U.S. Government Shutdown Begins; Expected to Resolve Next Week with Senate-Backed Deal – 1/31/2026, 12:25:02 PM

U.S. government partial shutdown began on January 31, 2026, after Congress failed to approve the 2026 budget by the midnight deadline, though disruptions are expected to be limited as the House plans to ratify a Senate-backed deal early next week.[1]

U.S. and North America

• President Donald Trump issued tariff threats against Cuba, prompting an “international emergency” declaration from Cuban Foreign Minister Bruno Rodriguez Parrilla; Venezuela rejected related U.S. “punitive measures” on countries trading with Cuba.[1]
• White House approved $15.67 billion in arms sales to Israel and Saudi Arabia amid Iran tensions; Trump suggested a private deadline for Iran to reach a deal, while Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian emphasized dialogue over war.[1]
• Danish government announced deportation reforms to expel non-Danish citizens sentenced to at least one year for serious crimes.[2]
• U.S. journalist Don Lemon and others arrested at an anti-ICE protest disrupting a Minnesota church.[2]
• Severe winter weather caused heavy snow, sleet, and freezing rain across 200 million Americans, power outages for 1 million in the South, and 10,000 flight cancellations; Coast Guard deployed ice-breaking ships in NYC.[4][5]

Middle East and Conflicts

• Israel declared South Africa’s senior diplomat persona non grata in retaliation and will reopen the Gaza-Egypt pedestrian border crossing in both directions starting Sunday after nearly two years.[1][2]
• At least 12 killed in Israeli airstrikes on Gaza; ICRC urged action on dire humanitarian situation amid ceasefire momentum; WFP scaling up aid in northeastern Syria.[1]
• 10 security officials and 37 militants killed in terrorist attacks repelled in Pakistan’s Balochistan.[1]
• UN Security Council renewed UN Peacekeeping Force in Cyprus mandate until January 31, 2027.[1]

Other Global Developments

• Russia: Putin outlined priorities for military-technical cooperation with foreign states.[1]
• Greenland: No agreement reached; situation remains challenging, per Prime Minister Jens-Frederik Nielsen.[1]
• Venezuela: Acting President Delcy Rodriguez launched general amnesty for political violence.[1]
• Iraq: Parliament to elect new president on Sunday.[1]
• Burkina Faso: Government dissolved all political parties and repealed their legal framework.[1]
• DRC: At least 200 miners killed in coltan mine collapses in Rubaya.[1]
• India: WHO confirmed two Nipah virus cases in West Bengal.[1]
• Weather: WMO noted January 2026’s frequent extreme events causing widespread losses.[1]
• Space: NASA postponed Artemis II wet dress rehearsal and launch due to cold weather.[1]

Dutch Prime Minister-elect Robert Jetten criticized Trump’s territorial ambitions in European nations, including the Netherlands, amid Greenland push.[2]