标签: North America

北美洲

  • Ecuador says ICE agent attempted to enter its Minneapolis consulate

    Ecuador says ICE agent attempted to enter its Minneapolis consulate

    A significant diplomatic incident has unfolded between Ecuador and the United States following an attempted entry by a U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agent into Ecuador’s consular facility in Minneapolis. Ecuador’s foreign ministry issued a formal condemnation, stating that consular officials prevented the agent from accessing the premises to ensure the protection of Ecuadorian citizens inside the building.

    The confrontation occurred at approximately 11:00 local time on Tuesday, with Ecuadorian officials citing the 1963 Vienna Convention on Consular Relations which designates consular premises as ‘inviolable.’ The convention explicitly prohibits host country authorities from entering consular working areas without consent from the consular post’s head—consent that Ecuador maintains was neither given nor assumed in this instance.

    Unverified video footage circulating in Ecuadorian media appears to show a tense exchange where a consular official blocks the ICE agent’s access, repeatedly stating ‘this is the consulate, you’re not allowed in here.’ The agent responds with a warning that physical contact would result in detention attempts.

    This incident creates unexpected diplomatic friction between the Trump administration and Ecuadorian President Daniel Noboa, who has generally maintained strong bilateral relations. Just two months prior, both leaders had agreed to strengthen commercial ties, and Noboa had previously expressed gratitude for the U.S. designation of Ecuadorian criminal gangs as Foreign Terrorist Organizations.

    The consular confrontation occurs amid heightened tensions in Minneapolis following the fatal shootings of two individuals, including intensive care nurse Alex Pretti, by border agents during immigration protests. President Trump recently announced he would ‘de-escalate immigration and border operations a little bit’ in Minnesota, where approximately 3,000 immigration agents are currently deployed.

    The Ecuadorian government has delivered an official letter of protest to the U.S. embassy in Quito, marking a rare diplomatic challenge between the two nations as the Trump administration continues its prioritized enforcement of strict immigration policies that have resulted in over 675,000 removals according to recent Homeland Security statements.

  • Three brothers die after falling in frozen Texas pond

    Three brothers die after falling in frozen Texas pond

    A devastating pond accident in Bonham, North Texas, has claimed the lives of three young brothers during a winter storm that has gripped the region. The tragic incident occurred on Monday when the children, identified as Howard (6), Kaleb (8), and EJ (9) Doss, fell through thin ice while playing near a private pond approximately 30 meters from their temporary residence.

    According to their mother, Cheyenne Hangaman, the youngest brother initially broke through the ice while attempting to ‘ice skate’ on the frozen surface. His two older siblings subsequently jumped into the freezing water in a valiant attempt to rescue him. Hangaman, a mother of six, immediately rushed to the scene upon being alerted by her daughter.

    Despite her heroic efforts to extract the children from the subzero water, the fragile ice repeatedly collapsed beneath her weight. ‘There was three of them and only one of me… that’s why I couldn’t save them,’ Hangaman emotionally recounted to CBS News. The distraught mother described witnessing her children struggling in hypothermic shock before ultimately succumbing to drowning.

    The situation escalated when Hangaman herself became trapped in the freezing pond, requiring rescue by a neighbor who heard her desperate cries for help. The neighbor, identified as a football coach at the boys’ school, utilized a horse rope to pull her to safety.

    Emergency responders and additional neighbors eventually recovered all three children from the pond. The two older boys were initially transported to a local hospital while the youngest required an extensive search operation before being recovered.

    The tragedy has deeply affected the local community, with the boys’ school announcing the availability of grief counselors for students and staff. The incident coincides with a severe winter storm system that has impacted large portions of the United States, resulting in numerous fatalities and widespread power outages across Texas.

