标签： North America

Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney is navigating a pivotal moment in his political career as he seeks to pass his first federal budget. With his Liberal Party just two seats short of a majority, the defection of Conservative MP Chris d’Entremont to the Liberal camp has provided a significant boost. d’Entremont, representing Nova Scotia, announced his decision to switch parties shortly after Carney unveiled his fiscal plan, citing a lack of alignment with Conservative leader Pierre Poilievre’s leadership and policies. This move has brought the Liberals closer to securing a majority, a crucial step in ensuring the budget’s passage. d’Entremont expressed his support for the Liberal budget, stating it aligns with the priorities of his constituents and offers a ‘better path forward’ for Canada. The Conservative Party, however, criticized his defection, accusing him of abandoning his electoral promises and acting on ‘personal grievances.’ The political landscape in Ottawa remains tense as Carney appeals for broader support to avoid the risk of another election. The budget, dubbed an ‘investment budget,’ aims to attract capital to Canada and mitigate the impact of US tariffs. However, it has drawn criticism for increasing the deficit to C$78 billion, the second largest in Canadian history, while proposing cuts such as reducing the federal workforce by 10%. Opposition parties, including the Conservatives and the Bloc Québécois, have signaled their intent to oppose the budget, with Poilievre condemning it for prioritizing debt interest over healthcare. The New Democratic Party, holding seven seats, has yet to decide its stance. A vote on the budget is expected in mid-November, with Carney’s leadership and political strategy under intense scrutiny.

The U.S. Supreme Court on Wednesday engaged in intense scrutiny of former President Donald Trump’s expansive use of tariffs during the first nine months of his second term. The case, which centers on the constitutionality of unilateral tariff impositions, saw Chief Justice John Roberts and Justices Amy Coney Barrett and Neil Gorsuch—conservative jurists considered pivotal in this matter—question U.S. Solicitor General John Sauer, who defended the administration’s stance. The court’s liberal justices also expressed skepticism, challenging whether federal law and the Constitution grant the president such sweeping authority. The debate hinges on the 1977 International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA), which Trump’s legal team argues empowers the president to impose tariffs during emergencies. Critics, however, contend that the Constitution explicitly reserves tariff authority for Congress. Sauer argued that the nation faced ‘country-killing’ crises necessitating emergency action, warning that a ruling against Trump could expose the U.S. to ‘ruthless trade retaliation’ and severe economic consequences. The case has significant implications for $90 billion in import taxes already collected, with potential ramifications for U.S. trade policy and presidential powers. A decision is expected by June, with the administration reportedly preparing alternative strategies should the court rule unfavorably.

In a surprising turn of events, former President Donald Trump has renominated billionaire entrepreneur Jared Isaacman to lead NASA, five months after abruptly withdrawing his initial nomination. Isaacman, a 42-year-old self-made billionaire with close ties to SpaceX founder Elon Musk, was previously set to assume the role in May before Trump cited concerns over “prior associations” during a high-profile feud with Musk. While the White House did not elaborate on these associations, Isaacman’s connections to Musk and his significant financial contributions to SpaceX missions have raised eyebrows. Isaacman, an amateur jet pilot and the first non-professional astronaut to walk in space, has reportedly spent hundreds of millions of dollars on SpaceX ventures. Trump’s reversal of his decision was announced on his Truth Social platform, where he praised Isaacman’s passion for space exploration and his vision for advancing the space economy. However, Isaacman’s nomination has faced skepticism, particularly regarding potential conflicts of interest and his focus on Mars over NASA’s long-planned Moon mission. Isaacman, who founded the payment processing company Shift4 Payments at 16, has a storied history in aviation and space exploration. His nomination, which requires Senate confirmation, comes amid a government shutdown, though the Senate remains operational for such proceedings. Isaacman expressed gratitude for the nomination, vowing to uphold the trust placed in him by the space community.

In a decisive move to counter President Donald Trump’s gerrymandering efforts, California voters overwhelmingly approved Proposition 50, a measure to redraw electoral districts. Early official results indicated a two-to-one margin in favor, with major media outlets projecting a significant majority. The initiative, championed by Governor Gavin Newsom and Democratic leaders, aims to secure five additional congressional seats for the Democratic Party in the upcoming midterm elections. Newsom hailed the vote as a powerful rebuke to Trump, whom he labeled the ‘most historically unpopular president in modern history.’ Republicans criticized the measure as a partisan power grab, while Democrats argued it was a necessary response to similar redistricting efforts by Texas Republicans, which were allegedly influenced by the White House. The proposition temporarily replaces California’s independent redistricting commission with politically drawn boundaries, a move that has sparked debate about fairness and partisanship. The vote reflects broader national tensions over electoral manipulation and the integrity of democratic processes.

The United States has officially entered its 36th day of a federal government shutdown, marking the longest such closure in the nation’s history. The shutdown surpassed the previous record of 35 days set during the 2018-2019 impasse. Despite repeated attempts by the Senate to pass a short-term funding bill, partisan gridlock persists, with both Republicans and Democrats refusing to compromise. House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries criticized Republicans for their stance on Affordable Care Act tax credits, while House Speaker Mike Johnson accused Democrats of prioritizing political retribution over governance. The prolonged shutdown has had widespread consequences, affecting aviation safety, food assistance programs, and federal employees’ livelihoods. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy warned of potential flight cancellations and airspace closures if air traffic controllers remain unpaid. Meanwhile, millions relying on food assistance face uncertainty as emergency funds are only partially distributed. Over 1 million federal employees have gone without pay, and the lack of key economic data has heightened uncertainty. The Congressional Budget Office estimates significant economic losses, with public approval of Congress plummeting to 15%. Polls indicate widespread dissatisfaction with both parties, as Americans increasingly feel disconnected from their leaders.

The US government shutdown has officially become the longest in history, surpassing the 35-day record set during Donald Trump’s first term. The impasse, now in its sixth week, stems from a stalemate between Democrats and Republicans over health care spending. Federal agencies have been largely non-operational since Congress failed to approve funding past September 30, leaving 1.4 million federal workers either on unpaid leave or working without pay. Welfare programs, including those aiding millions of Americans in affording groceries, remain in limbo. The Trump administration has warned of potential chaos in air travel, particularly during the upcoming Thanksgiving holiday, as air traffic controllers and Transportation Security Administration (TSA) officers continue to work without pay. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy highlighted the risk of mass flight delays, cancellations, and even airspace closures due to staff shortages. Democrats are demanding an extension of expiring health insurance subsidies as a condition for ending the shutdown, while Republicans insist on reopening the government before addressing health care. Despite the deadlock, moderate lawmakers from both parties have begun exploring potential compromises. Meanwhile, President Trump has doubled down on his refusal to negotiate, threatening to cut off a vital food assistance program, though courts have blocked such actions. The White House has since clarified its commitment to fulfilling legal obligations and expediting partial SNAP payments.