Global Pulse

标签： North America

北美洲

  • Trump border patrol chief Greg Bovino to retire

    Trump border patrol chief Greg Bovino to retire

    Greg Bovino, the prominent US Border Patrol chief who became the public face of former President Donald Trump’s aggressive immigration enforcement policies, has revealed plans to retire from his position. The career immigration official disclosed his intention to step down at the end of March in an interview with Breitbart News, though formal retirement documentation has not yet been submitted according to Department of Homeland Security officials.

    Bovino’s nearly three-decade tenure in immigration enforcement culminated in his leadership of Operation Metro Surge, a controversial initiative targeting Democratic-led cities including Los Angeles, Chicago, and Minneapolis. His command drew significant scrutiny following January’s fatal shootings of two American citizens, Renee Good and Alex Pretti, during confrontations with federal agents in Minnesota. The incidents sparked bipartisan condemnation and widespread protests, leading to Bovino’s reassignment from his Minnesota role shortly afterward.

    The veteran enforcement official expressed profound admiration for his colleagues in his retirement announcement, stating: ‘The greatest honour of my entire life was to work alongside Border Patrol agents on the border and in the interior of the United States in some of the most challenging conditions the agency has ever faced.’ He further described watching agents perform in ‘the most dangerous of environments’ as ‘humbling.’

    Bovino’s career trajectory included extensive service near the California-Mexico border before joining the Trump administration’s immigration leadership. His departure coincides with broader restructuring within the Department of Homeland Security under Trump, which recently saw the replacement of agency head Kristi Noem as part of efforts to implement mass deportation policies central to Trump’s election promises.

    Additional controversy surrounded Bovino following reports from CBS News that he made disparaging remarks about Jewish federal officials during a January conference call, specifically targeting Minnesota prosecutor Daniel Rosen who was observing Sabbath traditions. As Bovino approaches the mandatory retirement age of 57 for US Customs and Border Protection personnel, public opinion remains divided on Trump’s deportation initiatives, with recent Reuters/Ipsos polling indicating majority support for removing illegal immigrants but significant disapproval of the administration’s handling of the issue.

  • Two charged in death of anti-Iranian regime activist in Canada

    Two charged in death of anti-Iranian regime activist in Canada

    Canadian authorities have formally charged two individuals with first-degree murder in the death of Masood Masjoody, a prominent Iranian dissident and former mathematics instructor, whose disappearance in early February culminated in the discovery of his remains in Mission, British Columbia last week.

    The Integrated Homicide Investigation Team (IHIT) identified the accused as Mehdi Ahmadzadeh Razavi, 48, and Arezou Soltani, 45, both of whom appeared in court on Monday. While police confirmed the victim and suspects were acquainted and had engaged in social media disputes, the precise motive remains under active investigation.

    RCMP spokesperson Freda Fong acknowledged the case’s profound impact on the Iranian-Canadian community, stating that the first-degree murder charges represent a significant development in the ongoing investigation. Both defendants lack prior criminal records in Canada, according to official sources.

    Masjoody, 45, served on the board of the Iran Front for the Revival of Law and National Sovereignty, an organization dedicated to opposing Tehran’s regime. The group had expressed concern following his disappearance, highlighting his years of activism against what they described as ‘influence and intimidation networks’ connected to the Islamic Republic in diaspora communities.

    Following the criminal charges, the organization issued a statement characterizing Masjoody’s death as a consequence of ‘political violence’ and ‘lawlessness,’ though Canadian authorities have not confirmed any political motivation behind the killing. The investigation began after neighbors reported unusual circumstances surrounding Masjoody’s disappearance, prompting a comprehensive police response that ultimately led to the murder charges.

  • Bank of America settles over Epstein claims

    Bank of America settles over Epstein claims

    Bank of America has reached a settlement agreement in a class-action lawsuit alleging the financial institution facilitated Jeffrey Epstein’s sex trafficking operation. The resolution, which requires court approval, follows similar settlements by JPMorgan Chase ($290 million) and Deutsche Bank ($75 million) in related cases.

