Fri, February 21, 2025

by: MSN

German politicians and chancellor candidates face off for one last debate ahead of Sunday's vote

Top German politicians and chancellor candidates faced off one last time in a debate on local broadcaster ZDF ahead of Sunday's federal elections. The war in Ukraine dominated an agenda packed with contentious topics which included immigration and the economy.

by: RealClearPolitics

DOGE Bros: Trump and Musk Tell Hannity the 'Bromance' Endures

What would you say you do here, Sean Hannity asked in so many words, and the world’s richest man replied, “Tech support.” The answer was quite

by: MSN

Trump's new ban makes scientists shudder

Doesn't signing executive orders give Donald Trump hand cramps? Since his return to the White House, he hasn't stopped. And this time, it's an executive order concerning the dismantling of the federal government's diversity and inclusion (DEI) programs that's causing concern.

by: cnbctv18

Delhi BJP government scraps all co-terminus appointments in ex-CM, ministers' offices

According to the official order, all officers, officials, and staff assigned from various departments, organisations, boards, and hospitals in a "diverted capacity" must immediately return to their parent departments.

by: Onefootball

SC Freiburg prepare for kickoff on German Federal Election Weekend: "More important than football." | OneFootball

In the always intertwined world of politics and Bundesliga football, SC Freiburg head coach Julian Schuster took an opportunity on Thursday to prove himself Christian Streich's true successor. Streich - actually one of the figures on the board responsible for electing Germany's (largely ceremonial) President - never missed an opportunity to weigh in on the state of German politics.

by: CNN

Hegseth could fire some senior generals and admirals soon, sources say

Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth could soon move to fire more than half a dozen generals and flag officers, according to two sources familiar with the matter, part of an effort to purge the department of senior leaders perceived as either too political or too close to former Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin.

by: CounterPunch

The Great Trump Media Robbery

After a month in which President Donald J. Trump allowed Elon Musk to launch a hostile takeover of the U.S. government, dispatched his talking dummy J.D.

by: ABC

Trump 2nd term live updates: Trump touts work of 1st month, praises Musk and DOGE

The chief counsel of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives was fired and escorted out of her office, sources familiar with the matter told ABC News.

by: CNN

Latest on Trump's presidency: Government overhaul, Patel confirmed and tensions with Ukraine

President Donald Trump and his administration continue with their government overhaul efforts and foreign policy agenda. Follow for live updates.
Thu, February 20, 2025

by: ABC

Trump 2nd term live updates: Attorney General Pam Bondi fires chief counsel of ATF

The chief counsel of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives was fired and escorted out of her office, sources familiar with the matter told ABC News.

by: WAtoday

Nationals to break ranks with Liberal colleagues and get election promises costed by treasury

The country party confirmed to WAtoday it would submit its costings to the Treasury next week, marking an embarrassing deviation from alliance partner the WA Liberal's defiant stance against using the agency to cost its commitments.

by: Forbes

Majority Of Americans Dislike Musk And Zuckerberg, New Research Shows

New research reveals that most U.S. adults feel unfavorably towards Elon Musk and Mark Zuckerberg. Why? That could be down to social media.

by: News4Jax

Musk waves a chainsaw and charms conservatives talking up Trump's cost-cutting efforts

Billionaire Elon Musk has created a buzz waving a chainsaw in the air at a conservative gathering outside Washington.

by: KING5

Jayapal: There will be 'direct consequences' to the country because of Trump administration layoffs

Jayapal discussed the federal layoffs, criticized the Trump administration's plans and her efforts to protect the trans community in an interview with KING 5.

by: BBC

Elon Musk and Javier Milei wield chainsaw on stage at conservative conference

by: News4Jax

Dr. Mehmet Oz holds millions from companies that he'd wield power over if confirmed, report shows

Dr. Mehmet Oz holds millions of dollars worth of shares in health insurance, fertility, pharmaceutical and vitamin companies.

