标签： North America

The US federal government has entered a shutdown following a deadlock between Republican and Democratic lawmakers over budget negotiations. This impasse, which threatens to extend beyond October, is set to disrupt various sectors, from air travel to national parks, and impact millions of Americans. Approximately 800,000 federal employees, representing 40% of the workforce, face unpaid leave, exacerbating financial strain on households. Air travelers may encounter prolonged security lines and delays as unpaid air traffic controllers and Transportation Safety Administration (TSA) workers, though deemed essential, may opt to stay home. Passport processing times are also expected to lengthen, complicating international travel plans. Federal employees, particularly those in non-essential roles, will bear the brunt of the shutdown, with no paychecks until the impasse is resolved. Agencies like the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the National Institutes of Health (NIH) are likely to furlough staff, disrupting critical research. President Donald Trump, who has previously advocated for reduced government spending, warned that the shutdown could accelerate layoffs and curtail programs favored by Democrats. Contractors working for federal agencies will also miss out on work, with no guarantee of backpay. National Parks and Forests, which faced vandalism during the last shutdown, remain a contentious issue, with former park superintendents urging their closure to prevent further damage. Meanwhile, the Smithsonian Institution museums and the National Zoo will remain open temporarily, though non-essential services like webcams will be suspended. Social health programs such as Medicare and Medicaid will continue, but staffing shortages may cause service interruptions. Emergency disaster relief remains largely unaffected, but the National Flood Insurance Program’s closure could delay mortgages. Food assistance programs, including WIC and SNAP, are at risk of funding shortages, potentially leaving vulnerable populations without support. The shutdown’s ripple effects underscore the broader implications of political gridlock on public services and the economy.

The United States government has entered its first shutdown in nearly seven years, as Congress failed to reach a consensus on a critical funding bill. The impasse has left hundreds of thousands of federal workers facing furloughs or layoffs, while national parks, museums, and essential services risk closure. The shutdown could also disrupt air travel due to staff shortages, echoing the consequences of previous government closures.

The stalemate stems from a bitter partisan divide over healthcare spending, with Democrats insisting on extending health insurance subsidies set to expire at year-end, while many Republicans oppose the costly measures or demand stricter eligibility rules. Despite frenetic negotiations, a Republican-led short-term funding bill fell short of the required 60 Senate votes, with a Democrat-led proposal also failing to pass.

President Donald Trump has escalated tensions by threatening mass firings of federal employees and cuts to programs he claims are favored by Democrats. ‘A lot of good can come from shutdowns,’ Trump remarked, suggesting the crisis could be an opportunity to eliminate policies opposed by his administration. However, the White House has hinted at permanent layoffs for ‘non-essential’ workers if the shutdown persists.

Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell and top Democrat Chuck Schumer have traded blame, with Schumer accusing Republicans of ‘bullying’ tactics. The shutdown highlights the unique challenges of U.S. governance, where spending plans require bipartisan agreement across the legislative and executive branches. Analysts predict this shutdown could surpass the 2018 crisis, potentially affecting over 800,000 federal workers.

The path forward remains uncertain, with both parties entrenched in their positions. As the standoff continues, the economic and social repercussions of the shutdown are expected to deepen, leaving federal employees and the public in limbo.

In a surprising turn of events, former US President Donald Trump has retracted his nomination of conservative economist EJ Antoni to lead the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). This decision follows Trump’s abrupt dismissal of former BLS commissioner Erika McEntarfer in August, which occurred mid-term after a disappointing jobs report sparked concerns about the US economy. While Antoni’s nomination was lauded by conservative circles, it faced criticism from independent economists who questioned his qualifications and warned of potential damage to the BLS’s credibility. The White House has not provided a specific reason for the withdrawal but confirmed that Trump intends to propose a new candidate soon. A White House official described Antoni as a ‘brilliant economist and American patriot’ who will continue contributing to the nation’s economic discourse. Trump has long criticized the BLS, accusing it of manipulating employment data to undermine his administration. The August jobs report, which revealed only 73,000 new jobs—far below the projected 109,000—further fueled his discontent. Antoni, an economist at the Heritage Foundation, has been a vocal critic of the BLS, labeling its data as ‘phoney baloney.’ Heritage Foundation president Kevin Roberts defended Antoni, calling him ‘one of the sharpest economic minds in the country’ and emphasizing the need for BLS reform. The US Senate, currently controlled by Republicans, will be responsible for confirming the next nominee.

