Noaa fires hundreds of climate workers after court clears way for dismissals

Workers had spent weeks in limbo amid legal rollercoaster but letters confirm block on terminations no longer in effect

Letters went out to hundreds of workers at the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (Noaa) on Thursday, informing them their jobs had been terminated - again.

The probationary employees, many who performed important roles at the US's pre-eminent climate research agency, have spent weeks in limbo after being dismissed in late February, only to be rehired and put on administrative leave in mid-March following a federal court order.