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Friday, October 3, 2025

US GOVERNMENT SHUTDOWN

 

https://bbc.com/news/articles/crrj1znp0pyo

Anthony ZurcherNorth America correspondent and
James FitzGerald  
Watch: What could happen during the US government shutdown?

The US federal government has shut down after Republican and Democratic politicians failed to resolve a budget dispute.

It means that some, but not all, US government services are temporarily suspended, and 40% of the federal workforce – about 750,000 people – are expected to be put on unpaid leave.

Although budget confrontations are common in US politics, this spending fight is especially tense because President Donald Trump has drastically reduced the size of the national government since taking office, and has suggested he may use the current impasse to make further cuts.

Why has the US government shut down?

The shutdown happened because Republicans and Democrats could not agree to pass a bill funding government services into October and beyond.

Under the US system, the different branches of government have to reach an agreement on spending plans before they can become law.

The Republicans currently control both chambers of Congress. But in the Senate - or upper chamber - they are short of the 60 votes needed to pass the spending bill, which gives opposition Democrats some negotiating power.

They want to see an extension of expiring tax credits which make health insurance cheaper for millions of Americans, and for a reversal of Trump's cuts to Medicaid, a government healthcare programme used by millions of elderly, disabled and low-income people.

Democrats also oppose spending cuts to government health agencies.

A stopgap bill designed to avoid the shutdown was passed in the House, or lower chamber, but did not clear the Senate.

And so, at 00:01 EDT on Wednesday 1 October (04:01 GMT), it became official: the US had its first shutdown for nearly seven years.

Which government services will stop, and which will carry on?

Not all aspects of government will shut down - services deemed essential will continue as normal, although in many cases staff will not be paid for the duration of the shutdown.

Border protection and law enforcement staff, Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents, in-hospital medical care and air-traffic control workers are expected to operate as usual.

Social security and Medicare cheques will still be sent out, although benefit verification and card issuance work may stop.

Government employees deemed non-essential will be temporarily put on unpaid leave. Contractors who work for federal agencies but are not directly employed by the government will miss out on work, too.

Services like the food assistance programme and federally-funded pre-school and institutions like the Smithsonian museums will likely be reduced or closed.

Several agencies, like the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the National Institutes of Health (NIH) are also expected to furlough many workers, affecting ongoing research projects.

National parks and forests remained open during the last shutdown in 2018, but with few or no staff, which experts said led to a rise in vandalism, littering and looting of historical sites.

There could also be travel delays. The Airlines for America trade body warned that flight systems might "need to slow down, reducing efficiency". Passport agencies have also warned that it could take longer than usual to process travel documents.

Mail will still be delivered and post offices will remain open because the US Postal Service does not depend on Congress for funding.

Most American schools are state-funded, but the federal government is responsible for billions of dollars in grants and student loans, which could effectively come to a halt.

However, because the grants are typically awarded during the summer, they will be largely unaffected during this shutdown, according to the education secretary.

Members of Congress will also still be paid, a convention that has been criticised by some politicians.

How has the White House responded to the shutdown?

In the past, lengthy government shutdowns were usually seen as politically dangerous, hampering voters' everyday lives and the reputation of lawmakers and the president.

After previous shutdowns were resolved, government operations mostly returned to normal, with staff and spending levels largely going back to what they had been before.

However this time, the White House appears more than happy to shutter large parts of the US government for an extended period.

Over the past nine months the Trump administration has slashed government spending and sacked many federal workers, testing the boundaries of presidential power.

Officials have threatened to use the shutdown to identify more "non-essential" workers who could be permanently let go.

"We'll be laying off a lot of people," Trump said on Tuesday 30 September, the day before the shutdown began.

While both Democrats and Republicans are blaming each other for the current standoff, they did make last-ditch efforts to try to avoid it.

On Monday 29 September, Trump met all four congressional leaders - the top Democrats in the House and Senate as well as their Republican counterparts, but little progress was made, and both sides appeared to dig deeper into their positions.

How long will the current shutdown last?

It is difficult to say. In this case, it really depends when - or if - either of the parties will agree to a compromise.

The Republicans could negotiate an extension to the healthcare subsidies demanded by the Democrats.

