The longest government shutdown in US history ended with a whimper, said Nitish Pahwa on Slate. For 43 days, Congress had been in a stalemate as Senate Democrats withheld support for a government funding bill in a bid to force the Republicans to extend Covid-era healthcare subsidies. The subsidies are set to expire next month, at which point the average health insurance premiums of millions of Americans will more than double. But last week, enough Democrats eight senators “caved”, allowing the budget to pass in return for the mere promise of a future vote on whether to revive the subsidies. ‘Angry activists’ How pathetic, said Jamelle Bouie The Democrats had been winning the stand-off. Polls showed that many voters blamed the GOP for the shutdown. Even as senators were preparing to capitulate, President Trump was booed by a crowd at an American football game. Talk about stealing defeat from the jaws of victory. The Democrats were right to back down, said Michael Powell in The Atlantic. The shutdown was hurting too many people. Poor families were going hungry without food stamps. Federal employees were struggling to pay mortgages and bills without paycheques. Unpaid air traffic controllers meant flight cancellations. The Democrats, who take pride in defending the less fortunate, couldn’t sustain their position. It’s always the way with government shutdowns, said The Washington Post. Parties instigate them to placate “angry activists”, only to have to fold, prompting a backlash from those same activists. Democrats ‘may have dodged a bullet’ The recriminations among Democrats have indeed been bitter, said Ed Kilgore in New York Magazine. There have been calls for the replacement of Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer. But “losing” the subsidy-extension battle is no disaster for the party. On the contrary, the Democrats “may have dodged a bullet”. Securing the extension would have neutralised one of the GOP’s key political vulnerabilities: the Republicans have “emerged from the shutdown row having abundantly displayed their lack of interest in soaring healthcare costs”. That’s not a good look at a time when “affordability” has become such a big election issue, and voters will remember it when their insurance premiums soar. “The short-term stakes of the shutdown fight may soon be overshadowed by more enduring public perceptions” of what the two parties stand for.
https://theweek.com/politics/us-government-shutdown-why-the-democrats-caved
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Wuthering Waves: Whispers of the Waves guide
Whispers of the Waves is a new photo-collection event in Wuthering Waves 2. 8. During the event, you must explore different areas of Honami, the Chronorift Metropolis, and take a few photographs based on the objective. Completing each task will reward you with 30 Astrites and other in-game items. Here’s a simple guide on how to complete the Whispers of the Waves photo-collection event in Wuthering Waves. Wuthering Waves: Whispers of the Waves photo-collection event guide How to start the event To unlock the event, you must first complete Chapter II Segue Flowing Starlight in the Iris main story quest and the Scale of Past Side Quest. Once that is done, talk to Namipon outside Shashou Cafe to start the Whispers of the Waves Side Quest. Follow the quest navigation and talk to the NPC named Eri. She will ask you to help her get photos of some locations in Honami. Photo I Take a photo of the gazebo fountain at Honami Crossing After talking to Eri, stand on the glowing spot nearby and activate the camera. Look at the gazebo fountain at Honami Crossing and take its photo to complete the first objective. You will get the following rewards: Astrite x30 Advanced Resonance Potion x4 Shell Credit x30000 Also read: Wuthering Waves 2. 8 Astrite count and total pull rewards leaked Photo II Take a photo of the giant Nomipon on the giant Cherry Blossom tree Talking to Eri again will take you to the next location. Head straight and stand at the photo-taking spot near the NPC. Focus on the giant Nomipon sitting on the swing attached to the Cherry Blossom tree and take its photo to get the following rewards: Astrite x30 Advanced Energy Core x4 Shell Credit x30000 Photo III Take a photo of Hanakage Underground Street Talk to Eri to go to the next location. Next, go straight and focus on the large tree to take a photo of Hanakage Underground Street. Completing the objective will give you the following rewards: Astrite x30 Advanced Sealed Tube x4 Shell Credit x30000 Also read: Wuthering Waves Summer Flower locations and farming guide Photo IV Take a photo of the wind chimes at the Summer Arbor Interact with Eri and go to Summer Arbor to take a photo of the wind chimes. This will complete the fourth objective, and you will get the following rewards: Astrite x30 Advanced Resonance Potion x4 Shell Credit x30000 Photo V Take a photo of the hydrangeas at the tennis court For the next photo, Eri will take you to a tennis court, where you’ll also find a few Tacet Discords. Defeat them and take a photo of the hydrangeas to complete the task. Here are the rewards for taking the photograph: Astrite x30 Advanced Energy Core x4 Shell Credit x30000 Photo VI Take a photo of the residential playground You must take a photo of the residential playground for the last objective. This will give you the following rewards: Astrite x30 Advanced Sealed Tube x4 Shell Credit x30000 Also read: Best teams for Chisa in Wuthering Waves Talk to Eri Interact with Eri one last time. This will trigger a short cutscene, and you’ll return to Shashou Cafe, which will also complete the Whispers of the Waves event in Wuthering Waves. Furthermore, you’ll get the Another Answer to Destruction trophy. Follow Sportskeeda for more Wuthering Waves updates and guides.
https://www.sportskeeda.com/esports/wuthering-waves-whispers-waves-guide
Mark Wahlberg Drops $37 Million on a South Florida Mansion
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Defined by striking colors and patterns, these interiors prove the joy behind a more-is-more mindset.
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**Va-Va-Voom Blooms Dazzle at the Flower Magazine 2025 Show House**
All the whimsy, frenzy, and botanical bounty at the Nashville mansion.
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**Korean Design Star Teo Yang Bridges Culture and Crafts for His First Residential Project in the U.S.**
In a California coastal home, Yang uses Korean design principles to shape a space where restraint and flow evoke quiet harmony.
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**A Delightfully Oxidized Copper Hood and Moody Floral Wallpaper Launched the Redesign of This Colonial Revival in New York**
Interior designer Nicole Fisher made every room feel more expansive in this petite Westchester home.
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**The Best Shower Curtains Are Modern and Mildew-Resistant**
Our editors have sampled some of their favorites.
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**Add a Little Ambience With the Best Electric Fireplaces on Amazon**
Take in the flames—without the work of tending to them—this season.
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**Inside Angelina Jolie’s Global Real Estate Portfolio, From a Cambodian Home to a Famed LA Estate**
The actor and activist has owned properties around the world, including NYC and France.
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**These Cotton Sheets Are Classics for a Year-Round Bedscape**
From silky smooth sateens to crisp percales.
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**Sienna Miller Lists Her Cozy English Cottage for $2.61 Million**
“It has a nurturing feeling; it is a home with a heart,” said the *Anatomy of a Scandal* actress about the countryside hideaway featured in AD’s September 2022 cover story.
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**Architecture + Design**
**Benjamin Moore’s 2026 Color of the Year Is Dusty Brown’s Cool Older Sister**
The paint brand’s experts foresee the sultry shade—a mixture of espresso and charcoal—stepping out of the shadows and into the spotlight.
https://www.architecturaldigest.com/story/mark-wahlberg-south-florida-mansion