Thu, February 20, 2025

by: WLRN

Speed vs. accountability: The call to fix FEMA and the high stakes for Florida

President Trump has pledged to reform FEMA, while suggesting it should be done away with. Two Floridians who used to lead the agency told WLRN they support the process — but caution federal emergency management is needed.

by: britishhorseracing

Racing and Politics in 2025: A busy start to the year

The new year is always busy when it comes to political engagement and 2025 has been no exception.

by: RealClearPolitics

Tapper: Trump Calling Zelensky A Dictator Is More Than Just Upending The Normal Way Of Doing Things, He's Breaking With Facts

We begin today with President Trump seeming to upend the domestic and a global world order. Let's start with the global world order. This morning President Trump sending shockwaves throughout Europe when he called Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky a quote dictator,

by: CNN

Trump overhauls government and upends foreign policy on Ukraine

President Donald Trump and his administration continue with their government overhaul efforts and foreign policy agenda on Ukraine. Follow for live updates.

by: Alternet

Legal expert wanrs Trump's 'shock and awe' approach is 'undermining' his own agenda

Donald Trump promised to bring "shock and awe" to the United States' federal government if he won the 2024 election, and his first month back in the White House has been extremely turbulent. Trump issued countless executive orders after beginning his second presidency,

by: NPR

Trump claims expanded power over independent agencies

The executive order would affect agencies like the SEC and FDIC, but it excludes the Federal Reserve's Board of Governors and Open Market Committee.

by: MSNBC

Youngkin fails to stand up to Trump as federal cuts threaten thousands in Virginia

Although some Republicans can't seem to bear what the president is doing to their states, they're too scared to say they're against it.

by: ABC

Trump says the federal government should 'take over' the District of Columbia, backing GOP push in Congress

WASHINGTON -- Trump says the federal government should 'take over' the District of Columbia, backing GOP push in Congress.

by: CNN

Trump overhauls government and upends foreign policy

President Donald Trump and his administration continue with their government overhaul efforts and foreign policy agenda. Follow for live updates.

by: News4Jax

David Boren, a former Oklahoma governor and veteran US senator and university president, dies at 83

David Boren, the former Oklahoma governor and longtime U.S. Senate intelligence chief who went on to lead the University of Oklahoma after his retirement from politics, has died.

by: Reuters

U.S. State Department revises China webpage to focus on trade, business curbs

The U.S. State Department has changed references to China on its website, emphasising the trade deficit in an expanded section on economic ties, while dropping talk of working with allies and assistance to China on cultural and environmental issues.

by: Oregonian

Oregon regulatory changes will roll out with 'more consistency,' Gov. Tina Kotek pledges

The governor on Wednesday directed state agencies to bring greater transparency to the state's rulemaking processes.

by: CNN

'Indiscriminate madness': DOGE claims firings target low performers and new employees. The reality is far from it

The Trump administration and Elon Musk have insisted that they are carefully purging the federal workforce by firing only low-performing employees serving in non-critical roles, or recent hires on probationary status.

by: ABC

Hegseth could soon fire or remove generals and senior officers, US officials say

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth is considering firing or removing generals and senior officers as early as this week, according to multiple officials.

by: NDTV

Bangladesh Students Are Protesting Again, But This Time Against Each Other

Over 150 students were injured in Bangladesh during clashes at a university campus this week, a sign of serious discord between groups instrumental in fomenting the national revolution last year that led to former premier Sheikh Hasina's downfall.

by: ABC

Trump 2nd term live updates: Court denies appeal on birthright citizenship injunction

President Donald Trump's administration on Wednesday lost its appeal to lift a nationwide injunction against his executive order on birthright citizenship.

by: MSN

SNP Government accused of 'slap in the face' to carers over plan snub

A coalition of 70 campaign groups has sent a hard hitting letter to Deputy First Minister Kate Forbes accusing the Government of a u-turn.

by: MSN

Political analysts doubt Masondo and Radebe's abilities to revive ANC in Gauteng and KwaZulu-Natal

Political analysts express scepticism about the newly appointed ANC leaders in Gauteng and KwaZulu-Natal, citing factionalism and past loyalties as significant barriers to reviving the party ahead of the 2026 elections.

