标签: North America

北美洲

  • Partial US government shutdown enters third day as funding standoff continues

    Partial US government shutdown enters third day as funding standoff continues

    The United States government entered its third day of a partial shutdown on Monday as legislative negotiations reached an impasse over Department of Homeland Security funding and immigration enforcement policies. The political deadlock persists despite the Senate’s approval last Thursday of a comprehensive spending package covering five key government sectors.

    Lawmakers face a critical juncture regarding Homeland Security funding after senators deliberately excluded full fiscal year appropriations for DHS from their initial legislative package. Instead, they implemented a temporary two-week funding measure specifically for the department, creating a limited window for resolving contentious immigration policy disagreements.

    The congressional stalemate centers on Democratic demands for substantial reforms to immigration enforcement protocols. These include mandatory body camera usage by agents during operations and prohibitions on facial coverings that obscure identification. The proposed changes gained urgency following recent fatal shootings of American citizens during immigration enforcement operations.

    While the Senate-approved legislation allocates full fiscal year funding through September 30, 2026 for defense, health, treasury, federal courts, and other agencies, its implementation remains pending House approval. The funding lapse technically began at midnight Saturday, though minimal immediate impact occurred due to weekend government service schedules.

    The House Rules Committee scheduled a Monday afternoon session to evaluate the legislative package, which must first overcome a procedural vote that Democrats reportedly plan to oppose. Representative Ro Khanna (D-CA) articulated progressive opposition, questioning the ethical implications of funding Immigration and Customs Enforcement without structural reforms.

    Republican leadership expressed confidence in resolving the impasse, with House Speaker Mike Johnson predicting legislative completion by Tuesday. However, practical challenges emerge from both political divisions and external factors, including winter weather complicating lawmaker travel and the Republican party’s narrow single-vote House majority.

    The funding debate occurs alongside widespread public demonstrations in Minneapolis protesting Operation Metro Surge, a Trump administration immigration initiative that has drawn criticism following recent enforcement-related fatalities. These events have intensified Democratic demands for revised ICE protocols including enhanced warrant requirements and transparency measures.

    The Department of Homeland Security’s extensive jurisdiction—spanning ICE, Customs and Border Protection, the Coast Guard, and Secret Service—has positioned it at the center of both budgetary discussions and national policy debates regarding immigration enforcement strategies and accountability mechanisms.

  • Epstein scandal widens as new name emerges

    Epstein scandal widens as new name emerges

    The ongoing release of documents from the Jeffrey Epstein case continues to trigger political repercussions across the globe, with a senior European official becoming the latest casualty. Miroslav Lajcak, a key advisor to Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico and former foreign minister, resigned after his name surfaced 346 times in the latest document disclosure from the US Department of Justice.

    The resignation came as the Justice Department released over three million pages of Epstein-related materials, creating renewed scrutiny of the convicted sex offender’s connections to powerful figures worldwide. While the documents contain no allegations of Lajcak’s involvement in criminal activities, his extensive correspondence with Epstein proved politically untenable.

    Prime Minister Fico accepted the resignation reluctantly, lamenting what he called ‘hypocrisy from all directions’ and stating that Slovakia was ‘losing a source of experience in diplomacy and foreign policy.’ Lajcak maintained his innocence, stating he was ‘ready to confirm this claim by any and all means’ and emphasizing his condemnation of Epstein’s crimes. The diplomat explained his resignation as necessary to spare the prime minister from ‘political costs’ stemming from what he characterized as a deliberate attack on the government’s integrity.

    The document release has also intensified pressure on Britain’s Prince Andrew, with newly revealed images allegedly showing the royal kneeling over a woman lying on the ground. Simultaneously, a second woman has come forward claiming Epstein sent her to the UK for a sexual encounter with the prince in 2010, according to BBC reports. British Prime Minister Keir Starmer has now joined US congressional investigators in calling for the prince’s cooperation, stating that ‘anybody who has got information should be prepared to share that information.’

    The sprawling document trove also references other prominent figures, including Bill Gates, whose representative dismissed allegations as ‘absolutely absurd and completely false,’ and Elon Musk, whose email exchange with Epstein included inquiries about ‘the wildest party on your island.’ Musk acknowledged the correspondence could be ‘misinterpreted and used by detractors to smear my name’ but expressed indifference to such attempts.

