Global Pulse

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  • Police identify person of interest in Brown University shooting, sources say

    Police identify person of interest in Brown University shooting, sources say

    Federal investigators have pinpointed a person of interest connected to the devastating mass shooting that occurred at Brown University in Providence, Rhode Island. The tragic incident on December 16th, 2025, resulted in two fatalities and left nine individuals wounded with varying degrees of injuries.

    According to confidential sources within the investigation who spoke with CBS News, law enforcement agencies are actively pursuing this unidentified individual. The FBI Evidence Response Team has been meticulously processing the crime scene while authorities maintain a tight veil of secrecy regarding the suspect’s identity or potential motives.

    The investigation has now entered its sixth day with no arrests made, marking one of the most extensive manhunts in recent Rhode Island history. Investigators have employed multiple strategies including door-to-door inquiries, requests for home security footage from residents, and public appeals for information that might lead to a breakthrough in the case.

    In a significant development on Thursday, authorities released a photographic image of an individual believed to have been in immediate proximity to their primary person of interest. This tactical move suggests investigators are pursuing multiple angles and potentially exploring whether the shooting involved accomplices or additional witnesses.

    The Brown University campus remains under heightened security as students and faculty continue to grapple with the aftermath of the violence that has shaken the prestigious Ivy League institution. Counseling services have been made available to those affected by the traumatic event as the community seeks to heal while awaiting justice.

  • Kennedy Center to be renamed Trump-Kennedy Center, White House says

    Kennedy Center to be renamed Trump-Kennedy Center, White House says

    In a landmark decision sparking both celebration and controversy, the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts will be rebranded as the Trump-Kennedy Center. The White House announced that the institution’s board voted unanimously to approve the name change, citing President Trump’s pivotal role in rescuing the venue from physical disrepair.

    White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt heralded the move on social media, stating the decision recognized ‘the unbelievable work President Trump has done over the last year in saving the building.’ She extended congratulations to the late President Kennedy, suggesting the dual naming would form ‘a truly great team long into the future.’

    The decision follows a complete restructuring of the center’s leadership shortly after President Trump’s inauguration. The administration dismissed all previous board members, replacing them with political allies including Attorney General Pam Bondi, White House Chief of Staff Susie Wiles, and Second Lady Usha Vance. Trump himself was installed as chairman, with close adviser Richard Grenell assuming the presidency of the board.

    President Trump expressed both surprise and honor at the Oval Office announcement, emphasizing the center’s deteriorated condition upon his return to office. ‘We saved it,’ he declared. ‘It was really in bad shape, physically.’ His administration secured approximately $257 million in congressional funding for extensive renovations at the venue, which recently hosted events like the FIFA World Cup draw.

    However, the move faces significant legal and political challenges. Ohio Democratic Representative Joyce Beatty, a board member, contradicted the unanimous vote claim, revealing she was ‘muted on the call and not allowed to speak or voice my opposition.’ Legal experts note that the center’s original naming was established through 1964 legislation, requiring congressional approval for any official change—a process already attempted unsuccessfully for naming the opera house after First Lady Melania Trump.

    The controversy mirrors similar rebranding efforts, including September’s unauthorized rename of the Department of Defense to the Department of War. Critics condemn the administration’s deep involvement in arts institutions, with reports indicating declining ticket sales and subscriptions since the political intervention began. The president previously acknowledged direct involvement in selecting honors recipients, rejecting ‘wokesters’ in favor of celebrities like Sylvester Stallone and KISS band members.

    The renaming debate reflects broader cultural divisions, exemplified by the mixed reception Trump received during his June appearance at the center, where audience members both booed and cheered the first couple’s arrival.

  • Multiple deaths reported after small aircraft crashes in North Carolina

    Multiple deaths reported after small aircraft crashes in North Carolina

    A corporate jet crash during landing procedures at Statesville Regional Airport in North Carolina has resulted in multiple confirmed fatalities, according to official statements released on Thursday. The tragic incident occurred at approximately 10:15 AM local time (15:15 GMT) when the Cessna C550 aircraft crashed on the eastern extremity of the runway.

