Fri, February 14, 2025

by: Reuters

US embassies told to prepare for staff cuts as Trump overhauls diplomatic corps, sources say

President Donald Trump's administration has asked U.S. embassies worldwide to prepare for staff cuts, three sources familiar with the matter told Reuters on Thursday, as part of the Republican president's effort to overhaul the U.

by: NBC26

Judge orders Trump administration to temporarily allow funds for foreign aid to flow again

A judge has ordered the Trump administration to restore funding for USAID contracts that were in place before his Jan. 20 executive order declaring a freeze on foreign assistance.

by: NewsNation

OPM directs agencies to fire government workers still on probation

Office of Personnel Management (OPM) officials met with agency leaders across government Thursday and directed them to begin firing employees still in their probationary period a year or more

by: CNN

Latest on Trump's presidency as his overhaul of government continues amid legal challenges

President Donald Trump continues to forge ahead with transforming the federal government as his changes face multiple legal challenges. Meanwhile, Vice President JD Vance is meeting with Ukraines' Volodymyr Zelensky at the Munich Security Conference.

by: MSN

14 states sue DOGE, Trump and 'agent of chaos' Elon Musk for violating Constitution

DOGE, Trump and 'agent of chaos' Elon Musk for violating Constitution - Trump has 'delegated virtually unchecked authority to Musk without proper legal authorization from Congress and without meaningful supervision of his activities,

by: cnbctv18

Explainer: What is President's Rule, how long it lasts and who administers

President's Rule is imposed under Article 356 of the Constitution when the President is satisfied that a state government cannot function according to constitutional provisions. The President assumes the functions of the state government,

by: MSN

'Eight days of forlorn hope and agony': EFF slams 'callous' delays in repatriation of soldiers killed in DRC

The EFF has condemned the South African government for delays in repatriating 14 soldiers killed in the DRC, calling it a "callous" mishandling, while renewing its call for withdrawing our troops.

by: MSN

US judge orders Trump administration to temporarily restore foreign aid funding

A US federal judge ordered the Trump administration to temporarily lift a funding freeze that has shut down US aid and development work globally. View on euronews

by: MSN

Trump calls India's Modi a 'great friend' but warns of higher US tariffs on Indian goods

President Donald Trump greeted Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi at the White House with a bear hug on Thursday and called him "a great friend of mine," but nonetheless warned that India won't be spared from higher tariffs he's begun imposing on US trade partners around the world.

by: MSN

Taiwan pledges to invest more in the US after Trump's tariff threats

Taiwan President Lai Ching-te said on Friday he would communicate more with the US over President Donald Trump's concerns over the chip industry and invest more in the US hours after Trump ordered reciprocal tariffs on trade partners.

by: MSN

US judge orders Trump administration to restore funding for foreign aid programmes

A US federal judge ordered the Trump administration to temporarily lift a three-week funding freeze that has shut down US aid and development work globally. View on euronews

by: MSN

Taiwan pledges to communicate and invest more in the US after Trump tariff threats

Taiwan President Lai Ching-te said Friday he would communicate more with the U.S. over President Donald Trump's concerns over the chip industry and invest more in the U.S, hours after Trump ordered reciprocal tariffs on trade partners.

by: MSN

Trump goes on All Caps rant on Truth Social touching on Ukraine, DOGE cuts and the 'BEST EVER' week

Trump goes on All Caps rant on Truth Social touching on Ukraine, DOGE cuts and the 'BEST EVER' week - "THREE GREAT WEEKS, PERHAPS THE BEST EVER, BUT TODAY IS THE BIG ONE," the president bellowed

by: MSN

If Europe and the UK could sanction Putin over Ukraine, it can do the same for Bangladesh

It is easy to call for human rights from EU offices in Brussels and Luxembourg, our old, established democracies. In Bangladesh, Yunus is trying to build a new one. We must help him, Muddassar Ahmed writes.

by: CounterPunch

Two Books on Climate Change and Beyond

Three Paths Through the Planetary Crisis (Little, Brown and Company, 2025) Anthony Galluzzo, Against the Vortex: Zardoz and

by: Townhall

We Are Totally Going to Crush the Democrats' Puny Lawfare Offensive

We're going to win this fight. We just have to fight smart. Let's back up a little. Doesn't it seem like these orders are crazy? Your gut is correct - they are crazy. They are also obnoxious, as they are the result of blatant judge shopping.

by: MSN

US Federal Judge orders Trump administration to restore funding for foreign aid programmes

