Fri, February 14, 2025

by: Newsweek

Social Security Cuts Being Discussed by Republicans

West Virginia Representative Riley Moore confirmed that Republicans have been "discussing" cutting mandatory spending—that is Social Security, Medicare, Medicaid, and veterans benefits—in order to pass Trump's tax cut agenda.

by: ABC

Trump 2nd term live updates: Judge blocks Trump's foreign aid freeze

The Trump administration has begun mass layoffs across multiple federal agencies, a move expected to affect thousands of employees, sources familiar told ABC News.

by: CNN

Trump's presidency: Layoffs at federal agencies as government overhaul faces 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: 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: 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: MSN

Rep. Mike Lawler slams Gov. Hochul's 'gimmick' stance on NY Con Ed rate hikes in vicious takedown: 'Fake and political'

A Republican rival to Kathy Hochul blasted the governor's stance against massive Con Edison rate hikes — calling it a "gimmick" as he blamed her green energy policies for the sticker shock. Rep. Mike Lawler,

by: MSN

Robert F. Kennedy Jr. confirmed as Health and Human Services secretary

The Senate voted Thursday to confirm Robert F. Kennedy Jr. as the Trump administration's Health and Human Services Secretary with a vote of 52 to 48. Kennedy will oversee about 80,000 employees with agencies such as the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC),

by: MSN

White House attacks judges as Trump, Musk flout checks and balances

But their approach — which one prominent Democrat characterized as "flagrantly violating the law" — is drawing legal challenges and carries political risks.

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: MSN

Who is Paula White-Cain, Trump's faith adviser, and what's her connection to Polk County?

And Trump also issued an executive order forming a White House faith office and appointed controversial Florida pastor Paula White-Cain to lead it. White-Cain, a pastor at StoryLife Church and president of Paula White Ministries,

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: MSN

Trump and Putin to begin negotiations on ending Ukraine war

President Donald Trump said on Wednesday he and Russian President Vladimir Putin have agreed to begin negotiations on ending the war in Ukraine. Speaking to reporters in the Oval Office, Mr Trump said that in addition to plans for him and Mr Putin to visit one another,

by: MSN

Musk's 'ignorance' is setting Trump up for a fall: columnist

President Donald Trump's decision to let billionaire Elon Musk enforce his agenda by dismantling the government and gutting popular programs will likely come back to haunt him. That is the opinion of the Washington Post's Philip Bump who suggested that the man who bought Twitter,

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: MSN

Americans skeptical of Trump's tariffs on foreign goods

Americans do not believe that imposing tariffs on foreign products will help the US economy. Nearly half of those surveyed think that actions taken by Donald Trump could actually harm the American economy.

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,

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.

Singapore's Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Lawrence Wong presented the 2024 Budget on February 14, 2025, focusing on addressing the rising cost of living and job security as the country approaches the 2025 General Election. Key measures include a significant boost to social support, with enhancements to the Assurance Package to help offset the impact of a 1% Goods and Services Tax (GST) hike. This includes cash payouts, MediSave top-ups, and rebates on utilities and service conservancy charges. Additionally, the budget aims to support workers through SkillsFuture top-ups, encouraging lifelong learning and career transitions. There are also plans to invest in infrastructure, particularly in the green and digital economies, to foster job creation and economic resilience. Wong emphasized the government's commitment to ensuring that Singaporeans can manage the increased costs while maintaining economic competitiveness.

Read the Full Reuters Article at:
https://www.reuters.com/world/asia-pacific/singapore-budget-tackle-living-costs-jobs-election-looms-2025-02-14/