Author: Rachel Maddow

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…

Gunfire erupted Wednesday morning at Annunciation Catholic School in Minneapolis during a church mass. The shooter fired a rifle through windows and carried a shotgun and pistol. Police confirmed two children, aged eight and ten, died and 17 more suffered injuries. Authorities contained the shooter, who later killed himself, eliminating any active threat to residents. Officials Condemn the Attack Police chief Brian O’Hara called the shooting an act of “sheer cruelty and cowardice.” Governor Tim Walz described the incident as “horrific” and prayed for students and teachers. Children’s Minnesota admitted five young victims, while Hennepin Healthcare treated other injured students.…

The European Commission approved a twice-yearly HIV injection, allowing rollout across the European Union. Gilead confirmed the decision followed a European Medicines Agency recommendation last month. The medicine, called lenacapavir, represents a first-of-its-kind approach to HIV prevention. Lenacapavir Offers Effective Protection Lenacapavir works as pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP), stopping the virus from replicating and spreading. It reduces HIV risk in adults and adolescents. Clinical trials showed the jab prevented HIV 100 per cent of the time. Experts hailed it as one of the biggest medical breakthroughs of 2024. Gilead will sell the injection as Yeytuo in the EU, Norway, Iceland, and…

Riot police fired tear gas at thousands of students protesting near Indonesia’s Parliament on Monday. Protesters condemned lavish housing allowances given to lawmakers despite widespread public economic hardship. Students attempted to march toward Parliament but were blocked by heavily guarded police lines. Demonstrators hurled rocks and bottles at officers and set fires beneath a flyover. Authorities deployed over 1,200 security personnel to secure the Parliament compound. Lawmakers’ Allowances Spark Public Outrage Reports revealed 580 members of the House of Representatives have received housing allowances since September 2024. Each lawmaker collected 50 million rupiah (€2,637) monthly, angering citizens facing economic struggles.…

SpaceX launched the CRS-33 mission to the International Space Station on Sunday from Cape Canaveral, Florida. The launch marked the Dragon spacecraft’s 50th visit to the orbiting laboratory since its debut in May 2012. After stage separation, the first-stage booster successfully landed on the A Shortfall of Gravitas droneship in the Atlantic. SpaceX officials confirmed the Dragon will dock with the station autonomously on Monday after a 28-hour flight. Beyond Resupply: Science in Orbit The CRS-33 mission carries 5,000 pounds of food, equipment, and experiments for astronauts aboard the ISS. Officials emphasized the mission also supports vital scientific studies for…

Protesters marched across the UK on Saturday, including in Liverpool, opposing hotels used to shelter asylum-seekers. Right-wing groups staged rallies under the slogan “Abolish Asylum System” in Bristol, Newcastle, London, and other cities. In Liverpool, Stand Up To Racism organized a counter-protest, clashing with demonstrators opposing asylum-seeker housing. Police escorted protesters away from both sides, enforcing order as tensions escalated on the streets. Court Ruling Fuels Political and Public Conflict A landmark court ruling this week intensified the government’s housing dilemma for asylum-seekers. Opponents used the temporary injunction in Epping, near London, to block hotel use for migrant housing. Right-wing…