USAID's decade-long bribery scheme comes to light
A USAID official and three business owners pleaded guilty to a 10-year bribery scheme involving at least 14 prime contracts worth over $550 million in U.S. taxpayer dollars.
The State Department office that handles refugee issues and works to cut illegal migration will deal with the U.S. response to overseas disasters, a role for which they say it lacks the know-how and personnel.
The Bureau of Population, Refugees and Migration (PRM) is taking over some functions from USAID, which has been gutted under the Trump administration’s downsizing efforts, largely overseen by Elon Musk. This has been blamed for a delayed U.S. response to Myanmar’s March 25 earthquake.
A recent ALDAC cable instructed all U.S. diplomatic missions to consult PRM on foreign disaster declarations. With PRM approval, up to $100,000 can be issued for initial response, with more aid possible based on need.
The State Department declined to comment. The dismantling of USAID has led to mass layoffs, staff terminations, and the cancellation of billions in humanitarian aid.
Pakistan will begin its first freight train service to Russia from Lahore on June 22. The route is part of the INSTC and aims to connect Pakistan's rail network with Central Asia, establishing a new trade corridor via Iran, Turkmenistan, and Kazakhstan.
Start your day informed with AnewZ Morning Brief: here are the top news stories for June 8th, covering the latest developments you need to know.
Presidential candidate Miguel Uribe Turbay is in critical condition after being shot three times — including twice in the head — during a campaign event in Bogotá.
Israeli strikes have reportedly targeted areas near the residences of Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and President Masoud Pezeshkian, according to the New York Times, citing local witnesses.
Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum has condemned U.S. immigration raids and National Guard deployment in Los Angeles, calling for reforms instead of enforcement.
Israel’s June 13 strikes on Iran led to the deaths of several high-ranking military officials and prominent nuclear scientists, marking a major escalation in the ongoing hostilities between the two countries.
Senator Bernie Sanders announced plans to introduce legislation prohibiting the use of federal funds for any US military action against Iran without explicit congressional authorization, warning against being drawn into what he called Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu’s “illegal war.”
Minnesota Governor Tim Walz confirmed that former state House Speaker Melissa Hortman and her husband were fatally shot in what authorities are calling a politically motivated assassination. A second lawmaker, state Senator John Hoffman, and his wife were wounded in the attack.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on Saturday said diplomacy alone will not stop Russian President Vladimir Putin, urging stronger financial pressure and suggesting former US President Donald Trump may be the only leader capable of halting Moscow’s aggression.
Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan held separate phone calls on Saturday with his counterparts from Azerbaijan and Egypt to discuss Israel’s recent large-scale assault on Iran, according to diplomatic sources.
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