UPDATE: The ongoing government shutdown is on track to become the longest in U.S. history as President Donald Trump declares he “won’t be extorted” by Democrats. With negotiations stalled, federal workers including air traffic controllers are set to miss additional paychecks, severely impacting their livelihoods.
In an interview on CBS’s “60 Minutes” aired Sunday, Trump asserted that the Democrats will capitulate, raising concerns for the millions relying on federal assistance. Notably, 42 million Americans who depend on the SNAP program face potential interruptions in food aid, a situation that could disproportionately affect Black Americans, who make up over 25% of SNAP recipients despite being less than 14% of the population.
Meanwhile, in the UK, police have released one of the two men arrested in connection with a stabbing attack on a train that injured 11 individuals. The remaining suspect, a 32-year-old British man, is still in custody on suspicion of attempted murder. The incident has heightened police presence across the UK rail network, with one train staff member hailed as a hero for saving lives during the attack.
In Ukraine, at least two people were killed in a drone strike in the Odesa region, marking another escalation in the ongoing conflict with Russia. The attack, which targeted a car park along the Black Sea coast, left three others wounded and has led to widespread power outages for tens of thousands of homes due to further assaults on the power grid.
In a devastating turn, Israel confirmed that the remains of three hostages returned from Gaza are soldiers killed during the Hamas-led attack on October 7, 2023. As the month-old ceasefire holds, the military identified these soldiers as part of a broader humanitarian crisis, with many families still mourning their losses.
In domestic affairs, Energy Secretary Chris Wright clarified that new testing plans for U.S. nuclear weapons ordered by Trump will not involve explosions. This announcement follows Trump’s claims about ramping up nuclear capabilities, raising concerns among U.S. officials.
Additionally, Trump revealed that Chinese President Xi Jinping assured him that Beijing would refrain from taking action on Taiwan during his presidency, a statement that underscores tensions in the region.
Finally, a federal judge in Oregon has barred the Trump administration from deploying troops to Portland until at least Friday, citing insufficient evidence of unrest to justify military intervention. This ruling follows a contentious trial over the use of National Guard troops in response to protests.
As these developments unfold, the impacts are being felt across the globe, with many awaiting crucial updates on the government shutdown and its implications for millions of Americans. Stay tuned for further updates as these stories evolve.
