Author: Rachel Maddow

Israeli Forces Hit Iranian Defence Sites The Israeli military announced it carried out a “broad strike” on defence systems in western Iran early Saturday, marking a sharp escalation in regional tensions. The attack followed joint US-Israeli airstrikes, intensifying a conflict that has been simmering for weeks as Washington and Tehran negotiate over Iran’s nuclear programme. Iran Retaliates Across the Gulf In response, Iran launched attacks on US military installations across the Gulf, striking every country in the region except Oman. US President Donald Trump, in a social media video, framed the strikes as part of a wider conflict with Iran…

Cross-Border Strikes Mark a Dangerous Escalation After months of relative quiet, tensions between Pakistan and Afghanistan have flared dramatically along their 2,600-kilometre mountainous frontier. Pakistan launched airstrikes early Friday targeting Kabul and other key cities, calling it an act of “open war” in response to Taliban attacks on Pakistani border positions. Pakistani Defence Minister Khawaja Asif said the government’s patience had “run out” following cross-border assaults the night before. The military announced the launch of Operation Ghazab lil Haq (“Righteous Fury”), claiming it killed 133 Taliban fighters and struck military facilities in Kabul and Kandahar, the latter being home to…

De Niro Speaks Out Against Trump Oscar-winning actor Robert De Niro voiced strong criticism of Donald Trump, warning that the president “will never leave” office without action from the American people. Appearing on MS NOW, De Niro urged citizens to take responsibility for holding Trump accountable, citing the president’s remarks about potentially nationalizing elections as a serious concern. Following this, the actor attended a counter-event called State of the Swamp at the National Press Club, where he condemned what he described as a government run by “dishonest, greedy, and cruel authoritarians,” saying he felt “betrayed by my country” and emphasizing…

A Renewed Push for European Deterrence President Emmanuel Macron is expected to outline how France can contribute more directly to Europe’s nuclear security in a major speech on Monday. Delivering his address from the Île Longue peninsula — home to France’s fleet of nuclear-armed ballistic missile submarines — Macron will revisit his earlier proposal to extend France’s nuclear deterrence dialogue to European partners. Back in 2020, his suggestion that European allies could be more closely involved in France’s nuclear framework drew little response. Today, however, the geopolitical climate has shifted dramatically, and interest across European capitals appears to be growing.…

Tensions Flare Over UN Maritime Submission A fresh dispute has erupted between Kuwait and Iraq after Baghdad submitted updated maritime coordinates and a map to the United Nations, claiming areas that Kuwait considers its own. Kuwaiti officials say the submission encroaches on waters around the Fasht al-Qaid and Fasht al-Aij shoals, reigniting long-standing tensions in the strategically important northern Gulf, where shipping lanes and offshore resources make borders highly sensitive. Regional Support and Calls for Dialogue Several Gulf nations, including Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Bahrain, and Oman, have expressed strong support for Kuwait and urged both sides…

Supreme Court Ruling Shakes Foundations of Deal European Parliament negotiators have suspended progress on the EU-US trade agreement after a US Supreme Court ruling cast doubt on key elements of the 2025 pact. The court found that some tariffs imposed by President Donald Trump were illegal, arguing he had exceeded his authority by acting without Congressional approval under emergency powers. In response, Trump announced fresh 15% duties on imports, further complicating the future of the agreement. German MEP Bernd Lange, who chairs Parliament’s trade committee, said the legal landscape had “totally changed,” making it impossible to move forward without clear…

Budapest Demands Pipeline Repairs Before Supporting Sanctions Hungary has announced it will block the EU’s 20th sanctions package against Russia until Ukrainian oil shipments to the country resume. Prime Minister Viktor Orbán said no EU war loans to Ukraine should proceed while Hungary’s energy deliveries remain cut off. Foreign Minister Péter Szijjártó confirmed that the bloc’s new sanctions package, scheduled for adoption by EU foreign ministers on Monday, will not have Hungary’s support. He emphasized that Ukraine must first repair the Druzhba pipeline, damaged in a Russian strike, before any sanctions can move forward. Orbán also indicated that the halted…

Defying the Court’s Setback Donald Trump has announced that global tariffs will rise from 10% to 15%, effective immediately, just one day after the Supreme Court of the United States struck down his sweeping import taxes. In a social media post, Trump said the increase followed what he described as a “ridiculous” and “anti-American” ruling by the court. The 6–3 decision found that he had overstepped his authority by using emergency powers under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA) to impose broad tariffs. While past presidents have relied on the 1977 law for sanctions and economic restrictions, Trump was…

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 6-3 that he exceeded his authority by invoking emergency powers to impose them. At the heart of the case were the broad “reciprocal” tariffs Trump introduced on nearly every US trading partner, relying on a 1977 emergency powers law. The court’s majority made clear that the Constitution assigns the power to levy taxes — including tariffs — to Congress, not the president. Chief Justice John Roberts wrote that the Constitution “very clearly” places taxing authority with…

Arrest and Ongoing Police Investigations Prince Andrew was taken into custody on Thursday on suspicion of misconduct in public office linked to his former role as the UK’s trade envoy. Police also conducted searches at his residences in Berkshire and Norfolk. While officials did not initially name him, they confirmed that a man in his sixties remains in police custody. Andrew turned 66 on the day of his arrest. Unmarked police cars were spotted at Sandringham in Norfolk, where he has been living since leaving Windsor. Authorities emphasized the need to maintain the integrity of the investigation while acknowledging high…