Shutdown showdown: Federal agencies send emails blaming Democrats; cite ‘unrelated policy demands’

File photo (Picture credit: AP) Federal agencies under US President Donald Trump have sent emails to employees blaming congressional Democrats for a potential government shutdown, raising concerns among ethics experts about the partisan nature of the communications.Emails, sent Tuesday by at least four agencies, including the departments of interior, homeland security, and health and human […]

US govt heads for first shutdown in 7 years: Why stakes are higher this time – 10 FAQs answered

A bitter standoff in Washington over health care and spending has pushed the United States to the brink of its first government shutdown in seven years. Unless lawmakers strike a deal before midnight, large parts of the federal government will be forced to suspend operations, with hundreds of thousands of workers either furloughed or asked […]

Shutdown showdown: Donald Trump to meet top congressional leaders; deadline looms

File photo: US President Donald Trump (Picture credit: AP) US President Donald Trump is planning to meet with the top four congressional leaders at the White House on Monday, one day before the federal government faces a potential shutdown, a White House official and congressional sources confirmed. According to news agency AP, House Speaker Mike […]

US government to shutdown by September 30? White House blames Democrats; Donald Trump calls for a chat

With just days remaining before the fiscal year ends on September 30, the US government faces the looming threat of a shutdown. Donald Trump is set to meet with Democratic leaders on Thursday, who are pushing to preserve key healthcare programs as part of any funding deal before the deadline.The White House has already pointed […]

A joke that turned serious: Rubio exits USAID role; hands shutdown to Vought

Marco Rubio and Donalfd Trump (File – AP) US secretary of state Marco Rubio on Friday announced he is stepping back from his role overseeing the US agency for international development (USAID), handing off responsibilities to office of management and budget director Russ Vought as the agency enters its final phase of shutdown.In a post […]

US govt to halt? Trump escalates foreign aid fight – Schumer threatens fall shutdown

Chuck Schumer (left), Donald Trump (File – agencies) US President Donald Trump has unilaterally cancelled nearly $5 billion in foreign aid, drawing sharp criticism from both Republican and Democratic lawmakers.Republican Senator Susan Collins called the move “unlawful”, while Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer warned it could lead to a government shutdown this fall.The rescinded funds, […]

US public media shutdown hits harder in Turkey

US President Donald Trump‘s shutdown of US media outlet Voice of America, or VOA, has had a particularly strong impact in countries like Turkey where press freedom has long been under threat.As a result of the Trump administration’s defunding of the US government-funded international news service on March 14, the organization has effectively ceased operations. […]

London’s Heathrow Airport back to life as first flight touches down after 18-hour shutdown

A British Airways flight landing at London’s Heathrow Airport on Friday (AP) LONDON: British Airways became the first carrier to resume operations at London’s Heathrow Airport, following an 18-hour disruption due to a devastating electrical substation fire at Europe’s busiest aviation hub.Power restoration enabled the British Airways aircraft to land before sunset on Friday after […]