President Trump announced the daring rescue of a downed American service member shot down over Iran, calling it one of the most daring operations in U.S. history. The "SAFE and SOUND" Colonel was recovered after being stranded behind enemy lines
Amid concerns that Indian news channels were sensationalising the conflict in West Asia, the Union government on March 6 directed the Broadcast Audience Research Council to suspend the publication of Television Rating Points for at least a month
Raj Kapoors century old haveli in Peshawar partly collapses after heavy rain and an earthquake, officials urge urgent restoration to save the national heritage site A portion of the historic haveli of legendary Bollywood actor Raj Kapoor collapsed in Peshawar reportedly due to recent heavy rains
The Ramayana is one of the two major ancient Sanskrit epics of India, alongside the Mahabharata. New Delhi: The Ramayana, one of India’s most revered epics, continues to offer timeless lessons that remain relevant even today. Traditionally attributed to sage Valmiki
Hrithik Roshan has urged audiences to "debate with awareness" following the mixed reactions to the VFX in the teaser for Nitesh Tiwari’s Ramayana. Mumbai: Days after netizens reacted with mixed opinions to the first teaser of Ranbir Kapoor-starrer 'Ramayana
Global developments continued to dictate market direction, particularly the evolving US-Iran conflict, which kept crude oil prices volatile and elevated. New Delhi: The Indian stock markets appear to be transitioning into a consolidation phase with high volatility and low visibility
April 5 Birthday Horoscope: Here's what the tarot readings reveal about people born on this dayIf your birthday falls on April 5, here’s what your year ahead looks like, as per Tarot Published on: Apr 05, 2026 11:00 AM IST By Kishori Sud Share via Copy link If you were born on April 5
Indian-American congressional candidate cops backlash from both sides for Hindi videoJay Vaingankar's campaign video in Hindi has drawn criticism from both Americans and the desi community. Updated on: Apr 05, 2026 9:40 AM IST By Sanya Jain Share via Copy link An Indian-American congressional
What makes this US shutdown different (and more difficult)
What makes this US shutdown different (and more difficult)
Shutdowns are a repeat feature of US politics - but this one feels particularly bitter due to political dynamics and bad blood between the two parties.
Some government services are temporarily suspended, and about 750,000 people are expected to be put on unpaid leave as Republicans and Democrats can't agree a way forward on a spending bill.
Votes aimed at ending the impasse have repeatedly failed, and it is hard to see an off-ramp this time because both parties - as well as President Donald Trump - can see some merit in digging in.
These are the four ways in which things feel different in 2025.
The Democratic base has been demanding for months that their party more forcefully fights the Trump administration. Well, now the party leadership has a chance to show they have listened.
In March, Senate leader Chuck Schumer was fiercely criticised for helping pass a Republican spending bill to avert a shutdown. This time he's digging in.
This is a chance for Democrats to show they can take back some control from an administration that has moved aggressively on its agenda.
Refusing to back the Republican spending plan this time comes with political risk that the wider public will grow frustrated as the dispute drags on and consequences begin to mount.
The main Democratic demand is to renew expiring health insurance subsidies which they say will hit American families. Republicans say they will discuss the subsidies when the government reopens.
But a secondary demand from Democrats is very much focused on Trump and his use of executive powers to rescind or withhold money approved by Congress, which he has done with foreign aid and other programmes.
Trump and one of his key officials, Russell Vought, have made little secret of the fact that they smell a chance to make more of the cutbacks to the federal workforce that have featured in the Republican's second presidency so far.
Trump himself said last week that the shutdown had afforded him an "unprecedented opportunity", and that he would look to cut "Democrat agencies".
The White House said it would be left with the "unenviable task" of mass lay-offs to keep essential government services operating if the shutdown continued. They say they need to save taxpayers' money being spent on waste and fraud. Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said this was just "fiscal sanity".
The scope of the potential lay-offs remains unclear, but the White House has been in discussions with the Office of Management and Budget, or OMB, which is headed by Vought.
Vought has already announced the suspension of federal funding for Democratic-run parts of the country, including New York City and Chicago.
While previous shutdowns have been characterised by late-night talks between the two parties in an effort to get government services running again, there appears to be little of the same spirit of collaboration this time.
Instead, there is rancour. The bad blood continued over the weekend, with Republicans and Democrats blaming each other for causing the impasse.
