New York
New York City and the surrounding region were buried under record-breaking snowfall this week, with accumulations exceeding 30 inches in parts of the five boroughs and up to 40 inches in some suburbs.
This surpassed previous January highs and ranked among the top 10 snowstorms in city history. The storm, driven by a powerful nor’easter, brought whiteout conditions, grounded flights at JFK and LaGuardia, and forced widespread school closures and transit disruptions. Mayor Zohran Mamdani activated emergency protocols, deploying snow plows and salt trucks around the clock while urging residents to stay off roads. Critics highlighted delays in some neighborhoods, but officials reported no major power outages or fatalities directly tied to the weather.
Mayor Mamdani faced criticism after ID requirements for shoveling snow were discovered. The mayor urged residents to sign up as emergency snow shovelers to help clear streets during the major winter storm, directing them to local sanitation garages where required paperwork was available online. The Sanitation Department requires applicants to submit two small photos (1–1.5 square inches), two original forms of ID plus copies, and their Social Security card to verify eligibility to work in the U.S. and process payments. Shovelers earn $19.14 per hour, rising to $28.71 after 40 hours in a week. Critics quickly highlighted the irony, noting that Mamdani and the Democratic Socialists of America (DSA), of which he is a member, strongly oppose voter ID laws like the SAVE Act as “racist.” Social media users mocked the perceived hypocrisy, with comments like “Jim SNOW 2.0” and references to needing ID for shoveling but not voting. A City Hall spokesperson defended the requirement as a federal legal obligation for any employer issuing paychecks, unrelated to voting rights.
A chaotic scene unfolded in Central Park when a massive snowball fight drew thousands amid record snowfall but quickly turned violent as the crowd began pelting NYPD officers with packed snowballs and ice chunks. Videos showed dozens of individuals targeting police who were attempting to manage traffic and clear paths, injuring several officers. Commissioner Jessica Tisch condemned the attacks as “dangerous and unacceptable,” noting officers were performing essential duties in extreme conditions. No serious injuries were reported among police, though some required medical attention for bruises and cold exposure.
Mayor Mamdani has proposed cutting $22 million from the NYPD’s $6.4 billion budget in his preliminary FY 2027 plan, reversing former Mayor Eric Adams’ push to hire 5,000 additional officers and capping staffing near the current 35,000 level rather than expanding to 40,000. Mamdani inherited a historic budget gap and is prioritizing revenue from higher taxes on the wealthy and corporations, arguing this is fairer than burdening working families. He warned that without state approval for those increases, the city may need to raise property taxes or raid reserves. The move has drawn criticism from police unions and some council members who warn it risks undoing recent crime reductions, while supporters see it as necessary fiscal rebalancing. The budget now heads to the City Council for negotiations.
New York City’s largest nursing strike in decades appears set to end after more than 4,000 nurses at NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital reached a tentative contract agreement with management early Friday. The New York State Nurses Association announced the deal addresses key demands for safer staffing ratios, better job security, and improved working conditions amid widespread burnout following the pandemic. The agreement, subject to union ratification in the coming days, averts a prolonged walkout that had disrupted care at one of the city’s largest hospital systems. No details on wage increases or exact staffing commitments were immediately released.
U.S.
The U.S. Supreme Court struck down most of President Donald Trump’s tariffs on imports in a 6-3 decision issued Wednesday, ruling that the administration exceeded its authority. The majority opinion, written by Chief Justice John Roberts, held that the tariffs imposed in 2025 went beyond national security justifications and constituted an unconstitutional delegation of legislative power to the executive branch. Justices Clarence Thomas, Samuel Alito, and Brett Kavanaugh dissented, arguing the Court should defer to presidential judgments on trade and security matters. The ruling invalidates tariffs on roughly $300 billion in Chinese goods, potentially lowering consumer prices but drawing criticism from Trump administration officials who called it a “judicial overreach” that undermines American manufacturing. The decision does not affect tariffs on steel and aluminum upheld in prior cases. Legal analysts expect the administration to pursue alternative trade measures through new legislation or executive actions.
