Ukraine-Russia Talks Yield Major POW Swap as U.S. Pushes for Path to Peace 
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Trump Lifts 25% Tariff on Indian Goods in Strategic U.S.–India Trade and Energy Deal 
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U.S. Eases Venezuela Oil Sanctions to Boost American Investment After Maduro Ouster 
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U.S. Lawmakers to Review Unredacted Jeffrey Epstein DOJ Files Starting Monday 
Trump Allegedly Sought Airport, Penn Station Renaming in Exchange for Hudson River Tunnel Funding 
NATO to Discuss Strengthening Greenland Security Amid Arctic Tensions 
China Approves First Import Batch of Nvidia H200 AI Chips Amid Strategic Shift 
Trump Extends AGOA Trade Program for Africa Through 2026, Supporting Jobs and U.S.-Africa Trade 
Panama Supreme Court Voids CK Hutchison Port Concessions, Raising Geopolitical and Trade Concerns 
TrumpRx.gov Highlights GLP-1 Drug Discounts but Offers Limited Savings for Most Americans 
The Trump administration is pressing ahead with sweeping federal job cuts despite court rulings ordering reinstatements. Since taking office in January, Trump’s administration has aggressively reduced government staff, with Elon Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) leading the effort. More than 100,000 jobs have been slashed, impacting agencies like the IRS, Department of Veterans Affairs, and Energy Department.
Vice President JD Vance acknowledged errors in the downsizing process but defended the push to streamline the government. “Mistakes happen, and they should be corrected quickly,” Vance told NBC News, adding that the administration aims to retain effective workers while eliminating inefficiencies.
Federal courts in California and Maryland ruled that thousands of probationary employees had been unlawfully terminated, ordering their reinstatement. The White House dismissed these rulings as partisan interference, vowing to appeal. Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt argued that a district judge should not override presidential authority.
The IRS, a frequent target of Republican-led budget cuts, plans to eliminate up to 25,000 jobs by May 15. This includes 5,000 employees who accepted buyouts and 7,000 probationary workers affected by recent rulings. Additional cuts may follow as part of a broader federal restructuring.
To avoid legal challenges, some agencies have offered voluntary retirement packages rather than forced layoffs. However, legal battles continue, with unions and Democratic-led states contesting the mass firings. Judges ruled that several departments, including Defense, Treasury, and Agriculture, violated federal layoff regulations.
Amidst these changes, financial markets have been volatile. A global trade war and fears of economic downturn have erased $5 trillion in market value, though Wall Street saw slight recovery on Friday. Despite legal and economic pushback, the administration remains committed to its drastic federal workforce reduction plan.
