Competing Visions for Europe and the West The Munich Security Conference highlighted deep divisions over the West’s future. U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio urged Europe to join the U.S. in protecting a shared civilisation, warning that poorly designed policies on climate and migration risk a managed decline. He described America as a “child of Europe” with an inseparable destiny. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said Rubio’s speech reassured her about transatlantic ties. But EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas rejected the idea that Europe needs saving, insisting the continent is not facing civilisational erasure. Meanwhile, Volodymyr Zelenskyy…
Author: Rachel Maddow
Rachel Maddow
Rachel Maddow is a freelance journalist based in the USA, with over 20 years of experience covering Politics, World Affairs, Business, Health, Technology, Finance, Lifestyle, and Culture. She earned her degree in Political Science and Journalism from Stanford University. Throughout her career, she has contributed to outlets such as MSNBC, The New York Times, and The Washington Post. Known for her thorough reporting and compelling storytelling, Rachel delivers accurate and timely news that keeps readers informed on both national and global developments.
A Warning From Munich At the Munich Security Conference, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy delivered a clear message: Europe needs to be more involved in negotiations to end the war with Russia. He called it a “big mistake” that European leaders are not more present in U.S.-driven talks, arguing that any durable peace must reflect the security interests of the entire continent — not just Kyiv and Washington. With another round of trilateral discussions between Ukraine, the United States and Russia on the horizon, Zelenskyy acknowledged that progress toward a ceasefire has been limited. He voiced frustration that the sides often…
The United Nations has established a 40-member international scientific panel to study the risks and impacts of artificial intelligence (AI), despite strong opposition from the United States. UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres described the panel as a “foundational step toward global scientific understanding of AI,” aiming to give all member states equal access to independent, evidence-based guidance. International Backing and Controversy The UN General Assembly approved the panel with a vote of 117-2, with the U.S. and Paraguay voting against and Tunisia and Ukraine abstaining. Nations including Russia, China, and European allies supported the initiative. The panel, selected from more than…
US and European defence leaders signaled this week that NATO must evolve, with Europe taking a larger role in its own defence. While both sides agree change is needed, their motivations differ: the US seeks to focus on other global regions, while Europeans are cautious about relying too heavily on an unpredictable American administration. US Under Secretary of War Eldridge Colby called the vision “NATO 3.0,” urging European allies to assume primary responsibility for conventional defence. “Europe should field the preponderance of the forces required to deter, and if necessary, defeat conventional aggression in Europe,” he said. For years, the…
A peaceful community in northern British Columbia was shaken on Tuesday when a shooting at Tumbler Ridge Secondary School left at least nine people dead. The suspected shooter was also found dead, and several others were injured in one of Canada’s deadliest school attacks in decades. Multiple Victims Found at School and Nearby Home Authorities reported six people were killed inside the school, while another victim died en route to the hospital. The suspected shooter was discovered at the scene with what appeared to be a self-inflicted injury. Two additional victims were later found at a residence in Tumbler Ridge…
Invoking the Fifth Amendment Ghislaine Maxwell, the convicted associate and former partner of Jeffrey Epstein, refused to answer questions from the US House Oversight Committee during a deposition on Monday. Appearing via video from a federal prison in Texas, where she is serving a 20-year sentence for sex trafficking, Maxwell repeatedly invoked her Fifth Amendment rights, declining to comment on her involvement or connections in Epstein’s network. Clemency Proposal Sparks Outrage Maxwell’s attorney, David Oscar Markus, revealed that she would be willing to testify fully if granted clemency by former President Donald Trump. Markus claimed that both Trump and former…
Ships, Soot, and a Warming Arctic As global temperatures rise, previously frozen Arctic waters are opening new shipping routes, but this comes with a steep environmental cost. Black carbon, or soot, from ships settles on ice and snow, darkening surfaces and accelerating melting. “It ends up in a never-ending cycle of increased warming,” says Sian Prior, lead adviser for the Clean Arctic Alliance. The faster the ice melts, the more heat the Arctic absorbs, making it the fastest-warming region on Earth and influencing weather patterns worldwide. Cleaner Fuel Rules Face Political Hurdles To tackle the problem, France, Germany, Denmark, and…
LDP Claims Dominant Victory Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi appears set for a decisive win in Sunday’s snap elections, with early estimates showing her ruling bloc capturing roughly 300 of 465 seats in the lower house. If confirmed, this would mark the Liberal Democratic Party’s (LDP) strongest performance since 2017 under the late Shinzo Abe. The projected two-thirds majority could allow the party to govern independently, without relying on the Japan Innovation Party (JIP). LDP Secretary General Shunichi Suzuki credited voters for supporting Takaichi’s proactive fiscal policies and push to strengthen Japan’s national defense. In contrast, the opposition’s new Centrist…
Italy and Germany Projects Halted Automotive Cells Company (ACC) has officially abandoned plans to build electric vehicle battery gigafactories in Italy and Germany. The Italian metalworkers’ union UILM confirmed that ACC management informed them the Termoli plant is definitively canceled, with the Kaiserslautern project in Germany also shelved. Both projects had been on hold since 2024 due to weaker-than-expected EV market growth. Slower EV Adoption Forces Strategic Reassessment ACC, a joint venture backed by Stellantis, TotalEnergies, and Mercedes-Benz, said it is evaluating cheaper battery technologies and that the conditions for restarting the factories “are not yet in place.” The company…
Lawmakers Push for Consistent Global Standards Starting January 2027, all companies importing oil and gas into the European Union will need to follow strict monitoring, reporting, and verification rules for methane emissions. In a letter obtained by Euronews, 24 US lawmakers urged the EU not to grant exemptions to American energy producers, even if domestic US standards fall short. The lawmakers highlighted that methane is a short-lived but extremely potent greenhouse gas—up to 30 times more powerful than carbon dioxide over the short term. They said that clear, consistent rules are crucial to prevent wasteful flaring or venting of natural…