This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . The next check for changes will be

You can find the current article at its original source at https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cvgwwp2gd3jo

The article has changed 2 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 0 Version 1
Trump foreign aid freeze to stay for now, US Supreme Court chief rules Trump foreign aid freeze to stay for now, US Supreme Court chief rules
(32 minutes later)
Hundreds of US aid programmes have been frozen in countries around the world Supreme Court Chief Justice John Roberts' intervention came as the administration faced a midnight deadline
The top judge in the United States has given temporary backing to the Trump administration's freeze on foreign aid payments.The top judge in the United States has given temporary backing to the Trump administration's freeze on foreign aid payments.
Supreme Court Chief Justice John Roberts' intervention came as the administration faced a midnight deadline (05:00 GMT on Thursday) to pay contractors.Supreme Court Chief Justice John Roberts' intervention came as the administration faced a midnight deadline (05:00 GMT on Thursday) to pay contractors.
Officials had argued that they could not process the payments within the timeframe set by a lower court judge.Officials had argued that they could not process the payments within the timeframe set by a lower court judge.
Since coming to power in January, US President Donald Trump has taken quick action to end many aid programmes, largely run by the US Agency for International Development, USAID, and placed most of its staff on administrative leave or sacked them.Since coming to power in January, US President Donald Trump has taken quick action to end many aid programmes, largely run by the US Agency for International Development, USAID, and placed most of its staff on administrative leave or sacked them.
The Trump administration is seeking to shrink the federal workforce and cut costs in a drive led by Elon Musk.The Trump administration is seeking to shrink the federal workforce and cut costs in a drive led by Elon Musk.
The billionaire Trump adviser asked millions of bureaucrats over the weekend to list their accomplishments from the past week - sparking fury amongst the workforce and disagreement with officials leading the departments.The billionaire Trump adviser asked millions of bureaucrats over the weekend to list their accomplishments from the past week - sparking fury amongst the workforce and disagreement with officials leading the departments.
Most USAID staff laid off or placed on leaveMost USAID staff laid off or placed on leave
What is USAID and why does Trump want to close it down?What is USAID and why does Trump want to close it down?
US District Judge Amir Ali had ordered the US State Department and USAID to pay about $2bn-worth of bills (£1.6bn) to contractors by midnight on Wednesday.US District Judge Amir Ali had ordered the US State Department and USAID to pay about $2bn-worth of bills (£1.6bn) to contractors by midnight on Wednesday.
It is one of many interventions by judges trying to stop or pause a wave of Trump administration orders.It is one of many interventions by judges trying to stop or pause a wave of Trump administration orders.
As the deadline approached, the Trump administration went to the Supreme Court, arguing it was impossible to process claims in an orderly fashion in such a short period of time.As the deadline approached, the Trump administration went to the Supreme Court, arguing it was impossible to process claims in an orderly fashion in such a short period of time.
The US federal government freeze comes as the administration carries out a review of foreign aid funding.The US federal government freeze comes as the administration carries out a review of foreign aid funding.
Acting Solicitor General Sarah Harris said Judge Ali's order "has thrown what should be an orderly review by the government into chaos".Acting Solicitor General Sarah Harris said Judge Ali's order "has thrown what should be an orderly review by the government into chaos".
Watch: How Trump and Musk upended US government's foreign aid agencyWatch: How Trump and Musk upended US government's foreign aid agency
The cutbacks to USAID have already upended the global aid system.The cutbacks to USAID have already upended the global aid system.
Hundreds of programmes have been frozen in countries around the world since the president announced his intentions in January.Hundreds of programmes have been frozen in countries around the world since the president announced his intentions in January.
The US is by far the biggest single provider of humanitarian aid around the world.The US is by far the biggest single provider of humanitarian aid around the world.
It has bases in more than 60 countries and works in dozens of others, with much of its work carried out by its contractors.It has bases in more than 60 countries and works in dozens of others, with much of its work carried out by its contractors.
According to the Associated Press news agency, the Trump administration wants to eliminate more than 90% of the USAID's foreign aid contracts - and $60bn of US overseas aid.According to the Associated Press news agency, the Trump administration wants to eliminate more than 90% of the USAID's foreign aid contracts - and $60bn of US overseas aid.