Alternatively the shutdown could become so disruptive that the Democrats decide to back down and agree to fund the government - at least temporarily - to get things up and running again.

So far, the Trump administration has been been unwilling to offer substantive concessions. It believes the Democrats will bear the brunt of the public's blame because it argues the party's demands caused the shutdown.

Meanwhile the Democrats believe their efforts to secure cheaper healthcare are popular.

The party's congressional leaders provoked the ire of some left-wing activists for backing down during the last budget dispute in March.

Many Democrats seem to be itching for a bigger fight this time around – and funding the government is one of the only places where the party has some leverage.

How could the shutdown affect the economy?

The scale of the damage will depend in part on how long the shutdown lasts - and how wide ranging it is.

Analysts estimate it could shave roughly 0.1 to 0.2 percentage points off economic growth for each week that it continues - although much of that could be recouped, as has happened after previous shutdowns.

That relatively muted impact may be why the stock market seems to be shrugging off this latest threat.

But if Trump ends up firing workers, rather than temporarily putting them on furlough, the impact could be more substantial.

The US economy has already been hit by the effects of Trump's tariffs, with the likely delay of key data - such as the official US monthly jobs report - expected to add to the uncertainty.

What happened during the last US government shutdown?

Shutdowns over budgets are a unique aspect of US politics.

They have become quite common over the past 50 years - with three taking place during Trump's first presidential term.

The last shutdown in late 2018 lasted 35 days - the longest in history.

It was brought about by disagreements over funding a wall on the Mexico border. It finally ended in part because air traffic controllers, who had been working for a month without pay, started calling in sick en masse.

Flights were cancelled or delayed because of the lack of staff, and the shutdown came to an end shortly afterwards.

The Congressional Budget Office (CBO) estimated that the 2018-2019 shutdown reduced economic output by about $11bn, including $3bn that it never regained.

But shutdowns pre-date Trump.

The second longest to date was 21 days, under Democrat President Bill Clinton in 1995. His fellow Democrat Barack Obama had a 16-day shutdown during his time in the White House, and Republican Ronald Reagan oversaw eight shutdowns during his presidency in the 1980s - though all were relatively brief.


Saturday, September 27, 2025

JKR on guard against landslides

 

Taking precautions Workers busy repairing the slope at Taman Eko Rimba, Jalan Ampang, Kuala Lumpur, to prevent any untoward incidents during the upcoming northeast monsoon. — ART CHEN/ The Star

Early warning systems, monitoring best defence for risky slopes, say department

PETALING JAYA: With more than 1,000 slopes nationwide flagged as high-risk ahead of the northeast monsoon, the Public Works Department (JKR) says round-the-clock monitoring and early-warning systems remain the country’s best defence against sudden collapses.

JKR director-general Datuk Roslan Ismail said although the prediction of the exact time and location of a slope collapse is still very difficult, the ministry monitors precursors at all times to ensure minimal damage.

He said that, despite advanced technologies, it is still not easy to solve all of Mother Nature’s failings.  

ALSO READ: Avoid outdoor activities, public urged

The best the authorities can do is to treat the symptoms – the precursors such as rain and soil movement.

Roslan was responding to the recent announcement by Works Minister Datuk Seri Alexander Nanta Linggi that there are slopes nationwide that are classified as high-risk and on the verge of collapsing at any time.

He said that there are 1,066 high-risk slopes in Peninsular Malaysia, seven in Sabah, one in Sarawak, and 13 in Labuan.

ALSO READ: High anxiety and higher insurance costs living near hillslopes

“In Peninsular Malaysia, numerous very high-risk slopes that have been previously identified are situated along federal roads. A notable cluster of these high-risk sites has been observed on the East-West Highway.

“Current systems do not ‘precisely predict’ every collapse (of soil). 

“What the system does is detect precursors (excessive rainfall, ground movement and pore pressure rises) and issue early-warning alerts when thresholds are exceeded. 

“Research and JKR practices show early-warning systems and real-time monitoring reduce surprise failures and allow protective action.

