USAID

The MinnPost Festival will take place on Saturday, Oct. 10 at Westminster Presbyterian Church. Key speakers include Minnesota Secretary of State Steve Simon, who will address voting system changes, Nicholas Enrich discussing his experience with USAID’s dismantling, and Jim Walsh performing a live Mad Ripple Hootenanny built around protest songs. Tickets are available for purchase now.

The Associated Press found that cutting U.S. foreign aid programs, specifically related to USAID, has led to an increase in the deaths of pregnant women and babies in Nepal. These funding cuts caused the closure of vital nutrition and reproductive outreach programs and left many birthing centers lacking necessary equipment and staff. Experts report that this decline is significantly hindering proper prenatal care, leading to emergencies.

The Associated Press reported that the United States' decision to slash its foreign aid funding has increased pregnancy complications and deaths in Nepal. The title specifies that when aid workers stopped coming, women and babies began dying.

The US has made permanent a visa bond program requiring citizens from 50 countries, including 30 in Africa, to post bonds for tourist and business visas. The program, which initially allowed bonds of $5,000–$15,000, now permits up to $20,000 and eliminates the $5,000 tier. The State Department claims it reduced overstays to near zero, but critics argue it imposes financial burdens, with visa issuances from affected countries dropping by 83%.

Virginia voters set up a congressional rematch between Elaine Luria and Jennifer Kiggans after a failed Democratic redistricting effort. The Supreme Court invalidated the redrawn maps, preserving a competitive district spanning Maryland’s border to Virginia Beach. Luria, a naval commander, faces Kiggans in a race considered a key target for both parties.

The Democratic Republic of Congo is experiencing its largest Ebola outbreak in history, with over 3,600 cases and 1,500 deaths caused by the Bundibugyo strain, which lacks vaccines or treatments. The crisis is compounded by conflict and hunger, while the Trump administration’s cuts to foreign aid, including eliminating 90% of USAID foreign-aid contracts, are cited as factors undermining global health infrastructure.

Brazilian HIV advocates at the Aids 2026 conference predicted a reduction in USAID funding for HIV, emphasizing the need for health systems to be independent from foreign aid. They stated that the dissolution of USAID was anticipated, with Juliana Cesar from the Brazilian HIV NGO Gestos highlighting this during a conference session.

A Trump administration slideshow at an AIDS conference in Rio de Janeiro displayed a mislabeled map of Africa, incorrectly placing Nigeria, Ivory Coast, and Mozambique. The State Department acknowledged responsibility but did not apologize to African partners, amid broader cuts to USAID and foreign aid under the administration.

US President Donald Trump's Myanmar policy is criticized for gutting USAID, canceling a scholarship program, and imposing a travel ban on most Myanmar citizens, described as a dangerous mix of belligerence and incoherence.

A quarter of young Africans believe US aid cuts, specifically USAID reductions, could have a positive impact by forcing leaders to address domestic challenges. In Ghana and Nigeria, 41% and 40% of young people aged 18-24, respectively, expressed optimism about the cuts, while 11% remained uncertain. The African Youth Survey sampled nearly 5,000 individuals across 16 African countries.

A quarter of young Africans believe US aid cuts could have a positive impact by compelling leaders to address domestic challenges, according to the African Youth Survey. In Ghana, Nigeria, and Liberia, 41%, 40%, and 37% of young people aged 18-24, respectively, viewed the cuts optimistically. The survey interviewed nearly 5,000 individuals across 16 African countries.

A report from amfAR details the impact of funding cuts to USAID and PEPFAR, revealing over 1,700 HIV/AIDS treatment sites have closed. William Brangham discussed the findings with Dr. Atul Gawande, the assistant administrator of USAID under President Biden.

European countries are significantly reducing overseas aid budgets, with the EU cutting its aid by 13.8% in 2025 and member states averaging a 10% decrease. The UK plans to cut aid to countries like Malawi by over 90% by 2029. US President Donald Trump eliminated USAID, and aid cuts are linked to increased deaths and conflicts in Africa.

The US State Department's new US-Africa Strategic Investment Program aims to catalyze private investment in Africa by offering up to $50 million in grants for projects de-risking investments in critical minerals and commercial diplomacy. The initiative shifts from USAID to the State Department and faces criticism for prioritizing trade over development, with debates over whether markets can be de-risked into existence.

An Associated Press post about U.S. foreign aid cuts affecting transgender aid workers in Nepal sparked conservative backlash, with critics arguing the funding should be defunded. The post highlighted how job losses led to some workers turning to sex work, while critics like Rep. Brandon Gill and Jack Posobiec framed the situation as a justification for reducing USAID funding. The controversy follows Trump's review of foreign assistance programs, which caused program disruptions and staff reductions.

An Associated Press social media post highlighted 100 LGBTQ aid workers in Nepal turning to sex work after USAID funding cuts. Critics, including Rep. Brandon Gill and Matt Walsh, argued the post justified defunding USAID, while the Trump administration paused foreign aid reviews, causing program disruptions.

Associated Press reporter Kristen Gelineau documented how U.S. foreign aid cuts have led to unemployed aid workers in Nepal turning to sex work to survive. The story highlights the impact of reduced funding on local aid workers and their economic struggles.

The United States reduced its foreign aid funding last year, resulting in over 280,000 aid workers globally losing their jobs, including in Nepal. The AP report highlights the impact of these cuts on impoverished aid workers.

