Republican leaders in Congress unveiled a new proposal aimed at ending the ongoing government shutdown, which entered its sixth week on Friday. The plan, described as a “key piece of the puzzle,” seeks to pair targeted spending bills with border security funding to satisfy both fiscal conservatives and moderates eager to restore federal operations.
Speaker Mike Johnson emphasized that the proposal is not a “blank check,” but a structured reopening that ensures accountability. “We want the government open, but we also want it reformed,” Johnson said.
Democrats have largely dismissed the offer, framing it as political theater that fails to resolve the broader funding dispute. With federal workers bracing for another missed paycheck, the pressure continues to mount for both parties to find a workable compromise before economic disruptions deepen further.
President Donald Trump’s warning of possible military intervention in Nigeria drew sharp reactions this week — but also firm backing from within the Republican Party. Representative Mike Waltz (R-FL) defended Trump’s stance, citing what he described as ongoing “genocidal persecution” of Christians in northern Nigeria.
“Genocide can’t be ignored,” Waltz said, calling on the administration to take stronger action against the Nigerian government’s failure to protect vulnerable religious minorities.
Trump’s comments followed reports of mass killings in Plateau State, reigniting debates about U.S. foreign policy in Africa and the extent to which Washington should use force to prevent humanitarian crises abroad. The administration has not responded directly, but officials at the State Department reiterated their “commitment to peaceful solutions and human rights advocacy.”
At least one person was killed and two others critically injured when a Vanderbilt LifeFlight helicopter crashed Friday morning in Tennessee. The National Transportation Safety Board has opened an investigation into the cause of the crash, which occurred near Highway 231 outside Murfreesboro.
Local authorities and multiple emergency agencies responded quickly to the scene. Witnesses reported seeing the helicopter descend rapidly before catching fire on impact. The names of the victims have not been released pending family notification.
Vanderbilt University Medical Center expressed deep sorrow, calling the LifeFlight team “heroes who risk their lives daily to save others.” This marks one of the most serious air medical incidents in Tennessee in recent years.
A bipartisan group of U.S. senators issued a stark warning this week that artificial intelligence could drive national unemployment as high as 20% within the next decade. The lawmakers introduced new legislation requiring federal tracking of AI-related job displacement and mandating corporate transparency on automation’s labor impact.
Senator J.D. Vance (R-OH) cautioned that “without proper safeguards, we could see millions of American workers replaced before we’re ready to adapt.” Senator Elizabeth Warren (D-MA) echoed the concern, arguing for a “responsible framework that puts workers first.”
The bill marks one of the most aggressive congressional efforts yet to address AI’s economic consequences. Analysts warn that sectors like manufacturing, logistics, and customer service could see the steepest job losses, underscoring a growing sense of urgency in Washington about balancing innovation with human stability.
