WASHINGTON: President Donald Trump provoked a fresh political crisis Friday, threating to veto an already approved budget and shut down the federal government.
The US leader was to address the media at the White House after he appeared to reverse his support for the $1.3 trillion spending bill, amid unfavorable television coverage.
Trump’s administration had categorically said he supported the deal brokered by the Republican controlled Congress and passed in a dead-of-night vote, claiming it as victory before the 71-year-old’s change of heart.
Many lawmakers have already left Washington for two weeks recess, so a renegotiation is unlikely.
“I am considering a VETO of the Omnibus Spending Bill,” Trump tweeted, suggesting the deal did not do enough to help 800,000 immigrants holding a de facto amnesty, which he rescinded.
Trump has repeatedly tried to blame the looming end of the “DACA” program on Democrats. The Obama-era plan protects migrants brought illegally to America as children from deportation.
The president also vented that the spending bill did not fully fund his signature campaign promise to build “the BORDER WALL, which” he said “is desperately needed for our National Defense.”
If the president does not sign the budget before midnight Friday, hundreds of thousands of civil servants will be put on forced leave, national parks from the Grand Canyon to Yellowstone will close and non-essential services will stop.
Trump’s threat came hours after a host on conservative channel Fox News pilloried the deal as a Washington “swamp budget.”
The tweet caps yet another week of high drama at a White House that seems to lurch from crisis to crisis.
This week the former reality TV star replaced his national security adviser, launched a new trade fight with China, and needled investigators probing Russia election meddling.
At the same time Trump faces an almost unprecedented number of scandals from a defamation lawsuit, to allegations of two extramarital affairs.
The spending package provided $1.6 billion for border security and construction or repair of nearly 100 miles (160 kilometers) of border fencing, but that was far less than Trump had been seeking.
It also set aside the issue of the so-called “Dreamers,” who are in legal limbo following the Trump administration’s repeal of DACA.
The program expired on March 5, but the issue is being fought in the courts. Attempts at a legislative fix collapsed in a previous round of negotiations to avert a government shutdown.
In a Congress riven by partisan feuding, passage early Friday of the massive bill to fund the US government through September was considered a rare achievement.
The centerpiece was a big increase in US defense spending to $700 billion dollars, up $61 billion, and a 10 percent hike in domestic spending, which would rise to $591 billion.
“This bill is so important on many fronts, from school safety and troop funding, to opioids and veterans care,” press secretary Sarah Sanders said Thursday.
Trump’s budget director Mick Mulvaney went one step further: “Let’s cut right to the chase. Is the president going to sign the bill? The answer is yes. Why? Because it funds his priorities.”
Five times since October, lawmakers have had to pass stopgap funding legislation to keep the government’s lights on. Twice this year the government was allowed to slip into shutdown.
A third lapse would be deeply embarrassing for a Republican-controlled Congress facing midterm elections in November.
Democratic Senator Richard Blumenthal said Trump “needs to drop his wildly reckless veto threats” and sign the bill now.
“Americans deserve leadership from the White House, not more self-inflicted chaos.”
Some conservative Republicans welcomed the move, saying the process was flawed from the start.
Trump tweets threat to shut down US government
Trump tweets threat to shut down US government
Saudi Arabia condemns New Orleans attack
RIYADH: Saudi Arabia condemned and denounced on Wednesday a deadly car ramming in New Orleans, Louisiana, that struck a crowd celebrating New Year’s Eve.
A 42-year-old Texas man crashed a pickup truck into a crowd in the city’s French Quarter before opening fire with a gun, killing at least 10 people and injuring 35, in an early morning attack the FBI said was a potential act of terrorism.
The suspect was fatally shot in an exchange of gunfire with police. Potential homemade bombs were found in the truck and around the French Quarter, the FBI said.
A Daesh flag was also located in the vehicle, the agency added.
A Saudi Foreign Ministry statement expressed the Kingdom’s complete rejection and denunciation of all forms of violence.
It also expressed the Saudi Arabia’s solidarity and sincere condolences to the families of the victims, the American people, and the US government. It also wished the injured a speedy recovery.
Heart of hospitality: Saudi cultural host welcomes world with open arms
- Fathima Alayan’s Saudi home experience part of program for visitors interested in Kingdom’s heritage
- ‘I invite everyone to visit my country and discover our civilization up close,’ she says
MAKKAH: English teacher turned cultural host Fathima Alayan has opened her Riyadh home to tourists to showcase the Kingdom’s rich heritage and hospitality.
Her initiative aligns with the national vision to strengthen cultural identity and showcase it to the world.
