レアジョブ英会話 Daily News Article Podcast

The United Nations human rights chief has called on the United States to ensure that its migration policies and enforcement practices “respect human dignity and due process rights.”

Volker Turk, in a statement relayed by spokesperson Marta Hurtado, decried the “dehumanizing portrayal and harmful treatment of migrants and refugees.”

Hurtado said Turk called on leaders at all levels in the U.S. to halt the use of scapegoating tactics that seeks to distract and divide, and which increase the exposure of migrants and refugees to xenophobic hostility and abuse.

As US President Donald Trump marks the first year of his second term, the immigration enforcement and removal operation that has been a cornerstone of his domestic and foreign policy agenda is rapidly transforming into something else—a national law enforcement presence with billions upon billions of dollars in new spending from US taxpayers.

The shooting death of Renee Good in Minneapolis showed the alarming reach of the new federalized force, sparking unrelenting protests against the military-style officers seen going door to door to find and detain immigrants.

Amid the outpouring of opposition, Trump revived threats to invoke the Insurrection Act to quell the demonstrations, and the U.S. Army has 1,500 soldiers ready to deploy.

To be sure, illegal crossings into the U.S. at the Mexico border have fallen to historic lows under Trump, a remarkable shift from just a few years ago when President Joe Biden's Democratic administration allowed millions of people to temporarily enter the U.S. as they adjudicated their claims to stay.

Yet as enforcement moves away from the border, the newly hired army of immigration officers swarming city streets with aggressive tactics—in Los Angeles, Chicago, and elsewhere—is something not normally seen in the U.S.

Armed and masked law enforcement officers are being witnessed smashing car windows, yanking people from vehicles, chasing and wrestling others to the ground, and hauling them away—images playing out in endless loops on TVs and other screens.

This article was provided by The Associated Press.

Deep in the Ecuadorian Andes, an ancient forest stands as a final sanctuary against the encroachment of human activity. This is the Yanacocha Reserve, the last refuge for the Black-breasted puffleg (Eriocnemis nigrivestis), a tiny hummingbird teetering on the edge of extinction.

Measuring just 9 centimeters (3.5 inches), this emblematic bird of Quito is one of the most threatened species on the planet. According to the International Union for Conservation of Nature, its global population has dwindled to between 150 and 200 birds.

Founded 25 years ago by the Jocotoco Foundation, the Yanacocha Reserve has become a centerpiece for Andean biodiversity. We realized we were conserving an entire ecosystem, not just one species, conservationist Paola Villalba told The Associated Press.

The bird is easily identified by the striking white trousers of feathers around its legs, which contrast sharply with its deep, metallic black chest and bronze-green wings. Despite its beauty, its survival is at risk as high-altitude forests are cleared for grazing and agriculture.

Shirley Farinango of the Birds and Conservation Foundation notes that the pressure is most intense because the puffleg occupies a narrow ecological niche between 3,000 and 3,500 meters (9,800 and 11,400 feet) above sea level. This specific elevation, she said, is prime territory to be converted to agricultural land.

On the slopes of the Pichincha volcano, 45 kilometers (27 miles) northwest of Quito, conservationists are now racing to restore this cloud-shrouded forest. For the smallest fairies of the Andes, these dense trees are more than just a habitat—they are their last stand.

This article was provided by The Associated Press.

A former flight attendant accused of posing as a pilot and working as an airline employee fooled three U.S. carriers into giving him hundreds of free tickets over a span of four years, federal authorities say. But precisely how he is alleged to have done it—and why the airlines wouldn't have caught on sooner—has industry insiders scratching their heads.

Dallas Pokornik, 33, of Toronto, was arrested in Panama after being indicted on wire fraud charges in federal court in Hawaii last October. He pleaded not guilty following his extradition to the United States. His federal public defender declined to discuss the case.

According to court documents, Pokornik was a flight attendant for a Toronto-based airline from 2017 to 2019, then used fraudulent employee identification from that carrier to obtain tickets reserved for pilots and flight attendants on three other airlines. Court documents contained no explanation of why, in an industry focused on flight and airport safety, the airlines didn't recognize the credentials as invalid.