  • Paid parking in Dubai’s Jumeirah Village Circle could ease congestion, residents say

    Paid parking in Dubai’s Jumeirah Village Circle could ease congestion, residents say

    Dubai’s Jumeirah Village Circle (JVC) is poised to implement a comprehensive paid parking scheme following the installation of covered payment signage throughout the residential district. The infrastructure rollout, particularly concentrated around the high-traffic commercial zones of JVC District 15, indicates the long-awaited system will commence operations imminently.

    Parkonic, the parking management provider, has deployed temporary covers on payment boards that will be removed upon official activation. While specific details regarding implementation timelines, tariff structures, and operational hours remain undisclosed by authorities, observed signage identifies the area as designated parking zone P105.

    The prospective parking regulations have generated mixed reactions among JVC residents. Many acknowledge the necessity of addressing the neighborhood’s persistent parking challenges, especially near popular commercial establishments including cafes, fitness centers, and beauty salons that experience substantial visitor traffic.

    Meriyam, a local resident, expressed support for the initiative despite having guaranteed parking within her building. “The prevalence of abandoned and damaged vehicles significantly detracts from our community’s aesthetics,” she noted. “Structural parking management could substantially enhance organizational efficiency and visual appeal.”

    Another resident, Hameed Montasir, encountered technical difficulties when attempting premature payment but maintained optimism about the system’s potential benefits. “This represents a positive developmental step,” he commented. “Clearly defined parking protocols should alleviate long-standing availability issues and discourage indefinite vehicle storage.”

    Community members highlighted that paid parking could improve accessibility for visitors and customers who currently struggle to locate parking near commercial establishments. Hassan, a third resident, welcomed the change: “Although I possess dedicated parking, my guests frequently abandon their vehicles at distant locations and resort to taxis due to parking scarcity. This system should resolve such inconveniences.”

    Residents anticipate greater transparency regarding enforcement mechanisms and pricing structures once parking meters become operational and official communications are released by relevant authorities.

  • Extreme cold threatens millions after storm kills 30 and incapacitates grid

    Extreme cold threatens millions after storm kills 30 and incapacitates grid

    A catastrophic winter storm of unprecedented scale has plunged vast regions of the United States into a deep freeze, resulting in at least 30 fatalities and creating life-threatening conditions for millions of Americans. The massive weather system, which delivered a destructive combination of heavy snowfall, freezing rain, and powerful winds, has left communities from New Mexico to Maine struggling to recover amidst dangerously low temperatures.

    Meteorological authorities have issued grave warnings about the lingering Arctic air mass that continues to threaten public safety. The National Weather Service reported that much of the northern United States will experience continuously subfreezing conditions through February 1, with particularly dangerous record-low temperatures affecting southern regions where power infrastructure remains compromised.

    The storm’s impact has been both widespread and severe. Northeastern states recorded extraordinary snowfall accumulations, with Connecticut measuring over 56 centimeters and Boston receiving more than 40.6 centimeters. The human toll continues to mount, with fatalities attributed to hypothermia, traffic accidents, and snow removal incidents—including one New Jersey man found unresponsive in the snow with a shovel still in hand.

    Energy infrastructure has been critically damaged, particularly across southern states unaccustomed to such extreme winter conditions. As of Tuesday morning, more than 540,000 customers remained without electricity according to Poweroutage.com, with Tennessee, Texas, Mississippi, and Louisiana experiencing the most severe outages.

    The scale of the disaster has overwhelmed emergency response capabilities. National Weather Service meteorologist Allison Santorelli emphasized the unique challenges of this recovery effort, noting that the simultaneous impact across multiple regions has prevented better-prepared northern states from assisting their southern counterparts. “Many of these locations don’t have the means or resources to clean up after these events,” Santorelli stated, expressing particular concern for those without power in increasingly frigid conditions.

    Transportation networks have been paralyzed throughout affected regions, with thousands of flight cancellations and impassable road conditions hampering recovery efforts. At least 20 states, including Washington D.C., have declared states of emergency to mobilize personnel and resources against the ongoing crisis.

