Massive North American Winter Storm Disrupts Millions with Travel Chaos, Power Outages, and Deadly Incidents – 1/26/2026, 4:24:28 PM

Top world news as of January 26, 2026, centers on a massive winter storm affecting North America, escalating U.S. tensions over Greenland and Ukraine, a deadly ICE shooting in Minneapolis sparking outrage, and U.S. foreign policy moves on Venezuela, Iran, and defense priorities.[1][2][3]

Weather and North America

A severe winter storm is impacting nearly 200 million Americans from New Mexico to New England with heavy snow, sleet, and freezing rain, causing over 10,000 flight cancellations, power outages for 1 million in the South, and multiple crashes; New York City saw its heaviest snow since 2021, while Canada faces extreme cold warnings and a North America-wide snowstorm.[1][3]

U.S. Domestic Incidents

Alex Pretti, a U.S. citizen, was fatally shot by ICE agents in Minneapolis, with video showing an agent apparently removing a gun before shots were fired; federal and state officials clash over the investigation, Trump blames local leaders and calls protests a “cover-up for financial fraud,” and leaders demand evidence release; relatedly, ICE detained a 5-year-old boy from school.[1][3]

Geopolitics and U.S. Foreign Policy

• Greenland tensions: Trump pushes for U.S./NATO “security framework” access, threatening tariffs on Denmark/Canada over China ties; Danish officials declare Greenland’s status “not negotiable,” Greenlanders reject sale claims, and a potential Supreme Court strike-down prompts Trump alternatives; U.S. defense strategy prioritizes Western Hemisphere access including Greenland and Panama Canal.[1][2]
• Ukraine: Zelenskyy announces a U.S. security guarantees document is “100% ready” post-Abu Dhabi talks with U.S./Russia reps, awaiting ratification; he pushes EU membership by 2027.[2]
• Trump touts “50 million barrels” of Venezuelan oil heading to U.S. after capturing Maduro using a secret “Discombobulator” weapon, renews Mexico cartel strike threats; also weighs “consequential” Iran moves per Bolton.[1][2]
• Trump launches “Board of Peace” for “New Gaza,” meets Zelenskyy, pulls Carney’s invite; UK PM slams Trump’s NATO-Afghanistan comments as “appalling.”[1]

Other Notable Developments

• Canada: Olympian Ryan Wedding arrested by FBI as alleged drug lord; Japan PM dissolves parliament for snap election; Doug Ford criticizes Carney’s EV/gun policies.[1]
• Volcano: Kilauea erupts with towering lava fountains in Hawaii.[1]
• Polls show rising Alberta/Quebec separatism sentiments.[1]

These stories reflect reports up to 23 hours prior, with ongoing investigations into the ICE incident and diplomatic talks.[1][2][3]