India's consumer market is sending mixed signals after Diwali. The demand for gold has lost momentum. Local gold prices hit a record high of $753 dollars per 10 grams this week, rising over 11% in two months. After a few good days of sales after Diwali, rising prices have brought the market to a standstill.

Gold hits a record high of $753 dollars per 10 grams

The U.S. House of Representatives has approved a temporary spending bill, steering the country away from a potential government shutdown. The legislation, which extends government funding through mid-January, garnered widespread support from lawmakers across party lines.

According to Reuters, this crucial development now shifts the focus to the Senate, where leaders from both Democratic and Republican factions have expressed their backing for the bill. The passing of the 336-95 vote marks a significant victory for House Speaker Mike Johnson, who faced challenges from some Republicans in the first consequential vote since assuming the position less than three weeks ago.

The Senate, alongside the Republican-controlled House, must swiftly enact legislation that President Joe Biden can sign into law before the current funding for federal agencies expires at midnight on Friday.

Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, a Democrat, expressed satisfaction with the strong bipartisan vote in the House and committed to working with his Republican counterpart, Mitch McConnell, to pass the bill as expeditiously as possible. The bill's passage with 209 Democratic and 127 Republican votes reflects a collective effort to navigate fiscal challenges and ensure the continuity of government functions.

The temporary spending bill, designed to extend government funding at current levels into 2024, offers a reprieve for lawmakers to formulate detailed spending bills covering diverse sectors, from the military to scientific research. While the bill received support from both Democrats and a significant number of Republicans, some conservative Republicans voiced frustration over its omission of steep spending cuts and desired border-security measures.

Despite these concerns, the bill passed with a majority, signalling a willingness among lawmakers to prioritise averting a shutdown and ensuring the stability of critical government functions. Representative Mike Garcia, a Republican, acknowledged the imperfections of the bill. "This isn't ideal, but a shutdown is a far worse world to be in," Reuters quoted her as saying.

The bill, crafted by House Speaker Mike Johnson, extends funding for various essential sectors, including military construction, veterans benefits, transportation, housing, urban development, agriculture, the Food and Drug Administration, and energy and water programs through January 19.

However, funding for all other federal operations, including defence, would expire on February 2. The strategic timing of the extension provides lawmakers with a window to deliberate and formulate detailed spending plans, contributing to a more stable and predictable fiscal landscape.

The ongoing fiscal challenges and political gridlock have prompted heightened scrutiny, with Moody's lowering its credit rating outlook on the U.S. to "negative," citing concerns about high-interest rates impacting borrowing costs.

(With inputs from Reuters)

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The U.S. House of Representatives has approved a temporary spending bill, steering the country away from a potential government shutdown. The legislation, which extends government funding through mid-January, garnered widespread support from lawmakers across party lines.

The U.S. House of Representatives has approved a temporary spending bill, steering the country away from a potential government shutdown. The legislation, which extends government funding through mid-January, garnered widespread support from lawmakers across party lines. According to Reuters, this crucial development now shifts the focus to the Senate, where leaders from both Democratic and Republican factions have expressed their backing for the bill. The passing of the 336-95 vote marks a significant victory for House Speaker Mike Johnson, who faced challenges from some Republicans in the first consequential vote since assuming the position less than three weeks ago. The Senate, alongside the Republican-controlled House, must swiftly enact legislation that President Joe Biden can sign into law before the current funding for federal agencies expires at midnight on Friday. Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, a Democrat, expressed satisfaction with the strong bipartisan vote in the House and committed to working with his Republican counterpart, Mitch McConnell, to pass the bill as expeditiously as possible. The bill's passage with 209 Democratic and 127 Republican votes reflects a collective effort to navigate fiscal challenges and ensure the continuity of government functions. The temporary spending bill, designed to extend government funding at current levels into 2024, offers a reprieve for lawmakers to formulate detailed spending bills covering diverse sectors, from the military to scientific research. While the bill received support from both Democrats and a significant number of Republicans, some conservative Republicans voiced frustration over its omission of steep spending cuts and desired border-security measures. Despite these concerns, the bill passed with a majority, signalling a willingness among lawmakers to prioritise averting a shutdown and ensuring the stability of critical government functions. Representative Mike Garcia, a Republican, acknowledged the imperfections of the bill. "This isn't ideal, but a shutdown is a far worse world to be in," Reuters quoted her as saying. The bill, crafted by House Speaker Mike Johnson, extends funding for various essential sectors, including military construction, veterans benefits, transportation, housing, urban development, agriculture, the Food and Drug Administration, and energy and water programs through January 19. However, funding for all other federal operations, including defence, would expire on February 2. The strategic timing of the extension provides lawmakers with a window to deliberate and formulate detailed spending plans, contributing to a more stable and predictable fiscal landscape. The ongoing fiscal challenges and political gridlock have prompted heightened scrutiny, with Moody's lowering its credit rating outlook on the U.S. to "negative," citing concerns about high-interest rates impacting borrowing costs. (With inputs from Reuters) WATCH WION LIVE HERE

US House passes crucial spending bill to avert government shutdown

Pakistan’s gold demand fell 11% to 11.6 tonne during the third quarter of 2023 from 13 tonne in the year-ago period, while Sri Lanka’s gold demand rose substantially to 2.4 tonne from 0.3 tonne.

Global gold demand drops 6% in Q3; India, China demand up

The White House said on Friday (Sep 29) that it's still possible to avoid a government shutdown, as Republicans refused to support a bipartisan Senate proposal to keep the government open. The White House stated that it was up to Republican lawmakers to resolve the impasse.

"There is still a chance," Office of Management and Budget (OMB) director Shalanda Young told reporters at a briefing.&nbsp;

"I'm still remaining an optimist that we have a day and a half to work out, in one corner, what is needed to take the deal" that Republicans in the House of Representatives have been offered by the Senate for a stopgap, she added.&nbsp;

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/business-economy/flashback-friday-how-an-obscure-law-triggered-the-first-us-shutdown-in-1980-640921">Flashback Friday - How an obscure law&nbsp;triggered the first US shutdown in 1980</a>&nbsp;

In the United States, lawmakers are racing against time to avert a federal government shutdown, after a number of hardline Republicans refused to endorse must-pass funding legislation unless major budget cuts were made.&nbsp;

When Congress fails to authorise discretionary expenditure for the upcoming fiscal year, which begins on October 1, the government shuts down.&nbsp;

So far, Congress has struggled to reach a deal to keep agencies running, prevent national park closures, and avoid the suspension of salaries for federal employees and military staff.&nbsp;

As per an estimate by the White House,&nbsp;3.5 million federal workers will have to go without pay if the government shuts down - around two&nbsp;million of them will be military.&nbsp;

The closure, set to start after midnight Saturday (0400 GMT Sunday), would be the first since 2019 and appears increasingly inevitable.&nbsp;

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/new-york-city-state-of-emergency-declared-as-strong-storms-bring-flash-flooding-641041">State of emergency declared on New York City as strong storms bring flash flooding - Video</a>&nbsp;

Watch:&nbsp;President Biden meets Pacific Island leaders at the White House

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The two chambers of Congress are deadlocked, with a small group of hardline Republicans in the House of Representatives opposing any short-term fix that would at least keep the lights on.&nbsp;

House Republicans proposed a plan on Friday to extend funding until the beginning of November, but only if substantial budget cuts of around 30% were made across the board, with exceptions for defence and disaster relief.&nbsp;

President Joe Biden's administration said in a statement that he would veto this.&nbsp;

"They are breaking their word, abandoning the bipartisan deal that two-thirds of them voted for just four months ago," White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre said in another statement.&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)

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The White House said on Friday (Sep 29) that it's still possible to avoid a government shutdown, as Republicans refused to support a bipartisan Senate proposal to keep the government open.

The White House said on Friday (Sep 29) that it's still possible to avoid a government shutdown, as Republicans refused to support a bipartisan Senate proposal to keep the government open. The White House stated that it was up to Republican lawmakers to resolve the impasse. "There is still a chance," Office of Management and Budget (OMB) director Shalanda Young told reporters at a briefing. "I'm still remaining an optimist that we have a day and a half to work out, in one corner, what is needed to take the deal" that Republicans in the House of Representatives have been offered by the Senate for a stopgap, she added. Also read: Flashback Friday - How an obscure law triggered the first US shutdown in 1980 In the United States, lawmakers are racing against time to avert a federal government shutdown, after a number of hardline Republicans refused to endorse must-pass funding legislation unless major budget cuts were made. When Congress fails to authorise discretionary expenditure for the upcoming fiscal year, which begins on October 1, the government shuts down. So far, Congress has struggled to reach a deal to keep agencies running, prevent national park closures, and avoid the suspension of salaries for federal employees and military staff. As per an estimate by the White House, 3.5 million federal workers will have to go without pay if the government shuts down - around two million of them will be military. The closure, set to start after midnight Saturday (0400 GMT Sunday), would be the first since 2019 and appears increasingly inevitable. Also read: State of emergency declared on New York City as strong storms bring flash flooding - Video Watch: President Biden meets Pacific Island leaders at the White House × The two chambers of Congress are deadlocked, with a small group of hardline Republicans in the House of Representatives opposing any short-term fix that would at least keep the lights on. House Republicans proposed a plan on Friday to extend funding until the beginning of November, but only if substantial budget cuts of around 30% were made across the board, with exceptions for defence and disaster relief. President Joe Biden's administration said in a statement that he would veto this. "They are breaking their word, abandoning the bipartisan deal that two-thirds of them voted for just four months ago," White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre said in another statement. (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

Congress in deadlock as US on brink of shutdown, govt hopeful of averting crisis

Will the US government shut down on October 1 if the Congress fails to pass several federal spending bills? That is the question on&nbsp;everyone's mind.

If the Congress fails to pass 12 key appropriation bills by September 30, the last day of the US government fiscal year, the federal administration would come to a standstill and employees would not be paid for an unspecified period of time.

A full or partial shutdown of the US government is undoubtably going to have a major impact on the world's largest economy, ranging from lower economic output to delay in the release of key economic data.

Consequently, the impact of a US shutdown, estimated to be between $6 billion and $13.5 billion each week in total lost economic activity, would leave a significant mark on the larger global economy.

To make matters worse for the US, the shutdown would come at a time when recession fears loom large on the economy.

But shutdowns are not a new phenomena&nbsp;for the US federal government. In fact, the federal administration has shut down at least 14 times since 1981. However, there is a silver lining for the government: most shutdowns have lasted not more than two or three days&nbsp;as the Congress goes on an overdrive to break the deadlock.

The obscure genesis

Spending in the US has always run on deficit. This was true even before the 1980s, when shutdowns became the order of the day whenever the legislature failed to sanction funds. But prior to the 1980s, the government did not abruptly shut down in the event of a legislative deadlock over federal funding.

Had it not been for a legislative assistant Ron McCluskey, who re-discovered the then-obscure 19th Century Anti-deficiency Act, the United States would never have never undergone so many shutdowns in the last four decades.

To put it in simple words, the Anti-deficiency Act, passed by President Ulysses S. Grant administration in 1870, restricts the federal government from operating in the absence of Congress-backed funding.

Reports suggest that McCluskey alerted Democrat Congresswoman Gladys Noon Spellman about the provision. Spellman, who had been working towards a bill allowing US workers to receive their salaries even amid a funding crunch, wrote to then Comptroller General Elmer Staats for an opinion.

But Staats did not favour a shutdown of the US government. Spellman then asked for a second opinion from the Justice Department. On April 25, 1980, then-Attorney General Benjamin R. Civiletti responded. A 1981 Washington Post report quoted him as saying, "Federal agencies may incur no obligations that cannot lawfully be funded under prior Congressional appropriations."

This statement sealed the deal for the Jimmy Carter administration, which was already under attack from various quarters for being "weak".

The May Day shutdown

The US federal government shutdown lasted for one full day on May 1, 1980, coincidently on a day when labour unions across the world commemorate the contributions of workers.

The first-ever shutdown affected the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), after the Congress allowed the bill to provide the watchdog with $55 million to lapse. This happened amid a tussle between the Congress and the Carter-led White House over a bill that would have curtailed the investigation powers of the FTC. Since Carter took office in 1977, many Congress members and business leaders felt that the watchdog was "aggressively monitoring" virtually every segment of the US economy.

Amid the tussle between the White House and the Congress, Carter decided to play hardball. Armed with Civiletti's extreme interpretation of the Anti-deficiency Act, he decided to shut the FTC till the deadlock over its funding did not end.

On May 1, 1,600 employees of the FTC were furloughed -- a term used in the US to mean employees who are on the payrolls but cannot work.

A May 1, 1980 report by the Washington Post noted that the hurriedly announced shutdown compelled the watchdog to halt all its operations. "The order forced staff members to cancel travel plans as well as a major court appearance and a series of activities connected with antitrust and consumer protection cases," the report added.

But the shutdown ended that evening after both Houses of the Congress approved an extension of funding. The economic cost of the one-day shutdown came to light a year later. In March 1981, the Government Accountability Office claimed that the shutdown led to a loss of $700,000.&nbsp;The loss amounts&nbsp;to over $2 million, when adjusted for inflation in 2022.

