Global Pulse

标签： North America

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  • Luigi Mangione faces key evidence hearings over US healthcare exec’s killing

    Luigi Mangione faces key evidence hearings over US healthcare exec’s killing

    A pivotal legal proceeding commenced Monday in the case against Luigi Mangione, the 27-year-old defendant charged with the assassination of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson. The hearings, presided over by Judge Gregory Carro in state court, will determine the admissibility of crucial evidence in Mangione’s upcoming murder trial.

    The case stems from the December 2024 fatal shooting of Thompson on a Midtown Manhattan sidewalk, an act that drew widespread condemnation from public officials while simultaneously making Mangione an unlikely folk hero among Americans frustrated with exorbitant healthcare costs. Mangione has entered not guilty pleas to all charges in both state and federal jurisdictions, with federal prosecutors indicating they will seek capital punishment.

    This week’s hearings will scrutinize the circumstances surrounding Mangione’s arrest in Pennsylvania, where defense attorneys allege constitutional violations occurred. The defense team is motioning to exclude evidence recovered from Mangione’s backpack—including a 3D-printed firearm, silencer, electronic devices, and journal entries allegedly connecting him to the homicide—claiming it was obtained through illegal search procedures.

    Additionally, defense counsel is seeking to suppress statements Mangione made during interrogation, asserting law enforcement failed to properly advise him of his Miranda rights. Prosecutors from Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg’s office have vigorously contested these motions, maintaining the investigation was conducted lawfully.

    While Judge Carro dismissed two terrorism charges in September due to insufficient evidence of intent to intimidate insurance workers or influence policy, Mangione still faces second-degree murder charges—which carry life imprisonment for intentional killing—alongside seven weapons possession counts and one false identification charge.

    The defendant remains in federal custody in Brooklyn as both state and federal trial dates await scheduling. Outside the courthouse, a small group of supporters demonstrated, including one individual costumed as a video game villain bearing a sign that read, ‘When patients die, profits rise,’ highlighting the polarized public reaction to this case.

  • White House doctor releases Trump’s ‘perfectly normal’ MRI results

    White House doctor releases Trump’s ‘perfectly normal’ MRI results

    The White House has publicly disclosed the results of President Donald Trump’s recent preventative MRI scan, with his physician declaring the 79-year-old leader remains in “excellent overall health.” Captain Sean Barbabella, the president’s doctor and a US Navy emergency physician with combat experience in Iraq and Afghanistan, released a detailed medical memo on Monday confirming advanced imaging of both the president’s cardiovascular system and abdominal organs returned “perfectly normal” results.

    The comprehensive examination, conducted during Trump’s October physical at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center, was characterized as standard preventive care for men in his age demographic. According to the medical assessment, there is no evidence of arterial narrowing that would impair blood flow, nor any abnormalities detected in the president’s heart or major vessels. The abdominal imaging similarly revealed all evaluated organs “functioning within normal limits with no acute or chronic concerns.”

    This transparency initiative comes amid increasing scrutiny from Democratic officials, including Minnesota Governor Tim Walz, who have expressed concerns about the president’s age and physical capacity during his second term. The disclosure follows Trump’s Sunday comments aboard Air Force One, where he expressed willingness to release the results while humorously noting the scan didn’t examine his brain since he had “aced” a recent cognitive test.

    White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt presented the findings during Monday’s press briefing, emphasizing the administration’s commitment to transparency. The release addresses ongoing public discussion about Trump’s health, which has included observations of swollen ankles, bruising on his right hand, and instances of the president dozing during meetings. Previous medical disclosures revealed a diagnosis of chronic venous insufficiency, a vein condition that can cause leg swelling.

    The timing of the medical disclosure follows Trump’s recent harsh criticism of a New York Times reporter who co-authored an article examining his age and physical stamina, highlighting the politically charged nature of presidential health discussions.