    The lawsuit was originally filed in October by a Florida woman who reported being abused by Epstein on numerous occasions between 2011 and 2019. Court documents revealed she maintained two Bank of America accounts under the direction of Epstein’s business team. The complaint alleged the bank possessed substantial evidence of Epstein’s trafficking activities but prioritized profits over victim protection.

    Evidence presented included records showing “incredibly alarming and erratic banking behavior” through accounts controlled by Epstein’s associates. The filing also referenced over $150 million in payments from billionaire Leon Black, Apollo Global co-founder, to Epstein for purported consulting services. Black, who resigned from Apollo following scrutiny of his Epstein connections, has denied any wrongdoing and was scheduled for deposition later this month.

    Bank of America had previously sought dismissal of the lawsuit, characterizing the allegations as “threadbare and meritless” and maintaining it provided routine banking services to clients without known Epstein connections at the time. Both parties notified the court Monday of their “settlement in principle” and are expected to provide additional details on March 27th, with a hearing scheduled for April 2nd.

    Sigrid McCawley, legal representative for the victims, described the settlement as “one more step on the road to much deserved justice.” Bank of America declined to comment on the agreement, whose financial terms remain undisclosed.

  • US airline CEOs urge Congress to end shutdown and pay airport workers

    US airline CEOs urge Congress to end shutdown and pay airport workers

    In an unprecedented move, chief executives from America’s largest airlines have jointly appealed to U.S. lawmakers to immediately resolve the ongoing government shutdown that has left transportation security workers unpaid since February. The coordinated action comes as travel disruptions intensify nationwide.

    Top executives from American Airlines, Delta Air Lines, Southwest Airlines, and JetBlue Airways have formally requested Congress restore funding to the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), which oversees the Transportation Security Administration (TSA). The funding impasse stems from Congressional disagreements over immigration policy reforms demanded by Democrats as a condition for DHS funding.

    The airline leaders characterized air travel as a ‘political football’ in shutdown negotiations, emphasizing the immediate need for bipartisan agreement to fund DHS operations. They further advocated for permanent legislative solutions that would guarantee compensation for air traffic controllers regardless of government funding status.

    The human impact has become increasingly severe. TSA employees missed their first full paycheck on Friday, yet remain obligated to work as essential personnel. Over 300 security officers have resigned according to DHS reports, while absentee rates have more than doubled since the funding lapse began. Union representatives describe workers struggling to afford basic necessities like food, gasoline, and rent.

    Operational consequences are mounting. Severe weather patterns combined with spring break travel volumes and staffing shortages created significant disruptions over the weekend. Passengers at Austin-Bergstrom International Airport faced security wait times exceeding 100 minutes, prompting officials to recommend arriving 2.5 hours before domestic flights. Similar delays occurred at Fort Lauderdale and Atlanta’s major hubs.

    Several airports, including those in Denver, Seattle, and Las Vegas, have initiated donation programs asking travelers to contribute gift cards and essential items to support unpaid TSA workers. The American Federation of Government Employees expressed deep concern about the psychological and financial toll on security personnel, noting that such treatment would be ‘inexcusable’ in any other employment context.

    The political standoff centers on Democratic demands for immigration enforcement reforms following the deaths of two Minneapolis protesters during ICE operations in January. Democrats seek to prohibit immigration agents from wearing masks, improve officer identification, and strengthen warrant requirements—conditions the Trump administration has rejected.

    President Trump addressed TSA workers via Truth Social on Sunday, encouraging them to ‘go to work’ while promising ‘I will never forget you!!!’ The partial shutdown continues as negotiations remain deadlocked over immigration policy provisions.

  • Trump’s White House chief of staff Susie Wiles diagnosed with breast cancer

    Trump’s White House chief of staff Susie Wiles diagnosed with breast cancer

    In a personal health disclosure from the highest levels of U.S. government, White House Chief of Staff Susie Wiles has been diagnosed with early-stage breast cancer. President Donald Trump announced the news via his Truth Social platform on Monday, praising Wiles’s decision to confront her diagnosis immediately rather than delay treatment.

