Author: Rachel Maddow

Secondary housing markets in the Midwest and South are gaining momentum as affordability continues to attract buyers and investment. Recent data shows that these regions are experiencing double-digit home price growth while remaining more accessible than major coastal markets. Analysts say fast-growing cities in these areas are drawing both new residents and investors. Buyers are looking for homes that balance price with quality of life, while investors see opportunities for strong returns in appreciating markets. “Secondary markets are providing a sweet spot,” said a housing market expert. “Prices are rising, but homes are still affordable, which appeals to buyers and…

Governments Seek Stability Ahead of 2028 Rollout European Union countries have agreed to strengthen a financial safeguard aimed at preventing sharp spikes in carbon prices before a new emissions trading system covering road transport and buildings comes into force in 2028. The updated system, known as ETS2, will place a carbon price on fuels used for cars, vans and heating. Once fully operational, households and businesses that rely on fossil fuels are expected to face higher costs. That prospect has already triggered political tension across the bloc. Some governments, including Slovakia and the Czech Republic, have pushed to delay the…

Brussels Willing to Act Without Full G7 Unity The European Union is prepared to move ahead with a sweeping ban on maritime services for Russian oil tankers, even if it fails to secure full backing from its G7 partners. Valdis Dombrovskis said a joint decision would be ideal but stressed that it is not an “absolute precondition” for action. His comments come as EU member states negotiate a 20th package of sanctions against the Kremlin, which Brussels hopes to finalise by 24 February — the fourth anniversary of Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine. If approved, the proposed ban would effectively…

Rubio Brings Message of Support to Budapest During a visit to Budapest, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio delivered a clear endorsement from Donald Trump to Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán, whose government faces a tight election in April. Standing alongside Orbán after the Munich Security Conference, Rubio praised the personal bond between the Hungarian leader and Trump, saying that relationship had strengthened ties between the two countries. He added that Trump is “deeply committed” to Orbán’s success, framing Hungary’s stability and economic growth as aligned with U.S. national interests. Rubio pointed to Hungary’s one-year exemption from U.S. sanctions on…

Is the West in Decline — or Just Divided? This year’s Munich Security Conference exposed a growing philosophical split across the Atlantic. American, Ukrainian and European leaders gathered to debate the future of the West, but their speeches revealed sharply different ideas about what that future should look like. U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio warned that the West risks managing its own decline if it fails to confront policy mistakes on climate and migration. He said Washington has “no interest in being polite and orderly caretakers” of a fading order and urged European allies to help restore what he…

Nearly one in five new homes in the U.S. now comes with price reductions, offering buyers a chance to access properties that were previously out of reach. These discounts are helping bridge part of the affordability gap in a housing market that has been challenging for many prospective homeowners. Real estate analysts say the trend is driven by shifting demand and changing market conditions. Builders are adjusting prices to attract buyers amid higher mortgage rates and a slowdown in home sales. The discounts are particularly noticeable in suburban and rapidly growing urban areas, where new construction has been plentiful but…

Europe Needs a Seat at the Table At the Munich Security Conference, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy criticized the limited role European leaders are playing in the U.S.-brokered talks to end the war with Russia. He called it a “big mistake” that Europe is largely absent, stressing that any lasting peace must address the security concerns of the entire continent, not just Ukraine and the United States. Zelenskyy expressed frustration with the negotiations, saying discussions often feel disconnected, with parties “talking about completely different things.” He also warned that focusing only on Ukrainian concessions without requiring Russia to compromise risks rewarding…

The United Nations has approved the creation of a new 40-member international panel to study the risks and impact of artificial intelligence, moving forward despite firm opposition from the United States. The decision comes at a time when concerns about AI are growing louder — including from former insiders at major technology companies. The UN General Assembly voted 117-2 in favor of establishing the Independent International Scientific Panel on Artificial Intelligence. The United States and Paraguay voted against the measure, while Tunisia and Ukraine abstained. Russia, China and several European nations supported the initiative. UN Secretary-General António Guterres described the…

There was a clear message emerging from this week’s meeting of NATO defence ministers in Brussels: the alliance is changing. Both the United States and its European partners appear to agree that NATO must evolve — with Europe taking on a far greater share of responsibility for its own defence. Yet while the direction of travel may be shared, the motivations on either side of the Atlantic are not entirely the same. Washington is eager to redirect more of its military attention toward the Indo-Pacific and other global priorities. European leaders, meanwhile, are increasingly aware that relying too heavily on…

At least nine people are dead following a shooting at Tumbler Ridge Secondary School in northern British Columbia. The suspected gunman was also found dead, and dozens more were injured in one of the deadliest school shootings Canada has seen in decades. Victims Found Inside School and Nearby Home Royal Canadian Mounted Police said six victims were discovered inside the school. Another person died while being transported to hospital. The suspected shooter was located in the building with what officers described as a self-inflicted injury. Police said two additional bodies were later found at a residence in Tumbler Ridge believed…