A powerful winter storm has begun striking the northeastern United States, placing about 59 million people under weather alerts. The storm has caused widespread travel disruption, with more than 5,000 flights canceled and around 600 delayed across the country, according to flight tracking website FlightAware. New York City has issued a travel ban, while several states including Massachusetts, Connecticut, Delaware, New Jersey, and Rhode Island have declared states of emergency.

FlightAware reported that the highest number of cancellations occurred at New York’s John F. Kennedy (JFK) and LaGuardia airports. JetBlue Airways said it had already canceled 776 flights and warned passengers of significant disruptions and cancellations through February 24. The National Weather Service forecast that the storm would affect the U.S. Northeast and much of the Canadian Maritimes from Sunday evening through Monday.

Forecasters described the system as potentially the strongest “nor’easter” in nearly a decade, warning of heavy snowfall, strong winds, and coastal flooding across affected areas.

An armed man was shot and killed early Sunday after attempting to illegally enter former U.S. President Donald Trump’s Mar-a-Lago residence in Florida, according to the Secret Service. Officials said the suspect, identified as Austin T. Martin of Cameron, North Carolina, breached the secured perimeter carrying a shotgun and a container of fuel. No security personnel were injured, and Trump was in Washington, D.C., at the time of the incident.

Authorities reported that Secret Service agents ordered Martin to drop his items, but he allegedly pointed the shotgun before being shot. The FBI has launched an investigation, collecting evidence from the scene and reviewing whether the weapon was purchased en route from North Carolina. Law enforcement confirmed that Martin had no prior criminal record and no link to previous attacks targeting Trump.

Following the incident, Secret Service Director Sean Curran visited the site and announced steps to strengthen security vigilance. The Mar-a-Lago estate remains under tight two-tier protection involving both local police and Secret Service agents.

Democratic members of the US Congress have warned President Donald Trump to adhere to legal authority before taking any military action against Iran. They urged Trump to consult with Congress and obtain its approval before making any such decision, emphasizing the importance of legislative oversight in matters of war.

The warning comes amid ongoing nuclear discussions between Iran and the United States, which have raised fears of potential conflict. Florida Representative Debbie Wasserman Schultz said Trump must clearly explain to Congress why Iran poses a threat and why military action would be necessary. She noted that former President George W. Bush sought congressional approval before the 2003 invasion of Iraq. Senate leader Chuck Schumer added that the Trump administration has yet to clarify its objectives or seek authorization for any attack on Iran, stressing that only Congress has the constitutional power to declare war.

Senate Armed Services Committee member Jack Reed cautioned that attacking Iran now would be a strategic mistake, warning of uncontrollable consequences and noting that starting a war is easier than ending one.

A nationwide survey has found that most Americans are dissatisfied with President Donald Trump’s tariff policy. Despite the U.S. Supreme Court striking down his tariff plan, Trump has imposed a 15 percent tariff citing a different law. The ABC News and Washington Post Ipsos Knowledge Panel survey indicates that public discontent with Trump’s trade measures has grown amid rising international disagreements over U.S. tariffs.

According to the survey, a large portion of Americans are unhappy with Trump’s policies on trade, foreign relations, immigration, and the overall economy. About 65 percent oppose his inflation-control measures, 64 percent reject high import tariffs, and 62 percent consider his foreign policy misguided. Additionally, 58 percent disapprove of his immigration policy, while 57 percent believe his actions are harming the national economy.

Although frustration with Trump is widespread, the survey also shows limited trust in Democrats. Only 33 percent of respondents expressed confidence in Trump, 31 percent in Democrats, and another 31 percent said they trust neither side.

NASA has postponed its Artemis-2 lunar mission after engineers detected a mechanical fault in the Space Launch System (SLS) rocket during final preparations. The mission, originally scheduled for early March, was intended to send four astronauts around the far side of the Moon and return them to Earth after ten days. It would have been humanity’s longest-distance space journey in over fifty years.

According to NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman, the issue was found in the helium flow system, which is essential for pressurizing the rocket’s fuel tanks and cooling systems. The problem emerged after a 50-hour test that had shown no faults, leading the team to believe the launch could proceed by March 6. NASA described the helium insufficiency as a serious technical problem requiring further maintenance.

On February 19, the rocket had been fueled with about 730,000 gallons of propellant, marking a major milestone in launch preparation. NASA hopes that resolving the issue will allow the Artemis-2 mission to proceed successfully, paving the way for Artemis-3, which aims to land astronauts on the Moon for the first time since 1972.

