Federal government shutdown; Pfizer pricing deal : NPR

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A large part of the federal government is now closed after the Senate has not been able to conclude an agreement on two competing financing bills. The last closure of the government, which lasted 35 days and was the longest in the history of the United States, occurred from December 2018 to January 2019. The Trump administration used government and email websites to accuse the Democrats of causing closure. Some ethical experts say that this could violate the Hatch law, which aims to keep the policy out of the government’s work.

A view of the American Capitol is seen in Sunset on September 30 in Washington, DC legislators face an imminent deadline to reach a bipartite financing agreement, or risks triggering a closure of the federal government.

Mehmet eser / Middle East Images / AFP via Getty

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Mehmet eser / Middle East Images / AFP via Getty

• 🎧 Earlier this year, the Democrats of the Senate helped the Republicans to maintain the funded government, a decision which aroused strong criticismGrisal NPR Claudia tells First. Since then, the limited influence of Democrats in Washington has become obvious while President Trump and the GOP have adopted a massive partisan expenses and tax plan. Now, Democrats are looking for an extension of subsidies to the Act respecting affordable care that will expire this year. Grisale says that the Senate will hold another vote, and with a few democrats crossing the party lines Tuesday evening to vote with the Republicans, the GOP could seek to rely on this.
• 🎧 Many federal workers will not receive their salary during the closureSaid Andrea HSU of NPR. In 2019, the Congress adopted a law obliging that federal employees receive a return salary once the closure is completed. However, the White House threatened to dismiss many federal workers during this closure. Yesterday, two unions representing federal employees filed a complaint, arguing that threats of mass layout of the administration during a closure of the government are an illegal abuse of power of the administration. Unions say threats aim to punish workers and put pressure on the Democrats in Congress.
• ➡️ A new NPR / PBS News / Marist survey indicates that the Republicans would be more blamed that Democrats for a government closure. However, a significant percentage would also blame both parties.
• ➡️ History tells us that during a closure, visitors will probably find closed doors in large cultural institutions Like the Smithsonian museums. Here is what we know according to past closings.

Trump informed his best military commanders yesterday that the American army would be used against what he described as “enemy inside” ,, The reference to democratic cities which, according to him, have high crime rates. During the Rally in Quantico, Virginia, the Secretary of Defense, Pete Hegseth, underlined to the generals that the goal of the department would only be “war fights”. Hegseth spoke of hardening of physical fitness standards for those with combat jobs, saying that he wanted men and women to reach the highest male standard.

• 🎧 A marine officer who was well reported on the creation of physical fitness tests considered that Grown of the highest feature of the highest feature of the highest fee of 15% of women in these combat roles. Hegseth thinks that on the whole, the soldiers were not hard enough and want the drilling sergeants to be more difficult for recruits, said Tom Bowman of NPR. The president said that he had informed Hegseth that he should use dangerous cities as army training ground.

The president announced yesterday that an agreement had been concluded with Pfizer To sell your drugs directly to consumers at reduced prices. Medicines will be available via a federal website operated by the government. Trump said similar agreements with other drug manufacturers were in preparation.

Life advice

An interracial couple unpacks grocery products. The white man of the couple said to his South Asian partner: “Do you want your mom to stay with us for how long?”

Anika Orrock

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Anika Orrock

To build a strong and lasting interracial relationship, it is important to openly discuss the racial differences of others. With love and intention, interracial couples can flourish, but the journey should start with curiosity, explains Nina Sharma, author of The way you make me feel: love in black and brown. This means having an open communication on the cultures of the other, both by sharing experiences and asking questions. Here are some essential conversations to help manage some of the most difficult parts to be in an interracial relationship.

• 💞 Try to discuss your differences at the start of the relationship; If you don’t, they could become a conflict later. Certain discussion points could include: teach them your language and ask you if your partner has ever felt another by their skin color.
• 💞 Talk about how you plan to mix and co-create with your partner so as to help you feel understood and respected. This may include playing both Puerto Rican and Indian music during family gatherings.
• 💞 When cultural or spiritual practices differ, approach negotiations with curiosity. Ask questions to show understanding and work together to find solutions without anyone feeling to abandon their culture.

For more advice on how to maintain a healthy interracial relationship, Listen to this NPR episode Rescue kit. Subscribe to THE Rescue kit bulletin For advice from experts on love, money, relationships and more.

Images

A very large cake with a cake picnic in Santa Monica.

Makenna Sievertson / Laist

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Makenna Sievertson / Laist

Cake Picnic is an all -round tour festival. He finished several judgments, including Los Angeles, San Francisco, New York and London, with plans for many other stops in the future. The idea triggered the passionate bolts Elisa Sunga about a year ago when she started a little gathering to bring together friends and dessert lovers to eat as many cakes as possible. For the first picnic event, she hoped that at least 15 people would attend, but she quickly obtained much more than what she expected. Hundreds of RSVPs flooded after a publication on this subject on Instagram. The event has a rule: no cake, no entry. But you do not need a sweet treat to see the last closed window event held in Santa Monica. Get a little cake With these photos. (via leais)

3 things to know before leaving

Chunk, 32, is the chubby champion of the Fat Bear week 2025. His broken jaw did not stop her from feasting on red salmon and winning hundreds of books this summer.

Christine LOBERG / National Park Service

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Christine LOBERG / National Park Service

1. Chunk, a bear weighing more than 1,200 pounds, was crowned the Fat Bear Week 2025 champion. His broken jaw but healed did not stop him from enjoying and winning hundreds of books this summer. (via Alaska public radio)
2. It’s time to check your refrigerator. Public health authorities urge people to throw some meals of pre -sold pasta sold at Trader Joe’s and Walmart due to potential Listeria contamination.
3. The co-founder of Spotify, Daniel Ek, announced that he would resign as director general of the streaming giant in January. He will always be with the company, going towards a new role.

This newsletter was edited by Yvonne Dennis.