The indictment did not identify any of the airlines involved but said the U.S. carriers are based in Honolulu, Chicago, and Fort Worth, Texas. A spokesperson for Hawaiian Airlines said the company does not comment on litigation. Representatives for United Airlines and American Airlines did not immediately respond to emails from The Associated Press.

John Cox, a retired pilot who runs an aviation safety firm in St. Petersburg, Florida, called the allegations surprising, considering the cross-checking that airlines are able to do to verify the employment of a crew member seeking to fly on another airline.

Airlines generally rely on databases of active airline employees maintained on third-party websites to check whether someone is actually an employee. The only thing I can think is that they did not show him as no longer employed by the airline, Cox said in a phone interview. Consequently, when the checks were made at the gate, he showed up as a valid employee.

Passenger airlines typically offer such free or steeply discounted standby seats, when available, to their own crew members or those of other carriers—a courtesy that makes the whole industry function better, by getting crew members where they need to go.

This article was provided by The Associated Press.

It's no small potatoes that Rhode Islanders have been able to choose the image of Mr. Potato Head as a specialty license plate for decades. Yet with Hasbro's decision to move its headquarters from the smallest state in the U.S. to Boston, two lawmakers say it's time to hash out whether Rhode Island should continue promoting one of the company's most iconic characters.

Under the proposal introduced last month, Rhode Island's Division of Motor Vehicles would stop providing Mr. Potato Head as an option for a specialty license plate. Currently, the plate costs around $40, with half of that amount going to help support the Rhode Island Community Food Bank.

Rep. Brian Newberry, a Republican from North Smithfield, said in an email that he filed the legislation because Hasbro leaving the state will cause untold economic harm and loss of tax revenue. There is no reason we should be advertising their products on our license plates, Newberry said. It may seem trivial compared to many other things, but it's a matter of self-respect.

Mr. Potato Head license plates were first issued in 2002 to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the beloved toy, which has notably appeared in the Toy Story films. The plates include a small image of Mr. Potato Head holding a sign of the Rhode Island Community Food Bank, with help end hunger at the bottom of the plate.

The license plate started at a time when Mr. Potato Head was all over the state and was having a moment, said Kate MacDonald, spokesperson for the food bank, which has received nearly $60,000 over the years due to the plate. And while it has tapered off over the years, it's been a steady way for people to contribute.

An email was sent to Hasbro seeking comment. The toy company announced last year that it would be moving to Boston by the end of 2026 after operating in Pawtucket, Rhode Island, for nearly 70 years.

This article was provided by The Associated Press.

A major international research mission, led by the British Antarctic Survey (BAS), is underway to investigate a newly discovered phenomenon: powerful underwater tsunamis triggered by collapsing Antarctic glaciers.

These hidden waves are created when icebergs calve (shed and collapse) from the fronts of glaciers, and they can reach several meters in height beneath the ocean surface. They create bursts of mixing that churn together different layers of seawater.

This process is now understood to be a critical driver in redistributing heat, oxygen, and nutrients throughout the polar oceans, with profound implications for marine life and global climate regulation.

Previously, ocean mixing in the region was thought to be primarily caused by wind, tides, and surface cooling. However, early data suggest the force of these calving-generated tsunamis rivals wind-driven mixing in certain areas and exceeds tidal influences in moving ocean heat.

The discovery was made when researchers on a previous BAS expedition collected ocean data immediately before and after a calving event. Now, scientists based at Rothera Research Station and aboard the polar ship RRS Sir David Attenborough are conducting a targeted study.

The team is deploying a suite of advanced technology, including satellites, drones, underwater robots, and moorings, to capture data from dangerous, inaccessible glacier fronts. The latest technology and underwater imaging are helping scientists, as Dr. Alex Brearley, an oceanographer from the British Antarctic Survey, explains, “At the moment we're waiting for confirmation that our controller back in Cambridge can actually see this. What I always think is really cool about one of these things is I can be sitting in the office in Cambridge, which is 10,000 km away; it's kind of remarkable.”

The research aims to determine how different calving events generate tsunamis and how the resulting mixing affects polar ecosystems and climate. Studying deep ice cores is one way scientists can monitor climate change over centuries. There seems to be clearer evidence that human activity has accelerated climate change in the 20th century.

