Hundreds of U.S. diplomats have formally protested the dismantling of USAID and the freeze on foreign aid, warning it undermines U.S. global leadership and strengthens adversaries like China and Russia.
More than 700 diplomats and officials from the State Department and U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) signed a letter to Secretary of State Marco Rubio, opposing the Trump administration’s decision to halt nearly all foreign aid.
In a dissent cable filed with the department’s internal system, diplomats argued that the 90-day freeze, imposed on January 20, endangers U.S. personnel and weakens key alliances.
"The freeze on life-saving aid has already caused irreparable harm," the letter stated, adding that promised waivers for critical programs have not materialized.
President Donald Trump appointed billionaire Elon Musk to oversee the dismantling of USAID as part of a broad effort to cut federal spending. The administration has canceled 92% of foreign aid contracts, amounting to $54 billion in cuts.
A State Department spokesperson declined to comment on the internal dissent but confirmed that USAID has already terminated thousands of staff and contractors.
The Supreme Court ruled against the administration on Wednesday, ordering the government to release payments owed to foreign aid contractors for completed work.
Despite the ruling, the future of U.S. humanitarian assistance remains uncertain, with diplomats warning that halting aid creates a power vacuum that geopolitical rivals could exploit.
Operations at several energy facilities in Saudi Arabia were suspended on Tuesday after attacks by Iran-aligned Houthi forces injured more than 70 ...
A TV channel was struck during a live broadcast on Tuesday, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said, as Russian strikes on Kyiv killed at leas...
Twelve countries said on Tuesday they would introduce, support or consider trade restrictions on goods from Israeli settlements in the West Bank, i...
At least five people were killed and five others injured when an Amazon Prime Air cargo plane overran a runway and crashed while landing at Miami International Airport on Sunday, 6 September, local officials said.
Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf said on Sunday that the United States must recognise that the “rules of the game” in its war against Iran had changed “before it is too late”, a day after Washington struck several Iranian tankers in the Gulf.
U.S. special envoys Jared Kushner and Steve Witkoff have held talks with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in Kyiv on Sunday on efforts to end Russia’s war in Ukraine.
A TV channel was struck during a live broadcast on Tuesday, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said, as Russian strikes on Kyiv killed at least three people, the city's Mayor Vitali Klitschko said. Meanwhile, drones hit civilian infrastructure in Russia's southwestern Saratov region.
Indonesia has reopened Jakarta's main airport and four others after volcanic ash from Mount Anak Krakatau forced widespread flight cancellations, though fresh eruptions have kept authorities on alert.
Twelve countries said on Tuesday they would introduce, support or consider trade restrictions on goods from Israeli settlements in the West Bank, increasing pressure on Israel over settlement expansion.
France will move to restrict imports of goods from Israeli settlements in the West Bank, joining 11 other countries backing or considering similar measures, Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot said on Tuesday.
A TV channel was struck during a live broadcast on Tuesday, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said, as Russian strikes on Kyiv killed at least three people, the city's Mayor Vitali Klitschko said. Meanwhile, drones hit civilian infrastructure in Russia's southwestern Saratov region.
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen announced on Monday a €200 million ($232 million) deal with Greenland, called the Global Gateway Partnership Package, aimed at strengthening the EU-Greenland partnership, amid growing U.S. interest in the Arctic island.
Britain is set to ban trade in goods and some services from Israeli settlements in the West Bank as the government steps up efforts to protect the prospects of a two-state solution.
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