United News of Bangladesh

Approval of President Donald Trump’s management of the federal government has fallen sharply since early in his second term, with much of the decline coming from Republicans and independents, according to a new AP-NORC poll. The survey, conducted after Democrats’ recent off-year election victories but before Congress took steps to end the longest government shutdown in U.S. history, found that only 33% of U.S. adults approve of Trump’s management, down from 43% in March. Among Republicans, approval dropped from 81% to 68%, while independents’ support fell from 38% to 25%. The poll highlights growing dissatisfaction amid the shutdown, which left federal workers unpaid, disrupted air travel, and temporarily halted some food aid. Trump and his administration largely blamed Democrats, though many Americans assigned at least partial responsibility to both parties. Despite the decline in approval on government management, Trump’s overall presidential approval remained steady at 36%, similar to 37% in October. Ratings on key issues such as immigration and the economy also showed little change. Health care approval stayed low at 34%, up slightly from 31% the previous month. Several Republicans voiced concern over Trump’s handling of the shutdown. Beverly Lucas, a 78-year-old retired educator from Florida, criticized the president for hosting a Mar-a-Lago Halloween party amid the crisis, calling it “callous” and likening his leadership to “a petulant child in the White House.” Meanwhile, Democrats remain overwhelmingly disapproving, with 95% saying they disapprove of Trump’s government management, up from 89% in March. Some supporters continue to back the president. Susan McDuffie, a 74-year-old Republican from Nevada, expressed confidence in Trump, blaming Democrats for the shutdown and related hardships, including SNAP benefit disruptions. Many Americans, including moderates, said both parties share blame. Nora Bailey, 33, from Arkansas, said the federal government had not done enough to tackle inefficiency and expressed frustration over delays in services affecting herself and her disabled parents. The poll suggests that while Trump’s overall approval remains stable, the public’s disapproval of his management of government operations has grown, reflecting broader concerns about the shutdown and administrative decisions.

Newly released emails from Jeffrey Epstein suggest former U.S. President Donald Trump “knew about the girls,” but the White House on Wednesday dismissed the disclosures as a “Democratic smear campaign.” Democrats on the House Oversight Committee released three emails referencing Trump, including one from 2011 in which Epstein told Ghislaine Maxwell that Trump had “spent hours” at his home with a sex trafficking victim. Republicans said Democrats were “selectively leaking” to tarnish Trump ahead of political negotiations. The emails are part of more than 23,000 documents turned over by Epstein’s estate. What Trump allegedly “knew” remains unclear. Epstein, who died by suicide in 2019 while awaiting federal sex trafficking charges, wrote to journalist Michael Wolff that “of course [Trump] knew about the girls as he asked Ghislaine to stop.” Another 2011 message noted Trump’s silence about the financier’s activities, calling him “the dog that hasn’t barked.” The White House said the victim referenced in the emails was Virginia Giuffre, who had accused Epstein and others of abuse but publicly stated Trump was never involved in any misconduct and had been “friendly” toward her when she worked at his Mar-a-Lago club. White House spokeswoman Karoline Leavitt said Trump had banned Epstein from Mar-a-Lago years ago “for being a creep to female employees.” Ghislaine Maxwell, now serving a 20-year sentence for sex trafficking, told the Justice Department in July that she had never seen Trump act inappropriately, saying, “The President was a gentleman in all respects.” Republicans later released 20,000 additional pages from Epstein’s estate, accusing Democrats of trying to distract from domestic political issues as Trump prepares for the 2026 campaign season.

South African President Cyril Ramaphosa criticized U.S. President Donald Trump’s decision to boycott the upcoming G20 summit in Johannesburg, calling it “their loss.” Ramaphosa said Wednesday that Washington’s absence would not affect the summit’s success and urged the U.S. to reconsider the effectiveness of “boycott politics.” “It is unfortunate that the United States decided not to attend the G20,” Ramaphosa told reporters in Cape Town. “The meeting will go on, and important decisions will be made. Their absence is their loss.” Trump announced last week that no U.S. officials would attend the Nov. 22–23 summit, citing his disputed claims that white South Africans face violent persecution and illegal land seizures. The G20 gathering — the first ever hosted in Africa — will bring together leaders from the world’s largest economies, including China, Russia, India, Japan, and the European Union. The U.S. is set to assume the group’s rotating presidency at the end of the year. Ramaphosa said the boycott undermines America’s role as “the world’s largest economy” and a key player in global decision-making. Trump had previously clashed with Ramaphosa over the same allegations during a White House meeting in May, where the South African leader had encouraged him to attend the summit. Relations between Washington and Pretoria have deteriorated in recent months over South Africa’s criticism of Israel and its genocide case against the country at the U.N.’s top court. U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio had earlier skipped a G20 foreign ministers’ meeting in South Africa, describing Pretoria’s policies as “anti-American.”

