usaid investigation

USAID employees, already facing job losses due to Elon Musk's DOGE-led cuts, are now under investigation for unauthorized media interviews. Despite believing their employment had ended, these workers are accused of violating agency policy. Union leaders and legal experts condemn the move as intimidation, raising concerns about stifling criticism and violating constitutional rights.

At least 56 senior officials from USAID were placed on administrative leave following an internal probe into alleged attempts to undermine President Trump's executive orders. This action comes after Trump's directive to pause most foreign assistance for 90 days. The move has caused significant disruption in global aid programs, with many questioning how this might impact US foreign aid priorities in the future.

BJP has demanded an investigation into USAID's alleged $21 million contribution to boost voter turnout in India, following revelations by Elon Musk-led DOGE. Despite claims of no funding involvement by the former CEC, concerns about the transparency of USAID's operations remain.

Mike Benz, a former state department official, has sparked controversy with his claims about USAID's operations, gaining attention from influential figures like Elon Musk. Benz alleges that USAID is a front for intelligence activities, leading Musk to criticize the agency. Benz's past, linked to alt-right ideologies, further fuels the debate.

The external affairs ministry of India expressed deep concerns over US President Trump's claim that USAID allocated $21 million to increase voter turnout in India, labelling the matter as 'deeply troubling'. Indian agencies are now investigating the potential foreign interference in India's internal affairs.

US President Donald Trump questioned the allocation of $21 million by USAID to India for boosting voter turnout, highlighting India's high tariffs and taxation. Both BJP and Congress have called for a probe into the matter, with former CEC SY Quraishi denying any financial assistance was involved.

USAID is under heavy scrutiny after a Trump administration crackdown and a 90-day pause in foreign assistance. Concerns over the agency's expenditures, including funding initiatives in LGBTQ and other social domains, have been raised. The list of controversial spending includes significant amounts for projects in diverse regions, sparking debates about the agency's accountability.

The US Agency for International Development (USAID) is under scrutiny in an ongoing investigation related to hedge fund operator George Soros. ASAR Social Impact Advisors received Rs 8 crore from USAID as foreign inward remittance while also being funded by the Soros Economic Development Fund.

The United States Agency for International Development (USAID) has announced that it will resume food deliveries to hundreds of thousands of refugees in Ethiopia. The decision comes after Ethiopia's government agreed to remove itself from the distribution of refugee food supplies. The resumption of food aid will benefit approximately 1 million refugees from countries including Sudan, South Sudan, Somalia, and Eritrea.

The finance ministry's annual report revealed that USAID funded seven projects worth USD 750 million in 2023-24, focusing on agriculture, water, renewable energy, and health. Meanwhile, a political controversy arose over allegations that USAID intended funds to enhance voter turnout ahead of the 2024 elections, which the government is investigating. Congress accused BJP of spreading fake news.

Elon Musk warned against threats to DOGE employees after an incident at USAID involving attempts to access a secure area. The US attorney for the district of Columbia assured collaboration with law enforcement to investigate. No classified information was accessed.

ASAR Social Impact Advisors clarified that it received Rs 8 crore from USAID for services provided under a Clean Air Better Health project with CEEW. The company denied receiving any foreign direct investment and affirmed full compliance with legal requirements amid an ongoing investigation by authorities.

US President Trump claimed that the $21 million USAID grant was intended to influence India's elections, backing PM Modi's assertion of foreign interference. BJP leader Ravi Shankar Prasad condemned Congress for allegedly seeking foreign intervention, calling it shameful and anti-national.

Last year, a team of top US auditors flew over to Pakistan to check out on how aid to their close ally is being used. What they found was a picture of disarray.

The US has so far sent six planes carrying emergency supplies to India, which is battling one of its worst public health crises. The emergency supplies include 125,000 Remdesivir vials to help treat critically ill, nearly 1,500 oxygen cylinders, which can be repeatedly refilled at local supply centres, and one million rapid diagnostic tests to quickly identify Covid-19 cases.

A month has passed after a 29-year-old software engineer was brutally beaten for trying to stop a minor girl from being forcibly married off by her mother to a man more than 10 years older.

The new medicine to treat drug-resistant tuberculosis will be rolled out in four Indian cities and will be made available for free.

Capital market regulator SEBI, which according to USAID lacks enough skilled manpower, is expected to increase its officers' strength by about 100 in the coming year.

The AICC accused the BJP and RSS of taking American funds since the 60s to destabilize Congress governments. They claimed the $21 million in USAID funds mentioned by BJP were intended for Bangladesh, and questioned the lack of government oversight on such international finances impacting regional stability.

Congress MP Shashi Tharoor criticized the BJP's accusations against the US, OCCRP, and Rahul Gandhi, calling their behavior an "embarrassment to India." The US rejected the BJP's claims of a conspiracy, stating their support for independent journalism does not influence editorial decisions.

A judge temporarily blocked Elon Musk’s DOGE team from accessing sensitive SSA records, citing privacy concerns and lack of justification for their fraud investigation. The directive permits access to redacted data after training, addressing inefficiency while respecting legal boundaries.

US President Donald Trump criticized $21 million funding for voter turnout in India and $29 million to strengthen Bangladesh's political landscape. He questioned the allocation of such substantial amounts abroad while similar efforts could be prioritized in the US. The issue has sparked political debates in India, drawing reactions from various leaders and the Ministry of External Affairs.

A federal judge blocked Elon Musk's Department from accessing Americans' data amid lawsuits by 19 states. Trump's moves to halt federal programs, including sacking Kennedy Centre members and banning Biden's security clearance, are causing legal battles. Democrats warn of a constitutional crisis as Trump's supporters cheer the shakeup in governance.

Police believe the brutal murder of USAID official Pushkin Chandra is a hate crime against gays.