Will the US government shut down on October 1 if the Congress fails to pass several federal spending bills? That is the question on everyone's mind. If the Congress fails to pass 12 key appropriation bills by September 30, the last day of the US government fiscal year, the federal administration would come to a standstill and employees would not be paid for an unspecified period of time.

Will the US government shut down on October 1 if the Congress fails to pass several federal spending bills? That is the question on everyone's mind. If the Congress fails to pass 12 key appropriation bills by September 30, the last day of the US government fiscal year, the federal administration would come to a standstill and employees would not be paid for an unspecified period of time. A full or partial shutdown of the US government is undoubtably going to have a major impact on the world's largest economy, ranging from lower economic output to delay in the release of key economic data. Consequently, the impact of a US shutdown, estimated to be between $6 billion and $13.5 billion each week in total lost economic activity, would leave a significant mark on the larger global economy. To make matters worse for the US, the shutdown would come at a time when recession fears loom large on the economy. But shutdowns are not a new phenomena for the US federal government. In fact, the federal administration has shut down at least 14 times since 1981. However, there is a silver lining for the government: most shutdowns have lasted not more than two or three days as the Congress goes on an overdrive to break the deadlock. The obscure genesis Spending in the US has always run on deficit. This was true even before the 1980s, when shutdowns became the order of the day whenever the legislature failed to sanction funds. But prior to the 1980s, the government did not abruptly shut down in the event of a legislative deadlock over federal funding. Had it not been for a legislative assistant Ron McCluskey, who re-discovered the then-obscure 19th Century Anti-deficiency Act, the United States would never have never undergone so many shutdowns in the last four decades. To put it in simple words, the Anti-deficiency Act, passed by President Ulysses S. Grant administration in 1870, restricts the federal government from operating in the absence of Congress-backed funding. Reports suggest that McCluskey alerted Democrat Congresswoman Gladys Noon Spellman about the provision. Spellman, who had been working towards a bill allowing US workers to receive their salaries even amid a funding crunch, wrote to then Comptroller General Elmer Staats for an opinion. But Staats did not favour a shutdown of the US government. Spellman then asked for a second opinion from the Justice Department. On April 25, 1980, then-Attorney General Benjamin R. Civiletti responded. A 1981 Washington Post report quoted him as saying, "Federal agencies may incur no obligations that cannot lawfully be funded under prior Congressional appropriations." This statement sealed the deal for the Jimmy Carter administration, which was already under attack from various quarters for being "weak". The May Day shutdown The US federal government shutdown lasted for one full day on May 1, 1980, coincidently on a day when labour unions across the world commemorate the contributions of workers. The first-ever shutdown affected the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), after the Congress allowed the bill to provide the watchdog with $55 million to lapse. This happened amid a tussle between the Congress and the Carter-led White House over a bill that would have curtailed the investigation powers of the FTC. Since Carter took office in 1977, many Congress members and business leaders felt that the watchdog was "aggressively monitoring" virtually every segment of the US economy. Amid the tussle between the White House and the Congress, Carter decided to play hardball. Armed with Civiletti's extreme interpretation of the Anti-deficiency Act, he decided to shut the FTC till the deadlock over its funding did not end. On May 1, 1,600 employees of the FTC were furloughed -- a term used in the US to mean employees who are on the payrolls but cannot work. A May 1, 1980 report by the Washington Post noted that the hurriedly announced shutdown compelled the watchdog to halt all its operations. "The order forced staff members to cancel travel plans as well as a major court appearance and a series of activities connected with antitrust and consumer protection cases," the report added. But the shutdown ended that evening after both Houses of the Congress approved an extension of funding. The economic cost of the one-day shutdown came to light a year later. In March 1981, the Government Accountability Office claimed that the shutdown led to a loss of $700,000. The loss amounts to over $2 million, when adjusted for inflation in 2022.

Flashback Friday: How an obscure law triggered the first US shutdown in 1980

The US house and Senate find themselves on sharply divergent paths in a high-stakes spending battle, just days away from a deadline that could force wide swaths of the government to grind to a halt for the fourth time in a decade. The democratic-controlled senate is poised to vote on a bipartisan stopgap funding bill, a temporary measure to keep the government running past the impending midnight deadline on Saturday.

Navigating the US shutdown threat | World Business Watch

As the clock ticks down to a looming government shutdown, the U.S. Senate and House of Representatives find themselves on duelling paths regarding funding measures, raising concerns about the stability of government operations.&nbsp;

In a move towards averting a shutdown, the Senate voted 77-19 to initiate debates on a bipartisan bill aimed at funding the government through November 17. This bill includes allocations of approximately $6 billion for domestic disaster responses and an additional roughly $6 billion in aid for Ukraine.&nbsp;

Contrastingly, the Republican-controlled House of Representatives is advancing its own partisan approach that leans heavily on conservative priorities. However, this approach, according to reports, faces significant hurdles in the Democratic-majority Senate and is unlikely to become law. Even if enacted, these measures would fund only a portion of the government, insufficient to prevent a shutdown.&nbsp;

This divide between the two chambers raises the spectre of the federal government experiencing its fourth shutdown in a decade come Sunday. The electoral deadlock tendencies have started to impact Wall Street's assessment of the credibility of the US government.&nbsp;

A cooperative short-term extension of federal funding at existing levels was passed with the help of Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, a Democrat, and Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell in an effort to maintain the continuity of the government.&nbsp;

Meanwhile, House Speaker Kevin McCarthy is pursuing a path that would temporarily fund the government but comes with stringent border and immigration restrictions that are unlikely to garner enough Democratic support in both chambers to become law.&nbsp;

In an effort to prevent a shutdown, President Joe Biden and McCarthy had previously reached an agreement in May, which outlined discretionary spending of $1.59 trillion for the fiscal year commencing on October 1. &nbsp;

According to Reuters, the White House now urged Republicans to honour this deal, with Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre stating, "House Republicans should join the Senate in doing their job, stop playing political games with peoples' lives, and abide by the bipartisan deal two-thirds of them voted for in May."&nbsp;

However, Republicans have rejected this deal, demanding an additional $120 billion in cuts. McCarthy's proposed legislation not only seeks to restart the construction of the U.S.-Mexico border wall, a hallmark policy of former President Donald Trump, but also aims to control immigration policies, a move criticised for potentially limiting U.S. asylum for immigrants.&nbsp;

What does the shutdown mean?&nbsp;

A government shutdown could have far-reaching effects, including the dismissal of hundreds of thousands of federal employees and the suspension of a number of services, from the release of economic data to nutrition support, beginning on Sunday if an agreement cannot be reached.&nbsp;

While credit rating agency Moody's has expressed concerns, the impact on U.S. creditworthiness remains uncertain, as past shutdowns have had limited effects on the world's largest economy.&nbsp;

Against this backdrop, former President Donald Trump, the front-runner for the 2024 Republican nomination, has publicly supported the notion of a shutdown.&nbsp;

The cuts advocated by the Republicans represent only a fraction of the total U.S. budget, projected to reach $6.4 trillion for this fiscal year. Notably, popular benefit programs like Social Security and Medicare are not under consideration for cuts.&nbsp;

Historically, Congress has resorted to government shutdowns 14 times since 1981, though most of these funding gaps have been short-lived, lasting only a day or two.&nbsp;

(With inputs from Reuters)&nbsp;

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As the clock ticks down to a looming government shutdown, the U.S. Senate and House of Representatives find themselves on duelling paths regarding funding measures, raising concerns about the stability of government operations.

As the clock ticks down to a looming government shutdown, the U.S. Senate and House of Representatives find themselves on duelling paths regarding funding measures, raising concerns about the stability of government operations. In a move towards averting a shutdown, the Senate voted 77-19 to initiate debates on a bipartisan bill aimed at funding the government through November 17. This bill includes allocations of approximately $6 billion for domestic disaster responses and an additional roughly $6 billion in aid for Ukraine. Contrastingly, the Republican-controlled House of Representatives is advancing its own partisan approach that leans heavily on conservative priorities. However, this approach, according to reports, faces significant hurdles in the Democratic-majority Senate and is unlikely to become law. Even if enacted, these measures would fund only a portion of the government, insufficient to prevent a shutdown. This divide between the two chambers raises the spectre of the federal government experiencing its fourth shutdown in a decade come Sunday. The electoral deadlock tendencies have started to impact Wall Street's assessment of the credibility of the US government. A cooperative short-term extension of federal funding at existing levels was passed with the help of Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, a Democrat, and Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell in an effort to maintain the continuity of the government. Meanwhile, House Speaker Kevin McCarthy is pursuing a path that would temporarily fund the government but comes with stringent border and immigration restrictions that are unlikely to garner enough Democratic support in both chambers to become law. In an effort to prevent a shutdown, President Joe Biden and McCarthy had previously reached an agreement in May, which outlined discretionary spending of $1.59 trillion for the fiscal year commencing on October 1. According to Reuters, the White House now urged Republicans to honour this deal, with Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre stating, "House Republicans should join the Senate in doing their job, stop playing political games with peoples' lives, and abide by the bipartisan deal two-thirds of them voted for in May." However, Republicans have rejected this deal, demanding an additional $120 billion in cuts. McCarthy's proposed legislation not only seeks to restart the construction of the U.S.-Mexico border wall, a hallmark policy of former President Donald Trump, but also aims to control immigration policies, a move criticised for potentially limiting U.S. asylum for immigrants. What does the shutdown mean? A government shutdown could have far-reaching effects, including the dismissal of hundreds of thousands of federal employees and the suspension of a number of services, from the release of economic data to nutrition support, beginning on Sunday if an agreement cannot be reached. While credit rating agency Moody's has expressed concerns, the impact on U.S. creditworthiness remains uncertain, as past shutdowns have had limited effects on the world's largest economy. Against this backdrop, former President Donald Trump, the front-runner for the 2024 Republican nomination, has publicly supported the notion of a shutdown. The cuts advocated by the Republicans represent only a fraction of the total U.S. budget, projected to reach $6.4 trillion for this fiscal year. Notably, popular benefit programs like Social Security and Medicare are not under consideration for cuts. Historically, Congress has resorted to government shutdowns 14 times since 1981, though most of these funding gaps have been short-lived, lasting only a day or two. (With inputs from Reuters) WATCH WION LIVE HERE

Impending government shutdown threatens US as Senate and House clash over funding 

In the event of a US Federal government shutdown, once funding runs out after September 30, goldman sachs expects a short-term impact on the economy.

Goldman Sachs on US Shutdown's economic impact

Is the U.S. government headed towards a shutdown? With just 2 days left for the fiscal year to end & a funding bill blocked in the senate, a shutdown looks all but imminent. Molly Gambhir has a report.

Gravitas: Is U.S. headed towards a shutdown?

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/trump-makes-his-case-for-nobel-peace-prize-complains-hell-never-get-it-197683">President Donald Trump</a>'s declaration of an <a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/trump-declares-us-mexico-border-emergency-democrats-protest-197678">emergency Friday to build a border wall</a> immediately drew legal challenges that could easily escalate into a landmark test of the balance of power between the White House and Congress.

Legal experts said it was "unprecedented" for a president to use his emergency powers to overcome Congress's refusal to fund his wishes, in this case, a barrier on the US-Mexican border to keep out illegal immigrants.

They also questioned Trump's categorization of the immigration issue as a national emergency and his tapping military funds for a non-military project.

Hours after the announcement, the Trump administration faced an investigation by the House Judiciary committee and lawsuits from New York, California and the American Civil Liberties Union.

"President Trump is manufacturing a crisis and declaring a made-up 'national emergency' in order to seize power and subvert the constitution," said California Governor Gavin Newsome.

"California will see you in court."

Trump said he expected a legal fight and predicted he would prevail.

"We will have a national emergency, and we will then be sued," Trump said Friday.

"Then we will end up in the Supreme Court, and hopefully we will get a fair shake, and we'll win in the Supreme Court."

Dangerous precedent&nbsp;

Trump invoked the 1976 National Emergencies Act after Congress refused to allocate his requested $5.7 billion for a wall in a spending bill.&nbsp;

The White House says the emergency order empowers it to pull around $6.6 billion from other sources, mostly already-allocated funds in the Defense Department budget.

Democrats accused the president of an unconstitutional power grab.

"The president's actions clearly violate the Congress's exclusive power of the purse," Nancy Pelosi and Chuck Schumer, the Democratic leaders in Congress, said in a joint statement.

It is a precedent-setting move, said American University law professor Jennifer Daskal, adding that the National Emergencies Act had "never been used in that way, for good reason."&nbsp;

Critics warn that Trump opened the door for future presidents to call on the act whenever they fail to get their way with Congress. A frustrated Democratic president might someday invoke it to get funds to fight ongoing "emergencies" of climate change and gun proliferation.

The White House dismissed this argument, underscoring how a court showdown might proceed.

"This actually creates zero precedent. This is authority given to the president in law already," said acting White House chief of staff Mick Mulvaney.

"It's not as if he just didn't get what he wanted, so he is waving a magic wand and taking a bunch of money."

A real 'emergency'?&nbsp;

Any legal battle will focus on the definition of "emergency."

The emergencies act "does not provide any explicit limitations on what does and does not constitute a national emergency," Daskal told AFP.

Previous governments have declared emergencies based on the act due to immediate threats such as the September 11, 2001 attacks and the 2009 outbreak of swine flu.

