"Trump ousts Mike Waltz as national security adviser,”Politico

In a significant shake-up within his administration, President Donald Trump has ousted Mike Waltz from his role as national security adviser. As Trump prepares to nominate Waltz as ambassador to the United Nations, speculation swirls around potential successors, with the national security landscape in turmoil as the administration grapples with multiple international conflicts.

• Waltz’s Ouster: The move marks the first senior-level departure in the second Trump administration, reflecting a growing dissatisfaction among officials regarding Waltz's performance and ability to maintain control over the National Security Council (NSC).
• Interim Replacement: Secretary of State Marco Rubio will temporarily assume the role of national security adviser, as discussions for a permanent replacement, including names like Steve Witkoff and Stephen Miller, unfold.
• Impact on National Security Team: Waltz's departure comes at a critical time, as the national security team faces chaos while trying to navigate complex diplomatic negotiations across multiple global conflicts, including tensions with Russia and Iran.

"Despite return-to-office deadline, some VA employees may still work remotely because there's not enough workspace," Government Executive

As the Veterans Health Administration prepares for a mandatory return to office by 5 May, an internal report reveals a significant deficit of workspaces, prompting concerns that many employees may remain remote due to insufficient office capacity and ongoing requests for exemptions.

• The Veterans Health Administration faces a shortage of 57,000 workstations ahead of the 5 May return-to-office deadline.
• Nearly 48,000 employees are expected to return, but compliance has only recently increased from 12 percent to about 50 percent.
• Certain telework arrangements may continue if workspace is not available, with additional deadlines for employees living more than 50 miles from an office set for 28 July and more than 9,000 exemption requests are pending, highlighting the complexities of the return-to-office initiative.

"Cloud, AI drive Microsoft's strong growth," RCR Wireless

Microsoft reports remarkable growth driven by its cloud and AI sectors, showcasing a significant increase in revenue and infrastructure expansion. CEO Satya Nadella emphasizes the essential role of cloud and AI in business efficiency and growth, while the company adapts its long-term capital investment strategy to meet future demands.

• Microsoft’s cloud revenue surged 22 percent year-over-year to $42 billion, reflecting robust demand for cloud services.
• The company opened data centers in 10 countries and anticipates increased capital expenditures to support future workload growth.
• Microsoft's analytics tool usage has risen sharply, with a notable 80% increase in paid customers for its Microsoft Fabric solution.

"Trump Administration Cancels $1 Billion in Grants for Student Mental Health," New York Times

The Trump administration has announced the cancellation of $1 billion in grants aimed at providing mental health services for children, a decision that raises concerns over the ongoing efforts to address gun violence in schools. This move has sparked controversy among lawmakers who previously supported the bipartisan legislation, leading to fears about the future of mental health support for students in the wake of school shootings.

• The funding was initially authorized in response to the tragic Uvalde school shooting in 2022.
• The Education Department cited potential violations of federal civil rights law as the reason for halting the grants.
• Lawmakers are calling the cancellation illegal and urging Republican supporters to defend the original legislation.

And in travel news

"Exclusive: JetBlue's plan for domestic partnership faces union backlash," Reuters

JetBlue Airways is facing significant pushback from its pilot union over a proposed domestic partnership with United Airlines. The union argues that such a partnership may undermine job protections enshrined in their existing contract.

• The JetBlue pilot union claims the proposed partnership could threaten job security, citing a job protection provision in their existing contract that prohibits such agreements.
• Despite ongoing negotiations, JetBlue has not yet returned to profitability postpandemic, struggling with reduced travel demand and labor costs.
• JetBlue's revenue from customer loyalty programs has grown, highlighting the airline's reliance on partnerships to enhance service offerings while navigating economic uncertainty.