标签: North America

北美洲

  • Maduro copied my dance, but Melania hates it, says Trump

    Maduro copied my dance, but Melania hates it, says Trump

    In a wide-ranging address to Republican lawmakers at the Trump-Kennedy Center in Washington, President Donald Trump celebrated the capture of Venezuelan leader Nicolas Maduro while offering unexpected commentary on presidential dance aesthetics. The speech, delivered on the fifth anniversary of the U.S. Capitol attack, primarily served as a campaign launch for the crucial 2026 midterm elections.

    Trump accused the captured Venezuelan president of attempting to imitate his signature rally dance moves, referencing Maduro’s recent public appearances where he danced to a techno remix of his ‘No War, Yes Peace’ mantra as U.S. forces gathered in the Caribbean late last year. While acknowledging the ‘brilliant’ special forces operation that captured Maduro and his wife on Saturday, Trump provided no additional details about his previously stated plans for U.S. management of Venezuela’s oil resources.

    The president diverted from foreign policy matters to demonstrate an exaggerated imitation of a transgender weightlifter while discussing his administration’s ban on transgender women in women’s sports. This performance prompted him to reveal First Lady Melania Trump’s disapproval of both his dance moves and physical comedy routines, which she deemed ‘so unpresidential.’

    Trump framed the upcoming midterms as critical to preventing another impeachment attempt, referencing his second impeachment following the January 6 Capitol riot. He pardoned nearly 1,600 rioters on his first day back in office on January 20, 2025. Despite claiming strong economic performance, Trump expressed frustration with public concerns about affordability of basic goods, telling lawmakers: ‘I wish you could explain to me what the hell’s going on with the mind of the public. Because we have the right policy.’

  • Trump says Republicans must win 2026 midterms or else he’ll be impeached by Democrats

    Trump says Republicans must win 2026 midterms or else he’ll be impeached by Democrats

    Former President Donald Trump issued a stark warning to Republican lawmakers on Tuesday, asserting that Democratic forces would move to impeach him should the GOP fail to secure victory in the upcoming 2026 midterm elections. Speaking at a private gathering for House Republicans in Washington, Trump framed the November contests as a critical juncture for his political future and policy objectives.

    “The imperative is clear—we must prevail in the midterms,” Trump declared during the retreat. “A defeat would provide the opposition with sufficient pretext to initiate impeachment proceedings against me.”

    The midterm elections, scheduled for November 2026, will determine the complete composition of the House of Representatives and one-third of Senate seats. These outcomes will fundamentally shape the balance of power in Congress and directly influence the viability of Trump’s political agenda during his potential second term.

    Trump’s remarks underscore the heightened political tensions surrounding the upcoming electoral battle, which both parties view as potentially one of the most consequential midterm elections in recent history. The former president’s statement reflects growing concerns within Republican circles about maintaining congressional majorities amid challenging political headwinds.

    Political analysts note that Trump’s warning serves multiple purposes: motivating the Republican base, consolidating support among party legislators, and framing the election as a referendum on his presidency rather than merely a conventional midterm contest. This strategic positioning comes as both parties prepare for what is expected to be an intensely fought electoral campaign with significant implications for the nation’s political trajectory.

  • US-China couple revive a century-old theater in San Francisco’s Chinatown

    US-China couple revive a century-old theater in San Francisco’s Chinatown

    In a remarkable cultural preservation story, San Francisco’s historic Great Star Theater has been triumphantly restored to its former glory through the dedicated efforts of a binational couple. Roger Pincombe and Alice Chu, whose partnership symbolizes US-China cultural fusion, undertook the ambitious project when the venue faced permanent closure five years ago.

    The century-old theater, which recently celebrated its 100th anniversary in 2025, stood as a cultural landmark in the heart of Chinatown before falling into disrepair. When the previous operators could no longer sustain operations, the couple recognized both the cultural significance and community value of the institution and intervened to prevent its demise.

