Trump Threatens 50% Tariff on Canadian Aircraft Amid Escalating U.S.-Canada Trade Dispute 
Trump Administration Expands Global Gag Rule, Restricting U.S. Foreign Aid to Diversity and Gender Programs 
Syria-Kurdish Ceasefire Marks Historic Step Toward National Unity 
U.S. Government Faces Brief Shutdown as Congress Delays Funding Deal 
Trump Appoints Colin McDonald as Assistant Attorney General for National Fraud Enforcement 
Kevin Warsh’s Fed Nomination Raises Questions Over Corporate Ties and U.S.–South Korea Trade Tensions 
Trump Family Files $10 Billion Lawsuit Over IRS Tax Disclosure 
Venezuela Proposes Amnesty Law and Plans to Transform Helicoide Prison 
Panama Supreme Court Voids CK Hutchison Port Concessions, Raising Geopolitical and Trade Concerns 
Sam Altman Criticizes ICE Enforcement as Corporate Leaders Call for De-Escalation 
Trump Threatens Aircraft Tariffs as U.S.-Canada Jet Certification Dispute Escalates 
More Than 100 Venezuelan Political Prisoners Released Amid Ongoing Human Rights Scrutiny 
China Approves First Import Batch of Nvidia H200 AI Chips Amid Strategic Shift 
Pentagon and Anthropic Clash Over AI Safeguards in National Security Use 
Trump to Announce New Federal Reserve Chair Pick as Powell Replacement Looms 
Trump Says Fed Pick Kevin Warsh Could Win Democratic Support in Senate Confirmation 
The Trump administration plans to reduce staff at the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) to fewer than 300, significantly downsizing from its global workforce of over 10,000, sources told Reuters. The move is part of a broader government reorganization effort, reportedly influenced by businessman Elon Musk, a close ally of Trump.
Only 294 employees will retain their positions, including 12 in the Africa bureau and eight in the Asia bureau. Critics warn the cuts could cripple USAID’s humanitarian efforts, which provide life-saving aid to millions worldwide. J. Brian Atwood, a former USAID head, called the layoffs "outrageous," warning that the agency’s collapse would have dire consequences for global poverty and disease prevention.
The administration has already placed dozens of USAID staff on leave and terminated hundreds of contractors. On Tuesday, officials announced that all directly hired USAID employees would be placed on administrative leave, with thousands of overseas personnel recalled. Secretary of State Marco Rubio stated that some critical programs may be exempt from the stop-work orders, but uncertainty remains.
The Trump administration aims to merge USAID with the State Department, but congressional approval is required. USAID managed over $40 billion in aid for 130 countries in 2023, with top recipients including Ukraine, Ethiopia, Jordan, and Afghanistan.
Sources say termination notices have already been sent, with the USAID website confirming global administrative leave for most employees starting February 7. Essential personnel will be notified separately. The drastic cuts leave humanitarian efforts in limbo, putting critical global aid programs at risk.
