Page 15 - Us Government

Republican legislation seeks to ban Chinese nationals from studying in US

A group of House Republicans on Friday put forward legislation seeking to prevent Chinese students from studying in American schools, as some US lawmakers are targeting China over national security concerns. Rep. Riley Moore, R-W.Va., introduced the bill that could bar Chinese nationals from receiving visas that allow foreigners to travel to the US to study or participate in exchange visitor programmes. Five other Republicans co-sponsored the measure. By granting Chinese nationals such visas, the US has "invited" the Chinese Communist Party "to spy on our military, steal our intellectual property, and threaten national security", Moore said in a statement. "It's time we turn off the spigot and immediately ban all student visas going to Chinese nationals." The measure is unlikely to pass, and it has drawn criticism from organisations and scholars over concerns that hostile policies and rhetoric toward Chinese students could hurt US interests. "No policy should target individuals sol

Senate approves funding bill just before shutdown deadline, sends to Trump

The Senate passed a six-month spending bill on Friday hours before a government shutdown, overcoming sharp Democratic opposition to the measure and sending it to President Donald Trump to be signed into law. The essentially party-line vote, 54-46, reflected gnawing Democratic angst over how to confront the Trump administration as its Department of Government Efficiency fires federal workers and dismantles operations. Democrats argued over whether to fight even risking a shutdown and fumed that Republicans drafted a measure that included little of their input, shortchanging health care, housing and other priorities. But in the end, enough of the Democratic senators decided a government shutdown would be even worse, and backed Senate Democratic leader Chuck Schumer's strategy to allow the bill to come forward. "A shutdown will allow DOGE to shift into overdrive," Schumer said. "Donald Trump and Elon Musk would be free to destroy vital government services at a much faster ...

Senior USAID official asks staff to 'shred, burn all documents': Report

The effort also demonstrates the tumultuous way in which the Trump administration is dismantling the USAID, which once managed a $40 billion annual budget and had over 10,000 employees

Ukraine-US accord on a ceasefire proposal puts the onus on Vladimir Putin

The accord reached in Saudi Arabia by US and Ukrainian negotiators for a 30-day halt in the conflict, which began with Russia's full-scale invasion three years ago

US condemns attacks on Syrian minorities as coastal violence escalates

The violence erupted in Syria's coastal cities of Latakia and Tartous, where security forces clashed with fighters loyal to ousted President Bashar al-Assad

Trump downplays business concerns over tariff uncertainty and price hikes

President Donald Trump is dismissing business concerns over the uncertainty caused by his planned tariffs on a range of American trading partners and the prospect of higher prices, and isn't ruling out the possibility of a recession this year. After imposing and then quickly pausing 25% tariffs on imports from Mexico and Canada that sent markets tumbling over concerns of a trade war, Trump said his plans for broader reciprocal tariffs will go into effect April 2, raising them to match what other countries assess. April 2nd, it becomes all reciprocal, he said in a taped interview with Fox News Channel's Sunday Morning Futures. What they charge us, we charge them. Asked about the Atlanta Fed's warning of an economic contraction in the first quarter of the year, Trump seemingly acknowledged that his plans could affect U.S. growth. Still, he claimed, it would ultimately be "great for us. When questioned whether he was expecting a recession in 2025, Trump responded: I hate to predict ..

'You have fired nobody': Elon Musk clashes with cabinet over govt cuts

Republicans pressure President Donald Trump to rein in Elon Musk's 'unchecked influence' and 'authority' amid sweeping cost-cutting measures

States sue Trump administration over mass firings of probationary workers

Maryland and 19 other states are suing multiple federal agencies, contending President Donald Trump's administration has illegally fired thousands of federal probationary workers. Maryland Attorney General Anthony Brown is leading the coalition of attorneys general in the federal lawsuit that was filed late Thursday in Maryland, where the state estimates about 10% of households receive wages from the federal government. The draconian actions of the Trump-Vance Administration could lead to tens of thousands of jobs lost, hundreds of thousands of lives disrupted, and the cratering of tens of millions of dollars in income here in Maryland, Gov. Wes Moore, a Democrat, said Friday in support of the complaint. Brown followed up on Friday by moving for a temporary restraining order in federal court in Maryland seeking to stop any more firings of federal probationary employees and to reinstate those who have already been dismissed. The mass firings will cause irreparable burdens and expens

