Author: Rachel Maddow

Russia deployed 142 attack and decoy drones against Ukraine overnight, the Air Force reported on Telegram. Explosions erupted in Kherson, Odesa, Zaporizhzhia, and Dnipro as drones struck multiple locations. Ukrainian forces intercepted 126 drones, but 16 hit 10 different sites, causing significant destruction. Kherson Suffers Casualties and Damage Local media confirmed two deaths and 14 injuries in Kherson after drones destroyed homes, schools, hospitals, a gas station, and cars. Odesa Faces Energy Crisis Officials reported one person injured in Odesa, with Chornomorsk sustaining the heaviest damage. Governor Oleg Kiper said energy infrastructure collapsed, leaving 29,000 residents without electricity. He added…

The Israeli army attacked Gaza City on Friday, declaring it a combat zone. International organisations and aid groups condemned the military action immediately. Health officials reported 63,025 Palestinians have died, with 59 new deaths in the past 24 hours. Churches and aid agencies vowed to stay in the city to help displaced residents. Israel claimed Hamas leaders and tunnels remain active in Gaza City. Smoke and explosions rose across southern Israel as the fighting intensified. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stated Israel must destroy Hamas to prevent another October 7 attack. Civilians Struggle Amid Ongoing Attacks Gaza City residents said global…

A 14-year-old boy confessed to deliberately igniting wildfires using matches in forested areas. Police said he rode a scooter to Seidões, Ardegão, and Arnozela before starting fires. Authorities believe frustration over poor school results and social struggles motivated his actions. Investigators have not ruled out the boy acting with others. Authorities Investigate Repeated Fire Outbreaks Police launched probes after fires repeatedly erupted in the same parishes during summer. Officials reported the blazes consumed several hectares of forest and alarmed local residents. Braga Judicial Police completed the investigation and passed the case to the Public Prosecutor’s Office. The Family and Children’s…

Experts say hotter temperatures and reduced rainfall from climate change intensify forest fires across Europe. Europe’s 2025 wildfire season has burned record amounts of land. Fires have destroyed over one million hectares, larger than the island of Corsica. That area is more than four times last year’s total. Wildfire Numbers Surge Across the EU Authorities declared more than 1,800 forest fires, releasing over 38 million tonnes of CO₂. Only the Czech Republic, Estonia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, and Malta avoided wildfires among 27 EU nations. Italy and Romania each recorded over 450 blazes, topping the list for fire counts. Countries with the…

Gunfire erupted Wednesday morning at Annunciation Catholic School in Minneapolis during first-day-of-term mass. The shooter fired through church windows with a rifle, carrying a shotgun and pistol. Police confirmed he killed two children, aged eight and ten, and wounded 17 others. Authorities said they contained the shooter, who then killed himself, ending the immediate threat. Officials Condemn Attack Police chief Brian O’Hara called the attack “sheer cruelty and cowardice” at a press briefing. Governor Tim Walz described the shooting as “horrific” and prayed for children and teachers. Children’s Minnesota admitted five victims, while Hennepin Healthcare treated additional patients from the…

The European Commission authorized a twice-yearly injection to prevent HIV across the European Union. Gilead confirmed the approval follows a European Medicines Agency recommendation last month. The drug, lenacapavir, will be sold as Yeytuo in the EU, Norway, Iceland, and Liechtenstein. Lenacapavir Offers Groundbreaking Protection Lenacapavir works as pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP), stopping HIV from replicating and spreading in the body. The injection protects both adults and adolescents from acquiring HIV. Clinical trials showed 100 per cent effectiveness, prompting experts to call it a major 2024 breakthrough. Yeytuo replaces daily pills as the first twice-yearly PrEP option in Europe. Rising HIV…

Riot police fired tear gas at thousands of students marching toward Indonesia’s Parliament on Monday. Students protested against what they called excessive allowances granted to members of Parliament. Demonstrators hurled bottles and rocks at police and set fires under a flyover near the compound. Authorities deployed more than 1,200 security personnel to secure the heavily guarded Parliament area. Officials blocked toll roads and surrounding streets, triggering severe traffic congestion across Jakarta. Anger Over Housing Allowances Protesters condemned reports that 580 lawmakers have received monthly housing allowances of 50 million rupiah since September 2024. They described the payments as unfair amid…

SpaceX launched the CRS-33 mission from Cape Canaveral, marking the Dragon spacecraft’s 50th visit to the ISS. The first Dragon reached the station in May 2012 during a resupply demonstration. After stage separation, the booster successfully landed on the droneship A Shortfall of Gravitas in the Atlantic Ocean. The Dragon is scheduled to dock autonomously with the ISS on Monday after a 28-hour flight. Delivery and Scientific Research The CRS-33 mission will deliver 5,000 pounds of food, supplies, and experiments to astronauts on board. Officials emphasized that this flight goes beyond simple resupply, focusing heavily on critical scientific studies. Researchers…

Demonstrators filled UK streets on Saturday, including Liverpool, to oppose hotels housing asylum-seekers. Right-wing groups launched protests under the slogan “Abolish Asylum System” in cities like Bristol, Newcastle, and London. Stand Up To Racism organized a counter-protest in Liverpool, where police escorted some demonstrators away. Court Ruling Fuels Political Fire A recent court decision blocked asylum-seeker housing in an Epping hotel, sparking opposition nationwide. Right-wing politicians used the ruling to encourage communities to challenge hotel housing in court. The legal fight further complicated the government’s challenge of finding accommodation for asylum-seekers. Rising Arrivals Deepen Housing Strain Migrants continue crossing the…

NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte said security guarantees for Ukraine will include strengthening Ukraine’s army and Western commitments. He confirmed NATO’s support for Ukraine remains “unwavering” and “continues to grow” during his visit to Kyiv. After meeting Volodymyr Zelenskyy, Rutte announced NATO will provide funding to ensure “a crucial flow of lethal US weapons.” Rutte said Donald Trump assured allies the United States will actively participate in guaranteeing Ukraine’s security. “We are now working together — Ukraine, Europe, and the United States — to ensure Putin never attacks again,” Rutte told reporters. He added that discussions on deploying foreign troops…