CNN

By Alexandra Banner, CNN

The next presidential election is not until 2028, but speculation is already swirling about who might make a run for the Oval Office. Take a closer look at the names beginning to come into focus.

Here’s what else you need to know to get up to speed and on with your day.

1⃣ CIA drone strike

The CIA carried out a drone strike earlier this month on a port facility along Venezuela’s coast, sources told CNN, marking the first known US attack on a target inside the country. Analysts say it could signal a major escalation of Trump’s military campaign in the region and further inflame tensions with Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro, who the US has been pressuring to step down. Separately, the US military on Monday struck another alleged drug boat in the eastern Pacific Ocean, killing two people. At least 107 people have died in strikes on suspected drug boats as part of an operation the Trump administration has said is aimed at curbing narcotics trafficking.

2⃣ Store closings

The year 2025 proved to be a brutal one for some US retailers as familiar brands and neighborhood favorites shuttered locations across the country. Forever 21, Party City and Rite Aid were among the well-known brands to close their doors this year. Overall, roughly 8,200 stores closed in 2025 — about 12% more than in 2024, according to Coresight Research. Industry analysts say a combination of slumping consumer confidence, poor finances and shifts in shopping habits has left many aging chains struggling. Some other companies are heading toward bankruptcy as Americans cut back on discretionary spending amid persistent inflation.

3⃣ Trump-Netanyahu meeting

President Donald Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu met in Florida on Monday but announced no progress on the next phase of the Gaza peace plan. The second phase of the deal includes Hamas’ disarmament, the beginning of reconstruction in Gaza and the establishment of post-war governance. Speaking to reporters after the meeting, Trump said Hamas will be given “a very short period of time” to disarm, warning that if it does not, other countries backing the ceasefire “will go and wipe them out.” Also on Monday, Netanyahu announced Trump will receive the Israel Prize for Peace, marking the first time the country’s highest civilian excellence honor will be awarded to a non-Israeli citizen.

4⃣ Kennedy Center

A growing number of artists are cancelling performances at the Kennedy Center after its board of trustees voted to add President Trump’s name to the building. Earlier this month, the board approved renaming the venue from the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts to the Donald J. Trump and John F. Kennedy Memorial Center for the Performing Arts. In response, several performers have called off their shows: the long

By Alexandra Banner, CNN

The next presidential election is not until 2028, but speculation is already swirling about who might make a run for the Oval Office. Take a closer look at the names beginning to come into focus.

Here’s what else you need to know to get up to speed and on with your day.

1⃣ CIA drone strike

The CIA carried out a drone strike earlier this month on a port facility along Venezuela’s coast, sources told CNN, marking the first known US attack on a target inside the country. Analysts say it could signal a major escalation of Trump’s military campaign in the region and further inflame tensions with Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro, who the US has been pressuring to step down. Separately, the US military on Monday struck another alleged drug boat in the eastern Pacific Ocean, killing two people. At least 107 people have died in strikes on suspected drug boats as part of an operation the Trump administration has said is aimed at curbing narcotics trafficking.

2⃣ Store closings

The year 2025 proved to be a brutal one for some US retailers as familiar brands and neighborhood favorites shuttered locations across the country. Forever 21, Party City and Rite Aid were among the well-known brands to close their doors this year. Overall, roughly 8,200 stores closed in 2025 — about 12% more than in 2024, according to Coresight Research. Industry analysts say a combination of slumping consumer confidence, poor finances and shifts in shopping habits has left many aging chains struggling. Some other companies are heading toward bankruptcy as Americans cut back on discretionary spending amid persistent inflation.

3⃣ Trump-Netanyahu meeting

President Donald Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu met in Florida on Monday but announced no progress on the next phase of the Gaza peace plan. The second phase of the deal includes Hamas’ disarmament, the beginning of reconstruction in Gaza and the establishment of post-war governance. Speaking to reporters after the meeting, Trump said Hamas will be given “a very short period of time” to disarm, warning that if it does not, other countries backing the ceasefire “will go and wipe them out.” Also on Monday, Netanyahu announced Trump will receive the Israel Prize for Peace, marking the first time the country’s highest civilian excellence honor will be awarded to a non-Israeli citizen.

