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U.S. Senator Mark Warner (Democrat, Virginia) has launched his bid for a fourth term, strongly criticizing President Donald Trump’s war against Iran as a “war of choice.” At a re-election campaign launch event for Northern Virginia held on the 8th at Shipgarten, a beer garden in Tysons, Senator Warner (71) argued that “there was no immediate threat to the United States” and that “this war is not inevitable, but the result of a choice.”

Approximately 300 to 400 supporters attended the event, and Virginia Lieutenant Governor Ghazala Hashmi and Representative James Walkinshaw (Democrat) also delivered supporting speeches. Senator Warner, who serves as Vice Chairman of the Senate Intelligence Committee, focused his criticism on the effectiveness and cost issues of the war. He stated, “Even after 40 days, a change of regime has not occurred; on the contrary, the Iranian leadership has become more radicalized,” adding that “Iran still controls the Strait of Hormuz and possesses enriched uranium.”

The human cost of the war was also mentioned. He emphasized, “Do you want your children to go to the battlefield?” and noted, “To date, 13 U.S. soldiers have died and 300 have been wounded, and economic burdens, such as rising energy prices, are increasing.” Senator Warner also pointed out the issue of fiscal priorities.

He criticized, “The President is demanding an additional $200 billion for this war,” adding, “He claims there is no money for healthcare, yet he is spending massive budgets on the war.”

Furthermore, noting that approximately 350,000 Virginia residents would be affected by Medicaid cuts after the election, he argued, “To control healthcare costs, a universal healthcare system is ultimately necessary.”

Senator Walkinshaw, who delivered a supporting speech alongside him, criticized the Trump administration as “an administration characterized by chaos, rising costs, and corruption.” He strongly criticized the situation, stating, “A situation where the U.S. President threatens to ‘annihilate’ 91 million people could constitute the most serious war crime in history.”

He continued by asking, “Are the residents of Northern Virginia ready to re-elect Senator Mark Warner?” emphasizing that “Senator Warner is someone who has fought against this administration every single day.”

Senator Mark Warner entered the U.S. Senate in 2009 and previously served as the Governor of Virginia (2002–2006). Numerous Democratic politicians also attended the event, including State Senators Saddam Salim and Jennifer Boisco; State Assemblymen Tran Cash, Michelle Maldonado, and Gretchen Bulova; Fairfax County Supervisor Jeff McKay; and Sully District Supervisor Kathy Smith. Among the Korean attendees was former Virginia Secretary of Commerce Esther Kim.

It was found that more than half of homeless students attending New York City public schools were chronically absent last year. According to a report released on the 5th by the New York Child Advocacy Group (AFC), homeless students in public elementary, middle, and high schools in New York City for the 2024–2025 school year were placed in an educational blind spot, constantly exposed to issues such as chronic absenteeism, frequent transfers, and declining academic performance.

The report indicated that attendance management was not being properly conducted, with 63% of homeless students living in shelters being chronically absent, and 49% of students sharing temporary housing with other families missing school on average every ten days. Such chronic absenteeism soon led to a severe decline in academic performance.

The pass rates for standardized English reading and mathematics exams among homeless students in grades 3 through 8 were less than 33% and 35%, respectively. This figure is merely half the 60% pass rate of regular students, demonstrating that housing instability is becoming entrenched as educational inequality. Analysis also indicated that unstable living environments were linked to frequent school transfers. In fact, it was found that one in five homeless students experienced a transfer at least once during the semester.

Experts analysed that frequent environmental changes are a critical factor in severing peer relationships and community ties, which are essential for personality formation during adolescence. A New York City official stated, “The cycle of unstable lives for homeless students is extending into the classroom,” adding, “We cannot demand normal academic results in poor environments without substantial support.”

The official further emphasized, “Supporting homeless students, the most vulnerable group, is the Mamdani administration’s top priority, and we will concentrate administrative efforts on bridging the educational gap.”

Retail sales of recreational marijuana in New York State have surpassed $3.3 billion five years after the state implemented legalization. On the 27th,

New York Governor Kathy Hockul stated, “Since the use of recreational marijuana for adults aged 21 and older was legalized in 2021, over 600 licensed recreational marijuana retailers have been operating across the state, including New York City,” adding, “Total sales from these establishments over the past five years have exceeded $3.3 billion.”

She further added, “Moving forward, the state government will prioritize equity, safety, and opportunity, strengthen crackdowns on unlicensed businesses that undermine the legal marijuana market, and guide the recreational marijuana industry to grow properly.”

According to the New York State Marijuana Control Bureau, 57% of state-issued marijuana retail licenses were prioritized for minority businesses, women-owned businesses, struggling farms, and disabled veterans under the Socio-Economic Equity (SEE) Plan. On the same day, New York State also released statistics regarding criminal justice reform and the enhancement of public safety related to the legalization of recreational marijuana.

