The U.S. federal government enters its second day of a shutdown, with Democrats and Republicans locked in a fierce budget deadlock. President Donald Trump blames Democrats for the funding collapse, labeling it a “forced closure” and urging Republicans to seize the opportunity to eliminate waste, fraud, and dead wood in government operations. Trump took to Truth Social to demand that Republicans use the shutdown as a chance to save billions of taxpayer dollars while questioning the Democrats’ motives. Meanwhile, the White House warns of imminent mass layoffs, with the Trump administration reportedly targeting Democratic agency infrastructure funds. WATCH

The Israeli Defence Forces (IDF) executed precision airstrikes on strategic Iranian military-industrial locations close to Tehran in a daring escalation. Crucial facilities connected to Iran's missile and nuclear weapons development programs were targeted by more than fifty Israeli Air Force (IAF) fighter jets. Israeli Ambassador to India, Reuven Azar, stated that Israel is only targeting Iran’s military infrastructure, not civilians, and has urged civilians to evacuate danger zones.