  • Snowstorm disrupts travel in US South

    Snowstorm disrupts travel in US South

    A severe winter storm continues to wreak havoc across the southern United States, creating dangerous travel conditions and plunging regions unaccustomed to such extreme weather into a deep freeze. The meteorological onslaught follows closely behind another massive storm system that claimed over 100 lives just one week prior, compounding recovery efforts throughout affected areas.

    Heavy snowfall blanketed North Carolina and surrounding states throughout Saturday, with authorities issuing urgent warnings for residents to avoid road travel entirely. The National Weather Service escalated concerns by cautioning that oceanfront structures faced imminent threat from the intensifying system.

    Winter storm warnings remained in effect across the entire states of North and South Carolina, extending into portions of Georgia, eastern Tennessee, Kentucky, and southern Virginia. The severity of conditions manifested in 750 reported vehicle collisions in North Carolina alone on Saturday.

    Accumulation measurements revealed staggering totals: Faust, North Carolina recorded 37 centimeters of snow, while West Critz, Virginia received 32 centimeters. Harrisburg, Tennessee reported over 23 centimeters of accumulation.

    In Cape Carteret, North Carolina, powerful winds created whiteout conditions with snow blowing horizontally. The National Weather Service characterized travel as “treacherous and potentially life-threatening,” particularly for those who might become stranded.

    Dramatic footage released by Gastonia, North Carolina police captured a high-speed train collision with a semitruck stuck on railway tracks, completely crushing the vehicle. Miraculously, no injuries were reported from the incident.

    Air travel suffered massive disruptions, with Charlotte Douglas International Airport—a major American Airlines hub—canceling over 1,800 flights between Saturday and Sunday according to FlightAware data. The airport deployed a 300-member “snow team” to clear runways, taxiways, and surrounding infrastructure.

    Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport, among the world’s busiest aviation hubs, canceled more than 600 flights on Saturday with approximately 50 additional cancellations occurring in Sunday’s early hours.

    The National Weather Service described the system as an “explosively deepening coastal cyclone” that would continue delivering moderate to heavy snow, high winds, and potential blizzard conditions throughout the Carolinas. An intense surge of arctic air trailing the storm pushed subfreezing temperatures as far south as Florida by Sunday morning.

    Power outages compounded the crisis, with approximately 156,000 customers remaining without electricity early Sunday—primarily throughout southern states. Mississippi, Tennessee and Louisiana experienced the most severe power disruptions according to PowerOutage.us.

  • Bad Bunny makes Grammy history as stars protest against ICE

    Bad Bunny makes Grammy history as stars protest against ICE

    The 2026 Grammy Awards ceremony transformed into both a celebration of musical excellence and a powerful platform for social advocacy, with Latin music sensation Bad Bunny making history as the first Latin artist to claim the Album of the Year honor in the awards’ 68-year history. His critically acclaimed work ‘Debí Tirar Mas Fotos’ triumphed over formidable competitors including Lady Gaga and Kendrick Lamar, marking a watershed moment for Spanish-language music at the prestigious event.

    The evening unfolded as a multifaceted tapestry of artistic achievement and political statement, with numerous artists using their acceptance speeches to address the ongoing immigration policy debates. Bad Bunny, born Benito Ocasio, emotionally dedicated his landmark victory to immigrants who ‘leave their home, land, their country, to follow their dreams,’ setting the tone for an evening where advocacy frequently took center stage alongside artistic recognition.

    British newcomer Olivia Dean, honored as Best New Artist, reinforced this message by acknowledging her immigrant heritage: ‘I’m up here as the granddaughter of an immigrant. I’m a product of bravery and I think those people deserve to be celebrated.’ This sentiment was visually reinforced by numerous artists sporting ‘ICE out’ badges on the red carpet, including Kehlani, Gloria Estefan, and Billie Eilish, who collectively turned the event into a demonstration of solidarity with immigrant communities.

    The musical achievements of the evening were equally noteworthy. Kendrick Lamar secured his place in Grammy history by surpassing Jay-Z as the most awarded rapper, collecting his 26th and 27th trophies for Best Rap Album and Record of the Year for his collaboration with SZA on ‘Luther’. This victory moment was momentarily overshadowed by presenter Cher’s confusion during the announcement, creating an unexpectedly dramatic highlight.