    Despite her health challenge, the 68-year-old political strategist will continue to perform her duties ‘virtually full time at the White House’ throughout her treatment regimen. Wiles occupies a historically significant position as the first woman to serve as White House Chief of Staff, a role considered the most crucial staff position in the executive branch responsible for maintaining the president’s agenda.

    Wiles, who played an instrumental role in Trump’s political resurgence and guided his successful 2024 campaign, addressed her diagnosis with characteristic resolve. In a statement to the New York Times, she contextualized her personal health battle within broader national health patterns, noting that ‘nearly one in eight women in the United States will face this diagnosis.’

    The Chief of Staff emphasized the continuing strength of women who maintain their professional and personal responsibilities while undergoing treatment, stating she now joins their ranks. Wiles expressed confidence in her prognosis, describing it as ‘strong,’ and acknowledged President Trump’s supportive response to her health situation.

  • From tornadoes to blizzards, severe weather expected to batter parts of the US

    From tornadoes to blizzards, severe weather expected to batter parts of the US

    A massive weather system is creating hazardous conditions across the eastern United States, delivering everything from blizzard conditions to tornado threats while simultaneously setting the stage for extreme heat in western states.

    Meteorological chaos has engulfed over a dozen states from Missouri to Maine, with wind advisories active throughout the region. The National Weather Service reports accumulating snow reaching 2 feet in Wisconsin and northern Michigan since the weekend, with southeastern Minnesota recording over 20 inches by Sunday afternoon. The agency has issued stark warnings about ‘whiteout conditions making travel treacherous and potentially life-threatening.’

    The storm’s impact on infrastructure has been severe. Aviation tracking service FlightAware reported over 2,000 flight cancellations and 7,000 delays by Monday morning, with Chicago’s O’Hare International Airport and New York’s LaGuardia Airport experiencing the most significant disruptions. Power outages have affected more than half a million customers, primarily concentrated in Michigan, Ohio, and Georgia.

    Emergency measures are underway in multiple states. Minnesota Governor Tim Walz has activated the National Guard to support emergency operations. In North Carolina, where wind gusts were predicted to exceed 74 mph, Governor Josh Stein urged residents to enable emergency alerts on their phones. Numerous school districts from North Carolina to Wisconsin have closed facilities.

    Meanwhile, the southern tier faces severe thunderstorm threats with the National Weather Service predicting possible hail and ‘a tornado or two’ in parts of North Carolina, South Carolina, and West Virginia.

    In stark contrast, western states are preparing for extreme heat conditions. An excessive heat watch is scheduled for parts of southern California, Arizona, and Nevada later this week, with temperatures in southwest Arizona expected to reach 109°F (42°C). Officials warn this brings ‘a significant increase’ in heat-related illness risks and elevated wildfire danger across the West and High Plains.

    The weather dichotomy highlights the extreme meteorological divide affecting the nation, with Nebraska already deploying approximately 30 National Guard troops to combat multiple wildfires that have damaged nearly 1,000 square miles and claimed at least one life.

  • Game companies harness power of AI

    Game companies harness power of AI

    The 2026 Game Developers Conference in San Francisco became a definitive showcase of artificial intelligence’s transformative impact on the gaming sector, with Chinese technology firms emerging as dominant forces in this revolution. Throughout the March 9-13 event, AI permeated every aspect of the conference, from keynote presentations to exhibition floors, signaling a paradigm shift in game development methodologies.

    Tencent Games, represented by technology head Nathan Chen, demonstrated how rapidly the industry has embraced AI-powered solutions. Chen noted that within just one year, the industry consensus shifted from cautious consideration to full-scale adoption of 3D generation technology. The Chinese gaming giant presented over 20 technical sessions and unveiled VISVISE, described as the industry’s first independently developed animation generation model capable of supporting both 3D animation and modeling generation.

    The conference highlighted how AI is democratizing game development through affordable, accessible tools. Meshy, a 3D generative AI company, showcased technology that reduces both time and cost dramatically—transforming what previously required weeks and $1,000 into a process taking mere minutes at a fraction of the cost. Their platform enables both professionals and hobbyists to generate sophisticated 3D assets from simple text prompts or images, eliminating the need for expensive software or specialized training.

