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North American Edition
14th February 2025
 
THE HOT STORY
Thousands of probationary employees fired
Thousands of probationary employees are being fired as the Trump administration directs federal agencies to carry out widespread layoffs. CNN reports that officials are targeting probationary workers because they have fewer job protections and lack the right to appeal. More than 200,000 employees have worked within the federal government for less than a year, according to 2024 data from the U.S. Office of Personnel Management (OPM). “The probationary period is a continuation of the job application process, not an entitlement for permanent employment,” an OPM spokesperson said. “Agencies are taking independent action in light of the recent hiring freeze and in support of the President’s broader efforts to restructure and streamline the federal government to better serve the American people at the highest possible standard.”
WORKFORCE
New jobless claims decline to 213,000
The Department of Labor reported Thursday that the number of Americans filing for new jobless claims dropped 7,000 in the seven days to February 8th to 213,000, 1,000 below the 214,000 expected among economists surveyed by the Wall Street Journal. The four-week moving average edged down to 216,000, a decrease of 1,000, while continuing claims, reported with a one-week lag, dropped to 1.85m, from 1.89m seven days earlier. 
LEGAL
Trump issues termination letters to Biden-appointed U.S. attorneys
A number of U.S. attorneys who had been appointed by former President Joe Biden have received termination notices from the Trump administration. The Justice Department's website shows that slightly more than two dozen attorneys appointed by the prior government remain in post. Reuters notes that it is customary for U.S. attorneys to step down after a change in the presidential administration, but the incoming administration typically asks for their resignations and does not issue tersely-worded termination letters, current and former Justice Department lawyers say. The U.S. Attorney for the District of Maryland Erek Barron wrote in an e-mail: "As many of you may know by now, my time with the U.S. Attorney's Office for the District of Maryland has come to an end. It has been an honor to lead such a talented and dedicated team."
Faith groups unite against immigration raids
More than two dozen Christian and Jewish organisations, representing millions of Americans, have filed a federal lawsuit against the Trump administration's immigration policy that allows agents to arrest individuals at places of worship. The lawsuit, filed in U.S. District Court in Washington, argues that the policy instils fear among congregants, leading to decreased attendance at services and hindering the ability to minister to migrants. Most Rev. Sean Rowe, presiding bishop of the Episcopal Church, said: “We cannot worship freely if some of us are living in fear.” The plaintiffs include major denominations such as the Episcopal Church, Reform Judaism, and the African Methodist Episcopal Church, collectively representing over 1m followers. The lawsuit seeks to protect the religious freedom of these groups, which have historically provided support to undocumented individuals. The Trump administration has yet to respond to the lawsuit.
DIVERSITY, EQUITY & INCLUSION
Firms face shareholder showdown on DEI
Fortune's Lila MacLellan considers the corporate climate in the wake of President Donald Trump issuing executive orders to end diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives, and as “one company after another rolls back their DEI initiatives.” She notes that while anti-DEI shareholder proposals have become “increasingly common,” support rates “are usually in the low single digits.” However, with stances on DEI increasingly making headlines, she says a “crop of shareholder proposals that would have once been unremarkable are now a closely watched battlefront in the war against corporate diversity and inclusion initiatives.” She goes on to look at firms facing anti-DEI shareholder proposals, including Apple, Mastercard, Coca-Cola, McDonald’s and IBM.
TECHNOLOGY
Machine learning is 'biggest shift of our lifetimes, Google boss says
At the AI Action Summit in Paris, Google chief executive Sundar Pichai told attendees that although the shift towards machine learning was still in its early days, "it will be the biggest of our lifetimes - a fundamental rewiring of technology and an accelerant of human ingenuity." He cited the recent development of DeepSeek, a Chinese AI startup, as a catalyst for the shift towards machine learning. Pichai also said that Google plans to spend $75bn on capital projects this year, primarily on AI.
