标签： North America

Republican Congresswoman Elise Stefanik has officially declared her candidacy for the 2026 New York gubernatorial race, setting the stage for a high-stakes showdown with incumbent Democratic Governor Kathy Hochul. Stefanik, a prominent ally of former President Donald Trump, made her announcement on X, where she launched a scathing critique of Hochul, labeling her as “the worst governor in America” and accusing her of transforming New York into “the most unaffordable state in the nation.”

Hochul swiftly countered, characterizing Stefanik as Trump’s “number one cheerleader in Congress” and his “right-hand woman in his war on New York.” Stefanik, who has represented New York’s 21st congressional district since 2014, has long been a vocal supporter of Trump, particularly during his first impeachment in 2019. Trump had initially nominated her for the role of United Nations ambassador during his second term but withdrew the nomination to preserve the Republican majority in the House of Representatives.

Stefanik also criticized Hochul for her late endorsement of New York City Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani, accusing her of aligning with “the raging Defund the Police, Tax Hiking Communist” policies that she claims have harmed New York families. A September poll by Siena College revealed that in a hypothetical matchup, Hochul would lead with 52% support compared to Stefanik’s 27%. However, the same poll indicated significant dissatisfaction with Hochul’s leadership, with only 37% of respondents willing to support her re-election in 2026, while 51% expressed a preference for a different candidate.

Hochul already faces a primary challenge from her lieutenant governor, Anthony Delgado. If Stefanik secures the Republican nomination, she would aim to become the first Republican governor of New York since George Pataki, who left office in 2007. The race is expected to be a pivotal moment in New York politics, reflecting broader national divisions and the enduring influence of Trump within the Republican Party.

In a decisive ruling on Thursday, a US federal judge ordered the Trump administration to fully fund the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) by Friday, amidst the ongoing government shutdown. Chief Judge John McConnell of the US District Court for the District of Rhode Island emphasized the urgency of the matter, stating, ‘People have gone without for too long; not making payments to them for even another day is simply unacceptable.’ McConnell directed the Agriculture Department to utilize a contingency fund to ensure SNAP benefits are disbursed ‘as soon as possible.’ Earlier in the week, the department had announced that $4.65 billion from the contingency fund would cover 50% of November’s SNAP benefits. However, President Donald Trump contradicted this on Truth Social, asserting that SNAP funding would not proceed until the government reopens, blaming ‘Radical Left Democrats’ for the shutdown. McConnell’s latest order criticized the administration for partial payments and condemned Trump’s intent to defy the court’s directive. The Justice Department has indicated plans to appeal both Thursday’s ruling and McConnell’s earlier order. The shutdown, now in its sixth week, has drawn sharp criticism from Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer, who accused Trump of ‘weaponizing hunger’ and treating vulnerable Americans as ‘political pawns.’

The United States has formally commenced negotiations at the United Nations Security Council to establish an International Stabilization Force (ISF) in Gaza, as part of President Donald Trump’s broader peace plan. The draft resolution, circulated to the 15-member council, seeks to authorize a two-year mandate for the ISF, which would focus on protecting civilians, securing border areas with Israel and Egypt, and supporting a newly trained Palestinian police force. The force would also be tasked with demilitarizing Gaza, including dismantling military infrastructure and disarming non-state armed groups, such as Hamas. A senior US official, speaking anonymously, emphasized regional support for the resolution and expressed confidence in its adoption despite potential objections from Russia and China. The ISF is expected to comprise approximately 20,000 troops from various nations, with the UN mandate being a critical requirement for their deployment. The resolution follows a ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hamas, which marked the first phase of Trump’s 20-point Gaza peace plan. The US official stressed the urgency of the situation, warning that delays could jeopardize the fragile ceasefire.