by: MSN

New 'sex-based definitions' from the federal government set strict two-gender policy

Recently-confirmed Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy released the guidelines on the heels of President Trump's executive order on gender.

by: MSN

Global leaders chart future of AI and governance at World Government Summit 2025

In this episode of Focus, we take you to the World Governments Summit 2025 in Dubai, where global leaders, policymakers and experts gathered to shape the future of governance. From the integration of AI and digital transformation to public-private partnerships,

by: MSN

RSF clears the air on its presence in Kenya: "We are not here to establish a government"

The Rapid Support Forces (RSF) have issued a formal response regarding their presence and activities in Kenya, saying their being in Nairobi is purely for peace talk

by: MSN

Now Trump Wants the Federal Government to Take Over D.C.

Trump trashed Washington D.C.'s crime and homelessness on Wednesday night while calling for the District of Columbia to be put under the federal government's control. "I think that we should govern the District of Columbia,

by: ktiv

'Dream job' gone former Iowa USDA worker says after Trump administration mass firings

Iowans are among the federal workers that President Donald Trump's administration has fired from agencies including those in agriculture and veterans' health.

by: MSN

Republicans are pursuing separate paths to get Trump's priorities through Congress

Senate Majority Leader John Thune teed up a vote this week on a budget plan that sets the stage for a massive boost in defense and border security spending, and leaves a looming tax cut fight for later this year.
Wed, February 19, 2025

by: Marketplace

New Trump order takes aim at autonomy of independent agencies

White House seeks sway over FCC, FEC, FTC and some Fed operations. Politics professor Sarah Binder says it "grabs power from Congress."

by: Forbes

Trump Adds Support For DOGE Dividend Checks; Here's Why He Might Do It

At a speech in Miami on Wednesday, Trump said his administration is considering a plan to give a DOGE Dividend to taxpayers.

by: thenightly

Australian news and politics live: Westpac to move 190 Australian jobs offshore to the Philippines

After reporting bumper profits and saying the company was in good shape, one of Australia's Big Four banks has confirmed it is sending Australian jobs offshore.

by: KING5

Sen. Patty Murray says reported firings are a 'betrayal' to public workers, veterans

Murray said Wednesday she was frightened about what could come next in the new administration's attempts to slash the federal workforce.

by: MoneyWeek

What is the Spring Forecast - and will Rachel Reeves announce any new policies?

The Treasury has said chancellor Rachel Reeves is committed to one fiscal event each year. Could a challenging economic backdrop force her to reassess this stance when she delivers the Spring Forecast on 26 March?

by: CNN

Trump delivers another blow to Ukraine and a new boost to Putin

And Trump's attack on Zelensky, who was hailed as a hero in the United States for resisting Russia's Blitzkrieg on Kyiv early in the war, was a graphic sign of how the new American administration has reversed Washington's stance of supporting the victim of the invasion and is now rewarding the aggressor.

by: Newsday

Trump and Musk say they like working together and will keep it at. Will it last?

At times, Trump sat back as Fox News Channel's Sean Hannity heaped praise on Musk in an attempt to counteract a Democratic narrative that he's a callous and unelected force out to destroy the government and upend civil society through sweeping cuts being imposed by the Department of Government Efficiency.

by: Newsweek

MAGA and Medicaid: Which States Have Highest Percentage of Beneficiaries?

Louisiana, Kentucky, West Virginia and Arkansas were among 7 states with more than 25 percent of their population on Medicaid.

by: Newsweek

DOGE Reveals Social Security Administration Cuts

The unofficial government department has so far identified savings of just over $232 million with regards to the SSA alone.

by: MassLive

Could the government send out $5K DOGE checks? Here's what to know

A CEO is proposing a DOGE dividend, where tax refund checks funded exclusively with portions of the savings from the Department of Government Efficiency are sent to tax payers.

by: Politico

Silicon Valley workers learn to worry about their politics

SAN FRANCISCO — For years, as the social-media and startup world exploded, the tech industry was known for the outspokenness of its employees — largely liberal-skewing young technologists on the West Coast, who pushed their companies hard to build policies that then became models for a new kind of American workplace.

