Thế giới toàn cảnh 3/11: Chính phủ Mỹ tiếp tục đóng cửa, hàng triệu người dân gặp khó khăn | VTV24

Key Concepts

• US Government Shutdown: Partial closure of the US federal government due to a fiscal deadlock, impacting federal employees and social welfare programs.
• SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program): A major US federal program providing food assistance, which was temporarily suspended.
• WIC (Women, Infants, and Children): A US federal program providing nutritional support for low-income women, infants, and children.
• Federal Employees: Government workers who were not being paid during the shutdown.
• Food Banks: Organizations providing free food to those in need, experiencing increased demand.
• Border Crossing (Torham): The border between Afghanistan and Pakistan, which reopened for refugees but not for trade after a conflict.
• Online Scams: Fraudulent activities conducted online, with a significant network operating from Cambodia.
• Knife Attack: An incident on a train near London resulting in injuries.
• Automotive Mechanic Shortage (Japan): A critical lack of skilled mechanics in Japan's automotive industry.
• Autonomous Cooking Truck: A food truck equipped with AI-powered robots for cooking and serving.
• Japanese Snap Election: Prime Minister Shinzo Abe's decision not to dissolve the House of Representatives for early elections.
• North Korean Military Readiness: Chairman Kim Jong Un's inspection of a special operations unit.
• Iran's Nuclear Program: Iran's stated intention to rebuild nuclear facilities with greater power for peaceful purposes, not for weapons.
• Philippines-Canada Visiting Forces Agreement: An agreement allowing joint military exercises between the two countries.
• Russian High-Tech Exports: Russia's focus on developing and exporting advanced technologies, particularly in the medical field.
• Made in Russia Exhibition: An event showcasing Russian export-oriented technological developments.
• Khabar Nuclear Submarine: A new Russian nuclear-powered submarine designed for Arctic operations.
• Global Stock Market Performance: Positive trends in October, driven by tech stocks, de-escalation of US-China trade tensions, and Federal Reserve interest rate cuts.
• US-China Trade Deal: An agreement to de-escalate trade tensions, including tariff reductions and pauses on trade blacklists.
• OPEC Production Decisions: OPEC's decision to pause planned oil production increases in early next year.
• European Housing Crisis: A report by the European Parliament highlighting the affordability and availability of housing across the EU.
• Short-Term Rental Platforms: Online platforms like Airbnb contributing to housing scarcity and rising prices.
• Lisbon Cemetery Tours: A unique nighttime guided tour of a historic cemetery in Lisbon, Portugal.

US Government Shutdown and Social Welfare Impacts

The US government has been partially shut down for over a month due to a fiscal deadlock. This shutdown has led to significant difficulties for millions of Americans as federal subsidies have been interrupted.

• SNAP Program Suspension: On November 1st, the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), a large-scale social welfare program, was temporarily suspended. This halt in regular subsidy issuance is estimated to have affected approximately 42 million Americans.
• Other At-Risk Programs: Other subsidy programs are also on alert, including energy cost assistance for nearly 6 million low-income households and the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC).
• Federal Employee Impact: Federal employees have not received their salaries since early October, adding to the financial strain.
• Personal Stories:
  • Ladona and her family in Ohio, who rely on SNAP and WIC, have had to seek food from a local food bank due to the shutdown. She expressed worry about further subsidy cuts amidst rising food prices and the need to support five children.
  • Antony, a furloughed federal employee, shared his first-time experience of visiting a food bank, highlighting the instability and his reliance on prayer and hope for a swift resolution.
• Expert Analysis: Experts note that a significant portion of the US population depends on subsidies, making them particularly vulnerable to disruptions. While middle-income families might absorb a 10% increase in utility bills, low-income households face difficult trade-offs. Approximately one-third of Americans live paycheck to paycheck or in precarious financial situations, with food and energy subsidies acting as a crucial safety net.
• Bipartisan Stalemate: While maintaining essential subsidies, especially food assistance, is a rare point of agreement between Democrats and Republicans, efforts to resolve the issue are stalled. Democrats accuse Republicans of politicizing the subsidies, noting that food assistance has not been suspended in previous shutdowns. Republicans, led by President Donald Trump, criticize Democrats for blocking the government's reopening.
• Judicial Intervention: On October 31st, some federal judges ordered the government to use emergency funds to restore food subsidies, and President Trump indicated he was looking into this.
• Community Support: While the congressional deadlock persists, individuals and organizations are providing food assistance to those in need and supporting federal employees working without pay.
  • In Denver, a resident named Nfield proposed a Halloween initiative to distribute non-perishable food items alongside candy to those affected by food subsidy cuts. This idea gained significant traction online, with many expressing support and participating.
  • In Florida, NGOs are distributing food to federal employees to alleviate their financial burden, allowing them to use their savings for other essential needs like housing and transportation.
  • In Minneapolis, free food distributions were organized at the airport to assist air traffic controllers who missed their first paycheck, recognizing that food is often the first expense cut when income is lost. These emergency food boxes aim to reduce the pressure on these essential workers.
• Air Traffic Controller Challenges: According to Reiter, unpaid air traffic controllers are taking on extra jobs like serving, food delivery, or driving for Uber to cover living expenses.

