JQJO — General news · Page 27

After months of a 'no hire, no fire' job market, sweeping cuts at Amazon, UPS and Target are shifting the tone. Amazon will cut 14,000 jobs as it leans into AI; UPS says its workforce is down 48,000 from a year ago; Target plans 800-plus Minnesota layoffs amid a wider restructuring. With nearly 950,000 cuts through September—the most since 2020—hiring has slowed, official data are stalled by the shutdown, and the Fed meets without fresh figures. Unemployment remains historically low, but economists warn fewer openings could stretch job searches and weaken job security.

Television viewers watched a 210 Freeway pursuit Monday as a motorcyclist who authorities say shot and killed San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Deputy Andrew Nunez fled at nearly 150 mph, racked a handgun, and then collided with a gray Toyota Camry that had deliberately swerved to stop him. The Camry’s driver, an off-duty county narcotics deputy who put himself back on duty, ended the chase; the suspect, 47-year-old Angelo Jose Saldivar, was airlifted and is in stable condition, with charges expected. Policing experts said the deputy’s use of deadly force was likely justified. Mourning followed for Nunez, 28.

A federal judge in San Francisco indefinitely halted the Trump administration’s shutdown‑tied reductions‑in‑force, extending an earlier pause on thousands of layoffs at union-represented agencies. U.S. District Judge Susan Illston said unions are likely to prove the actions unlawful and set another hearing to decide whether some RIFs, including at Interior and Education, are linked to the funding lapse. Justice Department lawyers argued the executive may conduct RIFs during a shutdown; plaintiffs said the orders defy statutes and required illegal work. Illston underscored trauma, as roughly 4,000 have received notices and Russell Vought said more than 10,000 could receive notices.

Amazon will cut thousands of corporate jobs, blaming AI's rapid shift, according to a memo from SVP Beth Galetti. The move, despite strong profits, aligns with layoffs at Salesforce (4,000), Lufthansa (4,000) and Chegg (45% of staff, 388 roles) tied to efficiency claims and strategy changes. Experts told ABC News the cuts highlight risks to white-collar, middle-skill roles, though AI's true impact and a slowing economy's role remain unclear. CEO Andy Jassy says Amazon will redeploy talent and keep hiring in key areas; the company employs 1.56 million people.

Two days after releasing “West End Girl,” Lily Allen and David Harbour listed their Carroll Gardens brownstone for $7.995 million, more than double what they paid four years ago. The Weeknd set a Coral Gables record with a $50 million waterfront purchase. Roseanne Barr sold her Big Island farm for $2.6 million, above ask. Christine McVie’s Belgravia penthouse sold for £6.65 million. Carl Icahn relisted a Midtown duplex at $23 million. Also noted: Mark Wahlberg’s amenity-rich lakefront mansion and N.F.L. defensive tackle Grady Jarrett marketing his Georgia estate after signing with the Bears.

Google has begun rolling out Gemini for Home in the US to English-set Nest speakers and displays from the past decade through the Google Home Early Access program. The upgrade adds more natural voice commands for media, smart-home control, and household tasks, plus a Gemini Live mode that drops the hotword during a chat. Google notes early limitations, including occasional inaccuracies, finite context, and partial support for complex multi-action requests. Gemini Live requires a Google Home Premium subscription on select devices, and you can’t switch back to Google Assistant. New voices and UI arrive; broader languages in early 2026.

On Day 28 of the shutdown, air traffic controllers missed their first full paychecks, and airlines brought food. United is donating meals at hubs including Chicago, Denver, Houston, Los Angeles, Newark, San Francisco, and Washington, D.C.; Delta and JetBlue are arranging limited meals with federal partners. At LaGuardia, Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy cited rising sick calls, controllers seeking side gigs, and delays tied to staffing, including 44% of 8,700 on Sunday. Union leaders described severe financial strain, as controllers planned to hand out leaflets outside at least 17 airports urging an end to the shutdown.

ABC unveiled midseason dates, anchoring its schedule with the Scrubs reboot—starring Zach Braff, Donald Faison and Sarah Chalke—debuting Feb. 25 at 8 pm with two episodes, after Shifting Gears resumes Jan. 7. American Idol returns Jan. 26 at 8 pm with judges Carrie Underwood, Luke Bryan and Lionel Richie and host Ryan Seacrest, plus a Nashville-set Hollywood Week twist. Will Trent and The Rookie reunite Tuesdays alongside High Potential. Abbott Elementary, 9-1-1, 9-1-1: Nashville, Grey’s Anatomy, Celebrity Wheel of Fortune and 20/20 also return, while NBA Saturday Primetime tips Jan. 24. Next-day streaming lands on Hulu.

Nearly filling the 13,000-seat Forest Hills Stadium on Sunday evening, the 'New York City Is Not for Sale' rally drew mostly New Yorkers — and some from as far as Portugal — to hear progressive figures Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and Bernie Sanders. But the focus was 34-year-old democratic socialist mayoral hopeful Zohran Mamdani, whose affordability message is resonating in one of the world’s most expensive cities. The crowd dwarfed recent mayoral events, and interviews point to broader appeal: frustration with the political system and Democratic leaders, and supporters saying they feel hopeful again.

After Shohei Ohtani baffled their staff in Game 3, the Blue Jays say they’re done pitching to him. Manager John Schneider vowed to walk the Dodgers star for the rest of the World Series after Los Angeles edged Toronto 6-5 in an 18-inning epic. Ohtani doubled twice and homered twice before Toronto issued four intentional walks and another free pass, part of a record night that saw him reach base nine times. The plan carries risk with Mookie Betts and Freddie Freeman looming. Ohtani starts Game 4 in Los Angeles.