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.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said on Saturday that a potential meeting between Ukraine, the United States and Russia could take place du...
An unknown projectile struck a tanker 68 nautical miles northeast of Saudi Arabia on Friday according to a report released by the United Kingdom Ma...
Nearly half of delegates walked out of an International Monetary Fund meeting in Bangkok on Saturday as Russian...
The U.S. has banned government employees working in Saudi Arabia from using airports in the country without special authorisation. It comes after a deadly Houthi strike on Riyadh's King Khalid International Airport killed at least 13 people last week.
The Saudi-led coalition said early Thursday that it intercepted and destroyed a drone over Saudi Arabia’s Eastern Province.
U.S. President Donald Trump has called it “a disgrace” that Ukraine has resumed attacks on Russian oil refineries. Attacks are continuing from Russia and Ukraine as media reports say Ukraine has almost run out of Patriot interceptor missiles.
Ukraine is set to restart attacks on Russian oil refineries following a two-day pause, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said, amid growing tensions with Washington over energy strikes and U.S. military support.
An unknown projectile struck a tanker 68 nautical miles northeast of Saudi Arabia on Friday according to a report released by the United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) on Saturday.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said on Saturday that a potential meeting between Ukraine, the United States and Russia could take place during the G20 summit in Miami in December, although neither Washington nor Moscow has confirmed the talks.
Nearly half of delegates walked out of an International Monetary Fund meeting in Bangkok on Saturday as Russian Finance Minister Anton Siluanov addressed the group, exposing deep divisions over Moscow’s war in Ukraine.
Nationwide protests are set to begin in France on Saturday with students, trade unionists and remnants of the Yellow Vest movement expected to demonstrate against rising living costs amongst others.
European Union leaders wrapped up a summit in Brussels with agreement emerging on several key issues, including support for the automotive industry, trade tensions with China and financing for Ukraine.
What would you miss most after six months orbiting Earth, 400 kilometres above the ground? For astronauts, a familiar meal can offer a welcome taste of home. China is making that possible, bringing everything from dumplings to Kung Pao chicken to its space station.
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