A framework agreement proposed by former U.S. President Donald Trump to end the Gaza war and reconstruct the devastated territory has garnered significant momentum, driven by Trump’s personal influence and support from key Arab and Islamic nations, including Jordan, Egypt, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Pakistan, Indonesia, and Turkey. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, standing alongside Trump, has also accepted the plan, despite its implicit nod to a potential pathway to Palestinian statehood—a concept he has vehemently opposed. Trump has set a tight deadline, giving Hamas ‘three to four days’ to decide on the proposal, warning that a rejection would result in the continuation of hostilities. The plan bears resemblance to an earlier initiative by President Joe Biden, which faltered due to Netanyahu’s shifting demands under pressure from his hard-right cabinet. However, Trump’s framework marks a pivotal moment, as it represents the first instance of him exerting pressure on Israel to cease the conflict. The document, endorsed by the UK and other European countries, outlines a rough roadmap for an IDF pullback but lacks detailed specifics, a hallmark of Trumpian diplomacy. While mainstream Israeli opposition parties have backed the plan, it has drawn condemnation from ultra-nationalist factions within Netanyahu’s coalition, who previously supported the controversial ‘Trump Riviera’ proposal advocating for the displacement of Gaza’s Palestinian population. The new plan explicitly states that no Palestinian will be forced to leave, a stance that has angered hardliners like Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich, who likened it to the 1938 Munich Agreement. The agreement’s ambiguity allows for divergent interpretations, with Netanyahu viewing it as a step toward Israel’s victory over Hamas, while Arab and Islamic nations see it as a pathway to a two-state solution and the rebuilding of Gaza. The plan’s success hinges on intricate negotiations, with numerous opportunities for breakdowns, particularly given the structural flexibility it affords Israel to veto unfavorable moves. Ultimately, the framework’s lack of clarity and detail raises questions about its viability in resolving a century-old conflict.

A senior Hamas official has indicated to the BBC that the group is poised to reject former U.S. President Donald Trump’s proposed peace plan for Gaza, labeling it as heavily skewed in favor of Israel while neglecting Palestinian interests. The official emphasized that Hamas is unlikely to comply with the plan’s key condition of disarming and surrendering their weapons. Additionally, the group opposes the deployment of an International Stabilisation Force (ISF) in Gaza, viewing it as a potential new form of occupation. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has already endorsed Trump’s plan following White House discussions on Monday, but Hamas has yet to issue an official response. Qatar’s foreign ministry has noted that Hamas is currently reviewing the proposal ‘responsibly.’

Hamas’s military commander in Gaza, Ez al-Din al-Haddad, is reportedly determined to continue fighting rather than accept the plan. Meanwhile, Hamas leaders outside Gaza have found themselves increasingly marginalized in negotiations due to their lack of direct control over hostages. The ongoing discussions, expected to last several days, also involve other Palestinian factions, including the Palestinian Islamic Jihad (PIJ), which has already rejected the plan. A major sticking point for Hamas is the requirement to release all hostages at once, effectively eliminating their primary bargaining chip.

Despite Trump’s backing, there is widespread skepticism that Israel will halt military operations post-hostage release, especially following a recent assassination attempt on Hamas leadership in Doha. Further complicating matters, a map shared by the Trump administration suggests a planned buffer zone along Gaza’s southern border with Egypt, raising concerns about Israeli involvement. Netanyahu’s recent statements, including a video on X, have also contradicted the plan’s terms by insisting on continued Israeli military presence in Gaza and opposing Palestinian statehood.

Within Gaza, many Palestinians support the plan solely for its potential to end the war, despite its perceived flaws. Resident Khadar Abu Kweik expressed this sentiment, stating, ‘The American plan has bad clauses, but I support it because it will stop the war and get rid of Hamas.’ Palestinian journalist Fathi Sabah warned that a Hamas rejection could embolden Netanyahu to continue the conflict with Western backing, further devastating Gaza. The Israeli military’s campaign in Gaza, launched in response to the October 7, 2023, Hamas-led attack, has resulted in significant casualties and widespread destruction, with recent UN reports confirming famine and allegations of genocide.