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New York City is bracing for severe cold weather next week, with sub-zero temperatures expected to persist throughout the week, according to the National Weather Service. On Martin Luther King Day, January 20th, the high will reach only 25 degrees Fahrenheit (-4 degrees Celsius), while the low will drop to 8 degrees Fahrenheit (-10 degrees Celsius). The coldest day of the week is forecasted to be January 21st, with a high of 18 degrees Fahrenheit (-8 degrees Celsius) and a low of 7 degrees Fahrenheit (-13 degrees Celsius).

The frigid temperatures will continue throughout the week, with daytime highs of 19 degrees Fahrenheit on January 22nd, 29 degrees Fahrenheit on January 23rd, and 32 degrees Fahrenheit on January 24th. However, temperatures are expected to rise slightly to 40 degrees Fahrenheit over the weekend, on January 24th and 25th.

In response to the extreme cold, New York City has issued a ‘Code Blue,’ which is activated when the temperature falls below 32 degrees Fahrenheit from 4 p.m. to 8 a.m. During this time, the city is advising children and the elderly to stay indoors to avoid the risks associated with the severe weather.

As New York City prepares to announce its fiscal year 2026 budget, concerns are rising among parents of young children due to significant cuts to the city’s 3-K childcare program. The budget, revealed by Mayor Eric Adams on January 16th, includes a reduction of $112 million for the 3-K free childcare program, which supports 3-year-olds. This cut means that a program that previously supported 38,000 children will no longer have sufficient funds to do so. In contrast, $100 million has been allocated to the Summer Rising program, which provides free summer learning support for students in grades K to 8.

The 3-K program, which currently offers 52,000 seats, serves around 48,000 children. Many parents rely on this program to send their young children to daycare while they work, and the budget cuts could increase the financial burden on families by forcing them to turn to private childcare, which can be significantly more expensive. Mayor Adams faced heavy criticism last year when his budget included a $170 million cut to the 3-K program, and this latest reduction has further intensified concerns among parents.

Councilmember Justin Brennan (D-Brooklyn), chair of the New York City Council Finance Committee, expressed shock over the cuts, particularly given the ongoing challenges of high childcare costs. He emphasized that childcare support is critical for retaining working families and dual-income households in New York City and called for the cuts to be reconsidered. The group New Yorkers United for Child Care also expressed disappointment, stating that Mayor Adams has failed to prioritize the preservation and expansion of the 3-K program, which they consider essential for the city’s future.

Beyond restoring funding, advocates argue that the 3-K program also needs urgent improvements in accessibility. One parent from Queens shared their frustration, explaining that every nearby 3-K centre they contacted had a waiting list. With no available spots at any of the 12 centres they considered, this family is now faced with the prospect of paying $25,000 to $40,000 a year for private daycare, a financial burden they had not anticipated.

Recently, a series of public interest lawsuits targeting Korean businesses and building owners in the Port Lee and Palisades Park areas of New Jersey have come to light. The lawsuits are being filed under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and claim that businesses and buildings are not equipped with adequate accessibility for people with disabilities. At least 20 businesses, many of which are owned by Koreans, have been identified as defendants. These businesses are accused of failing to meet accessibility standards, leading to damages suffered by individuals who identified themselves as disabled. However, business owners argue that these lawsuits are part of a broader pattern of “abusive litigation” filed by a law firm based in Florida, with no specific details or evidence of the alleged incidents.

The lawsuits have been filed en masse, with around 10 businesses in Fort Lee receiving similar legal complaints at the same time in mid-December. The business owners claim that this pattern suggests the lawsuits are being pursued not because individuals with disabilities are suffering damages, but rather as a tactic by the law firm to secure settlement money. The lawsuits, once filed, result in considerable legal fees, which have caused significant financial strain on small businesses. Some business owners have already paid tens of thousands of dollars in settlements to avoid further legal complications, but many are struggling to cover these costs.

In response to the growing number of lawsuits, the Port Lee Korean Association, along with the town government, chamber of commerce, and local lawyers, has organized a meeting at the Port Lee Recreation Centre on January 13. The goal of the meeting is to guide businesses on how to respond to and deal with the legal issues stemming from these lawsuits. Organizers emphasized that the lawsuits have caused confusion and hardship for business owners, some of whom are unsure how to proceed. The meeting is intended to provide a space for discussion and proactive legal responses.

