标签： North America

Former U.S. President Donald Trump has granted federal pardons to his ex-personal lawyer Rudy Giuliani and several other allies accused of attempting to overturn the 2020 election results. Among those pardoned are Mark Meadows, Trump’s former White House chief of staff, and a group of so-called false electors who allegedly sought to disrupt the certification of Joe Biden’s victory. The pardons, described as ‘full, complete, and unconditional,’ were announced by Justice Department attorney Ed Martin on social media platform X. While the move is largely symbolic—since the charges were state-level and pardons only apply to federal crimes—Trump framed it as a step toward ‘national reconciliation.’ White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt criticized the prosecutions as ‘communist tactics,’ likening them to practices in Venezuela. Notably, the pardons do not extend to Trump himself, who has long claimed the authority to self-pardon but faces legal uncertainties. Giuliani, who declared bankruptcy after being held liable for $148 million in defamation cases, was disbarred in New York and Washington, D.C. Other pardoned figures include former Trump lawyers Sidney Powell, Jenna Ellis, John Eastman, and Kenneth Chesebro, all of whom had unsuccessfully challenged the 2020 election results. Powell’s claims of vote-switching and ‘communist money’ influencing the election were widely discredited. This latest round of clemency follows Trump’s earlier pardons of Capitol riot participants and the dismissal of several election-related cases against his allies in states like Arizona, Georgia, and Michigan. The Electoral College, comprising 538 members, remains the official body that elects U.S. presidents based on state-by-state results.

In a pivotal move to resolve the longest-ever US government shutdown, seven Senate Democrats and one independent joined Republicans on Sunday to pass a deal aimed at reopening federal operations. This bipartisan breakthrough ended weeks of gridlock, during which Democrats had resisted pressure to compromise, primarily over concerns about expiring healthcare subsidies that would impact millions of households.

The US Senate has taken a significant step toward resolving a 40-day federal government shutdown by advancing a bill that would fund government operations until January 30. The shutdown has disrupted federal services, delayed food aid, and caused staffing shortages in critical areas such as air traffic control. The bill, which passed a procedural vote with a 60-40 margin, includes provisions to prevent federal agencies from firing employees until the end of January, a move celebrated by worker unions. It also provides back pay for all federal employees, including military personnel, Border Patrol agents, and air-traffic controllers. The legislation aims to stall President Donald Trump’s efforts to downsize the federal workforce, which has already seen a significant reduction since the start of his second term. Additionally, the bill includes a package of three full-year appropriations bills and sets the stage for a December vote on extending subsidies under the Affordable Care Act (ACA), a key Democratic priority. The subsidies, which help lower-income Americans afford private health insurance, are set to expire at the end of the year. The deal was brokered by Senators Maggie Hassan and Jeanne Shaheen of New Hampshire, along with independent Senator Angus King of Maine. However, Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer voted against the measure, drawing criticism from some Democrats. The shutdown has had widespread impacts, including threats to air travel during the busy Thanksgiving holiday season. Economic experts warn that prolonged closure could negatively affect fourth-quarter economic growth. President Trump has expressed willingness to work with both parties to resolve the issue once the government reopens.

In a significant step toward resolving the longest government shutdown in US history, the Senate advanced a bipartisan spending package on Sunday night. The shutdown, now in its 40th day, has caused widespread disruptions across the nation. The upper chamber voted 60-40 in a crucial procedural vote to move forward with the legislation, which aims to fund most federal agencies at current levels through January 30. Additionally, it provides full-year funding for the Agriculture Department, the Veterans Affairs Department, military construction projects, and congressional operations. The package also secures funding for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), which had been at risk due to the prolonged shutdown. As part of the agreement to end the impasse, Senate Majority Leader John Thune pledged to hold a vote by the second week of December to extend Affordable Care Act subsidies set to expire at year-end. Following the procedural vote to overcome the filibuster, the bill is expected to pass the Senate’s final vote. However, it still requires approval from the House of Representatives and President Donald Trump’s signature. The shutdown’s escalating impact was evident on Sunday, with nearly 3,000 flights canceled and over 10,000 delayed nationwide, highlighting the growing strain on Americans’ daily lives.

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.