Trump said the emergency now is the flow of drugs and violent criminals across the border.

In the abstract, he appears within his rights.

However, said Bobby Chesney, the associate dean at the University of Texas School of Law, "litigation won't be in abstract."

"The pretext issue looms large here," he said in a comment on Twitter.&nbsp;

He was referring to the problem of Trump resorting to declaring the border issue an emergency after spending two years in a losing political battle for wall funding.

Trump himself appeared to undermine his argument as he announced the emergency on Friday.

"I didn't need to do this, but I'd rather do it much faster," he said.

Land, military issues&nbsp;

Daskal expects border landowners also to sue to protect their property rights.

"A lot of the land that's at issue is not federal land, it's private land," she said.

Chesney points to a challenge over the use of military funds. Defense Department rules say that, even if diverted, construction funds must be for a project that "requires the use of the armed forces."

The wall, however, has been cast from the outset as a civilian project.

"That is the main point of litigation vulnerability," said Chesney.

President Donald Trump's declaration of an emergency Friday to build a border wall immediately drew legal challenges that could easily escalate into a landmark test of the balance of power between the White House and Congress.

President Donald Trump's declaration of an emergency Friday to build a border wall immediately drew legal challenges that could easily escalate into a landmark test of the balance of power between the White House and Congress. Legal experts said it was "unprecedented" for a president to use his emergency powers to overcome Congress's refusal to fund his wishes, in this case, a barrier on the US-Mexican border to keep out illegal immigrants. They also questioned Trump's categorization of the immigration issue as a national emergency and his tapping military funds for a non-military project. Hours after the announcement, the Trump administration faced an investigation by the House Judiciary committee and lawsuits from New York, California and the American Civil Liberties Union. "President Trump is manufacturing a crisis and declaring a made-up 'national emergency' in order to seize power and subvert the constitution," said California Governor Gavin Newsome. "California will see you in court." Trump said he expected a legal fight and predicted he would prevail. "We will have a national emergency, and we will then be sued," Trump said Friday. "Then we will end up in the Supreme Court, and hopefully we will get a fair shake, and we'll win in the Supreme Court." Dangerous precedent Trump invoked the 1976 National Emergencies Act after Congress refused to allocate his requested $5.7 billion for a wall in a spending bill. The White House says the emergency order empowers it to pull around $6.6 billion from other sources, mostly already-allocated funds in the Defense Department budget. Democrats accused the president of an unconstitutional power grab. "The president's actions clearly violate the Congress's exclusive power of the purse," Nancy Pelosi and Chuck Schumer, the Democratic leaders in Congress, said in a joint statement. It is a precedent-setting move, said American University law professor Jennifer Daskal, adding that the National Emergencies Act had "never been used in that way, for good reason." Critics warn that Trump opened the door for future presidents to call on the act whenever they fail to get their way with Congress. A frustrated Democratic president might someday invoke it to get funds to fight ongoing "emergencies" of climate change and gun proliferation. The White House dismissed this argument, underscoring how a court showdown might proceed. "This actually creates zero precedent. This is authority given to the president in law already," said acting White House chief of staff Mick Mulvaney. "It's not as if he just didn't get what he wanted, so he is waving a magic wand and taking a bunch of money." A real 'emergency'? Any legal battle will focus on the definition of "emergency." The emergencies act "does not provide any explicit limitations on what does and does not constitute a national emergency," Daskal told AFP. Previous governments have declared emergencies based on the act due to immediate threats such as the September 11, 2001 attacks and the 2009 outbreak of swine flu. Trump said the emergency now is the flow of drugs and violent criminals across the border. In the abstract, he appears within his rights. However, said Bobby Chesney, the associate dean at the University of Texas School of Law, "litigation won't be in abstract." "The pretext issue looms large here," he said in a comment on Twitter. He was referring to the problem of Trump resorting to declaring the border issue an emergency after spending two years in a losing political battle for wall funding. Trump himself appeared to undermine his argument as he announced the emergency on Friday. "I didn't need to do this, but I'd rather do it much faster," he said. Land, military issues Daskal expects border landowners also to sue to protect their property rights. "A lot of the land that's at issue is not federal land, it's private land," she said. Chesney points to a challenge over the use of military funds. Defense Department rules say that, even if diverted, construction funds must be for a project that "requires the use of the armed forces." The wall, however, has been cast from the outset as a civilian project. "That is the main point of litigation vulnerability," said Chesney.

Trump's border wall 'emergency' faces tough legal hurdles

President <a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/trump-says-not-happy-with-budget-deal-but-shutdown-unlikely-197021">Donald Trump</a> is ready to sign a border security funding deal, despite failing to get anywhere close to the money he sought for a US-Mexico border wall, US media reported Wednesday.

CNN and NBC television quoted sources close to the president saying that Trump has resigned himself to the deal crafted by his Republican Party and the Democrats in Congress.

White House spokeswoman Sarah Sanders would not confirm or deny the reports but said Wednesday that "there are positive pieces" in the deal.

"We want to see the final piece of legislation," she told reporters.

Trump had demanded $5.7 billion for a dramatic extension of fences and walls along the Mexican border, claiming that the United States faces an "invasion" of criminals and illegal immigrants.

Democrats refused, accusing him of exaggerating the situation for political gain.

Trump retaliated in December by cutting funding to swaths of government in a five-week shutdown. He had threatened to trigger a new shutdown this Friday if his demands were not met.

The deal worked out in Congress this week will provide less than $1.4 billion for wall construction.

On Tuesday, Trump said he was not happy with the deal but "I don't think you're going to see a shutdown."

Trump says he can still add to that from other sources not requiring congressional approval, although he has been vague about how this would work.

President Donald Trump is ready to sign a border security funding deal, despite failing to get anywhere close to the money he sought for a US-Mexico border wall, US media reported Wednesday.

President Donald Trump is ready to sign a border security funding deal, despite failing to get anywhere close to the money he sought for a US-Mexico border wall, US media reported Wednesday. CNN and NBC television quoted sources close to the president saying that Trump has resigned himself to the deal crafted by his Republican Party and the Democrats in Congress. White House spokeswoman Sarah Sanders would not confirm or deny the reports but said Wednesday that "there are positive pieces" in the deal. "We want to see the final piece of legislation," she told reporters. Trump had demanded $5.7 billion for a dramatic extension of fences and walls along the Mexican border, claiming that the United States faces an "invasion" of criminals and illegal immigrants. Democrats refused, accusing him of exaggerating the situation for political gain. Trump retaliated in December by cutting funding to swaths of government in a five-week shutdown. He had threatened to trigger a new shutdown this Friday if his demands were not met. The deal worked out in Congress this week will provide less than $1.4 billion for wall construction. On Tuesday, Trump said he was not happy with the deal but "I don't think you're going to see a shutdown." Trump says he can still add to that from other sources not requiring congressional approval, although he has been vague about how this would work.

Trump ready to sign border deal, averting shutdown: Reports

Border security talks between Republican and Democratic lawmakers seeking to avert another US&nbsp;government shutdown on Friday have broken down over immigration detention policies, a Republican senator said.

"The talks are stalled right now," Republican Senator Richard Shelby told "Fox News Sunday" after a dispute over immigrant detentions. He said he hoped negotiators would return to the table soon.

Efforts to resolve an impasse over border security funding extended into the weekend as a special congressional negotiating panel aimed to reach a deal by Monday, lawmakers and aides said.

Democratic Senator Jon Tester played down any breakdown in talks. "It is a negotiation. Negotiations seldom go smooth all the way through," he told the Fox program. He said he was hopeful a deal could be reached.

However, no further talks were scheduled, a source told Reuters on Sunday on condition of anonymity.

The group of 17 lawmakers are hoping to reach a deal to allow time for the legislation to pass the US House of Representatives and Senate and get to President Donald Trump by Friday when federal funding is due to expire.

Trump agreed on Jan. 25 to end a 35-day partial US government shutdown without getting the $5.7 billion he had demanded from Congress for a wall along the border with Mexico, handing a political victory to Democrats.

Instead, a three-week spending deal was reached with congressional leaders to give lawmakers time to resolve their disagreements about how to address security along the border.

One sticking point has been Democrats' demands for funding fewer detention beds for people detained by US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) than the Trump administration seeks. Republicans want to increase the number as part of their drive to speed immigrant deportations.

Shelby said talks were suspended over the issue but he hoped negotiators would come back to the table soon.

"I am hoping we can get off the dime later in the day or the morning," he said. "We have some problems with the Democrats dealing with ICE detaining criminals ... They want a cap on them. We don't want a cap on that."

While a number of Republicans in Congress have made it clear they would not embrace another shutdown, White House budget director Mick Mulvaney said he could not rule it out.

"You absolutely cannot," Mulvaney, who is also Trump's acting chief of staff, told NBC's "Meet the Press" on Sunday. "Is a shutdown entirely off the table? The answer is no."

Border security talks between Republican and Democratic lawmakers seeking to avert another US government shutdown on Friday have broken down over immigration detention policies, a Republican senator said.

Border security talks between Republican and Democratic lawmakers seeking to avert another US government shutdown on Friday have broken down over immigration detention policies, a Republican senator said. "The talks are stalled right now," Republican Senator Richard Shelby told "Fox News Sunday" after a dispute over immigrant detentions. He said he hoped negotiators would return to the table soon. Efforts to resolve an impasse over border security funding extended into the weekend as a special congressional negotiating panel aimed to reach a deal by Monday, lawmakers and aides said. Democratic Senator Jon Tester played down any breakdown in talks. "It is a negotiation. Negotiations seldom go smooth all the way through," he told the Fox program. He said he was hopeful a deal could be reached. However, no further talks were scheduled, a source told Reuters on Sunday on condition of anonymity. The group of 17 lawmakers are hoping to reach a deal to allow time for the legislation to pass the US House of Representatives and Senate and get to President Donald Trump by Friday when federal funding is due to expire. Trump agreed on Jan. 25 to end a 35-day partial US government shutdown without getting the $5.7 billion he had demanded from Congress for a wall along the border with Mexico, handing a political victory to Democrats. Instead, a three-week spending deal was reached with congressional leaders to give lawmakers time to resolve their disagreements about how to address security along the border. One sticking point has been Democrats' demands for funding fewer detention beds for people detained by US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) than the Trump administration seeks. Republicans want to increase the number as part of their drive to speed immigrant deportations. Shelby said talks were suspended over the issue but he hoped negotiators would come back to the table soon. "I am hoping we can get off the dime later in the day or the morning," he said. "We have some problems with the Democrats dealing with ICE detaining criminals ... They want a cap on them. We don't want a cap on that." While a number of Republicans in Congress have made it clear they would not embrace another shutdown, White House budget director Mick Mulvaney said he could not rule it out. "You absolutely cannot," Mulvaney, who is also Trump's acting chief of staff, told NBC's "Meet the Press" on Sunday. "Is a shutdown entirely off the table? The answer is no."

Congressional talks to avert shutdown stall over detention policies

President Donald Trump said on Friday (January 25) he would declare a national emergency if he doesn't eventually reach a deal with Democrats on border security.

Trump, who made the comments to reporters during an immigration event at the White House, said earlier on Friday he had reached a deal with lawmakers to reopen the government until February 15 while they work on Trump's demand for funding for a wall on the US&nbsp;border with Mexico.

"I think we have a good chance" of reaching an agreement, Trump said.

"We'll work with the Democrats and negotiate and if we can't do that, then we'll do a - obviously we'll do the emergency because that's what it is. It's a national emergency," he said.

Declaring an emergency could allow Trump to circumvent Congress and repurpose funds Congress has appropriated for other purposes in order to build a wall.

His statements came just after Trump announced on Friday that he had agreed to end the 35-day-old partial government shutdown without getting $5.7 billion (4.32 billion pounds) he demanded from Congress for a border wall. Congress and Trump agreed to a three-week spending plan that sets up tough talks with lawmakers about how to address security along the US-Mexican border.

After the president announced the agreement, top Senate Democrat Chuck Schumer said he hoped the experience would be a "lesson learned" for Trump and his party that it is self-defeating to shut down the government over policy disputes.

Poll show most Americans blamed Trump for the painful shutdown - the longest of its kind in U.S. history.

President Donald Trump said on Friday (January 25) he would declare a national emergency if he doesn't eventually reach a deal with Democrats on border security.

President Donald Trump said on Friday (January 25) he would declare a national emergency if he doesn't eventually reach a deal with Democrats on border security. Trump, who made the comments to reporters during an immigration event at the White House, said earlier on Friday he had reached a deal with lawmakers to reopen the government until February 15 while they work on Trump's demand for funding for a wall on the US border with Mexico. "I think we have a good chance" of reaching an agreement, Trump said. "We'll work with the Democrats and negotiate and if we can't do that, then we'll do a - obviously we'll do the emergency because that's what it is. It's a national emergency," he said. Declaring an emergency could allow Trump to circumvent Congress and repurpose funds Congress has appropriated for other purposes in order to build a wall. His statements came just after Trump announced on Friday that he had agreed to end the 35-day-old partial government shutdown without getting $5.7 billion (4.32 billion pounds) he demanded from Congress for a border wall. Congress and Trump agreed to a three-week spending plan that sets up tough talks with lawmakers about how to address security along the US-Mexican border. After the president announced the agreement, top Senate Democrat Chuck Schumer said he hoped the experience would be a "lesson learned" for Trump and his party that it is self-defeating to shut down the government over policy disputes. Poll show most Americans blamed Trump for the painful shutdown - the longest of its kind in U.S. history.

