Global Pulse

标签： North America

北美洲

  • Watch: Moment roof collapses at a rodeo arena due to snow

    Watch: Moment roof collapses at a rodeo arena due to snow

    A structural failure occurred at the Saline County Fairgrounds in Arkansas when the roof of a rodeo arena completely collapsed under the accumulated pressure of snow and ice. The incident, captured on surveillance footage, happened while the facility was unoccupied, preventing potential injuries.

    The collapse followed a significant winter storm that deposited heavy amounts of precipitation across the region. The combination of snow and sleet created critical loading conditions that exceeded the roof’s structural integrity. Emergency officials have cordoned off the area as assessments begin to determine the full extent of the damage.

    Local authorities have highlighted this event as a reminder of the severe weather challenges facing infrastructure in the region. Investigations will focus on whether building codes were adequate for historical weather patterns that are increasingly influenced by climate volatility. The fairgrounds management has stated that all events will be relocated until further notice.

  • FBI raids Georgia election office over 2020 voter fraud claims

    FBI raids Georgia election office over 2020 voter fraud claims

    Federal Bureau of Investigation agents conducted a court-authorized operation at the Fulton County Election Hub on Wednesday as part of an ongoing investigation into allegations concerning the 2020 presidential election. The action represents the latest development in a multi-year examination of election processes in this critical Georgia county.

    According to official statements, FBI personnel engaged in what was described as “court-authorised law enforcement activity” at the facility. Fulton County officials confirmed that federal authorities presented a warrant specifically requesting “a number of records related to 2020 elections.” Eyewitnesses reported observing agents wearing FBI identification entering and exiting the premises, with some personnel appearing to transport materials into waiting vehicles.

    The operation occurs against the backdrop of persistent claims by former President Donald Trump regarding electoral processes in Georgia’s most populous county. Despite Trump’s assertions of widespread fraud, multiple audits and reviews have consistently confirmed Joe Biden’s victory in both Fulton County and statewide by a margin of approximately 12,000 votes.

    This development follows a December lawsuit filed by the Department of Justice seeking comprehensive election materials from Fulton County, including “all used and void ballots, stubs of all ballots, signature envelopes, and corresponding envelope digital files” from the 2020 general election.

    Local officials expressed strong reactions to the federal operation. Fulton County Commissioner Mo Ivory characterized the search as “an assault on your vote” during an emotional press conference held outside the election facility, stating that officials were “trying to figure out what to do about this.”

    The 2020 election marked a significant political shift in Georgia, representing the first Democratic presidential victory in the state since 1992. The narrow margin triggered a mandatory hand recount, which ultimately affirmed Biden’s victory.

    Trump’s extensive efforts to challenge Georgia’s results included numerous rejected legal challenges and a recorded January 2021 phone conversation with Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger in which the former president specifically requested finding enough votes to overturn the outcome. Raffensperger’s office, which oversees election certification, maintained throughout multiple reviews that Biden legitimately won the state.

    This investigation proceeds despite the resolution of two criminal cases against Trump related to alleged election interference in Georgia, both of which were dismissed through different legal processes.

  • Look: Sikka 2026 converts Dubai’s heritage houses into spaces of deliberate discomfort

    Look: Sikka 2026 converts Dubai’s heritage houses into spaces of deliberate discomfort

    DUBAI – The 14th edition of the Sikka Art & Design Festival has inaugurated a groundbreaking cultural experience within the historic Al Shindagha district, reimagining traditional heritage houses as provocative artistic venues. Organized under the patronage of Sheikha Latifa bint Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum and spearheaded by the Dubai Culture and Arts Authority, this year’s festival adopts the visionary theme “Imagining Dubai: Identities of the Future.”

    Breaking from conventional exhibition formats, Sikka 2026 presents itself as a sequence of immersive encounters rather than a traditional art display. The festival showcases an impressive assembly of creative talent, featuring over 450 artists and creatives who present nearly 250 distinct artworks distributed across 16 meticulously curated heritage houses. Each venue offers a unique narrative that contributes to Dubai’s evolving cultural dialogue while engaging with global contemporary art discourses.

    Among the most compelling installations is the Gulf House, curated by Yara Ayoub, which adopts an unusually focused approach by dedicating the entire space to a single work titled “Headache.” This installation deliberately eschews comfort, employing multi-sensory elements including disorienting soundscapes, intense lighting, and repetitive visual motifs to recreate the escalating sensation of cranial pressure. Ayoub explains the conceptual foundation: “The work reflects a shared mental state—the constant pressure, noise, and exhaustion that characterize modern existence. It demands visceral engagement rather than passive observation.”