    Beijing-based Tripo AI launched its P1.0 3D model generation system designed for seamless integration into game engines and other applications. The company, which has generated nearly 100 million 3D models since its inception, represents the expanding ecosystem around AI-generated content. According to spokesperson Wang Yinyin, these production-ready asset generation tools are significantly lowering barriers for creating interactive content.

    The growth potential is substantial. Recent analysis from The Business Research Company projects the global AI 3D asset market will expand from $1.89 billion in 2024 to $7.21 billion by 2029, representing a remarkable 30.7% compound annual growth rate.

    Beyond content creation, Chinese companies are building comprehensive ecosystem support. PingPong, a cross-border payment services provider, made its GDC debut with a unified checkout platform supporting multiple terminals and optimizing payment pathways for game transactions. Meanwhile, Shanghai-based ThinkingData demonstrated its analytics platform that enables real-time user behavior tracking and game performance optimization across multiple platforms. The company has established a Silicon Valley office as part of its strategic push into the competitive but lucrative US market.

  • Creed to Sinners: Michael B Jordan’s road to Oscars recognition

    Creed to Sinners: Michael B Jordan’s road to Oscars recognition

    In a historic moment at the Academy Awards, Michael B. Jordan claimed the Best Actor Oscar for his transformative dual performance in the supernatural horror film ‘Sinners,’ cementing his status as one of Hollywood’s most formidable talents. The 39-year-old actor surpassed competitors including Timothée Chalamet and Leonardo DiCaprio, becoming just the seventh Black performer to win in the leading role category.

    Jordan’s victory marks the culmination of a remarkable creative partnership with director Ryan Coogler that has spanned over a decade and produced critically acclaimed works including ‘Fruitvale Station,’ the ‘Creed’ franchise, and ‘Black Panther.’ Their latest collaboration, ‘Sinners,’ achieved record-breaking success with 16 Oscar nominations, surpassing previous record-holders ‘All About Eve,’ ‘Titanic,’ and ‘La La Land.’

    In the film, Jordan portrays twin brothers Smoke and Stack—former associates of Al Capone who return to Mississippi with ambitions of opening a juke joint, only to confront supernatural forces. The actor revealed the role presented unprecedented challenges, requiring extensive research with real identical twins to develop subtle behavioral distinctions between the characters.

    Jordan’s acceptance speech paid tribute to pioneering Black performers who paved the way for his achievement, specifically naming Sidney Poitier, Denzel Washington, and Halle Berry. His win is particularly significant for the horror genre, which has historically been overlooked in major Oscar categories since ‘The Silence of the Lambs’ won Best Picture in 1992.

    The film’s success extended beyond Jordan’s performance, with nominations for British-Nigerian actress Wunmi Mosaku and co-star Delroy Lindo, as well as a Best Director nomination for Coogler and a Best Picture shortlisting.

    Beyond acting, Jordan continues to expand his influence in the entertainment industry through his production company Outlier Society. He recently acquired adaptation rights to Rebecca Yarros’ bestselling fantasy series ‘Fourth Wing’ in partnership with Amazon, while also expressing his growing interest in directing projects where he wouldn’t appear on screen.

    The Oscar win represents a career milestone for Jordan, who began acting at age 15 with a role in ‘The Wire’ and achieved breakthrough recognition with 2013’s ‘Fruitvale Station.’ His journey reflects both artistic evolution and the changing landscape of representation in Hollywood.

  • Experts hail China’s focus on innovation, self-reliance

    Experts hail China’s focus on innovation, self-reliance

    International analysts are recognizing China’s deliberate shift toward technological self-sufficiency and structural economic reforms as the nation implements its 15th Five-Year Plan (2026-30). This strategic repositioning emphasizes sustainable development over aggressive stimulus, with experts characterizing it as a measured response to global uncertainties.

    China has established a pragmatic GDP growth target range of 4.5-5% for 2026, complemented by objectives to generate over 12 million urban employment opportunities and maintain consumer inflation at approximately 2%. The Greater China team at APCO Worldwide described this approach as “a more cautious and realistic assessment of domestic and external conditions,” aligning with long-term sustainable development goals.

