D.C. was thrown into disarray this week as the U.S. government shut down after Republicans and Democrats were unable to negotiate a spending bill, prompting fear especially as the debt ceiling gradually creeps up. During the same week, 34-year-old Miriam Carey made world headlines after trying to ram her car through to the White House and led police on a chase that ended with her death. On the other side of the world, at least 146 African migrants are dead after their boat sunk off the Italian coast in the worst migrant shipwreck in the country’s history.
Welcome back to NEWSFLASH, giving you the week’s biggest news stories!
U.S. Government Shuts Down As Debt Ceiling Looms
The U.S. government officially shut down on Tuesday as House Republicans and Democrats in the Senate were unable to negotiate a spending bill as the fiscal year drew to a close. The current shutdown is the first since 1995, when the government closed for 21 days.
Obamacare continued to serve as the point of contention between the two parties, as Republicans in Congress sought to cut the health care plan’s funding while Democrat Senators blocked their attempts. Even after multiple amendments to proposed spending bills, Republicans and Democrats were still at an impasse.
While essential government services continue to run, more than 800,000 government workers were furloughed. The Pentagon may potentially recall more than 300,000 employees, but most other government agencies have not indicated their intent to do the same.
Along with the shutdown, U.S. officials are also keeping an eye on the impending debt ceiling. At the end of this month, the U.S. is expected to hit its borrowing limit which, if the limit isn’t extended, could force another economic downturn just as severe as that of 2008.
Boat Sinking Off Italian Coast Kills 146 African Migrants
Italy experienced its worst migrant shipwreck in history when at least 130 people died off the coast of Lampedusa on Thursday.
Rescuers recovered 111 bodies and 155 survivors so far as of Saturday, but more than 16 more bodies turned up Sunday while around 200 individuals remain unaccounted for. The death toll is expected to rise as rough weather continues to stall rescue efforts.
The boat’s motor reportedly failed as the ship was en route from Libya and began to take on water. A fire broke out when a group of passengers lit a piece of material to signal for help, but the fire engulfed the boat and sent many migrants jumping into the water.
The shipwreck shocked the entire country, leaving Italian citizens and authorities appalled that such a tragedy could occur. People have demanded that the government pay more attention to the plight of African migrants attempting to reach Italy’s shores, as many have perished on the journey.
A national day of mourning was declared on Friday in Italy. The island of Lampedusa also held an evening mass and candlelight vigil to remember the lives lost.
Woman Shot and Killed After White House to Capitol Car Chase
Miriam Carey, 34, of Samford, Conn., was shot and killed by police on Thursday after she tried to ram a car through a White House security barricade, leading security officials on a car chase that ended at the U.S. Capitol.
Videos show the dental hygienist driving a black Nissan Infiniti with police cars trailing her. After attempting to break through the White House security barricade, Carey was chased for 16 blocks before she ended up at the Capitol where police shot her dead.
A one-year-old child was also in the car, but was uninjured and taken from the vehicle after Carey was stopped.
While police have not yet identified what prompted the incident, reports indicate that Carey was taken in for a mental health evaluation last year following an encounter with a police officer. Carey claimed that she was a prophet, and that President Obama had would place Stamford under a “lockdown.”