sparking ethics concerns. US defence officials confirmed the gift, which President Donald Trump said will make up for shortfalls in paying the country's 1.32m service members, but declined to identify the donor. Trump provided a few clues, though, saying on Saturday that he was "a big supporter of mine" and a US citizen. The government shut down more than three weeks ago, after lawmakers failed to approve a funding deal. The Trump administration paid troops last week by shifting USD 8bn from military research, but it is unclear what will happen on the next payday at the end of the month.

Now in its 26th day, the shutdown is poised to become one of the longest in US history. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said on Sunday the US would probably be able to pay the military "beginning in November".  "But by November 15 our troops and service members who are willing to risk their lives aren't going to be able to get paid," he told Face the Nation, a talk show on CBS, the BBC's US news partner. "What an embarrassment."The next military payday is scheduled for 31 October, at the end of this week.

Pentagon spokesman Sean Parnell told reporters on Friday that the donation "was made on the condition that it be used to offset the cost of service members' salaries and benefits," and it was allowed under the department's "general gift acceptance authority". Trump had indicated a donation would be made on Thursday, while also declining to identify the donor, saying "he doesn't really want the recognition". However, the New York Times has identified the benefactor as Timothy Mellon, a billionaire and major financial backer of Trump.

Mr Mellon is the heir to his influential family's USD 15bn (11bn. pound) fortune, according to Forbes, and was heavily involved in the US railway industry before recently becoming more politically active and donating USD 50m to a group supporting Trump. (BBC)