An armed man was shot and killed by Secret Service agents and Palm Beach County Sheriff’s deputies after he approached a security perimeter at Mar-a-Lago with a firearm and refused repeated commands to drop the weapon. The incident occurred around 2:15 a.m. near the southern entrance, prompting an immediate lockdown of the estate. The man ignored verbal warnings, raised his weapon toward officers, and was neutralized in the resulting exchange of fire. No Secret Service personnel or bystanders were injured. President Trump, who was not on site, was briefed immediately and later issued a statement thanking law enforcement for their swift response. The FBI has taken the lead on the investigation, with initial indications pointing to a possible lone actor. The shooting marks the third known security incident at a Trump property in the past 18 months.
President Trump signed an executive order directing Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth and other agencies to prepare for the release of government files related to alien and extraterrestrial life, including records on unidentified aerial phenomena. The order mandates a comprehensive review and declassification process to ensure transparency while protecting national security interests. Trump stated the move fulfills long-standing public demands for disclosure, emphasizing that “the American people deserve to know the truth about UFOs and aliens.” The administration expects initial releases within months.
President Trump announced that the United States will contribute $10 billion to the Board of Peace, a new international body he established to oversee implementation of his 20-point Gaza peace plan. The funding, drawn from existing foreign aid reallocations and emergency supplemental appropriations, will support Gaza’s demilitarization, technocratic governance transition, and large-scale reconstruction projects aimed at creating a stable, non-terrorist territory. Trump described the contribution as “a historic investment in lasting peace,” emphasizing that the Board—co-chaired by himself and former UK Prime Minister Tony Blair—will ensure funds are not diverted to Hamas or other designated terrorist groups.
The Florida Senate voted to approve a bill renaming Palm Beach International Airport to Donald J. Trump International Airport, sending the measure directly to Governor Ron DeSantis for signature after the House passed its version earlier in the week. The legislation, sponsored by Republican lawmakers from the Palm Beach area, honors the president’s long association with the region through Mar-a-Lago and his business history. DeSantis, a longtime Trump ally, is widely expected to sign the bill into law, making it the first U.S. commercial airport named after a sitting president.
U.S. residential construction rose to a five-month high in December, with housing starts climbing 6.2% to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 1.4 million units, surpassing economists’ forecasts. The increase was widespread, driven by gains in both single-family homes and multifamily apartments. Building permits, a forward-looking indicator, advanced 4.3% to 1.45 million—the highest level since March—though single-family permits saw a slight decline. Builders accelerated activity as borrowing costs eased and market confidence improved, despite persistent challenges from elevated housing inventory. The data signals renewed momentum in the housing sector following a period of sluggish growth. Industry analysts view the figures as encouraging but note that sustained progress will depend on continued interest-rate relief and stronger demand from first-time buyers.
Amazon has officially surpassed Walmart as the world’s largest company by revenue, reporting $716.9 billion in total sales for 2025. The e-commerce and cloud computing giant overtook Walmart’s $648.1 billion in annual revenue, driven by explosive growth in Amazon Web Services (AWS), advertising, and global retail expansion. Walmart, long the top-ranked retailer, saw slower growth amid shifting consumer habits and increased competition from online platforms. The achievement solidifies Amazon’s dominance in both retail and technology sectors, though Walmart maintains a larger physical footprint and grocery leadership. Analysts note Amazon’s higher profit margins and market valuation continue to widen the gap despite the revenue crossover.
Israel
Staff Sgt. Ofri Yafe, 21, of the Paratroopers Brigade’s Reconnaissance Unit from HaYogev, was killed in southern Gaza in a tragic friendly fire incident, the Israel Defense Forces announced. Yafe, a combat soldier who had previously been wounded in action, was struck by gunfire from fellow IDF troops during an operation in Rafah. The military stated the circumstances of the incident are under active investigation by a special inquiry team. Yafe’s death marks another painful loss in ongoing Gaza operations despite the fragile ceasefire. His funeral will be held in HaYogev, with full military honors.
Palo Alto Networks has acquired Israeli startup Koi for approximately $400 million, marking one of the largest deals in the Israeli cybersecurity sector in recent years. The acquisition enables Palo Alto to add a critical new defense layer specifically designed to protect enterprise AI agents, an area widely regarded as currently exposed and vulnerable to attacks. Koi’s technology focuses on securing AI-driven workflows, detecting anomalous behavior in large language models and agentic systems, and preventing prompt injection, data leakage, and unauthorized actions. Koi’s Tel Aviv-based team will join Palo Alto’s global R&D operations.
