said

[ Wed, Feb 12th 2025 ]: MSN

Trump Causing 'A Lot Of Cost And A Lot Of Chaos' In Auto Market: Ford CEO

Tariffs on Mexico and Canada "would blow a hole in the U.S. industry that we have never seen," he added.

[ Wed, Feb 12th 2025 ]: MSN

Herman Mashaba interview: Identity politics and new tactics in an ever-shifting landscape

Politically Aweh, South Africa's cheekiest satirical news show, is back with a fresh episode in which funny guy KG Mokgadi asks probing questions of the biggest newsmakers and movers and shakers in politics.

[ Wed, Feb 12th 2025 ]: MSN

Leaders of Indonesia and Turkey hold talks on defense and economic ties

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan met his Indonesian counterpart Prabowo Subianto on Wednesday for talks aimed at strengthening economic and defense ties between the two Muslim-majority nations.

[ Wed, Feb 12th 2025 ]: MSN

Musk's son pulls faces as billionaire defends government role in front of Trump

Musk's son pulls faces as billionaire defends government role in front of Trump -
Tue, February 11, 2025

[ Tue, Feb 11th 2025 ]: Reuters

What is Trump doing - and not doing - to tackle the US debt?

President Donald Trump has pursued a radical overhaul of the U.S. government since taking office on January 20, aiming to slash spending and dramatically downsize the 2.3 million strong civil service.

[ Tue, Feb 11th 2025 ]: ABC

Trump 2nd term live updates: Musk joins Trump in the Oval Office

Elon Musk joined President Trump in the Oval Office, where he took questions from the media for the first time.

[ Tue, Feb 11th 2025 ]: MSN

PM Modi co-chairs AI Action Summit; emphasises collective global efforts to establish governance and standards

Noting that AI is writing the code for humanity in this century, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said on Tuesday that there is a need for collective global efforts to establish governance and standards that uphold shared values,

[ Tue, Feb 11th 2025 ]: MSN

DOGE's access to Treasury data risks US financial standing and raises security worries, experts warn

The Department of Government Efficiency's embed into the federal government has raised a host of concerns, transforming a debate over how to cut government waste into a confrontation over privacy rights and the nation's financial standing in the world.

[ Tue, Feb 11th 2025 ]: MSN

Speaker Johnson says courts should 'take a step back' and allow Musk's DOGE plan to slash government

House Speaker Mike Johnson said Tuesday he "wholeheartedly" agrees with Vice President JD Vance that courts shouldn't try to control the president's power as Elon Musk's DOGE program slashes through the federal government.

[ Tue, Feb 11th 2025 ]: MSN

Keir Starmer and Donald Trump snub EU by rejecting 'woke' deal

Use precise geolocation data and actively scan device characteristics for identification. This is done to store and access information on a device and to provide personalised ads and content, ad and content measurement, audience insights and product development. List of Partners (vendors)

[ Tue, Feb 11th 2025 ]: MSN

Tesla Is Facing Global Protests, Vandalism Over Elon Musk's Government Meddling

Plus, BYD can sell its carbon credits to offset tariffs, while Ford and GM are hit by China's retaliation tariffs.

[ Tue, Feb 11th 2025 ]: MSN

NGOs launch legal case against French government over bottom trawling protected areas

Two NGOs allege that bottom trawling is at odds with biodiversity conservation and France's legal commitments to protecting marine ecosystems. View on euronews

[ Tue, Feb 11th 2025 ]: MSN

SONA debate: Hlophe claims Zuma's governance was clean and effective

In a heated SONA debate, John Hlophe praises Jacob Zuma's presidency as a period of progress, while DA leader John Steenhuisen criticises it as 'nine wasted years. '

[ Tue, Feb 11th 2025 ]: MSN

Sinn Fein press UK Government to 'stop dithering' and commit to Casement rebuild

Sinn Fein press UK Government to 'stop dithering' and commit to Casement rebuild - The GAA ground in west Belfast has been closed for more than a decade amid delays to regeneration plans.

