News Wrap: Government Shutdown Continues, Louvre Heist, and Japan's First Female Prime Minister

Government Shutdown Stalemate

• 🏛️ Republican lawmakers are signaling no intention to negotiate as the government shutdown enters its 21st day.
• 🗣️ Senate Majority Leader John Thune urged Democrats to "get wise," while President Trump stated, "We will not be extorted."
• 🤝 Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer called on Republicans to negotiate, noting that Democrats have requested a meeting with President Trump.

Political Developments in North Carolina

• 🗺️ North Carolina's state senate approved a new congressional map likely to help Republicans gain an extra seat in the next midterm elections.
• ⚖️ Despite a split electorate, Republicans control both chambers of the legislature, and the governor cannot veto the map.
• ✊ Democrats view this as a power grab, with protesters rallying outside the capitol building.

Major Heist and Political Imprisonment in France

• 💎 Jewels stolen from the Louvre Museum are estimated to be worth $102 million.
• 🔍 Over 100 investigators are examining how thieves broke into the museum and stole the valuable items.
• 🇫🇷 Former French President Nicolas Sarkozy began serving a five-year sentence in prison for financing his 2011 presidential campaign through Libya.

Japan Elects First Female Prime Minister

• 🇯🇵 Japan has elected its first female prime minister, a 54-year-old ultraconservative.
• 📜 She supports male-only imperial succession, opposes same-sex marriage, and admires Margaret Thatcher.
• 🤝 She is scheduled to meet with President Trump next week.

New Delhi Smog and Business News

• 🏭 New Delhi was blanketed in smog following Diwali celebrations, with a Supreme Court ruling relaxing a ban on firecrackers contributing to severe air quality.
• 📈 Warner Bros. Discovery is reportedly open to selling all or part of its business, with multiple parties expressing interest, causing its shares to surge.