Author: Rachel Maddow

A commanding result at the polls Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi looks set for a decisive victory after Sunday’s snap election, with early estimates suggesting her ruling bloc has secured a two-thirds majority in the lower house. If confirmed, it would mark the Liberal Democratic Party’s strongest performance since 2017, when it was led by Takaichi’s mentor, the late Shinzo Abe. Media projections put the LDP at around 300 seats out of 465, a dramatic jump that could allow the party to govern comfortably even without its junior coalition partner. A rapid revival for the LDP Takaichi’s rise has breathed…

Gigafactories in Italy and Germany Abandoned Automotive Cells Company (ACC), a major European battery venture, has decided to scrap plans to build large electric vehicle battery plants in Italy and Germany. The move was confirmed by Italy’s metalworkers’ union UILM, which said ACC management had acknowledged that the proposed gigafactory in Termoli, as well as a planned site in Germany, would not go ahead. Both projects had already been frozen since 2024, as the company reassessed the market and its long-term strategy. Slower EV Demand Forces Rethink ACC, which is backed by carmaking giant Stellantis, said the expected surge in…

Calls for equal standards on energy imports From January 2027, companies importing oil and gas into the European Union will be required to meet strict monitoring, reporting and verification standards tied to methane emissions from their suppliers. A group of US lawmakers is now urging the EU to stick firmly to those rules and resist any move to exempt American energy producers if US regulations are not enforced rigorously enough. In a letter obtained by Euronews and signed by 24 members of Congress, the lawmakers describe the EU’s methane regulation as a vital measure to curb the venting and flaring…

Alphabet Drop Sends Wall Street Lower US markets fell sharply on Thursday after Alphabet shares slid more than 4%, dragging major indexes down and unsettling investors across asset classes. The S&P 500 dropped 1.2%, putting it on course for its sixth decline in seven sessions since reaching a record high. The Dow Jones Industrial Average was down 606 points, while the Nasdaq fell 1.5%. Alphabet weighed heavily on the market despite beating profit expectations for the latest quarter. Investors instead focused on the company’s warning that spending on equipment and infrastructure could surge to around $180 billion this year —…

Musk Shifts Focus From Cars to Space and AI Elon Musk’s SpaceX has reached a valuation of $1.25 trillion (€1.06tn) following its merger with artificial intelligence company xAI, bringing it much closer to Tesla’s market cap of $1.58 trillion (€1.34tn). This marks a significant shift in Musk’s business empire, with more of his wealth now tied to his space and AI ventures than to the electric carmaker. Tesla, meanwhile, has struggled at the start of 2026. The stock is down roughly 6% this year after a 16% drop in vehicle deliveries and a 3% decline in total revenue for 2025…

Conflicting Details Surround Fatal Attack Libyan media outlets have reported that Saif al-Islam Gaddafi has been killed near the western city of Zintan. According to the reports, four individuals were responsible for the killing, though specific details about how the attack unfolded have not yet been made public. Adviser and Lawyer Confirm Death Abdullah Othman, Saif al-Islam’s political adviser, confirmed the death in a brief post on Facebook but did not provide information on the circumstances or name those involved. His French lawyer, Marcel Ceccaldi, also confirmed the reports to AFP, saying the identity of the attackers remains unknown. Ceccaldi…

Small changes at the grocery store can have a big impact on heart health. Doctors recommend simple swaps to help protect the heart, improve cholesterol, and lower the risk of heart disease. These changes are easy to make and can improve overall wellness over time. Choosing whole grains instead of refined grains is one of the simplest swaps. Foods like brown rice, whole wheat bread, and oatmeal provide more fiber, which supports healthy cholesterol levels and reduces heart disease risk. Experts say replacing white bread or pasta with whole-grain options is an easy first step. Switching to lean proteins is…

Trade Breakthrough Tied to Russian Oil President Donald Trump said he plans to cut tariffs on Indian goods to 18%, down from 25%, after Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi agreed to stop purchasing Russian oil. Trump said the deal also includes India lowering import taxes on U.S. products to zero and committing to buy $500 billion worth of American goods. India has been a major buyer of discounted Russian oil since the invasion of Ukraine in 2022, a move Washington argues has helped bankroll Moscow’s war effort. Trump has repeatedly pressed New Delhi to end those purchases, framing the issue…

President Donald Trump said the United States has begun engaging with Cuban leaders, even as his administration intensifies economic pressure on the island by cutting off critical oil supplies. Speaking to reporters Saturday night while flying to Florida, Trump offered few specifics about the outreach, saying only, “We’re starting to talk to Cuba.” Oil Restrictions Used as Leverage The comments follow a series of recent moves aimed at tightening Cuba’s access to energy. The Trump administration has cut off oil shipments from Venezuela and Mexico, steps the president suggested would push Havana toward negotiations. Earlier this week, Trump signed an…

United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has issued a blunt warning to member states, saying the organisation could face a serious cash shortfall within months unless countries pay what they owe. Speaking on Friday, Guterres said the UN’s finances are under severe strain and could be exhausted by July, putting essential operations and programmes at risk. Late Payments Push UN to the Edge Guterres said the UN’s financial troubles stem from a long-running problem: some countries fail to pay their mandatory contributions in full, while others delay payments for months. As a result, the organisation has been forced to impose hiring…