Author: Rachel Maddow

Israeli Forces Hit Iranian Defence Sites The Israeli military says it has completed a “broad strike” targeting defence systems in western Iran. The operation follows joint US-Israeli air strikes early Saturday, escalating a conflict that has been building for weeks over Iran’s nuclear programme and broader regional tensions. Iran Strikes Back Across the Gulf In response, Iran launched retaliatory attacks on American military assets in nearly every Gulf country except Oman. US President Donald Trump framed the strikes as part of a long-standing grievance with Iran, dating back to the country’s 1979 Islamic Revolution. In a social media video, he…

Airstrikes and Retaliation Mark Dangerous Escalation After months of uneasy calm, fighting has flared dramatically between Pakistan and Afghanistan’s Taliban government, raising fears of a broader conflict along their 2,600-kilometre mountainous border. Pakistan launched airstrikes early Friday on Kabul and other key cities, declaring what it described as “open war” following Taliban attacks on Pakistani border posts. Defence Minister Khawaja Asif said Islamabad’s patience had “run out” after repeated cross-border incidents. Pakistan’s military announced an operation it called “Righteous Fury,” claiming it killed more than 100 Taliban fighters and struck military sites in Kabul and Kandahar — the spiritual heartland…

De Niro Warns Trump “Will Never Leave” Oscar-winning actor Robert De Niro has once again spoken out against Donald Trump, warning that the president “will never leave” office voluntarily. Appearing on MS NOW ahead of Trump’s State of the Union address, De Niro argued that Americans must take action at the ballot box. “He will never leave. We have to make him leave,” De Niro said, adding that Trump’s remarks about nationalizing elections should be taken seriously. The actor later attended a counter-event titled “State of the Swamp” at the National Press Club, where he told the audience he felt…

A Renewed Offer for European Partners President Emmanuel Macron is expected to clarify France’s contribution to Europe’s nuclear deterrence in a major speech delivered from the Île Longue peninsula, home to the country’s fleet of nuclear-armed ballistic missile submarines. It will be his first detailed address on the subject since 2020, when he floated the idea of opening France’s nuclear doctrine to closer cooperation with European partners — an offer that initially received little response. This time, the context has changed. Macron is likely to stress that any expansion of France’s nuclear role would complement, not compete with, the security…

New UN Submission Sparks Dispute A renewed maritime border disagreement has emerged between Kuwait and Iraq after Baghdad submitted updated coordinates and a map to the United Nations, claiming waters that Kuwait considers its own, including the Fasht al-Qaid and Fasht al-Aij shoals. Gulf Arab states quickly voiced support for Kuwait, emphasizing the importance of respecting international law in the strategically vital northern Gulf region. Regional Backing and Iraq’s Position Neighbouring countries, including Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Bahrain, and Oman, issued statements backing Kuwait and urging both sides to honor existing agreements. Iraq maintains that its submission…

Supreme Court Ruling Throws Deal Into Doubt The European Parliament has suspended work on the EU-US trade agreement following a US Supreme Court ruling that declared some of Washington’s 2025 tariffs illegal. The decision triggered a fresh response from President Donald Trump, who announced new 15% duties on imports, further unsettling the fragile deal. German MEP Bernd Lange, chair of the Parliament’s trade committee, said the legal foundation of the agreement had shifted dramatically. With new tariffs replacing the old framework, he argued that clarity from Washington is essential. Lawmakers are now seeking firm assurances that the US intends to…

Budapest Refuses to Back New Measures Hungary has made clear it will not support the European Union’s latest sanctions package against Russia unless oil shipments to the country are restored. Prime Minister Viktor Orbán said after a meeting of the Energy Security Council that no further EU funds — including a planned €90 billion war loan for Ukraine — should be released while Hungary’s oil supplies remain cut off. Foreign Minister Péter Szijjártó confirmed that Budapest will block the 20th round of EU sanctions, which is set to be discussed by foreign ministers. He said Hungary’s position will not change…

A Swift Response to the Supreme Court Just one day after the US Supreme Court ruled that his sweeping tariff policy overstepped executive authority, President Donald Trump announced he would raise global tariffs from 10% to 15%, effective immediately. In a social media post, Trump criticized the court’s 6–3 decision, calling it “ridiculous” and “anti-American.” The ruling found that he had improperly used the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA), a 1977 law typically reserved for sanctions, to justify broad import taxes. While other presidents have relied on the law for economic penalties, Trump was the first to apply it…

Justices Rule President Overstepped His Authority The Supreme Court of the United States has struck down former President Donald Trump’s sweeping global tariffs, ruling that he exceeded his authority by relying on emergency powers to impose them. In a 6–3 decision, the court found that the Constitution clearly grants Congress — not the president — the power to levy taxes, including tariffs. Chief Justice John Roberts wrote that the nation’s founders did not give any portion of the taxing power to the executive branch. Justices Samuel Alito, Clarence Thomas and Brett Kavanaugh dissented. Kavanaugh argued that, regardless of whether the…

Arrest and Police Searches Prince Andrew was arrested Thursday on suspicion of misconduct in public office connected to his former role as the UK’s trade envoy. Police also carried out searches at properties in Berkshire and Norfolk. Authorities said a man in his sixties remains in custody while investigations continue. Andrew turned 66 on the day of his arrest. Unmarked police vehicles were seen outside his Norfolk residence at Sandringham. Officials emphasized the need to protect the integrity of the inquiry and promised updates as the investigation progresses. Allegations Involving Jeffrey Epstein Recent reports suggest Andrew may have sent sensitive…