Trump to reclassify wide swaths of federal workers to allow for more firings
President announces more employees under ‘Schedule F’ can be hired or fired based on their allegiance to him
Donald Trump on Friday said his administration is implementing a move that will allow far more firings of federal employees and will make significantly more roles into politically appointed positions beholden to the president.
The office of personnel management (OPM) on Friday published a new rule that invokes “Schedule F”, a prior attempt to reclassify wide swaths of federal workers not as civic service roles with protections regardless of who’s in power – but as political appointees who can be hired or fired based on their allegiances to the president.
Continue reading...Did Xi Jinping succeed in winning support against Trump’s tariff war?
Chinese president visits three Southeast Asian nations amid global uncertainty.
Scores killed in US strikes on Yemen fuel port of Ras Isa, Houthi officials say
Death toll reportedly hits 80 with 150 wounded in deadliest attack since Washington launched its campaign
US military strikes on Yemen’s Ras Isa fuel port have killed at least 80 people including civilians and rescue workers, according to the Houthi-run health ministry, in the deadliest attack since Washington launched its campaign against the Iran-backed militants.
The rebels’ Al-Masirah TV, citing local officials, said the toll from the strike had “risen to 80 dead and 150 wounded”.
Continue reading...Trial of nearly 200 people opens after Turkey protests
Students and journalists are among the 189 people on trial in Istanbul after protests last month.
Trial of nearly 200 people opens after Turkey protests – BBC
- Trial of nearly 200 people opens after Turkey protests BBC
- Turkey’s opposition works to seize momentum after leader’s arrest The Washington Post
- Turkey begins mass trials following protests over Istanbul mayor’s detention CNN
- The Turkish protests, a work of art Le Monde.fr
- Turkey : A Crisis of Legitimacy and Massive Social Mobilization in a Regional Power Institut Montaigne
Trial of nearly 200 people opens after Turkey protests
Students and journalists are among the 189 people on trial in Istanbul after protests last month.
Legal group sues Costa Rica alleging the rights of 81 children deported by Trump were violated – AP News
All captives will be released from Gaza if Israel agrees to end war, Hamas says – Middle East Eye
- All captives will be released from Gaza if Israel agrees to end war, Hamas says Middle East Eye
- Hamas says it is ready to release all remaining hostages for an end to Gaza war Yahoo
- Hamas rejects ceasefire offer as far-right Israeli lawmakers call for escalation in Gaza CNN
- Germany halts sale of fighter jets to Turkey after Istanbul mayor jailed - report The Jerusalem Post
- Hamas rejects Israel’s ceasefire offer Vatican News
Five takeaways from Canada party leaders’ big TV debate
There were two ghosts in the room during Canada's federal election debate - Justin Trudeau and Donald Trump.
What a boob: Texas school district bans Virginia state flag and seal over naked breast
Students in Lamar can no longer learn about the state of Virginia on their online research database due to the ban
Virginia’s state flag and seal, depicting the Roman goddess Virtus standing over a slain tyrant, her drooping toga exposing her left breast, has been banned from younger students in a Texas school district.
The district, Lamar consolidated independent school district, near Houston, took action against the image late last year when it removed a section about Virginia from its online learning platform used by third through fifth graders, typically encompassing ages eight to 11, sparking a row, Axios reported on Thursday.
Continue reading...Allies say Ghannouchi ‘unjustly’ held, as he marks 2 years in Tunisian jail
International Committee for Solidarity with Rached Ghannouchi decries ‘repressive campaign’ against Ennahdha party head.
Trump ousts IRS chief days after appointment amid Musk-Bessent feud
Treasury secretary Scott Bessent reportedly complained that Gary Shapley had been chosen without his knowledge
Donald Trump is replacing the acting commissioner of the US Internal Revenue Service after treasury secretary Scott Bessent reportedly complained to the president that the agency head had been appointed without his knowledge and under the instruction of Doge leader Elon Musk.
According to a report from the New York Times published on Friday, Bessent believed that the Doge head “had done an end-run around him” to get Gary Shapley installed as the interim head of the IRS, despite the fact that the IRS reports to Bessent. The report cited five anonymous sources with knowledge of the situation.
Continue reading...British man, 27, killed by avalanche in French Alps – BBC
- British man, 27, killed by avalanche in French Alps BBC
- Briton dies in avalanche as heavy snow sweeps France, Switzerland and Italy The Guardian
- Deadly storm hits north Italy, Switzerland, French Alps DW
- Major road disruptions continue after heavy snowfall in parts of Switzerland SWI swissinfo.ch
- Switzerland Just Got 89 Inches of Snow in Two Days The Inertia
One dead after protests against KFC branches in Pakistan
Protesters, angry at the war in Gaza, have claimed KFC is a symbol of the United States and its ally Israel.
One dead after protests against KFC branches in Pakistan
Protesters, angry at the war in Gaza, have claimed KFC is a symbol of the United States and its ally Israel.
Trump’s ‘lone ranger’: How Steve Witkoff became the de facto point man on America’s foreign policy challenges – CNN
- Trump’s ‘lone ranger’: How Steve Witkoff became the de facto point man on America’s foreign policy challenges CNN
- Team Trump is slouching toward Armageddon The Hill
- Steve Witkoff is embarrassingly out of his depth dealing with Putin The Telegraph
- Trump Friend and ‘Envoy for Everything’ Steve Witkoff Embarks on High-Wire Diplomacy WSJ
- Top Trump aides rush to defend Witkoff after CNN profile on ‘lone ranger’ Mideast envoy The Times of Israel
Barcelona vs Celta Vigo – LaLiga preview: Team news, how to follow, stream
Barcelona's challenge for a quadruple this season could be hampered by the schedule as Celta Vigo provide latest test.
Trump says US may ‘pass’ on helping end war if Russia, Ukraine resist deal
Ukraine has agreed to a full temporary ceasefire and accused Russia of stalling on a truce agreement.
Why did ICE deport Kilmar Abrego Garcia?
What does Kilmar Abrego Garcia’s case say about the future of immigration under Trump?