    Iredell County Sheriff Darren Campbell formally acknowledged the fatalities in statements to The Associated Press while declining to specify the exact number of casualties. Airport Director John Ferguson provided harrowing details of the scene, describing how the aircraft was already fully engulfed in flames upon his arrival at the crash site.

    Aviation registration records indicate the aircraft was registered to a private corporation affiliated with Greg Biffle, a retired NASCAR champion, as reported by WBTV, a CBS network affiliate. The ill-fated jet had only been airborne for approximately nine minutes after taking off at 10:06 AM local time before the catastrophic landing attempt.

    The Federal Aviation Administration has initiated a comprehensive investigation into the circumstances surrounding the accident. Meanwhile, Statesville Airport will remain closed indefinitely as emergency crews work to clear debris from the primary runway. During a press conference, officials declined to provide specific details regarding the number of passengers aboard or the exact casualty count.

    Statesville Regional Airport (KSVH), municipally owned by the City of Statesville located approximately 45 minutes north of Charlotte, serves as an important aviation facility for numerous Fortune 500 companies and several professional NASCAR racing teams. The incident represents one of the most significant aviation tragedies to occur at the regional transportation hub in recent years.

  • Fact-checking White House plaques targeting former US presidents

    Fact-checking White House plaques targeting former US presidents

    The White House has installed a series of newly crafted plaques beneath presidential portraits along the West Wing’s exterior, marking a permanent institutional effort to reshape historical narratives about former commanders-in-chief. Unlike previous presidential commentary delivered through transient media channels, these bronze inscriptions represent an unprecedented official attempt to cement specific historical interpretations directly within the executive mansion’s architecture.

    The plaques contain sharply critical assessments of recent Democratic presidents while offering glowing accounts of Donald Trump’s current term. President Joe Biden’s display notably excludes his portrait, instead featuring an image of an autopen machine—a visual reference to Trump’s unsubstantiated claim that Biden’s staff used automated signing devices without his knowledge. The accompanying text describes Biden’s 2021 inauguration as following “the most corrupt election ever seen in the US,” despite exhaustive investigations by multiple agencies and media organizations finding no evidence supporting widespread election fraud allegations.

    Immigration assertions on the plaques claim Biden “let 21 million people from all over the World pour into the US,” substantially exceeding official border encounter statistics. Government data indicates approximately 10 million migrant encounters occurred during Biden’s term, with Department of Homeland Security estimates suggesting 11 million undocumented immigrants resided in the country as of January 2022—most arriving before 2010.

    Economic criticisms target both Biden and Barack Obama, alleging Biden caused “the highest inflation ever recorded” and Obama presided over “a stagnant economy.” While inflation peaked at 9.1% in June 2022 during Biden’s presidency, historical records show higher rates in 1920 (23.7%) and during the 1970s-80s. Economic analysis reveals Obama averaged 1.7% GDP growth annually while navigating post-financial crisis recovery, comparable to Trump’s pre-pandemic growth rates.

    The current president’s plaque makes bold claims about “defeating inflation” despite November 2025 figures showing 2.7% year-over-year inflation, and asserts Trump ended “eight wars in his first eight months.” Verification shows this includes conflicts lasting merely days and disputes regarding Trump’s actual influence in resolutions, with India’s defense ministry explicitly rejecting his claimed role in ending tensions with Pakistan.

    White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt defended the installations as “eloquently written descriptions of each president and the legacy they left behind.” The displays incorporate some bipartisan elements, criticizing Republican George W. Bush’s wartime decisions while praising Democrat Jimmy Carter’s achievements. Neither Biden nor Obama has publicly commented on their critical portrayals in this permanent White House exhibition.

