By Necva Tastan Sevinc
ISTANBUL (AA) - Here is a rundown of all the news you need to start your Monday, including the US Senate voting 60-40 to advance government funding legislation, marking a crucial step toward reopening the federal government after a five-week shutdown, the director-general of the BBC resigning amid accusations that a speech by US President Donald Trump in a documentary aired last year by the broadcaster was edited to mislead viewers, Hamas handing over the remains of another Israeli hostage under its ceasefire deal with Israel, and Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov announcing his readiness to meet with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio.
TOP STORIES
- US Senate advances funding bill in key step to end shutdown
The US Senate voted 60-40 to break a Democratic filibuster and advance government funding legislation, marking a crucial step toward reopening the federal government after a five-week shutdown.
The procedural vote came after eight Senate Democrats joined Republicans in supporting the measure, which includes a commitment to hold a later vote on extending Affordable Care Act (ACA) health care subsidies and to reinstate federal employees laid off during the shutdown.
Democratic Whip Dick Durbin broke ranks with the party leadership to back the deal, joining Democratic Sens. Catherine Cortez Masto, John Fetterman, Maggie Hassan, Jeanne Shaheen, Tim Kaine and Jacky Rosen and independent Sen. Angus King.
Republican Sen. Rand Paul cast the lone “no” vote among Republicans.
- BBC director-general resigns amid scandal over doctored Trump footage
BBC Director-General Tim Davie and news CEO Deborah Turness both resigned amid accusations that a speech by US President Donald Trump in a documentary aired last year by the broadcaster was edited to mislead viewers.
Davie, who had held the job for five years, recently faced increasing pressure over a series of missteps and allegations of bias.
It came after The Telegraph recently published a leaked internal BBC memo which suggested that the Panorama program, which was shown a week before the 2024 presidential election, edited two parts of Trump's speech together so he appeared to explicitly encourage the Capitol Hill riots of January 2021.
- Hamas hands over remains of another Israeli hostage under ceasefire deal
The Palestinian group Hamas returned the remains of another Israeli hostage under a Gaza ceasefire agreement, the army said.
An Israeli military statement said army forces received the body from Red Cross teams in southern Gaza.
The army confirmed that the remains belonged to soldier Hadar Goldin after identification at the National Institute of Forensic Medicine in Tel Aviv.
Turkish security sources also confirmed to Anadolu that Türkiye facilitated the transfer of Goldin’s remains.
- Top Russian diplomat ready to meet with US secretary of state, discuss Ukraine, bilateral issues
Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov announced his readiness to meet with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio to discuss bilateral issues as well as the ongoing Russia-Ukraine war.
In remarks to the Russian state news agency RIA published Sunday, Lavrov said that he and Rubio understand the need for regular dialogue between the two countries, as it is important for advancing the bilateral agenda and for talks surrounding the over three-and-a-half-year war.
“That's why we communicate by phone and are also prepared to hold in-person meetings when necessary,” Lavrov was quoted as saying, noting that there are currently “many irritants” in Moscow-Washington ties inherited from former US President Joe Biden’s administration.
NEWS IN BRIEF
- US President Donald Trump said that Americans will receive at least $2,000 each from tariff revenues, though the proposal would likely require congressional approval.
- Italy called on the US to swiftly address salary delays for local staff at American military bases in the country as the ongoing federal government shutdown continues to disrupt payments.
- More than 7,000 civilians have fled the city of El-Fasher in western Sudan, bringing the total number of displaced people to nearly 89,000 since its takeover by the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) last month, the International Organization for Migration (IOM) said.
- The 4th Latin American and Caribbean States (CELAC) - European Union (EU) Summit is being held from Nov. 9-10 in Santa Marta, Colombia, with participation from 27 EU countries and 33 CELAC member states.
- Illegal Israeli settlers began establishing a new settlement outpost on Palestinian land in the town of Anata, east of occupied East Jerusalem, according to a local human rights group.
- The UK has agreed to provide military support to Belgium after drone incursions in its airspace, said Britain's chief of defense staff.
- US President Donald Trump announced that he is nominating lawyer John Coale as special envoy to Belarus, citing his success in negotiating hostage releases.
- The Sudanese army repelled an attack by the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) on the town of Babanusa in West Kordofan, witnesses said.
- Gaza’s Health Ministry launched a catch-up vaccination campaign targeting children under the age of three who missed their basic vaccination during Israel’s 2-year war on the enclave.
- A wildfire has engulfed up to 1,800 hectares (4,448 acres) of New Zealand’s Tongariro National Park since Saturday.
- The death toll from Typhoon Kalmaegi in the Philippines climbed to 224, with 109 others remaining missing, according to state-run media.
- An earthquake with a magnitude of 6.8 struck off Japan's eastern coast, the US Geological Survey said.
BUSINESS & ECONOMY
- US to reduce flights 10% by Friday as transportation chief warns 'it's only going to get worse'
US Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy said that flight disruptions will worsen as the government shutdown forces progressive flight reductions to 10% by Friday, leaving thousands of Americans unable to visit their families for the holidays.
"It's only going to get worse," Duffy told CNN, noting that 18 of 22 controllers in Atlanta did not show up for work on Saturday and 81 staffing triggers occurred throughout the nation.
The FAA-mandated cuts started at 4% this weekend and led to more than 2,000 flight cancellations from Friday through Sunday. The cut rate will rise to 6% by Tuesday, 8% by Thursday and 10% by Friday.
- China suspends part of its controls on exports of dual-use items to US
China has suspended the implementation of a clause it announced in December last year governing the export of dual-use items to the US, the Ministry of Commerce said.
The suspension of the second clause of the December 2024 announcement is effective from Sunday until Nov. 27, 2026, according to a ministry statement.
Beijing had previously prohibited exports of dual-use items to the US, including gallium, germanium, antimony and superhard materials.