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Senate Approves Stopgap Funding Bill to Prevent Government Shutdown

In a dramatic turn of events, the U.S. Senate passed a six-month funding bill just hours before a potential government shutdown. The bill, which faced significant opposition from Democrats, was approved with a 54-46 vote. The legislation now heads to President Donald Trump's desk for final approval. The funding measure, often referred to as a continuing resolution (CR), was a contentious issue, with Democrats criticizing it for lacking input from their party and for falling short on key priorities like healthcare and housing assistance. However, Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer urged his colleagues to support the bill, emphasizing that a government shutdown would have far-reaching consequences. Despite internal divisions, some Democrats sided with Republicans to ensure the bill's passage, prioritizing the avoidance of a shutdown over their reservations about the legislation. The decision has sparked debates within the Democratic Party, with some members expressing frustrati...

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Israel Bombards Central Beirut Ahead of Ceasefire Vote with Hezbollah

 

Israeli warplanes struck central Beirut and the city's southern suburbs on Tuesday, raising plumes of smoke over the Lebanese capital. This escalation comes as Israel's security cabinet prepares to vote on a U.S.-brokered ceasefire proposal aimed at ending more than a year of fighting with Hezbollah.

The proposed ceasefire deal calls for a two-month initial halt in fighting and requires Hezbollah to end its armed presence in a broad swath of southern Lebanon. In return, Israeli troops would withdraw to their side of the border. Thousands of Lebanese troops and U.N. peacekeepers would deploy in the south, with an international panel headed by the United States monitoring compliance.

Despite the diplomatic efforts, Israeli jets targeted at least six buildings in Beirut's southern suburbs, including areas near the country's only airport. The strikes are part of Israel's ongoing campaign to cripple Hezbollah's military capabilities.

Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz emphasized that the military would act with "great force" if the U.N. peacekeeping force, known as UNIFIL, fails to enforce the ceasefire effectively. The European Union's top diplomat, Josep Borrell, stated that Israel's security concerns had been addressed in the U.S.-French-brokered deal.

The outcome of the cabinet vote could significantly impact regional stability, with hopes that the ceasefire will bring an end to the conflict and reduce tensions between Israel and Hezbollah.


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