Tue, February 18, 2025

[ Tue, Feb 18th 2025 ]: Politico

Platkin and the resistance

While I very much doubt that Platkin wanted Trump to be elected, he is now part of a group of Democratic attorneys general who have arguably been the only effective resistance so far to the new administration.

[ Tue, Feb 18th 2025 ]: ABC

Trump 2nd term live updates: Musk sets sights on Fort Knox gold reserves

In recent days, Musk repeatedly posted to X about wanting to "make sure" the gold is still at the United States Bullion Depository at Fort Knox, Kentucky.

[ Tue, Feb 18th 2025 ]: CapX

Lawyers are good at politics - but not if you want growth

In a lecture titled 'Politics as Vocation', the philosopher Max Weber noted that: 'To an outstanding degree, politics today is in fact conducted in public by means of the spoken or written word.' It was true when he said it, in 1918; it is even more true now.

[ Tue, Feb 18th 2025 ]: Sky

London mayor Sadiq Khan to tell EU diplomats 'Brexit was a mistake' and argue for stronger EU ties to fight Trump tariffs

London mayor Sir Sadiq Khan is to tell EU diplomats "Brexit was a mistake" and argue stronger ties with the bloc would help fight Donald Trump's tariff threats. He will say the UK's withdrawal from the EU "continues to have a negative impact" and will promise to make the case for "being bold" to seek closer alignment.

[ Tue, Feb 18th 2025 ]: MSN

Amir of Qatar receives Guard of Honour, ceremonial welcome at Rashtrapati Bhavan

Amir of Qatar, Tamim Bin Hamad Al Thani received the Guard of Honour and a ceremonial welcome in the forecourt of the Rashtrapati Bhavan on Tuesday. He was received by President Droupadi Murmu and Prime Minister Narendra Modi along with senior ministers from the government.

[ Tue, Feb 18th 2025 ]: MSN

Costa Rica offers to receive deported Indians and central Asian migrants from US

Costa Rica has agreed to repatriate 200 illegal immigrants from Central Asia and India, following President Trump's crackdown on illegal immigration. This makes Costa Rica the third Central American country to collaborate in this effort,

[ Tue, Feb 18th 2025 ]: CNN

US and Russian officials meet in Saudi Arabia to discuss Ukraine war deal

Trump administration and Russian officials meet in Saudi Arabia for talks on ending the Ukraine war. Follow for live updates.

[ Tue, Feb 18th 2025 ]: MSN

Musk is not a DOGE employee and "has no actual or formal authority," White House says

Elon Musk is not the administrator of DOGE and nor is he an employee of the department that's overseeing massive cuts to the federal workforce and agencies, either, per a Monday night White House court filing.

[ Tue, Feb 18th 2025 ]: MSN

"Their anxiety increases as Sanatanis come together...": BJP's Gourav Vallabh hits back at Akhilesh Yadav

Bharatiya Janata Party leader Gourav Vallabh came out heavily against Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav for his criticism of the Yogi Adityanath government over Maha Kumbh arrangements, and accused him of engaging in appeasement politics.

[ Tue, Feb 18th 2025 ]: CNN

US and Russian officials to discuss Ukraine war deal in Saudi Arabia

Trump administration and Russian officials to meet in Saudi Arabia for talks on ending the Ukraine war. Follow for live updates.

[ Tue, Feb 18th 2025 ]: MSN

Elon Musk's role in DOGE uncertain after recent filing from White House

In an affidavit filed in federal court Tuesday, a White House official said Elon Musk is not the administrator of the Department of Government Efficiency, or DOGE.

[ Tue, Feb 18th 2025 ]: ABC12

Trump begins firing FAA staff weeks after Washington, D.C. plane crash

Probationary workers were targeted in late-night emails Friday notifying them they had been fired, according to David Spero, president of the Professional Aviation Safety Specialists union.
Mon, February 17, 2025

[ Mon, Feb 17th 2025 ]: Newsweek

Americans Shocked by '60 Minutes' Report on German Speech Policing

The segment, which aired on Sunday, showcased how German authorities crack down on online speech deemed harmful or offensive under the country's laws.