ALSO READ: Monsoon transition brings storm risks

“Through the Slope Engineering Branch of JKR, we are equipped to address potential disasters by identifying slopes that may be unstable. The Slope Hazard and Risk Map (SHaRp) works in tandem with the Landslide Early Warning System (EWS) to achieve this.

“This Early Warning System uses telemetry technology to provide early alerts when the rainfall index measured by installed rain gauges exceeds the warning threshold. There are 73 rain gauge stations installed across Malaysia,” said Roslan. 

Other sensors and thresholds used are the robotic total stations (RTS) and Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) at selected critical slopes to detect movement and rainfall thresholds that trigger alerts.

 “These sensors provide data on thresholds, such as rainfall amounts and displacement, to the monitoring room. When these thresholds are met, BiGBen will issue warnings, and roads can then be closed,” explained Roslan.

But he said that JKR does not just wait for these thresholds to be reached. 

“When a slope becomes imminently dangerous, operational measures such as pre-identified alternative routes, staged road closures, traffic diversions and coordination with emergency services will be activated immediately. 

“If landslides or slope failures occur, clearing the road and removing debris (landslide remnants), implementing traffic management plans, providing temporary diversion and alternative routes, and protecting the collapsed slope with plastic tarpaulin sheets to prevent further landslides before permanent slope repair or restoration work is carried out,” said Roslan. 

He said that, while slope failures are costly, the Works Ministry prioritises funding for repairs and prevention.

Roslan said that the ministry has also identified smaller sets for urgent repair for remedial work, which are specific projects with allocated budgets.

Despite the challenges in accurately predicting slope failures, Roslan emphasised that prevention remains a more cost-effective and safer approach.

“International and local studies show landslides produce large human and economic costs. 

“Malaysia has experienced costly landslide events, with academic research highlighting the cumulative impact of these incidents over several decades.

“Investing in monitoring, preventive maintenance, and remediation reduces fatalities, disruptions and long-term economic losses compared with post-disaster repairs and emergency response.

“Prevention is certainly better than allowing slope failures to occur, as large-scale landslides may result in much higher repair costs compared to early-stage mitigation costs. However, the government is subject to budget approvals and has a high backlog of repair works that must be prioritised.

“Preventive maintenance and early works budgets (and improved monitoring coverage) reduce the need for larger emergency expenditures and the indirect economic costs from road closures and disrupted supply chains,” said Roslan  - 

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Foreign media ‘stunned, surprised’ by aircraft carrier Fujian’s electromagnetic catapult-assisted aircraft launches


 China's first electromagnetic catapult-equipped aircraft carrier, the Fujian, has achieved a breakthrough by hosting the first catapult-assisted takeoff and arrested landing training for the J-15T heavy fighter jet, the J-35 stealth fighter jet, and the KJ-600 early warning aircraft, the Chinese People's Liberation Ar the links into your  my (PLA) Navy announced on September 22, 2025. Photo: China Military Bugle


China's first electromagnetic catapult-equipped aircraft carrier, the Fujian, has achieved a breakthrough by hosting the first catapult-assisted takeoff and arrested landing training for the J-15T heavy fighter jet, the J-35 stealth fighter jet, and the KJ-600 early warning aircraft, the Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) Navy announced on September 22, 2025. Photo: China Military Bugle


The latest breakthrough made by China's aircraft carrier Fujian has attracted wide attention from foreign media outlets, with one of them saying the move was "a stunning leap forward" of China's aircraft carrier capability, while another called the sudden release a surprise. This comes after the Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) Navy on Monday announced that the J-35 stealth fighter jet, J-15T heavy fighter jet and KJ-600 early warning aircraft had completed catapult-assisted takeoff and arrested landing training on China's third aircraft carrier, the electromagnetic catapult-equipped Fujian.


Chinese experts said the new carrier, expected to enter service soon, will elevate the PLA Navy's capability to new heights.


The only other aircraft carrier in the world that has the EMALS (electromagnetic aircraft launch system) is the US Navy's newest carrier, the USS Gerald R Ford, which was certified for flight deck operations using the EMALS system in the spring of 2022, CNN noted in its report on the Fujian's technological breakthrough on Tuesday.


