The United States has carried out another strike on a vessel accused of drug trafficking, resulting in at least five deaths. The attack was announced in a statement by the US military’s Southern Command on Wednesday, though the location of the operation was not specified. Previous similar strikes had taken place in the Caribbean Sea and the eastern Pacific Ocean, according to Al Jazeera. The US Coast Guard has been directed to conduct search and rescue operations at the site, but no evidence supporting the attack has been presented.

The statement detailed that three alleged traffickers were killed in the first operation, while others from two additional boats jumped into the water to escape. Those boats were later sunk in a subsequent strike, which killed two more people. The military said the Coast Guard was instructed to activate its search and rescue system. A similar incident in September had drawn heavy criticism after reports that survivors were targeted, with some Democratic lawmakers and legal experts calling it a crime, while the Trump administration and some Republican lawmakers defended it as lawful.

Zohraan Mamdani will be sworn in as the mayor of New York City at midnight on December 31, 2025, in an abandoned subway station built during America’s ‘Golden Age’. The location was chosen to symbolize the beginning of a ‘new era’. The station currently serves as a turnaround point for the local No. 5 train. Thousands of New Yorkers will be gathered in Times Square for the New Year countdown as the ceremony takes place underground.

In a statement, Mamdani described the site as a monument to a city that once dared to build beautifully and transform the lives of working people. He said the ambition represented by the station should not remain confined to the past or the tunnels beneath City Hall. He expressed honor at the opportunity to lead millions of New Yorkers.

Progressive Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez will introduce Mamdani at the ceremony, which will also feature Senator Bernie Sanders. New York Attorney General Letitia James will administer the oath. Mamdani, 34, won the November 4 election by defeating former Governor Andrew Cuomo and Republican Curtis Sliwa, becoming the first Muslim and South Asian–descended mayor in U.S. history.

U.S. President Donald Trump this week vetoed two major bipartisan bills, marking his first use of veto power in his second term. According to reports from Washington, the vetoes targeted the 'Finish the Arkansas Valley Conduit Act' and the 'Miccosukee Reserved Area Amendments Act'. The White House confirmed that Trump issued the vetoes on Monday. To override them, both chambers of Congress would need a two-thirds majority vote.

The Arkansas Valley Conduit Act aimed to implement a long-standing clean water supply project in Colorado’s Eastern Plains. Trump argued the project was too costly and described it as an unreliable policy for American taxpayers. The second bill sought to expand the Miccosukee tribe’s control in Florida’s Everglades National Park. Trump stated he would not allow the tribe residential rights in that area and criticized spending taxpayer money on projects inconsistent with his administration’s immigration policies.

The move marks a significant political moment, as presidential vetoes are relatively rare. Trump had vetoed ten bills during his first term, while his predecessor Joe Biden vetoed thirteen over four years.

The United States has announced new sanctions targeting Iran and Venezuela, accusing them of assisting in drone and ballistic missile trade. The measures, announced on Tuesday, apply to ten individuals and entities from both countries. According to the report, the Trump administration stated that such trade poses a threat to the United States and its allies in the Middle East.

The sanctions include a Venezuelan company and its chairman, accused of purchasing Iranian drones, as well as three Iranian nationals allegedly involved in procuring chemicals used in ballistic missile production. Several Iran-based individuals and organizations linked to the previously sanctioned ‘Rayan Fan Group’ were also named. The US Treasury Department said the sanctions aim to restore UN restrictions related to Iran’s nuclear activities and increase economic pressure on Tehran.

The Treasury further stated that Iran’s supply of conventional weapons to Venezuela threatens US interests in the Western Hemisphere and pledged to take all necessary measures to halt such trade.

The United States has signed a defense agreement with Israel to strengthen the latter’s military capabilities. According to the Pentagon, the deal, valued at $8.6 billion, involves the supply of 25 F-15IA fighter jets manufactured by Boeing. The aircraft will be designed, integrated, tested, and produced in Missouri, with final delivery to Israel scheduled for December 31, 2035. The announcement followed a meeting in Florida between US President Donald Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, during which Netanyahu also held a closed-door discussion with US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth.

The report noted that since the Gaza conflict began two years ago, the United States under both the Biden and Trump administrations has provided Israel with at least $21.7 billion in military assistance. This support includes unconditional arms aid, annual privileges, additional wartime funds, and limited congressional oversight, which have collectively bolstered Israel’s defense sector.