Korean business owners have voiced concerns about the situation, stating that while they agree that accessibility issues should be addressed, it is unfair for them to be sued without being given time to correct any deficiencies. They also highlighted the burden of legal fees and settlements that they must pay in these cases. Many are calling for legal protections to prevent businesses from being targeted by what they believe are lawsuits filed for financial gain. In response to the rise in public interest lawsuits, other states have begun to explore measures to protect businesses from such litigation. In California, a bill is being considered that would exempt businesses from liability if they corrected any violations within 120 days of being notified. Meanwhile, in Oregon, an ethics investigation has been launched into a lawyer who has filed multiple disability-related lawsuits, further indicating that the issue of abusive lawsuits is gaining attention across the country.

White House National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan provided an update on the ongoing negotiations for a ceasefire and hostage release between Israel and Hamas on January 12, stating that they are “very close” to an agreement. However, Sullivan stressed that while progress has been made, there is still work to be done before reaching a final deal. He explained that President Joe Biden’s Middle East adviser, Brett McCurk, has been in Qatar all week working with mediators to finalize the details of the agreement that will be presented to both sides. Sullivan indicated that while it is possible for the deal to be completed before January 20, the inauguration of President-elect Donald Trump, he could not guarantee a resolution by that date. He further emphasized that President Biden is being briefed daily on the situation.

On the war in Ukraine, Sullivan reiterated that a successful outcome would allow Ukraine to make its own decisions regarding its territory, people, and freedom without external imposition. He added that the West must also make a commitment to Ukraine’s security to prevent future aggression from Russia. When asked about Trump’s proposed end-of-war plan, including stationing European troops in Ukraine, Sullivan acknowledged that while there are several possible approaches, he could not predict Trump’s actions.

Sullivan also addressed Trump’s controversial proposals regarding the return of the Panama Canal and the annexation of Greenland and Canada to the U.S., noting that there is insufficient information to assess Trump’s intentions in these matters. Meanwhile, President Biden spoke with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on the same day to discuss the ongoing ceasefire and hostage release negotiations. Biden reiterated the urgency of achieving an immediate ceasefire and releasing hostages in Gaza, emphasizing that such an agreement would allow for rapid humanitarian aid to reach the region. Prime Minister Netanyahu expressed his gratitude to President Biden for his unwavering support of Israel’s security and defence efforts.

Crime rates in Washington, D.C. and Montgomery County, Maryland, saw a notable decrease last year compared to the previous year. According to police statistics, Washington, D.C. experienced a significant reduction in crime, especially in areas like homicides and carjackings. The number of homicide victims in Washington, D.C. dropped to 190 last year, marking the lowest number since 2020. This represented a dramatic 31% decrease compared to the previous year, signalling progress in crime reduction efforts.

In addition to homicides, carjackings in Washington, D.C. also saw a decrease. Last year, there were 498 reported carjackings, which is a 5% drop from 2023. Furthermore, robberies dropped by an even more significant 39%. D.C. authorities attribute these declines to the confiscation of illegal firearms and a targeted approach of intensively monitoring violent criminals, both of which appear to be effective in curbing violent crime in the city.

In Montgomery County, Maryland, a similar trend of decreasing crime rates was observed. Authorities reported a 7% overall drop in crime compared to 2023. Specific types of crime saw even larger reductions. Property crimes fell by 6%, while car thefts decreased by 15%. The most significant drop was in carjackings, which plummeted by 43%.

Montgomery County also experienced a significant decline in murders and shooting incidents. There were 19 murders last year, a decrease of 10 compared to the 29 reported in 2023. Additionally, shooting incidents in the county dropped by 19%, further reflecting the positive trend in crime reduction.

Montgomery County authorities believe that the implementation and expansion of new technologies have played a crucial role in reducing crime. Technologies such as license plate readers, drones, and traffic cameras have been increasingly utilized to help solve crimes and deter criminal activity. These tools are seen as having a positive effect on the county’s crime prevention strategies, contributing to the overall decrease in criminal activity over the past year.

A recent audit report has revealed that the Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) is seriously underprepared for extreme weather conditions, such as flooding, which could pose significant risks to the city’s infrastructure. The report, released on January 2nd by New York State Comptroller Thomas DiNapoli, highlights major vulnerabilities within the MTA’s Bridges and Tunnels (B&T) department, the New York City Transit Bus department, and the MTA Bus department. These areas, according to the audit, are severely lacking in necessary precautions and there are still critical safety blind spots.

