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A federal court has dismissed the Trump administration’s legal attempt to block New York’s “Green Light” law, which allows people to obtain driver’s licenses regardless of their immigration status.

On the 23rd, U.S. District Judge Ann Nardacci of the Northern District of New York ruled in favor of the Trump administration, arguing that the law violates the Constitution and seeking a block.

Nardacci found that the Trump administration failed to provide evidence to support its claim that the state law overrides federal law or unfairly regulates or discriminates against the federal government. The New York Green Light Act, enacted in 2019, allows individuals to obtain a New York State driver’s license regardless of their immigration status, but restricts the sharing of applicants’ personal information with immigration authorities.

The Department of Justice filed a constitutional lawsuit against New York Governor Kathy Hochul and Attorney General Letitia James in February, challenging this.

At the time, Attorney General Pam Bondi argued that “Governor Hochul and others are prioritizing undocumented immigrants over U.S. citizens,” and that “state law includes a so-called ‘tip-off’ provision that requires federal immigration authorities to immediately notify undocumented immigrants of any request for information sharing. This is essentially a state agency tipping off undocumented immigrants, directly challenging federal immigration law and the federal authorities that enforce it, and is unconstitutional.” However, the court dismissed the Trump administration’s lawsuit, saying the plaintiffs failed to properly present a basis for the unconstitutionality.

Judge Nardacci acknowledged that the case involved the politically sensitive issue of immigration enforcement but noted that the court’s role was not to assess the validity of the policy, but only to determine whether it violated the Constitution as alleged by the plaintiffs.

The New York State government maintains that the law was enacted to improve road safety, arguing that it was enacted with the intent of reducing accidents caused by unlicensed and uninsured drivers and making roads safer.

Judge Nardacci also ruled that federal authorities should have greater access to New York State driver’s license information to enforce immigration policies, “which can be done through a lawful court order or judicial warrant.”

Kevin Flanagan, head of fixed income strategy at WisdomTree Asset Management and a Wall Street bond strategy expert, predicted that the U.S. economy will maintain a healthy growth rate of around 2% next year, fueled by consumption and investment, without entering a recession. He also predicted that while U.S. inflation will continue to exceed the Federal Reserve’s 2% target, the impact of tariff policies will not cause a sharp increase in inflation.

Flanagan provided this assessment of the U.S. economic outlook and market risk factors in a video interview with Yonhap News on the 19th. WisdomTree, headquartered in New York, specializes in exchange-traded funds (ETFs) with total assets under management of $142 billion (approximately 210 trillion won, as of December 19).

Flanagan, a bond strategy expert who worked at Morgan Stanley for 30 years before joining WisdomTree, said his basic outlook for the U.S. economy in 2026 is “close to maintaining the status quo.” He predicted, “The U.S. economy will grow 2-3% or around 2.5%, and while inflation will not surge, it will remain above the Fed’s 2% target.”

Flanagan’s outlook is not significantly different from the Fed’s growth forecast (2.3%) and inflation forecast (2.4%) for next year, released in its Statement of Economic Outlook (SEP) on the 10th. Regarding the impact of tariff policy on prices, he stated, “If there were going to be significant price increases, we would have already seen them. While there may be more modest price increases going forward, I don’t think a significant inflationary shock is a fundamental outlook.”

He projected the Fed’s benchmark interest rate to remain in the 3.0-3.5% range next year, anticipating two or so additional rate cuts. The yield on the 10-year U.S. Treasury notes, the benchmark for global bond markets, is expected to trade in the 4.0-4.5% range, similar to the current level. Regarding the possibility that concerns about a widening federal budget deficit could trigger a rise in bond yields, the bank stated,

“The main drivers of bond yields are the economy, inflation, and Federal Reserve policy,” and added, “If the U.S. Treasury does not change the size of its Treasury auctions, the impact will be minimal.”