STRATEGY
JLR to spend $180m on Portland automotive tech site
Jaguar Land Rover (JLR) has announced plans to invest $180m over the next decade in its technology hub located in Northwest Portland. The site, which opened in 2014, collaborates with Intel to enhance vehicle performance and introduce features like self-driving capabilities and mobile unlocking. Blake Lyman, JLR's Portland director of software and site operations, said: “Over the last decade, our technology hub here has grown and we have recruited a highly skilled, talented and diverse workforce.” This investment is particularly significant for Portland, which has seen a decline in tech presence due to the pandemic, and it strengthens the local automotive technology sector, which includes companies like Daimler Truck North America.
'Feminine' negotiation strategies are a strength in the boardroom
Rebecca Ponce de Leon, Assistant Professor in the Management Division of Columbia Business School, along with Anyi Ma, assistant professor of management at the University of Wisconsin-Madison and Ashleigh Shelby Rosette, the James L. Vincent Professor of Leadership at Duke University, have carried out a survey which found that women are more likely than men to avoid expensive impasses during negotiations. Their findings come amid a renewed focus among chief executives and other business leaders on so-called "masculine energy." Ponce de Leon observed: "For years and years now, the narrative has been that women should behave more like men to get ahead and to be successful. But these findings illustrate that there is a place for more traditionally feminine and communal behaviors at work, and that they can be a source of strength and strategic advantage for our workplaces.”
WORKPLACE
Law firms rethink office dynamics post-pandemic
Quinn Emanuel Urquhart & Sullivan has introduced a new office space in New York City, spanning 150,000 sq ft and designed to be “more inviting.” As firms navigate the post-pandemic landscape, many lawyers prefer flexible work arrangements. Valerie Fontaine from legal search firm SeltzerFontaine observed: “There’s still so much tension in law firms about remote versus hybrid versus in-person.” Research by Nicholas Bloom, the William D. Eberle Professor of Economics at Stanford University, suggests that hybrid schedules can enhance productivity, and “in-person is clearly better for mentoring.” To encourage attendance, firms are offering various incentives, including comfortable communal spaces and amenities including health clinics and refreshments. The new office at Quinn Emanuel features collaborative spaces and upgraded technology, and aims to foster a sense of community among lawyers.
TAX
Tax relief for mobile workers ahead in Arkansas, Minnesota
Mobile workers and their employers may experience some relief from complex nonresident income tax rules in Arkansas and Minnesota this year. These states are addressing the intricate tax compliance issues that arise as workers frequently cross state lines for various business activities. While Arkansas and Minnesota are making strides, the overall landscape remains confusing for many taxpayers and businesses. Kansas and Nebraska are also expected to consider similar mobile workforce modernization bills following their previous inaction.
ECONOMY
Consumer debt climbs to $17.57tn
At the end of the third quarter of 2024, U.S. consumers owed a total of $17.57tn in debt, reflecting a 2.4% increase from $17.15tn from the same period a year earlier, according to Experian data. This modest rise in debt levels is attributed to a slowing inflation rate, which has fallen below 3% for the first time since 2022. The report highlights that "each type of consumer debt tells a different story about consumers' financial habits," indicating varied trends across different debt categories. Experian's analysis of anonymized credit data aims to shed light on these trends and the outlook for consumer borrowing in 2025.
INTERNATIONAL
Porsche to cut 1,900 jobs
Porsche plans to reduce its workforce by 1,900 jobs by 2029 due to stagnant demand for its EVs. The cuts will primarily affect the Zuffenhausen factory and a research center in Stuttgart. The company has reported profit margins expected to be between 10% and 12% this year, significantly lower than the long-term target of 20%. Porsche attributed the job cuts to "the delayed ramp-up of electromobility [and] the challenging geopolitical and economic conditions." As part of an agreement with union IG Metall, layoffs are not permitted until 2030, leading Porsche to offer voluntary redundancy packages instead.
 


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