    Billie Eilish continued her remarkable Grammy streak, securing Song of the Year for ‘Wildflower’—her third win in this category since 2020. During her acceptance, she addressed the current social climate, urging continued activism: ‘I feel like we just need to keep fighting and speaking up and protesting. Our voices really do matter.’

    The ceremony also celebrated several groundbreaking firsts, including the inaugural Grammy for a K-Pop song—’Golden’ from ‘KPop Demon Hunters’ won Best Song for Visual Media. Lady Gaga added another Grammy to her collection with Best Pop Album for ‘Mayhem’, using her platform to advocate for women in music production: ‘I urge you to fight for your songs, fight for yourself as a producer [and] make sure that you are heard loudly.’

    Performance highlights included Justin Bieber’s minimalist rendition of ‘Yukon’ in his underwear, Bruno Mars’ slick performance of ‘I Just Might’ in a tailored red suit, and Lady Gaga’s electro version of ‘Abracadabra’ featuring an elaborate birdcage headpiece. The In Memoriam segment featured moving tributes from Reba McEntire, Bruce Springsteen, and an all-star metal homage to Ozzy Osbourne.

    The evening culminated with Lauryn Hill leading an all-star tribute to Angie Stone, Roberta Flack, and D’Angelo, performing a medley that included a celebratory version of ‘Killing Me Softly’—a fitting conclusion to an evening that balanced musical excellence with social consciousness, reflecting the evolving role of artists as both entertainers and advocates.

  • Stars hit red carpet at Grammy Awards show

    Stars hit red carpet at Grammy Awards show

    The 2026 Grammy Awards red carpet transformed into a dazzling runway of sartorial excellence and symbolic statements, setting the stage for an evening of musical celebration in Los Angeles. Stars from across the global music landscape showcased their most eye-catching ensembles, blending haute couture with personal expression.

    Sabrina Carpenter made a striking entrance in a form-fitting crystal and diamond gown that evoked Marilyn Monroe’s iconic glamour, perfectly complementing her nomination for Album of the Year with ‘Man’s Best Friend.’ The blonde bombshell aesthetic proved particularly fitting as she took the stage to perform during the ceremony.

    History was made both in fashion and achievement as Bad Bunny arrived in classic tuxedo elegance. The Puerto Rican artist’s sophisticated appearance preceded his groundbreaking victory, becoming the first artist in the Grammys’ 68-year history to win Album of the Year with a completely Spanish-language record after receiving six nominations.

    Chappell Roan generated significant buzz with a rust-colored gown that concealed a revealing secondary outfit, while Lady Gaga revisited the feathered aesthetic she debuted at previous ceremonies. The fashion statements extended beyond mere aesthetics as Venezuelan artist Raniero Palm made a political statement by carrying his national flag on the red carpet.

    Trevor Noah marked his sixth and final hosting appearance with understated elegance, while Justin and Hailey Bieber sported matching ‘Ice out’ badges on their coordinated black outfits. Kesha made a dramatic late arrival in an all-white shoulder-bare dress, followed by Canadian singer Tate McRae in a sophisticated long black gown.

    Supermodel Heidi Klum demonstrated her runway expertise in a flesh-toned dress that captivated photographers, maintaining her signature smile throughout the challenging navigation of the media line. The golden theme emerged as a trend among attendees, with rapper Killer Mike’s wife Shana Render among those embracing the metallic hue.

    Pharrell Williams celebrated an early win for Best Rap Performance while showcasing his Louis Vuitton creative directorship in a distinctive pink velour suit. The evening proved particularly momentous for British artists, with Olivia Dean becoming the first UK winner of Best New Artist since Dua Lipa in 2019, and Yungblud paying tribute to the late Black Sabbath star during his performance.

    K-Pop sensation Rosé brought international flair to the carpet before launching the ceremony with an explosive performance alongside Bruno Mars. Girl group Katseye turned heads with their nomination for both Best New Artist and Best Pop Duo/Group Performance, while Lola Young represented British talent with her hit ‘Messy’ performance despite her smart shirt-and-tie ensemble.

    The red carpet served as more than just a fashion prelude—it established the tone for an evening celebrating musical diversity, artistic expression, and historic achievements in the industry.

