YouTube Agrees to Follow Australia’s New Under-16 Social Media Ban 
Trump Administration Tightens H-1B Visa Vetting With New Focus on Free Speech and Censorship 
Hong Kong Faces Low Turnout in “Patriots-Only” Election Amid Public Grief After Deadly Fire 
Trump and Lula Discuss Trade, Sanctions, and Security in “Productive” Phone Call 
U.S. Defense Chief Pete Hegseth Defends Controversial Second Strike on Suspected Drug-Smuggling Vessel 
Australia Releases New National AI Plan, Opts for Existing Laws to Manage Risks 
Taiwan Signals Openness to Renew Ties with Honduras as Election Unfolds 
Trump’s Name Appears on U.S. Institute of Peace Ahead of Rwanda–Congo Deal Signing 
U.S. Officials Say Afghan Suspect in D.C. National Guard Shooting Radicalized After Arrival 
Germany Moves to Approve €2.9 Billion Defense Procurement Package 
California Launches Portal for Reporting Alleged Misconduct by Federal Immigration Agents 
IMF Deputy Dan Katz Visits China as Key Economic Review Nears 
U.S. Soybean Shipments to China Gain Momentum as Trade Tensions Ease 
Honduras Election Turmoil Deepens as Nasralla Alleges Fraud in Tight Presidential Race 
Australia Progresses AUKUS Review as U.S. Affirms Strong Support 
U.S. Repatriation Flight Carrying 266 Venezuelan Migrants Lands in Caracas 
U.S. President Donald Trump issued an executive order on Wednesday, directing Secretary of State Marco Rubio to reform the foreign service to ensure full alignment with his "America First" policy. The order mandates changes in recruitment, performance evaluations, and retention to build a workforce committed to his agenda.
The directive follows a shake-up at the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), where staff were put on leave, agency signage was removed, and the website went offline. Trump previously froze most U.S. foreign aid hours after taking office to reassess its alignment with national interests.
The executive order grants Rubio authority to restructure the Foreign Service Institute and revise or replace the Foreign Affairs Manual. It also states that failure to implement the president’s foreign policy could lead to professional discipline, including termination.
Trump has frequently vowed to eliminate the so-called "deep state," removing officials he deems disloyal. Former and current USAID officials told Reuters that the staff purge appeared aimed at silencing dissent.
This move signals a broader effort to ensure all aspects of U.S. foreign policy strictly adhere to Trump's vision.
