Washington DC, Nov 10: On the 40th day of the most extended government shutdown in US history, senators returned from recess Sunday for a rare weekend session, preparing to vote on whether to advance a House-passed spending bill aimed at reopening the government.

The Senate needs 60 votes to move forward on the continuing resolution, which has become central to the bipartisan effort to end the weeks-long impasse.

According to CBS News, a deal was reached in the Senate ahead of the vote, with at least eight Democrats prepared to support advancing the funding measure on Sunday night. The breakthrough comes after days of backchannel negotiations between Senate Republicans, centrist Democrats, and the White House.

Senate Majority Leader John Thune is leading a strategy to advance the House-passed resolution and then amend it with a broader appropriations package, known as a “minibus,” along with a longer extension of government funding. Senate appropriators on Sunday released the text of three long-term spending bills that form the core of the GOP plan to resolve the shutdown.

The deal was reportedly brokered between Senate Majority Leader Thune, the White House, and three former governors, Democratic Senators Jeanne Shaheen and Maggie Hassan of New Hampshire, and independent Senator Angus King of Maine, CNN reported.

CBS News noted that the agreement would also give Democrats a future vote on extending enhanced health insurance tax credits, a long-standing demand in the funding talks
Speaking to reporters on Sunday, President Donald Trump signalled optimism that an end to the shutdown was near. “It looks like we’re getting very close to the shutdown,” Trump said.

“We never agreed to give any substantial money, or any money to prisoners, illegals that come into our country, and I think that the Democrats understand that; and it looks like we’re getting close to the shutdown ending. You’ll know it very soon.”

CNN reported that the potential deal would reopen the government through a stopgap measure that extends funding until January, tied to a larger appropriations package that funds key federal agencies. Citing a Republican aide, the network said the Senate vote was expected between 8:30 and 9 pm (Local time) on Sunday.

As of Sunday night, Senate Democratic leaders had not publicly endorsed the deal and continued closed-door discussions. House Democrats, however, voiced sharp criticism of the proposed agreement and planned their own caucus meeting for Monday, according to CNN.

If approved, the Senate will first vote on the House-passed stopgap measure, requiring support from at least eight Democrats to proceed. It will then be amended to include the broader funding package before heading back to the House for final passage.

Once cleared by both chambers, the bill would go to President Trump’s desk to end a shutdown that has paralysed federal operations for more than a month.

The entire process could take several more days.

New Delhi, Nov 10: Minority Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju has signed the bilateral Haj Agreement in Jeddah, with the country’s quota for India confirmed at 175,025 for the pilgrimage in 2026.

Rijiju, who was on an official visit to Saudi Arabia from November 7 to 9, held a bilateral meeting with the Saudi Minister of Hajj and Umrah, Tawfiq bin Fawzan Al Rabiah, in Jeddah on Sunday.

During the meeting, both ministers reviewed the ongoing Haj preparations, discussed measures to enhance coordination and logistical support, and reaffirmed their shared commitment to further streamline the pilgrimage process for Indian pilgrims, an official statement said.

The discussions focused on improving facilities, transportation, accommodation, and health services to ensure a smooth and comfortable pilgrimage experience.

Following the meeting, the two sides signed the Bilateral Haj Agreement between India and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia for Haj–2026 in Jeddah. The country quota for India was confirmed at 175,025, the statement said.

During the visit, Rijiju also held an internal review meeting with officials of the Embassy of India, Riyadh, and the Consulate General of India, Jeddah, to assess the ongoing preparations for Haj–2026.

He appreciated the efforts made by the Mission and the Consulate teams in close coordination with Saudi authorities to ensure the welfare and comfort of Indian pilgrims.

The minister also undertook field visits to key Haj and Umrah-related sites in Jeddah and Taif, including Terminal 1 and Haramain Station in Jeddah, to gain firsthand insight into the infrastructure and facilities available for pilgrims, the statement said.

He also interacted with some of the members of the Indian diaspora in Jeddah and Taif.

“A significant step in deepening the India–Saudi Arabia ties. Held a Bilateral Meeting & signed the Bilateral Haj Agreement with H.E. Dr. Tawfiq bin Fawzan Al-Rabiah, Minister of Hajj & Umrah, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Haj Quota of 175,025 has been secured for Indian Pilgrims for 2026,” Rijiju said on X.

“Our discussions on Haj 2026 reaffirmed the shared commitment of both nations to ensure a safe, seamless & spiritually fulfilling journey for all Haj pilgrims,” he said.

The visit marks an important milestone in the deepening partnership between India and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, the statement said.

It reflects the shared commitment of both nations to expand cooperation across diverse fields, particularly in cultural exchange, and community welfare.

The visit further reinforced the spirit of friendship, mutual respect, and collaboration that continues to guide India–Saudi Arabia relations, contributing positively to the welfare of pilgrims and the broader strengthening of bilateral ties.

Rijiju was accompanied by a high-level delegation comprising Aseem R. Mahajan, Additional Secretary (Gulf), and Ram Singh, Joint Secretary (Haj), Ministry of Minority Affairs.

The visit was undertaken at the invitation of the Saudi Minister of Hajj and Umrah.

Washington, Nov 10: US airlines cancelled more than 2,100 flights Sunday mostly because of the government shutdown and the Federal Aviation Administration’s order to reduce air traffic.

The slowdown at 40 of the nation’s busiest airports is now in its third day and beginning to cause more widespread disruptions. That includes more than 7,000 additional delays Sunday alone, according to FlightAware, a website that tracks air travel disruptions.

More than 1,000 flights were cancelled Friday, and more than 1,500 more on Saturday.

