Russia signals readiness to deepen talks with U.S. on Sakhalin 1 project
Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov said on Wednesday that Moscow was ready to deepen discussions with the U.S. on energy cooperation, incl...
President Donald Trump’s administration announced a decision to place the majority of USAID personnel on paid administrative leave, with plans to cut about 2,000 positions in the U.S., according to a notice reviewed by Reuters.
The Trump administration has placed nearly all United States Agency for International Development (USAID) direct hire personnel on paid administrative leave, with the exception of those essential for critical functions. A "Reduction-in-Force" will eliminate around 2,000 USAID positions in the U.S., the notice said.
This move comes amid an ongoing effort led by Elon Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency to scale back USAID operations, which are a key tool for American foreign assistance and soft power abroad.
A federal judge cleared the way on Friday for the administration to place thousands of USAID workers on leave, despite legal challenges from government employee unions.
Two former senior USAID officials estimate that a majority of the agency’s 4,600 personnel, including career U.S. Civil Service and Foreign Service staff, will be affected.
“This administration is shortsighted in cutting into the expertise and unique crisis response capacity of the U.S.,” said former USAID official Marcia Wong. “When disease outbreaks occur or populations are displaced, USAID experts are often the first deployed to help stabilize and provide aid.”
USAID has received less than $100 million in exemptions from Trump’s 90-day foreign aid freeze, which halted funding for essential programs that once totaled roughly $40 billion annually.
The administration approved exemptions totaling $5.3 billion, primarily for security and counter-narcotics programs, with limited humanitarian relief included.
The White House has yet to respond to requests for further comment on these actions.
AnewZ has learned that India has once again blocked Azerbaijan’s application for full membership in the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation, while Pakistan’s recent decision to consider diplomatic relations with Armenia has been coordinated with Baku as part of Azerbaijan’s peace agenda.
A day of mourning has been declared in Portugal to pay respect to victims who lost their lives in the Lisbon Funicular crash which happened on Wednesday evening.
A Polish Air Force pilot was killed on Thursday when an F-16 fighter jet crashed during a training flight ahead of the 2025 Radom International Air Show.
At least eight people have died and more than 90 others were injured following a catastrophic gas tanker explosion on a major highway in Mexico City’s Iztapalapa district on Wednesday, authorities confirmed.
Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov said on Wednesday that Moscow was ready to deepen discussions with the U.S. on energy cooperation, including on the Sakhalin 1 project, RIA reported.
Russia's violation of Polish and Romanian airspace is part of a long-running trend of boundary-testing and sabotage by President Vladimir Putin, said German Chancellor Friedrich Merz on Wednesday.
Chinese President Xi Jinping is likely to visit South Korea in October for the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit, South Korean Foreign Minister Cho Hyun said on Wednesday ahead of talks in Beijing.
United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres reaffirmed on Tuesday that a two-state solution is the only viable path to settle the Israel-Palestine conflict.
Start your day informed with AnewZ Morning Brief: here are the top news stories for the 17th of September, covering the latest developments you need to know.
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