In the news today: The Trump administration is intensifying efforts to shrink the size of the federal workforce; a Texas judge has fined a New York doctor for prescribing abortion pills; and takeaways from the Modi and Trump meeting. Also, a new poll reveals how US adults feel about Valentine's Day.
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People protesting outside a Tesla showroom in Seattle on Thursday. (AP Photo/Manuel Valdes)
POLITICS
Trump administration begins sweeping layoffs with probationary workers, warns of larger cuts to come
The Trump administration on Thursday intensified its sweeping efforts to shrink the size of the federal workforce, the nation’s largest employer, by ordering agencies to lay off nearly all probationary employees who had not yet gained civil service protection. Read more.
Why this matters:
The decision on probationary workers, who generally have less than a year on the job, came from the Office of Personnel Management, which serves as a human resources department for the federal government.According to the most recent government data available, as of March 2024 220,000 workers had less than a year on the job.
Elon Musk, whom President Trump has given wide leeway to slash government spending with his Department of Government Efficiency, called Thursday for the elimination of whole agencies.
Texas judge fines New York doctor for prescribing abortion pills to a woman near Dallas
A Texas judge on Thursday ordered a New York doctor to pay more than $100,000 in penalties for prescribing abortion pills to a woman near Dallas, a ruling that could test “shield laws” in Democratic-controlled states where abortion is legal. Read more.
Why this matters:
The ruling was handed down on the same day New York Gov. Kathy Hochulrejected a request from Louisiana to extradite the same doctor,Dr. Maggie Carpenter, who was charged in that state with prescribing abortion pills to a pregnant minor.
Pills have become the most common method of abortion in the U.S. and are at the epicenter of political and legal fights over abortion access following the U.S. Supreme Court’s overturning of Roe v. Wade.
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and U.S. President Donald Trump spoke about easing tariffs, resolving trade issues and shoring up defense ties in a meeting at the White House on Thursday. Read more.
Why this matters:
Trade and tariffs issues figured extensively in the meeting. Trump said New Delhi will not be spared and said the import levies imposed by India are “very unfair and strong.” But he and Modi agreed to work on a deal to resolve trade concerns, which Modi said he expects to be completed later this year.
Trump said the U.S. will increase its military sales to India and eventually provide F-35 stealth fighter jets.
The Goodyear Blimp is prepared for takeoff on Wednesday, New Smyrna Beach, Fla. (AP Photo/Mark Long)
Goodyear Blimp at 100: From Ronald Reagan to Ice Cube, a ‘floating piece of Americana’ is still thriving At 100 years old, the blimp is an ageless star in the sky. And the 246-foot-long airship will be in the background of the Daytona 500 on Sunday to celebrate its latest and greatest anniversary tour.
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