标签： North America

In April 2011, President Barack Obama delivered a biting roast of Donald Trump at the White House Correspondents’ Dinner, an event that would later be seen as a pivotal moment in their political rivalry. At the time, Trump, a reality TV star, had been a vocal proponent of the ‘birther’ conspiracy theory, falsely claiming that Obama was not born in the United States and thus ineligible for the presidency. Obama’s decision to release his long-form birth certificate just days before the dinner set the stage for his humorous yet pointed remarks. During his speech, Obama joked about Trump’s presidential ambitions, suggesting that a Trump presidency would bring unconventional changes to the White House, including turning it into a hotel, casino, or golf course. The President even displayed a satirical image of a remodeled White House adorned with Trump’s name. While the audience laughed, Trump sat stone-faced, visibly humiliated. Many political observers, including Trump’s former adviser Roger Stone, believe that this public shaming motivated Trump to run for president in 2016. Fast forward to Trump’s presidency, and Obama’s jest about White House renovations took on a surreal twist. The Trump administration razed the East Wing to build a lavish, gold-encrusted ballroom, a project that mirrors the ostentatious style of Trump’s private properties. Although Trump denied plans to name the ballroom after himself, senior officials reportedly referred to it as ‘The President Donald J. Trump Ballroom.’ This episode underscores the enduring impact of political humor and the complex dynamics between Obama and Trump, whose rivalry reshaped American politics.

China’s recently unveiled recommendations for its 15th Five-Year Plan have garnered significant praise from Latin American scholars, who commend the blueprint’s emphasis on innovation, sustainability, and long-term stability. The plan, which aims to guide China’s development amidst global uncertainties, has been described as a forward-looking and innovation-driven strategy by Jorge Heine, Chile’s former ambassador to China and a nonresident fellow at the Quincy Institute in Washington. Heine noted that China has transitioned from rigid economic central planning to indicative planning, which provides broad guidance to both public and private sectors. A key focus of the plan is the development of ‘new quality productive forces,’ with technological and scientific innovation at its core. Heine highlighted China’s advancements in AI as a prime example of this innovation. The plan also emphasizes green development, particularly the energy transition, though Heine expressed a desire for more ambitious carbon neutrality targets. Luis Antonio Paulino, a professor at Sao Paulo State University in Brazil, praised the balance between China’s near-term goals and its long-term vision. He contrasted China’s approach with that of Western governments, which often focus on immediate crises without a future-oriented strategy. Paulino described China’s governance as ‘superior,’ as it addresses current issues while providing structural solutions aligned with long-term objectives. He also highlighted how China’s planning integrates technological progress with social welfare and collective benefit, ensuring that technological development serves the broader population rather than a select few. This holistic approach, Paulino argued, sets China apart from Western models, where technological advancements are often driven by a small group of billionaires. The 15th Five-Year Plan reflects China’s commitment to raising living standards and achieving regional balance through scientific and technological self-sufficiency, guided by the Communist Party of China and the government.

The longest government shutdown in U.S. history is finally approaching its conclusion following a bipartisan Senate vote to approve federal funding. This decision marks a significant turning point after weeks of political gridlock, which left hundreds of thousands of federal employees furloughed and disrupted essential services across the nation. With the government set to reopen, furloughed workers will return to their jobs and receive back pay, while national parks and food aid programs for low-income Americans will resume operations. Air travel, which had been severely impacted, is expected to stabilize. However, the political ramifications of this historic standoff are far from over. The shutdown exposed deep divisions within the Democratic Party, as centrists and at-risk senators broke ranks to support the Republican-led funding bill. This move has reignited tensions between the party’s progressive base and its centrist establishment, with many on the left viewing the compromise as a missed opportunity to challenge President Trump’s policies. Over the 40-day shutdown, Trump maintained a hardline stance, refusing to compromise with Democrats and instead focusing on international trips and personal engagements. While the White House agreed to roll back some workforce cuts and Senate Republicans promised a vote on health-insurance subsidies, critics argue that little was gained from the prolonged standoff. The temporary funding bill only extends government operations until the end of January, setting the stage for potential future clashes. As the midterm elections approach, both parties are likely to remain entrenched in their positions, ensuring that the political dynamics that fueled this shutdown will persist.

The US Senate has taken a significant step toward ending the longest government shutdown in American history, with a bipartisan deal passing procedural hurdles. After 40 days of political gridlock, a minority of Democrats joined Republicans to vote in favor of the agreement, which was negotiated by Senate Majority Leader John Thune and key Democratic senators. The deal aims to fund government operations and address critical issues such as healthcare subsidies and federal employee pay. However, it still faces challenges in the House of Representatives before it can be fully implemented. The shutdown, which began on October 1, has left 1.4 million federal employees either furloughed or working without pay, disrupted air travel, and threatened food benefits for 41 million low-income Americans. The agreement includes provisions for extending healthcare subsidies, funding essential agencies, and ensuring back pay for federal workers. Despite this progress, some Democrats have criticized the deal for lacking concrete guarantees on healthcare, with Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer vowing to vote against it. The measure also sets the stage for potential future budget battles, as it only funds the government until January 30.