Trump says he will declare an emergency if he doesn't reach a border deal

United States President Donald Trump has signed the deal bringing the government shutdown to an end, news agency AFP reported.&nbsp;

President Donald Trump said <a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/trump-climbs-down-in-wall-row-congress-passes-bill-ending-shutdown-192824">Friday he will temporarily end the government shutdown</a>, while dropping his previous insistence on immediate funding for wall construction along the Mexican border.

The announcement in the White House Rose Garden on the bipartisan deal marked a retreat by Trump, suspending a political row that has paralyzed Washington, disrupted air travel and left more than 800,000 federal employees without pay for five weeks, AFP reported.&nbsp;

The top Democratic senator, Chuck Schumer, said he hoped Trump had "learned his lesson."

The Senate and House of Representatives both passed the deal by unanimous consent Friday, sending it to the president for his signature.

Trump's reversal came as the full weight of the shutdown, including the financial cost on struggling employees and the national economy, became ever more apparent to the administration and power brokers in Washington, and as the president appeared outfoxed by his political nemesis Nancy Pelosi, the Democratic speaker of the House.

However, just a few hours before signing the deal, Trump took to Twitter suggesting that the move "in no way" is a "concession". "It was taking care of millions of people who were badly hurt by the shutdown," the tweet read.&nbsp;

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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en">
I wish people would read or listen to my words on the Border Wall. This was in no way a concession. It was taking care of millions of people who were getting badly hurt by the Shutdown with the understanding that in 21 days, if no deal is done, it’s off to the races!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) <a href="https://twitter.com/realDonaldTrump/status/1088958154791100417?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 26, 2019</a></blockquote>
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The US President also tweeted out a possibility of renewing the shutdown within 21 days "if no deal is done".&nbsp;

"I wish people would read or listen to my words on the Border Wall. This was in no way a concession. It was taking care of millions of people who were getting badly hurt by the Shutdown with the understanding that in 21 days, if no deal is done, it’s off to the races!" he tweeted.&nbsp;

Trump triggered the shutdown in December as a way of putting pressure on congressional Democrats after they refused his wall funding demand.

(With inputs from AFP)&nbsp;

United States President Donald Trump has signed the deal bringing the government shutdown to an end, news agency AFP reported. President Donald Trump said Friday he will temporarily end the government shutdown, while dropping his previous insistence on immediate funding for wall construction along the Mexican border.

United States President Donald Trump has signed the deal bringing the government shutdown to an end, news agency AFP reported. President Donald Trump said Friday he will temporarily end the government shutdown, while dropping his previous insistence on immediate funding for wall construction along the Mexican border. The announcement in the White House Rose Garden on the bipartisan deal marked a retreat by Trump, suspending a political row that has paralyzed Washington, disrupted air travel and left more than 800,000 federal employees without pay for five weeks, AFP reported. The top Democratic senator, Chuck Schumer, said he hoped Trump had "learned his lesson." The Senate and House of Representatives both passed the deal by unanimous consent Friday, sending it to the president for his signature. Trump's reversal came as the full weight of the shutdown, including the financial cost on struggling employees and the national economy, became ever more apparent to the administration and power brokers in Washington, and as the president appeared outfoxed by his political nemesis Nancy Pelosi, the Democratic speaker of the House. However, just a few hours before signing the deal, Trump took to Twitter suggesting that the move "in no way" is a "concession". "It was taking care of millions of people who were badly hurt by the shutdown," the tweet read. I wish people would read or listen to my words on the Border Wall. This was in no way a concession. It was taking care of millions of people who were getting badly hurt by the Shutdown with the understanding that in 21 days, if no deal is done, it’s off to the races! — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 26, 2019 × The US President also tweeted out a possibility of renewing the shutdown within 21 days "if no deal is done". "I wish people would read or listen to my words on the Border Wall. This was in no way a concession. It was taking care of millions of people who were getting badly hurt by the Shutdown with the understanding that in 21 days, if no deal is done, it’s off to the races!" he tweeted. Trump triggered the shutdown in December as a way of putting pressure on congressional Democrats after they refused his wall funding demand. (With inputs from AFP)

Donald Trump signs deal ending longest government shutdown in US history

Nancy Pelosi signs bill to reopen US government

US senate rejects bill to end government shutdown

The US Senate on Thursday blocked dueling plans to reopen shuttered federal agencies, a fresh setback in efforts to end a month-long government shutdown, but President Donald Trump signalled he could back a new proposal if it includes border security.

The legislative deadlock left Congress and the president red-faced and adrift as thousands of federal workers, some reliant on food banks to make ends meet, are about to miss a second paycheck.

But shortly after the votes, a possible way out of the deepening crisis began to take shape, when Senate leaders huddled in private to discuss a proposal to fund lapsed federal agencies for three weeks, to allow for negotiations over border security.

Asked if he would support the plan, discussed in private by Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell and top Senate Democrat Chuck Schumer, Trump was noncommittal, saying he would still want funding for his wall.

"If they come to a reasonable agreement, I would support it," he said, but added: "We have to have a wall in this country."

Trump had backed a Senate measure which would have reopened the government, funded the wall and included some immigration policy changes. It earned 50 votes to 47 against, but it needed 60 to advance.

A competing proposal by Senate Democrats that would open government through February 8 without funding Trump's wall, and leave room for border security negotiations, also failed to move forward by a similar tally.

Trump was already smarting, after being forced into shelving his annual State of the Union address by top Democrat Nancy Pelosi, the speaker of the House of Representatives, until the government is fully operational.

Though politically bruised, Trump stood firm on his demand for billions of dollars in funding for a border wall as part of an overall budget package. 
"We will not Cave!" he tweeted at Pelosi before the Senate votes.

The shutdown is now in its 34th day, with some 800,000 federal workers left unpaid across the country and in US installations abroad -- and the knock-on effects affecting millions more. As acrimony in Washington grew, lawmakers across the political spectrum were left scrambling for an exit strategy for the longest-ever halt to federal operations.

"I don't know what's going to happen next. Nobody knows," warned Senate Republican Richard Shelby. But Lindsey Graham, a Republican senator who often has the president's year, said he discussed with Trump the new proposal gaining traction: a continuing resolution that funds government for three weeks.

"All of us believe that if we had three weeks with the government open, with all the discord coming from a shutdown, that we could find a way forward to produce a bill that he would sign," Graham said on the Senate floor. He added in a tweet that Democratic priorities for disaster relief were also included, "showing good faith from both sides".

The White House stressed the need for at least some money for Trump's border plan. "The three-week CR would only work if there is a large down payment on the wall," press secretary Sarah Sanders said.

Trump has repeatedly called for $5.7 billion in border wall funding, a demand consistently rejected by Democrats including Pelosi. Shortly before the Senate vote she urged Republicans to back the Democratic bid to temporarily open lapsed agencies, allowing for a border security negotiation to proceed. 
"Who can say no to that?" she said. But many did say no, it turns out.

Senator Mitt Romney, the 2012 Republican presidential nominee, was one of a handful of Republicans who voted for both bills, and he called on congressional leaders and the White House to thrash out their differences quickly. "We can't just have the lack of communication that prevents us from getting to a deal," Romney told reporters.

The air travel industry issued dire warnings, including one from the National Air Traffic Controllers Association. "In our risk-averse industry, we cannot even calculate the level of risk currently at play, nor predict the point at which the entire system will break," NATCA president Paul Rinaldi said in a statement. "It is unprecedented."

Most Democrats oppose direct funds for wall construction, but some have begun publicly advocating for negotiating a solution that includes boosted border funding, including for border structures.

And Pelosi herself said Thursday that "we will have some of our proposals for what comes next" in upcoming legislation offerings.

The US Senate on Thursday blocked dueling plans to reopen shuttered federal agencies, a fresh setback in efforts to end a month-long government shutdown, but President Donald Trump signalled he could back a new proposal if it includes border security.

The US Senate on Thursday blocked dueling plans to reopen shuttered federal agencies, a fresh setback in efforts to end a month-long government shutdown, but President Donald Trump signalled he could back a new proposal if it includes border security. The legislative deadlock left Congress and the president red-faced and adrift as thousands of federal workers, some reliant on food banks to make ends meet, are about to miss a second paycheck. But shortly after the votes, a possible way out of the deepening crisis began to take shape, when Senate leaders huddled in private to discuss a proposal to fund lapsed federal agencies for three weeks, to allow for negotiations over border security. Asked if he would support the plan, discussed in private by Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell and top Senate Democrat Chuck Schumer, Trump was noncommittal, saying he would still want funding for his wall. "If they come to a reasonable agreement, I would support it," he said, but added: "We have to have a wall in this country." Trump had backed a Senate measure which would have reopened the government, funded the wall and included some immigration policy changes. It earned 50 votes to 47 against, but it needed 60 to advance. A competing proposal by Senate Democrats that would open government through February 8 without funding Trump's wall, and leave room for border security negotiations, also failed to move forward by a similar tally. Trump was already smarting, after being forced into shelving his annual State of the Union address by top Democrat Nancy Pelosi, the speaker of the House of Representatives, until the government is fully operational. Though politically bruised, Trump stood firm on his demand for billions of dollars in funding for a border wall as part of an overall budget package. "We will not Cave!" he tweeted at Pelosi before the Senate votes. The shutdown is now in its 34th day, with some 800,000 federal workers left unpaid across the country and in US installations abroad -- and the knock-on effects affecting millions more. As acrimony in Washington grew, lawmakers across the political spectrum were left scrambling for an exit strategy for the longest-ever halt to federal operations. "I don't know what's going to happen next. Nobody knows," warned Senate Republican Richard Shelby. But Lindsey Graham, a Republican senator who often has the president's year, said he discussed with Trump the new proposal gaining traction: a continuing resolution that funds government for three weeks. "All of us believe that if we had three weeks with the government open, with all the discord coming from a shutdown, that we could find a way forward to produce a bill that he would sign," Graham said on the Senate floor. He added in a tweet that Democratic priorities for disaster relief were also included, "showing good faith from both sides". The White House stressed the need for at least some money for Trump's border plan. "The three-week CR would only work if there is a large down payment on the wall," press secretary Sarah Sanders said. Trump has repeatedly called for $5.7 billion in border wall funding, a demand consistently rejected by Democrats including Pelosi. Shortly before the Senate vote she urged Republicans to back the Democratic bid to temporarily open lapsed agencies, allowing for a border security negotiation to proceed. "Who can say no to that?" she said. But many did say no, it turns out. Senator Mitt Romney, the 2012 Republican presidential nominee, was one of a handful of Republicans who voted for both bills, and he called on congressional leaders and the White House to thrash out their differences quickly. "We can't just have the lack of communication that prevents us from getting to a deal," Romney told reporters. The air travel industry issued dire warnings, including one from the National Air Traffic Controllers Association. "In our risk-averse industry, we cannot even calculate the level of risk currently at play, nor predict the point at which the entire system will break," NATCA president Paul Rinaldi said in a statement. "It is unprecedented." Most Democrats oppose direct funds for wall construction, but some have begun publicly advocating for negotiating a solution that includes boosted border funding, including for border structures. And Pelosi herself said Thursday that "we will have some of our proposals for what comes next" in upcoming legislation offerings.

Dueling plans to end US shutdown fail in Senate, talks resume

US Senate leaders have agreed to vote Thursday on competing proposals to end a <a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/without-a-wall-our-country-can-never-have-national-security-says-trump-as-government-shutdown-enters-second-month-192081">government shutdown</a> now in its second month, but the chances are slim that either will reopen federal agencies.

Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell and top Democrat Chuck Schumer announced an agreement on the Senate floor Tuesday for a pair of test votes.

The first would be a procedural step on a measure that funds all shuttered branches of government through September and includes President Donald Trump's demand for border wall funding and his proposal on immigration policy.

A second vote would be on a stop-gap measure that funds government until February 8, to allow for debate over border security and immigration, while also letting Trump's upcoming State of the Union address before Congress proceed.

It also would include disaster relief money already passed in the House.&nbsp;

Each proposal would require 60 votes to advance in the 100-member body, a high threshold, given the current level of partisan rancor over who is to blame for the shutdown.

A senior Republican Senate aide told AFP it was unlikely Republicans would sign on to the short-term funding bill, and that even if they did, the president would not sign it.

But the Democratic leader took to the floor to say the votes "could break us out of the morass we are in," and he specifically encouraged Republicans to sign on to the stop-gap bill to briefly open government.

"It will allow us to then debate, without hostage-taking, without temper tantrum... How we can best do border security," he said.

US Senate leaders have agreed to vote Thursday on competing proposals to end a government shutdown now in its second month, but the chances are slim that either will reopen federal agencies.

