The U.S. government shutdown entered its sixth day on Monday, with President Donald Trump‘s Republicans and congressional Democrats still at an impasse and the White House threatening to ramp up pressure by ordering mass layoffs of federal workers.

The Republican-led Senate was slated to vote again on dueling measures to fund federal agencies, including a Republican stopgap bill approved by the House of Representatives that would fund operations through November 21, and a Democratic alternative. Neither was expected to receive the 60 votes needed to advance.

Asked on Sunday night when the government would begin laying off federal workers, Trump said: “It’s taking place right now.” He blamed Democrats for the impasse but did not elaborate on the layoff plans. The White House has said thousands could be fired if the shutdown persists.

Trump’s budget director, Russell Vought, has already frozen at least $28bn in infrastructure funds for New York, California and Illinois — all home to sizable Democratic populations and critics of the president.

Trump and his Republican allies have also taunted Democrats on social media with deepfake videos drawing on Mexican stereotypes with images that Vice President JD Vance described as a joke.

But Democratic leaders showed no sign of knuckling under to the White House’s hardball tactics, which have caused unease among some centrist Republicans who fear the approach could make the impasse harder to overcome.

“What we’ve seen is negotiation through deepfake videos, the House canceling votes and, of course, President Trump spending yesterday on the golf course. That’s not responsible behavior,” House Democratic leader Hakeem Jeffries told NBC’s “Meet the Press.”

The partial shutdown, the 15th since 1981, was tied for the fourth-longest in US history on Monday, matching the six-day length of a 1995 shutdown that began after then-President Bill Clinton vetoed a Republican spending bill. The longest shutdown lasted 35 days in 2018-2019, during Trump’s first term in office.

Senate Democrats, who are demanding a permanent extension of federal subsidies to help people afford health insurance under the Affordable Care Act, have voted down the House-approved funding bill, known as a continuing resolution or CR, four times.

With a 53-47 seat majority and one Republican opposed to the CR, Republican leaders need at least eight Democrats to support their funding legislation. But only two Democrats and an independent who caucuses with them have crossed the aisle so far.

“All we have to do is get five more Democrats to vote ‘yes,’ the government opens up, and then we can start talking about all these other things they want to have conversations about,” Senate Majority Leader John Thune said on the Fox News program “Sunday Morning Futures.”

But efforts to strike a deal have gone nowhere so far.

“In those conversations, the Republicans offered nothing,” said Senate Democratic leader Chuck Schumer, who said that any breakthrough would depend on a deal among him, Trump, Thune, Jeffries and House Speaker Mike Johnson.

Some Democrats want a deal on ACA healthcare subsidies in place before open enrollment for next year begins on November 1.

“We have to get this done by November 1,” Democratic Senator Ruben Gallego told CNN, warning that missing that date would mean higher healthcare costs for enrollees and possibly no insurance coverage at all.

Democrats also want protection against White House actions to withhold or cancel funding allocated by Congress.

“If we agree to a CR and nothing more, they’re telling us: ‘We don’t plan to abide by it,'” Democratic Senator Adam Schiff told NBC. “We need some written assurance in the law. I won’t take a promise that they’re not going to renege on any deal we make.”

The standoff has frozen about $1.7tr in funds for agency operations, which amounts to roughly one-quarter of annual federal spending. Much of the remainder goes to health and retirement programs and interest payments on the growing $37.5tr debt.

Huru, a homegrown UAE fintech company licensed by the Central Bank of the UAE, has officially entered the market with a mission to become a one-stop financial management platform for the country’s unbanked and underbanked populations. By addressing long-standing gaps in access to essential financial services, the company aims to advance financial inclusion and empower low-income workers across the nation.

Financial empowerment through accessible technology

Huru integrates payments, remittance, and savings tools into a single, user-friendly app. With just a valid Emirates ID, users can open a zero-balance IBAN account within minutes—no minimum balance, no hidden fees—and use it to receive their salaries directly. Each customer receives a Visa ATM card, with one free withdrawal per month, helping them retain more of their earnings instead of losing money to transaction fees.

Through the app, users can also transfer funds locally, send money overseas, pay bills in the UAE and abroad, and create “Saving Pots” to plan for future goals.

On the employer side, Huru offers a sustainable alternative to traditional payroll systems. By facilitating salary payments directly into zero-balance IBAN accounts, businesses can ensure compliance with wage protection standards while giving employees greater financial flexibility and access. This model also reduces administrative complexity and supports overall employee wellbeing—an increasingly important factor in retention and productivity.

A UAE-built solution for UAE workers

“Huru was built in the UAE, for the UAE,” said Badr Al Ghurair, founder of Huru. “This country has long been a place where people come with the hope of creating a better life for themselves and a brighter future for their families back home. Yet too often, they are held back by financial systems that don’t fully serve their needs. Our vision is to change that, to give them the tools and confidence to manage, save, and grow their money and to adapt to their evolving needs.”

Beyond banking: building a financial ecosystem

Positioned as more than a digital wallet, Huru is building a broader ecosystem of support for its users. Upcoming features include tailored loan products for individuals historically excluded from formal credit systems and affordable medical partnerships offering discounted consultations and free community health check-ups.

