Key things on 26 January, from rising fears of a government
shutdown to extreme winter weather and Super Bowl drama.
Anger is growing after a second Minneapolis resident was
killed by federal immigration agents this month. The latest victim, ICU nurse
Alex Pretti, was shot during an encounter authorities claim was self-defense,
though federal officials have not released detailed evidence to support that
claim. Two court hearings are scheduled today, including one that could
temporarily halt the Trump administration’s immigration crackdown in Minnesota.
Legal experts say the surge of federal enforcement is testing long-standing
interpretations of constitutional rights.
2. Winter storm
A massive winter storm continues to grip the U.S., with
nearly 90 million people under extreme cold alerts. Snow, ice, and freezing
temperatures have already claimed at least 11 lives and knocked out power to
more than 800,000 homes. Sunday marked the worst day for flight cancellations
since the pandemic, with over 19,000 flights grounded. Schools across several
major cities have canceled classes or shifted to remote learning.
The risk of a partial government shutdown is increasing as
Senate Democrats vow to block funding for the Department of Homeland Security.
Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer said Democrats will not provide the votes
needed to advance the funding bill unless DHS funding is removed, calling the
measure inadequate to address alleged abuses by Immigration and Customs
Enforcement. Federal funding expires at midnight Friday, making this a critical
week in Washington.
4. Trump and NATO
President Donald Trump praised British troops after facing
backlash over remarks that appeared to downplay NATO sacrifices in Afghanistan.
The comments come as tensions within the alliance remain high, especially after
Trump’s renewed threats involving Greenland, a territory linked to NATO member
Denmark.
5. Super Bowl
It’s a familiar matchup once again. The Seattle Seahawks and
New England Patriots are heading to the Super Bowl after winning their
conference championships. Seattle edged out the Rams, while New England
defeated the Broncos in harsh weather conditions. Super Bowl LX will be played
in Santa Clara, California, on February 8.
That’s what you need to know to start 26 January, with
politics, weather, and sports all colliding in a high-stakes week.
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