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US House votes to avert government shutdown
The Republican-controlled House of Representatives has voted to pass a budget deal to avert what would be the first US federal government shut down since 2019.
The deal, which passed by a vote of 366 -34 only six hours before a midnight deadline, must still be approved by the Democratic-controlled Senate before it can be signed into law by President Joe Biden.
Lawmakers earlier this week had successfully negotiated a deal to fund government agencies – but it fell apart after President-elect Donald Trump and tech billionaire Elon Musk called on Republicans to reject it.
This vote was the third attempt this week to get a deal through the House after a second funding measure – that one backed by Trump – failed on Thursday.
The 118-page “American Relief Act, 2025” that passed in the House on Friday strips out a debt-limit provision that Trump had demanded, which was a sticking point for Democrats and some Republican budget hawks in an earlier draft bill.
The deal also removes measures sought by Democrats in the first version of the bill, including the first pay raise for lawmakers since 2009, federal funds to rebuild a bridge that collapsed in Baltimore, healthcare reforms, and provisions aimed at preventing hotels and live event venues from deceptive advertising.
A total of 34 Republicans voted against the short-term funding bill while all Democrats in attendance were in favour.
Trump has not yet commented on the vote. A statement put out by the White House on behalf of Biden praises the deal.
Ahead of the vote, Democrats slammed the involvement of Mr Musk in the process, who they pointed out is an unelected billionaire.
Mr Musk, who Trump has tasked with cutting government spending in his future administration, had lobbied heavily against an earlier bill.
During floor debate, Republicans said they look forward to a “new era” when Trump takes office and Republicans take control of both chambers of Congress next month.
The wrangling over budget left Republican House Speaker Mike Johnson bruised amid criticism from members of his own party over his handling of the process.
“We are grateful that everyone stood together to do the right thing and having gotten this done now as the last order of business for the year, we are set up for a big and important new start in January,” Johnson told reporters after Friday’s vote.
He also said that he had spoken frequently to both Trump and Mr Musk during the negotiations.
Johnsons remarks came shortly after Mr Musk praised the Louisiana congressman’s work on the budget in a post on X, the social media platform he owns.
“The Speaker did a good job here, given the circumstances,” he posted. “It went from a bill that weighed pounds to a bill that weighed ounces.”
The dramatic budget fight served as a preview of the tense legislative fights that could be in store next year, once Trump is in the White House.
Officials have warned that if there is no funding deal going into the holiday season, millions of federal employees would go without paycheques if the government shuts down.
There will be countless other ways a shut down would affect Americans – including by limiting assistance to aid-reliant farmers and people recovering from natural disasters.
The last government shutdown was during Trump’s first term in 2019 after the Republican-controlled House of Representatives failed to come to an agreement on a new spending bill.
That shutdown lasted 35 days, and was the longest in US history.
[BBC]
British Prime Minister KeirStarmer has resigned in a televised statement after coming under mounting pressure from his own Labour Party.
It follows the decisive by-election win by his rival, Andy Burnham, to claim a parliamentary seat in North West England.
Polls say the 63-year-old Labour Party leader and former lawyer is deeply unpopular with voters after a series of policy missteps and scandals.
In 2024, Starmer won the biggest parliamentary majority for Labour since 1997 after 14 years of Conservative-led government.
(Aljazeera)
Latest News
President chairs discussion on providing swift solutions to challenges in apparel sector
A discussion aimed at identifying swift solutions to the challenges facing Sri Lanka’s apparel sector, with a view to strengthening an export-led economy and enhancing dollar earnings, was held this afternoon (22) at the Presidential Secretariat under the patronage of President Anura Kumara Dissanayake.
The meeting brought together leading business leaders and investors in the country’s apparel industry. Extensive discussions were held on the practical challenges confronting the sector and the support measures required to successfully implement the Export Development Board’s (EDB) new export strategy.
President Anura Kumara Dissanayake emphasised that the Government would extend its fullest support towards strengthening Sri Lanka’s export economy and outlined the policy measures planned to achieve this objective.
The President further noted that expanding industrial operations into rural areas could significantly strengthen the country’s export economy and invited investors to participate in this initiative. Discussions were also held on a Government-supported “Plug and Play” mechanism, under which the necessary infrastructure and factory buildings would be provided to facilitate investment.
Explaining the current economic situation, the President pointed out that although investments made in Sri Lankan rupees have increased, it is essential to strengthen dollar-earning sectors in order to manage the impact on the country’s foreign exchange position. The President further stated that economic revival could be achieved by increasing dollar revenues while keeping rupee-denominated expenditure under control.
Special attention was also paid to land-related issues faced by investors. The President stated that the Government would intervene to ensure the value of land assets and maintain policy stability, adding that the necessary legal reforms in this regard are already underway.