Regarding concerns about a “debasement trade,” where foreign investors are moving out of dollar-denominated assets, the bank stated, “Foreigners are still buying U.S. Treasury bonds,” adding, “The dollar remains a global store of value, and while we’ve seen some movement into gold, we don’t anticipate the dollar being replaced by the euro or other currencies.” Regarding the possibility of a slowdown in U.S. consumption, the bank stated, “Employment is growing, and average wage growth is outpacing inflation. As long as these two factors persist, consumption will remain a key driver of U.S. economic growth.” Regarding the recently highlighted artificial intelligence (AI) bubble controversy, he distinguished between AI technology and AI investment, and predicted that “AI-related investments, centered on data centers, are likely to continue into 2026 and, along with consumption, will support the overall economy.”

Regarding the AI bubble theory, he said, “At this stage, I am not in the camp that believes there is a bubble in AI,” adding, “However, we should not expect the kind of sustained growth we have seen so far,” predicting a moderation in AI investment. Meanwhile, Flanagan diagnosed that if the employment situation bottoms out and rebounds, contrary to general market expectations of continued weakness, it could have a negative impact on the bond market.

“If the employment index improves more than expected, the Fed may reduce the number of additional interest rate cuts or not cut at all,” he analyzed, “This is a risk factor for the bond market.” Conversely, regarding the possibility of a worsening labor market, he assessed, “If the labor market worsens rather than simply cools, and the unemployment rate exceeds 5%, it would pose a risk to the entire economy. Currently, there are no visible factors that could trigger such a situation.”

CNBC reported that Paramount Skydance (hereafter Paramount), an American media and content company, has declared the initiation of a hostile takeover and merger (M&A) of Warner Bros. Discovery (hereafter Warner Bros.) and has begun making stock purchase offers to Warner Bros. shareholders.

According to the report, Paramount will offer to purchase the company’s stock for $30 per share in cash to major Warner Bros. shareholders. Netflix previously announced that it had signed a definitive agreement to acquire Warner Bros. for $72 billion. The acquisition price per share was $27.75. Paramount has been competing with Netflix over the acquisition of Warner Bros.

Citing anonymous sources, CNBC reported that Paramount’s proposed price of $30 per share is the same as the previously rejected offer made to Warner Bros. Paramount previously sent a letter to Warner Bros. warning that a Netflix acquisition would face potential regulatory challenges both in the US and abroad, preventing the merger from ultimately going through.

A recent study found that Virginia’s roads have the second-best condition in the United States, while Maryland ranked only in the upper-middle range. According to a recent report by the online driver education platform Zutobi,

Virginia ranked second in the nation with a road condition score of 7.14 out of 10.Georgia ranked first with a score of 7.42, while Maryland ranked 13th with a score of 5.92.The report evaluated each state’s road condition based on three indicators: the percentage of roads rated as good condition, the rate of change over the past three years, and the number of highway traffic fatalities per 100 million miles driven.

Virginia had 83% of its roads classified as “good condition,” a 5.67% improvement over the past three years, and a stable highway fatality rate of 1.04 per 100 million miles driven.

Maryland had 71% of its roads classified as “good condition,” and its road improvement rate over the past three years was 16.72%.  the Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) described this report as “a result of expanded investment in road management and maintenance,” and stated that it will continue to improve transportation infrastructure in the future.

Meanwhile, the top five states in the U.S. for road quality were Georgia, Virginia, Wisconsin/North Dakota (7.14 points), and Alabama (6.94 points). The bottom five states were Oklahoma (1.57 points), California (2.31 points), West Virginia (2.99 points), Mississippi (3.06 points), and Rhode Island (3.13 points).

Citing sources, the Washington Post reported on the 11th that President Trump is preparing an executive order to reclassify marijuana from a Schedule 1 to a Schedule 3 substance under the current drug classification system.

Under the current drug classification system, Schedule 1 substances are drugs with no recognized medical benefit and a high risk of abuse, such as heroin and LSD. Schedule 3 substances are drugs with recognized medical benefit, even if they carry a certain risk of abuse, such as codeine-containing painkillers.

If marijuana is reclassified from Schedule 1 to a Schedule 3 substance, it will become a controlled substance with medical benefits at the federal level for the first time.

Experts say that even if President Trump signs this executive order, marijuana use will not be legalized at the federal level. However, a groundbreaking change is expected for the industry.

