WASHINGTON: Republican US House of Representatives Speaker Mike Johnson on Sunday proposed a three-month stopgap funding bill that excludes an immigration-related measure demanded by Donald Trump, as lawmakers look to avert a month-end partial government shutdown.
Johnson laid out the plan in a letter to colleagues released just eight days before the government’s current $1.2 trillion in discretionary funding runs out on Sept. 30. The chamber will aim to vote on the measure on Wednesday, according to a source with knowledge of the plan.
Failure to act by then would furlough thousands of federal workers and shut down a wide swath of government operations weeks before the Nov. 5 election.
The proposal, which excludes a Trump demand to impose new requirements that people provide proof of citizenship to register to vote, is aligned with what Democratic Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer had urged, a basic extension of government funding to December. It runs through Dec. 20.
“As history has taught and current polling affirms, shutting the government down less than 40 days from a fateful election would be an act of political malpractice,” Johnson said in the letter.
Democrats, including Schumer and House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, expressed optimism a bipartisan deal could be reached.
Jeffries welcomed the proposal unveiled on Sunday. He said in a statement that House Democrats would evaluate it after a previous proposal which Republicans had “inappropriately attempted to jam” with partisan policy.
“Congress is now on a bipartisan path to avoid a government shutdown that would hurt everyday Americans,” Jeffries said.
The House, which Republicans control by a narrow 220-211 margin, on Wednesday rejected Johnson’s prior proposal for a six-month funding extension including the voter-registration measure, which Democrats and democracy advocates call unnecessary as it is already illegal for non-citizens to vote in federal elections.
Congress faces an even more critical deadline on Jan. 1, by which time lawmakers will have to raise the nation’s debt ceiling or risk defaulting on more than $35 trillion in federal government debt.
The bill proposes $231 million in additional funding for the US Secret Service after a gunman attempted to assassinate Trump in July, grazing his ear, and another gunman was discovered this month lying in wait just outside the fence of a Florida golf course where Trump was playing.
The additional funds would be made available “for operations necessary to carry out protective operations including the 2024 presidential campaign,” the bill said.
US House Republicans unveil three-month stopgap bill to avert shutdown
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US House Republicans unveil three-month stopgap bill to avert shutdown
Zelensky seeks ‘truly just peace’ for Ukraine during US visit
- Zelensky to present ‘victory plan’ to Biden, Harris and other partners. He hopes to also meet Trump, who criticizes US aid to Ukraine
- He will speak at UN summit on Monday, Security Council on Tuesday, General Assembly on Wednesday
WASHINGTON: Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky arrived in the United States on Sunday to attend sessions at the UN General Assembly and urged his partners to help achieve “a shared victory for a truly just peace.”
“This fall will determine the future of this war,” he said in a post on X alongside his nightly video address, delivered from a plane he said was en route to Pennsylvania.
Zelensky later posted on the X platform (formerly Twitter) photos of himself visiting a munitions plant in President Joe Biden’s hometown of Scranton, Pennsylvania, that is a key producer of crucial 155-millimeter artillery shells.
The Ukrainian leader’s concerns about a shortage of such munitions have taken on added urgency as Russia pummels Ukraine’s energy grid ahead of the critical winter months.
Ukrainian media later reported he had arrived in New York. He is also due to visit Washington later in the week.
In his video, Zelensky said Ukraine was doing everything it could, by acquiring weapons and through diplomacy, “to consolidate our partners’ support and force Russia into peace.”
The Ukrinform state news agency reported separately that Zelensky had arrived in New York and that he would meet heads of US companies to discuss his country’s energy needs as well as leaders of states and international organizations on Sunday.
Ukrinform said Zelensky would speak at a UN summit on Monday, participate in Security Council meetings on Ukraine on Tuesday, and speak during the General Assembly on Wednesday.
Zelensky’s visit coincides with US efforts to prepare a $375 million military aid package for Ukraine, breaking a months-long trend toward smaller packages for Kyiv’s military operations.
Zelensky said he would present a “victory plan” in Ukraine’s war against Russia first to Biden. He is also expected to discuss the plan with Vice President Kamala Harris in a separate meeting on Thursday, as well as with other world leaders.
