• Sat, February 15, 2025

by: ABC

Trump 2nd term live updates: Trump officials to go to Saudi Arabia for peace talks

The trip comes just days after President Donald Trump said he spoke with Russian President Vladimir Putin over the phone about starting negotiations.

by: Newsweek

'Unplug Mad King': Protesters Rally Against Elon Musk at Tesla Facilities

On Saturday, videos posted to social media showed protesters at Tesla facilities as they voiced their concerns over Musk's DOGE.

by: CNN

Trump advances plans for Ukraine peace talks and US government overhaul

President Donald Trump is forging ahead with his plan to overhaul and shrink the federal government. The effort led by Elon Musk's DOGE is facing a variety of legal challenges, which have halted firings at some agencies.

by: rnz

Elon Musk's DOGE agency is at the centre of controversy in the US. So what is it?

Elon Musk's DOGE has been making global headlines recently, but, what is this new agency - so why has the world's richest person decided to centre himself in US politics?

by: MSN

South Africa likely to announce primary Budget surplus and no big tax increases

South Africa is poised to announce a primary budget surplus, offering hope for stable tax rates amid global economic uncertainty. This article explores the implications of the surplus, projected GDP growth,

by: MSN

Trump raises alarm with Napoleon dictator quote as 20 immigration judges abruptly fired: Live updates

Trump's DOGE 'identifies next targets' for mass federal job cuts as nuclear experts mistakenly fired: Live - More than 300 staffers at the National Nuclear Security Administration were reportedly fired on Thursday by officials who were seemingly unaware that the agency oversees the U.

by: MSN

Journalist Accuses Elizabeth Warren of Assaulting Him - Here's the Footage

Alternative media journalist and podcaster Nick Sortor said Massachusetts Sen. Elizabeth Warren assaulted him on Monday. Sortor posted two clips on the social media platform X showing different angles of his encounter with the Democratic lawmaker.

by: MSN

Tunisia reaffirms commitment to peace and sustainable development as AU Summit kicks off

The 38th Ordinary Session of the African Union (AU) Summit at the Heads of State level kicked off in the Ethiopian capital, Addis Ababa on Saturday. The summit saw the election of Angolan President João Lourenço as the new Chairperson of the African Union for 2025,

by: MSN

PORI's looming end and why Hong Kong needs credible polling outfits

On Thursday, pollster Robert Chung announced that the independent Hong Kong Public Opinion Research Institute (PORI) would "suspend all its self-funded research activities indefinitely, including regular tacking surveys conducted since

by: MSN

Leaked DOGE Docs Reveal How Musk Plotted Trump's DEI Purge

Leaked internal documents from Elon Musk's Department of Government Efficiency show how the team intends to carry out President Donald Trump's purge of DEI initiatives from the federal government—and reveal who is next on the chopping block.

by: MSN

Baloch National Movement's protest in Germany exposes Pakistan's genocide, human rights abuses in Balochistan

The Baloch National Movement (BNM) Germany Chapter, North Rhine-Westphalia (NRW) unit, organised a protest at Lohr Rondell in Koblenz on February 8, 2025, to raise awareness about the ongoing genocide and human rights abuses in Balochistan by the Pakistani state.

by: MSN

"Blot on Humanity": Uma Bharti slams US over treatment against illegal Indian immigrants

Senior Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Uma Bharti on Saturday condemned the US administration for deporting Indian citizens in handcuffs and shackles, calling it "shameful" and a "blot on humanity.

by: MSN

Ethiopia: Angola takes over the rotating presidency of the African Union in Addis Ababa

Addis Ababa, Ethiopia - Angola, one of sub-Saharan Africa's oil powers, assumed for the first time the rotating presidency of the African Union (AU) in Addis Ababa this Saturday, at a time of major security and development challenges on the continent.

by: MSN

2% EPF contribution rate further marginalises foreign workers, says activist

by: MSN

Justice Department fires 20 immigration judges from backlogged courts amid major government cuts

The Trump administration fired 20 immigration judges without explanation, a union official said Saturday amid sweeping moves to shrink the size of the federal government. On Friday, 13 judges who had yet to be sworn in and five assistant chief immigration judges were dismissed without notice,

by: MSN

Punjab ministers meet illegal Indian immigrants who were deported from US to Amritsar

Punjab's NRI Affairs Minister Kuldeep Singh Dhaliwal and Power Minister Harbhajan Singh ETO met illegal Indian immigrants who were deported from the US to Amritsar.The aircraft carrying the second batch of Indian nationals who illegally migrated to the US landed at the Amritsar Airport on Sunday.

by: MSN

Meet glamorous Republican congresswoman Anna Paulina Luna: Donald Trump has tasked the former Maxim model with reopening case files on JFK and Martin Luther King's ...