US Senate leaders have agreed to vote Thursday on competing proposals to end a government shutdown now in its second month, but the chances are slim that either will reopen federal agencies. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell and top Democrat Chuck Schumer announced an agreement on the Senate floor Tuesday for a pair of test votes. The first would be a procedural step on a measure that funds all shuttered branches of government through September and includes President Donald Trump's demand for border wall funding and his proposal on immigration policy. A second vote would be on a stop-gap measure that funds government until February 8, to allow for debate over border security and immigration, while also letting Trump's upcoming State of the Union address before Congress proceed. It also would include disaster relief money already passed in the House. Each proposal would require 60 votes to advance in the 100-member body, a high threshold, given the current level of partisan rancor over who is to blame for the shutdown. A senior Republican Senate aide told AFP it was unlikely Republicans would sign on to the short-term funding bill, and that even if they did, the president would not sign it. But the Democratic leader took to the floor to say the votes "could break us out of the morass we are in," and he specifically encouraged Republicans to sign on to the stop-gap bill to briefly open government. "It will allow us to then debate, without hostage-taking, without temper tantrum... How we can best do border security," he said.

US Senate to vote on opposing bids to end shutdown

Rough times for NYC federal workers on 32nd day of shutdown

Global uncertainties, including populism and economic slowdown, have cast a shadow over the World Economic Forum (WEF)'s 2019 annual meeting, which officially opened in Davos, Switzerland, on Monday.

As leaders gathered for the annual meeting,&nbsp;WION spoke to the former governor of Reserve Bank of India, Raghuram Rajan&nbsp;who is also attending the event. Speaking to&nbsp;WION's correspondent, Sumit Chaturvedi, Rajan&nbsp;said that there is underlying strength in&nbsp;the global economy.

Commenting on the recent forecast by International Monetary Fund(IMF) on global economic growth, Rajan said he agrees with IMF and said that there are clouds hanging over the world economy as China is underperforming in comparison to its&nbsp;past record&nbsp;and the US is also suffering due to the government shutdown.

"Well, I have no reason to differ from the IMF, there is broadly strength in the underlying economy, there are some clouds, certainly, China is underperforming relative&nbsp;to the past...in the US there are issues like a government shutdown, so we have to wait and see," Rajan&nbsp;said.

Commenting on the World Economic Forum, Rajan said, "It's just started so not much has happened so far..will see what people say, what people think..it's a process of discussion and debate."

Experts have said that the absence of western leaders at the Davos meeting has added to the challenges brought by populism to the globalisation process.

Meanwhile, fears of a global slowdown have jolted markets and forced the US Federal Reserve Bank to signal a pause in its interest rate hike cycle, as investors fret about increasing weak signs in China and the fallout from Sino-US trade frictions.

Data released on Monday showed China's economy cooled in the fourth quarter on faltering domestic demand and bruising US&nbsp;tariffs, dragging 2018 growth to the lowest in nearly three decades.

Topics such as global economic landscape, climate change, artificial intelligence and digitalisation are also on top of the agenda at the WEF.

Global uncertainties, including populism and economic slowdown, have cast a shadow over the World Economic Forum (WEF)'s 2019 annual meeting, which officially opened in Davos, Switzerland, on Monday.

Global uncertainties, including populism and economic slowdown, have cast a shadow over the World Economic Forum (WEF)'s 2019 annual meeting, which officially opened in Davos, Switzerland, on Monday. As leaders gathered for the annual meeting, WION spoke to the former governor of Reserve Bank of India, Raghuram Rajan who is also attending the event. Speaking to WION's correspondent, Sumit Chaturvedi, Rajan said that there is underlying strength in the global economy. Commenting on the recent forecast by International Monetary Fund(IMF) on global economic growth, Rajan said he agrees with IMF and said that there are clouds hanging over the world economy as China is underperforming in comparison to its past record and the US is also suffering due to the government shutdown. "Well, I have no reason to differ from the IMF, there is broadly strength in the underlying economy, there are some clouds, certainly, China is underperforming relative to the past...in the US there are issues like a government shutdown, so we have to wait and see," Rajan said. Commenting on the World Economic Forum, Rajan said, "It's just started so not much has happened so far..will see what people say, what people think..it's a process of discussion and debate." Experts have said that the absence of western leaders at the Davos meeting has added to the challenges brought by populism to the globalisation process. Meanwhile, fears of a global slowdown have jolted markets and forced the US Federal Reserve Bank to signal a pause in its interest rate hike cycle, as investors fret about increasing weak signs in China and the fallout from Sino-US trade frictions. Data released on Monday showed China's economy cooled in the fourth quarter on faltering domestic demand and bruising US tariffs, dragging 2018 growth to the lowest in nearly three decades. Topics such as global economic landscape, climate change, artificial intelligence and digitalisation are also on top of the agenda at the WEF.

Watch: China underperforming relative to past, says Ex RBI chief Raghuram Rajan in Davos

US President Donald Trump said on Friday&nbsp;he will make a "major" announcement on Saturday at 3 pm&nbsp;EST (2000 GMT) on "the humanitarian crisis on our southern border" and the partial government shutdown, now in its 28th day.

Trump issued the statement on Twitter.

White House Press Secretary Sarah Sanders declined to add details when she spoke briefly to reporters after Trump tweeted.

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<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en">
I will be making a major announcement concerning the Humanitarian Crisis on our Southern Border, and the Shutdown, tomorrow afternoon at 3 P.M., live from the <a href="https://twitter.com/WhiteHouse?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@WhiteHouse</a>.
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) <a href="https://twitter.com/realDonaldTrump/status/1086395559504764930?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 18, 2019</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">×</a></div>

Trump's statement came as US&nbsp;House Speaker Nancy Pelosi accused him of putting American troops and civilians working in Afghanistan in danger by publicizing a planned congressional trip to the war-torn country.

The White House rejected Pelosi's charge of endangering troops and civilians.

The Republican Trump administration, which on Thursday had blocked Democrat Pelosi from making the trip to Afghanistan, on Friday slapped a blanket ban on all US&nbsp;congressional travel on government-owned or operated aircraft while the shutdown continues.

White House spokeswoman Sarah Sanders said the administration was just trying to keep Pelosi in town so that negotiations could take place to try to end the partial shutdown, at four weeks already the longest in US&nbsp;history.

US President Donald Trump said on Friday he will make a "major" announcement on Saturday at 3 pm EST (2000 GMT) on "the humanitarian crisis on our southern border" and the partial government shutdown, now in its 28th day.

US President Donald Trump said on Friday he will make a "major" announcement on Saturday at 3 pm EST (2000 GMT) on "the humanitarian crisis on our southern border" and the partial government shutdown, now in its 28th day. Trump issued the statement on Twitter. White House Press Secretary Sarah Sanders declined to add details when she spoke briefly to reporters after Trump tweeted. I will be making a major announcement concerning the Humanitarian Crisis on our Southern Border, and the Shutdown, tomorrow afternoon at 3 P.M., live from the @WhiteHouse. — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 18, 2019 × Trump's statement came as US House Speaker Nancy Pelosi accused him of putting American troops and civilians working in Afghanistan in danger by publicizing a planned congressional trip to the war-torn country. The White House rejected Pelosi's charge of endangering troops and civilians. The Republican Trump administration, which on Thursday had blocked Democrat Pelosi from making the trip to Afghanistan, on Friday slapped a blanket ban on all US congressional travel on government-owned or operated aircraft while the shutdown continues. White House spokeswoman Sarah Sanders said the administration was just trying to keep Pelosi in town so that negotiations could take place to try to end the partial shutdown, at four weeks already the longest in US history.

Will make 'major' announcement Saturday on government shutdown: Donald Trump

It may not put a meal on the table for furloughed federal employees, but some US museums and symphonies are supplying food for the mind in free admission for workers affected by the longest partial federal <a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/will-make-major-announcement-saturday-on-shutdown-donald-trump-191318">government shutdown in US history</a>.

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/us-shutdown-could-stunt-economic-growth-new-york-federal-reserve-chief-191315">With the shutdown in its fourth week</a> with no end in sight, cultural institutions from Massachusetts to Oregon are moving to help unpaid federal workers spend some of their otherwise idle hours with loved ones enjoying art, science history or music.

Museums in at least 27 states, along with at least 19 orchestras, offered free admission to federal workers who have unpaid time on their hands. Institutions range from The Metropolitan Opera in New York to the San Diego Air &amp; Space Museum, home of the Apollo IX Command Module, which helped pave the way for a man to walk on the Moon.

Nearly 200 furloughed employees have taken advantage of an offer from the Philadelphia Museum of Art, which waived its admission fee for each furloughed worker plus one guest, said museum spokesman Norman Keyes. Fine art highlights at the museum, whose front steps were made famous in the "Rocky" movie series, include Van Gogh's "Sunflowers" and an array of Rubens and Renoirs.

"Museums can offer a place both to get away from the fray and to recharge, and to gain perspective," Keyes said. "It will not solve the shutdown crisis, but it can help build positive experiences during a difficult time."

Chicago's Museum of Science and Industry has also waived admission fees for each furloughed worker plus two guests for the duration of the shutdown. Star attractions include a German U-Boat submarine seized in 1944, the only one captured during World War II. It is the length of a city block, the museum boasts on its website.

Symphonies from Boston to Akron, Ohio, offered no-cost concert tickets to ease the stress of wondering when your next paycheck will be issued.

"Great music has the power to inspire, reduce stress and ease burdens," said Joseph Giunta, who conducts the Des Moines Symphony.

"We invite federal employees to join us as our guests for an upcoming Masterworks concert," said Giunta, noting each worker was offered two tickets which otherwise sell for $20 apiece or more.

Much of the federal workforce lives in or around Washington, DC, but these people may be out of luck. That is because premiere cultural institutions such as the Smithsonian's museums, galleries, and zoo, which are always free to the public, remain closed to all for the remainder of the shutdown.

With the shutdown in its fourth week with no end in sight, cultural institutions from Massachusetts to Oregon are moving to help unpaid federal workers spend some of their otherwise idle hours with loved ones enjoying art, science history or music.

It may not put a meal on the table for furloughed federal employees, but some US museums and symphonies are supplying food for the mind in free admission for workers affected by the longest partial federal government shutdown in US history. With the shutdown in its fourth week with no end in sight, cultural institutions from Massachusetts to Oregon are moving to help unpaid federal workers spend some of their otherwise idle hours with loved ones enjoying art, science history or music. Museums in at least 27 states, along with at least 19 orchestras, offered free admission to federal workers who have unpaid time on their hands. Institutions range from The Metropolitan Opera in New York to the San Diego Air & Space Museum, home of the Apollo IX Command Module, which helped pave the way for a man to walk on the Moon. Nearly 200 furloughed employees have taken advantage of an offer from the Philadelphia Museum of Art, which waived its admission fee for each furloughed worker plus one guest, said museum spokesman Norman Keyes. Fine art highlights at the museum, whose front steps were made famous in the "Rocky" movie series, include Van Gogh's "Sunflowers" and an array of Rubens and Renoirs. "Museums can offer a place both to get away from the fray and to recharge, and to gain perspective," Keyes said. "It will not solve the shutdown crisis, but it can help build positive experiences during a difficult time." Chicago's Museum of Science and Industry has also waived admission fees for each furloughed worker plus two guests for the duration of the shutdown. Star attractions include a German U-Boat submarine seized in 1944, the only one captured during World War II. It is the length of a city block, the museum boasts on its website. Symphonies from Boston to Akron, Ohio, offered no-cost concert tickets to ease the stress of wondering when your next paycheck will be issued. "Great music has the power to inspire, reduce stress and ease burdens," said Joseph Giunta, who conducts the Des Moines Symphony. "We invite federal employees to join us as our guests for an upcoming Masterworks concert," said Giunta, noting each worker was offered two tickets which otherwise sell for $20 apiece or more. Much of the federal workforce lives in or around Washington, DC, but these people may be out of luck. That is because premiere cultural institutions such as the Smithsonian's museums, galleries, and zoo, which are always free to the public, remain closed to all for the remainder of the shutdown.

Shutdown sojourn: Free museums, music for furloughed US workers

Top Republican lawmakers on Sunday warned against Donald <a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/trump-stops-short-of-emergency-declaration-in-border-wall-fight-189699">Trump declaring a national emergency</a> to secure funds for a border wall, signalling doubts within the president's party as a government shutdown was set to enter the fourth workweek.

Senator Ron Johnson, chairman of the Homeland Security Committee, told CNN that he would "hate" to see Trump invoke emergency powers for a wall.

"If we do that, it's going to go to court and the wall won't get built," he said. And Representative Steve Scalise, the No. 2 House Republican, told ABC, "We don't want it to come down to a national emergency declaration," even if he believes Trump has the authority to do so.

Trump only recently backed away from talk of an<a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/pompeo-hopes-for-imminent-end-to-us-government-shutdown-190082"> emergency declaration</a>, after pressing it for days as a way out of the continuing budget standoff.

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/trump-says-record-long-government-shutdown-could-be-resolved-in-15-minutes-189918">Democrats</a> have strongly opposed the idea. The No. 2 Senate Democrat, Dick Durbin, said Sunday on ABC that "if this president is going to turn to national emergencies every time he disagrees with Congress, I'm against it." He urged Trump to "put an end to the shutdown and put everything on the table." As the partisan battle drags on, the effects of the partial shutdown have become steadily clearer, and new polls show growing public dissatisfaction.

On Sunday, Trump acknowledged, at least indirectly, the mounting costs of the shutdown.

