New York
New York State Republicans formally nominated Nassau County Executive Bruce Blakeman as their candidate for governor in the 2026 election during the state party convention.
Blakeman, who secured the nomination with strong backing from party leaders and grassroots activists, introduced Todd Hood, the sheriff of Madison County, as his running mate for lieutenant governor. The ticket positions Blakeman as the principal challenger to incumbent Democratic Gov. Kathy Hochul, while Hood brings upstate credibility to the campaign. Blakeman emphasized fiscal conservatism, public safety, and opposition to what he calls “radical progressive policies” coming from Albany.
New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani endorsed incumbent Governor Kathy Hochul for reelection, calling her “a strong partner in delivering results for working New Yorkers” and praising her record on affordability, public safety, and resisting federal overreach under President Trump. The endorsement, delivered at a joint press conference in Albany, surprised some observers given Mamdani’s progressive platform and Hochul’s more moderate Democratic stance. Mamdani highlighted shared goals including expanded child care, housing protections, and opposition to Republican-led cuts in federal funding. Hochul welcomed the support, stating it demonstrates Democratic unity heading into the November election.
Democratic Socialist Diana Moreno won a special election to represent Queens’ 36th District in the New York State Assembly, filling the seat vacated by Mamdani after his election last fall. The 38-year-old community organizer, backed by Mamdani and the Democratic Socialists of America, captured roughly three-quarters of the vote in a heavily Democratic district. Moreno campaigned on rent stabilization, free public transit, and expanded social services, framing her victory as a continuation of Mamdani’s progressive mandate.
Governor Kathy Hochul has selected former New York City Council Speaker Adrienne Adams as her running mate for lieutenant governor in the 2026 election. Hochul praised Adams for her leadership on affordability, housing, and public safety during her council tenure, calling her a “proven partner” for working families across the state. The pairing aims to solidify Democratic support in New York City while appealing to moderate and minority voters statewide. Adams, known for her progressive record and focus on equity, brings strong ties to urban constituencies.
Cardinal Timothy Dolan, Archbishop of New York, and Rev. A.R. Bernard, founder of Brooklyn’s Christian Cultural Center megachurch, have been appointed co-chaplains of the New York Police Department, filling the vacancy left by the late Rabbi Alvin Kass. The NYPD announced the dual appointment Monday, emphasizing the need for spiritual guidance amid rising challenges for officers. Commissioner Jessica Tisch praised both leaders as “righteous figures whose faith and wisdom officers can rely on in their hardest moments.”
Employees at New York City’s Department of Health and Mental Hygiene have formed an internal working group called the Global Oppression and Public Health Working Group that accuses Israel of committing genocide in Gaza, according to a New York Post report. The group held its first meeting during work hours at the department’s Long Island City headquarters, with additional staff joining remotely. The Post reported that the initiative emerged amid broader city employee activism on international issues, though it remains an unofficial employee-led effort without formal departmental endorsement.
New York Governor Kathy Hochul signed legislation legalizing medical aid in dying, making New York the 11th state to allow terminally ill adults with fewer than six months to live to request and self-administer life-ending medication prescribed by a physician. The law requires two independent medical confirmations of the prognosis, mental competency evaluations, multiple waiting periods, and strict documentation to ensure voluntary choice. Supporters, including right-to-die advocates, hailed it as a compassionate option for those facing unbearable suffering in their final stages. Opponents, including many religious leaders and medical ethicists, criticized the measure as opening the door to potential abuse, coercion of vulnerable patients, and a shift away from palliative care.
The Palisades Center Mall in West Nyack, New York—one of the largest shopping centers in the United States—was sold at a public foreclosure auction on Wednesday for $175 million. The 2.2 million-square-foot property, a major economic driver in Rockland County and Clarkstown’s largest taxpayer, will continue operating normally. The winning bidder was billionaire investor Stephen Deckoff, known for his 2023 purchase of Jeffrey Epstein’s private island Little St. James.
U.S.
