The US Congress has approved a bill providing funding to the Department of Homeland Security, effectively ending an 11-week partial government shutdown. The bill, signed into law by President Donald Trump, was previously passed by the Senate. However, the legislation did not include funding for Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and Customs and Border Protection (CBP), both of which have existing funding.
The partial shutdown was sparked by disagreements over immigration policies, with Democrats opposing funding for ICE and CBP without reforms. During the shutdown, several sectors within the Department of Homeland Security faced severe financial constraints, while airports saw long lines and employees worked without pay. There were also concerns about the impact on disaster relief efforts.
House Speaker Mike Johnson initially opposed the bill but later supported it after President Trump’s backing. Department of Homeland Security Secretary Mark Morgan welcomed the funding, blaming Democrats for the shutdown. Democratic leader Zoe Lofgren argued that it is essential to hold immigration agencies accountable under the law.
Elon Musk, a US tech billionaire, offered to pay the salaries of security personnel at US airports during the shutdown, further exacerbating the political controversy. Iranian President Hassan Rouhani stated that his country is willing to engage in logical negotiations. In Bangladesh, the Jamaat-e-Islami party has nominated its candidate for the mayor of Dhaka Metropolitan South.
A small plane crashed in Austin, Texas, killing five people. The United Arab Emirates has imposed travel restrictions on its citizens to Iran, Lebanon, and Iraq due to the ongoing situation. Israel has provided the UAE with a new surveillance system, “Spectro,” which can detect drones, including Iranian-made Shahed drones, within a 20-kilometer radius.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky announced that his country has started reforms in its military. The US Department of Defense, the Pentagon, has signed agreements with seven major AI companies. The US is planning new attacks on Iran, and the Iranian port and Strait of Hormuz blockade remains in place, with 60 days having passed since the Trump administration requested Congressional approval.
A company backed by Trump’s sons has announced that it has signed a deal with the US Department of Defense to provide Interceptor Drones, but the number of drones is not specified. In Iran, a top Iranian official said that the country’s war costs are four times the claimed amount. A new video has emerged of the person who fired shots at the White House Correspondents’ Dinner.
Congress has raised questions about President Trump’s mental state, with Defense Secretary Patrick Shanahan responding on social media. At least nine people have died in Madhya Pradesh, India, after a tourist boat capsized in the Narmada River, with nine others still missing. A Christian woman was attacked in the historic area of Jerusalem.
A US company backed by Trump’s sons has announced that it has signed a deal with the US Department of Defense to provide Interceptor Drones, but the number of drones is not specified. On the other hand, the US is planning new attacks on Iran, and the Iranian port and Strait of Hormuz blockade remains in place, with 60 days having passed since the Trump administration requested Congressional approval.
In South Korea, a bizarre incident occurred in a kitchen in Hongsongang, where a person was caught on camera, prompting the police to take action. The police have taken possession of the car used by the suspect, which had a government-issued license plate. The police have also initiated legal action against the police officers who were in the car with the suspect.
Ireland has dropped out of the top 10 rankings due to its failure to play the required number of matches. To regain its ranking, Ireland must play at least two Test matches next year.