  • WHO backs GLP-1 treatments to tackle obesity epidemic

    WHO backs GLP-1 treatments to tackle obesity epidemic

    In a landmark move to combat the escalating global obesity pandemic, the World Health Organization has issued its first-ever clinical guidelines endorsing GLP-1 agonist medications as essential long-term treatments for obesity management. This decisive recommendation comes as obesity rates threaten to double worldwide by 2030 without immediate intervention, currently affecting over one billion people and claiming 3.7 million lives annually from related complications—surpassing combined fatalities from malaria, tuberculosis, and HIV.

    The UN health agency recognizes obesity as a chronic, relapsing disease requiring comprehensive, lifelong care strategies. While emphasizing that pharmaceutical interventions alone cannot reverse the epidemic, WHO experts highlight that GLP-1 therapies—including widely known brands Ozempic and Mounjaro—represent a transformative component within integrated treatment approaches. These appetite-suppressing medications have demonstrated significant efficacy, though the organization calls for expanded research on their long-term safety profiles.

    WHO Director-General Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus stated that these therapies ‘can help millions overcome obesity and reduce its associated harms’ when combined with intensive behavioral interventions promoting nutritional education and physical activity. The guidelines specifically recommend GLP-1 agonists for non-pregnant adults while stressing the necessity of population-level policies creating healthier environments.

    Dr. Jeremy Farrar, WHO Assistant Director-General for health promotion, cautioned against viewing these medications as ‘a magic bullet,’ but acknowledged their profound potential to reshape healthcare outcomes for diabetes and cardiovascular diseases. The economic implications are equally staggering, with obesity-related costs projected to reach $3 trillion annually by 2030, potentially rendering healthcare systems ‘untenable’ without effective intervention strategies.

    Addressing accessibility concerns, WHO has already included GLP-1 drugs in its Essential Medicines List, advocating for affordable generic versions to ensure equitable distribution across low- and middle-income nations. This initiative aims to prevent worsening global health disparities while leveraging scientific innovations to tackle one of modernity’s most pressing public health challenges.

  • Drug lord El Chapo’s son pleads guilty in US drug trafficking case

    Drug lord El Chapo’s son pleads guilty in US drug trafficking case

    In a significant blow to Mexico’s most powerful drug trafficking organization, Joaquín Guzmán López, 39, has entered a guilty plea to narcotics charges in a United States federal court. The defendant—one of four sons of imprisoned kingpin Joaquín ‘El Chapo’ Guzmán—acknowledged his criminal activities as part of a plea agreement reached with U.S. prosecutors.

    This judicial development follows the U.S. government’s commitment last May to exclude capital punishment from potential sentencing. Guzmán López represents the second consecutive son from the notorious ‘Los Chapitos’ faction to admit guilt this year, following his brother Ovidio’s July confession to drug trafficking, firearms, and money laundering violations.

    Federal prosecutors assert that the Guzmán siblings ascended to leadership roles within the Sinaloa Cartel following their father’s 2019 life sentence conviction and subsequent imprisonment at Colorado’s ADX Florence supermax facility. The criminal organization, co-founded by El Chapo and currently led by Ismael ‘El Mayo’ Zambada, remains one of Mexico’s most prolific drug syndicates.

    Guzmán López’s arrest occurred last year after his private aircraft landed in Texas, where authorities apprehended him alongside cartel boss Zambada. The guilty plea emerges amid heightened political tensions regarding U.S. counter-narcotics strategies, including the Trump administration’s controversial missile strikes against suspected maritime drug traffickers and proposals to designate cartels as terrorist organizations.

    The administration justifies these aggressive measures as necessary interventions to combat the opioid crisis and prevent narcotics-related fatalities within American borders. This case underscores the ongoing international efforts to dismantle transnational criminal networks through judicial cooperation and targeted law enforcement operations.