[ Mon, Feb 17th 2025 ]: KTVZ

Oregon's federal workforce among those hit by Trump's sweeping firings of thousands of probationary employees

The Trump administration Friday continued its mass firing of thousands of probationary federal employees in an attempt to remove workers recently hired under the Biden administration and to cull the federal workforce.

[ Mon, Feb 17th 2025 ]: Reuters

Scholz calls for 'strong and sovereign' Europe ahead of security talks in Paris

German Chancellor Olaf Scholz wants to see a strong and sovereign Europe, he said on Monday, ahead of hastily arranged talks in Paris following signals that the United States is no longer seeking Europe's input on ending the Ukraine conflict.

[ Mon, Feb 17th 2025 ]: Newsweek

John Fetterman Calls Out Elon Musk After Recent Support for Trump Ally

Following Trump's win, Fetterman and Musk shared pleasantries when the two were on Capitol Hill back in December.

[ Mon, Feb 17th 2025 ]: Newsweek

Americans Shocked by '60 Minutes' Report on German Free Speech Policing

The segment, which aired on Sunday, showcased how German authorities crack down on online speech deemed harmful or offensive under the country's laws.

[ Mon, Feb 17th 2025 ]: WESA

Hundreds of Pittsburghers protest Trump cuts, voice support for Ukraine, immigrants, trans people

The protesters shouted slogans of solidarity with a wide variety of Democratic causes and constituencies, such as immigrants and trans people. As they walked through the streets, they waved pride flags,

[ Mon, Feb 17th 2025 ]: Newsweek

DC House Prices Slashed As DOGE Targets Federal Workers

New listings in Washington, D.C., have risen over the past few weeks, as mass layoffs leave federal workers uncertain about their future.

[ Mon, Feb 17th 2025 ]: thenightly

Australian news and politics live: Building productivity sinking like a brick, report calls for code shake-up

Senator Fatima Payman has weighed into the furore over the vile anti-Semitic video showing two former NSW nurses last week, saying the comments were 'wrong'.

[ Mon, Feb 17th 2025 ]: CNN

Trump pushes Russia to end war with Ukraine as government overhaul takes shape in the US

Donald Trump is forging ahead with his foreign and domestic policy agendas in the early stages of his presidency, working toward a deal to end the war in Ukraine and shrinking the scale of federal government agencies at home.

[ Mon, Feb 17th 2025 ]: KY3

Trump nominates former Missouri GOP leader to stay as top DC federal prosecutor

Ed Martin supervised legal clinics for low-income residents as director of the human rights office for the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of St. Louis and, for two decades before becoming U.S. attorney, ran his own law practice and was active in Republican politics,

[ Mon, Feb 17th 2025 ]: PBS

How an emboldened crypto industry is trying to cement political influence

The crypto industry has scored some early wins since Trump took office, including the repeal of an accounting rule by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission and an executive order by the president directing a working group to study and propose changes to crypto regulations as well as the possible formation of a strategic government reserve of cryptocurrencies within 180 days.

[ Mon, Feb 17th 2025 ]: ktvq

Trump's widespread federal layoffs could be felt across the country

While Virginia, Maryland, and D.C. are feeling the effects of these layoffs, a union representing federal workers has emphasized that 80% of its membership resides outside the D.C. metropolitan area, indicating the potential national implications of these layoffs.

[ Mon, Feb 17th 2025 ]: PBS

Trump begins firings of FAA air traffic control employees weeks after fatal DC plane crash

The impacted workers include personnel hired for FAA radar, landing and navigational aid maintenance, one air traffic controller told the Associated Press.

