6 h. ago ‘Cruel and thoughtless’: Trump fires hundreds at US climate agency Noaa

Employees informed by email that their jobs would be cut off at end of day in move a worker called ‘wrong all around’Don’t let a billionaire’s algorithm control what you read. Download our free app to get trusted reporting.The Trump administration has fired hundreds of workers at the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (Noaa), the US’s pre-eminent climate research agency housed within the Department of Commerce, the Guardian has learned.On Thursday afternoon, the commerce department sent emails to employees saying their jobs would be cut off at the end of the day, in a move that one worker called “wrong all around”. Other government agencies have also seen massive staffing cuts in recent days. Continue reading...

Politics

6 h. ago Trump shuts down Independent reporter pressing Starmer on annexing Canada

Donald Trump cut off The Independent's White House correspondent Andrew Feinberg as he pressed Sir Keir Starmer about the US president’s desire to make Canada the 51st state.

Politics

6 h. ago Social Security Administration could lay off up to 50% of its workforce, source says – live

Social Security Administration expected to lay off at least 7,000 people, but a source tells Associated Press reduction could be as high as 50%As Donald Trump and tech billionaire Elon Musk work zealously to slash tens of billions in federal spending by axing thousands of jobs and gutting some government agencies, Musk faces mounting claims he has conflicts of interest and no oversight, legal and ethics experts say.Trump’s largest campaign donor and the world’s wealthiest man, Musk was tapped by the president to lead the so-called “department of government efficiency” (Doge) in a radical and opaque cost-cutting drive that allows him to keep control of SpaceX, Tesla and other huge companies with billions of dollars in federal contracts.We expect that today’s meeting will be the first in a series of such expert consultations that will bring us closer to overcoming the disagreements that have arisen with the American side, strengthening confidence-building measures. Continue reading...

Events

6 h. ago An uncertain future for agricultural students at Black colleges after Trump cuts: ‘a clear attack’

The 1890 National Scholars program gives full rides to HBCU students in fields like botany, forestry and food safetyDr Marcus Bernard was shocked to learn last week that the US Department of Agriculture (USDA) had suspended the 1890 National Scholars program that funds undergraduate students’ education in agriculture or related fields at about 20 historically Black colleges and universities (HBCUs).Bernard is dean of the college of agriculture, health and natural resources at one of those institutions, Kentucky State University. At Kentucky State, close to 40 of the scholars have enrolled since the project’s inception in 1992. Nationwide, the program has supported more than 800 students, according to the USDA. Continue reading...

Politics

9 h. ago Trump's permanent USAID cuts slam humanitarian programs worldwide: 'We are being pushed off a cliff'

Health groups and non-governmental organizations have expressed surprise and outrage after the Trump administration’s decision to cut 90% of USAID’s foreign aid contracts

Politics

10 h. ago Democrat slams tariffs announcement: ‘Trump is driving the US economy straight into a wall’ – live

Ron Wyden, ranking member of Senate finance committee, says tariffs on neighboring countries will be felt by Americans and called it a betrayal to Trump’s votersTrump threatens China with additional 10% tariff in escalation of trade warAs Donald Trump and tech billionaire Elon Musk work zealously to slash tens of billions in federal spending by axing thousands of jobs and gutting some government agencies, Musk faces mounting claims he has conflicts of interest and no oversight, legal and ethics experts say.Trump’s largest campaign donor and the world’s wealthiest man, Musk was tapped by the president to lead the so-called “department of government efficiency” (Doge) in a radical and opaque cost-cutting drive that allows him to keep control of SpaceX, Tesla and other huge companies with billions of dollars in federal contracts.We expect that today’s meeting will be the first in a series of such expert consultations that will bring us closer to overcoming the disagreements that have a...

Politics

11 h. ago US deportees in ‘black box’ in Panama with no access to counsel, lawyers say

About 112 people held in immigration center deep in the jungle are unable to communicate with their attorneysLawyers for immigrants from around the world who were deported from the United States and moved to a remote jungle camp in Panama say they have been unable to communicate with their clients since they arrived there.About 112 deported people are being held in the “San Vicente” immigration center deep in the dense jungle that separates Panama from Colombia, according to Panamanian authorities. Their future is uncertain as they wait to see whether they will be granted asylum in Panama or elsewhere. Continue reading...

Politics

14 h. ago Trump says tariffs for Mexico, Canada, and China to go into effect next week – live

US president blames illegal drugs from Mexico and Canada as reason for tariffs going into effect on 4 March; China to be charged an additional 10% As Donald Trump and tech billionaire Elon Musk work zealously to slash tens of billions in federal spending by axing thousands of jobs and gutting some government agencies, Musk faces mounting claims he has conflicts of interest and no oversight, legal and ethics experts say.Trump’s largest campaign donor and the world’s wealthiest man, Musk was tapped by the president to lead the so-called “department of government efficiency” (Doge) in a radical and opaque cost-cutting drive that allows him to keep control of SpaceX, Tesla and other huge companies with billions of dollars in federal contracts.We expect that today’s meeting will be the first in a series of such expert consultations that will bring us closer to overcoming the disagreements that have arisen with the American side, strengthening confidence-building measures. Continue readin...