    Making its debut this year is the International House, which spotlights Japanese aesthetics under the curation of Kotaro Watanabe. Drawing inspiration from wabi-sabi philosophy and the writings of Okakura Kakuzo, the space embraces imperfection and transience. Rooms appear intentionally unfinished, inviting visitors to complete the artistic experience through their own imagination. A particularly notable installation features a three-dimensional representation of “yesterday’s sky” created through an innovative process that transforms photographs of Dubai’s atmosphere into cloud-like formations printed using plant-based milk and natural materials. These delicate structures gradually dissolve within hours, leaving behind potable water—a poetic meditation on memory’s ephemeral nature.

    The Ceramics House, curated by Kamal Al Zubaidi, explores clay as a medium for cultural storytelling and experimentation. The space presents works by both established Emirati artists and emerging talents, including participants from the “Young Emirati Potters” program at Al Jalila Cultural Centre for Children. The exhibition demonstrates ceramics’ versatility through sculptural pieces, functional objects, and innovative techniques, complemented by a dedicated market featuring independent studios and works by artists of determination.

    Through its innovative programming, Sikka 2026 establishes itself as a significant platform for cultural exchange and artistic innovation, transforming Dubai’s historical architecture into dynamic spaces that challenge conventional artistic experiences while preserving and recontextualizing the city’s rich heritage.

  • Amazon to cut 16,000 corporate jobs

    Amazon to cut 16,000 corporate jobs

    Amazon has unveiled plans to eliminate approximately 16,000 corporate positions, marking the technology behemoth’s second significant workforce reduction within a four-month period. The announcement signals a strategic pivot toward artificial intelligence and operational efficiency as the company restructures its organizational framework.

    In an internal communication disseminated to employees on Wednesday, Beth Galetti, Amazon’s Senior Vice President of People Experience and Technology, characterized the cuts as part of a comprehensive initiative to ‘strengthen our organization by reducing layers, increasing ownership, and removing bureaucracy.’ The executive sought to reassure staff that these reductions do not represent an emerging pattern of regular workforce trimming, explicitly stating that recurring broad-scale layoffs are not part of the company’s strategic blueprint.

    This latest workforce adjustment follows the termination of 14,000 corporate roles in October 2025, bringing the total number of positions eliminated since late last year to approximately 30,000. This figure represents roughly 10% of Amazon’s corporate and technology workforce, underscoring the substantial scale of the company’s organizational transformation.

    The restructuring aligns with Chief Executive Officer Andy Jassy’s vision for a leaner corporate architecture following extensive hiring during the COVID-19 pandemic. Jassy has established internal objectives to streamline management hierarchies and cultivate a more agile, startup-like operational culture to foster accelerated innovation.

    Concurrently, Amazon is aggressively reallocating resources toward artificial intelligence development and data center infrastructure expansion. The company projected in October that its capital expenditures would reach $125 billion in 2026, representing the most substantial spending forecast among leading technology corporations.

    Jassy previously indicated in June that technological evolution would inevitably reshape workforce requirements, noting that while certain roles would diminish in necessity, emerging positions would be created to support the company’s evolving strategic priorities, particularly those related to AI implementation and operational optimization.

  • Bill Belichick: A Super Bowl god’s fall from grace

    Bill Belichick: A Super Bowl god’s fall from grace

    In a dramatic career pivot that has stunned the football world, legendary NFL coach Bill Belichick finds himself navigating uncharted territory at the University of North Carolina. The architect of six Super Bowl championships with the New England Patriots, Belichick now confronts mounting questions about his legacy following a disastrous debut season with the Tar Heels that yielded just four wins in twelve games.

    The irony is palpable: as his former team prepares for its record 12th Super Bowl appearance, Belichick received notification that he would be excluded from this year’s Pro Football Hall of Fame class. ‘Six Super Bowls isn’t enough?’ the coach reportedly asked with palpable disappointment, according to ESPN sources.

    Belichick’s unprecedented move to college football came after his unceremonious exit from the NFL in January 2024, when no professional team offered him a coaching position despite his historic resume. North Carolina took a monumental gamble, signing the 73-year-old to a five-year, $50 million contract—an unprecedented investment in their football program.

    The transition has proven challenging on multiple fronts. Belichick joined after the recruiting deadline, limiting his ability to secure top talent. His professional coaching methods have struggled to translate to collegiate athletes with steeper learning curves. Compounding these challenges has been relentless media scrutiny of his personal life, particularly his relationship with 24-year-old Jordon Hudson, which has generated constant tabloid coverage.

    Football analysts note the peculiar reversal of traditional career trajectories. ‘For years, the trend has been coaches leaving NCAA for NFL prestige,’ noted Dan Roche, CBS News sports anchor. ‘Belichick’s move backward—and his struggle to adapt—is complicating his legacy.’