While deducting expenses such as R&D costs is virtually impossible for companies handling Schedule 1 narcotics, deducting R&D costs for Schedule 3 substances will allow deductions for not only R&D costs but also marketing and labor costs.

Consequently, legal marijuana companies are expected to see a significant increase in profitability.

Furthermore, the approval process for various marijuana-related clinical trials will be significantly simplified, which is expected to have a positive impact on the marijuana industry.

Currently, more than three-quarters of all 50 states, including New York and New Jersey, have legalized marijuana for medical or recreational use.

The Department of Homeland Security has launched a website where users can search for illegal aliens arrested since the Trump administration took office, by country of origin and region. On the 8th, the Department of Homeland Security announced the launch of the website (wow.dhs.gov) titled “Worst of the Worst.”

The Department of Homeland Security stated that it “compiles information on illegal aliens arrested through raids since the Trump administration took office,” and that “users can search for illegal aliens arrested in all 50 states.” The Department of Homeland Security stated that the initial release will include approximately 10,000 arrest records, with subsequent updates.

The website allows users to search for illegal aliens arrested by name, country of origin, and state. It also displays the names, facial photos, charges, and locations of arrest for each arrested illegal alien. At least five Korean nationals have been identified. They were arrested on charges ranging from rape to fraud, arson, theft, and traffic violations.

Texas had the most arrests, with three, followed by California and Minnesota with one each. By state, 142 names were found in New York, and 109 in New Jersey.

“The new Worst of the Worst website will allow people to see for themselves the types of crimes we arrest, the crimes they committed, and where they were deported,” said Assistant Secretary for Homeland Security Tricia McLaughlin, calling it a “transparency tool.”

As Christmas approaches, crimes known as “Santa Frauds” are on the rise.

The Better Business Bureau, a consumer protection organization, has released a report on this year’s “Scams of the Holidays,” warning that “this year in particular, there are many scams related to online shopping, shipping, donations, and job hunting.”

Reports of fraud between November and December were two to three times higher than usual, and most of these scams exploit consumers’ impatience to buy gifts, using “too good to be true” deals to steal personal information and money. This year’s most common scam involves creating fake ads or fake shopping malls on social media. Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok are flooded with ads like “90% off the most popular toys of the year.” Clicking on them leads to a fake website that looks exactly like the real thing, but even after completing the purchase, the item never arrives.

Next up is the smishing text scam. Random texts are sent saying, “Your shipment has been delayed. Just pay 99 cents and we’ll send it again.” Unintentionally clicking on the link installs malware and steals your card information.

Another scam involves secretly copying and pasting the PIN number from the back of a gift card displayed on a store shelf, then stealing the money immediately after someone else makes a purchase. Another popular Christmas event, the “secret sister” gift exchange, promises, “If you give a gift to one person, 36 others will give you a gift,” leading to scams where victims end up paying for nothing. They often impersonate charities and ask for donations for purposes such as supporting orphanages, disaster victims, or rescuing abandoned dogs.

Any request for “gift cards or cryptocurrency” is 100% a scam.

Experts emphasize the following tips for preventing year-end scams: “Don’t be fooled by too-low prices.” Search for suspicious websites or products on the consumer protection group’s website (bbb.org/scam tracker). Donation notifications should not be clicked immediately; instead, check the delivery company’s official website or app.

Always decline any requests for payment via gift cards or cryptocurrency. When making donations, they urge consumers to consult charity evaluation websites and contact the organization directly for verification.

Consumer protection groups emphasize, “The holiday season is busy and emotionally charged, so don’t rush and be skeptical for just 30 seconds. A moment’s decision can save you $300 or even $3,000.”

With Christmas trees sparkling and the holiday shopping season approaching, scammers are also on the lookout. They urge consumers to be more cautious for the sake of a happy holiday season and peace in their homes.

The Afghan immigrant suspected in the shooting of two National Guard soldiers near the White House in Washington, D.C., was radicalized after arriving in the United States, U.S. authorities said, while his motive remains unclear.

