Author: Rachel Maddow

Brussels Considers Full Ban Despite G7 Uncertainty The European Union is preparing to impose a full ban on maritime services for Russian oil tankers, even if G7 allies fail to reach a coordinated agreement. Valdis Dombrovskis said Brussels prefers a joint approach but is ready to move independently if necessary. Officials aim to approve the 20th sanctions package by 24 February, coinciding with the fourth anniversary of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. If implemented, the ban would override the G7’s existing oil price cap within EU jurisdiction, stopping European companies from servicing Russian tankers regardless of the price of Urals crude.…

Clashing Visions of Europe’s Role At this year’s Munich Security Conference, the West’s identity and purpose came under scrutiny. U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio urged European nations to help “save the West” from decline, criticizing poorly designed policies on climate and migration while calling for greater transatlantic unity. Rubio described America as a “child of Europe,” emphasizing that its fate is tied to the continent. EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas rejected the idea that Europe is in crisis, asserting that the continent is not facing civilisational collapse. Meanwhile, Volodymyr Zelenskyy pressed European leaders to commit to a timeline…

Europe Must Have a Seat at the Table Speaking at the Munich Security Conference, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy called Europe’s absence from U.S.-led peace talks with Russia a “big mistake.” He stressed that any durable resolution must address the security needs of the entire continent, not just Ukraine and the United States. Zelenskyy highlighted upcoming trilateral negotiations with Russia and the U.S., noting that progress toward a ceasefire has been slow. He voiced frustration that discussions often focus on completely different priorities and criticized the repeated emphasis on Ukraine making concessions while Russia faces little accountability. Security Guarantees and EU…

The United Nations has set up a 40-member international scientific panel to study the risks and impacts of artificial intelligence (AI), marking a major step toward global oversight of the rapidly advancing technology. UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres described the panel as a “foundational step toward global scientific understanding of AI,” aimed at giving all countries, regardless of technological strength, access to independent scientific insight. A Global Panel to Monitor AI The Independent International Scientific Panel on Artificial Intelligence will produce annual reports analyzing AI’s risks, opportunities, and societal impacts. The UN General Assembly approved the initiative with a vote of…

US and European defence ministers met in Brussels on Thursday with a shared understanding: NATO needs to evolve, with Europe assuming a larger role in its own defence. While both sides agree on the need for change, their reasons differ—Washington is keen to focus on other global theatres, while Europeans want to reduce reliance on the unpredictable US administration. US Under Secretary of War Eldridge Colby framed the discussion as a call for “NATO 3.0,” urging European allies to take primary responsibility for conventional defence on the continent. “Europe should field the preponderance of the forces required to deter, and…

At least nine people have died following a shooting at Tumbler Ridge Secondary School in British Columbia, with the suspected gunman also dead and several others injured. Authorities described the incident as one of the deadliest school attacks in Canada in decades. Tragedy at the School and Nearby Home Six victims were found inside the school, and another died while being transported to hospital, the RCMP said. The suspected shooter was discovered at the scene with what appeared to be a self-inflicted injury. Police later confirmed two more deaths at a residence in Tumbler Ridge, believed to be linked to…

Silence Before Lawmakers Ghislaine Maxwell, the longtime associate of disgraced financier Jeffrey Epstein, refused to answer questions from the US House Oversight Committee on Monday as lawmakers reopened investigations into Epstein’s network. Appearing via video from a federal prison camp in Texas, where she is serving a 20-year sentence for sex trafficking, Maxwell repeatedly invoked her Fifth Amendment right against self-incrimination and declined to cooperate with the inquiry. Pardon Offer and Political Fallout Maxwell’s legal team said she would be willing to testify if President Donald Trump granted her clemency. Her attorney, David Oscar Markus, claimed Maxwell was prepared to…

Ships, Soot, and a Warming Arctic As the Arctic warms and sea ice melts, new shipping routes are opening in waters that were once frozen year-round. But this surge in traffic comes with a hidden cost: black carbon, or soot, released by ships. When it settles on ice and snow, it darkens surfaces and absorbs sunlight, speeding up melting. “It ends up in a never-ending cycle of increased warming,” says Sian Prior, lead adviser for the Clean Arctic Alliance. This cycle not only threatens Arctic ecosystems but also has ripple effects on global weather patterns. International Efforts Face Hurdles France,…

Landslide win for the LDP Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi is projected to have won a decisive victory in Sunday’s snap elections, with her ruling bloc estimated to take roughly 300 of 465 seats in the lower house. If confirmed, this would mark the strongest showing for the Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) since 2017 under the late Shinzo Abe, Takaichi’s mentor. The win could give the LDP a super-majority, allowing it to govern independently of its junior partner, the Japan Innovation Party (JIP). LDP Secretary General Shunichi Suzuki said the result reflected voter approval for Takaichi’s fiscal policies and efforts…

Homebuyer discounts are continuing to shape the housing market in 2026. Widespread price reductions across many metro areas are providing rare leverage for buyers, allowing them to negotiate better deals and stretch their budgets further. In several large markets, homes that previously sold quickly at or above asking prices are now available for less. Analysts say this shift is helping first-time buyers and families who have been waiting for affordability to improve. Slower sales and increased inventory are giving buyers more options and bargaining power. Mortgage rates, while moderate, remain manageable, complementing these discounts. Lower monthly payments combined with below-asking-price…