"The damage done to our Country from a badly broken Border - Drugs, Crime and so much that is bad - is far greater than a Shutdown, which the Dems can easily fix as soon as they come back to Washington!" he said. Many lawmakers spent the weekend in their home states -- often hearing constituents' complaints about the shutdown -- but will return to Washington on Monday.

Trump has tried various angles to pressure Democratic negotiators, but they have not visibly budged from an offer to support some border security spending -- the figure of $1.3 billion has been floated -- but not the $5.7 billion he wants for a wall.

Two new polls indicate the Democrats may be winning the battle for public support.

The Washington Post/ABC News survey found that far more Americans blame Trump and the Republicans for the shutdown than blame the Democrats -- by 53 per cent to 29 per cent.

Meantime, a separate poll by CNN showed Trump's disapproval rating among Americans had climbed by five points -- to 57 per cent -- in just a month, with just 37 per cent approving.

But the Post poll also found a hardening of Republican support for a wall, with 70 per cent now saying they strongly support the wall, up from 58 per cent a year earlier.

The president has closely tied his fate to his steadfast conservative base.

Many Republicans doubt that the invocation of a national emergency would help their cause -- likely influencing Trump's decision Friday to say he was holding off in order to give Democrats more time to strike a deal. "I want to give them the chance to see if they can act responsibly," he told Fox in an interview late Saturday.

Trump has acknowledged that an emergency declaration would likely trigger a legal battle ending in the Supreme Court.

Opponents say such a unilateral presidential move would be a constitutional overreach and set a dangerous precedent.

The partial shutdown became the longest on record at midnight Friday when it overtook a 21-day stretch in 1995-1996 under president Bill Clinton.

The impasse has paralyzed Washington -- its impact felt increasingly around the country -- with the president refusing to sign off on budgets for swaths of government departments unrelated to the dispute.

As a result, 800,000 federal employees -- including FBI agents, air traffic controllers and museum staff -- received no paychecks on Friday. Both Democrats and Republicans agree that the US-Mexican border presents challenges, but Trump has turned his single-minded push for more walls into a crusade.

He tweeted Sunday that "The building of the Wall on the Southern Border will bring down the crime rate throughout the entire Country!" Some studies show that illegal immigrants commit fewer crimes than people born in the United States.

Only in recent days has Trump begun describing the problem as "humanitarian," referring in a tweet Saturday to "a massive Humanitarian Crisis at our Southern Border."&nbsp;

Top Republican lawmakers on Sunday warned against Donald Trump declaring a national emergency to secure funds for a border wall, signalling doubts within the president's party as a government shutdown was set to enter the fourth workweek.

Top Republican lawmakers on Sunday warned against Donald Trump declaring a national emergency to secure funds for a border wall, signalling doubts within the president's party as a government shutdown was set to enter the fourth workweek. Senator Ron Johnson, chairman of the Homeland Security Committee, told CNN that he would "hate" to see Trump invoke emergency powers for a wall. "If we do that, it's going to go to court and the wall won't get built," he said. And Representative Steve Scalise, the No. 2 House Republican, told ABC, "We don't want it to come down to a national emergency declaration," even if he believes Trump has the authority to do so. Trump only recently backed away from talk of an emergency declaration, after pressing it for days as a way out of the continuing budget standoff. Democrats have strongly opposed the idea. The No. 2 Senate Democrat, Dick Durbin, said Sunday on ABC that "if this president is going to turn to national emergencies every time he disagrees with Congress, I'm against it." He urged Trump to "put an end to the shutdown and put everything on the table." As the partisan battle drags on, the effects of the partial shutdown have become steadily clearer, and new polls show growing public dissatisfaction. On Sunday, Trump acknowledged, at least indirectly, the mounting costs of the shutdown. "The damage done to our Country from a badly broken Border - Drugs, Crime and so much that is bad - is far greater than a Shutdown, which the Dems can easily fix as soon as they come back to Washington!" he said. Many lawmakers spent the weekend in their home states -- often hearing constituents' complaints about the shutdown -- but will return to Washington on Monday. Trump has tried various angles to pressure Democratic negotiators, but they have not visibly budged from an offer to support some border security spending -- the figure of $1.3 billion has been floated -- but not the $5.7 billion he wants for a wall. Two new polls indicate the Democrats may be winning the battle for public support. The Washington Post/ABC News survey found that far more Americans blame Trump and the Republicans for the shutdown than blame the Democrats -- by 53 per cent to 29 per cent. Meantime, a separate poll by CNN showed Trump's disapproval rating among Americans had climbed by five points -- to 57 per cent -- in just a month, with just 37 per cent approving. But the Post poll also found a hardening of Republican support for a wall, with 70 per cent now saying they strongly support the wall, up from 58 per cent a year earlier. The president has closely tied his fate to his steadfast conservative base. Many Republicans doubt that the invocation of a national emergency would help their cause -- likely influencing Trump's decision Friday to say he was holding off in order to give Democrats more time to strike a deal. "I want to give them the chance to see if they can act responsibly," he told Fox in an interview late Saturday. Trump has acknowledged that an emergency declaration would likely trigger a legal battle ending in the Supreme Court. Opponents say such a unilateral presidential move would be a constitutional overreach and set a dangerous precedent. The partial shutdown became the longest on record at midnight Friday when it overtook a 21-day stretch in 1995-1996 under president Bill Clinton. The impasse has paralyzed Washington -- its impact felt increasingly around the country -- with the president refusing to sign off on budgets for swaths of government departments unrelated to the dispute. As a result, 800,000 federal employees -- including FBI agents, air traffic controllers and museum staff -- received no paychecks on Friday. Both Democrats and Republicans agree that the US-Mexican border presents challenges, but Trump has turned his single-minded push for more walls into a crusade. He tweeted Sunday that "The building of the Wall on the Southern Border will bring down the crime rate throughout the entire Country!" Some studies show that illegal immigrants commit fewer crimes than people born in the United States. Only in recent days has Trump begun describing the problem as "humanitarian," referring in a tweet Saturday to "a massive Humanitarian Crisis at our Southern Border."

Top Republicans oppose border 'emergency' as shutdown drags on

10 Big Impacts of United States Shutdown

US Shutdown enters Day 22; Longest Shutdown in U.S History

The <a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/trump-says-record-long-government-shutdown-could-be-resolved-in-15-minutes-189918">US government shutdown</a> on Saturday became the longest in history and is taking a growing bite out of the world's largest economy with each passing day, economists say.

While most of the 21 "lapses" in government spending since 1976 left barely a scratch on economic growth, the length of this shutdown makes it harder to say just how bad the impact could get.

"It's not a hard stretch to say that initially it's smaller and then it expands, the pain starts to widen," Beth Ann Bovino, chief US economist at S&amp;P Global Ratings, told AFP. "Think of it as a butterfly effect."

With about a quarter of the federal workforce affected, the shutdown is currently squeezing an estimated $1.2 billion a week out of the economy, Bovino said, but that figure could grow if it drags on.

At the current rate, within two weeks it will have cost America more than the $5.7 billion <a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/was-trump-working-for-russia-us-president-blasts-fbi-for-opening-probe-189894">US President Donald Trump</a> is demanding for a wall on the border with Mexico, the dispute with Congress that led to the failure to pass funding for government operations.

Following extended closures in 1995 and 2013, the US economy continued to grow while stock markets mainly went sideways.

And GDP growth lost in one quarter can rebound in the next as the government springs back to life and workers recoup lost salaries. But some losses can never be recovered.

In myriad but often unseen ways, the $4 trillion federal budget is felt in the daily lives of all Americans, well beyond the 800,000 government workers now going without pay -- many of whom missed their first paychecks on Friday.

Switching off even a part of the government means that life force quickly begins to bleed away.

Payments to farmers and poor families, craft beer labels, food inspections and economic data all have fallen victim to the budget impasse.&nbsp;

Meanwhile, tax refunds and borrower income verifications crucial to the mortgage industry were briefly up in the air with billions at stake.

"The tentacles start to touch many avenues of life and that's a very sad thing," Bovino said.

US Coast Guard cutters, their crews working without pay, on Monday began icebreaking at commercial ports in the frigid waters of Great Lakes near the Canadian border so local steel mills can remain supplied with iron ore.

Meanwhile, farmers cannot collect aid payments designed to help ease the pain caused by Trump's trade war with China.

Hurting the poorest most&nbsp;

Small Business Administration loans to help mom-and-pop businesses trying to invest, hire and grow have been delayed.

There are no government loans for seeds or cattle feed and none of the regular Agriculture Department data about crop yields and commodity prices that farmers depend on to plan for the coming year.

Permits from some oil and gas drilling -- which feeds into GDP calculations -- are delayed.

Bloomberg estimates that government contractors are losing $200 million a day, cutting revenues for defense industry giants like Boeing, General Dynamics and Leidos.

Tourism at the country's 400 national parks normally generates a reported $18 million a day, but with some parks unattended and many services halted, local restaurants, hotels and shops are losing customers.

Government assistance to feed the poorest Americans is funded through next month only.

None of this includes the hardships felt by the 380,000 federal workers who have been furloughed or the 420,000 who are deemed "essential" but are working without pay.

They owe an estimated $438 million a month in rent and mortgage payments, according to the real estate firm Zillow.

Around the Washington region, home to about 20 percent of the federal work force, restaurants are sitting empty, taxis are idled and traffic increasingly moves with eerie ease along the capital's choked boulevards.

Yingrui Huang, an engineer for a defense contractor at NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center in Maryland, told AFP his company is normally at work building weather satellites and telescopes for the government but is shuttered until further notice.

To fight boredom, he is now driving for the mobile ride hailing service Lyft but said he was most concerned hourly employees like janitors, cafeteria workers and secretaries.

"Their salaries are definitely lower than most of the engineering staff. They don't get the limelight. We don't think about them," he said.

Economic research on the last major shutdown in October 2013 found many federal workers were largely able to avoid sinking into debt -- delaying mortgage payments and shifting balances between credit cards.

But that shutdown lasted for barely two weeks -- one pay cycle -- and lawmakers at the time had quickly promised workers would receive back pay.

"It's possible that the effects will be greater for this shutdown," University of Chicago economist Constantine Yannelis, who studied the 2013 shutdown, told AFP.

"The longer a shutdown lasts, the more persistent a change in habits you could see."

The US government shutdown on Saturday became the longest in history and is taking a growing bite out of the world's largest economy with each passing day, economists say.

The US government shutdown on Saturday became the longest in history and is taking a growing bite out of the world's largest economy with each passing day, economists say. While most of the 21 "lapses" in government spending since 1976 left barely a scratch on economic growth, the length of this shutdown makes it harder to say just how bad the impact could get. "It's not a hard stretch to say that initially it's smaller and then it expands, the pain starts to widen," Beth Ann Bovino, chief US economist at S&P Global Ratings, told AFP. "Think of it as a butterfly effect." With about a quarter of the federal workforce affected, the shutdown is currently squeezing an estimated $1.2 billion a week out of the economy, Bovino said, but that figure could grow if it drags on. At the current rate, within two weeks it will have cost America more than the $5.7 billion US President Donald Trump is demanding for a wall on the border with Mexico, the dispute with Congress that led to the failure to pass funding for government operations. Following extended closures in 1995 and 2013, the US economy continued to grow while stock markets mainly went sideways. And GDP growth lost in one quarter can rebound in the next as the government springs back to life and workers recoup lost salaries. But some losses can never be recovered. In myriad but often unseen ways, the $4 trillion federal budget is felt in the daily lives of all Americans, well beyond the 800,000 government workers now going without pay -- many of whom missed their first paychecks on Friday. Switching off even a part of the government means that life force quickly begins to bleed away. Payments to farmers and poor families, craft beer labels, food inspections and economic data all have fallen victim to the budget impasse. Meanwhile, tax refunds and borrower income verifications crucial to the mortgage industry were briefly up in the air with billions at stake. "The tentacles start to touch many avenues of life and that's a very sad thing," Bovino said. US Coast Guard cutters, their crews working without pay, on Monday began icebreaking at commercial ports in the frigid waters of Great Lakes near the Canadian border so local steel mills can remain supplied with iron ore. Meanwhile, farmers cannot collect aid payments designed to help ease the pain caused by Trump's trade war with China. Hurting the poorest most Small Business Administration loans to help mom-and-pop businesses trying to invest, hire and grow have been delayed. There are no government loans for seeds or cattle feed and none of the regular Agriculture Department data about crop yields and commodity prices that farmers depend on to plan for the coming year. Permits from some oil and gas drilling -- which feeds into GDP calculations -- are delayed. Bloomberg estimates that government contractors are losing $200 million a day, cutting revenues for defense industry giants like Boeing, General Dynamics and Leidos. Tourism at the country's 400 national parks normally generates a reported $18 million a day, but with some parks unattended and many services halted, local restaurants, hotels and shops are losing customers. Government assistance to feed the poorest Americans is funded through next month only. None of this includes the hardships felt by the 380,000 federal workers who have been furloughed or the 420,000 who are deemed "essential" but are working without pay. They owe an estimated $438 million a month in rent and mortgage payments, according to the real estate firm Zillow. Around the Washington region, home to about 20 percent of the federal work force, restaurants are sitting empty, taxis are idled and traffic increasingly moves with eerie ease along the capital's choked boulevards. Yingrui Huang, an engineer for a defense contractor at NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center in Maryland, told AFP his company is normally at work building weather satellites and telescopes for the government but is shuttered until further notice. To fight boredom, he is now driving for the mobile ride hailing service Lyft but said he was most concerned hourly employees like janitors, cafeteria workers and secretaries. "Their salaries are definitely lower than most of the engineering staff. They don't get the limelight. We don't think about them," he said. Economic research on the last major shutdown in October 2013 found many federal workers were largely able to avoid sinking into debt -- delaying mortgage payments and shifting balances between credit cards. But that shutdown lasted for barely two weeks -- one pay cycle -- and lawmakers at the time had quickly promised workers would receive back pay. "It's possible that the effects will be greater for this shutdown," University of Chicago economist Constantine Yannelis, who studied the 2013 shutdown, told AFP. "The longer a shutdown lasts, the more persistent a change in habits you could see."