Regarding criminal justice reform, it was reported that over 400,000 marijuana convictions were expunged, and there were no instances of suspects being incarcerated solely on marijuana-related charges. Furthermore, in 2025 alone, approximately 2,000 illegal marijuana raids were conducted across New York State, resulting in the seizure of illegal marijuana worth $20 million. Additionally, 580 illegal establishments were shut down.

The U.S. military announced on the 25th that it had killed four people in an attack on a vessel involved in drug trafficking in the Caribbean. In a statement released on the same day, the U.S. Southern Command stated, “On the 25th, under the direction of Commander Francis Donovan, the Southern Spear Joint Operations Team launched a lethal attack on a vessel operated by a Designated Terrorist Organization (DTO).”

The Southern Command explained that the vessel was moving along a route known as a drug trafficking route in the Caribbean and was identified as conducting a drug trafficking operation. It was further stated, “Four male drug terrorists were killed during this operation, and there were no U.S. casualties.”

Since last September, the U.S. military has conducted more than 40 “Operation Southern Spear” operations in the Caribbean and Eastern Pacific to attack Central and South American drug traffickers, with the estimated death toll reaching approximately 160.

The Wall Street Journal reported on the 18th that President Donald Trump does not want further attacks on Iranian energy facilities following Israel’s bombing of Iran’s largest gas field.

Citing U.S. officials, the WSJ reported that President Trump was aware of Israel’s planned attack on South Pars, Iran’s largest gas field, in advance and supported it as a message regarding the blockade of the Strait of Hormuz. However, officials said that President Trump believes Iran received a message through the attack on South Pars and is currently opposed to further attacks on Iranian energy infrastructure.

Officials added that the possibility remains open for President Trump to support further attacks on Iranian energy facilities, depending on Iran’s future actions in the Strait of Hormuz.

The recent two heavy snowstorms that hit New York City have left the city’s roads plagued by potholes. According to the city, as of March 1, 2019, a total of 11,318 pothole complaints were received by 311. This is a 33% increase compared to the same period last year.

Queens was found to be the most severe, with a whopping 5,047 pothole complaints, accounting for nearly half of all complaints in the city. [See table] Northern Boulevard in Queens had the most pothole complaints of any road in New York City, with over 100 complaints, followed by Rockaway Boulevard with 76 and Uniontown Pike with 66. By borough, Queens had the most potholes, followed by Brooklyn with 2,104, Staten Island with 1,500, Manhattan with 1,409, and the Bronx with 1,258.

According to New York City, potholes are holes formed when water seeps into the road and cracks in asphalt or concrete. They can cause traffic accidents and vehicle damage, so prompt repair work (asphalt paving) is necessary.

The New York City Department of Transportation stated, “We repair damaged roads within two days on average when pothole reports are received,” and “Heavy snow, deicing chemicals (calcium chloride), and tire chains can all cause potholes. New York City repairs an average of 170,000 potholes each year.” However, it was confirmed that more than one in four pothole complaints received by 311 have not yet been repaired.

Queens had the most unresolved pothole complaints, with 1,729, meaning one in three reported potholes remains unrepaired. These unresolved complaints included Northern Boulevard, Rockaway Boulevard, Union Turnpike, Springfield Boulevard, and Roosevelt Avenue.

Following Queens in terms of unresolved complaints by borough, Brooklyn had 453, followed by Manhattan with 414, and the Bronx with 314. However, Staten Island, with 137, appears to be progressing faster than the other boroughs.

Google’s self-driving robotaxi Waymo is under investigation by U.S. transportation authorities for violating laws by passing a school bus without permission, even after a recall was issued. The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) announced on the 3rd that it is investigating an incident in which a Waymo vehicle passed a stopped school bus on a road in Austin, Texas on January 12th.

According to NTSB investigation data, the Waymo taxi recognized the school bus with its lights flashing and a stop sign open to pick up students at around 7:55 a.m., the start of school, and briefly stopped in the opposite lane. However, when three other vehicles passed the school bus soon after, the taxi followed them. In most parts of the United States, including Texas, when a school bus comes to a stop with its red lights flashing and a stop sign displayed, no vehicles in either direction can pass or pass it.

The investigation revealed that Waymo had asked its remote support center in Michigan if the signal was on and, when the center answered “no,” proceeded with the operation. However, no collisions or other accidents occurred as a result. The NTSB added that it was investigating a similar incident involving a school bus on January 14th in addition to this one. Waymo was previously cited for at least 19 incidents of illegal passing and passing of school buses in Texas last year, and issued a recall in December, updating the relevant vehicle software. However, as similar violations continued even after the recall, the NTSB plans to issue a safety advisory to prevent similar incidents.

