(Reuters) -A federal judge has rejected a bid by the U.S. Treasury Department to cancel a union contract covering tens of thousands of IRS staff, an early blow to President Donald Trump's efforts to eliminate collective bargaining rights for many federal workers.

The preliminary injunction replaces a temporary restraining order that was set to expire Friday, and bars agencies from carrying out an executive order on RIFs.

President Donald Trump's administration is lifting sanctions on war-torn Syria, with the goal of speeding recovery and reconstruction efforts in the Middle Eastern country.

Live updates and the latest news as Trump seeks to boost nuclear energy; judge blocks administration from barring Harvard international students

A Kentucky federal judge dealt a blow to the Trump administration, dismissing a Treasury Department lawsuit seeking to nix a labor contract for IRS workers in Covington.

On Thursday, the Department of Homeland Security had abruptly revoked the university’s ability to enroll foreign students.