Earlier Sunday, U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy warned that US air traffic could “slow to a trickle” if the shutdown if the federal government shutdown lingers into the busy Thanksgiving travel holiday season.

The Federal Aviation Administration last week ordered flight cuts at the nation’s busiest airports as some air traffic controllers, who have gone unpaid for nearly a month, have stopped showing up for work.

The reductions started Friday at four per cent and will increase to 10 per cent by November 14. They are in effect from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. local time and will impact all commercial airlines.

On Sunday, more than 2,100 flights were canceled and more than 7,000 flights were delayed, according to the aviation tracking website FlightAware. That follows more than 1,500 cancellations on Saturday.

Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport in Atlanta had the most cancellations Sunday, with 173, followed by Newark Liberty International Airport in New Jersey, with 115.

The FAA said staffing shortages at Newark and LaGuardia Airport in New York were leading to average departure delays of about 75 minutes.

Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport in Michigan was mostly empty Sunday morning, with minimal wait times at security checkpoints as delays and cancellations filled the departures and arrivals boards.

Duffy has said additional flight cuts — perhaps up to 20 per cent — might be needed, particularly after controllers receive no pay for a second straight pay period.

“More controllers aren’t coming to work day by day, the further they go without a paycheck,” Duffy told “Fox News Sunday.”

And he prepared Americans for what they could face during the busy Thanksgiving holiday.

“As I look two weeks out, as we get closer to Thanksgiving travel, I think what’s going to happen is you’re going to have air travel slow to a trickle as everyone wants to travel to see their families,” Duffy said.

With “very few” controllers working, “you’ll have a few flights taking off and landing” and thousands of cancellations, he said.

“You’re going to have massive disruption. I think a lot of angry Americans. I think we have to be honest about where this is going. It doesn’t get better,” Duffy said. “It gets worse until these air traffic controllers are going to be paid.”

The government has been short of air traffic controllers for years, and multiple presidential administrations have tried to convince retirement-age controllers to remain on the job. Duffy said the shutdown has exacerbated the problem, leading some air traffic controllers to speed up their retirements.

“Up to 15 or 20 a day are retiring,” Duffy said on CNN.

Duffy said Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth texted him with an offer to lend military air traffic controllers, but it’s unclear whether the staff is certified to work on civilian systems.

Duffy denied Democratic charges that the flight cancellations are a political tactic, saying they were necessary due to increasing near-misses from an overtaxed system.

“I needed to take action to keep people safe,” Duffy said. “I’m doing what I can in a mess that Democrats have put in my lap.”

Airlines for America, a trade group representing US carriers, said air traffic control staffing-related delays exceeded 3,000 hours on Saturday, the highest of the shutdown, and that staffing problems contributed to 71 per cent of delay time.

From October 1 to November 7, controller shortages have disrupted more than 4 million passengers on U.S. carriers, according to Airlines for America.

Washington, Nov 9: The government shutdown stretched into its 40th day Sunday even as senators held a weekend session in hopes of finding an end to the impasse that has disrupted flights nationwide, threatened food assistance for millions of Americans and left federal workers without pay.

The Senate has shown few signs of progress over a weekend that could be crucial for the shutdown fight. Republican leaders are hoping to hold votes on bills that would reopen the government into January while also approving full-year funding for several parts of government. The necessary Democratic support for that effort was far from guaranteed.

“We’re only a handful of votes away” from passing legislation to reopen the government, Senate Majority Leader John Thune, R-S.D., said Saturday.

Democratic leaders are pushing hard for an extension of subsidies for health plans offered under the Affordable Care Act marketplace. Republicans have rejected that offer but signalled openness to an emerging proposal from a small group of moderate Democrats to end the shutdown in exchange for a later vote on the “Obamacare” subsidies that make coverage more affordable.

For those enrolled in health exchanges under that law, premiums on average are expected to more than double next year if Congress allows the enhanced subsidies to lapse.

Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders, an independent who caucuses with Democrats, said the pledge to hold a vote on extending the subsidies would be a “wasteful gesture” unless “you have the commitment of the speaker of the House that he will support it and that the president of the United States will sign it.”

President Donald Trump has made clear he is unlikely to compromise any time soon. On Sunday, he pressed Republicans once more to abolish the Senate’s filibuster rules that prevent the chamber from advancing on most legislation unless there is support from 60 senators. “Be the Smart Party,” he said in a social media post.

 Moderates continue to negotiate

Sen Jeanne Shaheen, D-N.H., and others have been discussing bills that would pay for parts of government—food aid, veterans programs and the legislative branch, among other things—and extend funding for everything else until December or January. The agreement would only come with the promise of a future healthcarevote.

It was unclear whether enough Democrats would support such a plan. Even with a deal, Trump appears unlikely to support an extension of the health benefits. House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., has said he would not commit to a health vote.

Republican leaders in the Senate only need five additional votes to fund the government, and the group involved in the talks has ranged from 10 to 12 Democratic senators.

Some Republicans have said they are open to extending the COVID-19-era tax credits, as premiums could skyrocket for millions of people, but they want new limits on who can receive the subsidies. They lined up Saturday to take to the Senate floor and argue that subsidies for the plans should be routed through individuals.

“We’re going to replace this broken system with something that is actually better for the consumer,” said Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C.

“THE WORST HEALTHCARE FOR THE HIGHEST PRICE,” Trump termed it in a post Sunday.

 Republicans eye new package of bills

Trump wants Republicans to end the shutdown quickly and scrap the filibuster so they can bypass Democrats altogether. Vice President JD Vance, a former Ohio senator, said Republicans who want to keep the filibuster are “wrong.”