News

cross-posted from: https://lemmy.ml/post/25627002

By Yasmine El-Sabawi in Washington
Published date: 5 February 2025 02:09 GMT

"On Tuesday, at a stunning joint press conference alongside Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Trump announced the US will be taking over and running Gaza, potentially for the foreseeable future.

“Everybody I've spoken to loves the idea of the United States owning that piece of land, developing and creating thousands of jobs with something that will be magnificent,” Trump told reporters after a three-hour meeting with Netanyahu. "

Summary

USAID announced that nearly all direct hires worldwide will be placed on administrative leave starting Friday, except for essential personnel.

The decision follows Trump’s attacks on the agency and his broader freeze on foreign aid.

USAID’s headquarters were closed Monday, and Secretary of State Marco Rubio took control, appointing Pete Marocco to lead it.

Critics, including lawmakers and the American Foreign Service Association, argue this move is illegal and could weaken U.S. influence, benefiting China and Russia.

Summary

Federal health workers are alarmed after the “DEI Watch List” website published names, photos, and salaries of employees, mainly Black, labeling them “targets” for involvement in diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives.

The conservative American Accountability Foundation runs the site, which has sparked fears of doxxing and intimidation.

The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) recently issued memos demanding an end to DEI-related work, escalating paranoia. Some staff have been placed on leave.

cross-posted from: https://lemmy.ml/post/25623410

from Associated Press
By AAMER MADHANI, TIA GOLDENBERG and ZEKE MILLER
Updated 8:21 PM EST, February 4, 2025

Summary

Hundreds of protesters, joined by Democratic lawmakers, rallied outside the Treasury Department, condemning Elon Musk’s "hostile takeover" of federal financial systems.

Lawmakers, including Maxine Waters and Ayanna Pressley, attempted to enter the building but were turned away.

Treasury officials later claimed that Musk’s team had “read-only” access to coded payment data, but concerns persist over security risks and misuse of taxpayer information.

Protesters fear Musk’s influence is part of a broader effort to dismantle government institutions and exploit federal systems for financial gain.

cross-posted from: https://lemmy.ml/post/25623037

By Peter Oborne and Richard Sanders in Amman
Published date: 4 February 2025 17:15 GMT

"Well-placed sources in Amman and Jerusalem told MEE that the last thing #Jordan wants is war and it is eager for a peaceful solution. But they are adamant that the ##Jordanians will close the border if refugees begin to cross into the country.

If the #Israelis seek to re-open it, that would be "a casus belli," one source said.

The Jordanians are under no illusion they could win a war with #Israel, but believe they would have no choice but to fight. "

Summary

The Senate confirmed Pam Bondi as U.S. attorney general in a 54-46 vote, solidifying a key Trump ally at the Justice Department.

Bondi, a former Florida attorney general, is expected to reshape the DOJ, which has faced mass firings of officials linked to Trump-related investigations.

She has echoed Trump’s claims of a “weaponized” justice system and refused to rule out prosecuting his adversaries.

Summary

Trump is preparing mass layoffs for federal workers who decline its voluntary resignation offer, “Fork in the Road,” which guarantees pay through September 30 but requires workers to waive legal rights.

Over 20,000 employees have accepted, but unions argue the offer is coercive and legally dubious, filing a lawsuit to halt the February 6 deadline.

The administration warns holdouts could lose their jobs as part of Trump and Elon Musk’s plan to downsize government.

Critics say the policy mirrors Musk’s mass firings at X.

cross-posted from: https://lemmy.ml/post/25623886

Bilal Ghazeye
Feb 04, 2025

"Convoys of civilians that headed towards their villages on January 26 were fired on by Israeli troops. At least 27 people were killed and over 150 wounded, according to the Lebanese health ministry. Since then, displaced residents have camped outside of their villages in protest in a tense standoff with the Israeli military."

Summary

The American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE) is suing to block the Trump administration’s “Fork in the Road” resignation program, arguing it violates federal law.

The program offers federal workers continued pay and benefits until Sept. 30 if they quit by Feb. 6 but requires them to waive legal challenges.

AFGE claims this promise of future pay violates the Anti-Deficiency Act, which prohibits spending without congressional approval.

The lawsuit is the latest challenge to Trump and Elon Musk’s broader effort to shrink the federal workforce.

