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More than 40mn people were under blizzard warnings in the northeast United States Monday, as a winter storm dumped shin-deep snow and officials in New York enforced a citywide travel ban. The so-called "Nor'easter" pummeled the region overnight, disrupting flights and leaving hundreds of thousands of homes and businesses without power.  Thousands of homes and businesses were without power and officials, including New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani, ordered residents to stay off the roads so emergency crews could clear the streets. Many schools were closed throughout the region. "I'm urging every New Yorker to please stay home," Mamdani said.  Authorities in neighbouring New Jersey and Rhode Island issued similar travel restrictions. Some were frustrated by the region's second major winter storm in weeks. "I'm sick of it. I don't want to see no more snow," Vincent Greer, a resident of Wildwood, New Jersey, said as he shoveled outside his building.  Meanwhile, at New York's Grand Central station, others were admiring the city blanketed in snow. "It's beautiful," Chris Crowell, 45, told AFP after a walk with a friend. "So much snow, it's just gorgeous. We did not expect to be out this long." The National Weather Service (NWS) warned that blizzard conditions and "crippling impacts" would continue in the northeast US for much of the day. As of 11am (1600 GMT), more than 5,500 flights in or out of the United States were canceled and hundreds more delayed, according to tracking service FlightAware.  New York's three major airports as well as Boston Logan Airport saw the most cancellations. At least four states – Massachusetts, New York, New Jersey and Rhode Island – had seen 2’ (60cm) of snow by morning Monday.  The storm comes weeks after the region recovered from another devastating winter weather system that was linked to more than 100 deaths. Officials did not hold back in their public warnings ahead of the latest snowfall. "New York City has not faced a storm of this scale in the last decade," Mayor Mamdani said on Sunday after declaring a state of emergency. Some 15.1” (38cm) of snow were recorded in Central Park, the most at New York City's official reporting station from a single storm in over five years.  The United Nations, which is headquartered in the city, was closed Monday due to the storm. "The worst is yet to come," New York Governor Kathy Hochul told a briefing on Sunday, urging residents to stock up on groceries and medicines. She said she had activated 100 National Guard members to assist in Long Island, New York City and the Lower Hudson Valley – areas expected to bear the brunt of the heavy snow and coastal winds.  In Boston, Mayor Michelle Wu warned of a storm of "historic proportions" and closed all public schools and municipal buildings. "We ask everyone to plan ahead, stay safe and warm, and stay off the roads to help our public works and public safety efforts," she said. Citing the severe weather, Boston's transit authority said that subway, bus and rail services would be limited, and ferry services canceled. Snowploughs were deployed across the northeast US as officials sought to reduce prolonged disruption from the storm.  Major cities including New York, Philadelphia and Boston advertised dedicated warming centres for people caught outside in the cold. In an update on Sunday, the agency said that despite its ongoing funding lapse, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (Fema)'s disaster-response work continues uninterrupted, including staff travel, emergency operations and critical assistance for people affected by active disasters, with life safety and property protection remaining top priorities. Last week, Reuters reported that the Trump administration had ordered the Fema to suspend the deployment of hundreds of aid workers to disaster-affected areas around the country while the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) is shut down.

