JQJO — Your world, one story at a time · Page 1264

On the eve of missed paychecks for over a million workers, the Senate failed to advance dueling plans to pay federal employees during a 23‑day shutdown, the longest full shutdown. A GOP bill to pay “essential” staff fell short of 60 votes, while Republicans blocked a Democratic plan to pay all workers and curb further OMB layoffs after court‑stayed firings. With air traffic controllers unpaid and flight delays warned, parties sparred over “Shutdown Fairness” bills as Senate Republicans pushed a stopgap and Democrats demanded health‑subsidy extensions. The Senate has voted 12 times; the House hasn’t held votes in weeks.

Federal prosecutors in Maryland have hit a standstill in a mortgage fraud probe of Sen. Adam Schiff, with sources saying there isn’t enough evidence to charge. After U.S. attorney Kelly Hayes met Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche this week, she was told to keep seeking evidence; the case remains open and no final decision has been made. Schiff denies wrongdoing, and his lawyer Preet Bharara called the claims baseless and political. The inquiry, underway since summer after Pam Bondi tapped “special attorney” Ed Martin, continues amid Trump’s online calls for action.

Target will cut 1,800 corporate jobs—about 8% of its corporate workforce—in its first major layoffs in a decade, the Minneapolis-based retailer said. In a memo, incoming CEO Michael Fiddelke said the move is meant to simplify operations and speed decisions as the company battles a sales slump and expects annual sales to fall. The cuts combine roughly 1,000 layoffs with 800 unfilled positions; affected staff will be notified Tuesday and receive pay and benefits until January 3 plus severance. Store and supply-chain roles are unaffected. Fiddelke, now COO, becomes CEO February 1.

Two mangled bodies washed ashore on Trinidad's northeast coast after the United States' first September strike on a Caribbean boat, deepening a mystery over their identities and whether the attack killed them. Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar backs the U.S. campaign against alleged drug boats, setting Trinidad apart from most CARICOM members and drawing criticism as officials struggle for answers. Police cite decomposition and confusion over autopsies; no claims have been made for the remains. Separately, authorities are probing reports two Trinidadians died in a recent strike; relatives dispute allegations of drug trafficking.

A four-year study in Southern California found that 18% of more than 2,300 urinary tract infections were linked to E. coli strains also detected in local grocery meat, especially turkey and chicken, with pork and beef trailing. Framing UTIs as a food safety issue, researchers reported a 60% higher risk of foodborne UTIs in low-income areas and called for attention to social determinants of health. Until stricter safeguards are in place, they advise careful handling of raw meat: thorough handwashing, avoiding cross-contamination, and cooking meat properly.

Microsoft introduced Copilot Mode in its Edge browser, pitching it as an AI companion that can, with permission, read open tabs, summarize and compare pages, and handle tasks like booking a hotel or filling forms. The rollout landed two days after OpenAI showed its Atlas browser, and the two offerings look strikingly alike—down to their new-tab assistants—save for subtle design choices and layout. Neither company invented the concept, and for users the main difference will come from underlying models. Arriving in the same week, the parallel launches underline a tense, high-stakes AI race.

More than 200 protesters tried to block the entrance to Coast Guard Island in Alameda on Thursday as federal officials said the base was serving as an operations hub for immigration raids expected to begin Friday in the Bay Area. San Francisco Mayor Daniel Lurie said he was assured by President Trump and Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem that agents would not be sent to his city, though plans elsewhere remained unclear. Federal authorities used crowd-control munitions—two loud bangs—and at least one man appeared injured by a pepper bomb as demonstrators sang, marched and held anti-ICE signs.

At a House GOP press conference, Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy warned that air traffic controllers, unpaid during the shutdown, are taking second jobs to cover bills—something he discouraged given the high-stress demands of the role. He acknowledged their financial strain but said safety must come first, even if it slows the system. Duffy said he cannot guarantee on-time departures as the nation's second-longest shutdown continues. House Speaker Mike Johnson cited FlightAware data showing 19,000 delays and 1,600 cancellations from Saturday to Monday amid staffing shortages.

A federal indictment alleges former NBA player Damon Jones, then an unofficial Lakers coach, leaked nonpublic injury information about LeBron James to bettors before a Feb. 9, 2023 game against the Bucks. The indictment says Jones texted a co-conspirator urging a big bet on Milwaukee, saying Player 3 is out tonight. James, who sat with a lower-body ankle injury, is not accused of wrongdoing; a spokesperson declined comment, and a person familiar said he didn’t know his information would be used for betting. Milwaukee won 115–106; odds had the Bucks favored by an average of eight points.

Days after a call with Vladimir Putin led to the announcement of a US-Russia summit in Budapest, President Donald Trump canceled it, saying there was no point. The earlier Alaska meeting went ahead with minimal preparation and little result. Now Trump has imposed sanctions on Rosneft and Lukoil, signaling frustration at Moscow’s refusal to compromise on Ukraine. The Kremlin branded the move an “unfriendly act,” while Dmitry Medvedev called it an “act of war.” With Russia rejecting a freeze of battle lines and seeking control of the entire Donbas, Moscow’s terms remain unacceptable to Kyiv and, it appears, Washington.