Author: Rachel Maddow

In a move that shocked the world, US forces captured Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, in Caracas and transported them to New York to face criminal charges. The operation involved multiple branches of the US military and marks an unprecedented level of US intervention in the South American nation. President Donald Trump announced that the United States would take temporary control of Venezuela, overseeing the country until a “safe, proper and judicious transition” could be arranged. “We can’t take a chance that somebody else takes over Venezuela who doesn’t have the good of the Venezuelan people…

The United States has officially begun its 250th anniversary celebrations, marking a major milestone in the nation’s history. Across the country, events are taking place to honor the nation’s journey since independence. Festivities include student essay contests, block parties, and public gatherings at iconic locations like Times Square in New York City and the Washington Monument in the nation’s capital. These celebrations aim to engage communities and encourage reflection on the country’s history and achievements. Officials say the anniversary is an opportunity to unite Americans through shared patriotic experiences. By including activities for all ages, organizers hope to make the…

The United States carried out a series of airstrikes in northwestern Nigeria targeting Islamic State–linked groups, marking a significant escalation in its support for the country’s security operations. President Donald Trump described the attacks as “powerful and deadly,” aimed at militants accused of attacking civilians, especially Christians. Trump emphasized on social media that the militants had been “viciously killing innocent people,” highlighting the urgency of the US response to Nigeria’s long-running insurgency challenges. Strengthening Nigeria’s Security Response Nigeria’s military has been stretched thin as it battles multiple armed groups across different regions. Militants often operate in remote areas where government…

European intelligence agencies report that tracking Russian interference now consumes as much attention and resources as counterterrorism, highlighting the growing impact of cyber threats on continental security. This concern comes as French authorities investigate a major cyberattack that disrupted the national postal service at the peak of the Christmas season. Postal Systems Disrupted by Pro-Russian Hackers French prosecutors said on Wednesday that the pro-Russian hacking group Noname057(16) claimed responsibility for a cyberattack that knocked La Poste’s central computer systems offline on Monday. The attack persisted into Wednesday, preventing postal workers from tracking deliveries and disrupting online payments through La Banque…

Precious metals have led global markets this year, propelled by rising geopolitical risks, expectations of looser monetary policy, and fragile global economic stability. Investors flocked to gold and silver, driving both to record highs and delivering some of the most dramatic annual gains in decades. Gold surged to $4,481 (€3,797) per troy ounce in 2025, a jump of roughly 55–70% year-on-year. Silver, often considered the “lesser” metal, outpaced gold in percentage gains, climbing 130–140% to reach nearly $69 (€58) per ounce by late 2025. Once sidelined by modern financial instruments like currency, bonds, and real estate, precious metals staged a…

A car explosion in southern Moscow on Monday claimed the life of Lieutenant General Fanil Sarvarov, a senior officer in the Russian Armed Forces. The blast occurred in a parking lot near a residential building, according to Russian media reports. Sarvarov, who led the Operational Training Directorate of the General Staff, was critically injured and later died from his wounds, authorities confirmed. The Investigative Committee immediately launched a criminal investigation into the incident. Criminal Investigation Underway The Investigative Committee said it has opened a criminal case into Sarvarov’s death, though the motive for the attack remains unclear. Officials confirmed that…

Thousands of Documents, Limited DisclosureThe US Justice Department released thousands of files on Jeffrey Epstein on Friday, including photographs, call logs, court records, and other investigative materials. Many images show former President Bill Clinton, drawing attention from lawmakers and the public, but redactions and omissions angered critics who demanded the full, uncensored release. Democrats accused the Trump administration of withholding information, and the Justice Department said it will continue releasing files in the coming weeks. Officials emphasized that the trove includes only a fraction of the expected records, most of which were taken during FBI searches of Epstein’s properties in…

Late on Thursday night, EU leaders conceded that their most daring financial proposal for Ukraine would not succeed. After months of discussion, the plan to turn frozen Russian central bank assets into a zero-interest reparations loan collapsed under political and legal pressures. Supporters hailed it as morally compelling and strategically bold, while critics warned it carried serious financial and legal risks. As negotiations reached their final stage, bold ambition gave way to caution, and leaders opted for the familiar certainty of joint borrowing instead. Rather than risk untested legal and financial territory, the bloc agreed to raise €90 billion through…

Airport workers across Europe are taking action this festive season to protest low wages and difficult working conditions. Unions have described some employers’ behavior as “Grinch-like,” accusing them of taking advantage of staff during one of the busiest travel periods of the year. These strikes have become an increasingly common feature of Christmas and winter holidays, with workers deliberately targeting peak travel days to strengthen their demands for fairer pay and improved conditions. Some strikes are planned well in advance, allowing passengers to adjust their plans. Others appear suddenly, with just hours’ notice, leaving travelers scrambling for alternatives. Anyone planning…

France’s Interior Ministry suffered a prolonged cyberattack that lasted several days, Interior Minister Laurent Nuñez confirmed. The attackers focused on email accounts at the Place Beauvau ministry, which employs nearly 300,000 people. The intrusion allowed hackers to access sensitive internal files, including police databases, and authorities only became aware of the breach after detecting unusual activity in the ministry’s systems. Nuñez spoke publicly about the incident to assure citizens that officials were responding swiftly. According to Nuñez, the breach raised immediate concerns about the integrity of the ministry’s internal communications and sensitive information. While investigators are still working to fully…