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Speaker Johnson Warns of Record-Breaking U.S. Government Shutdown

Speaker of the House Mike Johnson, R-La., praises President Donald Trump's peacemaking efforts leading to a ceasefire pausing two years of war in the Gaza Strip, at the Capitol in Washington, Monday, Oct. 13, 2025.  House Speaker Mike Johnson has cautioned that the ongoing U.S. government shutdown could become the longest in the nation’s history, as the political standoff between Republicans and Democrats shows no signs of easing. Now in its 13th day, the shutdown has already shuttered federal offices, closed museums, and disrupted air travel across the country. Thousands of federal workers face layoffs, while unions have begun legal challenges against the administration’s actions. Johnson, speaking at the Capitol, said he would not negotiate with Democrats until they suspend their healthcare-related demands and agree to reopen the government. “We’re barreling toward one of the longest shutdowns in American history,” he warned. Vice President JD Vance described the cuts as “pain...

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Families Await Closure as Gaza Ceasefire Shifts Focus to Hostages’ Remains

The fragile ceasefire between Israel and Hamas has brought relief after two years of devastating conflict, but the fate of hostages who did not survive captivity remains a pressing concern.

In recent days, Hamas released the last 20 living hostages, reuniting them with their families in Israel. The handover was part of a broader deal that also saw Israel free more than 1,900 Palestinian prisoners and allow humanitarian aid into Gaza. While the releases sparked jubilation, attention has now turned to the recovery of the bodies of at least two dozen hostages who were killed during the war.

Hamas has already returned four bodies through the International Committee of the Red Cross, but officials acknowledge that locating the remaining burial sites will take time due to the intensity of the fighting. Families of the deceased are urging swift action, saying that closure can only come once their loved ones are laid to rest at home.

Mediators warn that the issue of missing remains could test the durability of the ceasefire, even as both sides cautiously welcome the pause in violence. For many, the truce is less a celebration than a solemn reminder of the lives lost and the unfinished work of reconciliation.


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