Author: Rachel Maddow

North Korea has conducted new test-flights of hypersonic missiles under the supervision of leader Kim Jong-un, highlighting the country’s focus on strengthening its nuclear deterrent. The tests come as Pyongyang ramps up weapons displays ahead of the upcoming Workers’ Party congress, the first in five years. The announcement followed reports from neighbouring countries that multiple ballistic missile launches were detected, which they described as provocations. The launches came just hours before South Korean President Lee Jae Myung departed for China to meet President Xi Jinping. Kim Emphasizes Military Readiness According to the Korean Central News Agency (KCNA), Sunday’s drill tested…

A colossal bluefin tuna made headlines at Tokyo’s Toyosu fish market, selling for a jaw-dropping 510 million yen (€2.78 million) during the first auction of 2026. A Tuna Fit for the New Year The 243-kilogram fish was purchased by Kiyomura Corp., owned by Kiyoshi Kimura, the familiar face behind the popular Sushi Zanmai restaurant chain. Kimura, a regular at the New Year auctions, smashed his own previous record of 334 million yen (€1.82 million) set in 2019. Speaking to reporters, he admitted he had hoped for a lower price, but the bidding quickly escalated. Why This Tuna Stood Out Caught…

Rising temperatures and unpredictable snowfall are forcing Europe’s ski resorts to rethink their business strategies. What was once a reliable winter playground is now facing environmental and economic pressures that threaten the future of the industry. Skiing in a Warmer World Even with the Winter Olympics opening soon in Milan–Cortina, snow coverage isn’t guaranteed across Europe. Resorts increasingly rely on artificial snowmaking to keep slopes open, a costly and energy-intensive solution. These expenses often fall on skiers through higher lift pass prices, putting the sport out of reach for many. Climate change is already reshaping Europe’s winter sports landscape. The…

In a move that shocked the world, US forces captured Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, in Caracas and transported them to New York to face criminal charges. Shortly after, President Donald Trump announced that Washington would take temporary control of Venezuela until a transition of power could be safely arranged. “We are going to run the country until such time as we can do a safe, proper and judicious transition,” Trump said during a press conference at his Mar-a-Lago resort. “We can’t take a chance that somebody else takes over Venezuela who doesn’t have the good…

The United States has carried out multiple airstrikes targeting Islamic State–linked militants in northwestern Nigeria, intensifying efforts to support the country’s fight against extremist violence. President Donald Trump described the attacks as “powerful and deadly,” aimed at groups responsible for targeting civilians, particularly Christians. Trump highlighted on social media that the militants had been “viciously killing innocent people,” signaling a strong US response to a crisis that has overwhelmed Nigeria’s military for years. Reinforcing Nigeria’s Fight Against Extremism Nigeria’s armed forces have long struggled to contain insurgent groups across the country, particularly in remote and underserved regions. Militants often operate…

European intelligence agencies now say tracking suspected Russian interference occupies as much time and resources as counterterrorism operations, reflecting the growing scope of hybrid threats across the continent. The warning comes amid a major cyberattack that hit France’s national postal service during the peak of the Christmas rush. La Poste Disrupted by Claimed Pro-Russian Hack French prosecutors reported on Wednesday that pro-Russian hacking group Noname057(16) claimed responsibility for the cyberattack that took La Poste offline. Following the claim, the domestic intelligence agency DGSI assumed control of the investigation, the Paris prosecutor’s office said. The attack on Monday involved a distributed…

Precious metals have dominated global markets this year, propelled by geopolitical uncertainty, expectations of looser monetary policy, and fragile economic stability. Gold surged to unprecedented highs in 2025, reaching $4,481 (€3,797) per troy ounce — a 55–70% increase year-on-year, marking one of the strongest annual rallies in decades. Silver, often considered the “lesser” metal, outpaced gold with annual gains of 130–140%, hitting record levels near $69 (€58) per ounce by late 2025. Once overshadowed by modern financial instruments such as currencies, bonds, and real estate, precious metals reclaimed their status as safe havens in a year defined by tariff retaliation,…

A car explosion in southern Moscow on Monday claimed the life of Lieutenant General Fanil Sarvarov, a high-ranking official in Russia’s military command. The blast occurred in a parking lot next to a residential building, according to local media reports. Sarvarov, who led the Operational Training Directorate of the Russian Armed Forces’ General Staff, was critically injured and later died from his wounds, the Investigative Committee confirmed. Investigation Launched Authorities opened a criminal case into Sarvarov’s death and said the motive is still unclear. Officials have not revealed how the explosive device was deployed but emphasized that the incident is…

Justice Department Publishes Partial FilesThe US Department of Justice released thousands of files related to Jeffrey Epstein on Friday, a move many have long demanded for transparency into the late financier’s criminal activities and connections to powerful figures. The release includes photographs, call logs, court documents, and other materials, though many are heavily redacted. Democrats immediately criticised the release as incomplete, arguing that the Trump administration deliberately withheld crucial information. The Justice Department said it would continue releasing files in the coming weeks, acknowledging the initial batch fell far short of expectations. Trump Signs Law Amid PressurePresident Donald Trump, who…

Late Thursday night, EU leaders finally admitted that their most ambitious Ukraine funding plan could not succeed. They had spent months exploring a reparations loan that would have used frozen Russian central bank assets to fund Kyiv. Supporters framed it as a historic, morally compelling move, while critics warned of legal uncertainties, financial exposure, and political risks. As the discussions reached their final stage, hesitation replaced ambition, and leaders turned back to a familiar approach, avoiding untested financial mechanisms. Rather than seize Russian assets, governments agreed to raise €90 billion through joint borrowing on financial markets, leaving the €210 billion…