    Economic specialists note that this moderated growth target enables necessary sectoral adjustments without artificial stimulus. Sourabh Gupta of the Institute for China-America Studies explained that this strategy permits the economy to “run on its own steam” while addressing challenges in real estate and local government finances. The government has allocated a substantial 30 trillion yuan general public budget and plans to issue 1.3 trillion yuan in special treasury bonds, creating flexibility for targeted economic interventions.

    A cornerstone of the five-year plan involves advancing “new quality productive forces” in cutting-edge domains including artificial intelligence, 6G networks, and quantum technologies. This technological sovereignty initiative aims to position China as a global innovation leader while mitigating external supply chain vulnerabilities. Jonathan A. Czin of the Brookings Institution observed Chinese leadership’s “dogged pursuit of ‘high-quality’ — if slower — growth in leading-edge manufacturing arenas.

    The strategy already demonstrates tangible results, with Moody’s Analytics reporting substantial domestic market share increases in construction machinery (90%), industrial robots (60%), and medical equipment (80%) over the past decade. These gains are attributed to comprehensive policy support, resilient supply networks, and substantial market scale.

    Concurrently, China is pursuing consumption rebalancing through a 250 billion yuan trade-in program and enhancements to rural pension systems. Gupta emphasized that consumption must ultimately lead economic restructuring, though deeper reforms in social safety nets and household registration systems remain necessary.

    Ambassador Xie Feng characterized China’s position in global affairs as “an oasis of certainty and an anchor of stability” amid international uncertainties. Experts anticipate China will maintain its stabilizing influence in multilateral relations while advancing technological standards that may shape global markets.

  • Gulf bases targeted as US hits Iran’s oil hub

    Gulf bases targeted as US hits Iran’s oil hub

    The strategic Persian Gulf region has become the epicenter of intensifying military confrontations as US forces launched targeted strikes on Iran’s critical oil infrastructure. The attacks focused on Kharg Island, a vital petroleum export terminal handling approximately 90% of Iran’s crude oil shipments, marking a significant escalation in the ongoing conflict between Iran, the United States, and Israel.

    According to military reports, American forces conducted precision strikes against more than 90 Iranian military targets on the small coral island located 30 kilometers off Iran’s southwestern coast. The assault represents a dangerous new phase in the three-week conflict that shows no signs of de-escalation despite international concerns.

    Iranian Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi confirmed the attacks originated from two locations within the United Arab Emirates, characterizing the situation as “extremely dangerous.” Iranian authorities have subsequently designated three major UAE ports as “legitimate targets” and urged civilian evacuations from these areas.

    Gulf Arab states find themselves increasingly embroiled in a conflict they neither initiated nor endorsed, with Bahrain, Saudi Arabia, and the UAE all activating defense systems to intercept incoming projectiles. Debris from an intercepted Iranian drone struck an oil facility at Fujairah Port, producing plumes of thick black smoke visible in television footage.

    Behind the diplomatic scenes, resentment is mounting among Gulf Cooperation Council members who are bearing unexpected economic and security costs. Anwar Gargash, diplomatic adviser to the UAE president, emphasized his nation’s commitment to “reason and de-escalation” while maintaining the right to self-defense.

    The conflict has expanded to include allegations of false-flag operations, with Iran’s joint military command accusing the US and Israel of using replica Iranian drones to attack neighboring countries and shift blame to Tehran. The Revolutionary Guards separately vowed to hunt down Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, promising to “track down and eliminate him with all our strength.”

    As the strategic Strait of Hormuz remains virtually blocked by the threat of Iranian attacks, Washington has called for international naval assistance to protect global oil supplies. Meanwhile, diplomatic efforts continue, with Iran’s Araghchi urging other nations to “refrain from any action that could lead to escalation and expansion of the conflict” during discussions with French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot.

    Despite the extensive attacks, Iranian officials maintain that oil exports from Kharg Island continue normally, though independent verification remains challenging amid the ongoing hostilities.