Author: Rachel Maddow

Iran is facing a rapidly worsening situation as nationwide protests enter their third week, the death toll climbs, and the government maintains a near-total internet blackout. At the same time, reports indicate that the United States and Israel are discussing possible intervention, prompting stern warnings from Tehran. Tehran Issues Stark Warnings to US and Israel Iranian leaders have made it clear that any US strike would trigger a strong response. Speaking in parliament on Sunday, Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf said that US military bases, shipping centres, and Israel would be considered “legitimate targets” in the event of an…

Governments are facing growing pressure to act against the outsized carbon footprint of the ultra-wealthy. Activists are calling for bans on high-emission luxury items like private jets and super-yachts, alongside new taxes on fossil fuel profits, as a way to meet climate targets and reduce inequality. Recent research from Oxfam highlights the scale of the problem. The richest one per cent of people had already used up their entire annual carbon budget just ten days into 2026 — a moment dubbed “Pollutocrat Day.” This marks the point when emissions surpass the limit needed to keep global warming below 1.5°C. Even…

The United States has seized another oil tanker as part of its effort to enforce sanctions on Venezuela, marking the fifth vessel taken in recent weeks amid a growing naval presence in the Caribbean. Targeting the “Ghost” Fleet US Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem described the seized tanker, Olina, as part of a “ghost” fleet — vessels accused of concealing their identity to transport embargoed oil. According to officials, the tanker attempted to evade US forces after leaving Venezuela. Noem warned that these ships “will not outrun justice,” emphasizing that false claims of nationality would not protect them. The seizure…

Since late December, demonstrations across Iran have grown increasingly violent, with the Norway-based Iran Human Rights NGO reporting that at least 45 protesters have been killed by security forces. What began as protests over the country’s struggling economy has escalated into a wider challenge to the government’s authority. Mass Protests and Chants Across Tehran On Thursday night, residents in Tehran and other cities rallied in response to calls from exiled crown prince Reza Pahlavi for a mass demonstration. Witnesses described streets and neighborhoods filled with chants of “Death to the dictator!” and “Death to the Islamic Republic!” Some protesters also…

Greenland, the world’s largest island, has become a focal point of international attention after the Trump administration signaled that the use of military force remains “an option” in pursuing U.S. influence over the Arctic territory. The island’s location and resources make it a strategic prize for global powers. Situated off Canada’s northeastern coast, more than two-thirds of Greenland lies within the Arctic Circle, giving it critical importance for North American defense, missile monitoring, and naval operations through the GIUK Gap—a key corridor for NATO surveillance of Russian movements. U.S. Signals Interest in Greenland White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said…

North Korea has carried out test-flights of hypersonic missiles under the supervision of leader Kim Jong-un, highlighting the country’s determination to strengthen its nuclear deterrent. The tests come as Pyongyang increases weapons displays ahead of the upcoming Workers’ Party congress, its first in five years. The announcement followed reports from neighbouring countries that multiple ballistic missile launches were detected, which they called provocations. The launches took place just hours before South Korean President Lee Jae Myung departed for China for talks with President Xi Jinping. Kim Emphasizes Military Readiness State media reported that Sunday’s drill involved a hypersonic missile system…

A giant bluefin tuna captured all the attention at Tokyo’s Toyosu fish market, selling for a record-breaking price at the first auction of 2026. A Historic Bid for a Giant Fish A 243-kilogram bluefin tuna fetched an astonishing 510 million yen, around €2.78 million, when the auction began just before dawn on Monday. The winning bidder was Kiyomura Corp., owned by Kiyoshi Kimura, the founder of the famous Sushi Zanmai chain. Kimura, a regular at these high-profile auctions, smashed his own previous record of 334 million yen from 2019. He admitted afterward that he had hoped to spend a little…

Rising temperatures and unreliable snowfall are forcing ski resorts across Europe to rethink how they operate. With the Winter Olympics set to open in Milan-Cortina on 6 February, the Dolomites are currently covered in snow, but this is becoming less common. Many resorts now rely on artificial snow to keep slopes open, a process that is expensive, environmentally demanding, and often drives up the cost of ski passes. For everyday skiers, hitting the slopes is becoming harder to afford and less predictable. Climate Change and the Winter Olympics Even Italy’s famed Belluno region is feeling the effects of global warming.…

In a shocking international development, US forces arrested Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, in Caracas and transported them to New York to face criminal charges. The operation, involving multiple branches of the US military, has sparked global attention and raised questions about the future of Venezuela. President Donald Trump announced that the United States would take temporary control of the country until a safe and orderly transition of power could be established. “We are going to run the country until such time as we can do a safe, proper and judicious transition,” Trump said. “We can’t…

The United States has conducted targeted airstrikes against Islamic State–affiliated militants in northwestern Nigeria, marking a significant escalation in international efforts to combat the country’s growing security threats. President Donald Trump described the operations as “powerful and deadly,” aimed at militants responsible for violent attacks on civilians. Trump emphasized on social media that the extremists had been “viciously attacking and killing innocent Christians,” highlighting the ongoing risks faced by communities in the region. The strikes come as Nigeria’s military struggles to contain multiple armed groups across different parts of the country. Strengthening Local Military Efforts Nigeria’s armed forces have long…