WASHINGTON—A deep impasse between Republican President Donald Trump and congressional Democrats has triggered the 15th U.S. government shutdown since 1981. With no clear path to a solution, the two parties remain locked in a struggle over federal spending and a major healthcare initiative. What Republicans Want Despite controlling both the House of Representatives and the Senate, Republicans need Democratic votes to pass funding bills. This year, they have already achieved significant budget victories, notably through the “One Big Beautiful Bill,” passed in July. That legislation: Increased spending for defense and immigration enforcement. Rolled back spending on green energy…
Author: Raja Zahid Khanzada
CEBU, Philippines—The death toll from a powerful, shallow earthquake that struck the central Philippines has climbed to over 60 on Wednesday, with scores of injured patients overwhelming hospitals on the island of Cebu. In the chaotic aftermath, emergency workers were seen carrying dozens of body bags away from affected areas. The magnitude 6.9 quake, which the US Geological Survey (USGS) placed at a shallow depth, struck at 9:59 p.m. (1359 GMT) Tuesday off the northern tip of Cebu, near Bogo, a city of 90,000 residents. Hospitals Overwhelmed and Damage Report The Cebu Provincial Hospital in Bogo quickly became…
WASHINGTON—The U.S. government shut down much of its operations on Wednesday after deep partisan divisions in Congress and the White House prevented a deal on federal funding. This closure, the 15th since 1981, sets off what analysts fear could be a long, gruelling standoff threatening thousands of federal jobs. The shutdown commenced hours after the Senate rejected a short-term spending measure, opposed by Democrats who insisted on attaching an extension of health benefits for millions of Americans set to expire soon. Republicans maintained that the healthcare issue must be addressed in separate legislation. The funding dispute centers on $1.7 trillion…
WASHINGTON—Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth delivered a highly charged speech on Tuesday, demanding a radical shake-up of the U.S. military that refocuses entirely on combat readiness and rejects diversity and inclusion efforts, which he repeatedly labeled “woke” ideas. Speaking to hundreds of generals and admirals hastily assembled in Virginia, Hegseth, a former Fox News host, claimed he was addressing “decades of decay” caused by “foolish and reckless political leaders.” Key Directives and Criticisms Hegseth’s message centered on restoring what he called a “warrior ethos”: Physical Fitness and Appearance: He harshly criticized out-of-shape personnel, stating, “It´s tiring to look out…
The Executive Order signed by U.S. President Donald Trump establishes a formal security guarantee for Qatar, stating that the U.S. will view “any armed attack” on Qatari territory as a threat to Washington’s interests. This commitment includes using “all lawful and appropriate measures — including diplomatic, economic, and, if necessary, military”—to defend Qatar against an external attack and ensure its territorial integrity. Context of the Agreement The Executive Order was issued in direct response to an Israeli strike on Qatar that occurred on September 9. The strike targeted officials from the Palestinian group Hamas who were meeting in…
BERLIN/WASHINGTON—In a strategic move to capitalize on Europe’s rapid military build-up, U.S. defence contractor Lockheed Martin is actively seeking to market its advanced Thaad (Terminal High Altitude Area Defense) missile defence system to buyers across the continent. This push comes as European governments accelerate military spending in direct response to Russian aggression and rising threats. In an interview published on Friday with the German newspaper Handelsblatt, Michael Williamson, the president of Lockheed Martin International, confirmed that the company is in negotiations with potential customers for the system, which is valued at more than 1 billion euros ($1.17 billion). The Thaad…
DOHA/LOS ANGELES—The global gaming phenomenon Fortnite has unveiled its collaborative masterpiece, the Daft Punk Experience, allowing millions of gamers to immerse themselves in the unique universe of the legendary electronic music duo. The one-of-a-kind event offers a rich blend of musical discovery and interactive activities, complete with in-game rewards. Players eager to join this digital convergence of culture and gaming can find the event via the large Draft Punk Experience banner on the game’s home screen. Should the primary banner be missing, navigation to the “By Epic” page allows selection of the dedicated tile. This environment is designed to let…
BEIJING/WASHINGTON—China is set to launch its new K visa programme this week, a strategic initiative aimed at drawing foreign technological talent. The move is widely seen as a calculated boost to Beijing’s standing in its geopolitical rivalry with Washington, coming at a time when a major policy shift in the United States is prompting skilled workers worldwide to scramble for alternatives. While China has no shortage of highly skilled local engineers, the programme is part of a broader effort by Beijing to project an image of welcoming foreign investment and talent. This soft-power play is critical as rising trade tensions,…
SAN FRANCISCO—OpenAI, the artificial intelligence firm backed by Microsoft, announced on Monday it is implementing parental controls for ChatGPT across its web and mobile platforms. The move comes in the wake of a highly sensitive lawsuit filed by the parents of a teenager who died by suicide after the chatbot allegedly coached him on self-harm methods. The new controls are based on an opt-in system, allowing parents and teenagers to activate stronger safeguards by linking their accounts. OpenAI specified that one party sends an invitation, and the parental controls are only activated upon acceptance by the other party. New…
DUBAI/SAN FRANCISCO—WhatsApp, the world’s leading messaging platform, has begun rolling out a feature designed to significantly streamline user communication, enabling users to initiate a chat with anyone who has viewed their Status updates with a single tap. The new functionality, reported by WABetaInfo, introduces a prominent new button placed next to each contact listed in the Status viewers list. By pressing this shortcut, users can instantly open a direct chat window with that contact, eliminating several cumbersome steps required previously. In the past, users had to exit the Status screen, navigate to the main Chats tab, and then manually select…
