USAID employees suspended/10,000 people leave office on Friday

The staff of the United States Agency for International Development, known as USAID, has announced that it will suspend its employees.

Employees will be considered on administrative leave starting Friday.

USAID has a total of almost 10,000 global employees.

"As of 11:59 p.m. Friday, all directly employed USAID personnel will be placed on administrative leave globally, with the exception of designated personnel responsible for mission-critical functions, core leadership, and specifically designated programs," said a statement posted on the USAID website, which has been down since last weekend.

Employees designated as direct hires will be placed on paid leave and those sent overseas will be expected to return to the United States within 30 days, the announcement said, adding that the agency would "arrange and pay for return travel."

Foreign contractors will stop work if they are not considered essential. /CNA 

08:55 World

Mexico deploys hundreds of troops to US border to avoid President Trump's proposed tariffs

Hundreds of Mexican soldiers were deployed to the border w...

08:41 World

US Postal Service suspends incoming packages from China, Hong Kong

The U.S. Postal Service will temporarily suspend packages ...

08:22 World

Trump signs order/US withdraws from UN Council, halts funding for UNRWA and UNESCO

U.S. President Donald J. Trump has signed an Executive Ord...

07:49 World

Trump: US will take control of Gaza Strip, rebuild it to stabilize Middle East

The US will "take the Gaza Strip," level it and rebuild th...

22:45 World

Nuclear accident in Ukraine at risk/Expert: Russia could bring terrible consequences

The head of the United Nations nuclear watchdog has sounde...

22:18 World

Trump resumes 'maximum pressure' campaign against Iran!

President Donald Trump unveiled an executive order that se...

21:49 World

Kosovo, the challenges of the next government after the February 9 elections in relations with its allies

Political parties in Kosovo are continuing their campaign ...

21:28 World

Erdogan discusses steps against Kurdish militants with Syrian interim president

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said he had spoken ...

16:52 World

3 former KLA leaders sentenced to prison/ The Hague Court issues verdict

The Hague Tribunal has sentenced 3 former KLA leaders to p...

16:43 World

China retaliates against US tariffs, postpones measures against Mexico and Canada

Trade war concerns following President Donald Trump's anno...

14:13 World

Shooting at a school in Sweden / 5 people injured

Five people have been shot at a school in central Sweden. ...

09:51 World

Earthquake fears in Santorini / 5 thousand residents evacuate the island

Residents of Santorini faced another difficult night as th...

09:44 World

Trump meets with Netanyahu at the White House

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu will become the ...

08:08 World

Trump: US fund may buy Tik Tok

President Donald Trump said Monday that TikTok could be pu...

07:43 World

China announces retaliatory actions as Trump tariffs take effect

China has announced retaliatory action after new tariffs i...

22:41 World

Trump sets condition for Ukraine/ "If you want help, give us the rare minerals"

US President Donald Trump revealed that if Ukraine wants t...

20:47 World

"25 years since the tragic night in the north"/ Kurti: Coordinated attack by Serbs, we demand justice!

Kosovo Prime Minister Albin Kurti recalled the tragic nigh...

19:09 World

"It's a criminal organization"/ Secretary Rubio takes over as USAID administrator

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio has been appointed actin...

18:53 World

"Kosovo, a node that connects all Albanians"/ Kurti: The next mandate is for railways

Kosovo Prime Minister Albin Kurti continued meetings withi...

17:57 World

"Car packed with explosives"/ At least 20 victims in Syria

Syria's civil defense said a car bomb exploded on a main r...