Author: Rachel Maddow

A court in Oslo convicted a 28-year-old former U.S. Embassy security guard of espionage on Wednesday. Judges ruled that the Norwegian man spied for Russia and Iran, sentencing him to three years and seven months in prison. Prosecutors said he shared information about the embassy’s diplomats, floor plans, and security routines, according to Norwegian state broadcaster NRK. The man admitted to the facts in the indictment but denied committing any crime. NRK reported that his anger over U.S. ties to Israel and the war in Gaza drove him to contact Russian and Iranian agents. “He provided sensitive details about embassy…

China and the US escalate tensions by imposing new shipping fees, alarming global investors. The confrontation widens despite President Trump’s social media claim: “Don’t worry about China, it will all be fine!” European markets opened lower on Tuesday, even after Wall Street’s rally on Monday, when President Trump tried to reassure investors about ties with Beijing. Investor confidence remains weak as the two biggest economies clash over trade control. Both countries will start charging each other’s ships on Tuesday, following a US probe into China’s rising dominance in global shipbuilding. Washington plans to charge $50 per tonne (€43.27) of cargo…

US President Donald Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu unveiled a 20-point plan on September 29 to end the Gaza war.Trump developed the plan with Egypt, Qatar, and Turkey after an Israeli strike on Doha nearly killed Hamas negotiators.The failed attack violated Qatar’s sovereignty and pushed Trump to pressure Israel into accepting a ceasefire.Freed from earlier political constraints, Trump used his second term to demand an end to Israel’s military campaign.By early October, Israel and Hamas had signed the plan’s first phase, which outlined steps for peace and stability. Phase One: Ceasefire and Prisoner Exchange The deal’s first stage…

Afghanistan announced that its forces killed 58 Pakistani soldiers during overnight border clashes.Officials said the attacks came after repeated violations of Afghan territory and airspace by Pakistan.The Taliban government accused Pakistan of bombing Kabul and an eastern market earlier in the week.Pakistan did not claim responsibility for the airstrikes. Afghan spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid said troops captured 25 Pakistani army posts and wounded 30 soldiers.“The borders of Afghanistan are fully secure, and illegal activities have been largely stopped,” Mujahid told reporters in Kabul.The Taliban Defence Ministry said its forces carried out “retaliatory and successful operations” along the frontier.It warned that any…

Around 200 US soldiers arrived in Israel to set up a coordination centre for Gaza’s ceasefire operations.The troops began work to organise humanitarian aid, logistical support, and security coordination without entering Gaza.US special envoy Steve Witkoff and Central Command chief Brad Cooper visited Gaza to confirm IDF troop withdrawal.Cooper stated his team would lead operations with “no US boots on the ground in Gaza.” Ceasefire Brings Fragile Calm and Relief Efforts Under the truce, Hamas will release 48 remaining hostages by Monday, while Israel frees 2,000 Palestinian prisoners.Palestinian authorities reported over 5,000 operations since the ceasefire began, including restoring water…

Taylor Swift has once again set a new standard in entertainment with her concert film, “Eras Tour,” which has broken box office records worldwide. The film earned over $100 million in its opening weekend, marking one of the most successful concert film launches in history. Fans and critics alike are celebrating the cinematic experience, highlighting Swift’s energy, stagecraft, and connection with her audience. The “Eras Tour” film captures the essence of Swift’s groundbreaking tour, blending spectacular live performances with intimate behind-the-scenes moments. The film takes viewers through her musical journey, showcasing hits from across her career. Its immersive production, combining…

Twenty-seven years after the $1.25 billion Swiss Banks Settlement was hailed as the final reckoning for Nazi-era finances, the ghosts of history have returned — and this time, the world’s largest wealth manager, UBS, stands directly in their path. New evidence and legal motions obtained by the Golden Gate Times, building on the October 2025 Ami Magazine exposé by Riva Pomerantz, suggest that UBS — successor to the Basler Handelsbank, a key wartime financial institution — may have retained accounts tied to Nazi officials that were never disclosed to heirs, courts, or restitution authorities. The findings, bolstered by newly surfaced…

Tech Giant Expands Its Footprint in Europe Google invests €5 billion to grow its Belgian data and AI infrastructure, marking a historic milestone for the country’s tech industry. The project will create 300 new jobs, expand digital capacity in Wallonia, and advance Europe’s transition toward carbon-free innovation. The expansion focuses on Google’s Saint-Ghislain campus in Wallonia, which will serve as a key hub for AI and cloud services across Europe. “With today’s announcement, Google strengthens its foundation in Belgium, broadens our investments, and opens new pathways for AI-led transformation,” said Bikash Koley, Vice President for Global Infrastructure at Google. Prime…

The Canary Islands once again broke visitor records despite ongoing overtourism protests and new control measures.Fresh data from August revealed how overcrowded the popular archipelago has become.Visitor numbers surged even as local authorities introduced restrictions to manage excessive tourism.The islands welcomed 1.23 million foreign visitors in August, marking a 6% rise from the same month in 2024.Tourism researchers confirmed this as the highest August figure ever recorded.The increase followed a broader national trend of record-breaking tourism across Spain. Rising Numbers Drive Economic Growth and Public Frustration From January to August 2025, the islands attracted over 10 million international visitors.The Canaries…

Sébastien Lecornu resigned as French prime minister on Monday after only a few weeks in office.His decision marked the shortest tenure for any French prime minister since 1958.President Emmanuel Macron accepted Lecornu’s resignation early Monday morning.The announcement came just hours after Lecornu revealed the first members of his new government. Cabinet Choices Ignite Political Backlash Lecornu faced intense criticism from both allies and opponents after presenting his cabinet.Members of his own political camp questioned his decisions and leadership approach.The conservative Republicans reacted angrily to the appointment of former Economy Minister Bruno Le Maire as defence minister.Opposition leaders accused Lecornu of…