Top Stories • February 2, 2026

House Speaker Mike Johnson says he’s confident Congress can end the partial government shutdown by Tuesday as funding talks continue amid partisan pressure. In Texas, Democrats scored rare special-election victories, cutting into the GOP’s House majority and flipping a longtime Republican state Senate seat. President Trump says Iran is “seriously talking” with the U.S. about negotiations while warning military options remain on the table, as Washington also approves nearly $16 billion in new arms sales to Israel and Saudi Arabia. In cultural news, an Oscar-nominated Iranian screenwriter was arrested after criticizing Tehran’s crackdown, and Bad Bunny won Album of the Year at the 2026 Grammys.