[ Mon, Feb 17th 2025 ]: CNN

European leaders to host Ukraine summit as Trump pushes peace talks with Russia

Donald Trump is forging ahead with his foreign and domestic policy agendas in the early stages of his presidency, working toward a deal to end the war in Ukraine and shrinking the scale of federal government agencies at home.

[ Mon, Feb 17th 2025 ]: Newsweek

Elon Musk Raises Alarm Over Social Security

The Social Security Administration has come under the scrutiny of Elon Musk's Department of Government Efficiency.

[ Mon, Feb 17th 2025 ]: WPLG

Trump begins firings of FAA air traffic control staff just weeks after fatal DC plane crash

The Trump administration has begun firing several hundred Federal Aviation Administration employees, upending staff on a busy air travel weekend and just weeks after a fatal mid-air collision in Washington.

[ Mon, Feb 17th 2025 ]: WBTW

Trump administration cuts hit FDA employees in food safety, medical devices and tobacco products

Nearly half of the FDA's $6.9 billion budget comes from fees paid by companies the agency regulates, including drug and medical device makers, which allows the agency to hire extra scientists to

[ Mon, Feb 17th 2025 ]: ABC

Trump 2nd term live updates: White House says some employees were fired by mistake

President Donald Trump's administration said some federal government employees who took the "Fork in the Road" buyout offer were then fired or let go — in error.

[ Mon, Feb 17th 2025 ]: Reuters

Italy's Meloni takes on the judiciary, in echo of Berlusconi

Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni is clashing with the country's judiciary in the same way her old political ally and mentor Silvio Berlusconi used to, promising a once-in-a-lifetime overhaul of the legal system.

[ Mon, Feb 17th 2025 ]: CNN

Paranoia seeps into a federal workforce worried about getting fired and being watched

As the Trump administration fires thousands of employees across the government, federal workers have another reason to be on edge: the widespread access that Elon Musk's "government efficiency" team has gained to agency computer systems.

[ Mon, Feb 17th 2025 ]: ABC

'We're under attack by billionaires': Fired federal workers speak out on terminations

Hanna Hickman, a now-terminated worker for the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, told ABC News the last four days have been a roller coaster.

[ Mon, Feb 17th 2025 ]: MSN

Trump told Netanyahu 'Do whatever you want,' provides hostage update

Donald Trump was asked by reporters if he's been briefed on phase two of the hostage exchange deal between Israel and Hamas. Trump replied that he told Israeli PM Netanyahu to, 'Do whatever you want.'

[ Mon, Feb 17th 2025 ]: NDTV

How USAID Funneled $21 Million To India For 'Voter Turnout'

The newly created US Department of Government Efficiency or DOGE has been auditing several government agencies in the US and cutting wasteful expenditure.

[ Mon, Feb 17th 2025 ]: CounterPunch

Trump's Reign of Cruelty

Neoliberalism has always been more than an economic project; it is a political and educational weapon designed to erode social solidarity and dismantle the foundations of democracy. It does not merely defund public institutions like healthcare,

[ Mon, Feb 17th 2025 ]: MSN

Trump takes a lap at Daytona as Elon Musk reportedly seeks access to personal taxpayer data: Live

Trump drives Daytona 500 track as government tries to rehire fired nuclear safety staff: Live updates - According to the White House the president will arrive at the Daytona International Speedway jus

[ Mon, Feb 17th 2025 ]: MSN

'Trump's actions taking us back to primitive days of slavery, colonisation'

Frank Chikane, a veteran of the African National Congress (ANC), argues that the arbitrary actions of United States President Donald Trump, including the cutting of financial support to South Africa,

[ Mon, Feb 17th 2025 ]: MSN

Are Musk's plans for mass federal layoffs 'driven by what he sees' on X?

More employees across more than a dozen federal agencies are reporting they are being let go from their positions as Elon Musk and DOGE look to slash the government workforce. New York Times reporter Teddy Schleifer breaks down the latest on these firings and discusses the relationship between Musk and President Trump.