“We are still reviewing all the information, and we will allow the FBI and the Justice Department to release any new information,” Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Nome said in an NBC interview. “However, we will say that we believe he was radicalized after he came to this country.”

She added, “We believe that it came through his connections in his community and in the state, and we will continue to talk to those who interacted with him, as well as members of his family.”

The suspect in this case, Ramanullah Lakanwal (29), is a former local soldier who cooperated with US intelligence during the US war in Afghanistan. He escaped to the US in 2021 when US troops withdrew from Afghanistan and has been living with his family in Washington state in the northwestern US.

Minister Nom’s remarks are interpreted as an argument that Lakanwal’s political leanings turned to extremism after entering the US due to the strong Democratic political environment in Washington state and the civic groups that helped him settle in, which led to this incident. Minister Nom also blamed the former Joe Biden administration for the fact that Lakanwal’s asylum application was approved in April of this year, after the second Trump administration took office.

“We have to remember that when they abandoned Afghanistan, the Biden administration brought people onto planes and into the US without background checks,” he said.

“Background checks are done when the person in question enters the country. And Joe Biden did not vet them at all.”

He also emphasized, “His asylum application was initiated under the Biden administration, and it was processed based on information provided by Biden when he was president,” and “This is the Biden administration’s responsibility.”

Minister Nom’s position largely aligns with President Donald Trump’s view that the Biden administration is responsible for and responsible for this incident.

President Trump also wrote on his social media platform, TruthSocial, that “Crooked Joe Biden, (Biden Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro) Mayorkas, and ‘Border Czar’ Kamala Harris have truly ruined our country by allowing anyone and everyone to come in with absolutely no vetting or verification.

“Minister Nom also said, “One thing no one has mentioned yet is that Biden has left us with 1.5 million asylum applications that are not being processed. They must be vetted according to our standards in place under President Trump. If they are not guaranteed to be in our country, they will be immediately deported.”

Heavy snowfall, particularly across the Midwest, during the Thanksgiving holiday weekend on the 29th led to the cancellation of over 1,000 passenger flights and the delay of thousands more.

According to FlightAware, a flight tracking website, as of 1:30 p.m. ET, a total of 1,830 flights departing or arriving in the United States had been canceled. A total of 3,810 flights were delayed, and the number of cancellations and delays is expected to increase further this afternoon.

About half of the canceled flights in the United States were concentrated at Chicago O’Hare International Airport, the largest airport in the Midwest. Ground delays were ordered at O’Hare International Airport this morning due to snow and ice, delaying flights to the airport by an average of five hours, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) said.

A winter storm with heavy snow is hitting the Midwest, including Chicago, causing disruption to air traffic throughout the region. The Thanksgiving holiday is a time when air travel demand surges as Americans travel to visit family and friends or go on vacation. Some areas in Iowa, Illinois, Missouri, Wisconsin, and Michigan are forecast to see up to 15 to 35 centimeters of snow by the morning of the 30th.

The National Weather Service’s Chicago office warned that snowfall is expected to increase through the evening and urged drivers to drive with caution. Meanwhile, aircraft manufacturer Airbus issued a large-scale recall of its flagship A320 family of passenger aircraft the previous day, raising concerns about flight cancellations and delays around the world. However, swift software upgrades have prevented any major disruptions to operations.

Major foreign media outlets, including AFP and dpa, reported on the 29th that, thanks to the swift intervention of Airbus and airlines, no major disruptions have been reported at airports or airlines worldwide.

The Fairfax County Sheriff’s Department in Virginia has confiscated over 110 illegal firearms over the past three years.

The county recently announced that 112 illegal firearms were seized through Operation Press Check, a three-year-old operation targeting illegal gun owners.

According to the department, 24 guns were seized in 2023, 55 in 2024, and 57 as of early November this year. Among them were guns equipped with MCD devices, which allow automatic fire and are used in mass shootings.

Police pledged to further strengthen their crackdown on illegal gun ownership next year, stating that there is no safe place to possess an illegal gun in Fairfax County.

The county sheriff stated that they will prioritize preventing gun crime by identifying repeat offenders, recovering illegal firearms, and strengthening prosecutions for those who possess them.