标签： North America

The United States federal government commenced a partial shutdown early Saturday morning after Congress failed to approve fiscal year 2026 budget allocations before the midnight funding deadline. This development marks the second government shutdown of President Donald Trump’s second term, though congressional leaders from both parties indicate the disruption will likely be brief.

The budgetary stalemate originated from a dramatic breakdown in negotiations, primarily fueled by Democratic outrage over the killing of two protesters in Minneapolis by federal immigration agents. This incident critically derailed discussions regarding new funding allocations for the Department of Homeland Security (DHS).

Senate Democratic Minority Whip Dick Durbin publicly condemned the administration’s priorities, stating on social media, ‘Instead of going after drug smugglers, child predators, and human traffickers, the Trump Administration is wasting valuable resources targeting peaceful protestors in Chicago and Minneapolis. This Administration continues to make Americans less safe.’

Approximately 75% of federal operations are impacted by the funding lapse, potentially activating shutdown protocols across a vast spectrum of agencies encompassing education, health, housing, and national defense. Federal departments were mandated to initiate their contingency plans overnight.

However, the practical impact on government services, federal contractors, and employees is projected to be limited. The Senate has already advanced a bipartisan deal, which has received endorsement from President Trump. The House of Representatives, currently out of session until Monday, is expected to ratify this package early next week, thereby restoring funding within days.

While a prolonged impasse could force tens of thousands of federal workers into furloughs or unpaid work, congressional leadership expresses strong confidence in a swift resolution, aiming to avoid a repeat of the record-length shutdown that occurred last fall.

The U.S. Justice Department initiated the substantial release of documents from the Jeffrey Epstein case on Friday, disclosing millions of pages alongside photographs and video evidence. This development intensifies the politically charged atmosphere surrounding President Donald Trump, who has been persistently linked to the controversial financier.

Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche emphasized the administration’s non-interference during a press conference, stating, “The White House played no role in directing our review process—including decisions regarding redactions.” He further asserted that no protective measures were extended to President Trump or any other individuals mentioned in the files.

Among the released materials are over three million documents, 180,000 images, and 2,000 videos. The Justice Department noted that some submissions contained what it characterized as “untrue and sensationalist claims” about the 79-year-old president, which were presented to the FBI prior to the 2020 election.

Blanche confirmed that all images of female victims, except those of convicted accomplice Ghislaine Maxwell, have been redacted to protect identities. However, a coalition of 19 survivors issued a statement contending that their identifying information remains inadequately protected, while the men implicated in the abuse continue to be shielded.

Jeffrey Epstein, the financier accused of orchestrating a widespread sex trafficking operation, died in prison in 2019 under circumstances ruled a suicide. Previous document releases have revealed associations with high-profile figures including business leaders, celebrities, and politicians such as Bill Gates, Woody Allen, and former President Bill Clinton.

Notably, a draft email within the files contained allegations about Gates’ personal life, which the Gates Foundation vehemently denied as “absurd and false.” Other communications detailed Epstein’s introductions involving Steve Tisch, a prominent film producer and co-owner of the New York Giants.

The disclosure follows the Epstein Files Transparency Act, which mandated full document release by December 19. Blanche attributed delays to the extensive redaction process necessary to safeguard the identities of Epstein’s alleged victims, believed to number over 1,000.

In a landmark address at Venezuela’s Supreme Court, Acting President Delcy Rodriguez unveiled transformative national reconciliation measures, including a comprehensive amnesty proposal and the planned closure of the notorious El Helicoide prison. The announcement marks the most significant reform initiative since the U.S.-led ouster of authoritarian leader Nicolas Maduro just weeks ago.

Rodriguez detailed legislation that would grant general amnesty covering the entire period of political violence from 1999 to present, encompassing both the Hugo Chavez presidency and Maduro’s subsequent authoritarian rule. “This law will serve to heal the wounds left by political confrontation, fueled by violence and extremism,” Rodriguez declared before assembled government officials, framing the measure as essential for restoring judicial integrity.

The acting president simultaneously announced plans to convert the infamous El Helicoide detention facility—where human rights organizations documented systematic torture of political prisoners—into a multipurpose community center. The massive structure, originally constructed as a shopping mall, will be repurposed as a “sports, cultural and commercial centre for police families and neighboring communities.”

The reforms generated immediate emotional responses from affected families. Betsy Orellana, 63, expressed overwhelming joy at the prospect of her son’s release after six months without communication: “It’s wonderful! This is a huge joy, it’s an amnesty, my God, it’s total liberation.”

These developments follow Rodriguez’s rapid implementation of U.S.-backed reforms since assuming power less than four weeks ago. The government has already passed legislation opening Venezuela’s critical oil sector to private investment—a key Washington demand—prompting the immediate rollback of U.S. sanctions targeting Venezuelan petroleum.