  • Dubai’s Rayhan Thomas aims to secure 2026 Korn Ferry Tour status in Savannah

    Dubai’s Rayhan Thomas aims to secure 2026 Korn Ferry Tour status in Savannah

    Dubai-born golf professional Rayhan Thomas arrives in Savannah, Georgia this week for a critical career milestone: Stage Two of the Korn Ferry Tour Qualifying School at The Landings Golf & Athletic Club. The 26-year-old athlete, who narrowly missed automatic qualification by finishing 88th in the 2025 season standings, brings both experience and determination to the December 2-5 competition.

    Thomas enters the qualifier with significant momentum from his impressive Stage One performance in Nebraska, where he carded four consecutive sub-70 rounds (67-69-67-66) to finish 15-under-par and secure a tied-fourth position. The Deer Creek course at Savannah holds particular significance for Thomas, having previously competed there during last year’s qualifying stage and official Korn Ferry Tour events.

    “I’m excited about what lies ahead,” Thomas told Khaleej Times. “I’ve always played well around this course, so fingers crossed I can keep that run going. I’m feeling good with my game and strong physically and mentally after a break from Stage One.”

    The Tom Fazio-designed championship layout stretches 7,049 yards as a par-72 challenge that will test 76 competitors under predicted challenging weather conditions. Thomas acknowledged the forecasted cold and windy weather but maintained his competitive perspective: “It’s the same for everyone, and as with all qualifying, I just want to play my best and hopefully get through this week.”

    Successful advancement would see Thomas progress to the Final Qualifying stage at TPC Sawgrass and Sawgrass Country Club in Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida (December 11-14), where the ultimate prizes include PGA Tour cards for the top five finishers and full Korn Ferry Tour membership for the next 40 competitors.

    Representing Dubai Creek Golf & Yacht Club with sponsorship support from Hero, Wilson, Cadillac, and Dubai Basketball, the Indian-descent golfer stands at the threshold of securing his professional future through four days of intense competition.

  • US Navy commander ordered second Venezuela boat strike, White House says

    US Navy commander ordered second Venezuela boat strike, White House says

    The White House has issued a robust defense of U.S. military operations targeting suspected Venezuelan narcotics vessels in the Caribbean, affirming that a senior Navy commander acted within legal parameters when authorizing lethal strikes. Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt confirmed on Monday that Admiral Frank Bradley operated “well within his authority and the law” in ordering additional military action against an alleged drug-smuggling boat.

    The administration forcefully denied allegations reported by the Washington Post that Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth had issued verbal commands to “kill everybody” aboard targeted vessels. Both Hegseth and White House officials characterized these claims as “fabricated, inflammatory, and derogatory,” with President Trump expressing complete confidence in his defense secretary.

    This military campaign, framed as a counter-narcotics initiative, has resulted in over 80 fatalities since early September. The Trump administration characterizes these operations as acts of self-defense against presidentially designated narco-terrorist groups transporting illicit drugs toward American shores.

    The strikes have triggered bipartisan concern in Congress, with both the Senate and House Armed Services Committees initiating inquiries into the operational circumstances. Senators Roger Wicker and Jack Reed announced vigorous oversight measures to establish factual clarity regarding engagement protocols.

    Internationally, Venezuela’s National Assembly has condemned the military actions and pledged thorough investigation into allegations of secondary strikes that reportedly killed survivors. The Venezuelan government accuses the United States of deliberately escalating regional tensions to undermine its sovereignty.

    The legal framework governing these operations remains contentious, with the administration classifying the campaign as a non-international armed conflict against drug traffickers. This classification invokes Geneva Convention provisions prohibiting targeting of wounded participants and mandating their apprehension and medical care.

    The current controversy echoes previous scrutiny of U.S. engagement protocols during the Obama administration, particularly regarding drone strike practices that sometimes resulted in unintended casualties.

  • ‘Rage bait’ crowned Oxford’s word of the year for 2025

    ‘Rage bait’ crowned Oxford’s word of the year for 2025

    Oxford University Press has declared ‘rage bait’ as its 2025 Word of the Year, selecting the term that encapsulates the modern digital phenomenon of content specifically engineered to provoke anger and outrage for increased online engagement. The selection process incorporated both public voting and sophisticated analysis of lexical data from OUP’s extensive language corpus.

