Greens must take immediate action against antisemitism in party, says Lucas
Caroline Lucas demands immediate action against antisemitism in the Green Party ahead of elections.
The Guardian World1 min read
Hearing for suspect in White House correspondents’ dinner shooting scheduled for today – US politics live
TL;DR
The Trump administration is pressuring the UN and international aid sectors to adopt trade-focused policies, threatening budget cuts if demands are not met. This shift has led to significant layoffs at USAID and reduced support for key agencies.
Key points
- Trump administration pressures UN for trade-focused policies
- Threat of budget cuts to international aid if demands are unmet
- USAID faces mass layoffs and operational changes
- Reduced support for WHO, UN Human Rights Council, and UNESCO
- Experts warn of lives lost due to cuts in vital programs
Mentioned in this story
USAIDWorld Health OrganizationUN Human Rights CouncilUNESCOTrump administration
The Trump administration is continuing to pressure the United Nations and the international aid sector more broadly to adopt trade-focused policies to benefit US firms – or face the threat of further budget cuts.
Donald Trump’s second term has already seen USAID suffer mass layoffs and have its remaining operations folded into the state department, with a ripple effect across the globe that has many experts warning will cost thousands of lives as vital programs are cut.
The Trump administration has also largely suspended support for agencies, including the World Health Organization, the UN human rights council and the UN’s cultural body Unesco.
Last week the Trump administration unveiled a “trade over aid” initiative at the United Nations, outlining a shift away from donor-focused development assistance toward greater private investment, or what it says is “an international economic development vision built on free markets”.
At the same time, the news website Devex reported on two US diplomatic notes that circulated in Geneva and New York that made it clear that the US was willing to use the threat of more budget cuts to the international community in order to force through its agenda.
Hello and welcome to the US politics live blog.
The suspect from the 25 April shooting at the White House Correspondents’ Association dinner has a hearing covering the conditions of his confinement scheduled for later today.
Cole Allen, who remains behind bars for now pending his trial, was injured during the attack but was not shot by officers. The attack was an attempt to kill president Trump, according to the federal prosecutor overseeing the investigation.
Allen is accused of rushing a Secret Service checkpoint at the event, attended by president Donald Trump and other members of the cabinet. Allen was allegedly armed with multiple weapons and fired at an agent.
Jeanine Pirro, the US attorney for the District of Columbia, said last week there was no evidence the agent was hit by friendly fire during the incident. However, she went beyond that Sunday in saying a shot from one of Allen’s weapons hit the officer’s bullet-resistant vest.
Q&A
What is the Trump administration's new initiative regarding international aid?
The Trump administration has introduced a 'trade over aid' initiative, shifting from donor-focused assistance to promoting private investment.
How has the Trump administration's policies affected USAID?
USAID has experienced mass layoffs and its operations have been folded into the State Department, impacting global aid programs.
Which international agencies have seen reduced support from the US?
The US has largely suspended support for the World Health Organization, the UN Human Rights Council, and UNESCO.
What consequences are experts warning about due to the US's aid cuts?
Experts warn that the cuts could cost thousands of lives as vital programs are eliminated.
