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

7 h. ago Social Security Administration could cut up to 50% of its workforce

The Social Security Administration is preparing to lay off at least 7,000 people from its workforce of 60,000 — and the final reduction in force number could be as high as 50%, according to two people familiar with the agency’s plans who are not authorized to speak publicly

Events

7 d. ago Elon Musk praises Doge efforts to cut federal workforce after judge ruling – live

Musk claims Trump administration is ‘finding savings’ amid mass terminations; federal judge won’t block administration from laying off federal workersJudge rules Trump administration can continue mass firings of federal workersDonald Trump signed another round of executive orders onboard Air Force One last night, among them one aimed at ending federal benefits for people in the country illegally.The order seeks to end “all taxpayer-funded benefits for illegal aliens”, according to the White House, although it was not clear which benefits will be targeted. Continue reading...

Events

7 d. ago Trump official calls Social Security ‘wrong’ as administration lays groundwork for massive cuts

The president and his allies are justifying cuts on allegations of ‘waste’ to pay for his tax plan

Politics

8 d. ago New Social Security chief contradicts claims that millions of dead people are getting payouts

The new head of the Social Security Administration says deceased centenarians are “not necessarily receiving benefits."

Events

9 d. ago Trump and Musk to give joint interview as more officials quit amid federal cost

President and billionaire adviser to talk to Sean Hannity as social security and FDA chiefs leave in protest at administration policiesThe US delegation is now speaking to the media. My colleague Jakub Krupa reports that Michael Waltz, the US national security adviser, has said the Ukraine talks with Russia will include discussion of territory and security guarantees, adding:This needs to be a permanent end to the war, and not a temporary end, as we’ve seen in the past.What’s important to understand is two things. The first is [that] the only leader in the world who can make this happen, who can even bring people together to begin to talk about it in a serious way, is President Trump.The second thing I would say is that in order for a conflict to end, everyone involved in that conflict has to be okay with it has to be it has to be acceptable to them.The goal is to bring an end to this conflict in a way that’s fair, enduring, sustainable and acceptable to all parties involved. What t...

Politics

9 d. ago Met Police to cut workforce and services despite funding increase

Met Police to cut workforce and services despite funding increase  BBC.com

Economics

1 week ago Head of Social Security abruptly resigns after clash with Elon Musk over DOGE's access to sensitive data

The acting commissioner of the Social Security Administration has quit after a disagreement with Elon Musk over the 'First Buddy' and DOGE attempting to access government records.

Events

1 week ago Firms planning to cut recruitment and increase redundancies – report

Many businesses are planning to reduce headcount, raise prices and cut investment in workforce training, survey suggests.

Politics