An El Al flight from Los Angeles to Tel Aviv was delayed almost 2 hours on Monday after “Free Palestine” stickers were discovered on roughly 140 passengers’ suitcases. The 2 p.m. departure, carrying many Israeli travelers returning from NBA All-Star weekend, was initially held 25 minutes before a longer delay was announced for security screening. All 140 affected bags were removed for inspection, and the aircraft departed around 3:45 p.m. without them. Passengers were informed upon landing in Israel that their luggage would follow on the next direct El Al flight from LAX. El Al and airport authorities have not released further details on the incident, which remains under review.
The Supreme Court of Israel ruled that the government must proceed with long-delayed upgrades to the egalitarian prayer section at the Western Wall, known as Ezrat Israel, located south of the main prayer plaza. The decision sets firm deadlines for authorities to complete infrastructure improvements, including better accessibility, lighting, and separation from the traditional Orthodox area. The case was brought by the Reform Movement in Israel, which argued that years of inaction violated equality principles and prior court rulings mandating a dignified space for mixed-gender prayer. Israel’s chief rabbis sharply criticized the ruling, asserting the court had no authority to interfere in religious matters and that changes threaten the site’s sanctity and centuries-old traditions. The government has 90 days to submit a detailed implementation plan or face further judicial action.
Newly surfaced footage from Tel Aviv’s Ben Gurion Airport contradicts Tucker Carlson’s claim of being detained and hauled off by security, showing him instead smiling, hugging staff members, and posing for photos in a relaxed manner. Carlson had alleged a negative experience to smear Israel, but the Israel Airports Authority confirmed he was only asked routine questions per standard procedures for many travelers. The video, widely shared on social media, exposes the discrepancy and has drawn criticism for Carlson’s false narrative. U.S. Ambassador Mike Huckabee disputed Carlson’s account, emphasizing no such detention occurred.
WORLD
The war between Mexico’s military and drug cartels intensified dramatically, with violence surging across multiple states following President Claudia Sheinbaum’s decision to deploy 45,000 additional National Guard troops to combat cartel dominance in key regions. Cartels responded with coordinated attacks, including ambushes on army convoys, assassinations of local officials, and massacres that left over 1,200 dead in the first quarter alone—the highest toll since 2019. The Sinaloa Cartel factional infighting after the arrest of “El Mayo” Zambada spilled into open warfare, while the Jalisco New Generation Cartel (CJNG) expanded operations, clashing directly with military units in several firefights. Critics accuse the government of continuing failed “hugs not bullets” policies, while Sheinbaum insists the escalation reflects progress in dismantling leadership structures. The conflict has displaced tens of thousands, paralyzed local economies, and prompted renewed U.S. pressure for stronger bilateral action against drug trafficking.
Cardinal Pietro Parolin, the Vatican’s Secretary of State, announced that the Holy See will not participate in President Donald Trump’s “Board of Peace” initiative for Gaza. Parolin emphasized that crisis resolution in the Middle East should remain under the auspices of the United Nations, which he described as the primary multilateral body with the legitimacy and experience to mediate such conflicts. He expressed appreciation for any genuine effort toward peace but reiterated the Church’s longstanding preference for UN-led frameworks that include broad international consensus. The decision reflects the Vatican’s traditional support for multilateral diplomacy over bilateral or U.S.-led mechanisms in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
A group of United Nations ambassadors, led by Israel’s Permanent Representative Danny Danon, toured the Auschwitz-Birkenau site on Thursday as part of an official visit to Poland centered on Holocaust remembrance and the fight against antisemitism. The delegation, including representatives from several member states, walked the grounds of the former Nazi death camp where over 1.1 million people, mostly Jews, were murdered during World War II. Danon emphasized the visit’s significance, stating, “Standing here at Auschwitz-Birkenau, we see the tragic results of silence in the face of hatred.” He described the trip as a reminder that unchecked antisemitism leads to genocide, urging the international community to confront rising hate today. The tour included the notorious “Arbeit Macht Frei” gate, the ruins of gas chambers, and the memorial to victims.
A kosher restaurant in central Paris was vandalized when acid was sprayed inside, severely damaging tables, walls, and utensils, French authorities reported. The attack occurred overnight, prompting firefighters to secure and decontaminate the premises while police investigators collected evidence. Prosecutors have opened an investigation into property damage potentially motivated by hate, a charge under French law that carries a maximum penalty of 15 years in prison when committed with discriminatory intent. Jewish community leaders condemned the incident as part of a troubling rise in antisemitic acts in France, urging swift identification and prosecution of the perpetrators.