Stellantis pledges more US cars, thanks Trump for 1-month tariff exemption

The White House on Wednesday said Trump would exempt automakers from his punishing 25 per cent tariffs on the two countries for one month as long as they comply with existing free trade rules

'We are paying them': Musk-led DOGE seeks $4 million from a federal agency

The US Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) has asked a federal agency to fund 20 full-time positions for work carried out between January 20 and July 4, 2026

US govt on verge of shutdown as Trump pushes unilateral budget cuts

The longest government shutdown in US history during President Trump's first term, lasting 35 days from December 2018 to January 2019

US Secretary of State accuses China of flooding state with Fentanyl

Rubio expressed his belief that China "could halt" the flow of precursors immediately but opted not to, as cited in the RFA report

Trump, Zelenskyy fail to reach minerals deal after White House clash

The clash, played in front of the television cameras, is a major setback for Zelenskyy, who was hoping the in-person meeting with Trump would help smooth out his relations with the American president

UK ready to put 'boots on ground' for Ukraine: Starmer while meeting Trump

Trump said he thinks progress is being made on ending the Russia-Ukraine war, and that an agreement will "either be fairly soon or it won't be at all"

Social Security Administration in US could cut up to 50% of its workforce

The Social Security Administration is preparing to lay off at least 7,000 people from its workforce of 60,000, according to a person familiar with the agency's plans who is not authorised to speak publicly. The workforce reduction, according to a second person who also spoke on the condition of anonymity, could be as high as 50%. It's unclear how the layoffs will directly impact the benefits of the 72.5 million Social Security beneficiaries, which include retirees and children who receive retirement and disability benefits. However, advocates and Democratic lawmakers warn that layoffs will reduce the agency's ability to serve recipients in a timely manner. Some say cuts to the workforce are, in effect, a cut in benefits. Later Friday, the agency sent out a news release outlining plans for significant workforce reductions, employee reassignments from non-mission critical positions to mission critical direct service positions," and an offer of voluntary separation agreements. The agen

US Attorney General releases first phase of Jeffrey Epstein files

The first phase of released files largely comprise documents that have been previously leaked but never released in a formal capacity by the US government

USAID workers get 15 mins to clear out workspaces as agency gets dismantled

Thousands of US Agency for International Development workers who have been fired or placed on leave as part of the Trump administration's dismantling of the agency were being given a 15-minute window Thursday and Friday to clear out their workspaces. The first USAID workers arrived under heavily overcast skies for what appears likely to be their final visit to the now-closed Washington headquarters of the 6-decade-old aid agency. A small and sombre group of supporters greeted them. Large numbers of federal officers also were waiting outside, with at least seven intercepting one of the first workers who appeared, rolling a suitcase behind him, to escort him inside. While larger bureaus at the agency are urging supporters to turn up to clap out staffers over the next two days, a Trump administration ban on USAID staffers speaking publicly also has many fearing retaliation if they speak publicly. USAID placed 4,080 staffers who work across the globe on leave Monday. That was joined by

Providing 'tech support,' fixing US 'govt computer systems', says Elon Musk

Musk added that he had received "a lot of death threats," over the work he has been doing, which has involved hundreds of people losing their jobs

Over 20k illegal migrants held since Trump's first month in office: US govt

Trump administration launched an immigration crackdown in the moments after his inauguration and publicised daily arrest totals during his first couple of weeks in office

Trump administration orders more layoffs as Musk meets with cabinet

The memo calls for a "significant reduction" in headcount, but does not specify how many workers should be laid off, beyond the 100,000 who have already taken a buyout or been fired