Author: Rachel Maddow

Despite US duties reaching 39% on Swiss goods, Watches of Switzerland increased both sales and profits. The company emphasized continued strong demand for high-end watches and jewellery. Half-year results show Swiss luxury watch sales remain strong in the US, even with steep tariffs on imports. Watches of Switzerland Group highlighted resilient demand for premium products. Financial Growth Amid Tariff Pressure The UK-listed retailer, Britain’s largest seller of Rolex, Omega, and Cartier, reported group revenue of £845 million (€967mn) for the 26 weeks ending 26 October 2025. This represents a 10% rise at constant currency and 8% at reported rates. Adjusted…

The EU will ban Russian pipeline gas and LNG by 2027, with emergency exceptions for Hungary and Slovakia.Short-term contracts signed before June 2025 will face phased bans starting April 2026 for LNG and June 2026 for pipelines.Long-term LNG contracts may continue until January 2027, and pipeline deals face a ban from September 2027, possibly shifting to November.EU members accelerated diversification efforts after Russia’s 2022 invasion disrupted energy prices across Europe.Dependence on Russian gas fell from 45% pre-invasion to 13% in early 2025, yet imports still reached €10 billion. Landlocked Countries Secure Safeguards Landlocked states warned the ban could threaten supply…

Researchers found that daily orange juice alters thousands of immune-cell genes in the human body.Many affected genes regulate blood pressure, limit inflammation, and control sugar metabolism, supporting heart health.Scientists stress that a simple breakfast drink can significantly affect key cardiovascular and metabolic processes. Daily Intake Reduces Inflammation and Improves Regulation Adults drank 500 ml of pasteurised orange juice daily for two months in recent studies.After 60 days, inflammation-related genes such as NAMPT, IL6, IL1B, and NLRP3 became less active.The SGK1 gene, which controls kidney sodium retention, also showed reduced activity, lowering blood pressure.Researchers say orange juice relaxes blood vessels, eases…

Google has expanded its AI Mode with Gemini 3 Pro and the Nano Banana Pro image model to more users worldwide, including in the United States. The update brings smarter, multimodal search capabilities, allowing users to access better reasoning, image generation, and interactive features directly in search results. The Gemini 3 Pro model enhances Google Search by providing advanced natural language understanding. Users can ask complex questions, receive detailed explanations, and interact with AI-generated content in real time. The model improves reasoning, context interpretation, and accuracy across various search queries. The Nano Banana Pro image model adds powerful visual capabilities. Users can…

Bitcoin plunged on Monday, falling below €75,000, as global cryptocurrencies continued their sharp post-October decline.European trading saw Bitcoin drop more than 5%, extending its losing streak into another month.After peaking near €110,000 in early October, Bitcoin faced heavy sell-offs and widespread liquidations.In November, Bitcoin lost over 16% of its value, briefly approaching €74,000.Ethereum and Solana also fell over 5%, following the downward trajectory set in October.Bitcoin showed short-lived recoveries last month, but prices quickly resumed their decline. Investors Pull Back From Risk Investors have sold stocks and reduced exposure to risky assets as market caution rises.Bitcoin ETF inflows remain low,…

Researchers document over 237 cyber operations against space infrastructure between 2023 and 2025.Cyber warfare now threatens satellites and communication systems, the report warns.The Center for Security Studies (CSS) at ETH Zürich collected social media posts, news articles, and cybercrime forum data to track attacks on Israeli and global space agencies.Cyberattacks peaked during the Israel-Iran conflict in June 2025, with 72 incidents in a single month.This spike accounts for almost one-third of all attacks during the research period, said Clémence Poirier, the report author.The study states that cyber campaigns against space systems now follow patterns seen in armed conflicts, similar to…

Ukraine launched naval drones against two oil tankers hours before a Russian terminal attack.Sea drones struck the Caspian Pipeline Consortium terminal in Novorossiysk around 4AM, forcing Russia to halt operations.Local media report the terminal shutdown follows the escalating attacks on Russian shipping in the Black Sea. Tanker Blasts Prompt Swift Rescue Efforts Coast guard and rescue teams quickly saved crews after the tankers sustained heavy damage.The Gambia-flagged Kairos exploded and caught fire 28 nautical miles off Turkey’s Kocaeli province while empty.Minutes later, the Virat tanker suffered a separate strike 35 nautical miles off the Turkish coast.Authorities classify both vessels as…

Health officials report troubling signs that measles is resurging after decades of declining deaths. The World Health Organization (WHO) says measles cases jumped 47 per cent last year in Europe and Central Asia due to falling vaccination rates. Officials warn that gains in reducing infections and fatalities are slipping worldwide. In 2024, measles killed an estimated 95,000 people, mostly children under five, down from 780,000 deaths in 2000. The WHO emphasised that every preventable death from a low-cost, highly effective vaccine is unacceptable. WHO data shows measles vaccination campaigns have saved nearly 59 million lives since 2000. Rising Infections and…

A group of tourists entered Torres del Paine’s O Circuit despite deteriorating weather forecasts. About 30 international trekkers departed Los Perros campsite between 5 and 7 a.m. on 17 November to cross John Garner Pass. Light rain and moderate winds greeted them, but conditions shifted rapidly at higher altitudes. By late morning, visibility shrank to a few metres, and wind gusts exceeded forecasts, producing whiteout conditions that disoriented hikers. The O Circuit, a 130–140 km loop around the Paine Massif, ranks among Patagonia’s most demanding trekking routes. Around 10 a.m., the storm intensified, bringing near-horizontal snow, violent winds, and zero…

Protesters exposed France’s failures in handling domestic violence as alarming statistics surfaced.Dozens gathered in central Paris Tuesday night, condemning rising gender-based violence and honouring victims.Marie-Josée, 78, said activists remain “constantly overwhelmed” as the crowd remembered five women killed by partners or ex-partners last week.The protest occurred hours before authorities received a report urging radical reforms in domestic abuse prosecutions.Officials submitted the report to Justice Minister Gérald Darmanin, recommending magistrates focus solely on intrafamilial violence.Le Parisien revealed the report ahead of the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women, warning that domestic violence demands a comprehensive approach.Despite decades of…