New York Times

1. Mayor Mamdani Appoints a Team of Government Veterans

   Zohran Mamdani has stocked his administration with seasoned officials, in part to allay concerns about his inexperience and left-wing stances.

2. Swiss Alps Ski Resort Fire: What We Know

   The fire at a bar in a popular ski resort killed around 40 people and injured more than 100, officials said. The cause was still unknown.

3. Toby Morton, a Comedy Writer, Owns the Trump Kennedy Center URL

   A comedy writer bought the web domain TrumpKennedyCenter.org and the satirical site he created is drawing attention amid the backlash over the institution’s renaming.

4. Threat to Suspend Aid for Minnesota Child-Care Centers Rattles Families

   After the federal government threatened to withhold funds for Minnesota’s child-care program, citing fraud concerns, parents and providers warned that the effects could be dire.

5. Another New Year at War: Ukraine’s Troops Doubt It Will Be the Last

   After a year of Russian advances, the goal for 2026 is simply to survive, said one officer in eastern Ukraine. “It’s hard to make any plans,” he said.