Daily briefing

A boy rides his bicycle in front of a road blocked by an occupying Israeli tank on the outskirts of the town of Quneitra, Syria, on Sunday. The Associated Press
Nation
Texas
Border shelters face GOP scrutiny
McALLEN — Republicans are stepping up their scrutiny of dozens of shelters run by aid groups on the U.S. border with Mexico. President-elect Donald Trump’s allies consider the shelters a magnet for illegal immigration. Many of them are nonprofits that rely on federal funding.
Trump’s incoming border czar has vowed to review the role of nongovernmental organizations. The developments have alarmed immigration advocates and some officials in border communities, including Republicans. They say communities can collapse without shelter space or a budget to pay for humanitarian costs.
Wyoming
One person killed in large avalanche
JACKSON — A skier has been killed and another injured after their group triggered a large avalanche while ascending a mountain in western Wyoming.
The avalanche occurred Saturday in a backcountry area about 20 miles east of Grand Teton National Park. Authorities said they received an alert about the accident just before noon.
New York
New Manhattan congestion toll begins
NEW YORK — New York’s new toll for drivers entering the center of Manhattan is starting up after it withstood years of political wrangling, a last-minute pause and legal challenges.
The toll, known as congestion pricing, is meant to reduce traffic gridlock in densely packed Manhattan while also raising money to help fix the city’s ailing public transit infrastructure.
World
Ukraine
Zelenskyy calls for boosted air defense
KYIV — Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy says he will urge allies to boost his country’s air defenses at a meeting this week in Germany. Zelenskyy said dozens of countries will participate in Thursday’s meeting at Ramstein Air Base.
Meanwhile, both Moscow and Kyiv said Ukrainian forces pressed new attacks Sunday in Russia’s Kursk region.
Montenegro
Thousands protest over mass shooting
PODGORICA — Several thousand people have participated in street protests in Montenegro.
The demonstrators on Sunday demanded the resignations of top security officials over a shooting earlier this week that left 12 people dead, including two children. The shooting rampage on Wednesday was the second in the western town of Cetinje in less than three years.
United Kingdom
Snow brings widespread disruption
LONDON — Heavy snow and freezing rain have brought widespread disruption across Europe particularly in the U.K. and Germany with several major airports suspending flights. The weather was set to stay inclement on Sunday in the U.K.
There were concerns that many rural communities particularly in the north of England could be cut off with up to 15 inches of snow. Snow and ice were also causing havoc in Germany where a bout of wintry weather is spreading from Baden-Wuertemberg in the southwest.