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The federal government shut down at midnight after Congress failed to approve a short-term funding bill, triggering the furlough of an estimated 750,000 federal employees each day and disrupting operations across multiple agencies.
Republicans had proposed a stopgap funding bill to maintain government funding mostly at 2025 levels through Nov. 21, while Democrats sought to reverse Medicaid cuts and extend Affordable Care Act tax credits set to expire this year. The Senate failed yesterday to pass either of the two competing measures. As a result, essential workers, including military personnel and TSA agents, will continue to work without pay, while nonessential offices such as the Labor Department and national parks are closed or operating at limited capacity. Separately funded programs such as Social Security and the Postal Service continue unaffected or with minor administrative disruptions. See a breakdown of federal spending here.
This marks the 15th shutdown since 1980, with the last major one lasting 35 days in 2018-19. Senators are scheduled to return Friday to keep voting on proposals to reopen the government. |
Pharmaceutical giant Pfizer committed yesterday to lowering US drug prices and investing $70B in domestic manufacturing. Several of its medications will be sold at an average 50% discount on a forthcoming federal website, dubbed TrumpRX.
The announcements follow the Trump administration’s Sept. 29 deadline for drugmakers to peg US prices to the lowest price across developed countries. In a May executive order, President Donald Trump accused drugmakers of leveraging US research funds and then upcharging Americans to subsidize lower prices abroad. US drug prices in 2022 were nearly three times higher than those in peer nations, according to a 2024 report. Pfizer’s $70B pledge also exempts it from 100% tariffs on branded drugs, which took effect today for companies not building US facilities.
Trump said his administration is negotiating deals similar to Pfizer's with other drugmakers and threatened action against those that fail to lower domestic prices. Some industry experts caution that Trump's approach could stifle innovation and raise prices globally. |
Nepal has selected its latest Kumari—a living child goddess revered by Hindus and Buddhists. For years, the girl—2-year-old Aryatara Shakya—will reside in a temple palace, rarely leaving except for festivals, during which devotees bring gifts and worship her.
The Kumari tradition dates back to the Malla Dynasty in the 17th century, when a rift between the goddess Taleju Bhawani and King Jayaprakash Malla is said to have spurred the goddess to be reincarnated in a series of young girls. Today, Buddhist families of the Shakya clan can bring their daughters to senior Buddhist priests and the royal astrologer for consideration. After undergoing tests (reportedly including whether the girl is afraid of the dark), one Kumari is selected. She spends almost all of her time in the temple with limited social interaction. Once the Kumari goes through puberty, another girl is selected.
Some Kumari face physical and social difficulties upon their reintegration into society as mortals. See a documentary about the tradition here. |
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