Five things to know to start your Thursday

Nigeria is considering banning large tanker trucks

The Nigerian government is considering banning large fuel trucks from federal highways to prevent deadly accidents. Through the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA), they’re looking at stopping trucks that can carry 60,000 litres of fuel from using these roads.

This comes after fuel tanker accidents killed 493 people over the past three years. The government wants to limit fuel trucks to carrying no more than 45,000 litres instead. The NMDPRA’s leader, Farouk Ahmed, shared these plans during a meeting in Abuja on Wednesday.

Trump said he wants the Department of Education closed “immediately”

President Trump has again called for closing down the Department of Education, this time saying he wants it done right away. During a talk with reporters on Wednesday, Trump stated: “I’d like it to be closed immediately. The Department of Education’s a big con job.”

This isn’t a new idea from Trump. He tried to close the department during his first term (2017-2021), but Congress didn’t support the plan. Now, he’s suggesting he might try to use an executive order, though he admits he’d need both Congress and teachers’ unions to agree before making such a big change.

Trump has already chosen Linda McMahon as education secretary and has asked her to work on closing down the very department she would lead.

About 75,000 US federal workers accepted Trump’s buyout program

Around 75,000 federal employees have agreed to take part in a special payment program offered by the Trump administration, according to an announcement from the U.S. Office of Personnel Management on Wednesday.

This buyout program is just one part of Trump’s larger plan to reduce the federal workforce, which currently has 2.3 million civilian workers. Trump has criticised these workers as inefficient and prejudiced against him. Beyond the buyout, he’s telling government agencies to get ready for major job reductions, and some agencies have already started letting go of newer employees who don’t have full job protection.

According to reports, some agencies have been told to prepare for cutting their staff by as much as 70%. Labour unions have warned their members to be careful about accepting the buyout deal, saying Trump might not keep his promises.

Read Also: Trump sacks USAID inspector general over criticism

A judge blocked Trump’s bid to fire Hampton Dellinger

A federal judge has stopped President Trump from firing the leader of a government office that helps protect whistleblowers. Judge Amy Berman Jackson made this decision in Washington on Wednesday night.

The judge ruled that Trump’s February 7 removal of Hampton Dellinger from the U.S. Office of Special Counsel clearly broke the law. She explained that Trump’s team didn’t give any reason for firing Dellinger, even though the law says he can only be removed for specific reasons like not doing his job well, neglecting his duties, or misconduct in office.

In her decision, Judge Jackson wrote: “This language expresses Congress’s clear intent to ensure the independence of the Special Counsel and insulate his work from being buffeted by the winds of political change.” In other words, the law, by design, keeps this position free from political interference.

Peace talks may start between Russia and Ukraine

President Trump has announced he spoke with both Russian President Putin and Ukrainian President Zelenskiy on Wednesday about ending the war in Ukraine. He has now directed top U.S. officials to start peace talks.

Earlier, Trump’s defence secretary suggested a major change in U.S. policy by saying Ukraine would need to give up two of its main goals: joining NATO and getting back all its land that Russia has taken.

After talking with Putin for over an hour, Trump shared details about their conversation. He quoted Putin as saying: “He wants it to end. He doesn’t want to end it and then go back to fighting six months later.” Trump also told reporters in the Oval Office: “I think we’re on the way to getting peace. I think President Putin wants peace, President Zelenskiy wants peace and I want peace. I just want to see people stop getting killed.”