Comptroller DiNapoli pointed to the devastation caused by Superstorm Sandy in 2012, which resulted in approximately $5 billion in asset damage to the MTA. The Queens Midtown Tunnel, the Hugh L. Carey Tunnel, and several bus depots were among the hardest hit by the storm’s flooding. In the wake of Sandy, the MTA implemented a preparedness project designed to prevent a similar disaster in the future. However, the latest audit reveals that the MTA has made little progress in addressing these vulnerabilities, with inspections and management reviews of critical safety infrastructure still insufficient.

One of the key issues identified in the audit was the lack of proper inspection for the flood gates—critical barriers designed to prevent tunnel flooding. The audit found that there were no inspection records for these gates, which are essential for protecting the tunnels from water damage during extreme weather. Additionally, it was discovered that three out of the 12 flood gates installed in two tunnels had broken gasket seals, which could lead to water leakage in the event of a flood. These findings raise serious concerns about the MTA’s ability to respond effectively to future weather-related emergencies.

The report also shed light on the MTA’s failure to properly inspect bus depots and snow removal vehicles. Six bus depots that had suffered substantial damage during previous storms were inspected, and the results were alarming. It was found that required inspections of the snow removal trucks were not conducted as mandated. For example, only 59 inspections were carried out over the past 18 months, far below the required 336. Moreover, two of the bus depots had not provided any training for employees on how to operate flood mitigation equipment, further exposing the MTA’s lack of preparedness.

In response to these findings, Comptroller DiNapoli has called on the MTA to take immediate action. He recommended that the agency thoroughly implement its existing preparedness project and prioritize improvements to ensure the safety of both the city’s transportation infrastructure and its citizens during extreme weather events. This includes conducting regular inspections of critical safety infrastructure, properly maintaining flood gates, and ensuring that employees receive necessary training in operating flood mitigation equipment.

The audit paints a troubling picture of the MTA’s readiness to handle extreme weather conditions and highlights the urgent need for the agency to take decisive steps to address these safety gaps before another major weather event strikes.

Due to the successive recalls of various food products during the holiday season, special attention is required for food safety. Several items, including seafood, potato chips, pork, and frozen vegetables, have been added to the list of recalled products. As concerns grow, it is important for consumers, including those in Korea, to carefully review related recall information.

The Federal Food and Drug Administration (FDA) recently announced that it will raise the risk warning level of “Kirkland Signature Organic Eggs” sold at Costco stores in five southeastern U.S. states, including Georgia, to Class 1. These eggs were initially recalled on November 27 due to potential salmonella contamination, just five days after they were distributed. The FDA upgraded the recall to Class 1 on December 20, its highest alert level, indicating that consuming the eggs could cause serious health problems or even death. The affected eggs were distributed to Costco stores in Tennessee, Alabama, Georgia, North Carolina, and South Carolina. Handsome Brook Farms, the producer of the eggs, confirmed that the products were recalled because eggs not intended for retail sale were incorrectly packaged and distributed. The recalled eggs are marked with “Julian code 327” and “P1363” on the side of the plastic cartons and have a best before date of January 5, 2025.

In addition to the eggs, other pre-cooked and semi-cooked foods, including Lay’s Classic Potato Chips, frozen pizza, and frozen vegetables, have also been recalled. On December 16, the FDA announced a recall of certain Lay’s Classic Potato Chips due to a milk allergen being found in the product. The affected 13-ounce bags were sold in Oregon and Washington and could pose a risk to consumers with milk allergies or lactose intolerance. Additionally, Connie’s Thin Crust Cheese Pizza was recalled due to concerns about plastic contamination, and Lidl’s frozen vegetable product, Taste of Deutschland, was recalled for not labelling the product with a dairy allergen warning.

Ahead of President-elect Donald Trump’s inauguration on January 20, concerns are rising about the potential chaos surrounding the upcoming election for House Speaker due to defections within the Republican Party. While the Republican Party holds the majority in the House of Representatives, the narrow gap in seats means that even a few defections could prevent the party from independently electing a speaker. This could also disrupt the joint committee of the House and Senate that is scheduled to certify the presidential election results.

According to Congress, the House of Representatives will elect the Speaker of the House on January 3, when the 119th Congress begins. The election will be conducted via roll call voting, and the candidate who receives a majority of the total votes will be elected. The House consists of 435 members, with 219 Republicans and 215 Democrats. One seat is vacant after former Rep. Matt Gates, who had been nominated as Attorney General but lost due to sexual misconduct allegations, gave up his seat for the next Congress. To secure the role of Speaker, a candidate needs 218 votes. If two or more Republicans defect, the majority will be lost, making the election process uncertain.