    The winning term surpassed two other notable finalists: ‘aura farming,’ which describes the strategic cultivation of a charismatic personal image, and ‘biohack,’ referring to self-directed biological optimization through lifestyle and technological interventions. According to Oxford’s official definition, ‘rage bait’ constitutes ‘online content deliberately designed to elicit anger or outrage through frustrating, provocative, or offensive material, typically posted to amplify web traffic or user interaction.’

    Casper Grathwohl, President of OUP’s Languages Division, emphasized that these contemporary terms demonstrate how digital platforms are fundamentally transforming human cognition and behavior. ‘These selections represent a natural progression in our ongoing dialogue about humanity’s place within a technology-dominated world and the peculiar extremes of online culture,’ Grathwohl stated in an official release.

    The democratic element of the selection process saw participation from over 30,000 global voters during a three-day voting window. This marks the fourth consecutive year incorporating public input in the final decision, though OUP experts simultaneously tracked actual usage patterns across a massive 30-billion-word database of global language data to validate the choice.

    This year’s selection continues Oxford’s tradition of identifying terms that capture the cultural moment, following previous winners including 2023’s ‘rizz’ (denoting personal charm) and 2024’s ‘brain rot.’ The public voting mechanism began in 2022 when ‘goblin mode’ emerged victorious. Prior to this public involvement phase, Oxford’s lexicographers independently selected such culturally significant terms as ‘vax’ (2021), ‘climate emergency’ (2019), and ‘selfie’ (2013).

  • UAE: Mother wakes from 3-month coma to discover she gave birth to baby girl

    UAE: Mother wakes from 3-month coma to discover she gave birth to baby girl

    A Jordanian expatriate residing in Ajman has emerged from one of the longest documented ECMO (Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation) cases in medical history, awakening after three months in a coma to discover she had given birth during her unconsciousness. Amal Othman, 40, survived a harrowing medical ordeal that began with a severe influenza infection during her Umrah pilgrimage while pregnant.

    Her condition rapidly deteriorated into Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome (ARDS) accompanied by hemothorax and pneumothorax—life-threatening accumulations of blood and air in the chest cavity. Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi’s critical care team implemented ECMO support for an unprecedented 324 days, representing one of the most prolonged applications of this advanced life support technology worldwide.

    Medical director Dr. Fadi Hamed described the case as ‘exceptionally complex,’ requiring coordinated surgical interventions and sustained critical care management. ‘This patient’s journey demonstrates the remarkable outcomes possible through fully integrated team medicine and persistent hope,’ Dr. Hamed stated.

    Upon regaining consciousness, Othman experienced complete paralysis and temporary voice loss, unaware of both the duration of her hospitalization and the successful delivery of her daughter months earlier. Her husband gradually revealed the reality of her situation, including the birth of their child—a revelation the mother characterizes as ‘the beginning of hope’ after existing ‘between life and death.’

    Remarkably, Othman reported vivid visions during her comatose state that corresponded with actual events, including her family’s relocation to a new residence. Her recovery involved extensive rehabilitation under physical therapist Rami Boyles, who noted her progression from complete immobility to regained mobility with assisted walking.

    Despite her miraculous recovery, Othman continues to face medical challenges, including the need for future colon transplantation due to treatment-related complications. She has appealed for financial support to complete her ongoing surgical requirements, emphasizing that while her survival represents a medical milestone, her healing journey continues.

  • Mangione in court as lawyers seek to rule out notebook, gun and other key evidence

    Mangione in court as lawyers seek to rule out notebook, gun and other key evidence

    The Manhattan courtroom became the stage for a pivotal legal battle as Luigi Mangione, the 27-year-old defendant charged with the murder of United Healthcare CEO Brian Thompson, appeared for a multi-day pre-trial hearing. The proceedings center on defense motions to suppress crucial evidence, including a firearm and personal writings allegedly outlining a motive.