Zelensky also hopes to meet Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump, who has called US aid to its eastern European ally a waste of money and has declined to say he wants Ukraine to win. Trump has said he will probably meet with Zelensky this week but no date has been announced.
Trump faces Harris in the Nov. 5 US election.
Two US officials told Reuters on Friday that an aid package, expected to be announced this week, includes patrol boats, additional ammunition for high-mobility artillery rocket systems (HIMARS), 155- and 105-millimeter artillery ammunition, spare parts and other weapons.
The officials said the contents and size of the package could change in the coming days ahead of Biden’s expected signature.
Ukrinform said Zelensky would speak at a UN summit on Monday, participate in Security Council meetings on Ukraine on Tuesday, and speak during the General Assembly on Wednesday.
Trump rules out running again in 2028 if defeated in next US vote
- Said he hoped to be “successful” at ballot box on voting day on Nov. 5
WASHINGTON: Republican Donald Trump has ruled out running again in the United States’ 2028 presidential election if he loses in the upcoming November poll, according to an interview aired on Sunday.
Responding to a question on whether he would run again if he lost, the 78-year-old former president told US news program “Full Measure“: “No, I don’t. I think that that will be, that will be it. I don’t see that at all.”
The billionaire did, however, say he hoped to be “successful” at the ballot box on voting day on Nov. 5.
Trump is currently neck-and-neck with Democratic candidate Vice President Kamala Harris, including in the key battleground states that often decide close US elections.
The Democratic Party has seen a resurgence in support after the withdrawal of President Joe Biden as its candidate in July, following a disastrous debate against Trump.
Trump lost to Biden in 2020 but refused to accept he was defeated, riling supporters by saying the election was “stolen” and fueling conspiracy theories.
On January 6, 2021, fervent Trump supporters stormed the US Capitol in an attempt, spurred by his allegations, to stop the certification of the election result.
The Republican has notably refused several times in recent months to commit to unconditionally recognizing the result of the upcoming election.
UN adopts pact to bring multilateralism ‘back from the brink’
- Arab countries divided on support for ‘watered down’ campaign
- Member states vote to consider reform of Security Council format that has existed since 1945
NEW YORK CITY: UN member states have adopted the Pact for the Future, a campaign by the organization to bring multilateralism “back from the brink.”
The pact encourages countries to cooperate on tackling global issues including peace and security, the environment, finance and more.
It came on the first day of the Summit of the Future, held on Sept. 22-23 during the 79th UN General Assembly.
The pact is as an attempt by the UN to revive trust in multilateralism and galvanize support for the organization’s Sustainable Development Goals, which were launched in 2015.
However, critics have described the pact as having been diluted and rendered toothless, with some warning that it may join a list of long-forgotten UN campaigns.
Amid raging wars in Ukraine and the Middle East, the UN has faced growing criticism over its inefficacy in confronting security issues and other challenges.
Delegates from Arab countries and leading international bodies delivered remarks at the passing of the pact.
The motion to adopt the framework passed with 143 yes votes, seven no votes and 15 abstentions from member states.
Opposition was led by Russia, a permanent member of the UN Security Council, followed by countries including Iran, Syria, North Korea and Sudan.
Prominent regional powers, including Saudi Arabia, China and Malaysia, abstained. Among Arab countries, Saudi Arabia was supported in its abstention by Iraq and Oman.
Speaking after the passing of the pact, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres hailed the “strong engagement, creativity and spirit of compromise” of member states.
“We are here to bring multilateralism back from the brink,” he said. “Our multilateral tools and institutions are unable to respond effectively to today’s political, economic, environmental and technological challenges, and tomorrow’s will be even more difficult and even more dangerous.”
The pact is annexed by a Global Digital Compact and Declaration on Future Generations, which cover technologies such as artificial intelligence and youth issues, respectively.
In his speech, Guterres conceded to long-running criticism of the UNSC, in which the five states made permanent members in 1945 — the US, UK, France, Russia and China — still retain veto powers.
