Author: Rachel Maddow

US President Donald Trump delivered his “last warning” to Hamas on Sunday through a Truth Social post. He demanded acceptance of a new US-brokered ceasefire plan that he claims Israel has already approved. Trump declared, “Everyone wants the hostages home. Everyone wants this war to end! This is my last warning. There will not be another one.” Washington Pushes Ceasefire Deal US Special Envoy Steven Witkoff reportedly sent the proposal to Hamas on Sunday. The deal allegedly offers US advocacy for halting Israel’s military campaign in return for the immediate release of all hostages. In exchange, Israel would free up…

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy refused Vladimir Putin’s invitation to meet in Moscow, calling the proposal unrealistic. He argued that suggesting Moscow as a venue proves Russia has no genuine interest in real negotiations. In an interview with ABC News, Zelenskyy said, “I can’t go to the capital of this terrorist” because Ukraine faces daily missile strikes and constant fire. Instead, he invited Putin to come to Kyiv for direct discussions. International Pressure and Stalled Negotiations US President Donald Trump has pushed for face-to-face talks between the Russian and Ukrainian leaders. A direct meeting, whether bilateral or trilateral, was a major…

An electric streetcar derailed in Lisbon on Wednesday, killing at least 15 people and injuring 18 others. Portuguese television showed the yellow-and-white tram lying on its side along a narrow, steep city road. Rescuers arrived quickly as the tram’s roof and sides appeared partially crumpled. President Offers Condolences President Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa expressed sympathy to the victims’ families and everyone affected by the crash. Authorities have not yet identified the cause of the derailment, which occurred around 6 pm during the evening rush hour. Glória Funicular Serves Locals The Glória funicular, capable of carrying over 40 passengers, travels up…

Villagers in Dupnitsa reported seeing a black panther, prompting police investigations and sparking online jokes. A resident filmed a large dark animal he believes to be the dangerous feline. Mayor Desislav Nachov inspected the filming site with police officers and shared details with local media. Authorities are questioning the witness who recorded the footage showing the animal moving through tall grass. Nachov said police have not yet decided whether to establish an emergency search headquarters. The witness compared the creature to a large dog. Dupnitsa lies 66 kilometres south of Sofia and near the Serbian border, over 430 kilometres west…

OpenAI announced new parental controls for ChatGPT after facing a lawsuit from Adam Raine’s parents. The 16-year-old died by suicide in April, and his parents accused ChatGPT of contributing to his death. They claimed the chatbot fostered psychological dependency, coached Adam to end his life, and even generated a suicide note. OpenAI stated that the new controls will roll out within a month to address parental concerns. The system will allow adults to link accounts with their children and control accessible features. Parents will also see chat history and the memory function, which stores facts about the user. OpenAI added…

Researchers confirmed Yersinia pestis, the Black Death pathogen, caused the Justinian Plague 1,500 years ago. They identified the bacterium in a mass grave beneath the ruins of Jerash in Jordan. How the Justinian Plague Emerged The Justinian Plague began in 541 CE and spread through the Byzantine Empire. Historians estimate the pandemic killed between 15 and 100 million people over two centuries. Scientists revealed Yersinia pestis spread mainly through flea-infested rodents and sometimes passed directly between humans. DNA Unlocks the Mystery Researchers studied eight teeth from burial chambers beneath Jerash’s ancient Roman hippodrome. DNA evidence confirmed the plague bacterium struck…

Russia sent 142 attack and decoy drones into Ukraine overnight, Ukraine’s Air Force reported on Telegram. Explosions shook Kherson, Odesa, Zaporizhzhia, and Dnipro as fighting intensified. Ukrainian forces intercepted 126 drones, but 16 struck ten different locations, causing widespread damage. Kherson Reports Casualties and Infrastructure Damage Authorities confirmed two deaths and 14 injuries in Kherson after drones hit homes, schools, a hospital, and a gas station. Nine houses, several cars, and administrative buildings suffered damage during the assault. Odesa Faces Blackout and Injuries Officials reported one injury in Odesa, with Chornomorsk sustaining the heaviest destruction. District Governor Oleg Kiper said…

The Israeli army struck Gaza City on Friday, declaring it an active combat zone. International organisations and aid groups condemned Israel’s new offensive. Gaza health officials reported 63,025 deaths, including 59 in the past 24 hours. Churches and aid groups pledged to stay, helping displaced residents despite ongoing attacks. Israel stated Hamas leaders and tunnels remain active in Gaza City. Explosions and smoke appeared across southern Israel as fighting continued. Prime Minister Netanyahu said Israel must destroy Hamas to prevent another October 7 attack. Civilians Face Extreme Hardship Residents said global condemnation did not halt Israel’s military actions. Mohamed Aboul…

A 14-year-old boy admitted to police that he deliberately started wildfires in Portugal. He rode a scooter to forested areas in Seidões, Ardegão, and Arnozela and used matches to ignite fires. Police believe anger over poor school results and social struggles motivated his actions. Authorities have not ruled out the possibility that he acted with others. Authorities Investigate Repeated Fire Outbreaks Police launched investigations after wildfires repeatedly erupted in the same parishes. The summer fires destroyed several hectares of forest and alarmed local residents. Braga Judicial Police completed the probe and transferred the case to the Public Prosecutor’s Office. The…

Experts link hotter temperatures and drier conditions to worsening forest fires across Europe. The 2025 wildfire season has already shattered previous records for burned land. Europe Burns Fires have destroyed over one million hectares in the EU, surpassing Corsica’s total area. This year’s burned area exceeds last year’s by more than four times. Authorities have declared over 1,800 forest fires, releasing 38 million tonnes of CO₂. Country Reports Among EU nations, only the Czech Republic, Estonia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, and Malta avoided wildfires. Italy and Romania recorded more than 450 fires each, topping the list. Cyprus reported only three fires, but…