US shutdown sends economy into uncharted waters

The week that was, in pictures

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/trump-says-will-skip-davos-meeting-if-us-government-shutdown-continues-189462">President Donald Trump</a> said on Friday he would not declare a national emergency "right now" to end a standoff over border security that has idled large swaths of the US government, all but guaranteeing that he will preside over the longest shutdown in US history.

The dispute has disrupted everything from air travel to tax collection and suspended pay for 800,000 government workers.

Trump has repeatedly described the situation at the<a href="https://www.google.com/url?q=http://www.wionews.com/world/trump-refuses-to-sign-us-government-shutdown-legislation-over-mexico-wall-funding-185571&amp;sa=U&amp;ved=0ahUKEwi__cy2ieffAhWJv48KHX_iDGkQFggRMAQ&amp;client=internal-uds-cse&amp;cx=006054055338965708568:09spwrlibei&amp;usg=AOvVaw1ICS4HGTNKnSKjSI8j7hnX"> US-Mexico border </a>as a "humanitarian crisis" as speculation has increased this week that he would circumvent Congress to begin building his signature wall - a move that would be sure to draw a court challenge from Democrats who say the barrier would be barbaric and ineffective.

Instead, the president urged lawmakers to provide him the $5.7 billion he is seeking for border security.

"The easy solution is for me to call a national emergency. I could do that very quickly," Trump said during a White House event on border security. "I have the absolute right to do it. But I'm not going to do it so fast. Because this is something Congress should do."

House Speaker Nancy Pelosi mocked the president as she told reporters it was up to Trump to make the next move.

"Let's give him time to think it through. Think? Did I say think?" she said.

Trump spoke after lawmakers had adjourned for the weekend, precluding any possible action until next week. On Saturday, the shutdown will become the longest in US history.

Earlier on Friday, the Democratic-controlled House of Representatives voted 240-179 to restore funding for the Interior Department and the Environmental Protection Agency, two of the agencies that have been shuttered since December 22.

But Republicans who control the Senate have so far stood with Trump and insisted that any spending bills include money for his wall. The chamber wrapped up business for the week without taking up the House-passed bill.

A national emergency would allow Trump to divert money from other projects to pay for the wall, which was a central promise of his 2016 campaign. That, in turn, could prompt him to sign bills that restore funding to agencies that have been affected by the shutdown.

Diverting money to the wall could shortchange flood-control efforts in California and reconstruction programs in Puerto Rico, which was devastated by Hurricane Maria in 2017, according to Democratic Representative John Garamendi, who represents a district in California that would potentially be affected.

Trump already has threatened to withhold disaster-recovery approved in the wake of California wildfires.

"He has done everything he can to harm California," Garamendi told Reuters in a telephone interview.

Some of Trump's fellow Republicans are warning against a disaster declaration, saying it would undercut Congress's power under the U.S. Constitution to control government spending - and make it easier for a future Democratic president to bypass Capitol Hill.

"It's a bad precedent," Republican Senator Chuck Grassley said on CNBC.

SHUTDOWN IMPACT

Meanwhile, the<a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/prolonged-us-shutdown-threatens-to-unsettle-economy-187290"> impact of the shutdown </a>began to mount.

Miami International Airport said it will close one of its terminals early over the next several days due to a possible shortage of security screeners, who have been calling in sick at twice the normal rate.

A union that represents thousands of air traffic controllers sued the Federal Aviation Administration on Friday, saying it had violated federal wage law by failing to pay workers. It is at least the third lawsuit filed by unions on behalf of unpaid workers.

Roughly 800,000 federal workers did not receive paychecks that would have gone out on Friday. Some have resorted to selling their possessions or posting appeals on online fundraising sites to help pay their bills.

"Most of them are living from paycheck to paycheck and now they approach this day on Friday having moved from paycheck to no check," Democratic Representative Elijah Cummings said in debate on the House floor.

The head of the US Secret Service, which is responsible for protecting Trump, warned employees that financial stress can lead to depression and anxiety. "Keep an eye out for warning signs of trouble," Director RD&nbsp;"Tex" Alles wrote in a memo seen by Reuters.

Vice President Mike Pence said Trump will sign legislation passed in Congress that will provide back pay to federal workers once the government reopens.

"Your families will get your paychecks," he told US Customs and Border Protection officers at the agency's Washington headquarters.

Separately, Senator Rob Portman and eight other Republican senators introduced legislation that would permanently outlaw the closing of government operations during budget fights, underscoring the growing frustration in Washington.

During his presidential campaign, Trump repeatedly pledged that Mexico would pay for the wall, which he says is needed to stem the flow of illegal immigrants and drugs. But the Mexican government has refused and Trump is now demanding that Congress provide funding.

"They can name it 'peaches.' I don't care what they name it. But we need money for that barrier," Trump said.

President Donald Trump said on Friday he would not declare a national emergency "right now" to end a standoff over border security that has idled large swaths of the US government, all but guaranteeing that he will preside over the longest shutdown in US history.

President Donald Trump said on Friday he would not declare a national emergency "right now" to end a standoff over border security that has idled large swaths of the US government, all but guaranteeing that he will preside over the longest shutdown in US history. The dispute has disrupted everything from air travel to tax collection and suspended pay for 800,000 government workers. Trump has repeatedly described the situation at the US-Mexico border as a "humanitarian crisis" as speculation has increased this week that he would circumvent Congress to begin building his signature wall - a move that would be sure to draw a court challenge from Democrats who say the barrier would be barbaric and ineffective. Instead, the president urged lawmakers to provide him the $5.7 billion he is seeking for border security. "The easy solution is for me to call a national emergency. I could do that very quickly," Trump said during a White House event on border security. "I have the absolute right to do it. But I'm not going to do it so fast. Because this is something Congress should do." House Speaker Nancy Pelosi mocked the president as she told reporters it was up to Trump to make the next move. "Let's give him time to think it through. Think? Did I say think?" she said. Trump spoke after lawmakers had adjourned for the weekend, precluding any possible action until next week. On Saturday, the shutdown will become the longest in US history. Earlier on Friday, the Democratic-controlled House of Representatives voted 240-179 to restore funding for the Interior Department and the Environmental Protection Agency, two of the agencies that have been shuttered since December 22. But Republicans who control the Senate have so far stood with Trump and insisted that any spending bills include money for his wall. The chamber wrapped up business for the week without taking up the House-passed bill. A national emergency would allow Trump to divert money from other projects to pay for the wall, which was a central promise of his 2016 campaign. That, in turn, could prompt him to sign bills that restore funding to agencies that have been affected by the shutdown. Diverting money to the wall could shortchange flood-control efforts in California and reconstruction programs in Puerto Rico, which was devastated by Hurricane Maria in 2017, according to Democratic Representative John Garamendi, who represents a district in California that would potentially be affected. Trump already has threatened to withhold disaster-recovery approved in the wake of California wildfires. "He has done everything he can to harm California," Garamendi told Reuters in a telephone interview. Some of Trump's fellow Republicans are warning against a disaster declaration, saying it would undercut Congress's power under the U.S. Constitution to control government spending - and make it easier for a future Democratic president to bypass Capitol Hill. "It's a bad precedent," Republican Senator Chuck Grassley said on CNBC. SHUTDOWN IMPACT Meanwhile, the impact of the shutdown began to mount. Miami International Airport said it will close one of its terminals early over the next several days due to a possible shortage of security screeners, who have been calling in sick at twice the normal rate. A union that represents thousands of air traffic controllers sued the Federal Aviation Administration on Friday, saying it had violated federal wage law by failing to pay workers. It is at least the third lawsuit filed by unions on behalf of unpaid workers. Roughly 800,000 federal workers did not receive paychecks that would have gone out on Friday. Some have resorted to selling their possessions or posting appeals on online fundraising sites to help pay their bills. "Most of them are living from paycheck to paycheck and now they approach this day on Friday having moved from paycheck to no check," Democratic Representative Elijah Cummings said in debate on the House floor. The head of the US Secret Service, which is responsible for protecting Trump, warned employees that financial stress can lead to depression and anxiety. "Keep an eye out for warning signs of trouble," Director RD "Tex" Alles wrote in a memo seen by Reuters. Vice President Mike Pence said Trump will sign legislation passed in Congress that will provide back pay to federal workers once the government reopens. "Your families will get your paychecks," he told US Customs and Border Protection officers at the agency's Washington headquarters. Separately, Senator Rob Portman and eight other Republican senators introduced legislation that would permanently outlaw the closing of government operations during budget fights, underscoring the growing frustration in Washington. During his presidential campaign, Trump repeatedly pledged that Mexico would pay for the wall, which he says is needed to stem the flow of illegal immigrants and drugs. But the Mexican government has refused and Trump is now demanding that Congress provide funding. "They can name it 'peaches.' I don't care what they name it. But we need money for that barrier," Trump said.

US President Donald Trump stops short of emergency declaration in border wall fight

Flanked by border agents who are going without paychecks during a government shutdown, <a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/trump-says-will-skip-davos-meeting-if-us-government-shutdown-continues-189462">US President Donald Trump</a> threatened on Thursday to use emergency powers to bypass Congress to pay for a wall on the US-Mexico border.

Trump flew to the Texas border with Mexico to try to bolster his case for the border wall as a partial US government shutdown tied to the issue stretched into its 20th day with no sign of new talks to resolve the impasse.

"We can declare a national emergency. We shouldn`t have to," Trump told reporters. "This is just common sense."

Such a step would likely prompt an immediate legal challenge over constitutional powers from congressional Democrats - a challenge Trump said he would win.

The Republican president is adamant that a government funding bill to end the shutdown include $5.7 billion for a border barrier - his signature campaign promise. Congressional Democrats oppose that.

The standoff has left a quarter of the federal government closed down and hundreds of thousands of federal employees without pay.

A day after he stormed out of a meeting with Democratic leaders, Trump attacked them for refusing his demand, calling them harder to deal with than China, a rival power.

"I find China, frankly, in many ways to be far more honourable than Crying Chuck and Nancy. I really do," Trump said, referring to House of Representatives Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Senate Democratic leader Chuck Schumer.

The House passed two bills to fund the departments of transportation, housing and agriculture - each drawing a few more Republican votes than a similar effort on Wednesday to reopen the Treasury Department and other agencies.

The White House has said Trump would veto the bills if they made it to his desk.

Trump cancelled plans to attend the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, which is scheduled to start on Jan. 22, signalling he was prepared for the shutdown to drag on.

"I have never been more depressed about moving forward than right now. I just don’t see a pathway forward," said Republican Senator Lindsey Graham, a Trump ally, who said it was time for Trump to declare a national emergency.

`HIS ONLY WAY OUT`

Trump said his lawyers had told him he had the power to invoke national emergency powers to get his wall funded.

"I have the absolute right to declare a national emergency," Trump told reporters at the White House. "I’m not prepared to do that yet, but if I have to, I will."

The declaration would circumvent Congress` power over the national purse strings. A subsequent court fight could be protracted.

The Washington Post, citing two unnamed sources, reported that the White House was laying the groundwork for declaring an emergency that would let Trump build sections of a wall, possibly using funds from the Army Corps of Engineers.

NBC News, in a similar report, said Trump had been briefed on the plan involving the Army Corps while flying to the border on Thursday. A White House official denied Trump had been briefed on the plan, and the Pentagon declined to comment on the news reports.

Senator Joe Manchin, a moderate Democrat who has cultivated good relations with Trump, told reporters a national emergency declaration by Trump would be “wrong, but I think that’s his only way out” of the impasse.

If Trump were to make such a declaration, Manchin predicted the Senate would immediately pass legislation to fund the federal agencies that have been partially closed.

FRIDAY PAYCHECKS

Pressure on both sides could intensify on Friday when about 800,000 federal employees miss their first paychecks. About half of them are deemed "essential" to national security, like prison guards and airport security screeners - and have to continue working. Others are home on furlough.

At the FBI, where most agents continue to work, concerns are building that operational funds the bureau needs to conduct investigations, including sensitive undercover operations, are beginning to dry up, said Tom O’Connor, president of the FBI Agents Association.

The shutdown, which began on December 22, will be the longest in US history if it is still going on by Saturday.

In Texas, Trump focussed on stories told by tearful family members of people killed by illegal immigrants, and was shown plastic-wrapped bricks of heroin, bales of marijuana, guns and a bag full of cash seized by border agents.

