Author: Rachel Maddow

Escalation After Months of Calm Violence has surged along the 2,600-kilometre mountainous border between Pakistan and Afghanistan after months of relative calm. Early Friday, Pakistan launched airstrikes on Kabul and other Afghan cities, declaring “open war” in response to Taliban attacks on its border positions. Pakistani Defence Minister Khawaja Asif said Islamabad’s patience with the Taliban had “run out.” Pakistan’s military reported that Operation Ghazab lil Haq (“Righteous Fury”) killed 133 Taliban fighters and struck key military targets in Kabul and Kandahar, home to Taliban leader Hibatullah Akhundzada. The Taliban confirmed attacks on three provinces and claimed retaliatory strikes on…

De Niro Voices Concern Over Trump’s Presidency Oscar-winning actor Robert De Niro spoke out against Donald Trump following the State of the Union, warning that the president “will never leave” office and urging Americans to act. He also attended a counter-event, State of the Swamp, where he said he felt “betrayed by my country” and criticized what he described as a government run by “a handful of dishonest and greedy and cruel authoritarians.” Trump Responds with Threats and Insults Trump fired back on Truth Social, calling Ilhan Omar and Rashida Tlaib “lunatics” and suggesting they be deported. He also attacked…

Strengthening European Security President Emmanuel Macron is set to unveil plans for France to play a more active role in Europe’s nuclear deterrence. Speaking from the Île Longue peninsula, where France’s four nuclear-powered ballistic missile submarines are stationed, Macron is expected to emphasize that his country’s efforts would complement — not replace — the US nuclear umbrella. This will be his first major address on the subject since 2020, when he first suggested involving willing European partners in nuclear exercises, an idea that initially went largely unnoticed. Rising Concerns Amid Global Tensions Interest in France’s nuclear role has grown amid…

Gulf Support Strengthens Kuwait’s Position Kuwait has received strong backing from Gulf neighbors as tensions with Iraq escalate over contested sea borders. The dispute intensified after Baghdad submitted new coordinates and a map to the United Nations, claiming waters that Kuwait says belong to it, including the Fasht al-Qaid and Fasht al-Aij shoals. Countries including Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Bahrain, and Oman have publicly supported Kuwait, urging all parties to respect international law. Iraq Pushes Its Case Iraq insists that its submission aligns with its maritime rights and international regulations. Iraqi officials also noted that Kuwait had…

Legal Uncertainty Sparks Parliamentary Freeze The European Parliament has suspended its work on the 2025 EU-US trade agreement following a US Supreme Court ruling that deemed some of Washington’s tariffs illegal. The decision prompted President Donald Trump to announce new 15% import duties, leaving European lawmakers questioning the deal’s validity. German MEP Bernd Lange, chair of the parliamentary trade committee, said the “legal basis has totally changed” and called for a clear commitment from the US before the pact can move forward. Deal Faces Criticism and History of Delays Originally signed in July 2025 by Ursula von der Leyen and…

Budapest Demands Pipeline Repairs Before Backing Sanctions Hungary has declared it will block the EU’s 20th sanctions package against Russia until Ukrainian oil shipments to the country resume. Prime Minister Viktor Orbán said after a meeting with the Energy Security Council that no EU war loans or financial aid to Ukraine will move forward while Hungary’s oil supply remains cut off. Foreign Minister Péter Szijjártó added that the sanctions, scheduled for adoption at an EU foreign ministers’ meeting, would be withheld until Ukraine repairs the Druzhba pipeline, damaged in a Russian strike. Orbán also confirmed that a diesel delivery service,…

Immediate Tariff Hike US President Donald Trump announced an immediate increase in global tariffs from 10% to 15%, a day after the Supreme Court ruled that his previous use of emergency powers to impose broad import taxes exceeded presidential authority. Trump framed the move as necessary to protect American interests, dismissing the court’s decision as “poorly written” and emphasizing that other legal avenues remain to enforce trade measures. Legal Challenges and Limits The Supreme Court’s 6–3 ruling clarified that only Congress has the power to impose taxes, including tariffs. Chief Justice John Roberts noted that the Constitution does not grant…

Justices Limit Executive Authority The US Supreme Court struck down Donald Trump’s sweeping global tariffs on Friday, ruling that he exceeded his authority by invoking emergency powers. In a 6–3 decision, the majority emphasized that the Constitution grants Congress — not the president — the power to levy taxes, including tariffs. Chief Justice John Roberts wrote that the Framers “did not vest any part of the taxing power in the Executive Branch.” Justices Samuel Alito, Clarence Thomas, and Brett Kavanaugh dissented, arguing the tariffs were legally defensible even if their policy merits were debated. Emergency Powers and Legal Challenges The…

Police Action and Custody Prince Andrew was taken into police custody on Thursday over allegations of misconduct during his tenure as the United Kingdom’s trade envoy. Authorities also carried out searches at properties in Berkshire and Norfolk. While the police statement did not initially identify Andrew by name, it confirmed that a man in his sixties remains in custody. Investigators emphasized the need to maintain objectivity and said updates would be provided as the case progresses. Unmarked police vehicles were spotted at Sandringham, where he has been living since leaving Windsor. Questions Around Trade Envoy Role Recent reports suggest Andrew…

Preparing for a Smooth Launch of ETS2 EU countries have agreed to strengthen a financial tool designed to prevent sudden spikes in carbon prices as the bloc prepares to introduce a new carbon tax on cars, vans, and buildings. The updated system, part of the European Union’s emissions trading scheme (ETS2), will take effect in 2028 and is expected to raise costs for households and businesses that rely on fossil fuels for heating and transport. To keep prices stable, member states will extend the mechanism beyond 2030. While Slovakia and the Czech Republic have called for a delay due to…