(March 17): President Donald Trump's administration on Sunday began mass layoffs at Voice of America and other US-funded media, making clear its intent to gut outlets long seen as critical for US influence, reported by AFP.

Just a day after all employees were put on leave, staff working on a contractual basis received an email notifying them that they were terminated at the end of March, it said.

The email, confirmed to AFP by several employees, told contractors that "you must cease all work immediately and are not permitted to access any agency buildings or systems."

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