Major Winter Storm Disrupts U.S. Travel as Zelenskyy Schedules Mar-a-Lago Meeting with Trump

ABC News Live programming on Thursday highlighted a series of developing stories across the United States and abroad, led by a powerful winter storm that is hampering holiday travel nationwide. The continuous news feed also covered an upcoming meeting between Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and former U.S. President Donald Trump, a courtroom appearance in a high-profile child-murder case, counterterrorism strikes in Nigeria, and the latest fatality from a recent UPS cargo plane crash.

Severe weather halts flights and snarls holiday plans

A dangerous winter system moving through the Northeast generated heavy snow, freezing rain and gusty winds, forcing airlines to cancel or delay thousands of flights. The disruption came as millions of travelers attempted to reach their destinations ahead of the Christmas break. Aviation tracking service FlightAware, featured during the live broadcast, showed extensive ground stops at several major hubs, including New York’s LaGuardia Airport and Boston Logan International Airport. The National Weather Service warned that hazardous conditions could persist into the weekend, particularly in upstate New York and northern New England.

While the Northeast contended with snow and ice, the West Coast experienced another round of rainfall. ABC News Live reported that Southern California communities faced localized flooding after back-to-back storms, though no significant flight disruptions were noted at Los Angeles International Airport. In Washington, D.C., a live camera provided a steady view of the White House as wind-driven flurries swept through the capital region.

Zelenskyy confirms Sunday meeting with Trump

In a separate segment, President Zelenskyy announced plans to meet former President Trump at Mar-a-Lago on Sunday for what he described as peace discussions. The two men are expected to address Russia’s ongoing invasion of Ukraine and explore possible diplomatic avenues. Specific agenda items were not disclosed, and no comments were immediately available from Trump’s representatives during the live update.

Court appearance in Missouri child-murder case

Elsewhere, ABC News Live carried footage from a Missouri courtroom where Ashlee Buzzard, charged with the murder of her five-year-old daughter, made her latest appearance. Prosecutors allege the child died from severe neglect earlier this year. Buzzard’s attorneys did not enter a plea during the brief hearing, and the judge scheduled the next proceeding for early January.

U.S. conducts airstrikes in Nigeria

Former President Trump told reporters that American forces had “eliminated multiple ISIS terrorists” in Nigeria. According to the statement, the strikes targeted insurgents believed responsible for recent attacks on civilians in the country’s northeast. Pentagon officials did not immediately release additional details or casualty figures, and Nigerian authorities have yet to comment publicly.

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UPS cargo crash claims another life

ABC News Live also updated the status of victims from the UPS cargo plane crash near Birmingham, Alabama, earlier this month. A critically injured survivor died on Christmas Day, raising the death toll to 15. The National Transportation Safety Board continues to investigate the cause of the accident, which involved an Airbus A300 that went down shortly after takeoff.

Seasonal programming and upcoming specials

Beyond hard news, the channel showcased its annual Yule log, a steady fireplace scene accompanied by holiday music. Other scheduled segments included “Daddy Yankee: A Higher Note,” “Gut Check: The Foods We Eat,” and a series of “All Access With Linsey Davis” interviews featuring Stevie Van Zandt, Andrew Cuomo, and Zohran Mamdani. Archival programs such as “Barbara Walters: Tell Me Everything” and several “Impact X Nightline” documentaries were also promoted.

Brief look at additional headlines

• A live video labeled “Stranded turtles rescued and flown to warmer water” noted ongoing wildlife-relocation efforts but did not provide extended details during the stream.
• FlightAware data visualizations illustrated real-time air traffic density across the continental United States, highlighting bottlenecks in the Midwest and Northeast.
• Viewers were invited to submit story ideas through the network’s digital platform.

ABC News Live indicated that storm-related coverage would remain the top priority through the weekend as forecasters monitored a potential secondary system forming over the Plains. Transportation officials urged travelers to check airline alerts and monitor road conditions before departing.

Crédito da imagem: ABC News Live