House Speaker Mike Johnson, a Republican, accused Democrats of not being serious about negotiating, and holding out over a deal "to get political cover".
Meanwhile, Schumer levelled the same accusation at the other side, saying that a Republican promise to discuss healthcare subsidies once the government reopens can not be taken seriously.
Trump himself has inflamed the situation by posting a controversial AI-generated image of Schumer and the top Democrat in the House, Hakeem Jeffries, in which Jeffries is depicted with a large Mexican-style sombrero and a moustache.
Jeffries and other Democrats called this racist, which was denied by Vice-President JD Vance.
Analysts expect about 40% of the federal workforce - more than 800,000 people - to be put on unpaid leave as a result of the shutdown.
That will depress spending - and also have wider ramifications, as environmental permitting, patent approvals, payments to contractors and other kinds of government activity tied to business comes to a halt.
A shutdown also injects new uncertainty into an economy already being roiled by changes ranging from tariffs, earlier cuts to government spending, immigration raids and artificial intelligence.
Analysts estimate that it could shave as much as 0.2 percentage points off US economic growth for each week it lasts.
But the economy typically recoups most of that lost activity after a shutdown ends, as it would after disruption caused by a natural disaster.
That could be one reason why the stock market has appeared largely unfazed by the current stand-off.
On the other hand, analysts say that if Trump carries out his threat of mass firings, the damage could be more long-lasting.
Source: BBC
Related Posts: Did Trump say government shutdowns Shutdowns began as a way to enforce federal law Did Trump say govt shutdowns happen due to weak presidents Won't repeat mistakes we made with China Devastation on repeat No more ‘Can you repeat that Won't repeat mistake Thrift, Swap, Repeat History Could Repeat Itself… Study Shows AI Chatbots Can Blindly Repeat Incorrect Medical Details
7 High-Protein Snacks for Office Desk: Tasty 4PM Hunger Solutions for a More Productive AfternoonThese 7 high-protein office snacks help beat 4PM hunger with healthy ingredients that keep energy steady during work. Updated on: Apr 05, 2026 10:50 AM IST By Tarishi Shrivastava Share via Copy link A
1 days ago
The Indian Premier League (IPL) has evolved into a multi-billion-dollar economic engine, contributing significantly to India's economy and redefining the business of sport, according to a recent report by Kotak Mutual Fund. The report noted that the IPL ecosystem is currently valued at around USD
1 days ago
Reports suggest that India was the only country to hold its ground and asserted that the IFD agreement could weaken WTO’s core principles. New Delhi: India has asserted itself at the international trade table, making it clear that it will not compromise on its principles
1 days ago
Iran's central military command on Saturday (April 4, 206) rejected U.S. President Donald Trump's threat to destroy the country's vital infrastructure if it does not accept a peace deal within 48 hours. General Ali Abdollahi Aliabadi, in a statement from the Khatam al-Anbiya Central Headquarters
1 days ago
US Israel Iran News Day 37: The Iran-Israel conflict intensifies on its 37th day. Iran attacks Kuwait and Israel faces missile threats from multiple directions. Strikes inside Iran cause civilian casualties. Former US President Trump issues an ultimatum which Iran rejects
1 days ago
Hours after rumours about the health of US President Donald Trump spread online, similar speculation quickly turned towards former President Joe Biden on Saturday. Posts circulating on X claimed that Biden had been hospitalised at the Walter Reed National Military Medical Center or was dealing with
1 days ago
Prime Minister Narendra Modi said in Kerala that the government has ensured 33% reservation for women in the Lok Sabha and state assemblies, and aims to implement it from 2029. He announced that Parliament will reconvene from April 16 to 18 to take forward the Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam
1 days ago
A search is under way for a missing crew member after a US F-15 fighter jet flying over southern Iran was shot down on Friday. One of two crew members was rescued by US forces, but the search for the second continues, US media report. Iranian officials said the warplane was shot down by its air
1 days ago
The war between the US-Israel alliance and Iran has sent shockwaves across international energy markets. With the Strait of Hormuz closed, countries across the world are facing fuel shortages. India has managed to secure its oil and gas tankers
1 days ago
Come summer, mangoes take over our plates, but there’s always one question: should you eat them raw or ripe? While both are delicious, they offer very different health benefits. The answer isn’t about choosing one over the other; it is about knowing what your body needs.Come summer