Politics

19 h. ago Supreme court backs Trump over holding back $1.5bn in USAid cash – US politics live

Stay of lower court ruling comes as Trump administration said it is eliminating $60bn worth of US assistance around the worldUK prime minister Keir Starmer is in Washington where later today where he will have his first meeting with President Trump since the inauguration.With Trump aligning with Moscow even more explicitly than he did during his first administration, and threatening to wind down the Nato guarantees that have underpinned the security of western Europe since the second world war, the stakes could not be higher. Continue reading...

Politics

29 h. ago Trump administration cutting 90% of USAID foreign aid contracts, documents show

The Trump administration says it is eliminating more than 90% of the U.S. Agency for International Development’s foreign aid contracts and $60 billion in overall U.S. assistance around the world

Politics

33 h. ago Democratic governors pitch state jobs to federal workers cut by Trump

Some of America’s governors — mostly Democrats — have a message for the wave of fired federal workers: We want you

Politics

33 h. ago Rory Stewart says Starmer and Trump have inflicted ‘unimaginable damage’ over foreign aid cuts

Labour prime minister and US president accused of harming international security and the climate

Events

40 h. ago BP signs $25bn deal to redevelop Iraq’s oil and gasfields as it slashes investments in renewable energy

BP previously committed to cut oil and gas production by 40 per cent by 2030

Economics

40 h. ago US climate research agency braces for ‘efficiency’ cuts: ‘They will gut the work’

Workers at National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration fear crackdown will have global falloutThe Trump administration has set its sights on the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (Noaa), the US’s pre-eminent climate research agency, with significant cuts and a political crackdown on climate science. As Trump takes aim at the agency, the impact is likely to be felt across the US and around the world.Noaa provides essential resources to the public and has helped make the US a scientific leader internationally. Operating 18 satellites and 15 research and survey ships, the agency’s scientists, engineers and policy experts issue forecasts relied on by aviation, agriculture and fishing industries; ocean floor mapping depended upon for shipping; advises on species protection, and increasingly precise and accurate modeling on what to expect as climate crisis unfolds. Continue reading...

Science

41 h. ago ‘Like being on the Titanic’: US aid workers dread bleak future after Trump cuts

Trump’s order to stop work on aid projects around the globe has left dedicated staff shocked and demoralisedIn a village in Lesotho, a small country in southern Africa, Sasha teaches hundreds of children at a local primary school. A significant part of her work as an education volunteer at the US Peace Corps is to educate her students about HIV prevention. Almost a quarter of Lesotho’s 2.3 million population lives with HIV, giving it the second-highest level of HIV infection in the world.At the beginning of February, Donald Trump halted virtually all US foreign aid. The 90-day pause left many agencies scrambling to follow the new guidance, affecting programs such as the one Sasha works for. In Lesotho, she and other volunteers work to mitigate the effects of HIV/Aids stigma through grant-funded programs like a soccer camp. All of that stopped. Continue reading...

Politics

43 h. ago BP set to cut renewable investment and boost oil and gas production

BP previously committed to cut oil and gas production by 40 per cent by 2030

Politics

46 h. ago Mike Johnson delivers win for Trump as House narrowly passes GOP budget framework calling for steep cuts

Johnson squeaks through chaotic vote session with first legislative victory for Donald Trump’s second term

Politics

47 h. ago Why Trump, not Starmer, is to blame for UK cutting foreign aid to boost defence spending

The peace dividend of ‘Pax Americana’ is over and the UK and other European countries have no choice but to rearm

Politics

49 h. ago Mike johnson delivers major win for Trump as House narrowly passes GOP budget plan calling for steep cuts

Johnson squeaks through chaotic vote session with first legislative victory for Donald Trump’s second term

Politics

50 h. ago Republican budget blueprint to fund Trump’s agenda narrowly passes House

Vote passes 217-215 in win for president as Democrats assail proposal over planned cuts to social safety-net programsRepublicans unified behind a budget blueprint, a major step toward delivering Donald Trump’s sprawling tax-cut and immigration agenda over unanimous opposition from Democrats – and deep concerns that it would slash social safety net programs – to advance Trump’s 2025 agenda.The vote on passage was 217-215, with one Republican voting in opposition and no Democrats supporting the controversial measure. One Democrat did not vote. Continue reading...

Politics