“With Central Bank licensing and a technology-first approach, we are committed to expanding financial inclusion among those who form the backbone of the UAE’s workforce,” said Abhimanyu Girotra, CEO of Huru. “We want to help our customers fulfill their dreams and partner with them at every step in their journey here in the UAE.”

By combining regulatory oversight with a customer-first approach, Huru is positioning itself as a homegrown fintech champion tackling one of the region’s most pressing challenges—bringing transparency, dignity, and long-term opportunity to the communities that power the UAE’s economy.

Dubai Airports has unveiled the next phase of its accessibility strategy, reinforcing a 10-year commitment to make Dubai International (DXB) and Dubai World Central – Al Maktoum International (DWC) the world’s most accessible and inclusive airports by 2035.

The strategy focuses on strengthening existing foundations, enhancing guest experiences across all touchpoints, and positioning DXB and DWC as global leaders in inclusive travel.

It aligns with international best practices, the UAE’s commitment to the rights of people of determination (PoD), and Dubai’s vision to be a disability-friendly city.

“Accessibility is not just a promise; it is a core pillar of our mission to deliver a world-class travel experience for every single guest,” said Majed Al Joker, COO at Dubai Airports. “By working closely with our partners and, for the first time, with the wider People of Determination community, we are transforming the entire airport journey and setting a new global standard for accessible travel.”

The next phase is accompanied by a public awareness campaign co-created with People of Determination, highlighting lived experiences under the pledge “DXB for All.” The campaign features six stories illustrating the airport journey for guests with sensory sensitivities, visual impairments, hearing challenges, and mobility needs.

Dubai Airports’ new strategy builds on ‘We All Meet the World Differently’ campaign

Building on the 2022 campaign “We All Meet the World Differently”, the new initiative underscores that accessibility extends beyond infrastructure to a shift in mindset and culture, promoting empathy among employees, travelers, and the wider public.

The campaign features advocates including Emirati accessibility pioneer Fatma Al Jassim, disability inclusion consultant and former Paralympic swimmer Jessica Smith, Dubai mother Yasmin Carey and her son Ellis, who is on the autism spectrum, as well as Layth Kamal, Mohammed Alghafli, and Ahmed Butti, representing various communities of People of Determination.

The strategy is a collaborative effort with the airport’s oneDXB partners, including Emirates, flydubai, Dubai Police, GDIFA, Dubai Customs, dnata, Dubai Corporation for Ambulance Services, Dubai Taxi Company, Dubai Health, Dubai Duty Free, and Serco, ensuring seamless and inclusive experiences for all guests.

Current services to support travellers

Dubai Airports currently provides multiple services to support travellers with visible and hidden needs, including the Travel Planner visual guide, the Sunflower Lanyard for priority access, complimentary two-hour parking, dedicated taxis, wheelchair services, hearing loops at more than 520 touchpoints, and the sensory-friendly Assisted Travel Lounge in Terminal 2.

In 2024, DXB welcomed 92.3 million passengers, marking its highest annual traffic, and was ranked the world’s number one airport by international passenger numbers for 2023 by Airports Council International.

DWC, with a $35bn expansion plan announced in May 2024, aims to accommodate 150 million passengers annually over the next decade, eventually expanding to 260 million passengers and 12 million tonnes of cargo.

Dubai Airports emphasised that the strategy represents a long-term commitment to inclusivity, combining infrastructure, services, and cultural transformation to ensure that every traveller, regardless of ability, can experience world-class travel.

The travel and tourism sector in the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries contributed approximately $247.1bn to the region’s gross domestic product (GDP) in 2024, marking a 31.9 per cent increase compared to 2019, according to the GCC Statistical Centre (GCC STAT).

This growth underscores the sector’s expanding role as a key driver of economic, social, and environmental development across the Gulf.

The report titled Tourism in the GCC: A Gateway to Development and Sustainable Transformation, released on World Tourism Day, projects that the sector’s share of the GCC GDP will rise to 13.3 per cent by 2034, equating to $371.2bn.

This anticipated growth highlights tourism’s increasing importance in the region’s economic landscape.

The sector also plays a significant role in job creation. In 2024, its contribution to employment was valued at $4.3bn, up 24.9 per cent from 2019.

GCC tourism sector to create 1.3 million jobs by 2034

By 2034, the industry is expected to generate around 1.3 million new jobs, reflecting its potential to further bolster employment opportunities in the region.

Tourism’s impact extends to social empowerment, particularly for women and youth. Women accounted for 13 per cent of the sector’s workforce in 2024, marking a 73.2 per cent increase since 2019.

This growth signifies progress in enhancing gender diversity within the tourism industry.

Environmental sustainability is also a focal point, with GCC countries expanding their natural reserves. Protected terrestrial and marine areas now constitute 19 per cent of the region’s total territory as of 2023, a 7.5 per cent increase from the previous year.

This expansion reflects the region’s commitment to preserving natural resources and promoting eco-tourism.

Intra-GCC tourism has seen a significant uptick, with 19.3 million travellers within the region in 2024, a 52.1 per cent increase from 2019.

These trips accounted for 26.7 per cent of all international tourist arrivals in the GCC, highlighting the growing trend of regional travel.

The data from GCC Stat refelcts the vibrant growth of the tourism sector, positioning it as a pivotal element in the region’s economic diversification and sustainable development strategies.