Meta Accused of Halting Internal Research on Mental Health Risks of Facebook and Instagram 
Bolsonaro Blames Medication Mix-Up for Ankle Monitor Tampering as Detention Continues 
South Korea Forms Major AI Infrastructure Alliance with Nvidia Chips 
Pentagon Probe Finds Hegseth’s Use of Signal Risked Exposing Sensitive Yemen Strike Details 
U.S. May Withhold $30.4 Million From Minnesota Over Improper Commercial Driver Licenses 
Peru’s Ex-President Martín Vizcarra Sentenced to 14 Years in Prison for Corruption 
U.S. Repatriation Flight Carrying 266 Venezuelan Migrants Lands in Caracas 
Taiwan Signals Openness to Renew Ties with Honduras as Election Unfolds 
FDA Names Tracy Beth Høeg as Acting CDER Director After Richard Pazdur Announces Retirement 
Australia Progresses AUKUS Review as U.S. Affirms Strong Support 
China Urged to Prioritize Economy Over Territorial Ambitions, Says Taiwan’s President Lai 
U.S. Defense Chief Pete Hegseth Defends Controversial Second Strike on Suspected Drug-Smuggling Vessel 
Appeals Court Blocks Expansion of Fast-Track Deportations in the U.S. 
Afghan Suspect in Deadly Shooting of National Guard Members Faces First-Degree Murder Charge 
Israel Receives Body of Deceased Hostage as Rafah Crossing Reopening Hinges on Final Returns 
Apple Alerts EU Regulators That Apple Ads and Maps Meet DMA Gatekeeper Thresholds 
Trump and Lula Discuss Trade, Sanctions, and Security in “Productive” Phone Call 
A federal judge has temporarily halted the U.S. State Department’s plan to lay off nearly 2,000 employees as part of a sweeping reorganization. U.S. District Judge Susan Illston ruled from San Francisco on Friday that the department's restructuring is subject to her earlier injunction barring federal agencies from implementing mass layoffs ordered by former President Donald Trump.
The State Department had claimed its plan, submitted to Congress in April, was independent of Trump’s February executive order. However, Judge Illston found that key documents—including the department’s budget proposal—directly referenced the order, placing it within the scope of her original ruling. “If things proceed consistent with that executive order… they are barred,” she said.
The ruling came during a lawsuit filed by unions, nonprofits, and municipalities opposing Trump’s directive to overhaul federal agencies. Illston previously blocked 20 federal agencies from moving forward with downsizing plans pending the case’s outcome. The Department of Justice, defending the State Department, said layoff notices scheduled for Saturday would be paused.
The agency has stated that its restructuring plan aims to streamline over 300 offices by July 1, but has not commented on how the lawsuit might affect that timeline. Deputy chief of staff Daniel Holler claimed the initiative was led by Secretary of State Marco Rubio and wrongly included references to Trump’s order.
Judge Illston reiterated that federal restructuring must have Congressional approval. The Trump administration has appealed her ruling to the Supreme Court.
The case marks a significant legal challenge to executive overreach and federal employee rights, especially amid the controversial involvement of Elon Musk, who had supported the overhaul but has since distanced himself from Trump. The situation remains fluid as legal proceedings continue.