  • All the winners at the 2026 Grammy Awards

    All the winners at the 2026 Grammy Awards

    The 68th Annual Grammy Awards ceremony unfolded in Los Angeles with a night of spectacular victories and unexpected upsets, headlined by Kendrick Lamar’s remarkable five-award sweep and Bad Bunny’s triumphant capture of the coveted Album of the Year honor.

    Kendrick Lamar solidified his status as a contemporary music titan by securing five golden gramophones, making him the ceremony’s most decorated artist for the second consecutive year. His collaborative masterpiece ‘Luther’ with SZA earned Record of the Year, while his innovative rap collection ‘GNX’ claimed Best Rap Album. Despite this dominance, the evening’s most prestigious award eluded him as Puerto Rican global phenomenon Bad Bunny captured Album of the Year for his critically acclaimed work ‘Debí Tirar Más Fotos’.

    The British music scene celebrated early success with Yungblud’s victory for Best Rock Performance alongside legendary musicians Nuno Bettencourt and Frank Bello for their electrifying live rendition of ‘Changes.’ This win marked a significant moment for the UK artist on music’s biggest international stage.

    In the pop categories, Lady Gaga’s ‘Mayhem’ secured Best Pop Vocal Album, while emerging talent Lola Young earned Best Pop Solo Performance for her raw and emotional track ‘Messy.’ The collaboration between Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande on ‘Defying Gravity’ received recognition for Best Pop Duo/Group Performance.

    The ceremony highlighted remarkable diversity across genres, with Tyla winning Best African Music Performance for ‘Push 2 Start,’ and Natalia Lafourcade taking home Best Latin Pop Album for ‘Cancionera.’ The jazz world celebrated Samara Joy’s ‘Portrait’ as Best Jazz Vocal Album, while Sullivan Fortner’s ‘Southern Nights’ claimed Best Jazz Instrumental Album.

    In the visual media categories, Ludwig Göransson’s score for ‘Sinners’ earned Best Score Soundtrack, while the animated film ‘K-Pop Demon Hunters’ produced the winning track ‘Golden’ by Huntr/x for Best Song Written for Visual Media.

    The awards also recognized technical excellence, with Cirkut earning Producer of the Year and Amy Allen receiving Songwriter of the Year honors for their contributions to multiple chart-topping projects throughout the eligibility period.

  • Watch: the must-see moments from the 2026 Grammy Awards

    Watch: the must-see moments from the 2026 Grammy Awards

    The 66th Annual Grammy Awards ceremony unfolded as a spectacular showcase of musical excellence and unexpected highlights that captivated global audiences. This year’s event will be remembered for its blend of breathtaking performances and spontaneous occurrences that defined the evening’s narrative.

    Among the most discussed moments was the powerful ‘ICE out’ presentation, where artists united in a visually striking statement that resonated throughout the entertainment industry. In another unforgettable incident, music icon Cher experienced a charmingly human moment when she momentarily forgot her lines during a presentation, handling the situation with grace and humor that endeared her to viewers worldwide.

    The ceremony featured extraordinary collaborative performances that crossed generational and genre boundaries, creating unique musical fusion moments that highlighted the evolving landscape of contemporary music. Several emerging artists delivered breakthrough performances that signaled their arrival as significant forces in the industry, while established legends demonstrated why they continue to shape musical trends.

    Viewership metrics indicate that these highlight moments generated unprecedented social media engagement, with clips from the ceremony achieving viral status across multiple platforms. The organic nature of these occurrences provided authentic entertainment that scripted events often fail to deliver, contributing to what industry analysts are calling one of the most memorable Grammy ceremonies in recent history.

    The production team’s ability to seamlessly integrate these unplanned moments into the broadcast demonstrated a new level of technical expertise in live entertainment presentation, setting new standards for awards show productions moving forward.

  • Bad Bunny says ‘ICE out’ in forceful Grammy speech

    Bad Bunny says ‘ICE out’ in forceful Grammy speech

    The 2026 Grammy Awards ceremony transformed from a celebration of musical excellence into a powerful platform for political protest, with multiple artists using their acceptance speeches to condemn the Trump administration’s immigration enforcement tactics.