  • Man City reach League Cup semis, late Newcastle goal downs Fulham

    Man City reach League Cup semis, late Newcastle goal downs Fulham

    Manchester City demonstrated their squad depth while Newcastle United delivered last-minute drama to secure their places in the English League Cup semifinals on Wednesday evening.

    At the Etihad Stadium, Pep Guardiola’s rotated lineup comfortably dispatched Brentford with a 2-0 victory. Despite making seven changes from their weekend Premier League triumph at Crystal Palace, the reigning champions controlled proceedings from start to finish. The breakthrough came in the 32nd minute when French midfielder Rayan Cherki unleashed a spectacular right-footed strike into the top corner after expertly controlling a cleared corner. Cherki celebrated by mimicking teammate Erling Haaland’s signature robot celebration, later exchanging pleasantries with the Norwegian striker who was rested on the bench.

    The victory was sealed in the 67th minute through Brazilian winger Savinho, whose effort took a decisive deflection off Brentford defender Kristoffer Ajer, looping over the helpless goalkeeper. City’s dominance was such that Brentford managed only one meaningful attempt throughout the match, a Mathias Jensen free kick comfortably saved by James Trafford.

    Meanwhile, at St. James’ Park, Newcastle United needed a 92nd-minute header from teenage sensation Lewis Miley to overcome a resilient Fulham side 2-1. The Magpies initially took the lead through Yoane Wissa, who capitalized on a spilled cross from Fulham goalkeeper Benjamin Lecomte to mark his first start with a goal. Fulham responded swiftly with Sasa Lukic directing a precise header into the net from Antonee Robinson’s cross.

    The match appeared destined for penalties until Miley’s intervention in added time. The 19-year-old connected perfectly with a corner, glancing his header into the net to spark wild celebrations among the home supporters. “I thought I’d try to flick it on, and it luckily hit the back of the net and I’m buzzing,” Miley told broadcasters after the match, referencing Newcastle’s successful defense of their League Cup title.

    Newcastle now face Manchester City in a highly anticipated two-legged semifinal, while Chelsea await the winner of next Tuesday’s quarterfinal between Arsenal and Crystal Palace.

  • Trump expected to expand access to cannabis in a major shift in drug policy

    Trump expected to expand access to cannabis in a major shift in drug policy

    The United States stands on the brink of a historic transformation in its drug policy framework. President Donald Trump is preparing to sign an executive order that would initiate the most substantial overhaul of federal cannabis regulation in over five decades. This long-anticipated action would reclassify cannabis from its current status as a Schedule I narcotic—a category reserved for substances deemed to have no medical value and high abuse potential—to the less restrictive Schedule III classification.

    Schedule III substances, which include pharmaceuticals like Tylenol with codeine, ketamine, and anabolic steroids, are recognized by the U.S. Drug Enforcement Agency as having a ‘moderate to low potential for physical and psychological dependence.’ This administrative recalibration, expected to be enacted as early as Thursday according to CBS News, would not equate to federal legalization. However, it would dismantle a significant barrier to scientific inquiry, permitting expanded research into cannabis’s therapeutic applications.

    The policy shift carries substantial economic implications. State-authorized cannabis dispensaries, currently operating in a legal gray area, would gain eligibility for certain federal tax deductions from which they are barred under Schedule I restrictions. Reports also indicate the potential establishment of a pilot program to provide reimbursements to older Americans for cannabidiol (CBD) used in managing conditions related to cancer treatments.

    This move aligns with a clear national trend. A majority of states have already legalized cannabis for medical purposes, with 24 states and the District of Columbia permitting its recreational use. President Trump has consistently advocated for this reform, stating last year on Truth Social, ‘I believe it is time to end endless arrests and incarcerations of adults for small amounts of marijuana for personal use.’ His position echoes the Biden administration’s earlier, stalled efforts to propose a similar rule change in April 2024.