A powerful winter storm has begun striking the northeastern United States, placing about 59 million people under weather alerts. New York City has issued a full travel ban from Sunday night to Monday noon, with Mayor Zohraan Mamdani announcing the closure of all roads, highways, bridges, and schools. Several states, including Massachusetts, Connecticut, Delaware, New Jersey, and Rhode Island, have declared states of emergency as thousands of flights were canceled due to the blizzard.

The U.S. National Weather Service forecasted that this could be the strongest nor’easter in nearly a decade, bringing heavy snowfall, strong winds, and coastal flooding. New York City is expecting 18 to 24 inches of snow, with temperatures dropping to around minus six degrees Celsius. Governor Kathy Hochul declared a statewide emergency and deployed about 100 National Guard members, warning that Long Island and New York City lie directly in the storm’s path.

Governors across the region have taken precautionary measures, including shutting down public transport in New Jersey and restricting commercial traffic in Connecticut, as the storm continues to intensify through Monday.

The United States Supreme Court has ruled that President Donald Trump’s earlier tariffs imposed under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act were unlawful, declaring that he exceeded his authority by using a law meant for national emergencies. In response, Trump invoked Section 122 of the US Trade Act of 1974 to impose a new 15 percent tariff on all trading partners, effective February 24, 2025. The new levy, which can last 150 days unless extended by Congress, is the first use of this legal authority by any US president.

The ruling has cast uncertainty over multiple trade agreements signed last year with countries including the United Kingdom, India, and the European Union. While some deals, such as those covering UK steel, aluminium, and pharmaceuticals, remain unaffected, others face ambiguity about whether the new 15 percent rate supersedes negotiated terms. Trade lawyer Shantanu Singh noted that the incentive for partners to uphold their deals has diminished following the court’s decision.

The White House said certain goods like beef, tomatoes, fertilisers, and aerospace products will be exempt. Analysts expect the US to use the 150-day window to reassess trade practices and potentially reinstate reciprocal tariffs under other legal provisions.

A 20-year-old man was shot and killed by the U.S. Secret Service while allegedly attempting to illegally enter former President Donald Trump’s Mar-a-Lago resort in West Palm Beach, Florida. The agency said in a statement on Sunday that the incident occurred around 1:30 a.m. local time near the resort’s north gate. The suspect was reportedly carrying a shotgun and a fuel can when agents tried to stop him, leading to an escalation that resulted in gunfire. The man died at the scene, and his motive remains unclear. Trump was in Washington at the time, and the White House did not immediately comment.

The report noted that political violence has increased in the United States in recent years. In 2024, Trump survived two assassination attempts, one of which took place at his golf course in West Palm Beach. In June 2025, Minnesota Democratic lawmaker Melissa Hortman and her husband were shot dead, followed months later by the killing of conservative activist Charlie Kirk. In response to these incidents, security at Mar-a-Lago has reportedly been strengthened.

U.S. Ambassador Steve Witkoff said President Donald Trump is questioning why Iran has not yielded despite Washington’s show of military strength. Speaking in a Fox News interview with Trump’s daughter-in-law Lara Trump on Saturday, Witkoff noted that the president remains curious about Tehran’s stance rather than frustrated.

According to Witkoff, the United States has deployed two aircraft carriers, fighter jets, and other weapons in the region to increase pressure on Iran. At the same time, nuclear deal discussions have resumed in Geneva under Oman’s mediation to avoid potential military conflict. Washington has warned that Iran will face severe consequences if no progress is made in the talks.

Witkoff also confirmed that, under the president’s directive, he met with Iran’s former crown prince Reza Pahlavi, who has not returned to Iran since the 1979 Islamic Revolution. He did not disclose details of that meeting.

U.S. President Donald Trump has announced that a floating hospital ship will be sent to Greenland, a self-governing territory of Denmark. In a social media post on February 21, Trump said the mission would be carried out with the help of Louisiana Governor Jeff Landry and shared a photo of the U.S. Navy hospital ship USS Mercy. He claimed the initiative aims to provide medical care to people in Greenland who are not receiving adequate treatment.

The announcement has caused surprise and confusion in diplomatic circles, as Greenland and Denmark already have advanced, publicly funded healthcare systems offering free medical services to citizens. Neither the Danish government nor Greenland’s parliament has issued an immediate response. Trump had previously appointed Landry as a special envoy for Greenland affairs in December, and Landry described the plan as significant.