  • US withdraws from Paris Agreement; UN vows unwavering global climate action

    US withdraws from Paris Agreement; UN vows unwavering global climate action

    In a significant geopolitical development, the United States formally executed its withdrawal from the Paris Climate Agreement on Tuesday, January 28, 2026. This move marks a pivotal moment in global environmental diplomacy, removing the world’s second-largest greenhouse gas emitter from the international accord designed to combat climate change.

    The United Nations has responded with resolute determination to maintain climate action momentum. During a press briefing, a UN spokesperson addressed inquiries from China Daily, emphasizing that the organization’s climate initiatives would proceed without interruption despite the American departure.

    “The UN’s comprehensive efforts to address climate change, facilitate equitable transitions, and implement critical mitigation and adaptation measures for vulnerable nations will continue undeterred,” the spokesperson affirmed. This declaration underscores the international body’s commitment to preserving the agreement’s integrity and advancing its objectives regardless of individual national decisions.

    The Paris Agreement, adopted in 2015, represents a landmark global framework wherein signatory nations commit to substantially reducing carbon emissions to limit global temperature rise. The U.S. withdrawal process commenced in 2019 under the previous administration and has now reached formal completion, potentially altering the dynamics of international climate negotiations and implementation strategies.

    UN officials indicated that climate diplomacy would remain a top priority, with continued focus on supporting developing countries particularly susceptible to climate impacts. The organization’s steadfast position signals confidence that other signatory nations will maintain their commitments to the accord’s ambitious environmental targets.

  • Expert: As China’s tech rises, US chips could become ‘new soybeans’

    Expert: As China’s tech rises, US chips could become ‘new soybeans’

    At the recent World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, a prominent legal scholar presented a compelling vision of evolving US-China trade relations that could redefine global technology markets. Professor Angela Zhang Huyue from the University of Southern California Law School suggested during a January 21 panel discussion that American semiconductor exports might eventually follow the same trade pattern as agricultural commodities like soybeans.

    The analogy draws attention to the potential future where advanced US chip manufacturers could become increasingly dependent on Chinese markets for revenue stability, mirroring the current agricultural trade dynamic where China serves as a crucial export destination for American soybeans. This perspective emerges amid ongoing technological competition and shifting global supply chain dynamics.

    Professor Zhang’s analysis indicates that as China continues to advance its domestic semiconductor capabilities, the nature of US-China technology trade may undergo significant transformation. The commentary suggests that current export restrictions and trade tensions might eventually give way to more interdependent market relationships, where US technological products seek market access similar to commodity exports.

    This observation comes at a critical juncture in global technology governance, where nations are reassessing strategic dependencies and economic security concerns. The semiconductor industry, fundamental to everything from consumer electronics to national security systems, represents a key battleground in this evolving economic landscape.

    The analogy extends beyond mere trade volumes to encompass the potential for mutual economic dependency, where both nations would have vested interests in maintaining stable technology trade flows, despite current geopolitical friction and competition for technological supremacy.

  • Neil Young offers Greenlanders free access to his archives

    Neil Young offers Greenlanders free access to his archives

    In an unconventional political protest, legendary rock musician Neil Young has extended a year of complimentary access to his extensive digital music archives to all Greenland residents. This artistic peace offering comes as a direct response to recent geopolitical tensions surrounding the autonomous Danish territory.

    The initiative follows controversial statements from former U.S. President Donald Trump regarding potential annexation of Greenland, which he initially justified through national security concerns before moderating his position to propose diplomatic negotiations. Young characterized these developments as creating ‘unwarranted stress and threats’ for Greenland’s population.

    On his official website, the Canadian-American artist announced this gesture ‘of peace and love,’ simultaneously encouraging other organizations to emulate his compassionate approach. In a characteristically bold move, Young referred to the Trump administration as ‘our unpopular and hopefully temporary government’ in his signed statement.