4⃣ Kennedy Center

A growing number of artists are cancelling performances at the Kennedy Center after its board of trustees voted to add President Trump’s name to the building. Earlier this month, the board approved renaming the venue from the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts to the Donald J. Trump and John F. Kennedy Memorial Center for the Performing Arts. In response, several performers have called off their shows: the longtime host of the Kennedy Center’s annual Christmas Eve jazz performance cancelled the gig, and a dance company called off two April performances, among others. The center’s president, Richard Grenell, dismissed the cancellations as “a form of derangement syndrome” in a post to X on Monday.

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By Mostafa Salem, CNN

(CNN) — Saudi Arabia publicly accused close ally the United Arab Emirates of “highly dangerous” actions in Yemen as it led “limited” airstrikes on the country’s Mukalla port Tuesday morning following accusations that two ships from the UAE had delivered weapons and combat vehicles to separatist forces.

In a statement, the Saudi Foreign ministry called the “steps” taken by the UAE a threat to its national security in an escalation that highlights a deepening rift between the region’s tightest partners.

The Saudi statement was issued moments after a speech by the head of Yemen’s Presidential Council Rashad Al Olimi, a body backed by Saudi Arabia, who accused the UAE of “directing” forces to “rebel against the state authority” and “escalating militarily” in the country.

“The Kingdom stresses that any threat to its national security is a red line, and the Kingdom will not hesitate to take all necessary steps and measures to confront and neutralize any such threat,” the statement by the Saudi Foreign Ministry said.

CNN has reached out to the UAE’s Foreign Ministry for comment.

Earlier this month, UAE-backed Southern Transitional Council (STC) launched an offensive taking control of key provinces in Yemen – a move that infuriated the Saudi-backed government, who say the military action fragmented a battle with the Iran-backed Houthi forces in the north.

Groups allied to the STC had pushed into the oil-rich province of Hadramout, claiming a total of eight governorates and renewing calls for southern Yemen to secede as an independent state.

Meanwhile, Saudi-backed groups in Yemen called on all Emirati forces to leave Yemeni territory within 24 hours and ended a defense pact with the UAE.

It’s unclear what UAE forces, in any, are currently in Yemen.

Saudi Arabia and the UAE – both neighboring oil giants – are two close allies and are key United States partners controlling trillions in global assets.

Before the escalation, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio called for diplomacy and restraint last week.

“The United States is concerned by recent events in southeastern Yemen. We urge restraint and continued diplomacy, with a view to reaching a lasting solution. We are grateful for the diplomatic leadership of our partners, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates and remain supportive of all efforts to advance our shared security interests,” he said on X.

The two countries were united, along with Bahrain and Egypt, in imposing blockade on fellow Gulf nation Qatar that lasted over three years, marking the most severe recent crisis within the Arab bloc. The UAE had also supported Saudi Arabia in the war in Yemen, before withdrawing in 2019.

More than a decade of war in Yemen has turned the country into one of the world’s worst humanitarian crises. The years of fighting have compounded the country’s economic crisis and shattered social services.

CNN’s Nadeen Ebrahim contributed to this report.

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The post Saudi Arabia accuses Abu Dhabi of ‘dangerous’ Yemen actions, strikes port over UAE weapons shipment appeared first on News Channel 3-12.

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Even after the mortgage is paid off, homeowners face ongoing property taxes across the United States. While senior citizens, owner-occupants, and other groups may receive preferential tax treatment in some jurisdictions, homeowners still pay anywhere from 1% to 10% of their income on property taxes. These taxes pay for local infrastructure and amenities — putting a dollar value on the local lifestyle — but not every household may use these benefits equally. Thus, property taxes become an important consideration for those considering first-time homeownership or relocation alike.

With this in mind, SmartAsset ranked 343 of the largest U.S. cities based on the percentage of homeowner income that goes to paying property taxes each year.

