**DHS Shutdown Looms as US Lawmakers Fail to Reach Agreement** In a matter of hours, the United States Department of Homeland Security (DHS) is set to run out of funds, leading to a partial government shutdown. This comes as a result of lawmakers' inability to pass a budget for the department, which includes agencies responsible for immigration enforcement and disaster response. The Senate has adjourned without reaching an agreement, while the House of Representatives has started its weeklong recess. The standoff is largely driven by the recent immigration crackdown in Minnesota, which resulted in the tragic deaths of two American citizens. Eyewitness accounts revealed masked immigration agents using excessive force and intimidation, sparking outrage and calls for reform. The Democratic Party has since issued a list of demands to overhaul Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), an agency under the DHS. These demands include banning ICE agents from wearing masks, prohibiting racial profiling, and ending raids on sensitive locations like schools and churches. However, the Republican Party, led by President Donald Trump, has rejected these demands, deeming them unreasonable. This has led to a stalemate, with the Democratic Party threatening to withhold their votes from any funding legislation for DHS. The Senate's filibuster rule, which requires a 60-vote threshold to pass major legislation, has also added to the impasse. As the shutdown looms, many federal employees are bracing for the worst. If the shutdown is prolonged, tens of thousands of workers may be forced to work without pay, and some agencies may have to reduce their workforce until funding resumes. Travelers and the US economy are also set to feel the pinch, with major travel and hospitality groups warning of potential travel delays. The Transportation Security Administration (TSA), which oversees airport security, is part of the DHS and will be affected by the shutdown. As Nigeria and the US are both major players in global trade and tourism, the implications of this shutdown are far-reaching. It's a stark reminder of the complexities and challenges faced by governments in balancing competing interests and priorities. Will US lawmakers find a way to avert the shutdown, or will the country be plunged into a partial government shutdown? Only time will tell.