The UNSC “is outdated and its authority is eroding,” he said. “Unless its composition and working methods are reformed, it will eventually lose all credibility.
“The Pact for the Future, the Global Digital Compact and the Declaration on Future Generations open pathways to new possibilities and opportunities.
“On peace and security, they promise a breakthrough on reforms to make the Security Council more reflective of today’s world, addressing the historic under-representation of Africa, the Asia-Pacific and Latin America.”
UNGA President Philemon Yang hailed the pact as an attempt to “lay the foundations for a sustainable, just and peaceful global order — for all peoples and nations.”
Arab delegates from Yemen, Qatar and Iraq delivered remarks after the passing of the pact on Sunday.
Prominent civil society figures and celebrities were present at the UN headquarters on the summit’s opening day to lend support for the pact, including Malala Yousafzai, singer Renee Fleming and Danish actor Nikolaj Coster-Waldau.
Qatari UN Youth Representative Ghanim Mohammed Al-Muftah called for action on disability rights in a speech to the chamber.
“The decisions that we make today are not just about policies ... They are about shaping a world where all children can thrive in an inclusive, safe and sustainable future,” he said.
But children in Gaza have “no choice,” Al-Muftah added, saying it is “in our hands to stop the violence” in the Palestinian territory.
“The future belongs to our youth. We must ensure that they are prepared to take on leadership roles in order to be the change-makers … You must be the change you wish to see in this world.”
Yemeni President Rashad Al-Alimi told the chamber that despite the past decade being “full of suffering and difficult challenges” for his country, Yemenis “remain steadfast and determined in their quest for a better future.”
He added: “We are full of hope that we can prove that with your support and encouragement that countries that can go through conflict ... are able to keep up with international progress.”
Iraqi President Mohammed Al-Sudani said his country is using technology and ingenuity to combat climate change and other challenges.
“We believe that science and technology are the foundation of sustainable development,” he said, adding that Iraq is committed to reinvigorating multilateralism and respect for international law.
Firefighter killed by Ukrainian drone in Moscow-controlled Luhansk
- Kharkiv — which almost fell to Russian forces in 2022 before they were pushed back by the Ukrainian army — has seen relentless attacks this year
MOSCOW: A firefighter was killed by a Ukrainian drone in Russia-controlled Luhansk region in the eastern Ukraine, the Russian Emergencies Ministry said on Sunday.
The drone’s explosives detonated when Vyacheslav Glazunov, 33, was extinguishing a fire in the Novoaidar district triggered by fallen drones, the ministry said on Telegram. Another two firefighters were injured, it added.
Meanwhile, a Russian strike on a residential neighborhood of the northeastern Ukrainian city of Kharkiv wounded 21 people, Kyiv said.
The strike hit hours after Russian attacks killed five people — including two children — in central Ukraine.
Kyiv earlier said it struck two ammunition depots in Russia this weekend, including what it called a key arsenal for Moscow’s invasion.
Kharkiv — which almost fell to Russian forces in 2022 before they were pushed back by the Ukrainian army — has seen relentless attacks this year.
“Last night, Russia struck Kharkiv again, this time with aerial bombs targeting an ordinary residential building,” President Volodymyr Zelensky said on social media.
“As a result, 21 people were injured, including an eight-year-old child and two 17-year-olds,” he added.
Regional leader Oleg Synegubov said two people were in critical condition. He said dozens of residents were asleep when the building was struck.
Kharkiv — which was home to 1.4 million residents before Russia’s invasion — has been bombed heavily this year.
The city’s mayor Igor Terekhov said at the site: “As you can see, there are no military here.”
“Every day and every night Kharkiv suffers the hits,” he added.
Zelensky said the attack showed why his forces needed to use weapons supplied by Western allies to strike deeper into Russian territory, which so far, they have refused to authorize.
He is due in the US in the coming days, in a last-ditch effort to convince the West to let Kyiv use delivered long-range weapons to hit Russian targets.
“We need to strengthen our capabilities to better protect lives and ensure safety. Ukraine needs full long-range capabilities,” he said.
“We are working to convince our partners of this. We will continue these discussions next week.”