International News Briefs

Afghanistan-Pakistan Border Reopening

The Torham border crossing between Afghanistan and Pakistan reopened yesterday, three weeks after a conflict led to a complete blockade. While the reopening allows Afghan refugees in Pakistan to return, commercial and border trade activities have not yet resumed. The halt in trade has caused shortages of goods and soaring prices for essential items, particularly fresh produce. Pakistan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated that the resumption of border trade depends on the security situation. The decision to reopen the Torham crossing follows a ceasefire agreement signed in Doha, Qatar, on October 19th, which is being maintained with the mediation of Qatar and Turkey.

Online Scam Network in Cambodia

Singapore and Malaysia are pursuing 34,000 suspects involved in an online scam network operating in Cambodia. These individuals are accused of conducting over 430 fraudulent activities, resulting in losses of up to $31 million USD. Concurrently, Cambodia arrested 106 Indonesians accused of similar scams in Phnom Penh.

UK Train Attack

British police have ruled out terrorism as a motive following initial investigations into a knife attack on a train bound for London that injured 10 people. Defense Secretary John Hilly stated in an interview with Sky News that the attack appears to be the act of a lone individual. Nine of the ten injured are in critical condition. Two suspects, a 32-year-old Black British man and a 35-year-old man of Caribbean descent, both born in the UK, have been arrested and remain in custody.

Japan's Automotive Mechanic Shortage

Japan is facing a severe shortage of automotive mechanics. According to the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare, for every 500 job openings in fiscal year 2024, only about 100 job seekers are available. This indicates a critical labor shortage in the automotive sector, attributed to an aging population and low birth rates. In fiscal year 2024, over 450 automotive service businesses in Japan have closed or gone bankrupt due to a lack of personnel. Some dealerships have had to reduce orders or delay vehicle deliveries. Experts warn that the mechanic profession is becoming less attractive due to low wages and harsh working conditions.

Autonomous Cooking Truck

A startup in Silicon Valley has introduced a truck equipped with an autonomous cooking robot capable of preparing meals while the vehicle is in motion. The Autowork truck features an AI-integrated robotic cooking system that handles the entire process from cooking to serving and cleaning. As the truck travels to its delivery destination, the robot prepares pre-portioned ingredients from the vehicle's cold storage. The robot is programmed to complete the meal just before arrival, ensuring hot and fresh food for customers.

Japanese Political Developments

Prime Minister Shinzo Abe has rejected the possibility of dissolving the House of Representatives for early elections, citing the need to focus on priority policies, particularly economic ones. The government plans to accelerate economic measures, including steps to address inflation. Regarding the plan to reduce the number of seats in the House of Representatives, part of a coalition agreement between the Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) and the Constitutional Democratic Party of Japan, Prime Minister Abe stated it requires thorough discussion among parties and parliamentary groups, and she will actively participate in these exchanges.

