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WASHINGTON, Jan. 24 (Xinhua) -- The U.S. Department of the Treasury announced Thursday that the United States had imposed sanctions against two Syria-based, Iran-backed militias and two aviation entities linked to Iranian airline Mahan Air.

The Treasury accused that the fighters of the two Syria-based militias, mostly Afghan and Pakistani refugees and migrants residing in Iran, are recruited by Iran's Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC).

WASHINGTON, Jan. 24 (Xinhua) -- A Democrat-backed bill to temporarily open the U.S. government without funding a border wall requested by the White House failed to pass the U.S. Senate on Thursday.

The bill, which would fund government agencies until Feb. 8 and needs 60 yes-votes to process, was supported by 52 and opposed by 44.

WASHINGTON (AP) — At this time of year, John Sprinkle and his wife would normally be planning their summer vacation. Not now. Sprinkle, a furloughed federal employee, is about to miss his second paycheck since the partial government shutdown began just before Christmas.

With no end in sight to the longest shutdown in American history, Sprinkle and his family are postponing all manner of spending.

LONDON (AP) — The chief executive of Airbus warned Thursday that the aviation giant could move its U.K. operations out of the country if Britain leaves the European Union without a deal on trade relations.

Tom Enders’ sharply worded statement comes as business leaders increasingly express their frustration at the lack of progress in securing a Brexit deal ahead of Britain’s scheduled March 29 exit from the bloc.

BEIJING (AP) — Chinese tech giant Huawei announced plans Wednesday for a next-generation smartphone that will use its own technology instead of U.S. components, maneuvering to gain a competitive edge and sidestep U.S. complaints it is a security risk.

WASHINGTON, Jan. 23 (Xinhua) -- The White House is seeking to evaluate what programs would be highly impacted if the already month-long partial government shutdown continues for weeks longer, U.S. media reported Wednesday.

White House Acting Chief of Staff Mick Mulvaney has asked agency leaders to provide him with a list of the programs that will be severely undermined if the shutdown extends into March and April, The Washington Post first reported, citing people familiar with the matter.

GAZA, Jan. 23 (Xinhua) -- A senior Qatari diplomat arrived on Wednesday night in the Gaza Strip carrying the third financial installment of the Qatari grant, Palestinian security sources and local media in Gaza reported.

The sources and reports said that Mohammed Amadi, Chief of the Qatari Corporation to reconstruct Gaza, entered the Gaza Strip through Erez Crossing point coming from Israel and was carrying 15 million U.S. dollars in suitcases.

PARIS, Jan. 23 (Xinhua) -- French President Emmanuel Macron said here on Wednesday that France is willing to strengthen communication and coordination with China in international affairs and to work together to safeguard multilateralism.

Macron made the remarks in talks with Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi at the Elysee Palace.

Macron asked Wang to convey his sincere greetings to Chinese President Xi Jinping.

DOHA, Jan. 23 (Xinhua) -- Sudanese President Omar al-Bashir left Doha on Wednesday after a two-day visit to Qatar, the state-run Qatar news agency (QNA) reported.

Bashir left the Hamad International Airport this evening and was seen off by Qatar's Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Sultan al-Merikhi, said the QNA.

Bashir had a session of talks with Emir of Qatar Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani and exchanged views about developments in Sudan.

The emir expressed Qatar's firm stance that is strongly keen on Sudan's unity and stability.

WASHINGTON, Jan. 23 (Xinhua) -- U.S. House of Representatives Speaker Nancy Pelosi said Wednesday that she would not host U.S. President Donald Trump to deliver a state of union speech before government reopens, all but rejecting Trump's intent to deliver the speech on Jan. 29.

"I am writing to inform you that the House of Representatives will not consider a concurrent resolution authorizing the president's state of the union address in the House chamber until the government has opened," Pelosi said.