    Typically requiring a subscription fee starting at approximately $25, Young’s comprehensive digital archive will utilize Greenland-registered mobile numbers for verification purposes to ensure legitimate access for residents.

    This latest action continues Young’s established pattern of political activism through his artistic platform. The musician previously initiated legal proceedings in 2020 to prevent Trump from using his music during campaign events. More recently, he published scathing criticisms of the former president’s governance, describing contemporary America as ‘a disaster’ being systematically dismantled.

    Young’s protest history extends beyond political figures to corporate entities. He previously organized a boycott against Amazon due to founder Jeff Bezos’s financial support for Trump’s campaign, and notably removed his music catalog from Spotify for two years in protest against the platform’s distribution of Joe Rogan’s podcast, which he accused of spreading vaccine misinformation. His eventual return to Spotify coincided with Rogan’s multi-platform distribution deal worth $250 million, which Young interpreted as reducing Spotify’s exclusive control over the controversial content.

    Several prominent artists including Joni Mitchell and India Arie previously joined Young’s Spotify boycott in solidarity, demonstrating the musician’s influential position within the artistic community’s social advocacy movements.

  • Minnesota congresswoman Ilhan Omar attacked with ‘unknown liquid’ during town hall

    Minnesota congresswoman Ilhan Omar attacked with ‘unknown liquid’ during town hall

    U.S. Representative Ilhan Omar (D-Minnesota) demonstrated remarkable resilience Tuesday when an assailant targeted her with an unknown chemical substance during a public town hall event in north Minneapolis. The incident occurred shortly after the congresswoman delivered forceful remarks calling for structural immigration reform.

    According to Minneapolis Police Department reports, an audience member deployed a syringe to spray liquid toward Representative Omar during the gathering attended by approximately 100 constituents. Security personnel immediately subdued the individual while shouting ‘make a hole’ to clear a path during the apprehension. Forensic teams subsequently conducted analysis at the scene to identify the composition of the deployed substance, which witnesses described as emitting a pungent, chemical-like odor.

    Despite the alarming interruption, Representative Omar refused to conclude the event prematurely. ‘I’m ok. I’m a survivor so this small agitator isn’t going to intimidate me from doing my work,’ she stated in a social media post following the incident. From the podium, she reassured attendees: ‘We will continue… we are Minnesota strong,’ earning praise from constituents for her composure under duress.

    The context of the town hall discussion notably focused on recent immigration enforcement actions, including two fatal shootings of American citizens by immigration officials within the month. Representative Omar had just called for the abolition of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and demanded the resignation or impeachment of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem when the attack occurred.

    Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey condemned the act unequivocally, stating: ‘Violence and intimidation have no place in Minneapolis. We can disagree without putting people at risk… This kind of behavior will not be tolerated in our city.’

    The incident occurs against a backdrop of heightened political tensions, with many local residents interpreting increased immigration enforcement as retaliation for President Trump’s characterization of Representative Omar as a ‘radical left lunatic.’ Earlier Tuesday, the administration had signaled potential de-escalation in Minnesota following the recent shootings.

    Representative Omar, who made history in 2019 as the first Somali-American, first African-born American, and among the first Muslim American women elected to Congress, has previously faced numerous threats related to her political positions and public profile.

  • Amazon accidentally sends email confirming layoffs

    Amazon accidentally sends email confirming layoffs

    In a significant corporate communications mishap, Amazon inadvertently revealed plans for another substantial round of global layoffs through an errant email sent to employees. The message, drafted by Colleen Aubrey, Senior Vice President at Amazon Web Services (AWS), was accidentally distributed via a calendar invitation titled “Send project Dawn email”—apparently the internal code name for the workforce reduction initiative.

    The leaked correspondence, obtained by the BBC, indicated that the layoffs would affect employees across the United States, Canada, and Costa Rica as part of ongoing efforts to “strengthen the company.” Although quickly retracted, the email provided explicit confirmation that the anticipated job cuts were proceeding, despite affected staff not having received official notification.

