Archive October 1, 2025

After last-ditch attempts by lawmakers to pass a spending bill failed, the US government has partially ceased operations.

After Democrats and Republicans in the US Senate rejected competing stopgap proposals, funding to keep the federal government operating expired on Wednesday at 00:01 EDT (04:01 GMT).

The US government has partially stopped operations more than a dozen times since 1980, but President Donald Trump’s threats to use the funding gap to significantly lessen the size of the public sector have raised the possibility of even greater disruption than during previous shutdowns.

Trump warned reporters at the White House on Tuesday that he might use the shutdown to engage in “bad” behavior for Democrats.

Trump said, “We can do things that are irreversible, bad for them, and irreversible by them, like cutting out large numbers of people’s out, cutting things they like, cutting programs they like,” adding that “a lot of good” can come from government shutdowns.

Due to the shutdown, which is the first time this kind of funding has been lapsed since 2018, some government services that are deemed non-essential will stop, including the publication of important economic data and small business loan approvals.

Essential employees will continue working, but they won’t receive pay for the duration of the shutdown, such as law enforcement officers, military personnel, and air traffic controllers.

Social Security and food assistance will continue to be distributed.

Trump has threatened to fire “a lot of people” despite the fact that hundreds of thousands of federal employees were placed on temporary leave and received back pay when they returned to work despite previous shutdowns.

Trump said, “And they’re Democrats, they’re going to be Democrats.”

The threats were “typical of President Trump’s strong-arm tactics,” according to Richard Painter, the chief ethics lawyer at the White House under former President George W. Bush.

If there is a shutdown, Painter told Al Jazeera, “He is threatening to terminate federal employees.”

He might be able to do some of his threats, but the majority of them are not authorized by Congress, including ejecting federal employees while protecting civilian employees.

Following weeks of debate over how to keep the government open, Democrats and Republicans have come to grips with how to close the government on Wednesday.

Democrats earlier this month objected to a stopgap spending bill that was proposed by Republicans to allow the government to operate for nine more weeks, arguing that the bill should include provisions to expand healthcare coverage, such as changing the Affordable Care Act’s (also known as Obamacare) and repealing the Medicaid cuts that were inserted into Trump’s One Big Beautiful Bill Act.

Republicans have argued that in future bipartisan negotiations, such as those involving healthcare, should be addressed separately.

Senate Republicans voted 55 to 45 in favor of a stopgap bill that would have extended funding until November 21 in an effort to avoid a shutdown on Tuesday, which was unsuccessful.

The bill, which required 60 votes to pass, was supported by two Democrats: John Fetterman of Pennsylvania, Catherine Cortez Masto of Nevada, and Angus King, an independent from Maine.

Republicans in turn rebuffed a Democratic bill that would have increased healthcare spending by more than $1 trillion and extended funding until the end of October.

No Republicans were present, so that vote went wrong, 47-53.

According to Gerald Epstein, co-director of the University of Massachusetts-Amherst’s Political Economy Research Institute (PERI), “I think it is impossible to predict what Trump will do,” he said.

The Dems “won’t cave,” say they? Not for a while, I’m sure of it.

Republicans and Democrats exchanged blame for the impasse following the failed elections.

Democratic Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer remarked, “Republicans are plunging us into a government shutdown rather than fixing our healthcare crisis.”

Republicans allegedly voted to “hurt everyday Americans,” according to Democratic Rep. Hakeem Jeffries.

Republican Senate Majority Leader John Thune hoped that enough Democrats would support his party’s “clean” bill in a follow-up vote on Wednesday.

“All of this was unneeded.” In an interview with Fox News, Thune claimed that all of this was done to please their left-wing political base.

The US government has shut down 15 times since 1980, including the current funding lapse, according to the Bipartisan Policy Center.

A Gaza-bound aid flotilla is currently heading for the area’s high-risk area, where previous missions have experienced attacks and interceptions.

