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.
Pressure from Washington Starting January 2027, European importers of oil and gas will be required to follow strict monitoring, reporting, and verification rules for methane emissions from producers and exporters. In a letter obtained by Euronews, 24 US lawmakers urged the European Union not to grant exemptions to American energy companies if domestic methane standards fall short on accuracy or enforcement. The lawmakers described the EU’s methane regulations as “a critical tool” to prevent the wasteful flaring or venting of natural gas. Methane is a potent greenhouse gas, up to 30 times more damaging than carbon dioxide over the short…
Alphabet Drop Sends Stocks Lower Wall Street tumbled Thursday after Alphabet, Google’s parent company, fell more than 4%, pulling major indexes down. The S&P 500 dropped 1.2%, the Dow lost 606 points, and the Nasdaq fell 1.5%, marking the sixth decline in seven sessions since the S&P hit a record high. Alphabet’s decline came despite reporting stronger-than-expected profits. Investors were rattled by the company’s plan to double spending on equipment and investments to $180 billion (€152bn) this year, far above analysts’ projections of $119 billion (€100.5bn). Weak Job Market Pressures Bonds Concerns over the US labor market added to the…
SpaceX Surpasses Tesla in Private Valuation Elon Musk’s SpaceX, now merged with his AI venture xAI, has reached a $1.25 trillion (€1.06tn) valuation, closing the gap with Tesla, which currently sits at $1.58 trillion (€1.34tn). This shift means Musk now holds more of his wealth in space and AI ventures than in electric vehicles. Tesla’s value has slipped early in 2026, with shares down about 6% after reporting a 16% drop in January deliveries and a 3% decline in 2025 revenue — marking the company’s first annual decline. Increased competition in China and Europe, along with the end of U.S.…
New Trade Terms Between the U.S. and India President Donald Trump said Monday that tariffs on Indian goods will drop from 25% to 18%, following talks with Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Trump also announced that India plans to gradually remove import taxes on U.S. products and commit to buying $500 billion worth of American goods. Modi described the tariff reduction as “delightful” and praised Trump’s leadership, though he did not confirm any changes regarding Russian oil imports. The Russia-Ukraine Factor The U.S. has long pressured India to reduce its reliance on discounted Russian oil, which has continued to flow to…
President Donald Trump confirmed that the United States has begun communicating with Cuban leaders, even as his administration increases pressure on the island by restricting oil supplies. Speaking to reporters Saturday night aboard Air Force One, Trump said simply, “We’re starting to talk to Cuba,” without offering details on when or how those talks began. Using Oil as Leverage Trump indicated that his recent actions against Cuba, including cutting off oil shipments from Venezuela and Mexico, are intended to push Havana toward negotiations. Cuba has become increasingly dependent on Mexico for oil after US sanctions blocked Venezuelan shipments following the…
United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has issued a stark warning to member states: unless countries pay their dues, the UN could run out of money by July. The organisation is already grappling with hiring freezes and program cutbacks due to chronic budget shortfalls. Rising Unpaid Contributions Threaten UN Stability Guterres highlighted that late or incomplete payments from member states are pushing the UN toward a financial breaking point. By the end of 2025, unpaid contributions had reached about $1.6 billion—more than double the previous year—even though over 150 countries had fulfilled their obligations. “The current trajectory is untenable. It leaves…
Panama’s Supreme Court has canceled a concession that allowed Hong Kong-based CK Hutchison to operate ports at both ends of the Panama Canal. The ruling follows an audit that cited irregularities in a 25-year extension granted in 2021, sparking strong reactions from Hong Kong and drawing attention to the geopolitical stakes surrounding the strategic waterway. Hong Kong Condemns the Decision On Friday, Hong Kong’s government issued a statement saying it “firmly rejects” the court’s ruling. Officials criticized what they described as coercive and unreasonable measures by foreign governments in economic and trade relations, arguing the decision threatens the legitimate business…
Postal Loopholes Enable Sanctions Evasion An investigation by German newspaper Bild has revealed that Russia is using a logistics hub near Berlin to bypass European Union sanctions. Banned goods were reportedly sent to Moscow via a postal system with lighter controls, passing through Poland and Belarus undetected. Test shipments equipped with GPS trackers confirmed the route. The operation allegedly uses shipping labels from Uzbekistan’s state postal service, even though Germany does not authorize the service to operate domestically. International mail undergoes less scrutiny than standard exports, allowing large volumes of goods to move quickly under simplified customs procedures. The system…
Steady Growth and a Stable Job Market The US Federal Reserve decided Wednesday to hold its key interest rate at around 3.6%, putting a pause on rate cuts after three reductions last year. The central bank noted that the job market has stabilized and upgraded its assessment of economic growth from “modest” to “solid.” With hiring steady and no signs of slowing, Fed officials see little urgency to lower rates immediately. Inflation and Policy Debate Most policymakers expect rates to fall later this year, but many want to see inflation moving closer to the Fed’s 2% target first. November’s preferred…
Lawmakers Call for Clear Rules to Boost Investment MEPs from the European People’s Party are pushing the EU to treat nuclear fusion as more than just experimental research. On Tuesday, they issued a declaration urging the European Commission to establish a clear and predictable regulatory framework that could attract private investment, crucial for developing fusion given its high costs. “Fusion has reached a turning point. European industrial capability and private investments are converging toward deployment,” the declaration states. Lawmakers emphasized that Europe has a real chance to transform scientific leadership into industrial power while securing a clean and reliable energy…
