U.S.–Venezuela Relations Show Signs of Thaw as Top Envoy Visits Caracas 
Trump Administration Expands Global Gag Rule, Restricting U.S. Foreign Aid to Diversity and Gender Programs 
South Korea Repatriates 73 Suspected Online Scammers From Cambodia in Major Crackdown 
ICE Blocked From Entering Ecuador Consulate in Minneapolis During Immigration Operation 
Rafah Border Crossing to Reopen for Palestinians as Israel Coordinates with Egypt and EU 
More Than 100 Venezuelan Political Prisoners Released Amid Ongoing Human Rights Scrutiny 
Trump Orders DHS to Avoid Protests in Democratic Cities Unless Federal Assets Are Threatened 
U.S. Eases Venezuela Oil Sanctions to Boost American Investment After Maduro Ouster 
Panama Supreme Court Voids Hong Kong Firm’s Panama Canal Port Contracts Over Constitutional Violations 
Trump Administration Gun Comments Spark Rift With NRA Ahead of Midterms 
Sam Altman Criticizes ICE Enforcement as Corporate Leaders Call for De-Escalation 
Pierre Poilievre Retains Conservative Leadership After Election Defeat in Canada 
FCC Chairman Raises Competition Concerns Over Netflix–Warner Bros. Discovery Deal 
U.S. Approves Over $6.5 Billion in Military Sales to Israel Across Three Defense Contracts 
Trump Proposes Two-Year Shutdown of Kennedy Center Amid Ongoing Turmoil 
Keir Starmer Urges Prince Andrew to Testify in U.S. Epstein Investigation 
The White House is reviewing plans submitted by federal agencies for a second wave of mass layoffs, potentially affecting thousands of government workers in the coming weeks. President Donald Trump had set a March 13 deadline for agencies to submit proposals aimed at shrinking what he called a “bloated and inefficient” federal workforce.
All agencies have met the deadline, but no firm timeline has been set for completing the review. One source close to the matter said the administration hopes to finalize the process by September. The review is being led by the Office of Management and Budget (OMB), the Office of Personnel Management (OPM), and the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), spearheaded by tech billionaire Elon Musk. While Musk is staying informed, he is not directly involved in day-to-day document reviews.
So far, DOGE has overseen the elimination of over 100,000 federal jobs, sparking legal challenges and criticism from labor unions and Democrats. Opponents argue the initiative is destabilizing agencies without delivering proven cost savings, and serves as a cover to dismantle federal programs opposed by the GOP.
Key agencies like the Department of Veterans Affairs, the Department of Education, and the General Services Administration have submitted revised workforce reduction plans. Veterans Affairs is preparing to cut 80,000 jobs, while Education plans to slash its staff by half. NASA will reportedly cut roles in its DEI program and technology policy office, and the FDA will reduce staff in records management and lab safety.
Agencies will be required to submit monthly progress reports. The White House, OMB, OPM, and DOGE have not commented on the ongoing review. Critics warn the cuts may have long-term impacts on public services and government operations.