The Ministry of Justice (MoJ), represented by its Arbitration Affairs Department, participated in the regional judicial dialogue sessions for judges from Arab countries on the New York Convention on the Recognition and Enforcement of Foreign Arbitral Awards (the New York Convention), as part of Riyadh International Dispute Resolution Week.The regional judicial dialogue was organised in partnership between the League of Arab States, represented by the Arab Center for Legal and Judicial Research (the scientific arm of the Council of Arab Ministers of Justice), and the International Council of Commercial Arbitration (ICCA), and was hosted by the Saudi Center for Commercial Arbitration (SCCA).The programme aimed to enrich the discussion and exchange experiences among leading international experts and arbitration judges from all member states of the League of Arab States, with the goal of addressing the challenges related to the enforcement of foreign arbitral awards and developing appropriate solutions.The discussion sessions covered key themes encompassing various aspects of the New York Convention, including an overview of its objectives and interpretation mechanisms, a detailed review of its scope of application and enforcement procedures, the conditions required for the enforcement of foreign awards, and an in-depth analysis of the grounds for non-enforcement.The sessions also addressed issues of arbitrability and public policy, and explored the complementary relationship between the New York Convention and relevant regional agreements such as the Riyadh Convention.The sessions concluded with a review of the latest judicial developments in the enforcement of arbitration awards in Arab countries, highlighting relevant Saudi judicial precedents.During the dialogue, Director of the Arbitration Affairs Department at the Ministry of Justice,Dr Mariam Mohammed al-Kuwari participated in the discussions by presenting a strategic overview of the rapid legislative developments in the field of arbitration in the State of Qatar.Dr al-Kuwari emphasised that arbitration awards issued in the State of Qatar are now considered directly enforceable instruments, based on Article 6, Paragraph 2 of Law No. 4 of 2024 concerning the Judicial Enforcement Law.This legislative update reflects the State's firm commitment to enhancing the effectiveness of dispute resolution mechanisms and providing a modern and conducive legal environment for arbitration.MoJ's active participation underscores its ongoing commitment to keeping abreast of the latest regional and international legal and judicial developments in the field of arbitration. 

Delivery fails involving 10-year Treasury notes surged to the highest level in eight years this month, a result of the Federal Reserve’s move to shrink its bond portfolio since 2022.Trades involving the most recently issued 10-year note that failed to settle on schedule totalled $30.5bn during the week ended December 10, the most since December 2017, recent data from the New York Fed show.Fails that week occurred amid a collapse in interest rates available to owners of the newest 10-year note, which was created via a $42bn auction on November 12. Holders willing to lend the note were able to do so at negative interest rates, with borrowers of the issue agreeing to sell it back the next day for less than they paid — a circumstance in which settlement failures are more likely to occur.While it’s not unusual for Treasury securities to command “special” rates in repurchase agreements ahead of a reopening auction that increases their supply, the shortage ahead of the 10-year note reopening that settled on December 15 was out of the ordinary. It stemmed in part from the smaller portion of the November auction — relative to 10-year notes sold earlier in the year — owned by the Federal Reserve, which makes its securities available to borrow.“There’s just less available to borrow,” said Jason Schuit, president of South Street Securities, a broker-dealer that specialises in Treasury repo. “For this particular 10-year note, the Fed bought half of what it did in the previous three cycles. That caused a supply shortage, which causes delivery fails,” he said. In the November 10-year note auction, $42bn was sold to investors and the Fed requested an additional $6.5bn for its account to replace maturing debt.In previous quarterly auctions of new 10-year notes, the Fed’s add-ons to the same $42bn private-market totals were $11.5bn in February, $14.8bn in May and $14.3bn in August. Those amounts are a function of the quantity of Treasury securities that mature from the Fed’s System Open Market Account holdings, which totalled just under $22bn for November 15 compared with amounts ranging from $45bn to $49bn for February 15, May 15 and August 15.The drop-off in the amount of SOMA holdings occurred because the Fed in mid-2022 began reinvesting its maturing Treasuries only to the extent that they exceeded a monthly cap, which increased to $60bn a month in September from $30bn a month in June. As a result, the Fed’s add-on in November to the auction of three-year notes that matured this year declined relative to previous quarters, requiring smaller add-ons to last month’s auctions. 