The longest government shutdown in U.S. history could end Wednesday, Day 43, leaving few winners and widespread frustration. Democrats failed to secure health insurance provisions they sought in the spending deal, while Republicans, who control Congress, faced criticism in polls and recent state and local elections. The shutdown disrupted millions of Americans, including federal workers who went without pay and airline passengers whose trips were delayed or canceled. Interruptions in nutrition assistance programs contributed to long lines at food banks, intensifying stress as the holiday season approaches. The tentative agreement funds key areas through bipartisan Senate Appropriations bills, including food aid, veterans programs, and the legislative branch. Other funding is extended until the end of January, giving lawmakers more than two months to finalize additional spending bills. The standoff began over a Democratic demand to extend an enhanced tax credit that lowers Affordable Care Act premiums. The credit, initially boosted during the COVID-19 pandemic and later in President Joe Biden’s energy and health care bill, is set to expire at the end of December. Without it, premiums could more than double for millions, and more than 2 million people could lose coverage, the Congressional Budget Office projects. Democratic leaders sought negotiations on the tax credit, but Republicans insisted that a funding bill be passed first. Senate Majority Leader John Thune, R-S.D., promised a December vote on the extension, though many Democrats demanded a guaranteed solution. The shutdown also exposed broader political tensions. Democratic leaders faced internal pressure as progressives pushed for stronger opposition to the Republican agenda. Republicans accused Senate Democrats of catering to the party’s left wing, while both parties held nearly daily press briefings to shape public perception. Roughly six in 10 Americans place significant responsibility on former President Donald Trump and Congressional Republicans, while 54% blame Democrats, according to an AP-NORC poll. At least three-quarters assign both parties some responsibility. The Congressional Budget Office estimates the shutdown will result in a permanent $11 billion economic loss, though much of the temporary disruption will be recovered once operations resume. Beyond numbers, the shutdown caused significant financial and emotional strain for federal workers, disrupted travel, and suspended benefits for people relying on programs such as SNAP. “This dysfunction is damaging enough to our constituents and economy, but it also sends a dangerous message to the world,” said Sen. Jerry Moran, R-Kan. “It shows our allies we are unreliable and signals to adversaries that we cannot meet even the most basic responsibilities of Congress.”

The United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) will vote on Tuesday to elect their next president and vice president in Baltimore, a decision that could signal the group’s priorities and approach to key social issues, including immigration. The USCCB has often diverged from the policies of Pope Francis, and his successor, Pope Leo XIV, continues to emphasize pastoral care for marginalized communities, poverty reduction, and environmental concerns. Half of the 10 candidates on the ballot come from the conservative wing of the conference, reflecting a split more in style than substance, as most U.S. bishops hold conservative views on social issues but vary in their focus on abortion and LGBTQ+ rights. “The slate of 10 candidates perfectly reflects the dynamics of the American hierarchy in that it’s split down the middle,” said David Gibson, director of Fordham University’s Center on Religion and Culture. No clear front-runner has emerged. The winner will succeed Military Services Archbishop Timothy Broglio for a three-year term, while current vice president Archbishop William Lori of Baltimore is ineligible due to age. Among conservatives, Oklahoma City Archbishop Paul Coakley is considered a strong contender, having served as secretary of the conference and advising the conservative Napa Institute. Other notable candidates include Bishop Robert Barron of Minnesota, known for his media ministry Word on Fire, and Bishop Kevin Rhoades of Indiana, both members of President Donald Trump’s Religious Liberty Commission. Meanwhile, Archbishop Charles Thompson of Indianapolis and Bishop Daniel Flores of Brownsville, Texas, are seen as potential unifiers who could strengthen relations with the Vatican. Latino leaders Flores and Archbishop Nelson Perez of Philadelphia represent a growing segment of the U.S. Catholic Church. Flores, who has overseen the Vatican’s synod process in the U.S., combines traditional stances on sexual ethics with outspoken advocacy for migrants. Immigration is expected to be a key topic during the meeting. While U.S. bishops are often divided, they largely support migrants, including those affected by the Trump administration’s strict policies. Fear of enforcement has reduced Mass attendance and complicated sacramental services for detained immigrants. The USCCB also ended its refugee resettlement program after federal funding was halted. Pope Leo recently urged “deep reflection” in the U.S. on the treatment of migrants in detention, noting that many long-term residents have been severely affected by current policies.  

