分类： politics

The Trump administration has commenced the process of laying off federal employees as the impasse over the government shutdown persists. Russell Vought, the Director of the Office of Management and Budget (OMB), announced the commencement of these layoffs, referred to as ‘reduction in force’ (RIF), via a post on X. RIF is a legal mechanism that allows the administration to terminate federal workers, a move that had been previously threatened if Democrats pushed for a government shutdown. An OMB spokesperson confirmed that the layoffs have indeed started and described them as ‘substantial,’ although specific figures regarding the number of affected employees were not disclosed. This development underscores the escalating tensions between the Trump administration and congressional Democrats, with federal workers caught in the crossfire of the political standoff.

The United States and Qatar have solidified their military partnership with the establishment of a new Qatari Emiri Air Force facility at the Mountain Home Airbase in Idaho. US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth announced the agreement during a meeting with his Qatari counterpart, Saoud bin Abdulrahman al-Thani, at the Pentagon on Friday. The facility will serve as a training ground for Qatari pilots to operate F-15 fighter jets, enhancing combined training, lethality, and interoperability between the two nations. Hegseth emphasized the strength of the partnership, stating, ‘You can count on us.’ The announcement follows President Donald Trump’s executive order last month, which pledged to use all measures, including military force, to defend Qatar. This order underscores an extraordinary security pact between the US and its key Arab ally, akin to aspects of a NATO alliance. The move comes in the wake of recent tensions, including Israeli air strikes in Doha and Iran’s attack on the al-Udeid Air Base, the US’s largest military facility in the Middle East, located in Qatar. Qatar has also played a pivotal role in mediating ceasefire efforts in Gaza, further cementing its strategic importance in the region.

In a dramatic escalation of tensions between the United States and China, President Donald Trump has threatened to withdraw from an anticipated meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping. The move comes in response to Beijing’s recent tightening of export controls on rare earths, a critical component in various high-tech industries. Trump took to social media to express his discontent, stating he saw ‘no reason’ to proceed with the meeting and accusing China of adopting a ‘very hostile’ stance, aiming to ‘hold the world captive.’

Adding fuel to the fire, Trump warned of a ‘massive’ increase in tariffs on Chinese goods, reigniting fears of a renewed trade war between the two economic superpowers. The announcement sent shockwaves through financial markets, with the S&P 500 dropping approximately 1.4% in late morning trading in New York.

China’s recent actions extend beyond rare earths. Beijing has launched a monopoly investigation into U.S. tech giant Qualcomm, potentially disrupting its acquisition of another chipmaker. Despite being headquartered in the U.S., Qualcomm relies heavily on its Chinese operations. Additionally, China has announced new port fees targeting ships linked to the U.S., including those owned or operated by American firms.

Trump’s frustration was evident in a social media post on Friday, where he remarked, ‘Some very strange things are happening in China! They are becoming very hostile.’ The U.S. and China have maintained a fragile trade détente since May, when both sides agreed to roll back triple-digit tariffs that had nearly halted bilateral trade. Since then, officials have engaged in discussions on various issues, including TikTok, agricultural purchases, and the trade of advanced technology and rare earths.

Jonathan Czin, a China expert at the Brookings Institution, suggested that Xi’s recent moves are strategic efforts to influence upcoming negotiations with the U.S. He noted that the rare earths directive does not take immediate effect, indicating a calculated approach. ‘He’s looking for ways to seize the initiative,’ Czin said. ‘The Trump administration is having to play a game of whack-a-mole and deal with these issues as they come up.’

Czin also expressed skepticism that China is concerned about U.S. retaliation, citing Beijing’s belief in its higher pain threshold during previous tariff escalations. ‘From their perspective, the Trump administration blinked,’ he added.

First Lady Melania Trump revealed on Friday that Russian President Vladimir Putin has responded to her letter concerning the plight of child victims in the ongoing Russia-Ukraine conflict. The letter, which was personally delivered to Putin during his visit to Alaska in August, urged the Russian leader to prioritize the protection of children affected by the war. Melania emphasized that safeguarding these children would not only benefit Russia but also serve humanity as a whole. President Donald Trump shared excerpts of the letter on social media, highlighting its humanitarian appeal. Following an ‘open channel of communication’ with Putin, the First Lady announced that several Ukrainian children displaced by the war have been successfully reunited with their families. This development marks a significant step in addressing the humanitarian crisis stemming from the conflict. Further updates on this story are expected shortly. For real-time updates, follow @BBCBreaking on X or download the BBC News App.