New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani faced his first major governing test as Winter Storm Fern brought heavy snowfall, damaging ice, and below-freezing temperatures to the city over the weekend, resulting in seven deaths currently under investigation, according to Time. The storm, which forecasters predicted could affect more than 230 million people across the country, also led to thousands of canceled flights and power outages affecting more than 1 million people nationwide.

Mamdani stated that it was "still too early to share a broader diagnosis or a cause of death" regarding the fatalities in New York City, according to Time. The storm's impact extended beyond New York, contributing to more than a dozen deaths across the country.

In other news, advancements in technology and diverse global events captured headlines this week. Variety reported that SpotDraft received an $8 million investment to further develop on-device AI contract review. The AI Summit in Singapore focused on infrastructure shifts, while disruptions impacted TikTok US, and potential changes in immigration enforcement strategies were discussed.

Scientists have developed a new footprint tracking technology with up to 96% accuracy for identifying and monitoring small mammals, such as sengis, Phys.org reported. Sengis are crucial indicators of environmental health but are difficult to distinguish visually. This method offers a more ethical and scientifically robust way to monitor these tiny species and provides a reliable metric for assessing ecosystem integrity.

Nature News announced the development of CytoTape, a genetically encoded, modular protein tape recorder for multiplexed and spatiotemporally scalable recording of gene regulation dynamics continuously for up to three weeks, physiologically compatible, with single-cell, minutes-scale resolution. CytoTape employs a flexible, thread-like, elongating intracellular protein self-assembly engineered via computation.

Time also highlighted "The Big Fake," a Netflix dramatization of a criminal's involvement in post-war Italy's tumultuous events. The film, set in the 1970s during Italy's "Years of Lead," features Toni Chichiarelli, a talented painter, amidst political terrorism, state interference, and organized crime. Toni's character is portrayed as having a blasé egotism in a film filled with conspiracy, backstabbing, and political intrigue.

Other global events included sports victories for Real Madrid and Manchester United, and the passing of journalist Sir Mark Tully, according to Variety.