Zohran Mamdani was sworn in as New York City mayor, promising to govern expansively and audaciously with a platform focused on free childcare, rent freezes, and higher taxes on the wealthy, while emphasizing his commitment to progressive policies and challenging expectations for his administration.
On Veterans Day 2025 in Minnesota, most government offices, banks, and libraries will be closed, while malls, stores, and restaurants will generally remain open. Postal services are closed, but UPS and FedEx operate normally. Public transportation runs on a regular schedule, and on-street parking is free in Minneapolis and St. Paul. The Minnesota Department of Veterans Affairs hosts a commemorative event at the Mankato Armory.
Zohran Mamdani's progressive policies, such as free public transit, childcare, and rent freezes, are viewed as normal and achievable in Europe, where such programs are common, but are seen as radical and unrealistic in the US due to its limited welfare state. The article highlights international precedents for these policies and discusses the cultural and political differences influencing their perception.
Dharshini David reports that Chancellor Reeves is preparing for a challenging Budget with significant tax increases likely to address inherited debt and economic issues, though these may impact growth and public services, raising questions about the overall effectiveness of the measures.
Federal workers in the US are struggling to make ends meet 30 days into the government shutdown, relying on side gigs and food programs to cope with delayed paychecks and financial hardship.
During a prolonged government shutdown, the Trump administration has laid off over 4,000 federal employees across seven agencies, affecting services for vulnerable groups such as students with disabilities, homeless individuals, and seniors, with more layoffs expected.
President Trump and his administration are planning to lay off thousands of federal workers across multiple agencies, citing government shutdown-related reasons, which has sparked criticism from unions and concerns over the impact on critical public services like health, safety, and environmental protection.
Pakistani authorities reached a peace deal with a civil rights alliance in Pakistan-administered Kashmir, ending days of violent protests that resulted in at least 10 deaths. The agreement includes continued subsidies for wheat and electricity, and addresses demands for improved public services and reduced government size. The protests have now dispersed, and both sides expressed satisfaction with the outcome, hoping for the full implementation of the promises made.
Minnesota officials warn that a prolonged federal government shutdown could disrupt key services and lead to furloughs of federal workers, especially if it extends beyond a few weeks, with state programs like SNAP and WIC potentially running out of funds and impacting low-income residents.
Protests erupted across Morocco over government priorities, with youth demanding better public services instead of stadiums for the 2030 World Cup. Police fired on protesters in Lqliaa, resulting in two deaths, amid widespread unrest in cities like Rabat, Casablanca, and Marrakesh. The government has detained hundreds, and protests are ongoing, driven by economic grievances and dissatisfaction with public infrastructure.
The U.S. federal government is approaching a partial shutdown, which would lead to employee furloughs and disruptions across various agencies, though some functions like homeland security, Medicare, and FDA operations would continue with limited impact. The shutdown could delay services, halt new initiatives, and affect national parks, FEMA, NIH, and other agencies, with potential economic and public health consequences.
A potential government shutdown could impact various public services, with agencies like FEMA, CDC, NIH, and FDA experiencing furloughs or delays, while essential functions such as homeland security and Medicare would continue, though some areas like air traffic control and flood insurance could face disruptions.
A government shutdown occurs when Congress fails to pass funding bills, leading to closures of national parks, museums, and delays in federal court operations, with essential workers like military and law enforcement continuing to work without pay. The duration depends on political negotiations, primarily over healthcare funding, and can have significant impacts on public services and federal employees.
A potential government shutdown could lead to federal employees working without pay, delays in services like social security and healthcare, disruptions in national parks, and delays in disaster response, with California facing specific impacts on health services, travel, and wildfire management.
Young Moroccans, mainly from Gen Z, protested across multiple cities, criticizing government spending on international sports events like the 2030 FIFA World Cup and neglect of health and education sectors, leading to clashes with police and arrests, amid broader dissatisfaction with regional inequalities and public service decline.