    Despite broad public support—a recent Gallup poll indicated 64% of Americans favor legalization—the proposal faces staunch opposition from within the President’s own party. A cohort of 22 Republican Senators articulated their dissent in an open letter, contending that normalizing cannabis use would hinder national re-industrialization efforts and contradict public health objectives. They cited concerns over impaired judgment and a lack of conclusive scientific evidence supporting medical benefits. Separate correspondence from nine Republican representatives to Attorney General Pam Bondi argued that rescheduling would send a dangerous message to youth about the drug’s safety.

  • Key economic sectors powering the UAE’s new business elite

    Key economic sectors powering the UAE’s new business elite

    The United Arab Emirates is witnessing the emergence of a formidable class of corporate leaders as key economic sectors demonstrate remarkable resilience amid global market uncertainties. Unlike many international counterparts struggling with trade disruptions, UAE-based enterprises are reporting robust revenue performance, enhanced policy clarity, and growing confidence in cross-border expansion.

    Manufacturing has evolved into a cornerstone of non-oil economic development, transitioning from basic assembly operations to sophisticated production facilities. Companies are implementing multi-country manufacturing strategies, particularly strengthening production links with South Asia. Approximately 31% of UAE firms have increased output in India, with parallel expansion occurring in Sri Lanka—far exceeding global averages.

    The logistics sector has transformed from a support function to a strategic growth engine, leveraging the UAE’s geographic position as a trade corridor connecting Asia, Africa, and Europe. Freight operators, customs technology firms, and logistics platforms are capitalizing on the reorganization of global trade routes, building flexible networks adaptable to tariff shifts and geopolitical changes.

    Financial services have emerged as critical enablers of economic expansion, with Dh167.6 billion in foreign direct investment recorded in 2024. Banking institutions and fintech platforms are developing sophisticated solutions to support increasingly complex international business operations, structuring capital around growth and cross-border scalability.

    Real estate development has matured beyond speculative cycles, with successful firms focusing on infrastructure that supports trade, logistics, and manufacturing. Industrial zones, logistics-linked developments, and mixed-use business districts are attracting substantial long-term investment, creating operational ecosystems rather than standalone projects.

    Wholesale and retail sectors have transcended domestic limitations, utilizing Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreements with Asia, Europe, and Africa to scale rapidly across borders. This expansion, combined with free zone ecosystems and streamlined licensing, has enabled mid-sized firms to achieve unprecedented growth.

    Technology functions as a multiplicative force across all sectors, with supply chain analytics, customs automation, and industrial software embedding deeply into the UAE’s economic framework. This integration has contributed to dramatic business formation growth, with operating companies surpassing 1.3 million—a significant increase from approximately 400,000 in 2020.

    This sectoral strength reflects deliberate policy alignment including regulatory reform, full foreign ownership provisions, competitive free zones, and strategic infrastructure investment. As HSBC’s Deyana Cherneva notes, UAE companies are proactively reshaping operations to capture opportunities rather than merely adapting to change, creating an ecosystem where confidence is engineered through structure, policy, and execution.

  • US government admits liability in fatal helicopter-plane collision in January

    US government admits liability in fatal helicopter-plane collision in January

    In a significant legal admission, the US Justice Department formally acknowledged federal government liability for the catastrophic January air collision that resulted in 67 fatalities near Washington DC. The devastating incident, occurring on January 29th, 2025, involved a mid-air collision between a US Army Black Hawk helicopter and an American Airlines regional jet operating as flight 5342.

    The tragedy, which stands as the deadliest aviation disaster on American soil in over two decades, claimed the lives of all 60 passengers and four crew members aboard the commercial aircraft, along with three military personnel on the helicopter. The collision occurred in close proximity to Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport, sending wreckage into the Potomac River and triggering extensive recovery operations.

    According to official investigations cited in media reports, the collision resulted from dual systemic failures. The Army pilot failed to maintain proper situational awareness and adequate operational control of the helicopter simultaneously with an FAA air traffic controller’s violation of established procedures by disregarding a direct agency order.

