Washington Marks Russia Day with Message of Support and Call for Lasting Peace
U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio extended congratulations to the Russian people on the occasion of Russia Day, marked annually on June 12
The US Congress has passed a bill that would end the partial government shutdown and prevent the country from crashing into the debt ceiling, but it’s only a temporary fix, and there are signs of more fights to come.
The GOP-led House gave the final stamp of approval to the Senate-brokered bill, passing it easily late Wednesday night. But it wasn't Republicans who made it happen; a majority of that party's caucus actually voted against the measure, which only passed because of overwhelming Democratic support.
The debt cushion now extends through February 7, with current spending levels being authorized through January 15.
After all, the bill doesn't address many of the contentious and complicated issues -- from changes to entitlement programs to tax reform -- that continue to divide Democrats and Republicans.
"We think that we'll be back here in January debating the same issues," John Chambers, managing director of Standard and Poor's rating service, told CNN on Wednesday night "... This is, I fear, a permanent feature of our budgetary process."
The bill was on its way to President Barack Obama's desk late Wednesday night.
"I will sign it immediately," Obama said Wednesday night, as cited by CNN. "We'll begin reopening our government immediately."
Federal workers should expect to return to work Thursday morning, the director of the Office of Management and Budget said.
"Now that the bill has passed the United States Senate and the House of Representatives, the president plans to sign it tonight and employees should expect to return to work in the morning, director Sylvia Mathews Burwell said.
"Employees should be checking the news and OPM's (Office of Personnel Management's) website for further updates."
The European Commission has imposed a fine of nearly €400 million on Greece over a major scandal involving the mismanagement of EU agricultural subsidies
The Serbian National Assembly has approved a loan agreement worth €1.9 billion with several French financial institutions to fund the acquisition of 12 Rafale fighter jets
The armed conflict between Iran and Israel entered its fifth consecutive day on Tuesday
At least 14 people were killed and over 50 injured during a large-scale Russian missile and drone attack on Kyiv overnight
Tehran has reached out to key Gulf states - Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and Oman - asking them to urge U.S. President Donald Trump to pressure Israel into agreeing to an immediate ceasefire
Iran’s state broadcaster went off air on Monday following a direct Israeli strike on the Islamic Republic of Iran Broadcasting (IRIB) building during a live broadcast
Borderless Bulgaria: How Schengen Benefits Are Transforming Trade and Logistics
Bulgaria's Mortality Rate Remains Highest in Europe