Marli New York unveils its latest space at The Villaggio Mall in Doha, a bold new expression of the brand’s architectural vision meticulously crafted to immerse visitors in the Marli Universe.Every detail reflects Marli’s philosophy of sophistication and simplicity, offering clients in Doha a direct connection to designs that embody individuality, timeless versatility, and self-expression.Far beyond a boutique, this setting invites exploration by transforming jewellery into a narrative experience. Inspired by the language of Marli’s global flagships, the Doha space merges refinement with immersive elements to deliver an atmosphere tailored to resonate with discerning individuals.The interior is anchored by the brand’s iconic teal, balanced with polished marble accents and strategically placed illuminated showcases. Vertical elements frame each creation, while a geometric-patterned carpet defines the spatial flow, quietly evoking the dynamic energy of New York. This thoughtful approach reflects the brand’s ongoing dedication to crafting environments that balance elegance and atmosphere.Founded in 2014 by Maral Artinian, Marli redefines contemporary jewellery by championing nonconformity. Rooted in over a decade of artisanal mastery, the brand combines precision with forward-thinking aesthetics, empowering wearers to articulate their identity through exceptional craftsmanship. From material choices to spatial layout, every facet of the boutique reflects Marli’s commitment to innovation and quality.Celebrating personal milestones and unforgettable moments has always been at the heart of Marli’s DNA. This opening marks the brand’s growth in the Middle East and its ongoing commitment to igniting connection within a global community through the shared language of fine jewellery and personal empowerment.Store hours:Saturday - Thursday: 9am to 10pmFriday: 3pm to 10pm

His Highness the Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani left New York after heading the delegation of the State of Qatar participating in the meetings of 80th session of the United Nations General Assembly, held in the United States of America.

The State of Qatar participated in the meeting of heads of state and government on the day after in Gaza and efforts to achieve stability, held on the sidelines of the 80th session of the United Nations General Assembly in New York.The State of Qatar was represented by His Excellency Minister of State at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Dr. Mohammed bin Abdulaziz bin Saleh Al Khulaifi.In his address to the meeting, His Excellency Dr. Al Khulaifi stressed that the issue of the day after must go beyond mere reconstruction and serve as a genuine starting point for a just, comprehensive, and lasting settlement of the Palestinian question, noting that only then could stability take root in Gaza, the West Bank, and the entire region.He explained that Qatar has long been at the forefront of partners supporting the Palestinian people by providing humanitarian and development assistance, out of a belief in the need to revive hope among Gaza's population and create the conditions for stability. Drawing on this experience, he said that reconstruction and stabilization cannot be achieved through isolated efforts but require a collective responsibility from the international community.His Excellency Dr. Al Khulaifi pointed out that the people of Gaza have endured unbearable conditions for many years, and that the current conflict has brought destruction of buildings and infrastructure, reaching the very foundations of life itself, health, education, governance, and the rule of law.His Excellency noted that the current Israeli government has openly declared its intention to prolong the war and even carried out an attack on Qatar while it was hosting peace negotiations. He said this assault was not only a violation of sovereignty but also a direct attack on the very principle of mediation, warning that such actions threaten not only Gaza but also the broader principle of peaceful conflict resolution.His Excellency the Minister emphasized that planning for Gaza's future cannot be delayed. He said that the day after must be led by Palestinians under the auspices of the Palestinian Authority and in accordance with United Nations principles, and that international partners in Europe and the Arab world must be ready to support this process without imposing it or exercising guardianship over it. His Excellency affirmed that Palestinians must shape their own future, that their right to their land is non-negotiable, and that any plans for forced displacement, reoccupation, or settlement expansion must be rejected.He added that Gaza's future cannot be separated from that of the West Bank and the other occupied Palestinian territories, where the Palestinian people face daily repression, and therefore any sustainable plan must encompass all the occupied Palestinian lands.

His Highness the Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani left Doha on Sunday, heading to the United States of America to participate in the 80th session of the United Nations General Assembly, which will be held at the organization's headquarters in New York.His Highness the Amir will deliver a speech at the opening session of the General Assembly on Tuesday, Sept. 23.His Highness is accompanied by His Excellency Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al-Thani and an official delegation.

A billboard in Times Square displays the message "Soccer Federations: Boycott Israel" as part of the campaign by Game Over Israel calling for a boycott of Israel by national soccer federations over the war in Gaza, in New York City, U.S.A group of sympathisers for Gaza is demanding that national soccer federations boycott Israel over its killing of hundreds of Palestinian athletes in Gaza.