    Their revitalization effort represents more than mere architectural preservation—it signifies the reactivation of a vital community hub that has hosted generations of performances, from traditional Chinese opera to contemporary productions. The theater’s revival has reinvigorated the neighborhood’s cultural landscape while honoring the rich immigrant history embedded within its walls.

    The restoration project required meticulous attention to both historical accuracy and modern functionality, balancing preservation with necessary updates for contemporary use. The couple’s binational background brought unique perspective to the endeavor, allowing them to bridge cultural traditions while creating space for new artistic expressions.

    The successful reopening has been celebrated by community members and cultural preservation advocates alike, serving as a model for how historic venues can adapt to modern contexts while maintaining their original character and purpose.

  • Helicopter appears to crash into slackline in Arizona, killing all passengers

    Helicopter appears to crash into slackline in Arizona, killing all passengers

    A tragic aviation incident in Arizona’s remote canyon terrain has claimed four lives after a helicopter collided with an extreme sport slackline. The Pinal County Sheriff’s Office confirmed the January 2nd crash near Telegraph Canyon, east of Phoenix, involving a recreational slackline stretching over one kilometer across mountain ranges.

    According to witness accounts provided to emergency services, the aircraft struck a segment of the tensioned fabric line before plummeting to the canyon floor. All occupants perished in the impact, subsequently identified as pilot David McCarty, 59, and his three nieces from Oregon: Rachel McCarty, 23, Faith McCarty, 21, and Katelyn Heideman, 21.

    The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) and Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) have launched a comprehensive investigation, transporting wreckage to secure facilities for detailed examination. Notably, the extreme sports participants had complied with aviation safety protocols by filing a Notice to Air Missions (Notam) and attaching aviation markers to enhance visibility—raising critical questions about whether the pilot accessed the hazard alert system.

    Slacklining, an increasingly popular adventure sport, involves traversing specialized fabric lines with less tension than traditional tightropes, enabling dynamic bouncing maneuvers. Highlining—the practice of stringing lines at significant altitudes—represents the sport’s most extreme variant.

    Aviation safety experts have long criticized the Notam system as outdated and cumbersome. Tim Kiefer, air traffic management professor at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, explained to Phoenix media that pilots must manually sift through numerous notices—some irrelevant or expired—to identify pertinent hazards. The Department of Transportation had previously announced plans to replace this ‘legacy and aging’ system by February 2026.

    The International Slackline Association expressed profound grief over the incident while emphasizing participants’ adherence to safety measures. The NTSB continues examining whether slacklines have previously caused aviation accidents, noting ongoing investigations into wire-strike incidents that pose particular challenges for pilot visibility.

  • Mexican president urges US to give Maduro ‘fair trial’

    Mexican president urges US to give Maduro ‘fair trial’

    In a significant diplomatic intervention, Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum has formally urged United States authorities to guarantee due process for deposed Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro, who currently faces serious narcotics charges in New York. The statement emerged Tuesday from Mexico City, marking the first high-level international response to Maduro’s extraordinary apprehension by U.S. forces in Caracas and subsequent transfer to American jurisdiction.

    Maduro entered a plea of not guilty on Monday in a federal courtroom in New York following his dramatic capture operation two days prior. The charges against him include conspiracy to commit drug trafficking and terrorism-related offenses, representing one of the most consequential prosecutions of a foreign head of state in recent history.

    President Sheinbaum’s carefully worded appeal emphasizes procedural fairness rather than questioning the legitimacy of the charges themselves. “Now that President Maduro is in detention, what we request is a fair trial,” she stated during a press briefing, reflecting Mexico’s traditionally non-interventionist foreign policy stance while acknowledging the gravity of the legal proceedings.

    The case has immediate implications for hemispheric relations, testing diplomatic norms between North American neighbors and potentially influencing how regional leaders respond to U.S. judicial actions against foreign officials. Maduro’s capture represents an unprecedented enforcement of U.S. criminal charges against a sitting political leader from the hemisphere, setting potentially far-reaching precedents for international law and cross-border judicial cooperation.

