U.S. and Iran exchange threats - Tuesday, 10 March
Tensions in the region remained high on Tuesday (10 March), as the United States and Iran exchanged increasingly sharp warnings, including thr...
The White House expressed optimism on Wednesday that the longest government shutdown in U.S. history could come to an end later in the evening, as lawmakers appeared ready to send the funding deal to President Donald Trump for his signature.
White House spokesperson Karoline Leavitt told reporters, “Tonight, thanks to Republicans, the White House is very hopeful that this shutdown is going to come to an end. President Trump looks forward to finally ending this devastating Democrat shutdown with his signature.”
Leavitt added that Trump may sign the bill in front of reporters. The shutdown has now entered its 43rd day.
The House of Representatives is expected to vote on the funding deal at 7 pm local time (2300 GMT), following the Senate’s 60-40 approval.
The legislation funds the government at previous levels until 30 January and includes three year-long appropriations packages for essential agencies and programmes. It also reinstates federal employees who were furloughed during the shutdown.
The shutdown began on 1 October after negotiations over federal spending priorities broke down. Thousands of federal workers were furloughed or forced to work without pay, while many government services were curtailed or suspended.
Democrats had sought to compel Republicans to extend Affordable Care Act (ACA) subsidies and reverse cuts to the Medicaid programme for lower-income Americans. Neither goal was achieved, with Republicans agreeing only to a later Senate vote on ACA subsidies set to expire at the end of the year.
Tensions in the region remained high on Tuesday (10 March), as the United States and Iran exchanged increasingly sharp warnings, including threats over the strategic Strait of Hormuz, a critical artery for global oil supplies.
China has urged Afghanistan and Pakistan to resolve their dispute through dialogue after Chinese envoy Yue Xiaoyong met Afghan Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi, as fighting between the two neighbours entered its eleventh day.
Iranian civilian and military officials have pledged their obedience to the new leader, Ayatollah Seyed Mojtaba Khamenei, with President Masoud Pezeshkian saying his leadership “will herald a new era of dignity and authority for the Iranian nation.”.
Kazakhstan has evacuated more than 7,300 citizens from the Middle East since regional tensions escalated, using both air and land routes to bring nationals home while closely monitoring political developments and potential economic effects linked to rising oil prices.
Almost 2,000 people have been evacuated from Iran via Azerbaijan since conflict erupted in the Middle East.
The first batch of Peter Mandelson’s papers on his 2024 ambassadorial appointment is set to be published on Wednesday, following a parliamentary order. The release comes amid police investigations over his links to Jeffrey Epstein.
At least six people have died after a bus caught fire in Kerzers, Switzerland, in what police say may have been a deliberate act. Witnesses reported a man inside the vehicle set himself alight. Three others were injured and taken to hospital, while authorities continue their investigation.
Start your day informed with AnewZ Morning Brief. Here are the top news stories for the 11th of March, covering the latest developments you need to know.
Iran and Israel continue to exchange missile and drone strikes across the Middle East - all the latest updates throughout the day on AnewZ
U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations, Mike Waltz, has addressed the U.N. Security Council, saying the world must consider how effective its engagement with the Taliban-run country is as millions face hunger.
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