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by: MSN

White South Africans gather to thank Trump for support

White South Africans gather to thank Trump for support - Protesters held placards that read 'Thank God for President Trump'

by: MSN

'Acting Like a King': Michigan's Attorney General on the Lawsuit to Undo Musk's Damage

The lawsuit runs 60 pages, detailing the chaos Musk and his DOGE minions have wreaked at federal agencies from the Treasury Department to the U.S. Agency for International Develop

by: MSN

Trump tours Boeing plane to highlight aircraft maker's delay in delivering a new Air Force One

President Donald Trump toured a Boeing airplane to check out new hardware and technology features and highlight the aircraft maker's delay in delivering updated versions of the Air Force One presidential aircraft,

by: MSN

Trump's threats and 51st state taunts reset race to lead Canada

Conservative leader Poilievre had seemed on track for a decisive election victory, but concern over US relations has shifted the mood For over a year, Canada's Conservative Party seemed on track to win a decisive victory in the next election as Justin Trudeau's governing coalition crumbled.

by: MSN

Trump administration cuts US efforts to support democracy at home and abroad

In less than a month in office the Trump administration has simultaneously dismantled foreign aid programs that support fragile democracies abroad and put on leave federal workers who protect US elections at home in a move that current and former officials say abandons decades of American commitments to democracy.
  • Sun, February 16, 2025

by: rnz

Mediawatch: Golden visas obscured by politics and talkback pushback

Mediawatch: Media management helped the government's new 'golden visas' into the headlines, but it also got obscured by the ACT leader's antics.

by: CNN

Steve Bannon is playing MAGA enforcer from the outside. Is the White House listening?

Through blunt conversations with staff and his popular podcast, Steve Bannon is trying to steer the early direction of the new Trump administration. Whether he's having much impact inside the White House is a subject of debate.

by: CNN

Who is Friedrich Merz, Merkel's rival and German election frontrunner?

Friedrich Merz, the 69-year-old veteran German politician with a hardline stance on migration and an expensive aviation hobby, is the favorite to become the country's next chancellor in the February 23 federal election.

by: MSN

'I'm 100% certain' Musk 'looking for excuse to cut Social Security, Medicare and Medicaid': Top Dem

Amid fears that U.S. President Donald Trump's government-gutting billionaire adviser, Elon Musk, will target Social Security, elected officials, advocates, workers, and beneficiaries of the federal program for seniors and people with disabilities held a Monday rally in Maryland.

by: MSN

Parties welcome 'long overdue' SIU probe of eThekwini's water and sanitation unit

Natal, is governed by the ANC-IFP and EFF coalition and boasts a cool budget of R67. 2 billion for the 2024/2025 financial year.

by: MSN

Incidents are very serious, action must be taken: Maha CM on committee against 'love jihad'

Speaking about the Maharashtra government forming a committee against 'love jihad', Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis said that these incidents were "very serious and action must be taken."CM Fadnavis said,

by: MSN

Firings and White House anger as Trump's ICE struggles to hit arrest numbers: report

Despite the Trump administration's media blitz showing "Cops TV-style roundups" of undocumented migrants that has struck fear even in the hearts of school children, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement is falling short of President Donald Trump's promise to deport "millions" of people straight out of the gate,

by: MSN

Vietnam's party chief requests priority for sci-tech development, digital transformation

Party General Secretary To Lam underlined the need to give priority and encouragement to the advancement of science, technology, innovation, and national digital transformation.

by: MSN

European Union extends Operation ASPIDES mandate to safeguard Red Sea navigation

The European Council has decided to extend the mandate of the EU maritime security operation, EUNAVFOR ASPIDES, until 28th February 2026. The extension follows a strategic review of the mission and includes a reference budget of over €17 million for the period.

by: MSN

William Cheptumo: Senator's post wishing Raila AUC success hours before death saddens Kenyans

Baringo senator William Cheptumo was hopeful that Azimio leader Raila Odinga would win his AU bid. Unfortunately, he passed away hours after wishing him success.

by: MSN

"Utter failure of Central Government, Railway Ministry and UP government": Partap Singh Bajwa on Delhi Stampede

Congress leader Partap Singh Bajwa has termed the stampede at New Delhi railway station on Saturday as an "utter failure" of the Central Government, Railway Ministry, and the Uttar Pradesh government.

by: MSN

Justice Department's independence is threatened as Trump's team asserts power over cases and staff

Pam Bondi had insisted at her Senate confirmation hearing that as attorney general, her Justice Department would not "play politics."

