• Fri, February 14, 2025

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: 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: 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: 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: 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: Time

We May Be a Month Away From Republicans Shutting Down a Government They Control

The U.S. has roughly one month until the government runs out of money, and the talks to avoid that are a mess, writes Philip Elliott.

by: ABC

Trump 2nd term live updates: Mass layoffs at US nuclear weapons agency paused

Judge Kenneth J. Gonzales granted the temporary order to prevent their relocation after a brief hearing on Sunday, according to the AP News article. Trump said last month that the United States will work to prepare the naval base to hold 30,000 migrants awaiting processing to return to their home countries.

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: 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: 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: 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

The ANC and DA: a political brawl that undermines national unity

The recent State of the Nation Address has unveiled the ongoing tensions between the ANC and DA, highlighting the failure of the Government of National Unity and the need for genuine political discourse.

by: MSN

Vice President Dhankhar addresses concerns about democracy, warns against derailing institutions

Vice President, Jagdeep Dhankhar, addressed the faculty and students of the National Judicial Academy in Bhopal, raising concerns about the state of the nation's institutions and democracy.In his address,

by: MSN

Roy Wood Jr. Just Figured Out Trump And Musk's Relationship When Nobody Could

Roy Wood Jr. is supposed to be funnier than other panelists on CNN "NewsNight" ― and he didn't disappoint on Thursday. (Watch the video below.) While the pundits debated the legal reach of Elon Musk as he runs roughshod to downsize federal agencies,

by: MSN

Thousands fired, more to come as Trump, Musk take ax to US agencies

Anxious U.S. federal workers are expected to see another round of pink slips on Friday as President Donald Trump and top adviser Elon Musk pursue a wholesale downsizing of the government. Thousands of workers at multiple government agencies have been fired so far this week,

by: MSN

JD Vance's joke about Greta Thunberg and Elon Musk bombs at Munich Security Conference

JD Vance's attempted joke about Greta Thunberg and Elon Musk fell flat during a speech to the Munich Security Conference. The vice president made his joke during his address, which admonished European nations for alleged crackdowns on free speech,

by: MSN

India ramps up military offensive to crush Maoist rebels

India's Maoist-inspired Naxal insurgency began as a rebellion, grew more violent over the years, and has left communities shattered. DW explains how it all started and where it stands today.

by: MSN

Chinese, Australian and US envoys pledge support to government's mining sector policies

The envoys from China, Australia, and United States of America (USA), have paid separate courtesy calls on Mr Emmanuel Armah-Kofi Buah, the Minister of Lands and Natural Resources, to express their support to government's mining sector policies.

by: MSN

'Beyond Disgusting': Elon Musk Faces Backlash After Mocking Federal Aid Recipients As 'Parasite Class' While His Companies Rake In $18 Billion from U.S. Taxpayers

by: MSN

Belgium has a new government. What does it mean for the Jewish community and Israel?

Jews in Belgium look forward to the change as they are united in their concern for Israel's security and hostages' fate.

by: MSN

N.S. government says U.S. tariff threat 'wake-up call' as legislature opens

Nova Scotia's legislature has opened with a throne speech describing the threat of United States tariffs as a "wake-up call" to do more to diversify and develop the province's economy.

by: MSN

Donald Trump's infamous mugshot now hangs just outside of the Oval Office

Donald Trump's infamous mugshot now hangs just outside of the Oval Office - President's scowling booking photo now hangs in a West Wing hallway

by: MSN

'We need to be looped in': Tensions reportedly rising between Musk and key Trump official

Trump White House chief of staff Susie Wiles is reportedly not happy with the way X owner Elon Musk has run roughshod over federal agencies without keeping her informed of what he's really been doing.

by: MSN

Trump family and library have raked in whopping $80 million since White House return

Trump family and library have raked in whopping $80 million since White House return - 'Everything he does is either to be vengeful or to accumulate wealth, power, and adulation,' lawyer Ty Cobb says

by: MSN

Factbox-Who has Trump picked for his cabinet and other top posts?