Key Findings

• Homeowners in this city spend 10% of their income on property taxes. Paterson, NJ has the highest rate of real estate taxes being paid relative to the median household income for homeowners at 9.8%. Homeowners pay a median $9,779 per year, with a median monthly housing cost of $2,869 and household income of $100,227.
• New Jersey and Connecticut cities dominate the top 10. Including Paterson, New Jersey has three cities with some of the most expensive property taxes in the country. Newark homeowners pay a median of 6.1% of their income, or $6,833 annually. Jersey City follows with 6.0% of homeowner income going toward a $9,197 annual payment. Connecticut cities that made the top 10 include Bridgeport (7.4% of income paid to property taxes); Waterbury (7.1%); New Haven (5.6%); and Stamford (5.5%).
• Floridians spent the highest portion of their income on property taxes in these cities. Davie homeowners spend a median 5.1% of their income on property taxes, most statewide. West Palm Beach residents have the second-highest portion of their income going to property taxes at 4.9%, followed by Miami Gardens at 4.7%. Boca Raton has the highest annual property tax bills at a median $6,979, but this only accounts for 4.1% of the local homeowner’s income.
• Alabama and Arizona cities post some of the lowest property tax burdens. Montgomery, AL has the lowest property taxes both relatively and absolutely, with 1.1% of homeowner income going to cover a $917 annual median bill. Homeowners are also among the least burdened by property taxes in Huntsville (1.3%) and Mobile (1.3%) in Alabama, and in Tempe (1.3%); Glendale (1.4%); and Chandler (1.5%) in Arizona.

SmartAsset

Top 20 Cities With the Highest Property Tax Burdens

Cities are ranked based on the percentage of local homeowner inco

By Gloria Pazmino, CNN

New York (CNN) — Zohran Mamdani becomes New York City’s mayor on Thursday with an ambitious agenda that drove a national conversation about affordability but will require billions in public funding and the backing of politicians who have expressed reservations.

The 34-year-old democratic socialist has just a few weeks before the start of state and city budget season begins at the end of January. He’s proposed that many of his top agenda items be paid for by raising taxes on the city’s wealthiest residents and corporations.

Mamdani does not have power to increase or lower taxes on his own. He will need the support of Gov. Kathy Hochul and the state legislature.

Here’s a look at his top policy proposals and the path forward for each of them.

Expanding universal childcare

Mamdani campaigned on a plan to offer universal childcare to every child from 6 weeks to 5 years old. The program, which is estimated to cost approximately $6 billion every year, would also expand existing pre-K and 3-K programs and increase worker salaries.

If implemented, free universal childcare would amount to one of the most significant government policies in more than a decade, since former Mayor Bill de Blasio successfully launched universal pre-K.

The cost of childcare in New York City has skyrocketed. A 2025 report by the city comptroller found the average cost of childcare for infants and toddlers in small, family-based options was around $18,200 a year, a 79% increase since 2019. The figures were even higher for center-based care, which came in at an average of $26,000 a year, reflecting an increase of 43% since 2019.

Mamdani has said he would fund his proposal by taxing wealthy residents and raising the city’s corporate tax rate.

Hochul, who is heading into her own reelection campaign in 2026, has thrown cold water on Mamdani’s plan to raise income taxes on the wealthy, but she has left the door open on the possibility of raising the corporate tax. Facing a Democratic primary challenge from Lt. Gov. Antonio Delgado, Hochul will be under pressure to deliver an affordability-themed win of her own.

Hochul is the first woman elected to New York’s top office and often talks about being the first “mom governor.” She has already moved to increase state subsidies for low-income families, which she says will help pave the way towards a universal option.

Freezing increases in rent-stabilized apartments

Mamdani wants to freeze the rent for roughly two million rent-stabilized tenants in New York City.

The proposal is a core plank of Mamdani’s housing and affordability agenda, which also includes a pledge to build 200,000 units of affordable housing over the next decade and increasing funding to maintain already existing public housing.

To make the rent freeze happen, Mamdani has said he would appoint members to the city’s Rent Guidelines Board who support his proposal. The nine-member board, which is controlled by the mayor, sets annual rent increases on stabilized units every year.

The outgoing mayor, Eric Adams, appointed or reappointed four members of the board in the final days of his term. That could delay a rent freeze by a year or more if Adams-picked members reject Mamdani’s proposal and he waits for their terms to expire to replace them.

Board members serve terms of varying length, from two to four years, while the mayor can replace the chair at any time.

While the