Aid workers in Nepal have resorted to sex work to survive after losing jobs due to USAID funding cuts. Over 280,000 aid workers globally were jobless following the United States reducing foreign aid funding.

Trump's team claims no children died from USAID funding cuts, while parents of three individuals provide accounts suggesting otherwise. Marco Rubio and Elon Musk, who supported ending USAID's funding, assert no deaths were linked to the cuts.

Lindsey Graham, a South Carolina Republican, played a key role in blocking foreign aid cuts during the first Trump administration and restoring USAID funding after Elon Musk’s DOGE effort. His bipartisan work, particularly in global health funding like PEPFAR, was highlighted by lawmakers and advocates as critical to saving lives worldwide.

Former federal workers and lawmakers gathered at the U.S. Capitol to commemorate one year since the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) cuts, which displaced tens of thousands of State Department and USAID employees. Attendees criticized the abrupt job losses, arguing the reductions harmed humanitarian and health programs and failed to improve efficiency.

Elon Musk, Donald Trump, and a conflict involving DOGE and U.S.A.I.D. are linked to 'public man-made death' according to the article. The piece highlights the human impact of their actions.

USAID is exiting Nigeria's development and humanitarian programming by January 2025 after being the country's largest international development funder. The article discusses new funding sources for Nigerian civil society organizations in this post-USAID context.

Experts attribute hindered response to DRC’s Ebola outbreak and significant deaths to cuts in USAID programs. Elon Musk has shifted focus to criticizing USAID, which he previously dismantled, amid SpaceX stock drops and Tesla lawsuits.

Experts claim cuts to USAID's Ebola programs have hindered the Democratic Republic of Congo's outbreak response and caused significant deaths. Elon Musk has shifted focus from his struggling companies to criticizing USAID on X, drawing attention to his previous role in dismantling the agency.

Venezuela's recent earthquakes killed over 1,400 people, prompting a U.S. response including USAR teams, $300 million in aid, and military support. The article critiques past U.S. disaster responses, such as the 2010 Haiti earthquake, highlighting issues with in-kind donations and prolonged military involvement, advocating instead for cash aid to support local markets.

Foreign aid cuts have worsened the Ebola crisis, according to a virologist. The USAID closure is hampering containment efforts, experts say.

Critics claim the Trump administration mishandled Venezuela's earthquake response due to the absence of USAID, but the article argues these critics are incorrect. The response highlights the administration's ability to provide substantial aid without USAID's involvement.

J.D. Vance's 2016 essay in The Atlantic analyzed Donald Trump's appeal, attributing it to social decline and cultural trauma in working-class communities. The article critiques the Trump presidency for failing to address economic and health care issues, citing tariff-driven price increases, lost manufacturing jobs, and cuts to health agencies like the NIH and USAID.

A former USAID administrator reflects on a year since USAID's shutdown and expresses hope for the future of US foreign aid.

A former USAID administrator reflects on the agency's closure a year prior and expresses hope for the future direction of U.S. foreign aid. The article includes an image credited to Chip Somodevilla.

The dismantling of USAID has sparked debate over its role in fostering aid dependency in Africa and its humanitarian consequences. Critics highlight preventable deaths linked to aid cuts, while supporters argue foreign assistance has failed to advance American interests. The article emphasizes structural issues in African economies, where resource wealth often fails to translate into local development, and calls for stronger domestic governance.

A year after the Trump administration dissolved USAID, a poll shows most Americans still support foreign aid for disaster relief, disease prevention, and security. Over 70% of respondents backed maintaining or expanding aid after learning it accounted for just 1% of the US budget. Republican and MAGA voter support increased significantly when provided with details about aid outcomes.

The US is leading the response to a Venezuela earthquake with $300 million in humanitarian aid, following two massive quakes that killed over 1,700 people and left 50,000 missing. The Trump administration pledged $150 million within 24 hours and deployed four search-and-rescue teams and military personnel.

The US is responding to recent earthquakes in Venezuela, now considered an ally after the January deposal of President Nicolás Maduro. The Trump administration, led by Secretary of State Marco Rubio, has deployed search and rescue teams and pledged a $150 million assistance fund.

Venezuelan earthquakes are testing Trump’s new western hemisphere policy as the US, under Marco Rubio, mobilizes disaster response teams and pledges $150 million in aid to a country where the US deposed President Nicolás Maduro in January.

Bloomberg This Weekend, hosted by David Gura, Christina Ruffini, and Lisa Mateo, provides weekend news coverage from New York. The show features former UN Ambassador and former USAID Administrator Samantha Power and Oklahoma Senator Alan Armstrong as guests.

Rep. Ro Khanna dismissed Elon Musk's threats of legal action over criticism of USAID cuts, asserting he would not be intimidated. Musk accused Khanna of lying and suggested suing him, while Khanna cited a Lancet Group study linking the cuts to potential child deaths. The dispute centers on Musk's role in reducing USAID programs during the Trump administration.

Rep. Ro Khanna, a 2028 presidential hopeful, dismissed Elon Musk's threats of legal action after criticizing Musk's role in USAID budget cuts, which Khanna claims may have caused global child deaths. Musk responded by calling Khanna a liar and suggesting legal action, while Khanna expressed confidence in his legal standing.