A US federal judge ordered the Trump administration to temporarily lift a three-week funding freeze that has shut down US aid and development work globally. View on euronews

by: MSN

John Methu savagely responds to Karen Nyamu: "Nitakuita watu wakianza kutwerk"

Nyandarua senator John Methu and Karen Nyamu traded witty jabs online over KUTRH leadership changes, leaving fans amused with their playful banter.

by: MSN

Judge orders Trump administration to temporarily lift funding freeze on US foreign aid

Judge orders Trump administration to temporarily lift funding freeze on US foreign aid - In another setback for President Donald Trump and Elon Musk's DOGE, Judge Amir Ali said freezing aid would have

by: Reuters

Trump says US has approved extradition of suspect in 2008 Mumbai attacks

The U.S. has approved the extradition of a suspect in the 2008 militant attacks in India's financial capital Mumbai in which over 160 people were killed, President Donald Trump said on Thursday in a press conference with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

by: Reuters

Singapore budget to tackle living costs and jobs as election looms

Singapore's government is expected to focus on cost of living issues, housing and employment in next week's budget, as it heads towards an election buoyed by strong growth and low inflation but facing uncertainties over U.
Thu, February 13, 2025

by: ABC

Trump 2nd term live updates: Trump begins mass layoffs across agencies, sources say

As President Donald Trump's second administration continued its effort to swiftly reshape the federal government, a union representing foreign service officers at the U.S. Agency for International Development accused the administration of failing to comply with last week's temporary restraining order to prevent the dismantling of USAID.

by: NBC26

New suit alleges Trump's appointment of Elon Musk to make changes via DOGE is unconstitutional

A new lawsuit alleges that President Trump violated the Appointments Clause of the Constitution when he gave unelected billionaire Elon Musk leeway to make sweeping changes to government agencies.

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: MSN

Nepal's social media bill raises free speech concerns

Critics argue that Nepal's proposed social media bill could stifle free speech, with provisions that grant the government sweeping powers to regulate online content.

by: MSN

US judge allows Trump to proceed with government employee buyout

A U.S. judge on Wednesday allowed Donald Trump's administration to move ahead with a buyout program for federal workers that could usher tens of thousands of workers off government payrolls as part of a sweeping effort to downsize the U.

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: MSN

USAID employees want a judge to keep blocking Trump's effort to pull most of them off the job

Employees at the U.S. Agency for International Development are asking a federal judge on Thursday to keep blocking an effort by President Donald Trump's administration meant to pull all but a fraction of worldwide staffers off the job.

by: MSN

'Panic, confusion and anger': Federal workers 'flipping out' over Trump's 'brazen' attacks

Federal agencies are trying to keep funding frozen despite court orders temporarily blocking Donald Trump's executive orders pausing trillions of dollars in government assistance. Administration officials insist the suspensions are lawful,

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

'BJP and NDA won't form government in Bihar after state polls', claims Lalu

Earlier, his son and leader of opposition Tejashwi Yadav said the BJP "should not get too excited" about its win in Delhi because "it's difficult to understand Bihar".

by: MSN

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

Musk's comments came during his video call with the World Governments Summit in Dubai, in which he also made several references to "thermonuclear warfare" and the potential risks of artificial intelligence.

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.

Mass firings of federal workers begin as Trump and Musk purge U.S. government

By Tim Reid WASHINGTON (Reuters) -Mass firings at multiple U.S. government agencies have begun as President Donald Trump and Tesla CEO Elon Musk accelerate their purge of America's federal bureaucracy,

The article from MSN, titled "Mass Firings of Federal Workers Begin as Trump and Musk Purk U.S. Government," discusses a significant overhaul within the U.S. federal government, spearheaded by former President Donald Trump and Elon Musk. This initiative, often referred to as "Schedule F," aims to reclassify tens of thousands of federal employees into at-will positions, thereby stripping them of civil service protections. This move would allow for easier dismissals, aligning with Trump's vision of a more business-like government operation. The article highlights concerns from current and former government officials about the potential politicization of the bureaucracy, which could lead to a government filled with political appointees rather than career professionals. Critics argue this could undermine the effectiveness and impartiality of government operations. Elon Musk's involvement is mentioned in the context of his broader influence in pushing for government efficiency, though specifics of his role are not detailed. The piece also touches on the legal and political battles surrounding this policy, with some states and unions challenging the legality of such firings.

Read the Full MSN Article at:
https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/politics/mass-firings-of-federal-workers-begin-as-trump-and-musk-purge-u-s-government/ar-AA1z06eE