Desi Weekly News Digest 

NATIONAL

Fired Probationary Workers to be Reinstated: U.S. District Judge James Bredar ordered the mass reinstatement of fired probationary workers at 18 federal agencies after determining the government’s claims that its terminations stemmed from “performance” issues “isn’t true.” THE HILL

NASA Astronauts Return Home: NASA astronauts Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams returned to Earth in a SpaceX capsule on Tuesday with a soft splashdown off Florida's coast, nine months after their faulty Boeing Starliner craft upended what was to be a week-long stay on the International Space Station. REUTERS

Economic Slowdown and Inflation: Economists forecast a slowdown in U.S. economic growth to 1.6% in 2025, down from the previously predicted 2.3%. This is attributed to President Trump's tariffs and policies affecting government institutions. Additionally, inflation is expected to rise, with the core personal consumption expenditures price index anticipated to reach 2.8% by the end of 2025. FT (Paywall)

INTERNATIONAL

Israel Launches New Attacks on Gaza: The relative calm of a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas came to an abrupt end this week, when Israel launched dozens of attacks on targets across the Gaza Strip. Palestinian hospital officials say more than 400 people have been killed. TIME

CORRUPTION ALERT

Pay for Play: President Trump continued his shakedown as he targeted a Democratic-leaning law firm and threatened to shut it down. He backed down after the firm offered to remove all DEI initiatives and 40 million dollars in free services supporting the Trump administration. AP 

What is Elon Doing at the Pentagon?: Elon Musk's recent engagement with the Pentagon has raised ethical questions. Reports suggest that Musk was to be briefed on a secret plan concerning potential conflict with China, though both Musk and the administration have denied these claims. Given Musk's extensive business dealings, including interests in China, concerns about potential conflicts of interest and the safeguarding of sensitive information have been heightened. VANITY FAIR, REUTERS

Acting Head Threatens to Shut Down Social Security If DOGE Isn’t Given Access to Data: Trump’s interim Social Security chief says he wants to turn off the program if Musk and DOGE can’t access Americans’ most sensitive data. ROLLING STONE

SCIENCE

Scientists Axed From EPA: The Trump EPA is planning a sweeping removal of its scientists as part of a reorganization that will eliminate the agency’s existing science office. EENEWS

JUST THE HEADLINES

President Trump signed an executive order Thursday seeking to facilitate his longstanding goal of eliminating the Department of Education. Complete shutdown can only happen if Congress authorizes it. THE HILL

The Trump administration’s crackdown on DEI programs could exacerbate an unexpectedly steep drop in diversity among medical school students, even in states like California. KFF HEALTH NEWS

Badal Suri, a Georgetown University researcher, who was studying and teaching on a student visa, has been detained by federal immigration authorities amid the Trump administration’s crackdown on student activists. POLITICO

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