Israeli military “takes control” of the flotilla with naval commandos and warships, according to Israeli media outlet Kan on Wednesday. Kan predicted that Israel won’t tow all 50 ships, and that it will someday sink some.

Israel has the intention to detain hundreds of activists aboard naval ships, question them, and then deport them via Ashdod.

The largest maritime mission to Gaza to date, which sails from Spain on August 31. As part of a global campaign to oppose Israel’s naval blockade and provide aid to Gaza, it brings together more than 50 ships and delegations from at least 44 nations.

The most recent location is displayed on the map below:

Is Israel also permitted to board ships entering foreign waters? No, because of how territorial and international waters operate.

Which waters are under the control of a nation?

Territorial waters, which are 12 nautical miles (22 kilometers) off the coast, are administered by coastal nations. The state, like it does over its land, has complete control over this region.

They also have rights over the water and seafloor in up to 200 nautical miles (370 km) of ocean. The Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) refers to this region. Countries in the EEZ have the ability to regulate activities like fishing, mining, drilling, and other energy projects while still allowing other nations to have freedom of navigation.

Thanks to its overseas territories, France has the largest EEZ, which extends to about 10.7 million square kilometers (4. 2 million square miles). The US, Australia, Russia, and the UK follow it up with them.

International waters: where are they?

The high seas, which extend beyond any nation’s territorial waters and economic zones and are not under the control of one state, are a part of the ocean, and are subject to international agreements for their use.

What are the maritime laws?

The UN Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) from 1982 governs the laws of the high seas. It permits the free movement of aircraft and ships on the high seas in all states.

Additionally, it permits fishing, scientific research, and the construction of islands. It also permits the laying of subsea cables and pipelines. three of which are bound by international laws and regulations.

Ships on the high seas are subject to the flag’s jurisdiction, aside from those engaged in piracy and other prohibited activities.

In international waters, Israel has previously attacked flotillas.

Since 2010, several Freedom Flotilla vessels have attempted to break the Gaza blockade. Israel has reportedly attacked or intercepted all of its vessels, most of which are in international waters without any territorial rights.

The Mavi Marmara was attacked by Israeli commandos in international waters on May 31, 2010, making it the most deadly. The commandos caused dozens of injuries and 10 fatalities to Turkish activists, the majority of whom were Turks, putting a severe strain on Israeli-Turkish relations.

The map below shows the locations where prominent flotillas were frequently stopped, some of which were attacked by Israeli-style rockets.

UN experts stated that Israel must not interfere with the Freedom Flotilla’s right to free passage in international waters, which is long recognized by international law, in 2024 as part of ongoing flotilla missions delivering humanitarian aid to Gaza.

The Sumud Flotilla had been sailing through Palestinian territorial waters, where it has the legal right to navigate and deliver humanitarian aid.

The International Transport Workers’ Federation (ITF), which represents more than 16.5 million transport workers worldwide, states that “the law of the sea is clear: attacking or seizing non-violent, humanitarian vessels in international waters is unlawful and unacceptable.

Such actions threaten lives and undermine fundamental principles that ensure everyone’s safe seas. It’s not just about seafarers; it’s also about everyone’s safety at sea, whether they’re aboard a business ship, a humanitarian vessel, or a fishing boat. States are unable to make their own decisions regarding the application of international law. According to Cotton, “the seas must not be transformed into a theater of war.”

The Freedom Flotilla Coalition claims that a comprehensive set of international legal instruments protects the mission while keeping it legal and safe. Including :

The UNCLOS (UNCLOS) – guarantees freedom of navigation on the high seas
• The San Remo Manual on International Law for Armed Conflicts at Sea prohibits blockades that result in starvation or exaggerated suffering, and forbids the targeting of neutral humanitarian missions.
• UN Security Council Resolutions 2720 and 2728 – These legally binding resolutions demand the elimination of all barriers to aid delivery and unimpeded humanitarian access.
• Includes the prohibition of acts that intentionally put civilians at risk, according to the Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of Genocide.
• Imposes an obligation to permit the flow of humanitarian aid freely and to forbid interfering with relief operations and civilian infrastructure targeting.
• The International Criminal Court’s Rome Statute criminalizes the use of willful obstructing humanitarian aid and the starvation of civilians as a means of war.