Trump’s long-standing interest in Greenland’s strategic importance and past discussions about potential agreements with NATO leaders have raised concerns among European allies. Observers are debating whether the hospital mission represents humanitarian aid or a move to expand U.S. strategic influence in the Arctic region.

The White House has confirmed that U.S. President Donald Trump will visit China from March 31 to April 2, marking the first visit by an American president to Beijing since 2017. A White House official confirmed the schedule last Friday. Trump previously visited China during his first presidential term in 2017. Both Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping have recently described communication between the two countries as “excellent” and “good.”

Trump said the upcoming trip would be a “grand” one, emphasizing that the U.S. presence and arrangements should surpass any previous events in Chinese history. The visit comes as the U.S. Supreme Court has annulled tariffs Trump had imposed on several countries. Trump had earlier described tariffs as a tool to push other nations to support his policies.

Trade tariffs and China’s response are expected to be key topics during the meetings. Due to tariff impacts, China has reportedly stopped purchasing soybeans from the United States, one of its top import items. The visit follows recent trips to Beijing by several Western leaders, including Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney, who discussed trade and electric vehicle restrictions.

Nine people, including six female skiers and three professional guides, were killed in a massive avalanche in California’s Sierra Nevada mountains, described as the most deadly avalanche in the United States in 45 years. The victims were on a three-day backcountry skiing expedition under the supervision of experienced guides when the avalanche struck on Tuesday morning as they prepared to return. A snow layer the size of a football field collapsed suddenly, burying them within seconds.

Rescue teams faced severe wind and near-zero visibility, delaying operations. Six people were rescued alive, but nine others could not be saved. Authorities have launched an investigation to determine whether negligence played a role. The Nevada County Sheriff’s Office reported that the site remains dangerous, with one person still missing.

The tragedy has cast a shadow of grief over the community. Psychologist Sara Boylen said the incident has caused deep emotional trauma for mountain enthusiasts, turning a place of peace into one of loss.

United States Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee has drawn widespread condemnation from Arab and Muslim countries after suggesting that Israel has the right to expand its territory across much of the Middle East. In a televised interview with commentator Tucker Carlson, Huckabee, a self-described Christian Zionist, said it would be acceptable if Israel claimed land stretching from the Euphrates River in Iraq to the Nile River in Egypt. The ambassador later described his statement as hyperbolic, clarifying that Israel seeks only security within its current borders.

The remarks prompted sharp rebukes from Egypt, Jordan, Saudi Arabia, the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation, and the League of Arab States. Saudi Arabia called the comments “extremist rhetoric” and demanded clarification from the US State Department. Egypt denounced them as a violation of international law, while Jordan labelled them “absurd and provocative.” The League of Arab States warned that such statements inflame regional and religious tensions.

Huckabee, appointed by President Donald Trump in 2024, has previously rejected the two-state solution and denied the existence of an Israeli occupation. His comments come amid ongoing disputes over Israel’s undefined borders and its occupation of Palestinian and Syrian territories.

The White House announced that U.S. President Donald Trump will visit China from March 31 to April 2, marking the first official trip to Beijing by a U.S. president since Trump’s own visit in 2017. The dates were confirmed by a White House official, and both Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping have recently described communication between their countries as positive. Trump commented that the visit would be a major event, calling for a grand display during his stay.

The announcement came shortly before the U.S. Supreme Court struck down tariffs previously imposed by Trump on multiple countries, a policy tool he had used to influence international support for his agenda. Trade issues, including tariffs and China’s reduced purchases of U.S. soybeans, are expected to feature prominently in discussions. Beijing has recently hosted other Western leaders, such as Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney, who announced new trade deals and lifted restrictions on Chinese-made electric cars.

China’s growing exports of electric vehicles and investments in renewable energy contrast with Trump’s continued emphasis on fossil fuels. The visit will also be Trump’s first to China since the COVID-19 pandemic, during which he had criticized Beijing’s handling of the outbreak.

U.S. President Donald Trump will visit China from March 31 to April 2, 2026, for a long-anticipated meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping. A White House official confirmed the trip on Friday. The announcement came a day after the U.S. Supreme Court struck down Trump’s global import tariff initiative.

According to the report, the two leaders are expected to discuss a potential trade agreement aimed at avoiding further tariff increases. This will be Trump’s second visit to China, following his first trip in 2017 during his previous term.

The Chinese Embassy in Washington declined to comment on the travel dates, and Beijing has not yet confirmed the visit.