by: CNN

Trump rails against Ukrainian president while government overhaul takes shape in US

President Donald Trump is forging ahead with his federal government overhaul as his administration's changes face multiple legal challenges. Follow here for the latest.

by: redstateobserver

Conservatives Unite Against Bureaucratic Overreach in Politics

A Battle for America's Future** In an era where overreach and inefficiency in government are at the forefront of public discourse, impactful voices are

by: KYMA

President Trump and Elon Musk defend federal government downsizing

In a joint interview with Fox News, President Donald Trump and Elon Musk defended efforts to downsize the federal government.

by: CNN

What to know about Trump's executive order and 'unprecedented' power grab within the government

President Donald Trump's executive order grasping far greater control over independent federal agencies embraces a constitutionally questionable theory that presidents dating back to Ronald Reagan have considered - and ultimately rejected.

by: CNN

Trump signs executive order aimed at expanding IVF access and reducing costs

President Donald Trump signed an executive order Tuesday to develop policy recommendations to expand access to and affordability of in vitro fertilization.

by: CNN

Defense officials fear impending Pentagon firings could break law and hurt military readiness

Some defense officials responsible for drafting lists of civilian Pentagon employees to be terminated as soon as this week are raising concerns with their superiors that the summary firings could break the law and potentially harm US military readiness,

by: MSN

Denmark announces plans to bolster its defense spending and raise it above 3% of GDP

Denmark announces plans to bolster its defense spending and raise it above 3% of GDP - The Danish government has announced plans to bolster its military by setting up a 50 billion-kroner ($7 billion)

by: MSN

Department of Education contract cuts spur 'chaos and confusion'

Most of the cuts happened to the Institute of Education Sciences (IES), which focuses on research and how schools can operate and teach kids better.

by: MSN

Germany's new government will face foreign policy challenges

The new German government will have to shift its foreign policies: away from the US and towards its own defense.

by: abc3340

Elon Musk says saving taxpayer money requires 'competence' and 'caring'

President Donald Trump and Department of Government Efficiency head Elon Musk sat for a joint interview on Fox News Tuesday.

by: MSN

US Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt slams Democrats' hypocrisy over D.O.G.E

by: MSN

Trump Administration Accidentally Fires And Tries To Rehire Agents Working On Bird Flu Responses

Over the weekend, the US Department of Agriculture (USDA) accidentally fired several employees who were working on the federal government's response to the H5N1 bird flu outbreak. The USDA are now backpaddling in order to rehire these workers at a time when bird flu is ravaging the US poultry population and contributing to the rise in egg prices

by: MSN

Federal government moving ahead with high-speed rail: Trudeau

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau says the federal government is moving ahead with a high-speed rail network between Quebec City and Toronto.

Political analysts doubt Masondo and Radebe's abilities to revive ANC in Gauteng and KwaZulu-Natal

Political analysts express scepticism about the newly appointed ANC leaders in Gauteng and KwaZulu-Natal, citing factionalism and past loyalties as significant barriers to reviving the party ahead of the 2026 elections.

The article from MSN discusses skepticism among political analysts regarding the capabilities of David Masondo and Sihle Zikalala, recently appointed as ANC provincial coordinators for Gauteng and KwaZulu-Natal respectively, to rejuvenate the ANC's influence in these key regions. Despite their appointments, there is doubt about their ability to address the deep-seated issues within the party, including factionalism and governance failures. Analyst Zakhele Ndlovu highlighted that while Masondo and Zikalala are competent, the ANC's problems are structural and require more than just leadership changes. The article also notes the ANC's declining support in these provinces, with the DA and IFP gaining ground in KwaZulu-Natal, and the EFF and MK party posing threats in Gauteng. The analysts suggest that without significant internal reforms, the ANC's electoral prospects remain uncertain.

Read the Full MSN Article at:
https://www.msn.com/en-za/politics/government/political-analysts-doubt-masondo-and-radebe-s-abilities-to-revive-anc-in-gauteng-and-kwazulu-natal/ar-AA1zmXjc