North Korean Military Inspection

North Korean state media reported yesterday that Chairman Kim Jong Un conducted an inspection of the combat readiness of a special operations unit and instructed them to further strengthen their capabilities. According to the Korean Central News Agency (KCNA), Kim Jong Un visited the headquarters of the 11th Corps of the Korean People's Army and observed a training session. The leader expressed satisfaction with the readiness of this elite special forces unit, emphasizing the need to enhance its capabilities through organizational and military structural measures. The Workers' Party of Korea's Central Military Commission will comprehensively review this matter.

Iran's Nuclear Facilities

President Hassan Rouhani of Iran announced yesterday that Iran will rebuild its nuclear facilities with greater power but will not pursue nuclear weapons. Speaking during a visit to the Atomic Energy Organization of Iran and meeting with senior officials, President Rouhani stressed that the destruction of nuclear facilities would not hinder Iran's peaceful nuclear program. He affirmed that Iran's nuclear activities are for the benefit of its people and contribute to solving health and medical issues. Previously, in June, the US conducted airstrikes on Iranian nuclear facilities. President Donald Trump had warned of further attacks if Iran restarted the bombed facilities.

Philippines-Canada Defense Agreement

The Philippines and Canada signed a Visiting Forces Agreement yesterday, allowing soldiers from both countries to participate in joint land exercises in the Southeast Asian nation. Canadian Defense Minister David MacKay stated that the agreement will deepen the relationship with the Philippine military and advance Ottawa's Indo-Pacific strategy. He also expressed Canada's hope to participate in the Philippines' annual Balikatan military exercise next spring. Earlier this year, the Philippines also signed a Visiting Forces Agreement with New Zealand, following similar agreements with the US, Australia, and Japan.

Russia's High-Tech Exports

Russia is not only focusing on energy and raw material exports but also prioritizing the development of high technology, aiming to increase non-resource and non-energy exports to $248 billion USD by 2030. At the recent "Made in Russia" exhibition in Moscow, breakthrough export-oriented developments from Russian companies were showcased, notably high-tech medical equipment.

• "La" Robot Patient: This is a patient simulator that realistically replicates clinical situations for cardiopulmonary resuscitation, intensive care, and life support measures. It is used for training and practicing medical procedures at various levels, from basic to advanced. This simulator is already in use at over 100 medical training facilities in Russia and CIS countries and has been exported to nearly 50 countries.
• Russian Dialysis Machine: For the first time in 25 years, a fully Russian-made artificial kidney machine has been launched. Developers are proud of their commitment to technological sovereignty. Mass production of this device is scheduled to begin by the end of the year. It incorporates all core technologies and key technical solutions developed and produced domestically, comparable to foreign models. This project ensures patients access to high-quality treatment with all necessary guarantees.
• Import Substitution: In the context of active import substitution, Russian companies are increasing production and replacing foreign components with domestic products. Businesses are encouraged to expand traditional trade relations and actively develop cooperation in innovation, technology, and creative industries. The goal is to penetrate international markets, expand geographical reach, and broaden export scope. Russian products are believed to have strong competitive potential and can secure a stable position in export markets.
• "Made in Russia" Brand Support: Under the national "Made in Russia" brand, thousands of Russian companies receive support from the Russian Export Center, including brand promotion and financial assistance to expand their presence in target international markets, particularly in the Asia-Pacific region.

Russian Nuclear Submarine Launch

Russia has launched the nuclear-powered submarine "Khabar," capable of carrying nuclear torpedoes. The submarine is equipped with modern underwater weapons and an automated multi-purpose system that can carry Poseidon ballistic missiles. The Khabar is designed to operate in the Arctic's icy conditions. The Russian Ministry of Defense stated that the submarine will enhance maritime security and national defense capabilities.

