Group 1 - The ongoing government shutdown in the U.S. has entered its third week, primarily due to long-standing conflicts between the Democratic and Republican parties, with both sides attempting to leverage the shutdown to force budget compromises [1][3] - The focal point of the conflict is the subsidies under the Affordable Care Act, with Democrats advocating for their extension to protect millions from losing healthcare, while Republicans oppose it, accusing Democrats of using public welfare as a political tool [3] - The shutdown has resulted in over 800,000 federal employees being placed on unpaid leave, national parks closing, and significant flight delays due to insufficient air traffic control staff, exacerbating public welfare issues [3] Group 2 - The economic impact of the shutdown is significant, with an estimated loss of $15 billion in GDP for each week it continues, and projections indicate that over 40,000 jobs could be lost if the situation persists into November [3] - The Federal Reserve, led by Chairman Powell, is expected to implement a 0.25 percentage point interest rate cut by the end of October and will halt the withdrawal of funds from the market to maintain liquidity and encourage hiring and consumer spending [4] - The U.S. Treasury Secretary has shifted focus to China, claiming that China's control over rare earth exports is a global challenge, despite the fact that the U.S. has imposed multiple restrictions on Chinese high-tech products, indicating a potential misalignment in trade policy [4][5]