The U.S. government is set to resume operations on Thursday after the longest shutdown in American history left air traffic disrupted, food aid suspended for low-income families, and more than one million federal workers unpaid for over a month.
Despite the reopening, the deep political fractures that caused the 43-day impasse remain unresolved. The funding agreement offers few limits on President Donald Trump’s control over spending, continuing tensions with Congress over budget authority. It also sidesteps the expiring health care subsidies that initially pushed Senate Democrats to block the earlier budget proposal.
The shutdown exposed sharp divides within the Democratic Party as well — between progressives demanding stronger opposition to Trump and moderates wary of overreach while Republicans maintain control of both chambers. Senate Democratic leader Chuck Schumer now faces mounting criticism, even though he voted against the final deal.
Around 1.4 million federal employees who worked without pay are expected to receive back wages starting Saturday, with full payments due by Wednesday, according to the White House. Trump’s team had earlier threatened to withhold pay for some categories of workers, but there was no indication that it will do so.
“I’m happy to see all my coworkers again. I brought in some pastries so we can enjoy our first day back,” said Stanley Stocker, an Interior Department employee returning to work.
Although Trump fired several thousand federal employees during the shutdown, the funding bill ensures their reinstatement, requiring agencies to reverse dismissals within five days.
Public opinion shows neither side escaped blame. A Reuters/Ipsos poll found 50% of Americans held Republicans responsible for the shutdown, while 47% blamed Democrats.
The reopening may prove short-lived: the new deal only funds the government until 30 January, raising fears of another standoff early next year.
Amid all the political turmoil, one topic was notably absent — discussion of the $38 trillion national debt, which remains on track to grow by about $1.8 trillion annually, as Congress once again postponed tough fiscal decisions.
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Prospects for new peace talks between Iran and the U.S. are “dim,” with both sides operating on false assumptions, a political analyst told AnewZ.
Start your day informed with AnewZ Morning Brief. Here are the top news stories for the 21st of April, covering the latest developments you need to know
Iran is considering attending peace talks with the United States in Pakistan, a senior Iranian official told Reuters on Monday, following moves by Islamabad to end a U.S. blockade of Iran's ports, a significant obstacle to Tehran rejoining peace efforts as the end of a two-week ceasefire approaches
Tim Cook, the tech boss who led Apple to become a $4 trillion company in its post-Steve Jobs era, is stepping down after 15 years in the top job. John Ternus, an Apple veteran of 25 years, who is currently the U.S. company’s Vice President of Hardware Engineering, will take over from September.
Iran accuses the United States of breaching a ceasefire after a commercial ship was seized in the Gulf of Oman, vowing retaliation, as Israel warns south Lebanon residents to avoid restricted areas.
Progessive Bulgaria, led by pro-Russian Eurosceptic Rumen Radev is on track to form Bulgaria’s next government, after official results showed a runaway victory for the coalition in the Balkan nation's parliamentary elections on Monday (20 April).
Pakistan is confident it can bring Iran to talks with the United States, a senior official said, citing “positive signals” from Tehran, as JD Vance is reportedly set to visit Islamabad on Tuesday for peace talks, according to Axios.
A powerful 7.5 magnitude earthquake has struck off Japan’s north-eastern coast, triggering urgent tsunami warnings with waves of up to 3 metres expected, prompting residents to seek immediate safety.
Blue Origin, the U.S. space company of billionaire Amazon founder Jeff Bezos, successfully reused and recovered a booster for its New Glenn rocket launched from Florida on Sunday (19 April), in the latest chapter of its intensifying rivalry with Elon Musk’s SpaceX.
The escalating conflict involving Iran, the U.S. and Israel is fuelling what could become the most severe energy crisis the world has ever faced, according to the head of the International Energy Agency (IEA).
A Canadian woman has been shot dead and 13 others injured in a shooting at the Teotihuacan pyramids on Monday, one of Mexico’s most visited tourist attractions.
Start your day informed with AnewZ Morning Brief. Here are the top news stories for the 21st of April, covering the latest developments you need to know
Japan on Tuesday unveiled its biggest overhaul of defence export rules in decades, scrapping restrictions on overseas arms sales and opening the way for exports of warships, missiles and other weapons.
Hungarian election winner Péter Magyar on Monday nominated András Kármán as finance minister, Anita Orbán as foreign minister and István Kapitány as economy and energy minister in his incoming government, as previously indicated.
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