This article was provided by The Associated Press.

Sparkling Porsches and Jaguars are just some of the sports cars and luxury vehicles that are helping to raise money for a local Detroit charity.

About 500 guests spent $250 per person to catch a glimpse of some of the world’s most exclusive cars.

The Gallery, a fundraising event for a local food bank, took place in January on the eve of the annual Detroit Auto Show.

Attendees got the chance to see dozens of ultra-luxury vehicles, including from Bentley, Koenigsegg, Lamborghini, Maserati, McLaren, Pagani and Pininfarina.

Sam Klemet, Detroit Auto Show's executive director, says, “We're at the 2026 Detroit Auto Show, and this evening we're hosting a special event that we call The Gallery fundraiser. And we're doing it in support of Forgotten Harvest, which helps fight food insecurity in Metro Detroit.”

Forgotten Harvest delivers 65,000 kg of surplus food per day to local charities five days a week, providing families in need with fresh and nutritious food free of charge.

Visitors strolled through the showroom, pausing every so often to pose for a selfie or grab a bite to eat.

Sam Klemet adds, “We have more than 40 different vehicles that are on display as a part of our Gallery, and that includes nameplates like Ferrari, Maserati, Lamborghini, Pagani, Koenigsegg, Pininfarina. And so, we have all these kinds of brands. They're so special, because you don't see these cars on the street every day. A lot of these are one of 50 that we've seen in The Gallery, and they're very special. They're rare, they're expensive, and it's not something you get to see up close and personal every day. So, to give people close access really makes for a unique night.”

It's all for a good cause, but for petrol heads attending the Gallery it's a great chance to get up close to some of their dream cars.

Max Muncey, an attendee, says, “It's really exciting. I mean, we're surrounded by multi-million-dollar vehicles, great energy in the room, and it's just the kick-off for a great auto show week.”

This article was provided by The Associated Press.

The average long-term U.S. mortgage rate is now down to its lowest level in more than three years. The benchmark 30-year fixed rate mortgage eased to 6.06%, down from 6.16%, mortgage buyer Freddie Mac said. One year ago, the rate averaged 7.04%.

The last time the average rate was lower was September 15, 2022, when it was at 6.02%. Meanwhile, borrowing costs on 15-year fixed-rate mortgages, popular with homeowners refinancing their home loans, also fell, dropping to 5.38% from 5.46% last month. A year ago, that average rate was at 6.27%, Freddie Mac said.

Lower mortgage rates boost homebuyers' purchasing power, good news for home shoppers at a time when the housing market remains in a deep slump after years of soaring prices and elevated mortgage rates have shut out many aspiring homeowners. Uncertainty over the economy and job market is also keeping many would-be buyers on the sidelines.

Mortgage rates began easing in July in anticipation of a series of Fed rate cuts, which began in September and continued last December. The Fed doesn't set mortgage rates, but when it cuts its short-term rate, that can signal lower inflation or slower economic growth ahead, which can drive investors to buy U.S. government bonds. That can help lower yields on long-term U.S. Treasurys, which can result in lower mortgage rates.

The pullback in mortgage rates helped drive sales of previously occupied U.S. homes higher on a monthly basis for the last four months of 2025. Even so, home sales remained stuck at a 30-year low last year, extending the housing market's slump into its fourth year.

Lower mortgage rates have been helpful for home shoppers who can afford to buy at current rates. The median U.S. monthly housing payment fell to $2,413 in the four weeks ending January 11, according to Redfin. That's a 5.5% drop from the same period a year earlier and near the lowest level in two years.

This article was provided by The Associated Press.

Without federal subsidies, Breyanna Rodriguez's child care bill for her four children would run $4,400 a month, which would eat up most of her husband's paycheck. With child care assistance, Rodriguez, who lives in Cortland, Illinois, is able to work part-time and take community college classes while she prepares for nursing school.

Now, citing concerns about fraud, the Trump administration has said it will withhold frozen federal child care funding for Illinois and other states while it conducts an extensive review. If she loses her subsidy, Rodriguez said, I'll have to drop out of work. I'll have to drop out of school.