The EMALS system allows carrier aircraft to take off with heavier weapon and fuel loads than those operating off China's two older carriers, the Shandong and Liaoning, which feature ski-jump-type take-off ramps, enabling Fujian's aircraft to strike enemy targets from greater distances, CNN said. The report also quoted analysts as saying that the Fujian's ability to launch larger warplanes carrying higher munitions loads to farther distances will give the carrier a greater combat range than its predecessors in the Chinese fleet, providing the PLA Navy with blue-water capabilities.


Furthermore, The War Zone, a US-based defense specialist outlet, noted that not even the US Navy's USS Gerald R. Ford has ever launched a stealth fighter jet like the Fujian has done with the J-35. "[The Ford] has not launched an F-35C so far, making the J-35 the first stealth jet to achieve this feat. Based on earlier predictions, the F-35C may not do the same for some years," The War Zone wrote in a Monday article titled "China's Aircraft Carrier Capability Just Made A Stunning Leap Forward".


Naval News said on Tuesday that the "sudden release" by the Chinese military has taken the wider online commentariat somewhat by surprise. It noted that while the announcement was made on Monday, the flight operation-footage likely dates to earlier in 2025. Circumstantial evidence supporting this notion is again the particular condition of the ship at the time.


USNI News, the news website of the US Naval Institute, on Monday quoted analyst Ben Lewis as saying that the Fujian's test was a "significant milestone" for the Chinese military's carrier program.


"While it appears likely that the tests were done earlier this year, the choice to release the footage during Fujian's ninth sea trials suggests that Fujian will likely be ready for commissioning in the near future," Lewis said.


Chinese military affairs expert Zhang Junshe told the Global Times that with the Fujian's latest breakthrough, China is becoming a major aircraft carrier power, with both the carrier and its aircraft achieving world-class in key metrics.


This not only showed that the PLA has fully mastered and matured the application of complex electromagnetic catapults, but also reflected the continuous improvement in the capability and proficiency of naval personnel in operating high-tech equipment, Zhang Junshe said.


With the boost from electromagnetic catapults, the Fujian carrier formation can greatly expand its combat radius to cover as far as the second island chain in the Western Pacific, Zhang Junshe noted.


In response to a media request for comments on analyses claiming that the future commissioning of the aircraft carrier Fujian, the strike range of which will cover the second island chain, will surely change the strategic landscape in the Western Pacific region, and that some US analyses claimed that the Fujian will threaten US military deployment in the first island chain, Chinese Defense Ministry Spokesperson Zhang Xiaogang said at a regular press conference on Thursday that China always adheres to a defensive national defense policy.


The development of China's weapons and equipment is solely for safeguarding national sovereignty, security, and development interests. China will always be a force for peace, stability, and progress in the world, the spokesperson said.


Thursday marks the 13th anniversary of the commissioning of China's first aircraft carrier, the Liaoning, with September 25, 2012 becoming the start of an era when the PLA Navy started aircraft carrier operations.


Zhang Junshe, the expert, further noted that the experience and exploration gained from the Liaoning have provided significant reference and assistance for the operation, training, and deployment of subsequent aircraft carriers, leading to a substantial enhancement of China's integrated combat capabilities for aircraft carriers.


From having no aircraft carrier to commissioning its first one in 2012 to now entering an era with three, China's naval capabilities have advanced rapidly.


"The PLA Navy will also have greater confidence in safeguarding maritime rights and interests and carrying out missions on the far seas," said Han Wei, a professor at the PLA's Naval Aviation University, the Xinhua News Agency reported.


The electromagnetic catapult-assisted takeoff and arrested landing training on the Fujian will powerfully drive a generational leap in the integrated combat capabilities of the aircraft carrier formation, providing crucial support for conducting far seas combat missions and accelerating the navy's strategic transition from near seas defense to far seas defense, Han said.


Looking into the future, Zhang Junshe said in an interview with the military channel of China Central Television (CCTV) that China's aircraft carrier program still has significant room for development. 


According to Zhang Junshe, future carriers will transition to utilizing catapult-assisted takeoff in terms of launch systems, while regarding propulsion, the direction is toward developing nuclear-powered carriers, CCTV reported.