With her fluency in English and passion for Saudi heritage, Alayan has created an experience for visitors that blends traditional hospitality with displays of artifacts and clothing and even cookery lessons.
Alayan is part of the Hihome program, which offers visitors the chance to get to know Saudi culture by visiting real homes and farms and eating and cooking with the families.
The program aims to present a positive image of Saudi culture, in line with the Vision 2030 goal of strengthening national identity and preserving heritage.
“I carry the responsibility of showcasing my country’s identity and the culture of the Saudi family to the world by hosting foreign tourists in my modest home, in alignment with the vision of my leader, Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman,” Alayan told Arab News.
Alayan stands as a role model for spreading the values and ethics of Saudi society and represents Saudi women as active contributors to national initiatives.
For visitors, the experience begins with authentic Saudi coffee and a selection of traditional dates and desserts, such as luqaimat, masabib and hanini. This is followed by a sumptuous lunch or dinner featuring dishes like kabsa, mandi, jareesh, marqouq, each prepared with love and precision.
“It’s not just about serving food; my family and I also share with them how each dish is prepared, giving them a true glimpse into our culture and way of life,” Alayan said.
The experience includes an introduction to traditional Saudi clothing, which visitors are invited to wear and have their photos taken to commemorate their visit.
“The tourists’ interaction with our traditional clothing and their love for the experience leave a significant impression on their hearts,” Alayan said.
“It confirms to me that my work has a positive impact in enhancing the image of Saudi society globally.”
Speaking about the guests she dreams of hosting in her home, she said: “I hope to have the honor of hosting Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Minister of Tourism Ahmed Al-Khateeb, Minister of Culture Prince Badr bin Farhan Al-Saud and Adviser Turki Al-Sheikh to support this pioneering national project.”
Alayan considers her participation in the Hihome program, via the hihome.sa app, a crucial step toward achieving her ambitions.
Hihome founder and CEO Nourah Al-Sadoun said: “We have nine categories of experiences. These include home and food tours, cooking experiences, heritage arts and crafts and camel rides. Each experience is designed to give visitors a true taste of Saudi life.”
Alayan is among the platform’s standout hosts who has been opening up her home to visitors for more than four years.
“Fathima is a lovely host who embodies the beauty of Saudi culture and traditions,” Al-Sadoun told Arab News.
“She has welcomed many guests into her home, where they have enjoyed not only her hospitality but also her passion for sharing Saudi heritage.”
As a passionate cook, Alayan offers hands-on cooking experiences and ensures that every visitor leaves with beautiful memories of Saudi culture and traditions.
“My message to the world is that Saudi Arabia is not just a country rich in resources but also rich in values, culture and people,” she said. “I invite everyone to visit my country and discover our culture up close.”
Abeer Medical Group celebrates 25 years in Saudi Arabia
Abeer Medical Group celebrated 25 years in Saudi Arabia with a grand ceremony held at the Ritz-Carlton Jeddah. The celebration brought together guests from various sectors, including officials from the Ministry of Health, insurance providers, bankers, diplomats, suppliers, and leaders from the business community.
The event commenced with a warm welcome from Dr. Jemshith Ahmed, vice president of strategic planning and medical affairs, who expressed gratitude for the support and dedication of everyone involved in Abeer’s journey.
Alungal Mohammed, president of Abeer Medical Group, reflected on the challenges the organization has faced over the years, emphasizing the resilience and commitment of the team. He expressed appreciation for all stakeholders, whose unwavering support has been pivotal in Abeer’s growth.
The Vision 2030 roadmap, designed by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman under the guidance of King Salman, has paved the way for Abeer to expand its services to meet the growing healthcare needs of the community. With plans to add around 40 new centers across major and tier 2 cities, Abeer will enhance its capacity to serve a growing patient base.
The president also highlighted the importance of collaboration with government ministries, insurance companies, and community members, in driving Abeer’s mission forward. Looking to the future, Abeer is dedicated to harnessing technology and innovation while continuing its commitment to patient-centered care, he said.
Dr. Ahmed Alungal, executive vice president, shared insights into the group’s current standing in the healthcare sector and outlined an ambitious vision for the future.
Dr. Alungal highlighted the introduction of two new verticals designed to enhance Abeer Medical Group’s service offerings: Lavender Health — a premium clinic that provides a carefully curated selection of specialties tailored specifically for niche groups, and Abeer Express clinics — local neighborhood clinics that deliver accessible and affordable primary healthcare services to the community. He outlined Abeer’s ambitious expansion plans, revealing that the organization would grow its presence from the current six cities to more than 15 across the Kingdom. This expansion is set to significantly increase its reach, making quality healthcare accessible to more than 14 million care seekers, up from the current 4 million.