In the fields of science and technology, China is introducing a new visa program.

Following a proclamation made last month by the State Council, the cabinet of China, last month, the K visa becomes effective on Wednesday.

In light of Silicon Valley’s heavily relying on the H-1B visa, which is being tightened under the terms of its eligibility, the visa has attracted particular attention.

What purpose does the K visa serve and how does it operate?

In an effort to boost China’s competitiveness in science and technology, the government has placed the visa.

According to Guo Jiakun, a spokesman for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the visa’s goal is to “promote exchanges and cooperation” between Chinese and international scientists, engineers, and math (STEM) talent.

The visa is the most recent reform that has been implemented to improve the appeal of China to foreigners, including improved visa processing and the introduction of a new permanent residency card.

Zhigang Tao, a professor of strategy and economics at Beijing’s Cheung Kong Graduate School of Business, told Al Jazeera: “From the 1980s to the 2010s, China used to lose talent to developed nations like the United States.

“Today, the challenge is to retain both local talent and some international talent.”

According to Chinese officials, the K visa will offer more flexibility than the current options and will be available to graduates of reputable universities and young professionals working in STEM-related fields.

The visa’s main benefit is that it does not need an employer’s sponsorship, unlike previous skilled migrant programs.

However, many important aspects of the visa remain ambiguous, including the length of stay and unspecified requirements for ages, educational backgrounds, and work experience.

Is it likely that foreigners will apply for the K visa?

There has been a strong interest in the visa, according to Edward Hu, director of immigration at Shanghai-based consultancy Newland Chase, with inquiries rising by more than 30% since August.

According to Hu, prospective applicants in India, Southeast Asia, Europe, and the US have shown a particularly strong interest.

According to Hu, who refers to the K visa as a “strategic move” to position China as a top destination for early-career STEM talent, “the K visa fills a gap in China’s talent system by lowering entry barriers to younger STEM talents.

The 2013 introduction of the R visa, which is intended for “high-level and professional” foreigners, is “urgently needed” by the state and requires sponsorship from an “inviting organization.”

China’s effort to increase its talent pool with the K visa has some challenges, though.

China has made efforts to be more welcoming to foreigners, but it is still far less internationalized than the US.

Contrary to the US, China rarely grants foreigners citizenship.

Compared to the roughly one million non-US citizens who are granted green cards annually, permanent residency in China is more affordable.

In contrast to Silicon Valley employment, English-speaking applicants face a language barrier in Chinese workplaces.

In order to compete with US businesses, according to Michael Feller, chief executive of Sydney-based business consultancy Geopolitical Strategy, Chinese companies would need to offer English-language positions and “international-style” work schedules.

According to Feller, who referenced the famously endorsed 72-hour workweek of Alibaba founder Jack Ma, “I can’t imagine many foreign graduates interested in the ‘ 9-9-6 ‘ work-life balance that many Chinese firms are known for.”

What connection does the H-1B have to the K visa?

Trump’s immigration crackdown has been greatly aided by China’s desire to attract talented people, but there is no direct correlation between his efforts to restrict access to the H-1B and the introduction of the K visa.

Beijing’s official visa was unveiled on August 7 just before Trump’s announcement to start charging H-1B applicants a $100, 000 fee, which shocked the tech industry, particularly in India, where about 70% of visa recipients are located.

However, many observers have suggested that China, one of the nations hoping to attract talent, may be the reason for the US’s upward trend.

Feller claimed that the K visa is “unbelievable timing from the perspective of China.”

Beijing’s knowledge that Washington was going to raise the costs for its own H-1B visa category is unlikely, but it undoubtedly gives the K visa more vigor in the global search for talent.

Hu of Newland Chase predicted that the H-1B policy change would “significantly boost” the K visa’s appeal, “posing it as a timely alternative for affected talent.”