    Puerto Rican superstar Bad Bunny delivered the evening’s most explicit political statement upon winning Best Música Urbana Album. Before offering thanks, he demanded ‘ICE out’ in reference to Immigration and Customs Enforcement officers. ‘We’re not savages, we’re not animals, we’re not aliens – we’re humans,’ he declared from the stage, advocating for love over hate in addressing national divisions.

    The protests followed weeks of escalating tension across American cities, particularly in Minneapolis where federal agents recently shot and killed two Americans—37-year-old nurse Alex Pretti and Renee Good—sparking nationwide outcry and a Justice Department civil rights investigation. These incidents have intensified scrutiny of administration tactics that have targeted both criminal migrants and those without criminal histories.

    The political messaging extended throughout the event. British singer Olivia Dean, honored as Best New Artist, celebrated her immigrant heritage as the granddaughter of Windrush generation immigrant Carmen. Country artist Shaboozy dedicated his first Grammy win for Best Country Duo Performance to immigrants, acknowledging his Nigerian mother who worked multiple jobs to support her family.

    Even before the ceremony began, the red carpet showcased solidarity with many artists wearing white ‘ICE OUT’ pins. R&B winner Kehlani articulated the artistic imperative to ‘reflect the times,’ while legendary performer Gloria Estefan expressed deep concern about America’s direction backstage, emphasizing that those being arrested ‘have contributed to this country for decades.’

    Billie Eilish, winning Song of the Year for ‘Wildflower,’ encouraged continued activism: ‘Our voices really do matter, and the people matter.’ Despite administration officials suggesting potential de-escalation in Minnesota, the night belonged to artists determined to use their platform for social commentary.

  • Watch: the best looks of the 2026 Grammy Awards

    Watch: the best looks of the 2026 Grammy Awards

    The 2026 Grammy Awards ceremony was not only a celebration of musical achievement but also a definitive fashion moment, with the red carpet serving as a runway for high-profile artists. This year’s event witnessed a spectacular display of style, setting new benchmarks in celebrity fashion.

    Among the standout personalities, internet sensation turned pop phenomenon Addison Rae made a powerful style statement. Her ensemble, a masterful blend of avant-garde design and classic elegance, captured significant media attention and set social media ablaze with commentary. Similarly, British singer-songwriter Olivia Dean graced the event with a look that perfectly balanced sophistication with a distinct, modern edge, reflecting her unique artistic persona.

    Their appearances were part of a broader trend where artists leveraged the global platform to express individual style and make bold fashion declarations. The red carpet transformed into a dynamic landscape of diverse aesthetics, ranging from daring haute couture to refined, timeless elegance. This sartorial excellence underscores the deepening synergy between the music and fashion industries, where award shows become pivotal events for designers and stylists to showcase their art to a worldwide audience. The ensembles seen at the 2026 Grammys are anticipated to influence fashion trends and red-carpet expectations for events throughout the year.

  • X back up after brief outage affects over 19,000 US users, Downdetector data finds

    X back up after brief outage affects over 19,000 US users, Downdetector data finds

    The social media platform X, formerly recognized as Twitter, encountered a significant service interruption on Sunday that impacted over 19,000 users across the United States. According to data compiled by the outage monitoring service Downdetector.com, the technical difficulties began approximately at 11:19 AM Eastern Time and persisted for about 45 minutes before being largely resolved by 12:04 PM ET.

    The disruption represented one of the more notable technical incidents for the Elon Musk-owned platform in recent months. Downdetector, which aggregates user-submitted outage reports from multiple sources, recorded a peak of 19,281 individual problem reports during the incident. It is important to note that the actual number of affected users may differ from the reported figures, as the tracking methodology relies on voluntary user submissions rather than comprehensive internal data.

    The platform’s communication team did not immediately respond to media inquiries regarding the root cause of the outage or the specific technical challenges that led to the service interruption. This brief disruption occurred amidst ongoing developments at X, which has undergone significant structural and operational changes since Musk’s acquisition of the company formerly known as Twitter.

    Service reliability remains a critical concern for social media platforms, with even temporary outages potentially impacting millions of users worldwide. The rapid resolution of Sunday’s technical issues demonstrates the platform’s capacity to address system failures promptly, though the incident underscores the persistent challenges in maintaining uninterrupted digital services at scale.