The US Senate on Sunday took the first step toward ending the nation’s longest-ever government shutdown by advancing a stopgap funding bill. In a procedural vote, eight Democrats broke ranks to support the Republican-backed measure, which would keep the government operating until January 30. The bill also provides funding for certain government functions, including food aid and the legislative branch, for the next year. However, the plan does not guarantee an extension of expiring healthcare subsidies under the Affordable Care Act (ACA). Centrist Democrats and Republicans agreed to hold a separate vote on the issue in December, a key priority for Democrats during the shutdown debate. Al Jazeera correspondent Mike Hanna in Washington, DC, reported that the procedural “cloture” vote passed 60-40. “This vote allows the Senate to continue debate and begin introducing and passing legislation to end the shutdown,” Hanna said. “Once cloture is invoked, subsequent votes require only a simple majority, giving Republicans a clear path to pass the bill and reopen the government.” Although the Senate has now moved forward, the measure must still be approved by the House of Representatives and signed by President Donald Trump, a process that could take several days.   With inputs from AL Zazeera

More than 2,500 flights were canceled across the United States over the weekend as the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) continued to limit air traffic due to the ongoing government shutdown, officials said Saturday. The slowdown affected some of the nation’s busiest airports but did not immediately cause widespread travel chaos. However, experts warn the disruption could escalate, particularly with the Thanksgiving travel period approaching. Concerns are mounting over its impact on tourism and holiday shipping. Flight cancellations surged Saturday, traditionally a slower travel day, with over 1,500 flights called off, following more than 1,000 cancellations on Friday, according to FlightAware. By Saturday evening, U.S. airlines had already canceled another 1,000-plus flights scheduled for Sunday. Major disruptions were reported at airports in Atlanta, Chicago, Charlotte, and Newark, with ongoing staffing shortages at radar centers and control towers contributing to delays. The FAA’s reductions, initially affecting 4% of flights at 40 key airports, are set to increase to 10% by Friday. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy cautioned that further cuts could be necessary if the shutdown persists and more air traffic controllers remain off duty. Controllers, many working without pay for nearly a month, have faced mandatory overtime and some are taking second jobs to make ends meet, according to the National Air Traffic Controllers Association. On Saturday, the union delivered 1,600 handwritten letters from members to Congress urging an end to the shutdown. Passengers have faced uncertainty, though most were able to rebook canceled flights quickly. International flights have largely remained unaffected so far. Some travelers have canceled trips entirely or incurred extra costs for hotels and accommodations due to last-minute disruptions. Experts warn that the consequences could extend beyond passenger travel. Nearly half of U.S. air freight is transported in passenger planes, meaning flight disruptions could raise shipping costs and consumer prices. Tourism, manufacturing, and local economies may also be affected. “This shutdown is going to impact everything from cargo aircraft to business travel to tourism,” said Greg Raiff, CEO of Elevate Aviation Group. “Hotel taxes, city revenues, and broader economic activity will all feel the cascading effects.” Source: AP

