Per CNN, the State Department is sending notices to the fired employees while Secretary of State Marco Rubio is returning from his trip to Malaysia.

“Nearly 3,000 members of the workforce will depart as part of the reorganization,” the department stated, per CNN. “In connection with the Departmental reorganization first announced by the Secretary of State on April 22, 2025, the Department is streamlining domestic operations to focus on diplomatic priorities.” 

What do the reductions include?

Per the notice, the reductions include “non-core functions, duplicative or redundant offices, and offices where considerable efficiencies may be found from centralization or consolidation of functions and responsibilities.”

For the foreign service officers who received “Reduction in Force” notices, the department plans to give them administrative leave for 120 days before they officially lose their jobs.

“Most civil servants will be placed on leave for 60 days before their firing takes effect,” the department clarified.

The Trump administration faces heavy criticism after the State Department fired over 1,300 employees

Thomas Yazdgerdi, the president of the American Foreign Service Association, expressed his concerns about Trump’s actions when he spoke with CNN. Yazdgerdi said the administration is making critical cuts at a time when diplomacy is critical.

“There are horrible things that are happening in the world that require a tried-and-true diplomatic workforce that’s able to address that,” Yazdgerdi told CNN. “The ability to maintain a presence in the areas of the world that are incredibly important, dealing with issues like Ukraine, like Gaza, like Iran right now that require great diplomatic attention.”

The American Foreign Service Association also released a statement on Friday to express its support for the State Department workforce.

“There were clear, institutional mechanisms available to address excess staffing, if that had been the goal. Instead, these layoffs are untethered from merit or mission,” the organization stated, per CNN. “They target diplomats not for how they’ve served or the skills they have, but for where they happen to be assigned. That is not reform.”
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Aldi, the nationwide grocery chain, has issued a recall of several products sold at its stores across 37 states. According to Newsweek, the recalls include vitamin products, as well as several popular snacks and meals. Consumers have been told to “discard” products

Aldi has announced that vitamin supplier RV Pharma has recalled its Welby Vitamin B12 product. Per Newsweek, the company issued the recall after failing to disclose that the product may be harmful for people with allergies. People who bought the vitamin brand are urged to return it to the store for a full refund. Welby Vitamin B12 was sold across 37 states.

What food items did Aldi recall?

The recalled food items from Aldi include Casa Mamita Chicken & Cheese Taquitos, which was flagged for possible metal contamination. The taquitos were sold in Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Iowa, Illinois, Kentucky, Louisiana, Missouri, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina and Tennessee.

Aldi also collaborated with Cargill Meat Solutions Corp to recall Park Street Deli Pork Carnitas, another item that may have metal contamination. In addition, the Atlantic Salmon Portions with Seafood Stuffing have been recalled due to undeclared soy; it was sold in California, Nevada and Arizona. Casa Mamita Churro Bites Filled with Chocolate Hazelnut Cream were removed from shelves because it may contain undeclared milk.

Have any illneses been reported?

No illnesses have been reported so far, but customers are still advised to avoid consuming any of the recalled products.

“While ALDI is committed to providing only the best quality at the lowest prices, our top priority is the safety of you and your family,” Aldi said in a statement, per Newsweek. “From developing stringent standards to working with trusted manufacturers on product quality and testing, every measure possible is taken to fulfill that promise.”

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