Hours before America’s government was due to shut down, nine Senate Democrats and one independent joined Republicans to advance a spending bill that would extend funding through September. On Thursday Chuck Schumer, the Democrats’ leader in the upper chamber, surprised many in his party by announcing that he would vote for the bill, arguing that a government shutdown would cede more control to Donald Trump. A final vote is expected later on Friday.
Mr Trump called talks between Vladimir Putin and Steve Witkoff, America’s envoy to the Middle East, “good and productive”. Mr Witkoff met Russia’s president in Moscow on Thursday to discuss a ceasefire proposal for the war in Ukraine. Earlier a Kremlin spokesperson said Russia had a “number of questions” about the idea of a 30-day truce. Ukraine’s president, Volodymyr Zelensky, said Russia was deliberately slowing down negotiations.
In a joint statement, G7 countries, including America, offered “unwavering support” to Ukraine, and threatened Russia with more sanctions if “a ceasefire is not agreed”. After a meeting in Quebec, Canada’s foreign minister said that all G7 foreign ministers “agree” with the American proposal for a ceasefire. But the group emphasised the need for assurances that would guard against Russian aggression.
Gold prices surged past $3,000 per troy ounce for the first time, driven by fears that Mr Trump’s tariffs will slow global growth. The metal has risen by 14% this year as investors seek a safe haven. Purchases by central banks and expectations that the Federal Reserve will cut rates have also fuelled demand (lower rates make non-yielding assets like gold more attractive).
Mark Carney was sworn in as Canada’s prime minister. On March 9th Liberal Party members chose him to succeed Justin Trudeau as the party’s leader. Mr Carney previously ran central banks in England and Canada. His main challenges will be to defend Canada from Donald Trump’s economic onslaught and to prepare the Liberals for an election that must be held this year.
Friedrich Merz, Germany’s incoming chancellor, reportedly agreed on a spending plan with the Green Party. Earlier this month he proposed relaxing Germany’s constitutional “debt brake” to boost spending by hundreds of billions of dollars, particularly in defence and infrastructure. Mr Merz needs the Greens’ support to secure a two-thirds majority when the package goes to a vote in parliament next Tuesday.
America’s justice department is investigating whether last year’s pro-Palestinian protesters at Columbia University violated “terrorism crimes”, said Todd Blanche, the deputy attorney-general. An investigation into allegations that the university had been “harbouring and concealing” illegal immigrants on its campus was ongoing, he added. Immigration officials arrested two protesters this week; a third voluntarily left America after her visa was revoked.
Word of the week: Fulul, a term used by Syrians to refer to the remnants of the Assad regime. Read the full story.
Donald Trump’s return to the presidency has brought exceptional changes to American politics—with consequences for the rest of the world, too. Read The US in brief, a daily update of the domestic political stories that matter. Sign up here to receive it as a newsletter, each weekday, in your inbox.