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Pentagon Ends Military Education Programs With Harvard University 
Trump Allows Commercial Fishing in Protected New England Waters 
Trump Signs “America First Arms Transfer Strategy” to Prioritize U.S. Weapons Sales 
Iran–U.S. Nuclear Talks in Oman Face Major Hurdles Amid Rising Regional Tensions 
Trump Proposes Two-Year Shutdown of Kennedy Center Amid Ongoing Turmoil 
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US Pushes Ukraine-Russia Peace Talks Before Summer Amid Escalating Attacks 
Trump Signs Executive Order Threatening 25% Tariffs on Countries Trading With Iran 
U.S.-India Trade Framework Signals Major Shift in Tariffs, Energy, and Supply Chains 
U.S. to Begin Paying UN Dues as Financial Crisis Spurs Push for Reforms 
Panama Supreme Court Voids CK Hutchison Port Concessions, Raising Geopolitical and Trade Concerns 
Trump Allegedly Sought Airport, Penn Station Renaming in Exchange for Hudson River Tunnel Funding 
Trump to Announce New Federal Reserve Chair Pick as Powell Replacement Looms 
Trump Appoints Colin McDonald as Assistant Attorney General for National Fraud Enforcement 
FDA Targets Hims & Hers Over $49 Weight-Loss Pill, Raising Legal and Safety Concerns 
U.S. President Donald Trump’s administration has frozen $26 billion in funding for Democratic-leaning states during the ongoing government shutdown, escalating partisan tensions in Washington. The freeze impacts $18 billion allocated for transit projects in New York—home to top Democrats Chuck Schumer and Hakeem Jeffries—and $8 billion in green energy initiatives across 16 Democratic-led states, including California and Illinois.
Vice President JD Vance warned that the administration may extend layoffs if the shutdown continues beyond a few days, adding to 300,000 job cuts already planned by December. Around 750,000 federal workers have been furloughed, while essential employees such as military personnel and Border Patrol agents are working without pay. Agencies including the Department of Veterans Affairs and the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office have already scaled back operations, with the latter announcing layoffs of 1% of its workforce.
Democrats have sharply criticized Trump’s actions. Schumer accused the president of using Americans as “pawns” and engaging in “blackmail,” while Jeffries warned of job losses tied to halted infrastructure projects. Republicans remain divided: Senator Thom Tillis voiced concerns about worsening negotiations, but Senate Leader John Thune dismissed the freeze, urging Democrats to reopen the government.
Both parties continue to clash over funding bills. Republicans, who control the Senate 53-47, failed to secure enough Democratic support to pass a stopgap measure. Democrats, meanwhile, are pushing for healthcare protections and safeguards to prevent Trump from bypassing spending laws. The shutdown, the 15th since 1981, has suspended critical activities from scientific research to environmental cleanups.
The standoff highlights deep partisan divides ahead of the 2026 midterm elections, with each side blaming the other for the crisis. Democrats accuse Republicans of deliberately prolonging the shutdown, while Republicans insist Democrats are obstructing government funding. The shutdown also raises concerns over the $37.5 trillion U.S. debt and the broader stability of federal operations.