The new F-15IA deal further deepens US-Israel defense cooperation and underscores Washington’s continued commitment to Israel’s military modernization.

Zohran Mamdani will be sworn in as the new mayor of New York City on January 1, marking the start of his leadership of the United States’ largest city. His popularity has surged rapidly, rising from 14 points in September to 38 points, a record level for any incoming mayor. Statewide, Mamdani’s approval exceeds 15 points, also a record. The public inauguration at City Hall will feature introductions by Democratic Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, with Senator Bernie Sanders in attendance, and New York Attorney General Letitia James administering the oath.

Mamdani campaigned on promises to reduce living costs and make city buses faster and free, funded by taxes on billionaires and millionaires. His transit plan currently enjoys 50 percent public support, with 41 percent opposing. On November 4, he defeated former Governor Andrew Cuomo and Republican Curtis Sliwa by a wide margin.

Mamdani becomes the first Muslim and South Asian–descended leader to serve as New York City mayor and, at 34, the youngest in a century.

U.S. President Donald Trump, beginning his second term on January 20, tightened the country’s immigration policies, leading to widespread labor shortages within a year. Construction firms in Louisiana are struggling to find carpenters, hospitals in West Virginia face shortages of foreign doctors and nurses, and a neighborhood football league in Memphis cannot form enough teams as immigrant children have stopped arriving. The administration has raised visa fees, reduced legal entry routes, and deported over six hundred thousand people, while hundreds of thousands more face deportation after the withdrawal of temporary legal status granted under the previous administration.

Oxford Economics estimates that current policies have reduced net immigration to about 450,000 people annually, far below the 2–3 million per year under the Biden administration. Immigrants now make up 14.8 percent of the U.S. population, the lowest since 1890. Cities once vibrant with immigrant communities, such as Los Angeles and New York, have grown quieter, with fewer international students and diminished cultural activity.

Business owners fear the labor shortage will worsen, affecting industries like construction, nursing homes, and childcare, even as higher wages fail to attract enough workers.

US President Donald Trump has warned that the United States would support another major strike on Iran if the country resumes its nuclear weapons development. Speaking at his Mar-a-Lago resort in Florida after meeting Israeli President Benjamin Netanyahu, Trump said he believes Iran has been trying to restart its weapons program since the US attack in June.

At a press conference, Trump stated that he had heard Iran was producing nuclear weapons and other materials, and warned that any renewed activity would lead to strikes on different facilities than those previously destroyed. He cautioned Iran to halt its nuclear ambitions, noting that US B-2 bombers require a 37-hour journey for such missions, which he said the US does not wish to repeat.

The report added that the US administration is currently engaged in discussions with Tehran over a possible nuclear agreement, while Iran has conducted two missile tests earlier this month.

The United States has allocated $2 billion to support United Nations humanitarian operations, with Bangladesh among 17 countries set to benefit. The funding will be distributed through an 'umbrella fund' targeting specific agencies and priority sectors. The US administration described the move as part of a new financial approach under the Trump administration, which seeks to reduce foreign aid while maintaining the country’s position as the world’s largest humanitarian donor.

Although the $2 billion allocation is lower than previous levels, the administration called it a generous contribution. However, the new funding model has raised concerns among humanitarian organizations due to significant program cuts. Afghanistan and the Palestinian territories are excluded from the list, with aid for Palestine expected to come through Trump’s incomplete Gaza peace plan.

According to UN data, the current amount represents only a small fraction of recent humanitarian assistance levels, as the US once provided up to $17 billion annually. Critics worldwide warn that reduced Western aid could increase hunger, displacement, and disease risks for millions and weaken international influence.

Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov stated that Russia’s formal recognition of Afghanistan’s Taliban government has opened new opportunities for regional cooperation. Russia granted official recognition to the Taliban administration in July, a move welcomed by the Afghan government, according to Tolo News. Lavrov emphasized that the recognition has paved the way for collaboration between the two countries in areas including regional security.

The Taliban government in Kabul expressed appreciation for Russia’s stance, saying that expanding regional cooperation would contribute to regional stability. Taliban spokesperson Zabihullah Mujahid called on other countries to normalize relations with Afghanistan, describing Russia’s decision as courageous and beneficial for positive engagement.

