Good Morning! Today’s edition is 1,032 words, a 4-minute read.

What’s on tap: 

• More storms blast East and West Coasts

• Bird flu cases rise

• Whale swallows a kayaker

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Big Story

Government Layoffs

The Trump administration has begun mass firings across multiple federal agencies.

• Trump’s team has issued thousands of termination notices, including 1,000 to Department of Veterans Affairs staff and 3,400 to probationary employees at the US Forest Service.

• Elon Musk has been tasked with leading cost-cutting efforts through a temporary agency called the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE). DOGE has already significantly reduced staff at the US Agency for International Development and the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau.

• The downsizing initiative has federal workers spooked. While Trump defends the effort as necessary to reduce government waste, it faces opposition through lawsuits from labor unions and Democratic attorneys-general.

• A recent legal victory for the administration allowed a buyout program to proceed, with approximately 75,000 workers (3% of the civilian workforce) accepting the offer.

Big Story

Storms From LA To New England

Los Angeles officials are warning thousands of residents to evacuate as a powerful winter storm approaches Southern California.

• The warnings focus on areas affected by recent wildfires, including the Palisades, Eaton, Hurst, Franklin, Bridge, and Sunset fire zones. State and local authorities have launched a massive response effort, installing nearly 120 miles of barriers across Southern California to prevent flooding and debris flow.

• Beyond Southern California, the storm system is affecting multiple Western states. The Sierra Nevada region expects 6 to 8 feet of snow, while the Pacific Northwest faces freezing rain. The storm is part of a larger Arctic weather system that has already caused power outages affecting nearly 200,000 customers.

• Cold temperatures are running 15 to 25 degrees below average in some regions, and heavy snow is expected in New England, the Great Lakes, and the Ohio Valley. It could potentially cause hazardous travel conditions and power outages through the weekend.

Big Story

Roman Ruins Discovery

Archaeologists have uncovered the ruins of a Roman basilica from around 80 AD while preparing the site for a new 32-story office tower in London's financial district.

• The massive foundations, made of flint, brick, and ragstone, are up to 3 feet wide and 13 feet deep. The building was nearly the size of an Olympic Swimming pool and is one of the most significant archaeological finds in London's oldest quarter in recent years.

• The basilica was part of a forum, which served as the center of social, political, and commercial life in Roman London (Londinium). The discovered section is believed to be the tribunal, a raised platform where city officials made governance decisions.

• The developer, Hertshten Properties, has agreed to incorporate the ancient remains into their new building plans and create a visitor center to display them. The site joins other visible Roman ruins throughout modern London, including an ancient wall, parts of an amphitheater, and a temple to Mithras.

Quick Stories

US News

• A Navy EA-18G Growler fighter jet crashed into San Diego Bay Wednesday morning near Shelter Island. Both pilots ejected before impact and were safely rescued by a fishing boat. (More)

• President Trump ordered officials to examine retaliatory tariffs against countries that charge high import duties on US goods, including its allies. There was no detail on tariff rates or when they will take effect. (More)

• The Senate confirmed Robert F. Kennedy Jr. as Secretary of Health and Human Services in a 52-48 vote. Only one Republican, Mitch McConnell, joined Democrats in opposition. (More)

World

• Thai authorities rescued over 250 people of 20 nationalities from telecom fraud centers in Myanmar. The Thai army is now accessing them to see if they were victims of human trafficking. (More)

• In Munich, a 24-year-old Afghan asylum seeker drove into a crowd, injuring 28 people. Police arrested the driver and are treating the incident as a “suspected attack.” No motive has been identified. (More)

• The USS Harry S. Truman aircraft carrier collided with the Panamanian cargo ship Besiktas-M near Port Said, Egypt. No injuries were reported on the 5,000-person carrier. The incident is under investigation. (More)

Business & Economy

• US stock markets closed higher on Thursday (S&P +1.04%, Nasdaq +1.50%, Dow +0.77%). Updates on US tariff plans and big tech gains pushed stocks higher. (More)

• AppLovin's stock surged 20% after strong fourth-quarter earnings, with revenue up 43% to $953.3 million. AppLovin was 2024's top-performing US tech stock with a 700% gain. (More)

• Major US news organizations sued AI company Cohere for allegedly using their content without permission and damaging their brands. The lawsuit, organized by the News Media Alliance trade group, is their first legal action against an AI company. (More) 

Sports & Entertainment

• The US men’s hockey team beat Finland 6-1 in the NHL’s 4 Nations Face-Off opening game. Brothers Brady and Matthew Tkachuk each scored two goals. (More)

• Alex Bregman signed a three-year, $120 million contract with the Boston Red Sox, with significant deferrals making it worth about $90 million. The former Astros third baseman will switch to second base in Boston. (More)

• President Trump's appointment as Kennedy Center chairman has prompted high-profile departures, including TV producer Shonda Rhimes resigning from the board and musician Ben Folds stepping down as artistic advisor to the National Symphony Orchestra. (More)

Science, Health, & Tech

• After being removed from app stores for nearly a month due to national security concerns, TikTok is available again for download on both Apple and Google platforms in the US. (More)

• The CDC reports 69 human cases of bird flu in 12 states, including one death, but they consider the current public health risk low. The virus infected nearly 23 million birds in January. (More)

• New University of Edinburgh research shows people with depression develop physical health problems 30% faster than others. The findings suggest depression affects the whole body and requires comprehensive treatment approaches. (More)

Extra Credit

🤖 Teenagers are falling in love with chatbots. 

👶 A woman gave birth on a NYC Subway.

🖐️ Igloo coolers are being recalled because they can chop off fingertips.

🐋 A humpback whale briefly swallows a kayaker near Chile.