Trump says Gaza should not be rebuilt by Palestinians, arguing neighbouring countries should build "domains" for their resettlement.

Summary

Google has revised its AI Principles, removing commitments not to pursue weapons, surveillance systems, or technologies that undermine human rights.

The company cites the widespread use of AI, evolving standards, and geopolitical battles over AI as reasons for the overhaul.

The revision follows a broader corporate shift since Trump’s return to office, though Google claims the update was long planned.

Summary

Nine anonymous FBI agents have sued Trump’s Justice Department, alleging an unlawful purge of officials involved in January 6 and Trump-related investigations.

The lawsuit challenges a DOJ survey used to identify and potentially fire agents, calling it political retribution.

Agents fear data breaches and retaliation, citing Elon Musk’s alleged access to government databases.

The lawsuit claims violations of privacy and First Amendment rights.

cross-posted from: https://lemmy.ml/post/25613323

from #DropSiteNews [you may get a request to sign up for free subscription]

Jeremy Scahill Feb 04, 2025

"Yesterday, Trump made a series of incendiary statements suggesting he supported the ethnic cleansing of the Gaza Strip and the displacement of Palestinians to Egypt and Jordan. (Both governments have said they would oppose such moves.)"

Summary

The White House is drafting an executive order to dismantle the Department of Education, aligning with Trump's long-standing pledge.

However, Congress must approve the agency's abolition, making its passage unlikely despite GOP control. Critics, including the National Education Association, warn this move would harm students, increase costs, and weaken protections.

GOP lawmakers have repeatedly attempted to eliminate the department since its 1979 founding.

Trump also recently signed an order expanding school choice, reinforcing the Republican agenda of decentralizing education policy.

Israel is in last place in the Nation Brands Index, which was conducted in July-August 2024 by polling 40,000 people in 20 countries. The index ranks 50 countries and marks six aspects of country brand strength: policy and governance, culture, people and society, exports, migration and investment, and tourism.

The study notes that Generation Z overwhelmingly rejects Israel, giving it the lowest possible scores across all parameters. The report also observes that there is a de facto boycott of Israeli products and that Israeli exports are at high risk, with a significant aversion to products labeled "Made in Israel."

Israel, the report finds, is associated with global instability and according to ranking sentiments, Israel is perceived as part of the "forces of chaos" rather than those contributing to global stability. Even Israel's innovative strength does not save it in this index, and it ranks below most developed European countries and even below the UAE.

Summary

Federal employees have filed a class action lawsuit seeking a temporary restraining order to disconnect a server allegedly installed illegally at the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) by associates of Elon Musk.

The lawsuit claims the server, connected without required privacy assessments, risks exposing government employees’ data.

The server is linked to the Trump administration’s plan to downsize the federal workforce.

If the motion is granted, the administration's "deferred resignation program" could be delayed.

Summary

Musk’s DOGE team is conducting opaque “one-way interviews” with civil servants, raising concerns over transparency and accountability significantly.

Federal workers report being interrogated about their roles and colleagues’ performance, while Musk’s aides refuse to reveal their full names.

Under the DOGE banner, Musk’s team now controls vital agencies including USAID and the Office of Personnel Management.

Civil servants are resorting to encrypted messaging to track Musk's rapid and opaque government takeover.

Summary

The 50501 Movement, organizing protests against the Trump administration in all 50 state capitols, has partnered with Political Revolution, a group initially supporting Bernie Sanders' 2016 campaign.

This collaboration is expected to expand outreach and coordination. Protests follow recent demonstrations against Trump's deportation policies.

Organizers report threats from MAGA groups but emphasize the importance of constitutional rights. Analysts see Wednesday’s demonstrations as a key test of the movement's reach.

cross-posted from: https://lemmy.world/post/25117460

Summary

Elon Musk claimed on X that he eliminated the IRS team responsible for the "Direct File" program, which allows Americans to file taxes online for free.

His statement came in response to a right-wing influencer criticizing the program as government overreach.

However, the Treasury Department confirms that the Direct File system remains active, offering free tax filing with customer support.

The program, available in English and Spanish, is optional, allowing taxpayers to choose between using it or filing their taxes manually.

RFE/RL: Ukraine Needs U.S. Weapons. Trump Wants Its Rare Earth Minerals In Return.