Trump Creates US Strategic Crypto Reserve With Seized Bitcoin: Live Updates #CriptoNews

08:43 am is

Trump may soon take steps to eliminate the Department of Education

Trump is reportedly considering the first steps to dismantle the Department of Education, aiming to significantly reduce the size of the federal government. White House officials are said to have prepared an executive order instructing Education Secretary Linda McMahon to begin the process. Trump has long expressed his desire to close the department, but full elimination would require Congressional approval, McMahon acknowledged during her confirmation hearings.

Lawmakers from both parties have voiced concerns about the potential consequences of such a move. Independent Sen. Bernie Sanders called the decision a “disaster” for working-class families and children with disabilities, citing the critical programs provided by the department.

Republican Sen. Susan Collins also expressed opposition, stressing the importance of education programs for vulnerable communities, and questioned Trump’s authority to eliminate the department without Congressional action. Meanwhile, GOP Sen. Thom Tillis supported the idea of returning educational power to state and local governments but urged caution in the process.

08:29 am is

Musk advocates for privatizing government-run entities like USPS and Amtrak

Billionaire and Trump adviser Elon Musk is calling for the privatization of government-run services, including the U.S. Postal Service and Amtrak. Speaking at the Morgan Stanley Technology Media & Telecom conference this week, Musk argued that businesses must face the possibility of bankruptcy to improve, saying, “something’s got to have some chance of going bankrupt, or there’s not a good feedback loop for improvement.”

He stressed his recommendation to privatize as many entities as possible. Musk also criticized Amtrak, claiming it offers a subpar experience compared to rail services in other countries.

08:18 am is

Texas detention center reopens as Trump administration resumes migrant family detentions

The South Texas Family Residential Center in Dilley, Texas, is reopening as part of a new agreement between CoreCivic and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). The facility, which can hold up to 2,400 people, was initially built in 2014 to accommodate migrant families. It was idled in 2024 after ICE’s contract funding ended, but under the new arrangement, it will once again be operational until 2030.

The decision to restart migrant family and child detentions has sparked concerns among advocates, who fear it could lead to a troubling chapter in the U.S.’s treatment of immigrants. Critics worry the facility’s reopening signals a return to harsh immigration practices.

08:06 am is

Letitia James hits Trump with lawsuit over federal cuts: ‘Illegally fired’

New York Attorney General Letitia James has joined a lawsuit to stop the Trump administration from firing thousands of probationary federal workers.

Newsweek sought email comment on Friday from the Trump administration’s Office of Personnel Management, the Department of Government Efficiency and New York Attorney General Letitia James.

The lawsuit pits the Trump administration against 19 states and Washington, D.C. and affects the lives of thousands of federal workers.

It also comes to the heart of whether President Donald Trump has the legal right to make massive cuts to the federal budget.

Read the full story by Sean O’Driscoll on Newsweek.

07:53 am is

Trump administration funding freeze jeopardizes Gaza aid and fragile ceasefire

The Trump administration’s decision to freeze hundreds of millions in USAID funding has forced aid groups in Gaza to pay out of pocket to maintain relief operations, officials said. The funding halt threatens the fragile ceasefire, which relied on U.S. commitments to provide humanitarian assistance.

USAID had approved $383 million for aid efforts on Jan. 31, but no payments have been made since, despite aid organizations already spending millions on supplies and services. Some groups have begun laying off workers and cutting programs, including the International Medical Corps, which has reduced hospital operations and medical aid.

Officials warn that the funding freeze could destabilize the ceasefire, under which Hamas agreed to release hostages in exchange for humanitarian aid and prisoner releases. The move is part of broader Trump administration efforts to cut government spending, leaving USAID in turmoil and reducing U.S. influence in Gaza.

07:40 am is

Officials warn avalanche forecasts could suffer from NOAA job cuts

Officials in the Western U.S. are raising concerns that mass firings at the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) under the Trump administration could weaken avalanche forecasting. These forecasts are crucial for skiers, climbers, and drivers who rely on accurate warnings to avoid dangerous conditions.

The warnings come as rescue teams continue recovering three victims from an avalanche near Anchorage, Alaska, after forecasters had already warned of high slide risks. In Colorado, transportation officials use avalanche forecasts to assess road safety, including a highway where a slide recently pushed a vehicle off the road.

Avalanche forecasting depends heavily on NOAA’s data and meteorological analysis, which helps predict slide severity and location. “To take funding and randomly cut programs will affect our ability to save lives,” said Doug Chabot, former director of Montana’s Gallatin National Forest Avalanche Center.

The Trump administration has not disclosed specific NOAA job cuts, but officials worry the reductions could weaken weather models used by 14 avalanche centers nationwide. Former NOAA leaders warn the firings could also impact tornado, hurricane, and aviation safety.

So far this winter, 18 people have died in U.S. avalanches. Experts say weaker data from NOAA could lead to less accurate forecasts, making backcountry travel even more dangerous.

07:27 AM is

Russia strikes Ukraine’s energy infrastructure in overnight attack

Russia launched a large-scale missile and drone attack on Ukraine’s energy infrastructure overnight, Ukrainian officials said Friday. The assault injured at least 10 people, including a child, and targeted critical gas production and power facilities.

Energy Minister Herman Halushchenko condemned the strikes, accusing Russia of attempting to leave Ukraine without light and heat. The bombardment was Russia’s sixth attack on Ukraine’s largest private gas producer in less than three weeks.

Ukraine’s air force said Russia fired 67 missiles and 194 drones, with Ukrainian defenses intercepting 34 missiles and 100 drones. For the first time, Ukraine deployed French Mirage-2000 warplanes to counter the assault.

Meanwhile, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said talks with U.S. officials on ending the war will take place next week, as concerns grow over future American military aid.

07:15 am is

Trump’s Bitcoin executive order explained—How strategic reserve will work

Trump had previously ordered his Working Group on Digital Asset Markets to examine the possibility of creating a national digital asset stockpile, and on Sunday said that he would be establishing a government-owned crypto reserve.

Like other commodity reserves, such as gold or petroleum, the currency will be held by the government as a financial safety net to hedge against future economic instability.

“The U.S. will not sell any bitcoin deposited into the reserve. It will be kept as a store of value,” said White House crypto czar David Sacks on X, formerly Twitter, following Thursday’s announcement. “The Reserve is like a digital Fort Knox for the cryptocurrency often called ‘digital gold.'”

Read the full story by Hugh Cameron on Newsweek.