Severe storms swept through the U.S. East Coast on Thursday and Friday, leaving major cities battling widespread flooding, transportation disruptions, and power outages. Heavy rainfall overwhelmed drainage systems in multiple states, flooding streets, subways, and homes from Washington, D.C. to Boston.

New York City was among the hardest hit. More than four inches of rain fell in under three hours during the early morning commute, swamping subway tunnels, halting dozens of train lines, and stranding thousands of commuters. Videos posted online showed waist-deep water gushing into subway stations in Brooklyn and the Bronx. The Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) suspended several lines and warned riders to avoid unnecessary travel.

This is one of the most intense flash flooding events we’ve seen in recent years, said NYC Emergency Management Commissioner Zach Iscol. Our first responders are working around the clock to rescue stranded passengers and support impacted communities.

Elsewhere along the East Coast, cities reported similar scenes of chaos. In Philadelphia, several neighborhoods saw up to six feet of water on streets, prompting evacuations and swift water rescues. In Washington, D.C., the National Mall and surrounding areas experienced temporary closures due to pooling water and lightning threats.

More than 300,000 customers lost power across the region, according to utility companies, with restoration efforts expected to continue through the weekend. Air travel was also affected, with major delays and cancellations reported at JFK, LaGuardia, and Reagan National airports.

Meteorologists with the National Weather Service (NWS) say the storms were fueled by an unusually moist air mass combined with a stalled frontal boundary, leading to localized downpours and dangerous flash floods. A flood watch remains in effect for parts of the Northeast through Friday evening, with additional rainfall expected.

“We are urging residents to stay off the roads unless absolutely necessary,” said NWS meteorologist Lisa Kern. “Turn around, don’t drown floodwaters are extremely dangerous.”

State and local governments in New York, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania have declared states of emergency, unlocking federal assistance and activating National Guard support.

As the East Coast braces for further storms in the coming days, officials continue to assess damage and prepare for ongoing recovery operations.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has renewed his call for tougher international sanctions against Russia following a devastating missile and drone attack on Kyiv that killed at least 31 people, including five children—the youngest just two years old. Another 159 individuals were wounded, among them 16 children.

“Sanctions do work despite what the Kremlin claims,” Zelensky said. “They must not only be maintained but significantly strengthened.”

The capital city observed a day of mourning on Friday after Thursday’s attack left a trail of destruction, collapsing a residential building and damaging a hospital, a school, a nursery, and a university.

Ukraine’s air force reported that Russia launched over 300 drones and eight cruise missiles in what was one of the deadliest assaults on Kyiv since the full-scale invasion began in February 2022.

U.S. President Donald Trump strongly condemned Russia’s actions, calling them “disgusting,” and signaled that additional sanctions against Moscow could soon follow.

Speaking to reporters, Trump stated: “Russia, I think it’s disgusting what they’re doing.” In July, he warned that President Vladimir Putin had 50 days to end the war or face sweeping tariffs, particularly targeting Russia’s oil exports. This week, he shortened that deadline, now set to expire on August 8.

At the UN Security Council on Thursday, senior U.S. diplomat John Kelley urged both Russia and Ukraine to pursue a ceasefire and work toward a lasting peace. “It is time to make a deal,” he said.

Ukrainian officials reported receiving “positive signals” from Washington about the possibility of new sanctions, especially targeting Russia’s energy sector and secondary markets.

Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha praised Trump’s “generosity and patience” but emphasized that “now is the time to apply maximum pressure on Moscow.”

Meanwhile, Germany has pledged to deliver two additional U.S.-made Patriot air defense systems to Ukraine in the coming days.

President Zelensky revealed that in July alone, Russia launched over 5,100 glide bombs, 3,800 Shahed drones, and 260 missiles—including 128 ballistic missiles.

Every single day counts, Zelensky said. This terror can only be stopped through united efforts from America, Europe, and all responsible global partners.

Israel is reportedly heading towards a major diplomatic collapse as the humanitarian situation in Gaza worsens, with famine spreading rapidly across the besieged territory.

The report claims that the government of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu disregarded repeated international warnings about an escalating famine in Gaza. On March 2, Israel’s Security Cabinet reportedly decided to block the entry of food aid into the enclave, despite assessments from Israeli security officials and urgent appeals from international humanitarian organizations.

The move was not based on strategic or security concerns, but rather stemmed from political pressure by far-right ministers Itamar Ben Gvir and Bezalel Smotrich.

Including Gen. Ghassan Alian, Israel’s Coordinator of Government Activities in the Territories had warned that Gaza was on the brink of famine. Despite this, the Israeli government allegedly continued to obstruct aid, putting thousands of Palestinian lives at risk.

The report also indicates that both the European Union and the administration of U.S. President Donald Trump issued warnings to Israel over the deteriorating crisis. The EU reportedly threatened to suspend its partnership agreement with Israel, while Washington, despite its longstanding support for Tel Aviv, urged Netanyahu to take action. The Israeli leader, however, was said to have “wasted time and hesitated.”

The Israeli government has plunged the country into a dual crisis, a humanitarian disaster in Gaza and a looming diplomatic collapse.

Since October 7, 2023, Israel has conducted a relentless military campaign in Gaza, resulting in the deaths of more than 60,000 Palestinians, the majority of whom were women and children. The offensive has decimated much of the enclave’s infrastructure and exacerbated food shortages.

In November 2024, the International Criminal Court (ICC) issued arrest warrants for Prime Minister Netanyahu and former Defense Minister Yoav Gallant, citing war crimes and crimes against humanity committed in Gaza. Israel is also currently facing genocide charges at the International Court of Justice (ICJ).