Author: Grace Johnson

President Donald Trump has signed a short-term spending bill that ends the longest government shutdown in U.S. history. He approved the measure just hours after the House of Representatives voted 222 to 209 on Wednesday night. The Senate had narrowly passed the same legislation two days earlier following tense negotiations. In the Oval Office, Trump said the government would “resume normal operations” after “people were hurt so badly” during the 43-day closure. Since October, many federal agencies had halted operations. About 1.4 million government employees were either on unpaid leave or working without pay. Food assistance programs froze, and nationwide…

US President Donald Trump says he has a “duty” to sue a British broadcaster for editing a section of his 6 January 2021 speech in a Panorama documentary. Speaking to Fox News, he said the edit “butchered” his words and “misled” the public. This is his first public statement since his lawyers threatened a $1 billion lawsuit unless the organisation retracts the programme, apologises, and compensates him. Trump claims speech was distorted In an interview on The Ingraham Angle, Trump said he plans to pursue legal action. “Well, I guess I have to,” he said. “They deceived the public, and…

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) announced it will remove the black-box warning from many hormone-replacement therapies used to treat menopause symptoms, reflecting updated safety evidence. FDA Commissioner Marty Makary emphasized that the old warnings deterred women from receiving necessary care, calling it “an American tragedy.” The move seeks to ensure women can access treatment without undue fear while understanding potential risks. Black-box warnings are the FDA’s strictest alerts, previously highlighting concerns about cardiovascular disease and cancer. New research shows that short-term use of hormone therapy, particularly for women under 60 or within 10 years of menopause onset, carries fewer…

The United States Senate has passed a vital funding bill that could end the country’s longest-ever government shutdown within days. The measure was approved late on Monday by a 60-40 vote, with nearly all Republicans and eight Democrats supporting it. The deal secures government funding until the end of January. The legislation now heads to the House of Representatives, which must pass it before President Donald Trump can sign it into law. Trump said earlier on Monday that he was prepared to approve the measure. The breakthrough followed a weekend of bipartisan negotiations aimed at restarting government services and bringing…

New leadership seeks to rebuild global strengthDiageo, the world’s largest drinks company, has appointed former Tesco boss Sir Dave Lewis as its new chief executive. He will assume the role on 1 January after Debra Crew resigned in the summer following two years at the top. The company hopes his appointment will reverse falling sales and renew investor confidence. While Guinness continues to perform strongly, Diageo’s wider portfolio has struggled, pushing shares to a 10-year low. Following the announcement, shares rose 7% in early Monday trading. Famous brands face slowing demandDiageo owns major global names such as Johnnie Walker, Smirnoff…

A devastating super typhoon has slammed into the Philippines, unleashing destructive winds and torrential rain. Authorities have warned of “life-threatening conditions” as the storm moves across the nation’s largest and most populated island. Bicol Region Hit First by the Typhoon Typhoon Fung Wong, with sustained winds of 185 km/h, is striking multiple provinces, according to the national weather service Pagasa. The eastern Bicol region was the first to face its force early Sunday morning. Luzon, the country’s main population center, is expected to take the brunt by nightfall. Locally known as Uwan, Fung Wong follows only days after Typhoon Kalmaegi…

Airports across the United States faced widespread disruption on Friday as more than 5,000 flights were cancelled or delayed. The disruption followed new federal rules requiring airlines to cut schedules amid the ongoing government shutdown. The restrictions, applied at 40 of the nation’s busiest airports, aim to ease pressure on air traffic controllers and other essential federal employees still working without pay. Many have missed shifts or taken extra jobs to survive as the shutdown stretches into its second month. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) ordered a 4% reduction in flights, warning that cuts could rise to 10% next week.…

Tesla shareholders have approved a groundbreaking compensation deal for Elon Musk worth up to $1 trillion. The decision, backed by 75% of voters at Thursday’s annual meeting, was met with thunderous applause and celebration. Musk, the world’s wealthiest man, must dramatically raise Tesla’s market value over the next decade to claim the full payout. If he meets every target, he will receive hundreds of millions of new Tesla shares. Critics have called the deal excessive, but Tesla’s board defended it, warning that the company could not afford to lose Musk’s leadership. Musk celebrates in Texas with confidence and energy After…

President Donald Trump’s sweeping tariff program faced intense scrutiny at the Supreme Court on Wednesday, in a case that could redefine the limits of presidential power and reshape U.S. trade policy. Several conservative justices questioned the administration’s justification for the tariffs, which Trump said were necessary to revive American manufacturing and correct trade imbalances. Small businesses and multiple states challenged the measures, claiming the president exceeded his authority by imposing what they called an unlawful tax. With a 6–3 conservative majority, the Supreme Court usually takes months to issue major rulings, but observers expect a faster decision given the high…

MetLife Inc., a leading U.S. insurer, surpassed earnings expectations for the third quarter, fueled by strong returns from its private equity investments. The results reflect the company’s strategic focus on investment performance and risk management. Analysts note that private equity gains played a significant role in lifting the insurer’s profitability. These returns complemented MetLife’s core insurance operations, demonstrating the benefits of a diversified investment portfolio. The earnings beat underscores the company’s operational resilience amid economic uncertainty. Effective asset management, disciplined underwriting, and prudent financial strategies helped MetLife achieve stronger-than-expected results. MetLife’s performance also signals confidence in its long-term growth strategy.…