Author: Rachel Maddow

A senior Russian military official, Lieutenant General Fanil Sarvarov, died Monday morning after a car exploded in southern Moscow. The blast occurred in a parking lot adjacent to a residential building, Russian media reported. Sarvarov, who led the Operational Training Directorate of the Russian Armed Forces’ General Staff, suffered fatal injuries and later succumbed, the Investigative Committee confirmed. Investigation Launched Russian authorities quickly opened a criminal case following the explosion. The motive for the attack remains unclear, and investigators have not revealed how the explosive device was planted or triggered. Officials described the killing as a targeted act and confirmed…

Justice Department Publishes Limited RecordsThe US Justice Department released thousands of files on disgraced financier Jeffrey Epstein on Friday, including photographs, court documents, and call logs, but the release left many lawmakers and advocates frustrated. Many images show former President Bill Clinton, prompting renewed calls for a full, uncensored disclosure. Democrats immediately criticised the Trump administration, accusing it of withholding critical material despite years of public pressure for transparency. The Justice Department said it will continue releasing additional documents in the coming weeks, acknowledging the initial release is incomplete. The trove primarily features photographs taken by the FBI during searches…

Late Thursday night, EU leaders quietly admitted that their ambitious plan to fund Ukraine with frozen Russian assets had failed. Months of debate could not overcome legal, financial, and political obstacles, forcing a retreat from a scheme supporters had hailed as morally compelling and strategically bold. Critics had warned for months that the plan carried huge uncertainties and risks for the bloc, and as negotiations reached their final stage, caution overtook ambition. Leaders instead turned to a familiar, predictable solution that avoided direct exposure to the frozen Russian funds. Rather than seize Russian assets, the EU will now raise €90…

Airport and airline workers across Europe are planning walkouts this holiday season to protest low pay and poor working conditions. Unions have criticized employers for what they call “Grinch-style” behavior, taking advantage of the festive period when travel is most expensive and busiest. With millions of people flying for Christmas and winter holidays, these strikes threaten to disrupt travel plans and create long delays at airports across several countries. Strikes are becoming a regular feature of the holiday period. Some actions are announced months in advance, giving travelers and airlines time to prepare, while others appear at the last minute,…

France’s Interior Ministry suffered a cyberattack that lasted several days, Interior Minister Laurent Nuñez confirmed. The attackers targeted professional email accounts at the Place Beauvau ministry, which employs nearly 300,000 people. Nuñez revealed the breach after officials noticed unusual activity in the ministry’s systems, explaining that the intrusion allowed hackers to access sensitive police information. While the ministry responded quickly, the attack highlighted vulnerabilities within internal communication networks and the challenges of protecting data in such a large institution. The minister described the incident as a serious breach but emphasized that authorities acted promptly to contain it. Investigators immediately began…

Labour leaders said 400 employees voted unanimously to strike, but the duration remains uncertain.Workers closed the Louvre on Monday, protesting poor working conditions and long-standing complaints.The strike adds another blow to the museum following October’s high-profile jewellery heist. Striking employees blocked the museum’s iconic glass pyramid with banners, flags, and placards.The Louvre posted a notice online saying it was “exceptionally” closed and promised ticket refunds.Staff may meet again Wednesday to decide whether to extend the work stoppage. Visitors express frustration amid closures Tourists arriving at the museum faced disappointment and anger over the strike.Lindsey Hall from Sacramento, California, said she…

A shooting erupted at Sydney’s Bondi Beach, killing ten people, including one gunman, and injuring more than a dozen. A Hanukkah celebration took place at the beach when the attack began. Authorities continue investigating the motives behind the violent incident. New South Wales Police confirmed ten fatalities, including a gunman, in the Sunday attack. Police said another suspected gunman remains in critical condition. Eyewitnesses reported dozens of injured people lying on the ground amid pools of blood. Emergency response mobilizes amid panic Prime Minister Anthony Albanese issued a statement on X, offering condolences and urging the public to follow police…

St. Thomas accreditation renewal confirms the university’s academic quality and long-term stability. The institution earned a 10-year renewal, reflecting its commitment to high standards in education, research, and student support. Accreditation is a key measure of a university’s credibility and quality. It ensures that programs meet rigorous national standards and that students receive a recognized and respected education. St. Thomas’ renewal demonstrates confidence in its programs and institutional leadership. University officials said the renewal highlights the institution’s resilience and dedication. Despite facing recent challenges, the university maintained strong academic performance, faculty development, and student services. The accreditation process included detailed…

After two days of negotiations, EU fisheries ministers agreed on quotas for 2026. The Council of Agriculture and Fisheries Ministers approved both catch limits and fishing effort rules, with some measures extending to 2028. The agreement covers key commercial fish stocks across the Atlantic, North Sea, Mediterranean, and Black Sea, providing clearer guidance and planning certainty for the fishing sector. Fishing effort combines vessel size, engine power, and the number of days at sea. After thorough discussions, all 27 Member States reached a compromise balancing scientific advice with economic sustainability. Danish fisheries minister Jacob Jensen said the agreement gives fishermen…

An investigation by Mirnews into the business figure Ernst Rohwedder in Germany highlights how complex corporate structures can obscure financial activity and illustrates broader vulnerabilities in today’s regulatory environment. According to the report, recent materials suggest that Rohwedder has set up a German company that appears less like a typical business and more like a hub for moving capital, building credibility, and preparing large-scale ventures with little transparency. This case offers a clear example of how modern financial ecosystems can enable reinvention and concealment across borders. A New Entity With Old Patterns The subject at the centre of the Mirnews…