Trump says undocumented immigrants and illegal drugs are streaming across the border, despite statistics that show illegal immigration there is at a 20-year low and that many drug shipments likely are smuggled through legal ports of entry.

Raul Ortiz, a local border patrol official, told Trump and reporters that 133 people from countries other than Mexico and those in central America - including India, Pakistan, China and Romania - had been apprehended in the stretch of territory around McAllen.

Just across the Rio Grande, in the Mexican city of Reynosa, a dozen recent deportees and US-bound migrants gathered near a cross that memorialized dead migrants.

Plagued by kidnappings, Reynosa is so dangerous for migrants that locals advise new arrivals against any trip alone out of the two shelters.

"Building a wall for a country, a nation so big, for a border so immense, so many kilometres is ridiculous," said Jose Ramon Poso Briseno, a Honduran man who has waited in a Reynosa shelter for five months but has so far balked at crossing the river out of fear of cartel violence.

Flanked by border agents who are going without paychecks during a government shutdown, US President Donald Trump threatened on Thursday to use emergency powers to bypass Congress to pay for a wall on the US-Mexico border.

Flanked by border agents who are going without paychecks during a government shutdown, US President Donald Trump threatened on Thursday to use emergency powers to bypass Congress to pay for a wall on the US-Mexico border. Trump flew to the Texas border with Mexico to try to bolster his case for the border wall as a partial US government shutdown tied to the issue stretched into its 20th day with no sign of new talks to resolve the impasse. "We can declare a national emergency. We shouldn`t have to," Trump told reporters. "This is just common sense." Such a step would likely prompt an immediate legal challenge over constitutional powers from congressional Democrats - a challenge Trump said he would win. The Republican president is adamant that a government funding bill to end the shutdown include $5.7 billion for a border barrier - his signature campaign promise. Congressional Democrats oppose that. The standoff has left a quarter of the federal government closed down and hundreds of thousands of federal employees without pay. A day after he stormed out of a meeting with Democratic leaders, Trump attacked them for refusing his demand, calling them harder to deal with than China, a rival power. "I find China, frankly, in many ways to be far more honourable than Crying Chuck and Nancy. I really do," Trump said, referring to House of Representatives Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Senate Democratic leader Chuck Schumer. The House passed two bills to fund the departments of transportation, housing and agriculture - each drawing a few more Republican votes than a similar effort on Wednesday to reopen the Treasury Department and other agencies. The White House has said Trump would veto the bills if they made it to his desk. Trump cancelled plans to attend the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, which is scheduled to start on Jan. 22, signalling he was prepared for the shutdown to drag on. "I have never been more depressed about moving forward than right now. I just don’t see a pathway forward," said Republican Senator Lindsey Graham, a Trump ally, who said it was time for Trump to declare a national emergency. `HIS ONLY WAY OUT` Trump said his lawyers had told him he had the power to invoke national emergency powers to get his wall funded. "I have the absolute right to declare a national emergency," Trump told reporters at the White House. "I’m not prepared to do that yet, but if I have to, I will." The declaration would circumvent Congress` power over the national purse strings. A subsequent court fight could be protracted. The Washington Post, citing two unnamed sources, reported that the White House was laying the groundwork for declaring an emergency that would let Trump build sections of a wall, possibly using funds from the Army Corps of Engineers. NBC News, in a similar report, said Trump had been briefed on the plan involving the Army Corps while flying to the border on Thursday. A White House official denied Trump had been briefed on the plan, and the Pentagon declined to comment on the news reports. Senator Joe Manchin, a moderate Democrat who has cultivated good relations with Trump, told reporters a national emergency declaration by Trump would be “wrong, but I think that’s his only way out” of the impasse. If Trump were to make such a declaration, Manchin predicted the Senate would immediately pass legislation to fund the federal agencies that have been partially closed. FRIDAY PAYCHECKS Pressure on both sides could intensify on Friday when about 800,000 federal employees miss their first paychecks. About half of them are deemed "essential" to national security, like prison guards and airport security screeners - and have to continue working. Others are home on furlough. At the FBI, where most agents continue to work, concerns are building that operational funds the bureau needs to conduct investigations, including sensitive undercover operations, are beginning to dry up, said Tom O’Connor, president of the FBI Agents Association. The shutdown, which began on December 22, will be the longest in US history if it is still going on by Saturday. In Texas, Trump focussed on stories told by tearful family members of people killed by illegal immigrants, and was shown plastic-wrapped bricks of heroin, bales of marijuana, guns and a bag full of cash seized by border agents. Trump says undocumented immigrants and illegal drugs are streaming across the border, despite statistics that show illegal immigration there is at a 20-year low and that many drug shipments likely are smuggled through legal ports of entry. Raul Ortiz, a local border patrol official, told Trump and reporters that 133 people from countries other than Mexico and those in central America - including India, Pakistan, China and Romania - had been apprehended in the stretch of territory around McAllen. Just across the Rio Grande, in the Mexican city of Reynosa, a dozen recent deportees and US-bound migrants gathered near a cross that memorialized dead migrants. Plagued by kidnappings, Reynosa is so dangerous for migrants that locals advise new arrivals against any trip alone out of the two shelters. "Building a wall for a country, a nation so big, for a border so immense, so many kilometres is ridiculous," said Jose Ramon Poso Briseno, a Honduran man who has waited in a Reynosa shelter for five months but has so far balked at crossing the river out of fear of cartel violence.

Trump threatens to use emergency power to build wall, end shutdown

Top congressional Democrats on Tuesday accused <a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/we-have-to-build-the-wall-trump-on-ending-shutdown-188587">President Donald Trump of holding Americans "hostage"</a> by refusing to strike a deal to fund shuttered government agencies and using fear mongering to justify his demand for his much-hyped border wall.

"President Trump must stop holding the American people hostage, must stop manufacturing a crisis, and must re-open the government," Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi said in a curt rebuttal to Trump's address to the nation minutes earlier, in which he declared the situation on the southern border a "crisis of the heart."

The political impasse over Trump's border wall demand — and <a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/us-vice-president-mike-pence-meets-with-democratic-aides-to-discuss-shutdown-impasse-188469">the divided Congress's refusal to fund it </a>— has kept key government agencies closed for the past 18 days, with few signs that a breakthrough is imminent.

And with Democrats reclaiming the majority in the House of Representatives, Trump has lost his monopoly on congressional power that could have helped him reach an agreement with lawmakers.

About 800,000 federal workers, and many more contractors, are not being paid, but Trump said that problem could be resolved swiftly if Democrats simply "fund border security."

In a sombre appeal to the nation, Trump spoke of Americans who have been "savagely murdered in cold blood" by immigrants who crossed illegally into the United States.

"How much more American blood must we shed before Congress does its job?" he pleaded.

The Democrats rejected Trump's fear-mongering as "misinformation and even malice," with Pelosi blasting the president's "obsession with forcing American taxpayers to waste billions of dollars on an expensive and ineffective wall."

Top Senate Democrat Chuck Schumer, standing with Pelosi in the US Capitol, accused Trump of throwing a "temper tantrum" over the border, where he "appealed to fear, not facts."

"No president should pound the table and demand he gets his way or else the government shuts down, hurting millions of Americans who are treated as leverage," Schumer said.

"The symbol of America should be the Statue of Liberty, not a 30-foot wall," he concluded.

Rank-and-file lawmakers from both sides of the political aisle weighed in quickly on social media, with Republicans praising Trump for outlining the facts of a national security crisis on the border and Democrats attacking him for misleading and dividing Americans.

"Throughout history, presidents have used an Oval Office address to bring the country together," tweeted Adam Schiff, chairman of the House Intelligence Committee.

"Tonight, Trump used it to stoke fear and division."

The political impasse over Trump's border wall demand and the divided Congress's refusal to fund it has kept key government agencies closed for the past 18 days.

Top congressional Democrats on Tuesday accused President Donald Trump of holding Americans "hostage" by refusing to strike a deal to fund shuttered government agencies and using fear mongering to justify his demand for his much-hyped border wall. "President Trump must stop holding the American people hostage, must stop manufacturing a crisis, and must re-open the government," Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi said in a curt rebuttal to Trump's address to the nation minutes earlier, in which he declared the situation on the southern border a "crisis of the heart." The political impasse over Trump's border wall demand — and the divided Congress's refusal to fund it — has kept key government agencies closed for the past 18 days, with few signs that a breakthrough is imminent. And with Democrats reclaiming the majority in the House of Representatives, Trump has lost his monopoly on congressional power that could have helped him reach an agreement with lawmakers. About 800,000 federal workers, and many more contractors, are not being paid, but Trump said that problem could be resolved swiftly if Democrats simply "fund border security." In a sombre appeal to the nation, Trump spoke of Americans who have been "savagely murdered in cold blood" by immigrants who crossed illegally into the United States. "How much more American blood must we shed before Congress does its job?" he pleaded. The Democrats rejected Trump's fear-mongering as "misinformation and even malice," with Pelosi blasting the president's "obsession with forcing American taxpayers to waste billions of dollars on an expensive and ineffective wall." Top Senate Democrat Chuck Schumer, standing with Pelosi in the US Capitol, accused Trump of throwing a "temper tantrum" over the border, where he "appealed to fear, not facts." "No president should pound the table and demand he gets his way or else the government shuts down, hurting millions of Americans who are treated as leverage," Schumer said. "The symbol of America should be the Statue of Liberty, not a 30-foot wall," he concluded. Rank-and-file lawmakers from both sides of the political aisle weighed in quickly on social media, with Republicans praising Trump for outlining the facts of a national security crisis on the border and Democrats attacking him for misleading and dividing Americans. "Throughout history, presidents have used an Oval Office address to bring the country together," tweeted Adam Schiff, chairman of the House Intelligence Committee. "Tonight, Trump used it to stoke fear and division."

Watch: Stop holding Americans hostage over shutdown, Speaker Nancy Pelosi to Trump

Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (RSPCA) Australia has ordered strict punishment for a teenager who was caught forcing a quokka to vape on video.

In a recent video - a quokka a marsupial also known as short-tailed scrub wallaby- is seen standing on its back legs and curiously lick the e-cigarette device, which it assumed was food. The teenage girl then shoved the device down the vulnerable quokka’s throat, forcing it to vape.

When the authorities caught hold of the video, they quickly opened an investigation into this matter calling it "completely and utterly irresponsible and unacceptable for this poor defenseless, vulnerable animal to be subjected to that kind of cruelty," RSPCA WA executive manager Hannah Dreaver told 9News.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/neanderthals-population-might-have-declined-due-to-sex-with-humans-study-403707" hreflang="en">Neanderthal's population might have declined due to sex with humans: Study</a>

If and when the culprits are caught, they will be sentenced to a maximum jail sentence of five years along with a monetary fine of AUD$50,000 on charges of animal cruelty.

Quokkas have been classified as vulnerable to extinction. "Those animals are really, really vulnerable," Dreaver said. "They've become used to human interaction so they’re not running away from us"&nbsp;but are instead "actually seeking it out".

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/study-reveals-how-venom-contributed-to-formation-of-new-species-of-insects-fishes-403636" hreflang="en">Study reveals how venom contributed to formation of new species of insects, fishes</a>

RSPCA has warned people to not indulge in any such acts of cruelty and has stressed that any form of food or liquid which is not a part of their natural diet is extremely harmful to them.

Considering how a young person was also fined for feeding alcohol to a quokka, authorities have warned that alcohol can "potentially kill an animal as small as this".

"What concerns us is that people do this and post it on social media thinking it’s funny, when it is actually intentional cruelty that can have severe or fatal effect on the animal," authorities said.

Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (RSPCA) Australia has ordered strict punishment for a teenager who was caught forcing a quokka to vape on video.

Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (RSPCA) Australia has ordered strict punishment for a teenager who was caught forcing a quokka to vape on video. In a recent video - a quokka a marsupial also known as short-tailed scrub wallaby- is seen standing on its back legs and curiously lick the e-cigarette device, which it assumed was food. The teenage girl then shoved the device down the vulnerable quokka’s throat, forcing it to vape. When the authorities caught hold of the video, they quickly opened an investigation into this matter calling it "completely and utterly irresponsible and unacceptable for this poor defenseless, vulnerable animal to be subjected to that kind of cruelty," RSPCA WA executive manager Hannah Dreaver told 9News. Also read | Neanderthal's population might have declined due to sex with humans: Study If and when the culprits are caught, they will be sentenced to a maximum jail sentence of five years along with a monetary fine of AUD$50,000 on charges of animal cruelty. Quokkas have been classified as vulnerable to extinction. "Those animals are really, really vulnerable," Dreaver said. "They've become used to human interaction so they’re not running away from us" but are instead "actually seeking it out". Also read | Study reveals how venom contributed to formation of new species of insects, fishes RSPCA has warned people to not indulge in any such acts of cruelty and has stressed that any form of food or liquid which is not a part of their natural diet is extremely harmful to them. Considering how a young person was also fined for feeding alcohol to a quokka, authorities have warned that alcohol can "potentially kill an animal as small as this". "What concerns us is that people do this and post it on social media thinking it’s funny, when it is actually intentional cruelty that can have severe or fatal effect on the animal," authorities said.

Trump holds firm on border wall, offers steel option as compromise

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