    This development represents a continuation of Amazon’s restructuring efforts that began over a year ago. According to the message, these measures aim to “reduce layers, increase ownership, and remove bureaucracy” to enhance operational agility. The company acknowledged the difficulty of such decisions while positioning the organization for future success.

    The current reductions follow Amazon’s announcement of 14,000 job cuts in October 2022. Industry sources indicate that company leadership ultimately intends to eliminate approximately 30,000 positions, with this latest round constituting part of that broader strategy. The complete restructuring is expected to continue through May 2024.

    Affected employees have been offered the opportunity to apply for limited open positions within Amazon, with those unable to transition receiving severance packages based on tenure. This situation reflects a broader trend across the technology sector, where major players including Meta, Google, and Microsoft have collectively eliminated hundreds of thousands of positions since 2022. Layoffs.fyi, which tracks industry job cuts, estimates approximately 700,000 tech workers have been dismissed over the past four years.

    Under CEO Andy Jassy’s leadership since founder Jeff Bezos stepped down four years ago, Amazon has implemented multiple workforce reductions while instituting a more stringent corporate culture. The company has mandated five-day in-office work weeks—a rarity among major tech firms—and implemented cost-control measures including monitoring corporate mobile phone usage to limit longstanding $50 monthly reimbursements for AWS employees.

    In a separate Thanksgiving message to staff viewed by the BBC, Jassy characterized the current period as “a time to rethink everything we’ve ever done” amid rapidly changing global conditions. The company simultaneously announced the closure of approximately 70 Amazon-branded grocery stores while expanding its Whole Foods Market business, signaling broader strategic shifts beyond workforce adjustments.

  • Root and Brook tons fire England to ODI series win over Sri Lanka

    Root and Brook tons fire England to ODI series win over Sri Lanka

    England’s cricket team clinched a decisive 2-1 ODI series victory against Sri Lanka in Colombo on Tuesday, propelled by spectacular centuries from veterans Joe Root and captain Harry Brook. The tourists posted a formidable 357-3 before restricting the hosts to 304, securing a 53-run win in the series decider.

    After electing to bat first, England faced early pressure at 45-2 within the opening eleven overs following the dismissals of Ben Duckett and Rehan Ahmed. The innings found stability through a composed 126-run third-wicket partnership between Root and Jacob Bethell, whose steady 65 provided crucial foundation before Jeffrey Vandersay ended his stay.

    The match turned decisively during the spectacular unbroken 191-run stand between Root and Brook, achieved in just 113 deliveries. Brook’s explosive career-best 136 came off merely 66 balls, featuring 11 boundaries and nine massive sixes that dismantled Sri Lanka’s bowling attack. Meanwhile, Root provided the anchor with an unbeaten 111 from 108 deliveries, demonstrating perfect batting synergy.

    Sri Lanka’s response began aggressively with Pathum Nissanka racing to a 24-ball half-century before Jamie Overton’s breakthrough slowed their progress. Despite Pavan Rathnayake’s magnificent maiden ODI century (121) that kept hopes alive, regular wickets undermined the chase. Sam Curran’s crucial dismissal of Rathnayake effectively ended Sri Lanka’s resistance in the 42nd over.

    Player of the Match Brook praised both teams’ performance, noting: ‘It was an awesome effort from everybody involved. Rooty’s just exceptional – having him in the side helps every day. The surface played better than anticipated, but we’re glad we posted a competitive total and defended it.’

    Sri Lankan captain Charith Asalanka acknowledged the challenge containing England’s powerful batting: ‘When the ball isn’t turning, it becomes extremely difficult to bowl spin during the final overs. Our focus now shifts to the upcoming T20 series as crucial preparation before the World Cup.’

    The teams now prepare for a three-match T20 series beginning Friday, which serves as vital preparation for the upcoming ICC T20 World Cup.