The longest U.S. government shutdown on record is doing more than grind activities to a halt at home; an ocean away in Europe, local workers at U.S. military bases have started to feel the pain. Thousands of people working at overseas bases in Europe have had their salaries interrupted since the shutdown began almost six weeks ago. In some cases, governments hosting the U.S. bases have stepped in to foot the bill, expecting the United States to eventually make good. In others, including in Italy and Portugal, workers have simply kept working unpaid as the gridlock in Washington drags on. “It’s an absurd situation because nobody has responses, nobody feels responsible,” said Angelo Zaccaria, a union coordinator at the Aviano Air Base in northeastern Italy. “This is having dramatic effects on us Italian workers,” he told The Associated Press. An array of needed jobs The jobs foreign nationals do at U.S. bases around the world range from food service, construction, logistics, maintenance and other, more specialized roles. In some cases, foreign workers are employed by private companies contracted by the U.S. government while others are direct hires. How local employees are paid varies by country and is based on specific agreements the U.S. government has with each host nation, said Amber Kelly-Herard, a public affairs spokesperson for the U.S. Air Forces in Europe and Africa. During the shutdown, Kelly-Herard said local employees were expected to continue to perform their jobs in accordance with their work contracts. The AP reached out to the Pentagon with multiple questions on the pay disruption, but was only provided a brief statement that did not acknowledge it. “We value the important contributions of our local national employees around the world,” it said. The official declined to answer any follow-up questions. American bases feeling the pinch overseas In Germany, the government has stepped in to pay the salaries of nearly 11,000 civilian employees that work on U.S. military bases, the nation's finance ministry said in a statement. American facilities in Germany include the Ramstein Air Base, a critical hub for operations in the Mideast and Africa and headquarters to the U.S. Air Forces in Europe and Africa. Workers in other countries have not been so fortunate. More than 4,600 Italian nationals work at the five U.S. bases in Italy, said union coordinator Zaccaria. Of those, about 2,000 workers — mostly at bases in Aviano and Vicenza — were not paid in October, Italy's foreign ministry said Saturday. The ministry said in a statement it had discussed the issue with U.S. officials, and that the U.S. Army and Air Force were in talks with the Pentagon about using their own funds to pay the salaries of Italian workers. “There are workers struggling to pay their mortgages, to support their children or even to pay the fuel to come to work,” Zaccaria said. In Portugal, a similar situation was playing out at the Lajes Field base in the Azores archipelago in the Atlantic Ocean, where more than 360 Portuguese workers have not been paid, according to Paula Terra, head of the Lajes base workers’ committee. Terra said unpaid staff are still turning up because furloughs aren’t legally recognized in a U.S.-Portugal agreement on the base. Staying away could leave them open to disciplinary proceedings, she added. But this week, the Azores Islands regional government approved a bank loan to pay the Portuguese workers at the base in the interim. Terra said she was waiting to hear when workers could claim the money. Germany is counting on being repaid once the shutdown ends, the finance ministry's spokesperson told the AP, adding that during previous shutdowns, civilians were paid by the U.S. government. The governments of Poland, Lithuania and Greenland did not respond to a request for comment from the AP about whether they, too, have also stepped in to pay local workers. Most vulnerable, at-risk workers Linda Bilmes, a professor of public policy at the Harvard Kennedy School and an expert on public finance, said local workers at U.S. military bases who work as contractors are generally most at-risk of losing pay during U.S. government shutdowns. She added that the U.S. government in the past always paid back full-time employees, including those working at overseas facilities who may be foreign nationals — but that contractors are not always covered, which is why some add extra fees in their contracts to cover potential government funding stoppages. “But I doubt anyone anticipated this length of delay,” Bilmes said. In Spain, where the U.S. operates the Moron and Rota military bases in the south, a union representing more than 1,000 Spanish workers said a delay in payments had been resolved last month with the help of the Spanish government. Spain's defense ministry did not respond to multiple requests seeking to confirm its involvement in resolving the pay issue.

The nation’s capital is facing mounting economic strain from the ongoing government shutdown, mass layoffs of federal employees, and cuts to food aid programs. The Capital Area Food Bank, which supports more than 400 partner organizations in Washington, northern Virginia, and Maryland, says it must provide 8 million more meals this year — a 20% increase — as demand surges ahead of the holidays. “This city has been hit especially hard by the sequence of events this year,” said Radha Muthiah, the food bank’s president. The shutdown, now the longest in U.S. history, has furloughed hundreds of thousands of workers and halted assistance payments, worsening an already fragile local economy. Washington, home to about 150,000 federal workers, has seen transit ridership drop by a quarter and small businesses suffer major losses. Many restaurants, still recovering from earlier disruptions, now face sharp declines in sales. “We still had empty seats for a Premier League game — that never happens,” said Ryan Gordon, co-owner of The Queen Vic bar, noting business is down by half. Economists warn the financial fallout could outlast the shutdown. “Missing paychecks is creating serious cash flow problems,” said Tracy Hadden Loh of Brookings Metro, noting rising risks of loan defaults and closures among small businesses reliant on federal workers’ spending. For many, the crisis is forcing life changes. Thea Price, a former federal employee, lost her job in March and is relocating to Seattle after losing SNAP benefits. “We can’t afford to stay any longer,” she said. At the Capital Area Food Bank, operations are running nonstop. “People are borrowing against their futures just to afford necessities,” Muthiah said.

The election of Zohran Mamdani as New York City’s mayor has alarmed many in Israel, officials and analysts said Friday. Mamdani, known for his pro-Palestinian views, won in a city with the world’s second-largest Jewish population. Israelis across political lines worry his victory could signal cooler relations between the U.S. and Israel. Nearly one-third of Jewish voters supported Mamdani, adding to concerns. Mamdani, 34, focused on local issues like housing and child care during his campaign. But in Israel, his pro-Palestinian stance drew most attention. He has called the Gaza war a genocide and has criticized policies favoring Jews over others. Israeli officials and analysts sharply condemned Mamdani, labeling him anti-Israel. Still, he won about 30% of the Jewish vote and has pledged to fight antisemitism while maintaining ties with Jewish leaders. Some Israelis fear his control of New York’s police could affect the city’s Jewish community. Israel’s ambassador to the U.N. and diaspora minister expressed concern on social media, while the prime minister’s office emphasized the U.S.-Israel relationship remains strong. Meanwhile, Palestinians in the West Bank welcomed Mamdani’s win. They said it reflects growing awareness of the Palestinian issue among younger voters, including young Jewish Americans. Mamdani’s election highlights a potential shift in U.S. domestic politics, showing younger voters may be less uniformly pro-Israel than previous generations.