The NTSB also released findings from its investigation into a crash on January 23rd in which a Waymo vehicle struck an elementary school student in a school zone in Santa Monica, California. At the time, the Waymo vehicle was traveling at 17 mph (approximately 27 km/h) on a road with a speed limit of 25 mph (approximately 40 km/h). Upon noticing a nine-year-old girl crossing the roadway, the vehicle applied the brakes and ultimately crashed into her. The girl, who collided with the Waymo vehicle, sustained minor injuries but did not require medical transport.

This is consistent with Waymo’s statement immediately after the accident.

Former Treasury Secretary Lawrence (Larry) Summers, who was revealed to have provided adultery counselling to the late Jeffrey Epstein, a sex offender, will resign from his professorship at Harvard University, the university announced.

According to the New York Times (NYT) on the 25th, Harvard University spokesman Jason Newton said that Summers will stop teaching at Harvard after the current semester ends (the end of May) and that this is “related to the university’s ongoing review of the documents released by the government regarding Epstein.”

The NYT reported that Summers, who has been on leave since last November, will not return to the Harvard podium but will instead resign. Summers, who served as Treasury Secretary and Harvard University President, has been under suspicion for his close relationship with Epstein since the former US House of Representatives Democratic members released emails from Epstein’s lifetime last year. He exchanged emails with Epstein for at least seven years, until March 2019, before Epstein’s arrest, and specifically sought Epstein’s advice regarding inappropriate relationships with other women during their marriage.

After the emails were made public, he stated, “I feel deep shame for my actions,” and announced that he would cease public activity. However, as criticism continued, he announced in November of last year that he would not teach while the university’s investigation continued.

Summers served as Treasury Secretary from July 1999 to January 2001 during the Bill Clinton administration and served as Harvard University President from July 2001 until June 2006.

In the case of Kilmar Abrego García, a Salvadoran who has become a symbolic figure among critics of the Donald Trump administration’s hardline immigration policies, a court has once again sided with García. On the 17th, U.S. District Court Judge Paula Sinis of Maryland ruled to bar García from being re-detained after his release, according to the Associated Press and other news agencies.

Sinis criticized the Department of Homeland Security for “persisting in empty threats to send him to African countries without any real prospect of success.” The court then ruled that “there is no sufficient reason to believe that (Garcia’s) deportation will occur in the reasonably foreseeable future.”

The court ruled that since the government has had 90 days to arbitrarily detain someone subject to deportation, a credible and specific deportation plan is now required before Garcia can be detained again. The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) argued to the court that it would deport Garcia to African countries like Uganda, Eswatini, Ghana, and Liberia, but the court rejected that argument. Judge Sinis ruled that the government “deliberately and without justification ignored the only country (Costa Rica) that has consistently offered to accept Garcia as a refugee and to which he has agreed to go.”

In effect, the court blocked the government’s attempt to detain Garcia in an Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) facility for political retaliation, even though it had no plans to deport him from the United States. Last year, the case of Garcia, who was mistakenly deported to his native El Salvador despite being a legal resident of the United States due to a government error, became a political embarrassment for the Trump administration. Garcia came to the United States illegally as a teenager but has since lived in Maryland with his American citizen wife and child and is now a legal resident.

In 2019, an immigration judge ruled that Garcia could not be deported to El Salvador due to the danger posed by gangs targeting his family. However, in March of last year, Garcia was deported to El Salvador and held in a notorious terrorist detention centre there. He was later returned to the United States in June of last year after it was revealed that his deportation had been an administrative error.

The Trump administration charged Garcia with child trafficking upon his deportation and remanded him in an ICE facility, but a court ordered his release in December of last year.

Tesla, an American electric car company, and Tencent, China’s largest technology company, are partnering to release a vehicle equipped with WeChat functions.

Reuters reported on the 11th that Tesla and Tencent Cloud announced a partnership that day to integrate WeChat into the Model 3 and Model Y in China. WeChat is the most frequently used mobile messenger in China, used for everything from daily communication to payments, reservations, and taxi calling.

Accordingly, Chinese Tesla drivers will be able to easily share their locations and use AI recommendation services through WeChat in their vehicles. They can instantly share their shared location in WeChat chats and receive recommendations for nearby restaurants, parking lots, and charging stations. They will also be able to make payments using WeChat Pay in their vehicles.

The WeChat integration feature will be applied to approximately 1 million vehicles produced at the Shanghai Gigafactory via an over-the-air software update and will be automatically installed in future vehicles. Tesla and Tencent have maintained a close relationship. According to IT media outlet Electrek, Tencent acquired a 5% stake in Tesla in 2017.

Furthermore, this software integration is expected to create synergies. This shift in policy is also noteworthy for Tesla, which has maintained a closed software policy globally. This decision appears to have been made considering the importance of the Chinese market amidst recent sluggish sales.

China is the world’s largest electric vehicle market, with a diverse range of companies competing, including Tesla, its joint venture Shanghai GM Wuling (SGMW), BYD, Xiaomi, and Xpeng.