[ Mon, Feb 17th 2025 ]: ABC

GOP Sen. Mullin: Trump is the only person who can force Putin to the table

GOP Sen. Markwayne Mullin said Trump has the capability to apply pressure to Russian President Vladimir Putin to negotiate a deal to end the war in Ukraine.

[ Mon, Feb 17th 2025 ]: MSN

Assam: Politics heats up as BJP and Congress warn each other of legal battle

The ongoing political battle between Assam's ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the Congress took a legal turn on Sunday, February 16, with both sides threatening lawsuits over allegations of defamation and character assassination.
Sun, February 16, 2025

[ Sun, Feb 16th 2025 ]: ABC

Trump 2nd term live updates: Musk's DOGE requests access to IRS tax database: Sources

Trump is also making his second administration's first forays on the diplomatic front with calls to Russia's Vladimir Putin and Ukraine's Volodymyr Zelenskyy on ending the 3-year-old war that began in February 2022 when Russia invaded Ukraine.

[ Sun, Feb 16th 2025 ]: Newsweek

Who Is Ashley St. Clair? Author Says She's Had Elon Musk's 13th Child

The conservative influencer said she made the announcement to prevent the baby's existence from being revealed by "tabloid media."

[ Sun, Feb 16th 2025 ]: MSN

World News Live Today February 16, 2025: Transgender man 'tortured' and killed at NY motel; five charged

Get real-time updates on international politics, economic changes, conflicts, and environmental issues. Access the latest breaking news and in-depth stories as they happen, keeping you informed of events shaping the world.

[ Sun, Feb 16th 2025 ]: MSN

Ukraine and Europe worry about being sidelined as Trump pushes direct talks with Russia on war's end

President Donald Trump's approach to ending Russia's war against Ukraine has left European allies and Ukrainian officials worried they are being largely sidelined by the new U.S. administration as Washington and Moscow plan direct negotiations.

[ Sun, Feb 16th 2025 ]: MSN

Meeting between PM Modi, US President Trump reaffirms strength of US-India partnership: USISPF

The US-India Strategic Partnership Forum (USISPF) has congratulated Prime Minister Narendra Modi and US President Donald Trump for the substantive outcomes achieved in their first meeting following Trump's inauguration on January 20.

[ Sun, Feb 16th 2025 ]: MSN

Netanyahu tells Marco Rubio 'President Trump and I are working in full cooperation'

Israel Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu Sunday met in Jerusalem with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio.In his remarks, Netanyahu called President Trump "the greatest friend that Israel has ever had in the White House.

[ Sun, Feb 16th 2025 ]: MSN

As USAID freeze leaves South Asia reeling, can India rise to the challenge?

The sudden suspension of USAID funds has delivered a gut punch to Nepal and Bangladesh - but it could be an opportunity for India to step up When the US abruptly froze US$44 billion in aid funding last month,

Readers' opine about Musk's DOGE, Shapiro's budget, Linda McMahon and USAID | Letters

Read what readers have to say about Trump and Elon Musk's DOGE cuts, Linda McMahon's Cabinet nomination and direct care worker pay in the Pa. budget.

The article from MSN discusses various reader opinions on several topics. Firstly, readers express skepticism about Elon Musk's promotion of Dogecoin, questioning the cryptocurrency's legitimacy and Musk's intentions. Secondly, there's discussion on California Governor Gavin Newsom's budget proposal, with some readers criticizing it for not addressing the state's fundamental issues like homelessness and education, while others see it as a step in the right direction. Another topic covered is Linda McMahon's role in the Trump administration, where readers debate her effectiveness and the implications of her political involvement given her background with WWE. Lastly, there's mention of USAID's efforts in global aid, with readers split between those who support the humanitarian efforts and those who believe the funds could be better spent domestically. The letters reflect a broad spectrum of political and economic views among the readership.

Read the Full MSN Article at:
https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/politics/readers-opine-about-musk-s-doge-shapiro-s-budget-linda-mcmahon-and-usaid-letters/ar-AA1zebgZ