  • Russia slams ‘neocolonial threats’ against Venezuela, backs Delcy Rodriguez

    Russia slams ‘neocolonial threats’ against Venezuela, backs Delcy Rodriguez

    In a significant geopolitical development, Russia has formally endorsed Delcy Rodríguez as Venezuela’s interim president while condemning what it characterizes as “blatant neocolonial threats and foreign armed aggression” against the South American nation. The Russian Foreign Ministry issued a strong statement on Tuesday asserting Venezuela’s right to self-determination without external interference, though it carefully avoided direct reference to the United States.

    The diplomatic stance comes in response to President Donald Trump’s deployment of special forces to capture Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro over the weekend. Maduro, currently facing narcotics charges in the United States, maintains his legitimate claim to Venezuela’s presidency despite his forced removal. This event marks the second ousting of a key Russian ally within approximately thirteen months, following the deposition of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad in December 2024.

    Moscow’s statement emphasized “unwavering solidarity with the Venezuelan people and government” while pledging continued “necessary support” for Caracas. The development occurs against the backdrop of complex Russia-US relations, with President Vladimir Putin cautiously avoiding criticism of Trump despite the administration’s aggressive Western Hemisphere policy.

    According to senior Russian sources, Moscow appears to be testing the boundaries of renewed US assertion of the Monroe Doctrine, suggesting that Russia maintains equal rights to its own sphere of influence. This positioning unfolds simultaneously with ongoing negotiations between Russia and the Trump administration regarding the resolution of the Ukraine conflict, which has entered its fourth year. The Kremlin has demonstrated particular interest in rebuilding bilateral relations and revitalizing economic cooperation with the United States, creating a complex diplomatic balancing act amid escalating tensions in Venezuela.

  • Watch: Trump says Maduro copied his dancing. Did he?

    Watch: Trump says Maduro copied his dancing. Did he?

    In an unusual diplomatic development, former U.S. President Donald Trump has publicly asserted that Nicolás Maduro, Venezuela’s controversial leader, deliberately mimicked his distinctive dance movements. The extraordinary allegation emerged on Tuesday, creating a surreal intersection of political theater and performative expression between the two nations’ leaders.

    This peculiar exchange occurs against the backdrop of significantly strained relations between the United States and Venezuela, where Maduro maintains power despite numerous international challenges to his legitimacy. The dancing comparison has sparked both amusement and bewilderment among political observers, who note the stark contrast between traditional diplomatic discourse and this unconventional form of political communication.

    Video evidence circulating online provides a comparative analysis of both leaders’ rhythmic expressions, revealing notable similarities in their movement patterns and stylistic approaches. The visual documentation offers fascinating insights into how body language and public performance have become increasingly relevant in modern political leadership.

    Political analysts suggest this incident reflects the evolving nature of international relations in the social media era, where symbolic gestures and visual messaging sometimes overshadow conventional diplomatic protocols. The dancing controversy represents just one episode in the complex relationship between the United States and Venezuela, which continues to navigate challenges related to governance, economic sanctions, and regional influence.

    The phenomenon also highlights how personal style and public presentation have become integral components of political identity in contemporary global leadership, potentially influencing public perception across international boundaries.

  • US discussing options to acquire Greenland, including use of military, says White House

    US discussing options to acquire Greenland, including use of military, says White House

    The White House has confirmed that President Donald Trump is actively exploring “a range of options” to acquire Greenland, including potential military deployment, characterizing the territorial acquisition as a “national security priority.” This development follows Trump’s weekend remarks emphasizing America’s strategic “need” for the semi-autonomous Danish territory.

    The administration’s position was reinforced by Senior Advisor Stephen Miller, who declared Greenland’s incorporation into the United States as official U.S. policy. Miller asserted American military supremacy within NATO, stating “Nobody’s going to fight the US over the future of Greenland” when questioned about potential forcible annexation.