by: MSN

Questions over Mineral and Petroleum Resources committee's silence on Stilfontein deaths

The organisations called on the portfolio committee to immediately exercise its legislative oversight functions.

by: MSN

Morocco remains committed to joint African action in service of Africa's noble causes, its citizens' vital interests

Morocco remains committed to joint African action at the service of Africa's noble causes and the vital interests of its citizens. The February 2025 African Union (AU) Summit addressed several issues,

by: MSN

Canada will "never" be 51st U.S. state, Poilievre says

Conservative Party Leader Pierre Poilievre spoke out against U.S. President Donald Trump's tariffs and attacks on Canada's sovereignty on Saturday, telling supporters that Canada would "never" be America's 51st state.

by: MSN

Ipusa demands equal rights and benefits for civilian workers in SAPS

The Independent Police Union of South Africa (Ipusa) has called on the Minister of Police to urgently address disparities in benefits, promotions, and working conditions for civilian workers in the po

by: MSN

Elon Musk's DOGE cuts $21 million funding for voter turnout in India

The United States cancelled millions of dollars in funding for multiple countries, including India and Bangladesh, as President Donald Trump's new administration implements budget cuts.

by: MSN

German Election 2025: Where do political parties stand on key climate issues?

After becoming a deciding issue for many in 2021, climate change has now dropped down the list of voter priorities in Germany. View on euronews

by: MSN

Trump's Reach for Power: Seven Court Cases to Watch

The cases, brought by nonprofits, state attorneys general, civil rights groups and private citizens, challenge Trump's directives to freeze trillions of dollars in federal funding, shrink the federal workforce,

by: MSN

Mahamoud Youssouf speaks out after defeating Raila Odinga in AUC election: "I am humbled"

Newly elected AUC chairperson Mahamoud Youssouf from Djibouti has thanked African heads of state who supported and voted for him during the AU election.

by: MSN

What Christian leaders in SA said about allegations the US raised against the government

Over 300 white Christian leaders in South Africa slammed the United States government and accused it of spreading outright lies about white South Africans.

by: MSN

S. Korea navigates uncertainty as Trump's reciprocal tariffs reshape global trade

U.S. President Donald Trump signed a memorandum on Feb. 13, directing his top advisers to come up with new tariff levels that match the tax rates the country's trading partners charge on American imports,

by: MSN

MSC 2025: US, Europe divided on how to deal with Russia

European and US leaders have diverged on how to deal with Russia's war on Ukraine during the Munich Security Conference. German Chancellor Scholz, along with others, has been critical of US comments.

by: MSN

US, Russia to meet in Saudi Arabia over Ukraine war

U.S. and Russian officials will meet in Saudi Arabia in the coming days to start talks aimed at ending Moscow's nearly three-year war in Ukraine, a U.S. lawmaker and a source familiar with the planning said on Saturday.

by: MSN

Australia has some 'strong arguments' to gain an exemption from Trumps tariffs

Former federal trade minister and ANZ Head of APAC Engagement Simon Birmingham discusses whether Australia could be exempt from the Trump administration's global steel and aluminium tariffs.

by: MSN

Lavrov, Rubio discus removal of 'barriers' set by previous U.S. administration, Russia says

Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov and U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio discussed the situation in Ukraine in a call on Saturday as well as the removal of "unilateral barriers" set by previous U.

Trump administration cuts US efforts to support democracy at home and abroad

In less than a month in office the Trump administration has simultaneously dismantled foreign aid programs that support fragile democracies abroad and put on leave federal workers who protect US elections at home in a move that current and former officials say abandons decades of American commitments to democracy.
The Trump administration has significantly reduced U.S. efforts to promote democracy both domestically and internationally, according to a report by the Government Accountability Office (GAO). Key findings include a drastic cut in funding for democracy promotion programs, with a 39% reduction in the State Department's budget for these initiatives from 2016 to 2020. The administration also dismantled or weakened several key institutions and programs, such as the U.S. Agency for International Development's (USAID) Office of Transition Initiatives, which was crucial for supporting democratic transitions in countries like Venezuela and Syria. Additionally, there has been a shift in focus towards counterterrorism and security, sidelining democracy and human rights. The report also notes a decline in U.S. engagement with international bodies like the Community of Democracies, and a lack of strategic planning for democracy promotion, which has led to a diminished U.S. role in fostering democratic governance globally. This shift has raised concerns about the long-term implications for global democracy and U.S. foreign policy.

Read the Full MSN Article at:
https://www.msn.com/en-us/politics/government/trump-administration-cuts-us-efforts-to-support-democracy-at-home-and-abroad/ar-AA1z6uAr