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.
The U.S. imposed sanctions on the International Criminal Court's (ICC) President Tomoko Akane and a senior tri...
The United Arab Emirates suspended all trade and financial transactions with Iran on Tuesday after saying Iranian missiles had targeted maritime na...
Former Ukrainian Defence Minister Mykhailo Fedorov has called for elections despite the war with Russia, mounting what is widely seen as the bigges...
U.S. President Donald Trump says Washington is not seeking an extension of its memorandum of understanding with Iran, claiming the U.S. already controls the Strait of Hormuz through its naval blockade.
Iran has said the Strait of Hormuz will remain closed until the U.S. fulfils the terms of an interim deal, including lifting the maritime blockade and sanctions and releasing Iran’s frozen assets.
Ukraine has targeted at least 20 Wildberries warehouses across Russia since 18 July, disrupting a major logistics network. Kyiv says the strikes aim to disrupt alleged military-linked supplies, while the attacks have caused billions of dollars in losses and wider economic pressure.
Shipping through the Strait of Hormuz has slowed, according to the latest data, as uncertainty over the waterway’s reopening kept most shipowners away. Six commodity vessels crossed the strait on Tuesday, down from nine the day before and below the 10-day daily average of 11.
Russia said its air defences downed 180 drones over the Moscow region overnight, with 620 drones reportedly targeting the area, according to Moscow Mayor Sergei Sobyanin.
The U.S. imposed sanctions on the International Criminal Court's (ICC) President Tomoko Akane and a senior trial lawyer at the court Abdoulaye Seye on Tuesday, Secretary of State Marco Rubio said.
Ukraine's parliament has approved Yevhenii Khmara as the country's new defence minister, cementing a key leadership change as Kyiv navigates wartime priorities and a broader government reorganisation.
Thai schools conducted active shooter drills on Wednesday (19 August), as authorities moved to strengthen security measures two weeks after a 14-year-old opened fire at a school and killed at least eight people.
Apple has announced a major overhaul of its business terms for apps distributed in the European Union, introducing a five per cent commission on digital transactions outside its App Store and simplifying its fee structure as it seeks to comply with the bloc’s Digital Markets Act (DMA).
A record number of humanitarian workers were killed, injured or kidnapped in 2025, with the growing use of armed drones contributing to mounting risks in conflict zones, the United Nations said on Wednesday.
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