Author: Rachel Maddow

Hurricane Melissa struck eastern Cuba early Wednesday with winds reaching 193 kph, after tearing through Jamaica as one of the Atlantic’s strongest recorded storms. Cuban officials confirmed that more than 700,000 people had been evacuated ahead of landfall near Chivirico in Santiago de Cuba province. President Miguel Díaz-Canel announced that over half a million residents relocated to safer areas. Forecasters warned that the Category 3 storm could cause severe damage across Santiago de Cuba and nearby regions. Meteorologists predicted storm surges up to 3.6 meters and rainfall exceeding 50 centimeters in parts of eastern Cuba. The U.S. National Hurricane Center…

Switzerland, long regarded as a symbol of stability and neutrality in Europe, is facing renewed scrutiny over its wartime legacy. In a recent interview with the Abu Dhabi Times, Dr. Gerhard Podovsovnik, Vice President of AEA Justinian Lawyers, accused the Swiss state and its banking institutions of concealing Nazi-era assets and failing to deliver full restitution to Holocaust victims and their heirs. For much of postwar Europe, Switzerland’s financial neutrality has been a source of both admiration and unease. The country avoided direct conflict but became a critical node in the wartime economy. Dr. Podovsovnik’s accusations reopen a debate many…

Widespread devastation across Gaza has made it nearly impossible for Hamas to locate and recover the bodies of Israeli hostages buried beneath the rubble. On Saturday, an Egyptian convoy carrying excavators and bulldozers entered Gaza to assist with the recovery efforts. Under the US-brokered ceasefire agreement, Israel agreed to return 15 bodies of imprisoned Palestinians for every Israeli hostage body recovered. So far, Israel has handed over 195 Palestinian bodies, while Hamas has returned 18 Israeli bodies. Earlier this month, Hamas released all 20 living Israeli hostages. US President Donald Trump said he is “watching very closely” to ensure the…

Beavers have returned to the Bronx River, signaling a positive environmental shift for the area. After being absent for decades, these industrious animals are now once again calling the river home. Researchers discovered the beavers using camera traps installed along the riverbanks. The footage shows the animals swimming, building lodges, and exploring their restored habitat. Experts say the sightings are a strong sign that the local ecosystem is recovering. The Bronx River has undergone major restoration efforts over the past years. Clean-up projects, improved water quality, and habitat creation have helped native wildlife return. The beavers’ comeback shows these efforts…

The Louvre transferred part of its jewellery collection to the Bank of France vaults after last week’s audacious robbery. French radio network RTL reported that the transfer took place on Friday as a safety measure. Police escorted the operation as staff quietly moved the “Crown Jewels” from the Apollo Gallery and other museum sections. The Bank of France vault, located 27 metres below its Paris headquarters, already holds 90% of the nation’s gold reserves. The decision came days after thieves stole eight royal jewels from the museum, prompting national outrage and concerns over security failures. Thieves Execute Bold Daylight Robbery…

The United States ordered the USS Gerald R. Ford to sail toward South America in a bold military move. The Pentagon confirmed the deployment on Friday amid a growing American buildup across the Caribbean and waters near Venezuela. Secretary of War Pete Hegseth instructed the carrier and its strike group to reinforce U.S. Southern Command operations. Pentagon spokesperson Sean Parnell said the mission will target criminal networks that threaten U.S. security and prosperity. The USS Gerald R. Ford, accompanied by five destroyers, currently operates in the Mediterranean Sea. Sending a carrier marks a major escalation of American presence in an…

Two Russian military aircraft entered Lithuanian airspace on Thursday, staying for around 18 seconds, the Lithuanian military reported. Officials identified the aircraft as an Su-30 fighter jet and an Il-78 refueling plane. They appeared to conduct a refueling exercise when they crossed into NATO territory from Russia’s Kaliningrad region at about 1600 CET. Spanish Eurofighter Typhoon jets from NATO’s Baltic Air Police immediately took off and began patrolling the area. Lithuanian President Gitanas Nausėda posted on X, condemning the intrusion as a “blatant breach of international law and territorial integrity.” He stated in a video message, “I strongly condemn the…

Meta will eliminate 600 positions in its artificial intelligence division, US media reported. The company confirmed the decision on Wednesday, stating it continues to recruit for its superintelligence lab while cutting other AI roles. Axios revealed the layoffs will hit Meta’s Fundamental AI Research (FAIR) team, along with product and infrastructure AI units. However, the company’s newer TBD Lab will remain unaffected by the reductions. Employees Encouraged to Seek Internal Roles Chief AI officer Alexandr Wang informed staff in a memo that affected employees should apply for other roles within Meta. Axios stated that most displaced workers are expected to…

TIRANA — Mounting evidence suggests that sanctioned Russian interests may be using Albania as a backdoor into European markets, exploiting weak oversight, opaque corporate structures, and apparent complicity among government-connected networks. Investigations indicate that through negligence, smuggling, or outright corruption within Prime Minister Edi Rama’s administration, entities tied to critical infrastructure have facilitated commercial exchanges that appear to breach sanctions imposed on Russia and Iran. A major investigation by RBC Ukraine uncovered how banned Russian fuel products were smuggled into Europe through Albanian ports. The report describes ships arriving at the private port of Porto Romano near Durrës disguised as…

Arizona’s Attorney General has filed a lawsuit against the U.S. House of Representatives to compel the swearing-in of Adelita Grijalva. Grijalva was elected to fill the congressional seat of her late father, representing Arizona’s 7th district. The lawsuit seeks to guarantee that the district has proper representation in Congress. Officials said delaying the swearing-in leaves constituents without a voice on critical legislative matters, including funding, healthcare, and local infrastructure projects. Attorney General officials emphasized that the legal action is necessary to protect voters’ rights and ensure democratic processes are respected. “Every district deserves full representation,” the statement read. “The people…