Trump Admin Offers Federal Worker Buyouts; South Korean Airliner Destroyed by Blaze Before Flight

The Trump administration is offering federal workers a “Deferred Resignation Program.” The deal allows them to stay on the payroll without working until Sept. 30. Employees must reply to an email with the word “resign” by Feb. 6 to accept. The administration says it’s part of a plan to streamline government, but some union leaders say it creates pressure to push workers out. The memo also warns of upcoming job cuts and stricter workplace standards.

An Air Busan flight caught fire on Tuesday night local time at South Korea’s Gimhae International Airport in Busan just before it was due to depart for Hong Kong. Fire authorities confirmed the safe evacuation of all 169 passengers and seven crew members, with three sustaining minor injuries. Investigations are underway, with Busan Mayor Park Heong-Joon calling for a review of aviation safety.

A Senate committee examined areas of concern involving the Panama Canal on Tuesday. The senators focused on national security threats from the Chinese Communist Party’s influence on the canal, whether Panama has violated its treaty with the United States, and the high cost of using the canal. NTD spoke with retired Lt. Col. Sargis Sangari to find out more about the situation in Panama.

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