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Congress Averts Government Shutdown with Last-Minute Spending Bill

  In a dramatic turn of events, Congress narrowly avoided a government shutdown by passing a crucial spending bill late Friday night. The bill, which extends government funding until mid-March, was approved by the House with a vote of 366 to 34 and later passed by the Senate. This legislation provides $110 billion in relief for natural disaster survivors and aid to farmers, while also extending the farm bill. However, the bill notably excludes President-elect Donald Trump's demand to raise the debt ceiling. Instead, Republicans are considering a handshake deal to raise the debt limit by $1.5 trillion early next year and reduce future government spending by $2.5 trillion. This compromise does not have the force of law and will be revisited in the coming months. The spending package also left out key Democratic priorities, such as funding for pediatric cancer research. Despite these omissions, the bill's passage was seen as a significant achievement for House Speaker Mike Johnson...

Israel-Hezbollah Ceasefire Holds as Lebanese Civilians Begin Returning Home


In the early hours of Wednesday, a ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah took effect, bringing a temporary halt to over a year of conflict. The ceasefire, brokered by the United States and France, was announced by U.S. President Joe Biden and approved by Israel's security cabinet.

As the ceasefire took hold, thousands of Lebanese civilians began returning to their homes in the south, despite warnings from the Israeli military to delay their return until the area is fully secured. The agreement stipulates a 60-day period for Israeli forces to withdraw from southern Lebanon, while the Lebanese army will deploy troops to ensure Hezbollah does not rebuild its infrastructure.

The ceasefire has been welcomed by international leaders, including French President Emmanuel Macron and Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, who see it as a crucial step towards stability in the region. However, the situation remains tense, with both sides prepared to respond to any violations of the agreement.



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