Saturday, October 11th, 2025
Firings of U.S. federal workers begin as White House seeks to pressure Democrats in government shutdown
Several federal departments, including treasury and health and human services, are likely to be affected by the mass firings. (Jonathan Ernst/Reuters) The White House budget office said Friday that mass firings of federal workers have started, an attempt by U.S. President Donald Trump’s administration to exert more pressure on Democratic lawmakers as the government shutdown dragged into a 10th day. Russ Vought, director of the Office of Management and Budget, said on the social media site X that the “RIFs have begun,” referring to reduction-in-force plans aimed at reducing the size of the federal government. In a court filing,Read more
U.S. stock markets tumble after Trump says he’s raising China tariffs to 100%
A trader works on the floor at the New York Stock Exchange in New York City on Sept. 22. (Jeenah Moon/Reuters) Stocks fell sharply on Friday, with the S&P 500 and Nasdaq suffering their biggest one-day percentage declines since April 10, while Treasury yields dropped and the U.S. dollar weakened as comments by U.S. President Donald Trump reignited worries over a U.S.-China trade war. After markets closed on Friday, Trump said he was raising tariffs on Chinese exports to the U.S. to 100 per cent and imposing export controls onRead more
Biden undergoing radiation therapy for cancer, spokesperson says
Former U.S. president Joe Biden is shown speaking at a conference in Chicago in April. He was diagnosed with cancer in May. (Nam Y. Huh/The Associated Press) Former U.S. president Joe Biden is receiving radiation therapy for his prostate cancer diagnosed in May, a spokesperson said on Saturday. “As part of a treatment plan for prostate cancer, President Biden is currently undergoing radiation therapy and hormone treatment,” the spokesperson said. Biden, who turns 83 next month, in September underwent a procedure known as Mohs surgery to remove cancerous cells from his skin. TheRead more
Trump didn’t win Nobel prize, but some in Israel see him as saviour
A demonstrator wearing a mask resembling U.S. President Donald Trump holds a sign designed to look like a Nobel Peace Prize medal during a rally in support of hostages in Tel Aviv on Saturday. (Emilio Morenatti/The Associated Press) As tens of thousands of Israelis crowded what has become known as Hostages Square in Tel Aviv on Saturday, a large black banner was unfurled. From above bright yellow lettering reads, “Nobel President Trump.” It was unabashed praise for the U.S. president who didn’t win the prestigious peace prize after publicly campaigningRead more