Enhancing the PLA Navy's combat capabilities essentially translates to an increase in strength for safeguarding world peace, contributing to better defending the country, fulfilling international responsibilities and obligations, and maintaining global peace and stability, Zhang Junshe said.


When asked to confirm foreign media reports claiming that China's fourth aircraft carrier, also the first nuclear-powered one, is under construction at Dalian Shipyard, Chinese Defense Ministry spokesperson Zhang Xiaogang told the Global Times at a regular press conference on Thursday that he was not aware of the specific situation. He emphasized that China's aircraft carrier development is always conducted in accordance with national security needs and the progress of equipment technology. - Liu Xuanzun

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Friday, September 26, 2025

All routes lead to China

 

After a US$1 trillion investment, the e has evolved into a global infrastructure and economic strategy involving more than 150 countries.



Two months ago, China inaugurated a new train service that adopts a sea-road-rail intermodal approach, reducing the transit time to about 18 days for about 4,300km – more than a 50% increase in efficiency – and notably avoids passing through the Strait of Malacca.

Its full name, the “Zheng He” Sea-road-rail International Multimodal Transport Service, departs from Kunming, carrying 26 containers of Yunnan specialities, including vegetables, fertilisers and animal feed. It then traverses the China-laos Railway to Vientiane, Laos, and then divides into three routes to complete the transportation.

Route one transfers to the Thai railway network to reach Changwat Saraburi in Thailand, route two connects to road transport to Laem Chabang Port in Thailand, followed by sea freight to Singapore.

And route three connects to road transport to Ranong Port in Thailand, then by sea to Yangon Port in Myanmar, and thence by sea to Chittagong Port in Bangladesh.

Named after the renowned navigator Zheng He, a favourite son of Kunming, this amazing feat of engineering has opened up goods from the mainland and Yunnan specifically to new markets, saving costs and resources.

One of these new markets could potentially be Malaysia.

With China being Asean’s largest trading partner, Malaysia’s geographical position makes it a crucial node for the Maritime Silk Road, with its ports and infrastructure playing a pivotal role in regional connectivity and trade.

A key BRI initiative is the East Coast Rail Link (ECRL), a massive infrastructure project connecting the east and west coasts of the peninsula with 20 stations along its route.

Construction work for the 665km railway project has reached 86% completion as of July, despite several hiccups and challenges throughout its development and implementation phases. It is expected to be completed by the end of 2026.

Aimed at improving connectivity and stimulating economic development, the project traversing Kelantan, Terengganu, Pahang and Selangor is set to be an economic game changer, especially in boosting Malaysia’s transportation network.

Travel time between Kota Baru and the Klang Valley is anticipated to be around four hours, compared to seven hours or more by road during festive seasons.

In March, Investment, Trade and Industry Minister Tengku Datuk Seri Zafrul Abdul Aziz said the ECRL will serve as a catalyst for socioeconomic growth and is expected to increase the country’s GDP by 3.78% by 2047. - 

In April, the Malaysian Investment Development Authority said the ECRL is anticipated to generate RM1.4 trillion for Malaysia’s economy by 2047 with a focus on industrial parks, logistics hubs and transit-oriented developments.

The numbers quoted are impressive, but for the ECRL to truly be effective, there must be a further rail connection with the Thai rail network.

There has been talk of extending the ECRL from Kota Baru to the Sungai Golok border in Thailand to create a seamless connection. This in turn can ensure a transfer of goods from Yunnan and vice versa.

While talks are ongoing between the Thai and Malaysian governments, there are obstacles in the way. Flood risks in the low lying Rantau Panjang stretch is a worry, as is track compatibility because the ECRL uses a standard gauge (1.435m wide), while the State Railway of Thailand uses a 1m gauge.

Technical issues aside, there is political consensus to see the connection happen and it would stimulate trade between the two countries.

As the BRI evolves, it is prompting discussion and debate as to its optimal scale, design, benefits and impact. What cannot be denied is that this initiative continues to be a significant geopolitical force, with its influence on regional and global development being recognised worldwide.

This is no longer a speculative blueprint; it is the largest modern infrastructure initiative in human history. - by ),Brian Martin,