“I just wish this administration didn't make such a drastic leap,” she said. “If families can't get child care subsidies, that's going to impact so many people in so many horrible ways that I don't think they're grasping.”

The Trump administration's crackdown on the $12 billion Child Care and Development Fund, which subsidizes care for 1.4 million children from low-income households, has rattled child care providers and families that rely on the aid money. Citing unspecified allegations of fraud, Trump administration officials are requiring states to provide extra documentation before receiving the money.

It's unclear if or when child care providers and families like Rodriguez's would feel the pinch.

The administration announced that state officials will be required to provide additional information to receive the federal child care money. In January, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services announced it would freeze the funding for child care subsidies until state officials provided even more exhaustive documentation.

The department said it also would withhold other federal safety net money for those states—California, Colorado, Illinois, Minnesota, and New York—including Temporary Assistance for Needy Families, which supports low-income parents with children under 18 with direct payments and by providing them with child care.

This article was provided by The Associated Press.

Apple will rely on Google to help finish its efforts to smarten up its virtual assistant Siri and bring other artificial intelligence features to the iPhone as the trendsetting company plays catch-up in technology's latest craze.

The deal allowing Apple to tap into Google's AI technology was disclosed in a joint statement from the Silicon Valley powerhouses. The partnership will draw upon Google's Gemini technology to customize a suite of AI features dubbed Apple Intelligence on the iPhone and other products.

After Google and others took the early lead in the AI race, Apple promised to plant its first big stake in the field with an array of new features that were supposed to be coming to the iPhone in 2024 as part of a ballyhooed software upgrade.

But many of Apple's AI features remain in the development phase, while Google and Samsung have been rolling out more of the technology on their own devices. One of the most glaring AI omissions on the iPhone has been a promised overhaul of Siri that was supposed to transform the often-confused assistant into a more conversational and versatile multitasker.

Google even subtly mocked the iPhone's AI shortcomings in ads promoting the release of its latest Pixel phone last summer.

Apple's AI missteps prompted the Cupertino, California, company to acknowledge last year that its Siri upgrade wouldn't happen until some point during 2026.

Getting Apple to endorse its AI implicitly represents a coup for Google, which has been steadily releasing more features built on its Gemini technology in its search engine and Gmail. The progress has intensified Google's competition with OpenAI and its ChatGPT chatbot, which already has a deal with Apple that makes it an option on the iPhone.

This article was provided by The Associated Press.

Mattel Inc. is introducing an autistic Barbie as the newest member of its line, intended to celebrate diversity, joining a collection that already includes Barbies with Down syndrome, a blind Barbie, a Barbie and a Ken with vitiligo, and other models the toymaker added to make its fashion dolls more inclusive.

Mattel said it developed the autistic doll over more than 18 months in partnership with the Autistic Self Advocacy Network, a nonprofit organization that advocates for the rights and better media representation of people with autism. The goal: to create a Barbie that reflected some of the ways autistic people may experience and process the world around them, according to a Mattel news release.

That was a challenge because autism encompasses a broad range of behaviors and difficulties that vary widely in degree, and many of the traits associated with the disorder are not immediately visible, according to Noor Pervez, who is the Autistic Self Advocacy Network's community engagement manager and worked closely with Mattel on the Barbie prototype.

Like many disabilities, “autism doesn’t look any one way,” Pervez said. “But we can try and show some of the ways that autism expresses itself.”

For example, the eyes of the new Barbie shift slightly to the side to represent how some people with autism sometimes avoid direct eye contact, he said. The doll also was given articulated elbows and wrists to acknowledge stimming, hand flapping, and other gestures that some autistic people use to process sensory information or to express excitement, according to Mattel.

The development team debated whether to dress the doll in a tight or a loose-fitting outfit, Pervez said. Some autistic people wear loose clothes because they are sensitive to the feel of fabric seams, while others wear figure-hugging garments to give them a sense of where their bodies are, he said.

The team ended up choosing an A-line dress with short sleeves and a flowy skirt that provides less fabric-to-skin contact. The doll also wears flat shoes to promote stability and ease of movement, according to Mattel.

This article was provided by The Associated Press.