However, opposition figures remain cautiously optimistic. Nobel Peace Prize laureate Maria Corina Machado characterized the amnesty as a response to American pressure rather than voluntary regime action, while opposition lawmaker Tomas Guanipa expressed hope that the measure would terminate “an era of repression” and initiate a genuine democratic transition.

Concurrently, U.S. authorities confirmed the release of all known American prisoners in Venezuela, including Peruvian-American Arturo Gallino Rullier. In further normalization steps, the Trump administration lifted flight bans to Venezuela and prepared to reestablish diplomatic presence in Caracas, with seasoned diplomat Laura Dogu appointed as charge d’affaires.

Chinese Ambassador to the United States Xie Feng has formally acknowledged the burgeoning ‘Becoming Chinese’ social media phenomenon during a public address in Philadelphia on January 28. The diplomatic official extended a welcoming invitation to American citizens to visit China and personally engage with its cultural landscape, marking a significant diplomatic outreach effort.

Ambassador Xie’s remarks represent the first official Chinese response to the organic trend that has gained substantial traction across various American social media platforms. The movement features content creators and ordinary users exploring and adopting aspects of Chinese culture, lifestyle, and customs in their daily lives.

The ambassador’s Philadelphia appearance served as a strategic platform to address growing American interest in Chinese cultural elements. His comments emphasized the importance of direct cultural exchange and firsthand experience as foundations for mutual understanding between the two nations.

This diplomatic overture occurs amid ongoing efforts to stabilize Sino-American relations through cultural diplomacy and people-to-people exchanges. The ambassador’s recognition of this grassroots social media trend signals China’s willingness to engage with organic cultural movements that emerge outside formal diplomatic channels.

The invitation extended to American travelers aligns with China’s broader strategy of promoting cultural soft power and enhancing international perception through tourism and cultural exchange programs. This approach recognizes the growing influence of social media trends in shaping cross-cultural perceptions and international relations.

WASHINGTON — In a critical legislative maneuver, the United States Senate ratified a provisional government funding measure late Friday, narrowly averting a complete federal shutdown. The eleventh-hour approval came mere hours before existing budgetary allocations were scheduled to terminate at midnight.

Despite this congressional action, a temporary interruption in government financing remains probable due to procedural constraints. The House of Representatives currently stands in recess until Monday, creating an unavoidable gap between the Senate’s passage and the lower chamber’s opportunity to consider the legislation.

This funding package represents a bipartisan compromise reached after intensive negotiations between Senate Democratic leadership and the White House. The arrangement ensures continued operation of federal agencies and services while legislators work toward a more comprehensive budgetary solution.

The Senate’s decisive action prevents what would have been the fourth partial government shutdown in the past decade, maintaining essential services and preventing furloughs for hundreds of thousands of federal employees. However, the delayed House consideration means technical funding lapses may still affect some governmental operations over the weekend.

This legislative development occurs against a backdrop of heightened political tensions regarding fiscal policy and government spending priorities. The successful Senate vote demonstrates the current administration’s ability to navigate complex legislative challenges despite a divided Congress.

The United States federal government has entered a partial shutdown following a legislative impasse, despite the Senate’s approval of a last-minute funding arrangement just hours before the midnight Friday deadline. This marks the second government shutdown within the past year, occurring merely 11 weeks after the conclusion of the record 43-day funding crisis in 2025.

The Senate-approved bill proposed funding most federal agencies through September but specifically excluded the Department of Homeland Security, granting it only a two-week funding extension. This temporary measure was designed to create a negotiation window for immigration enforcement policies, which have become a contentious issue following recent events in Minneapolis.

The legislative process remains incomplete as the House of Representatives, where Republicans hold majority control, has not yet voted on the measure. President Trump has publicly urged Republican representatives to support the agreement when they reconvene on Monday.

The current shutdown differs significantly from the prolonged 2025 closure in both scope and anticipated duration. While the White House has instructed several agencies including Transportation, Education, and Defense to implement shutdown protocols, the impact is expected to be more limited. A White House memorandum indicated that employees should report for duty to conduct orderly shutdown activities while expressing optimism that “this lapse will be short.”

The funding dispute stems from Democratic refusal to approve additional immigration enforcement funding after the fatal shooting of two U.S. citizens by federal agents in Minneapolis. This incident has sparked intense criticism from both parties regarding immigration enforcement tactics.

In response to the shooting of Alex Pretti, an intensive care nurse, by a Border Patrol agent during an altercation, the Justice Department has initiated a civil rights investigation. The tragedy has intensified calls for reform, with Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer demanding increased oversight, judicial warrants, visible identification for officers, and an end to roving patrols by immigration authorities.

Lawmakers are expected to use the two-week Homeland Security funding extension to negotiate comprehensive immigration enforcement policies, though significant partisan differences remain regarding the appropriate scope and methods of immigration control.