1 days ago
Cucumber Mint Lemonade Recipe: Zero Sugar Summer Cooler for Refreshing Hydration and Natural Detox DrinkCucumber mint lemonade is a zero sugar summer cooler made with cucumber, mint, and lemon for hydration and freshness. Published on: Apr 05
1 days ago
Majuli islanders anticipate the completion of new bridges connecting them to mainland Assam, hoping for improved access to healthcare and easier travel. While welcoming development, residents also express concerns about potential influx of outsiders impacting the island's unique cultural and
1 days ago
‘Nobody praised my hard work’: Microsoft employee on role of luck in corporate successA Microsoft employee said success needed both hard work and luck. Published on: Apr 05, 2026 10:25 AM IST By Mahipal Singh Chouhan Share via Copy link A woman working at Microsoft’s Hyderabad office has
1 days ago
After finishing last in 2025, Chennai Super Kings rang in major changes to its squad ahead of this season. However, the fortunes haven’t changed on the field for the five-time champion, which suffered its second straight defeat of IPL-19 against Punjab Kings in Chennai on Friday (April 3, 2026)
1 days ago
The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has established a comprehensive framework designed to revitalize the nation’s long-format cricket capabilities over the coming decade. The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has established a comprehensive framework designed to revitalize
1 days ago
US President Donald Trump has threatened that "all hell would rain down on" Iran if it did not make a deal, an ultimatum that Tehran has rejected. Senior Iranian military officer, Gen Ali Abdollahi Aliabadi, echoed Trump's rhetoric, saying "the gates of hell will open for you"
1 days ago
IDBI Bank reported double-digit growth across key business parameters for the quarter ended March 31, 2026. The bank’s total business rose 14% year-on-year to ₹6 lakh crore, compared with ₹5.29 lakh crore in the year-ago period. Total deposits increased 12% year-on-year to ₹3.47 lakh crore
1 days ago
The official trailer for Toaster, a dark comedy starring Rajkummar Rao and Sanya Malhotra, was released today. Mumbai: Netflix has dropped the official trailer of its upcoming dark comedy 'Toaster,' offering a glimpse into a chaotic narrative where frugality spirals into absurdity
1 days ago
States that have stabilised their populations will not lose their Lok Sabha seats during delimitation, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said at an election rally in Kerala on Saturday. All states will benefit from a proposed increase in the size of the Lower House of Parliament, he said in Thiruvalla
1 days ago
Easter is a festival to indulge in delicious treat that can be quickly made at home and enjoyed with family and loved ones. These Mini Egg Brownie cookies are the perfect Easter treat for chocolate lovers who want bakery‑style indulgence at home. These rich
1 days ago
Iran is expected to have around 500 kg of uranium enriched to 60%. U-235 is the isotope of uranium conventionally used in nuclear weapons and nuclear reactors. Enrichment is the process of increasing the quantity of U-235 in the uranium mass. The rest will be U-238
1 days ago
10 road trips from Bengaluru that are 'under 10 hours and actually feel like a vacation': Wayanad, Ooty to GokarnaWayanad in Kerala to Ooty in Tamil Nadu's Nilgiri hills, here is why you should plan your weekend gateways from Bengaluru to these stunning destinations. Published on: Apr 05
1 days ago
States that have stabilised their populations will not lose their Lok Sabha seats, and all States will benefit from a proposed increase in the size of the House, Prime Minister Narendra Modi told an election rally in Central Travancore in Kerala
1 days ago
India’s pharmaceutical exports stood at over $28 billion up to February in the last financial year, registering a growth of more than 5% compared to the same period last year, a top official said on Saturday (April 4, 2026). K. Raja Bhanu, director general of the Pharmaceuticals Export Promotion
1 days ago
The Employees’ Provident Fund Organisation (EPFO) has simplified its withdrawal rules, making it easier for members to access their savings. The revised framework reduces multiple categories into three broad groups and offers greater clarity on when and how funds can be withdrawn
1 days ago
Bandhan Bank reported double-digit growth in advances and steady deposit accretion for the quarter ended March 31, 2026, according to its provisional business update. The bank’s loans and advances (including on-book and PTC) stood at ₹1.54 lakh crore at the end of the March quarter
1 days ago
The Mumbai Indians (MI) are facing internal scrutiny and a search for answers following a disappointing six-wicket defeat at the hands of the Delhi Capitals (DC). The Mumbai Indians (MI) are facing internal scrutiny and a search for answers following a disappointing six-wicket defeat at the hands
1 days ago