    Those who know Belichick best suggest the move stems from an irreducible passion for the game. ‘I can’t recall many head coaches who have said, ‘Okay, I’ve done it all, and now I’m going to walk away,” Roche observed. ‘They just don’t have it in them.’

    Despite the disastrous first season, Belichick appears committed to rebuilding. At a recent signing ceremony for new recruits, he declared: ‘They will be a foundation of our program.’ His determination echoes a statement he once made to a colleague: When asked why he continued coaching, Belichick simply replied, ‘It beats working.’

  • Facebook-owner Meta to nearly double AI spending

    Facebook-owner Meta to nearly double AI spending

    Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg has unveiled an unprecedented commitment to artificial intelligence infrastructure, announcing plans to nearly double the company’s AI spending to $135 billion in 2026. The declaration came during Wednesday’s earnings call discussing Meta’s 2025 financial performance, marking one of the largest corporate investments in AI technology to date.

    The substantial expenditure represents a dramatic increase from the $72 billion allocated to AI projects in 2025 and follows three years of cumulative $140 billion investments positioning Meta at the forefront of the AI revolution. Zuckerberg characterized 2026 as the pivotal year when “AI dramatically changes the way we work,” despite acknowledging compressed profit margins as expenses outpace revenues.

    Market response appeared positive initially, with Meta shares climbing approximately 6.5% in extended trading following the announcement. However, the ambitious spending plan arrives alongside subtle indications of potential workforce reductions. Zuckerberg noted that AI tools now enable “projects that used to take big teams [to] be accomplished by a single, very talented person,” suggesting significant organizational restructuring ahead.

    The technology giant has already implemented several hundred layoffs in its Reality Labs division this year, reflecting strategic reallocation toward AI initiatives. Zuckerberg emphasized investments in AI tools that enhance employee productivity, particularly for software engineers, while acknowledging a growing performance gap between those effectively leveraging AI capabilities and those struggling to adapt.

    This massive financial commitment emerges against a backdrop of industry skepticism regarding AI valuation. Cisco Systems CEO Chuck Robbins characterized the current market as probable bubble conditions, warning that some companies “won’t make it.” Similar concerns have been echoed by JPMorgan Chase’s Jamie Dimon and Google CEO Sundar Pichai, who noted “irrationality” in the AI boom. Even OpenAI’s Sam Altman acknowledged investor “overexcitement” about AI technology.

    Meta’s aggressive investment strategy signals both confidence in AI’s transformative potential and willingness to weather potential market corrections in pursuit of technological leadership.

  • 29-year-old Indian expat found dead in trailer in Fujairah

    29-year-old Indian expat found dead in trailer in Fujairah

    A 29-year-old Indian expatriate from Kerala was discovered deceased inside his trailer truck in Fujairah on Friday morning, according to family members and local authorities. Ansar, who had resided in the UAE for eight years, was found unresponsive in the vehicle he both operated and frequently used as sleeping quarters.

    The circumstances surrounding his death remain undetermined pending an official forensic report from Fujairah Police. His twin brother, Anas, revealed that Ansar consistently preferred sleeping in his truck rather than his designated room. On the night of the incident, he had reportedly worn multiple clothing layers against the cold and utilized a heater within the sealed, switched-off trailer.

    Ansar had been employed at a garage in Masafi and recently applied for a heavy truck license, anticipating his test scheduled for the coming weeks. Family members indicated he had planned to visit his native Kerala next month—his first return home since arriving in the UAE.

    The tragedy has devastated his family, particularly his mother who received the news from the father currently in India attending to an ailing grandmother. Social workers from the Kerala Muslim Cultural Center (KMCC) are facilitating the repatriation process to transport Ansar’s remains to Kerala for final rites once official documentation is complete.

    This incident highlights the vulnerable living conditions often faced by migrant workers in the region and has sparked conversations about workplace safety and accommodation standards for expatriate laborers.

  • Dubai travellers to soon skip airport queues, check in at locations across city

    Dubai travellers to soon skip airport queues, check in at locations across city

    In a landmark move to cement its status as a global future-ready metropolis, Dubai has unveiled three groundbreaking initiatives under its ambitious 10X program. Approved by Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai, these projects represent the third phase of the initiative that seeks to position Dubai a decade ahead of other world cities through innovative governance models.

    The three selected ventures—the City Terminal Project, the 20 Minute City, and the Disease Early Detection System—are set to transform urban mobility, healthcare, and travel experiences through cross-governmental collaboration and technological innovation.

    The City Terminal Project, developed through partnership between Dubai Aviation Engineering Projects and multiple entities including Dubai Police, Emirates, and e& Group, will decentralize airport procedures. Travelers will be able to complete check-in operations at various city locations before being transported directly to airport departure gates via secured transportation, effectively eliminating conventional airport queues and reducing terminal congestion.