In Washington, he is due to hold talks with Joe Biden, as well as both US presidential hopefuls Kamala Harris and Donald Trump.
New Marxist president vows to ‘rewrite Sri Lankan history’
- Anura Kumara Dissanayaka, 55, was declared winner of weekend’s poll with nearly 1.3 mln more votes than closest rival
- The once-fringe leader saw a surge of support as the economic meltdown forced widespread hardships upon Sri Lankans
COLOMBO: Sri Lanka’s Marxist president-elect on Sunday invited his compatriots to help him “rewrite” history in the cash-strapped island nation after winning a vote colored by discontent over an unprecedented financial crisis.
Anura Kumara Dissanayaka, the 55-year-old leader of the People’s Liberation Front, was declared the winner of the weekend’s poll with nearly 1.3 million more votes than his nearest rival.
The once-fringe leader, whose party won less than four percent of the vote in parliamentary elections four years ago, saw a surge of support as the economic meltdown forced widespread hardships upon Sri Lankans.
“The dream we have nurtured for centuries is finally coming true,” he said in a statement shortly after the announcement.
“This victory belongs to all of us,” he added. “Millions of eyes filled with hope and expectation push us forward, and together, we stand ready to rewrite Sri Lankan history.”
Outgoing President Ranil Wickremesinghe — who took office at the peak of the 2022 economic collapse and imposed tough austerity policies per the terms of an IMF bailout — was a distant third in the contest with 17 percent of the vote.
“History will judge my efforts, but I can confidently say that I did my best to stabilize the country during one of its darkest periods,” he said in a statement.
He congratulated Dissanayaka on the win and said he was “confident” the politician would “steer Sri Lanka on a path of continued growth and stability.”
Dissanayaka will be sworn in on Monday morning at the colonial-era President Secretariat in Colombo, election commission officials said.
Economic issues dominated the eight-week campaign, with widespread public anger over the belt-tightening measures imposed by Wickremesinghe since the peak of the island nation’s bruising financial crisis.
Dissanayaka would “not tear up” the IMF deal but would seek to modify it, a party politburo member told AFP.
“It is a binding document, but there is a provision to renegotiate,” said Bimal Ratnayake.
He said Dissanayaka had pledged to reduce income taxes that were doubled by Wickremesinghe and slash sales taxes on food and medicines.
“We think we can get those reductions into the program and continue with the four-year bailout program,” he said.
Dissanayaka’s once-marginal Marxist party led two failed uprisings in the 1970s and 1980s that left more than 80,000 people dead.
But Sri Lanka’s crisis has proven an opportunity for Dissanayaka, who has seen a surge of support based on his pledge to change the island’s “corrupt” political culture.
Around 76 percent of Sri Lanka’s 17.1 million eligible voters cast ballots in Saturday’s poll.
Dissanayaka’s party sought to reassure India that any administration he led would not be caught up in geopolitical rivalry between its northern neighbor and China, the country’s largest lender.
New Delhi has expressed concerns over what it sees as Beijing’s growing influence in Sri Lanka, which sits on vital shipping lanes criss-crossing the Indian Ocean.
“Sri Lankan territory will not be used against any other nation,” Ratnayake told AFP.
“We are fully aware of the geopolitical situation in our region, but we will not participate.”
Wickremesinghe sought re-election to continue the austerity policies that stabilized the economy and ended months of food, fuel and medicine shortages during Sri Lanka’s economic meltdown.
His two years in office restored calm to the streets after civil unrest spurred by the downturn saw thousands storm the compound of his predecessor Gotabaya Rajapaksa, who then fled the country.
But Wickremesinghe’s tax hikes and other measures imposed under the $2.9 billion IMF rescue package he secured last year left millions struggling to make ends meet.
Official data showed that Sri Lanka’s poverty rate doubled to 25 percent between 2021 and 2022, adding more than 2.5 million people to those already living on less than $3.65 a day.
Thousands of police were deployed to keep watch over voting on Saturday.
A temporary curfew was imposed after polls closed, despite police reporting that there had been no violence during or after balloting.
No victory rallies or celebrations are permitted until a week after the final results are declared.
