US lawmakers reach deal on $1.1-T spending bill

WASHINGTON D.C.: US congressional negotiators finalized a huge spending bill late on Tuesday (Wednesday in Manila) that funds most federal operations through next September, concluding weeks of haggling to avoid a looming government shutdown.

The $1.1-trillion measure, which includes money for anti-jihadist operations including training for moderate rebels in Syria, was agreed to with little time to spare before funding runs out at 11:59 p.m. on Thursday (Friday in Manila).