    Simultaneously, the 20 Minute City initiative led by Dubai’s Roads and Transport Authority aims to create hyper-accessible urban environments where residents can reach 80% of essential services within 20 minutes through walking, cycling, or sustainable transit. The pilot project in Al Barsha 2 will feature enhanced road safety measures, expanded shaded green areas, and flexible mobility corridors.

    In healthcare, the Disease Early Detection System spearheaded by the Dubai Health Authority introduces predictive healthcare capabilities focusing initially on diabetes management. This proactive approach aims to improve treatment outcomes while reducing the condition’s estimated annual cost of Dh2.78 billion to Dubai’s economy. Multiple medical institutions including Canadian Specialist Hospital and King’s College Hospital London will participate in the pilot phase.

    These projects emerged from a competitive selection process that evaluated 79 proposals developed by over 120 employees across 33 government entities. Selection criteria emphasized implementation feasibility, cross-government integration, and potential quality-of-life improvements for residents.

    Sheikh Hamdan emphasized that the 10X Initiative has fundamentally transformed Dubai’s governmental operations, fostering a culture of innovation and collaboration that transcends traditional bureaucratic boundaries. ‘Accelerating government performance is central to our future vision,’ he stated, noting Dubai’s commitment to ‘pioneer bold, high-impact projects that redefine excellence in public service.’

    Since its 2017 launch by Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, the Dubai 10X Initiative has consistently driven innovation in governance, reinforcing Dubai’s leadership in future-ready urban development and technological adoption.

  • Watch: How Alex Pretti shooting led Trump to shift course in Minneapolis

    Watch: How Alex Pretti shooting led Trump to shift course in Minneapolis

    A detailed BBC analysis by editor Ros Atkins has revealed the complex chain of events connecting the police-involved shooting of Alex Pretti to a significant shift in former President Donald Trump’s approach to Minneapolis. The incident, which occurred against the backdrop of already heightened racial tensions and police reform debates, triggered a new wave of civil unrest throughout the city.

    The analysis demonstrates how the Pretti shooting served as a critical inflection point in the Trump administration’s engagement with Minneapolis leadership and community activists. Rather than maintaining his previously established stance, Trump’s team executed a notable strategic recalibration in their public communications and policy positioning.

    Atkins’ investigation traces the timeline from the initial incident through the subsequent protests, examining how federal and local authorities responded to the escalating situation. The reporting highlights the intersection of law enforcement protocols, political calculations, and community activism that ultimately compelled the administration to alter its course in addressing the volatile environment in Minneapolis.

    The comprehensive assessment provides insight into how singular events can precipitate substantial policy reevaluations at the highest levels of government, particularly when they occur in communities already grappling with complex social justice issues and historical tensions between law enforcement and civilian populations.

  • 67 traffic improvements in 2025 in key areas of Dubai reduce travel time by 45%

    67 traffic improvements in 2025 in key areas of Dubai reduce travel time by 45%

    Dubai’s Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) has achieved remarkable success in urban mobility through its comprehensive traffic improvement initiative. In 2025, the authority completed 67 strategic enhancements across the emirate’s transportation network, resulting in unprecedented efficiency gains and reduced congestion.

    The infrastructure transformation encompassed three primary categories: 46 upgrades along major arterial roads and residential zones, 12 school zone optimizations, and 9 development area improvements. These interventions have produced measurable outcomes, with travel times decreasing by up to 45% in targeted areas and road capacity expanding by approximately 33% on multiple thoroughfares.

    Key beneficiaries of this urban revitalization include Al Warqa’a, Al Barsha South, Nad Al Hamar, and Al Ras districts. Major corridors experiencing enhanced traffic flow comprise Sheikh Zayed Road, Al Meydan Street, Emirates Road toward Sharjah, and Umm Al Sheif Street. Notable engineering accomplishments feature the widening of Sheikh Zayed Road toward Al Meydan Street from two to three lanes at Al Khawaneej access points and the capacity expansion of Al Meydan Bridge from three to four lanes.

    The intersection of Al Wasl Street and Al Manara Street demonstrated particularly impressive results, achieving a 50% increase in vehicular capacity and over 30% reduction in waiting times through strategic redesign.

    School zone safety received dedicated attention through twelve targeted interventions serving more than thirty educational institutions. The Al Warqa’a First School Complex, Mizhar First School Complex, and Al Qusais School Complex were among the beneficiaries of upgraded parking facilities, improved access points, and traffic calming measures that collectively reduced congestion while enhancing pedestrian safety.

    Looking ahead, the RTA has announced an ambitious continuation plan for 2026, with forty-five additional improvement projects already in development. These future initiatives will focus on intersection modernization, commercial district access optimization, and further school zone enhancements, reinforcing Dubai’s commitment to becoming a global model for urban transportation efficiency.