Among the guests at the event were Mohammed Alhassan, co-founder and co-CEO of Gulf Islamic Investments, and Khaled Almaeena, director of Abeer Medical Group, who praised Abeer’s achievements and contributions to the community.
The evening concluded with Hamza Dagistani, vice president of human capital and shared services, proposing a vote of thanks, recognizing the collaborative efforts and dedication of all who have contributed to the group’s success over the past 25 years.
Ministry expands Saudi Arabia’s home healthcare services
- The number of people benefiting from home care services has reached more than 58,000 active cases in a year
- Basic home care services include wound and bed-sore treatment, chronic disease follow-ups, home visits, post-operative care, oral and dental health, and intravenous therapy
RIYADH: The Ministry of Health, through health clusters, continues to provide home healthcare services throughout the Kingdom, aiming to improve the quality of living, patient experience, and provide comprehensive treatment solutions.
The ministry said that basic home care services include wound and bed-sore treatment, chronic disease follow-ups, home visits, post-operative care, oral and dental health, and intravenous therapy.
Additionally, new services have been introduced, such as mother and childcare, dialysis, and palliative care.
The number of people benefiting from home care services has reached more than 58,000 active cases in a year, with more than 71,000 total beneficiaries since the service’s launch, the Saudi Press Agency reported on Wednesday.
These services are provided by 244 home healthcare departments, with more than 2,700 specialized staff members.
These efforts align with the Health Sector Transformation Program and Saudi Vision 2030’s goal to enhance access to healthcare services and their quality, thereby addressing community needs.
The ministry said that home healthcare services can be requested through specialized hospital departments or referrals from primary healthcare services, if eligibility criteria are met.
Meanwhile, the Health Sector Transformation Program highlighted major achievements in 2024, including the use of technology to improve health.
The Sehhaty platform set up more than 51 million virtual consultations. Additionally, more than 14 million individuals used the Wasfaty platform, which recorded more then 40 million prescriptions.
The number of health volunteers has passed 632,000 since the platform’s launch, the SPA reported.
Film Review: ‘Austenland’
“Austenland,” the 2013 rom-com directed by Jerusha Hess and based on the novel by Shannon Hale, is a delightful romantic comedy that combines satire, romance and a playful homage to the works of the very real Jane Austen.
The story follows Keri Russell as Jane Hayes, an Austen-obsessed 30-something American daydreamer who decides to put her foot down and take charge of her own fleeting life by spending her entire savings on a trip to Austenland, a cosplay, Regency-era themed resort in England.
The resort offers an immersive Austen experience, complete with period costumes, scripted interactions with actors and a strict adherence to the social customs of 19th-century England. No mobile phones allowed.
The title “Austenland” itself reflects the central idea of the movie — a place where the dream of living in a Jane Austen novel can come true.
Set in a picturesque English countryside, Austenland is a vibrant and exaggerated portrayal of the world Austen created in her novels. The resort’s staff, led by the no-nonsense Mrs Wattlesbrook (played by the excellent Jane Seymour), ensures that all guests live completely immersed in the world they have created, while keeping within the strict parameters she has set.
But soon the line between fiction and reality begins to blur when real romance begins to blossom. And the discovery of a stealthily hidden mobile phone nearly ruins the whole thing.
Russell delivers a great performance as Jane, a hopeless romantic who awkwardly navigates the increasingly absurd world of Austenland in search of love. One memorable line is: “I am single because, apparently, the only good men are fictional!”
Jennifer Coolidge, who most recently returned to the spotlight with the recent hit “White Lotus,” is both hilariously clueless and charming as her adopted namesake Miss Elizabeth Charming.
Of course, there is a brooding, Darcy-esque suitor in their midst, bringing a sense of romantic idealism to the film’s comedic heart.
At its core, Austenland is a commentary on the ways in which people seek fulfillment in unrealistic ideals. The film explores themes of identity and self-worth, questioning whether true love can exist in a semi-modern world constructed from fictional fantasies. Or not.
As Jane navigates her own journey, she confronts the expectations that she has carried with her from Austen’s novels and begins to realize that love — and life — are more complex than any fictional tale could attempt to depict.
The pacing is quite breezy and light yet somehow stumbles a bit — arguably, reminiscent of an Austen novel.
While “Austenland” probably won’t appear on any must-watch classic list anytime soon, it remains an enjoyable watch and very Austen-esque.