Global Financial Markets and Trade

Global Stock Market Performance in October

The global stock market concluded October with positive results, marking the seventh consecutive month of gains, the longest streak since January 2018. The MSCI World Index of global stocks rose by 0.49% last week and 1.31% in October. The market has been supported by the rally in technology stocks, signs of de-escalation in US-China trade tensions, and interest rate cuts by the US Federal Reserve. In the US, Wall Street maintained impressive gains in October, typically considered the most volatile month of the year. The MSCI Emerging Markets Index also extended its winning streak to 10 consecutive months, its best performance since 1993.

US-China Trade Deal Details

The White House released details of the agreement reached between the US and China during the meeting between President Donald Trump and President Xi Jinping last week to de-escalate trade tensions. According to the White House announcement:

• The US will reduce tariffs by 10% on goods imported from China.
• The US will pause for one year the expansion of its trade blacklist, which prohibits Chinese companies from purchasing US technology goods.
• The US will also pause for one year new port fees applied to Chinese vessels.
• China has agreed to a one-year pause on export controls for rare earth minerals and magnets, suspend retaliatory tariffs, and end anti-dumping investigations into US companies.
• China has committed to purchasing at least 12 million tons of US soybeans this season and a minimum of 25 million tons annually for the next three years, and will resume imports of other products.

OPEC Production Decisions

In a surprising move for the oil market, OPEC's meeting yesterday decided to pause the group's planned production increase for early next year. During the meeting, attended by eight key OPEC+ member states, the nations agreed to continue increasing oil production by 137,000 barrels per day in December, matching the levels of October and November, before pausing for the first three months of next year. Experts suggest this latest move reflects OPEC's caution regarding recent oversupply concerns and market uncertainties following the US sanctions on two major Russian oil and gas exporters. At the end of last month, Brent crude oil prices fell to $60 USD per barrel, the lowest level in five months.

European Housing Crisis

A report titled "European Housing Crisis" was published by the European Parliament in October, followed by extensive coverage in major newspapers.

• Definition of Housing Affordability: The European Parliament defines housing as a problem when a household spends at least 40% of its monthly income on rent or mortgage payments. Last year, 9.8% of people living in EU cities faced this issue.
• Reasons for the Crisis: Both rental and purchase prices for housing have significantly increased over the past several years. Over the last decade, the average house price in EU member states has risen by more than 1.5 times. In some countries, like Hungary, prices have more than tripled, and in Portugal, they have more than doubled.
• Rental Price Increases: The Guardian reported that from 2010 to 2023, rental prices in EU countries increased by 22%, with some areas experiencing much higher figures, such as Estonia, where rents rose by 211%.
• Impact of Short-Term Rentals: The emergence of short-term rental services has led many landlords and investment companies to switch from long-term rentals to short-term stays for higher profits, potentially two to three times more per month. A quarter of all short-term overnight stays in the EU are now conducted through online rental platforms. This is a major factor contributing to housing scarcity and unaffordable prices for both renters and buyers.
• EU Intervention: While housing price management is a national responsibility, and countries like Germany and France are concerned about deeper EU intervention, the soaring prices and growing public dissatisfaction have placed housing on the agenda of both the European Council and the European Commission.
• Potential EU Solutions: According to El País of Spain, the EU is considering three main approaches:
  1. A common decision for short-term rental platforms like Airbnb.
  2. Relaxing regulations on state subsidies to help build and renovate affordable housing.
  3. Reallocating unspent EU funds for social housing development. These proposals may be announced in a "Pact for Affordable Housing" as early as December of this year, rather than next year as initially planned.

Unique Cultural Event in Lisbon

Instead of fear, residents and tourists in Lisbon, Portugal, are visiting cemeteries at night. This is the fourth time the city has organized this unique guided tour. Visitors explore the Prazeres Cemetery, located west of Lisbon, which is considered one of the most beautiful cemeteries in the world. It houses art and stories of famous figures and ordinary people spanning nearly 200 years. The cemetery's uniqueness lies in its distinctive tomb sculptures and gravestones. This activity aims to help the public understand local history and reflect on life and death.