by: WXYZ

Trump administration is considering 'dividend' checks from money generated by DOGE

The Trump Administration is considering having the so-called Department of Government Efficiency give some of its savings to the American people.

by: Reuters

Trump administration can continue mass firings of federal workers, US judge rules

The Trump administration can for now continue its mass firings of federal employees, a federal judge ruled on Thursday, rejecting a bid by a group of labor unions to halt President Donald Trump's dramatic downsizing of the roughly 2.

by: Newsweek

Trump Says DOGE Could Give 20% of Savings Directly to Taxpayers: Live Updates

President Donald Trump said he was considering a plan to Americans with savings from DOGE. Follow Newsweek's live blog for updates.

by: Newsweek

Kash Patel's Confirmation Tightens Trump's Control of Government

The Senate voted to confirm Kash Patel as FBI director on Thursday, tightening President Donald Trump's control of the federal government. Why It Matters. Patel was among a handfu

by: Yahoo

'Zero Day' Review: Robert De Niro Can't Save This Dull Dad TV Political Thriller

An all-star cast fails to elevate this lackluster conspiracy drama with no point of view The post 'Zero Day' Review: Robert De Niro Can't Save This Dull Dad TV Political Thriller appeared first on TheWrap.

by: WVXU

Analysis: Red states like Ohio, Kentucky, and Indiana could be hurt most by Trump's cuts

The numbers clearly show how states like Ohio, Kentucky and Indiana won't be spared from the Trump/Musk budget-cuts.

by: Sky

Farage says Zelenskyy is not a dictator and Trump 'should not be taken literally'

Donald Trump has called the Ukrainian president a "dictator", and the US leader's ally Nigel Farage has remained silent on the controversial remarks until now.

by: CNN

Military families rocked by Trump's federal government cuts

The Trump administration's swift, sweeping cuts to the federal workforce is set to derail the livelihoods of potentially thousands of military families.

by: CNN

Trump wants to 'abolish' the IRS and replace it with tariffs. Can it work?

No one wants to pay taxes, and practically every American dislikes the IRS. But, as the saying goes, the only guarantees in life are death and taxes. So the IRS is here to stay.

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

'Regular people' love 'how fast' Donald Trump is moving to cut government waste

GOP Pollster and Messaging Strategist Brent Buchanan says "regular people" outside the "bubble" of Washington DC actually love how fast Donald Trump is moving and how much government waste he is cutting.

by: MSN

Project 2025: What environmental cutbacks has Trump made in a month and what's next?

Trump is 'erasing climate action' within federal agencies and giving the green light to big polluters. View on euronews

by: MSN

Trump names both Youngkin and Moore to Council of Governors

The Council of Governors was established by the National Defense Authorization Act of 2008 and formally created in 2010. The key forum for governors and federal officials serves t

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,

USA 'very weak and vulnerable' in negotiations with Kremlin, says former diplomat

Former diplomat Boris Bondarev, who worked for the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs until his resignation over the invasion of Ukraine in 2022, said that the US is negotiating from a 'weak' side due to President Trump's behaviour showing he wants to 'make this deal as soon as possible'.

The article discusses comments made by former U.S. diplomat Chas Freeman, who criticized the U.S. approach in negotiations with Russia, particularly concerning the Ukraine conflict. Freeman, speaking at a conference in Russia, described the U.S. as "very weak and vulnerable" in these negotiations due to what he perceives as a lack of understanding of Russian perspectives and an over-reliance on military solutions rather than diplomatic ones. He highlighted that the U.S. has not effectively engaged with Russia's security concerns, leading to a stalemate in diplomatic efforts. Freeman's remarks suggest a need for a more nuanced U.S. foreign policy that considers the complexities of international relations beyond a binary good vs. evil framework.

Read the Full MSN Article at:
https://www.msn.com/en-au/politics/government/usa-very-weak-and-vulnerable-in-negotiations-with-kremlin-says-former-diplomat/vi-AA1zsndD