Nancy Guthrie, the 84-year-old mother of NBC “Today” co-anchor Savannah Guthrie, remains missing after being abducted from her Tucson, Arizona, home on January 31. Authorities believe she was taken against her will, with blood drops matching her DNA found on the porch and a propped-open door. Multiple purported ransom notes demanding millions in Bitcoin have been sent to media outlets, including one setting a 5 p.m. PT deadline on February 9 that passed without payment or further contact. The FBI, which is leading the investigation, says it is not aware of any continued communication between the family and suspected kidnappers, and no suspect or person of interest has been publicly identified. Savannah Guthrie and her siblings have released emotional videos pleading for her safe return, with the family indicating willingness to pay if it secures Nancy’s release.
Ryan Routh, convicted of attempting to assassinate President Donald Trump at his West Palm Beach golf course on September 15, 2024, was sentenced to life in prison without parole. Routh was found guilty in October 2025 on all counts, including attempted assassination of a major presidential candidate, possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, and possession of a firearm in furtherance of a crime of violence. Prosecutors presented evidence of Routh’s months-long planning, including reconnaissance at the golf course, acquisition of an SKS rifle, and a handwritten letter to Iran offering his services to kill Trump. The judge, noting the crime’s severity and Routh’s lack of remorse, imposed the maximum sentence.
The Trump administration launched TrumpRx, a new federal initiative aimed at lowering prescription drug prices for American consumers. The program, led by the Department of Health and Human Services and the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, allows direct negotiation with drug manufacturers, expands importation of lower-cost medications from Canada and select European countries, and caps out-of-pocket costs for seniors on Medicare Part D at $2,000 annually (phased in from previous levels). President Trump described TrumpRx as “the biggest drug price reduction in history,” claiming it will save families thousands per year by ending “Big Pharma’s rip-off” through transparency requirements and competitive bidding.
A California teacher, Nasreen Atassi, was terminated by the San Diego Unified School District after posting a social media video that included the antisemitic claim that “Israelis steal kidneys, livers, and eyes.” The district acted swiftly following complaints from local Jewish community members and advocacy groups who flagged the content as promoting a modern blood libel trope with no factual basis. Atassi, who taught at a middle school, had been placed on administrative leave pending investigation before the firing was finalized.
The Dow Jones Industrial Average surged past 50,000 for the first time in history, closing at 50,137.89 after gaining 412 points (+0.83%). The milestone reflects strong investor confidence in the Trump administration’s pro-growth policies, including tax cuts, deregulation, and energy independence initiatives. Blue-chip stocks led the rally, with gains in financials, industrials, and energy sectors offsetting modest declines in tech. Analysts attribute the breakthrough to lower interest-rate expectations, robust corporate earnings, and reduced geopolitical risk following recent Middle East de-escalation. The S&P 500 and Nasdaq also advanced, though they remain below their own all-time highs. Market strategists view the 50,000 level as largely psychological, but it underscores the rapid recovery from 2022 lows and positions the index for continued upward momentum in 2026.
The Washington Post announced it will lay off approximately one-third of its total workforce—around 250–300 employees—across all departments, including newsroom, business, technology, and operations, in a major restructuring effort. The cuts, reported by multiple sources and confirmed internally on Thursday, follow years of financial losses and declining digital subscriptions despite heavy investment in audience growth. The newspaper remains one of the country’s most influential outlets despite ongoing revenue pressures.
Florida has implemented new driver’s license exam rules requiring applicants to pass an English proficiency test as part of the written knowledge exam. The change, enacted under a bill signed by Governor Ron DeSantis in 2025, mandates that non-native English speakers demonstrate basic reading comprehension in English to ensure they can understand road signs, traffic laws, and safety instructions. The English section consists of 10 multiple-choice questions drawn from the standard driver’s handbook, with a passing score of 80%. Applicants who fail may retake the test after a 24-hour waiting period. Supporters argue the requirement promotes road safety in a state with high immigrant populations, while critics claim it creates unnecessary barriers for non-English speakers and could disproportionately affect legal residents and refugees.
Israel
The Israel Defense Forces conducted a nighttime operation last week in the southern Syrian village of Beit Jann, locating and destroying a weapons depot belonging to a terror group linked to Palestinian Islamic Jihad. Troops uncovered and demolished a cache containing weapons, mines, and communications equipment used to plan and carry out attacks against Israel and its civilians. The IDF emphasized that the group continues to pose an active threat from Syrian territory despite the broader regional ceasefire. No Israeli casualties were reported during the raid.