    Mangione, who pleaded not guilty to both state and federal murder charges that carry potential death penalty implications, attended Monday’s hearing in a grey suit after court personnel removed his restraints. His legal team is challenging the admissibility of evidence obtained during his December 2024 arrest at a Pennsylvania McDonald’s days after the shooting.

    Defense attorneys argue constitutional violations occurred when police conducted warrantless searches of Mangione’s backpack and obtained statements before reading Miranda rights. Prosecutors maintain the 9mm handgun recovered matches the weapon used in the daylight shooting of Thompson, a father of two, as he entered a Manhattan investors’ conference.

    The notebook in question allegedly contains writings describing what prosecutors characterize as anti-health insurance industry sentiments, referring to ‘the deadly, greed fueled health insurance cartel.’ However, the defense contends these materials were illegally obtained.

    Legal experts observing the case suggest the defense faces significant hurdles. ‘The chances of evidence exclusion are virtually non-existent,’ noted New York criminal defense attorney Dmitriy Shakhnevich, citing exceptions to warrant requirements during manhunts for violent suspects.

    The hearing has featured testimony from law enforcement officials, including NYPD Deputy Commissioner of Public Information Sgt. Chris McLaughlin, and included review of surveillance footage from both the crime scene and arrest location. Prosecutors have indicated additional forensic evidence, including DNA or fingerprints from items discarded near the shooting, strengthens their case.

    Separately, Mangione’s attorneys are seeking to prevent federal prosecutors from pursuing capital punishment, arguing public comments from high-ranking officials like Attorney General Pam Bondi have prejudiced the case through political motivation.

  • Starbucks to pay NYC workers $35m after alleged labour law violations

    Starbucks to pay NYC workers $35m after alleged labour law violations

    Starbucks has reached a historic $35 million settlement with New York City authorities following allegations of systematic violations of the city’s Fair Workweek Law. The agreement, announced Monday, resolves claims that the coffee giant denied predictable schedules and arbitrarily reduced hours for thousands of employees across its NYC locations.

    More than 15,000 hourly workers will receive compensation of $50 for each week worked between July 2021 and July 2024, according to city officials. The settlement represents the largest worker protection agreement in New York City’s history, with investigators documenting over half a million violations of scheduling regulations.

    New York City Department of Consumer and Worker Protection Commissioner Vilda Vera Mayuga stated the investigation revealed ‘a pattern of systemic violations’ across all Starbucks locations in the city. ‘All workers deserve to be treated with dignity,’ Mayuga emphasized, ‘and we are proud to stand up for our neighbors when a multibillion-dollar company chooses to systematically violate their employees’ rights.’

    As part of the settlement, Starbucks must now comply with NYC’s worker protection laws requiring fast-food employers to provide regular schedules and opportunities for additional shifts. The company acknowledged the complexity of the city’s regulations while maintaining its commitment to compliance.

    In a statement, Starbucks noted the compensation represents ‘legal compliance, not unpaid wages’ and reiterated its commitment to ‘creating the best job in retail.’ The company recently announced plans to invest $500 million in coffeehouse staffing and training improvements nationwide.

    The settlement occurs amid ongoing labor tensions between Starbucks and unionized workers. Starbucks Workers United continues to organize strikes across more than 120 stores in 85 cities, demanding better pay, improved staffing levels, and formal union contracts. The union has won representation elections at approximately 5% of company-owned U.S. locations since its formation four years ago.

    New York City Mayor Eric Adams characterized the agreement as a ‘landmark settlement’ that will ‘put tens of millions of dollars back into the pockets of hard-working New Yorkers and reinforce every New Yorker’s right to a reliable schedule, full hours, and basic dignity.’

    The resolution comes as Starbucks navigates multiple challenges including consumer boycotts, increased competition, pricing criticism, and leadership transitions. While the company reported its first quarterly sales growth in nearly two years this October, U.S. sales remained flat, indicating ongoing operational challenges.