The U.S. Senate has confirmed most of President Donald Trump's picks for his cabinet so far. Here are Trump's choices for some key posts. PETE HEGSETH, DEFENSE SECRETARY Hegseth, 44, is a military veteran who has expressed disdain for the "woke" policies of Pentagon leaders,

by: MSN

Transition of Kosovo's Security Force into an army causes controversy and concern

Prime Minister Albin Kurti has said Kosovo's Security Force (KSF) should develop into an army by 2028, but there is strong opposition from Serbia. View on euronews

by: MSN

JD Vance derides Europe over free speech ahead of security summit

Vice president JD Vance lectured Europe on free speech and illegal migration on the continent during his remarks before the Munich Security

by: MSN

'Beyond Disgusting': Elon Musk Faces Backlash After Mocking Federal Aid Receipts As 'Parasite Class' While His Companies Rake In $18 Billion from U.S. Taxpayers

by: MSN

Musk says Government needs to 'delete entire agencies'

Elon Musk called for the US Government to delete entire agencies in an effort to cut corruption and waste within.

by: MSN

More than a dozen state attorneys general challenge Musk and DOGE's authority

Attorneys general from 14 states challenged the authority of billionaire Elon Musk and his Department of Government Efficiency to access sensitive government data and exercise "virtually unchecked power" in a lawsuit filed Thursday.

by: MSN

UK politics live: Starmer to visit US as he faces showdown with Trump over tariffs and Ukraine

Starmer to visit US as he faces showdown with Trump over tariffs and Ukraine - Trump 'is not willing to tolerate' VAT, US president's trade chief says, raising fears UK could face 21 per cent tax

by: MSN

Baijayant Panda receives warm welcome in Bhubaneswar after Delhi poll win

BJP National Vice President and Delhi election in-charge, Baijayant Panda received a rousing welcome from party leaders and supporters as he arrived in Bhubaneswar following the BJP's victory in the Delhi Assembly elections,

by: MSN

Trump administration tells federal agencies to fire probationary employees

Hundreds of thousands of people could potentially be affected, according to data from the Office of Personnel Management.

by: MSN

Mexico will not rule out suing Google over Gulf of Mexico name change

Bristling at the name change on maps to Gulf of America following Donald Trump's executive order, Mexico says it might sue Google. View on euronews

by: MSN

Modi meets Trump: Personal rapport despite tariffs

Trade and tariffs dominated talks between US President Donald Trump and India's Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

by: MSN

JD Vance says Germany should work with the far right AfD and not ignore 'the will of the people'

JD Vance says Germany should work with the far right AfD and not ignore 'the will of the people' - The far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) has been buoyed by support from the Donald Trump administ

by: MSN

Judges to consider barring Musk's DOGE team from government systems

Two federal judges will consider on Friday whether Elon Musk's government cost-cutting team known as DOGE will have access to Treasury Department payment systems and potentially sensitive data at U.S.

by: MSN

Meet Roya, Amal, and Hakim- your new AI-powered politicians

Morocco's Economic, Social, and Environmental Council (CESE) and the Istiqlal Party have launched AI-driven virtual political figures to better connect with young people ahead of the 2026 elections. The CESE introduced "Roya,

by: MSN

Tuscany becomes Italy's first region to approve assisted suicide for people with incurable illnesses

Tuscany has approved a bill regulating medically assisted suicide, becoming Italy's first region to enact a right-to-die law. The law requires a medical and ethics commission to consider an end-of-life request for no more than 30 days.

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: 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.

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
The article from CounterPunch, titled "Two Books on Climate Change and Beyond," reviews two recent publications that address the urgent issue of climate change. The first book, "The Uninhabitable Earth: Life After Warming" by David Wallace-Wells, paints a grim picture of the future if current climate trends continue unchecked, detailing the catastrophic impacts on human life, ecosystems, and global stability. Wallace-Wells uses a blend of scientific data and narrative to convey the severity of potential outcomes like extreme weather, food scarcity, and societal collapse. The second book, "The Future We Choose: Surviving the Climate Crisis" by Christiana Figueres and Tom Rivett-Carnac, offers a more hopeful perspective, focusing on actionable steps and policy changes that could mitigate the worst effects of climate change. It emphasizes the role of international cooperation, innovation, and individual responsibility in steering humanity towards a sustainable future. Together, these books provide a comprehensive look at the dire consequences of inaction and the pathways to resilience and recovery.

Read the Full CounterPunch Article at:
https://www.counterpunch.org/2025/02/14/two-books-on-climate-change-and-beyond/