The President also drew attention to the challenges faced by local raw material suppliers as a result of the Value Added Tax (VAT) system and requested business representatives to promptly submit proposals on alternative relief measures that could be introduced to address these concerns.
Alternative measures that could be taken to expand free trade agreements and increase quotas to increase market opportunities were also discussed extensively.
It was further noted that the National Single Window for Trade is expected to be operational by the end of July this year to enhance the efficiency of trade-related activities, while the National Single Window for Investment is scheduled to be completed by the end of the year.
The President also highlighted the need to strengthen legal and technological mechanisms to prevent illicitly acquired wealth from being transferred out of the country. He further stated that a new law aimed at combating organised crime, while safeguarding public rights, would be introduced in place of the Prevention of Terrorism Act (PTA).
The investors expressed their appreciation to the President for providing them with an opportunity to directly present their concerns. They also requested that a monthly forum be established to enable discussions with relevant officials on issues that may arise in the course of their operations. Responding positively to the request, the President instructed officials to take the necessary steps to facilitate such engagements.
Minister of Labour and Deputy Minister of Finance and Planning Dr. Anil Jayantha Fernando, Secretary to the Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development Harshana Suriyapperuma, Controller General of Imports and Exports Upulmali Premathilaka, Chairman of the Sri Lanka Export Development Board Mangala Wijesinghe, officials representing the Inland Revenue Department, Sri Lanka Customs and other relevant institutions, as well as a number of leading business leaders and investors from Sri Lanka’s apparel sector, were present at the discussion.
President’s Media Division (PMD)
More than half of France’s regions are under a red heat alert, as the country braces for sweltering temperatures in an intensifying heatwave.
Highs of more than 40C (104F) are expected across parts of western France on Monday, with temperatures expected to hit 42C in Bordeaux, forecaster Météo-France said.
Some 845 schools have been shut, while a further 1,800 are allowing pupils to finish classes early, the education ministry said. But more than a million high school students are due to take their oral final exams for the baccalaureate.
The French government has warned people not to try to cool off in unsupervised areas such as lakes and rivers, after 13 drowning deaths at the weekend.
A red heat alert is the highest of four warnings issued by Météo-France, and advises people to exercise extreme caution in conditions that are potentially life-threatening.
Dozens of other regions in France are under an orange alert – the second-highest warning – with an estimated 63 million people in total affected across the country.
The national railway operator SNCF urged “vulnerable” people to avoid or postpone train travel this week, while in Paris, several train lines reduced their services on Monday due to the heat.
Belgium’s train operator also announced some peak hour trains would be cancelled for Monday and Tuesday. Temperatures in Belgium are expected to reach record levels in the coming week, the IRM meteorological institute said.
Madrid is forecast to hit 39C on Monday and in Italy, temperatures are predicted to reach 37C in Rome.
Red warnings are also in force across other parts of western and central Europe – taking effect in Germany and Switzerland on Monday and in Luxembourg on Tuesday.
The rising temperatures are being driven by hot air moving north from the Sahara desert, which is in turn trapping hot air over western and central Europe with forecasters suggesting the conditions could result in one of the longest heatwaves in recent years.
Temperatures are expected to peak in many areas on Wednesday.
Météo-France said of the 51 heatwaves recorded in France since 1947, 34 have taken place since 2000 and 26 since 2011.
Spain’s state weather service Aemet warned of “extremely high” temperatures for the season until Wednesday “between five and 10 degrees above what is typical”.
A red alert has been issued for the Basque country, with highs in San Sebastian forecast to rise to 40C, almost double its average for this time of year.
It comes as the UK’s Met Office issued a rare red heat warnung on Wednesday and Thursday for parts of England and Wales, with forecasts suggesting temperatures could reach 38C (100F) in some areas this week.
The conditions in France follow a weekend in which the mercury hit 40C, prompting an alcohol ban at the annual Fetede la Musique, a national festival that sees large crowds celebrate on the streets of most cities.
The ban applied to all events organised by the French state and its agencies, and aimed “to preserve emergency and healthcare services and allow medical staff to focus on caring for the most vulnerable”, the government said.
In the south-west Gironde region, local authorities on Sunday said three people – aged between 80 and 95 years – had died, partly due to the intense heat.
Health Minister Stéphanie Rist told French public broadcaster TV1 Info on Monday that many “fellow citizens will suffer” during the hot weather, and called on people to keep a “close eye” on relatives and neighbours.
While the hottest temperatures are expected on the western coast, highs are expected to hang around 36C to 40C across much of the rest of the country, Météo-France said.
The forecaster warned that the heatwave will be “widespread, long-lasting and intense” – with temperatures not expected to drop until the end of the week.
BBC Weather(BBC)
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