The Republican Party has already selected current Speaker Mike Johnson as its candidate for the next Speaker. However, Rep. Thomas Massey (Kentucky) has publicly stated that he will not support Johnson due to dissatisfaction with the unstable interim budget process and support for Ukraine. Additionally, Rep. Scott Perry (Pennsylvania), former chairman of the hardline Freedom Caucus, expressed on Fox News that he wants to “keep his options open” regarding the next Speaker of the House. Some other members have also not clearly committed to supporting Speaker Johnson. Rep. James Comer (Kentucky) revealed on Fox News that “five Republicans have not promised to vote for Speaker Johnson,” calling it “a terrible challenge.”

This situation echoes last January’s chaos, when opposition from hardliners within the Republican Party led to the Speaker’s seat being vacant for three days — the first such delay in 100 years. Kevin McCarthy, then the Republican candidate for Speaker, was eventually elected on January 6 after 15 votes, but only after agreeing to several demands from hardliners, including changes to the rules of procedure and measures to combat opposition. This shift allowed for the resolution of removing the Speaker to be submitted more easily. As a result, McCarthy was removed as Speaker for the first time in U.S. history in October 2023, and the Speaker’s seat was again left vacant for 22 days.

If the Speaker’s seat becomes vacant again due to a re-election conflict, the certification of the presidential election results by the joint committee of the Senate and House, scheduled for January 6, could be impacted. Rep. Mike Lawler (R-NY) warned on ABC News that without a Speaker of the House, critical tasks, including certifying President-elect Trump’s victory, cannot be completed.

Some lawmakers are calling on President-elect Trump, who holds significant influence within the party, to intervene and persuade the hardliners. Rep. Comer has suggested that Trump personally reach out to the Republicans who have not committed to supporting Speaker Johnson, urging them to resolve the issue.

Virginia’s Fairfax County is moving forward with a plan to drastically change its current trash collection method. According to local media outlet Annandale Today and others, the county’s Department of Public Works and Environmental Services (DPWES) is pushing for the implementation of the so-called “Unified Sanitation District Model” (USDM). This model would outsource trash and recycling collection to private waste companies contracted with the county and charge different fees based on the size of the bin.

Under this new system, waste collection companies contracted with the county would be assigned to specific areas for single-family homes. This is a significant departure from the current system, where residents individually select and contract with garbage companies. Currently, garbage trucks from multiple companies can be seen collecting trash in the same area, but under the new system, only trucks from a specific company would operate in a designated area.

The county expects the revamped collection system to provide residents with benefits such as better resource allocation, improved customer service, and a 25% reduction in collection fees. “The new garbage collection system will provide residents with standardized, efficient, and effective service through contracts with the county, and will significantly improve waste management,” county officials said. “Contracted companies will adhere to strict standards to ensure consistent and reliable service.”

The county plans to introduce the new garbage collection system to 300,000 single-family homes between 2030 and 2034, with gradual expansion to condos, apartments, and commercial customers from 2038 to 2045. If the plan is approved by the Virginia Department of Environmental Quality in the first half of next year, public hearings will be held in the summer to gather public input.

Meanwhile, the county is also considering a plan to charge a flat rate for garbage collection, regardless of the size of the bin, with a discount for bins smaller than the standard 95-gallon size. In this case, residents would be able to choose between a 32-gallon or 64-gallon bin.

A Chinese man accused of running a secret Chinese police station in Manhattan’s Chinatown by hanging a sign for his hometown association has pleaded guilty, according to foreign media outlets including the British daily Guardian, which reported on the 18th. Chinese American Chen Jinping, 60, was brought to trial on charges of opening and operating an illegal secret police station affiliated with the Chinese Ministry of Public Security in Manhattan. He pleaded guilty during a hearing at the Eastern District of New York on that day.

The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), which led the investigation, stated that Chen Jinping admitted to playing a role in setting up the illegal police station “to further China’s criminal and repressive objectives that directly violate the sovereignty of the United States.” Based on his guilty plea, Chen Jinping could face up to five years in prison when his sentencing is scheduled for next year.

Lu Jianwang, 62, who was indicted alongside Chen, denied the charges. The two were previously indicted on charges of assisting in activities such as monitoring people critical of the Chinese government from an office in Manhattan’s Chinatown, which displayed a sign for the “Changle Gonghoe,” a Fujian Province-based association. The Chinese Foreign Ministry has denied the existence of the secret police station.