    This admission of liability represents a crucial development for affected families seeking compensation through the Federal Tort Claims Act, bypassing the need for prolonged litigation to establish government responsibility. The Justice Department’s acknowledgment underscores the gravity of the operational failures and marks a significant step toward resolution for the victims’ families.

  • Trump Media to merge with nuclear fusion firm in $6bn deal

    Trump Media to merge with nuclear fusion firm in $6bn deal

    In an unexpected strategic pivot, Trump Media & Technology Group (TMTG) has announced a landmark merger with California-based energy firm TAE Technologies, creating a combined entity valued at over $6 billion. The agreement, unveiled Thursday through a joint statement, marks TMTG’s dramatic transition from social media and financial services into the advanced energy sector.

    The newly formed organization will position itself as one of the world’s first publicly traded nuclear fusion companies, with ambitious plans to commence construction of the inaugural utility-scale fusion power plant as early as next year. This venture represents a significant bet on fusion energy—a cutting-edge technology that generates power through nuclear fusion reactions, potentially producing enormous energy output with minimal radioactive byproducts.

    Under the merger terms, both companies will maintain equal 50% ownership stakes upon deal finalization, anticipated by mid-2026 pending regulatory reviews and shareholder approvals. TAE Technologies brings to the partnership substantial expertise in energy storage systems and power delivery solutions for batteries and electric vehicles, alongside its subsidiary TAE Life Sciences which focuses on cancer treatment technologies.

    Devin Nunes, CEO of TMTG, characterized the move as a transformative step toward securing American energy dominance through revolutionary technology. He emphasized that his organization would provide crucial capital markets access and financing to accelerate the commercialization of TAE’s fusion technology.

    The timing coincides with resurgent interest in reliable clean energy solutions, particularly driven by soaring electricity demands from artificial intelligence data centers. This energy crunch has revitalized nuclear power investments globally, including reactor restarts, facility expansions, and development of small modular reactors.

    TAE Technologies has previously secured more than $1.3 billion in funding from prominent investors including Google and Goldman Sachs, underscoring the technological credibility behind this unconventional partnership between political media and advanced energy innovation.

  • Two US presidents and their long associations with Jeffrey Epstein

    Two US presidents and their long associations with Jeffrey Epstein

    A comprehensive archival investigation has uncovered detailed documentation of former U.S. Presidents Donald Trump and Bill Clinton’s social connections with convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein throughout the 1990s and early 2000s. Both presidents maintained documented associations with the financier for approximately 15 years before distancing themselves from him years prior to his criminal convictions.

    Photographic evidence and archival records indicate Trump’s relationship with Epstein began around 1987, with multiple documented interactions throughout the following decade. Footage from 1992 shows both men socializing at Trump’s Mar-a-Lago estate with Ghislaine Maxwell, Epstein’s convicted accomplice, visible in the background. Epstein attended Trump’s 1993 wedding to Marla Maples, and the two were photographed together at various high-profile events including a Victoria’s Secret fashion show in 1999.

    Clinton’s association with Epstein reportedly began in the early 1990s, with photographs capturing their interaction at a White House restoration donor event in September 1993. Public records show Epstein contributed $2,000 to Clinton’s 1992 presidential campaign. The former president reportedly took four trips on Epstein’s private jet between 2002-2003 for Clinton Foundation work, including a humanitarian trip to Africa.

    Both presidents contributed to Epstein’s 50th birthday book in 2003, though Trump has disputed the authenticity of his alleged contribution and filed a defamation lawsuit against the Wall Street Journal for publishing it. Clinton never publicly commented on his message in the book.

    According to statements from both parties, their relationships with Epstein ended around 2004-2005. Trump claims he banned Epstein from Mar-a-Lago for inappropriate behavior with staff, while Clinton stated he cut ties before Epstein’s first arrest in 2005. Both have consistently denied any knowledge of Epstein’s criminal activities during their associations.

    The White House has emphasized the Trump administration’s cooperation with Epstein-related investigations, stating they have released thousands of documents and supported congressional oversight requests regarding the case.