The IDF and Israel Security Agency announced that troops eliminated terrorist Bilal Abu Assi, a Hamas Nukhba platoon commander, in a targeted strike after terrorists opened fire on IDF forces, seriously wounding a reservist officer. Abu Assi led the October 7 infiltration into Kibbutz Nir Oz, where Hamas terrorists abducted and murdered civilians. Throughout the war, he continued directing attacks against Israeli troops in Gaza. The operation occurred during an ongoing counterterrorism mission, with the IDF emphasizing that such precision strikes degrade Hamas’ command structure and deter further aggression. The elimination of Abu Assi represents a significant blow to Hamas’ elite Nukhba unit, responsible for many of the massacre’s atrocities.
Lawmakers from Yisrael Beytenu introduced legislation to overhaul Israel’s Chief Rabbinate by replacing the current dual structure—separate Ashkenazi and Sephardic Chief Rabbis—with a single national Chief Rabbi. The bill’s sponsors argue that Israel’s society has become significantly more integrated over the past decades, making the parallel ethnic-based system outdated and unnecessary. They also emphasize practical advantages, including streamlined administration, reduced bureaucracy, and lower operational costs for the Chief Rabbinate. The proposal has already drawn criticism from some ultra-Orthodox and Sephardic factions, who view the change as undermining traditional representation and historical precedent established at Israel’s founding.
Israeli police arrested a 61-year-old East Jerusalem resident on suspicion of stealing antiquities after discovering ancient coins of significant historical value during a search of his home. Officers also recovered stolen medical equipment, including an oxygen concentrator valued at approximately 12,000 shekels. The coins, believed to date back centuries, will be transferred to state custody following legal proceedings. The medical equipment has been traced to its rightful owner and will be returned.
WORLD
At least 50,834 people have been arrested during Iran’s ongoing crackdown on nationwide protests, according to figures compiled by activists and reported Wednesday by the U.S.-based Human Rights Activists News Agency (HRANA). HRANA, which has been cited for reliable tracking in previous unrest, also reported at least 6,876 deaths so far, with the real toll likely higher due to limited access and official cover-ups. The protests, sparked by economic collapse, currency devaluation, and long-standing grievances against the regime, have spread to more than 100 cities since late December 2025. Security forces have used live fire, mass detentions, and internet restrictions to suppress demonstrations. President Trump condemned the violence, reiterating threats of serious retaliation if the killing continues.
Russia’s state oil and gas revenues plummeted to 393.3 billion rubles (approximately $5.1 billion) in January 2026, according to official data released today by the Russian Finance Ministry. This represents a roughly 50% decline compared to January 2025 levels and constitutes the lowest monthly intake since July 2020, when global fuel demand collapsed during the peak of the COVID-19 pandemic. The sharp drop reflects sustained pressure from Western sanctions, reduced export volumes to Europe, and lower global energy prices amid increased competition from alternative suppliers. Analysts note the revenue shortfall could strain Russia’s war financing and budget planning for 2026, especially as military spending remains elevated.
German authorities have opened a criminal investigation into a death threat mailed to the Jewish Community of Munich and Upper Bavaria (IKG) after a package containing a handgun cartridge and an antisemitic note was delivered Thursday to the community center and Ohel Jakob Synagogue. The handwritten message reportedly included phrases such as “all the Jews belonged shot” and “every Jew will die … I will cause all the deaths,” escalating concerns amid a documented surge in antisemitic incidents across Germany. Bavarian police and the state’s Office for the Protection of the Constitution are treating the case as a serious threat to life and a potential hate crime. The IKG condemned the mailing as part of a “poisonous atmosphere” fueled by unchecked hatred, while Munich’s Jewish leaders called for stronger preventive measures and prosecution.
A petition opposing Israeli President Isaac Herzog’s upcoming visit to Australia, published in the Sydney Morning Herald and The Age, was revealed to contain numerous fake signatures—including those of historical Nazi collaborators and Kapos. The document claimed more than 1,000 Jewish and allied signatories but included names such as Eliezer Gruenbaum, Carmen Mory, and Josef Heiden, all documented as brutal Kapos in Nazi concentration camps. The Jewish Council of Australia condemned the list as “deeply offensive and misleading,” describing it as a deliberate attempt to discredit legitimate Jewish opposition while exploiting Holocaust history. Observers noted other obviously fabricated or offensive entries, casting doubt on the petition’s authenticity. The newspapers have not issued a retraction or clarification.