Political analyst Najibullah Hotak noted that Russia, as a regional power, could encourage Central Asian and other nations to strengthen ties with Afghanistan. Russia remains the only country to have officially recognized the Taliban government as of July 4.

U.S. President Donald Trump stated that negotiations to end the Russia-Ukraine war are in their final stage. He made the remarks after meeting Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky at his Mar-a-Lago residence in Florida, according to Anadolu Agency. Trump said the discussions could either conclude soon or continue for a long time with heavy casualties if unresolved.

Trump reiterated his claim of having ended eight wars during his presidency and described the Russia-Ukraine conflict as the most difficult one yet. He emphasized that both presidents are willing to reach an agreement and that his goal is to end the war rather than set a specific timeline. Following his meeting with Zelensky, Trump plans to call Russian President Vladimir Putin to continue the dialogue.

He added that a strong security agreement is being considered, with European countries expected to play a key role in the security framework.

A midair collision between two helicopters near Hammonton Municipal Airport in New Jersey, United States, left one person dead and another critically injured, according to a statement from the Federal Aviation Administration. The incident occurred around 11:25 a.m. local time, when the aircraft collided and caught fire. Police confirmed that both helicopters had only their pilots onboard.

Hammonton Police Chief Kevin Friel said the helicopters were flying very close to each other, which may have caused the collision. The National Transportation Safety Board has launched an investigation into the crash. A nearby café owner, Sal Silipino, said both pilots were regular customers at his café and often had breakfast together. He and other witnesses saw the helicopters take off before one began spiraling downward, followed by the other losing control.

Authorities are continuing to investigate the cause of the collision, with initial reports suggesting proximity during flight as a possible factor.

Russian President Vladimir Putin stated that Ukraine shows no urgency toward establishing peace and warned that if Kyiv does not pursue a peaceful resolution, Russia will achieve its objectives through force. His remarks were reported by the state news agency TASS.

The statement came after Russia launched extensive missile and drone attacks on Ukraine. In response, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said that while Kyiv seeks peace, Moscow continues to show a determination to wage war. Zelensky is scheduled to meet U.S. President Donald Trump in Florida on Sunday to discuss a possible peace agreement, and Putin’s comments emerged ahead of that meeting. Reuters reported that the White House did not immediately respond to requests for comment.

Meanwhile, the Kremlin announced on Telegram that Russian forces had captured several towns in eastern Ukraine and the Zaporizhzhia region. However, Ukraine’s military denied Russia’s claims, calling them baseless and asserting that Ukrainian troops continue defensive operations in those areas.

A severe winter storm has blanketed the northeastern United States in snow, disrupting transportation and prompting emergency measures. As of Saturday evening local time, about 29 million people across Minneapolis, Wisconsin, Iowa, and Vermont were under winter weather alerts. According to the National Weather Service, Connecticut’s New Haven County saw more than 10 inches of snow between Friday and Saturday, while Fairfield County recorded over 9 inches. New York’s Phoenicia reported the highest snowfall at 13 inches.

Central Park in New York City recorded 4.3 inches of snow, the highest since January 2022. New York Governor Kathy Hochul declared a state of emergency in more than half of the state’s counties as snow and ice made roads hazardous for travel. Flight tracking website FlightAware reported over 8,700 flight delays and more than 1,400 cancellations across the United States by Saturday night.

Authorities warned that icy conditions could continue to disrupt travel and essential services as cleanup efforts proceed across affected regions.

England captain Ben Stokes and Australian batter Steve Smith expressed dissatisfaction with the Melbourne Cricket Ground pitch after England’s victory in the fourth Ashes Test. The match ended in less than two days, with 20 wickets falling on the first day and 16 more on the second before England sealed the win. Stokes said that although his team was proud of the win, the pitch’s behavior was not ideal for Test cricket, as it offered excessive assistance to bowlers and produced an unusually short match.

Smith echoed similar concerns, noting that the pitch provided too much movement throughout the game, preventing batters from settling. He suggested that reducing the grass length from 10 millimeters to 8 might help achieve better balance. The result gave England their first win in Australia in 15 years, but both captains agreed that the surface was overly bowler-friendly.

The debate over the Melbourne pitch has divided cricket fans, with some viewing it as a challenge for bowlers and others criticizing it for undermining the traditional endurance of Test cricket.