19 May 2013 | 13:42
Latest headlines:
- Plenty to smile about as Malta places 8th in ESC
- Focus on consumer education and empowerment
- Funeral set for French/Lebanese who drowned off Malta
- Catholic Herald hails Gianluca's performance
- Independent think-tank highlights same sex rights
- Council of Ministers declares Valletta ECoC
- Meat production down by 3.4%, value up by 10.6%
- Euro area production in construction down by 1.7%
- A European Maritime Day on sustainable maritime tourism and connectivity
- MCWO concerned with Bishop Grech’s statement
- Macina bastion building project receives green light
- Let's support Gianluca tonight
- PM Joseph Muscat dismisses bailout fears
- UK, Italy share 61% of total tourist trips
- Euro area annual inflation down to 1.2%
Democrats and Republicans in the US Congress have agreed a compromise spending bill to avoid a government shutdown.
The 62-30 vote averts the possibility of US federal agencies shutting down because of a lack of guaranteed funding on 1 October.
The package must now be signed by President Barack Obama.
Saturday's vote allowed lawmakers to return to their home states to campaign for the 6 November election.
The $524bn package (£323bn) slightly raises the amount of money which funds government agencies - from defence to national parks.
The stop-gap measure was needed amid disagreements between Democrats and Republicans - and it ensures funding until March next year.
"It is an inefficient way to fund the federal government but it is better than shutting it down next week," said Democratic Senator Daniel Inouye.
Last year, a similar impasse was averted a similar threat for the third time in a year.
The issue became more polarised in the run-up to the presidential elections pitting Mr Obama - seeking a second term - against former Massachusetts Governor Mitt Romney.
Source: BBC News
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