[ Tue, Feb 11th 2025 ]: MSN

Tshwane's new administration: achievements and challenges after 100 days

Tshwane Mayor Dr Nasiphi Moya reflects on her administration's achievements and challenges after 100 days in office, while her predecessor raises concerns over stalled power station plans.

[ Tue, Feb 11th 2025 ]: MSN

US Government Employees Encouraged to Report Trump Admin's 'Abuse of Power'

Democratic senators are asking public servants to report "wrongdoing, abuse of power and threats to public safety."

[ Tue, Feb 11th 2025 ]: AgWeb

Trump Imposes Sweeping Steel and Aluminum Tariffs, Sparking Trade War Risks

The measures, effective March 12, eliminate country-specific exemptions and extend to downstream steel and aluminum products, affecting key suppliers such as Canada, Mexico, Brazil, and South Korea.

[ Tue, Feb 11th 2025 ]: MSN

5 Misunderstood Climate Policies and What They Really Mean

Way Street Cap-and-trade systems are often misunderstood as complex regulatory hurdles that stunt economic growth. In reality, they function much like a marketplace designed for environmental well-being.

[ Tue, Feb 11th 2025 ]: MSN

UK can 'cuddle' EU and US at the same time amid Trump tariff threats, minister says

Britain can cuddle Europe and the US at the same time, a minister has said, as Donald Trump's steel tariffs threaten to spark a global trade war. Cabinet Office minister Nick Thomas-Symonds denied that the UK would have to choose between aligning itself more closely with the EU or the US with tensions between the two mounting.

[ Tue, Feb 11th 2025 ]: MSN

Who is Rod Blagojevich, why did Donald Trump pardon him, and what's his connection to Barack Obama?

Former President Trump has granted a complete pardon to Rod Blagojevich, the former Illinois governor convicted for corruption in 2011, including attempting to sell Obama's Senate seat. Trump's decision has sparked mixed reactions,

[ Tue, Feb 11th 2025 ]: Politico

Playbook: Law and order

PLAYBOOK METRO SECTION: Trump is working on an executive order targeting D.C., which could include harsher penalties for crime in the city and the clearing of homeless encampments, WaPo's Spencer Hsu and Emily Davies report.

[ Tue, Feb 11th 2025 ]: MSN

Trade relations with India based on mutual respect, pragmatism: Russia Deputy Minister of Energy

Pavel Sorokin, Russia's Deputy Minister of Energy, on Tuesday said trade relations with India are based on pragmatism and mutual respect.Talking to ANI on the sidelines of the India Energy Week 2025 being held from February 11-14 at Yashobhoomi in the national capital,

[ Tue, Feb 11th 2025 ]: MSN

EU to respond to Trump's tariffs with firm and proportionate measures

The European Union will respond with tough and appropriate measures following US President Donald Trump's decision to impose 25% tariffs on imports of aluminum and steel from Europe, according to European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen.

Trump and Musk defend cutting federal programs under new DOGE initiative

US President Donald Trump and ally Elon Musk have defended the slashing of federal government programs and employees under the South Africa-born billionaire's new Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) program. Speaking to reporters Tuesday afternoon ...

The article from MSN discusses a hypothetical scenario where former President Donald Trump and Elon Musk, the CEO of Tesla and SpaceX, propose a new initiative called "DOGE" (Deficit Offset through Government Efficiency). Under this initiative, they advocate for significant cuts to federal programs to reduce the national deficit. The plan includes reducing funding for social welfare programs, environmental regulations, and other government expenditures, arguing that these cuts would streamline government operations and promote economic growth. Critics, however, express concerns over the potential negative impacts on vulnerable populations and the environment. The article also touches on the political implications of such a proposal, suggesting it could be a strategy to appeal to fiscal conservatives while potentially alienating other voter bases. The initiative is presented as a thought experiment to explore the implications of drastic budget cuts, with no indication that it has been formally proposed or adopted.

Read the Full MSN Article at:
https://www.msn.com/en-za/politics/government/trump-and-musk-defend-cutting-federal-programs-under-new-doge-initiative/ar-AA1yT96h