    European powers have responded with unprecedented unity. Leaders from the United Kingdom, France, Germany, Italy, Poland, and Spain issued a joint statement firmly supporting Danish sovereignty. “Greenland belongs to its people, and only Denmark and Greenland can decide on matters concerning their relations,” the statement read, while emphasizing collective NATO approaches to Arctic security and upholding UN Charter principles of territorial integrity.

    Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen issued a stark warning that any U.S. military action against Greenland would effectively terminate the NATO alliance. Greenland’s Prime Minister Jens-Frederik Nielsen welcomed European support while calling for “respectful dialogue” grounded in international law.

    The current geopolitical tension traces back to Trump’s 2024 campaign trail where he first floated acquiring the strategically vital Arctic territory. Greenland’s significance has grown substantially due to climate change opening new shipping routes and increasing Russian and Chinese interest in the region. The administration’s renewed push follows controversial U.S. military intervention in Venezuela, with Trump’s inner circle openly signaling Greenland ambitions through social media posts featuring the territory adorned with American flag colors.

  • Sangeetha opens its 13th branch in Deira

    Sangeetha opens its 13th branch in Deira

    Sangeetha, the renowned South Indian vegetarian restaurant chain, has achieved a significant expansion milestone with the inauguration of its 13th UAE establishment in Deira. This development reinforces the brand’s growing footprint across the region after four decades of culinary excellence.

    The newly opened Deira location continues Sangeetha’s tradition of serving authentic South Indian vegetarian cuisine alongside North Indian classics and global vegetarian offerings. The restaurant has built its reputation on crispy dosas, aromatic sambhars, and freshly prepared wholesome meals that have attracted a loyal international customer base.

    Founded by visionaries Rajagopal and Suresh, the chain maintains its original commitment to delivering genuine, flavorful, and nutritious vegetarian food to global communities. This philosophical consistency has transformed Sangeetha into a household name among connoisseurs of authentic South Indian cuisine.

    The brand established its UAE presence in 2001 through a strategic joint venture with LMZ Group, a diversified business conglomerate with interests spanning hotels, restaurants, real estate, and trading operations across the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Hong Kong, and Congo. Over 25 years, Sangeetha has captivated UAE diners with traditional recipes, consistent quality, and genuine hospitality.

    The Deira opening demonstrates Sangeetha’s sustained regional growth and the enduring support of its dedicated patrons. The new branch offers the same family-friendly ambiance and culinary consistency that has defined the brand’s identity for more than 40 years.

  • Abortion stays legal in Wyoming after state’s top court strikes down bans

    Abortion stays legal in Wyoming after state’s top court strikes down bans

    In a landmark ruling with profound implications for reproductive rights, Wyoming’s Supreme Court has invalidated two restrictive abortion laws that imposed a near-total prohibition on the procedure. The 4-1 decision declared that both the comprehensive abortion ban and the nation’s first explicit prohibition on abortion pills violated the state constitution’s protections.

    The court’s majority opinion established that “a woman has a fundamental right to make her own health care decisions, including the decision to have an abortion,” directly rejecting the state’s argument that abortion does not constitute healthcare. The legal challenge was brought by a coalition including four women (two of whom are obstetricians), an abortion advocacy organization, and Wellspring Health Access—Wyoming’s sole abortion provider located in Casper.

    This legal victory represents a significant setback for abortion opponents in the deeply conservative state. The overturned legislation, passed by Wyoming’s Republican-controlled legislature in 2023, had criminalized prescribing, dispensing, distributing, selling, or using any drug for abortion purposes.

    Republican Governor Mark Gordon expressed disappointment with the ruling, urging legislators to pursue a constitutional amendment that would permanently embed abortion restrictions in state law. “This ruling may settle, for now, a legal question, but it does not settle the moral one,” Gordon stated, advocating for a public vote on the matter.

    The decision occurs against the backdrop of ongoing national legal battles following the U.S. Supreme Court’s 2022 reversal of Roe v. Wade, which has prompted more than a dozen states to enact near-total abortion bans, many of which face legal challenges.