Author: Rachel Maddow
Rachel Maddow
Rachel Maddow is a freelance journalist based in the USA, with over 20 years of experience covering Politics, World Affairs, Business, Health, Technology, Finance, Lifestyle, and Culture. She earned her degree in Political Science and Journalism from Stanford University. Throughout her career, she has contributed to outlets such as MSNBC, The New York Times, and The Washington Post. Known for her thorough reporting and compelling storytelling, Rachel delivers accurate and timely news that keeps readers informed on both national and global developments.
Landslide win strengthens LDP Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi is on track for a commanding victory in Sunday’s snap elections, with early estimates suggesting her ruling bloc has captured roughly 300 of 465 lower house seats. If confirmed, this would be the Liberal Democratic Party’s (LDP) strongest performance since 2017 under the late Shinzo Abe, Takaichi’s mentor. The results could give the LDP a two-thirds majority, potentially allowing it to govern without relying on its junior partner, the Japan Innovation Party (JIP). LDP Secretary General Shunichi Suzuki said the outcome reflects voter support for Takaichi’s fiscal policies and efforts to…
Italian and German Gigafactories Put on Ice Automotive Cells Company (ACC) has scrapped plans to build electric vehicle battery gigafactories in Italy and Germany, the Italian metalworkers’ union UILM confirmed. The Termoli plant in Italy and the Kaiserslautern site in Germany have both been definitively shelved after being on hold since 2024. ACC is in discussions with unions about the formal shutdown process. Slower EV Growth Forces Rethink ACC, backed by Stellantis, cited weaker-than-expected electric vehicle demand as the main reason for halting the projects. The company is also exploring lower-cost battery technologies, which further influenced the decision. “The prerequisites…
Lawmakers Push for Strong, Consistent Standards Starting January 2027, European importers of oil and gas must meet strict monitoring, reporting, and verification rules for methane emissions from producing countries and companies. A group of 24 US lawmakers has written to the European Union urging it not to exempt American energy producers if domestic standards fall short on accuracy or enforcement. In their letter, the lawmakers called the EU’s methane regulations—a short-lived but highly potent greenhouse gas up to 30 times stronger than CO₂—a “critical tool” to curb wasteful flaring and venting of natural gas. They stressed that uniform rules across…
Alphabet Pulls Stocks Lower Wall Street struggled on Thursday after Alphabet, Google’s parent company, fell more than 4%, pulling down the major indexes. The S&P 500 dropped 1.2%, the Dow Jones lost 606 points, and the Nasdaq slid 1.5%. Despite posting better-than-expected quarterly profits, Alphabet’s announcement that it could double its spending on equipment and investments to around $180 billion (€152bn) unsettled investors, exceeding analysts’ predictions and fueling concerns over rising tech sector costs. Labor Market Weakness Adds Pressure The market turmoil was compounded by signs of trouble in the US job market. Unemployment claims rose more than expected last…
SpaceX Surpasses Tesla in Private Valuation Elon Musk’s SpaceX, after merging with his AI venture xAI, is now valued at $1.25 trillion (€1.06tn), narrowing the gap with Tesla, which sits at roughly $1.58 trillion (€1.34tn). On paper, this means Musk now draws more of his wealth from SpaceX than from his electric carmaker. Tesla has struggled in early 2026, with shares down about 6% after a 16% drop in vehicle deliveries in January and a 3% decline in 2025 revenue — its first annual fall on record. Competition in China and Europe, alongside the end of U.S. EV tax credits,…
Tariff Cuts and U.S. Purchases President Donald Trump announced Monday that tariffs on Indian goods will drop from 25% to 18%, following discussions with Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Trump also said India will gradually eliminate import taxes on U.S. products and purchase $500 billion in American goods. Modi called the tariff reduction “delightful” on X, praising Trump’s leadership and expressing optimism for stronger bilateral ties, though he did not confirm any changes regarding Russian oil imports. The Russia-Ukraine Factor India has been a major buyer of Russian oil since Moscow’s invasion of Ukraine in 2022, taking advantage of discounted crude…
Apple has reported record quarterly revenue, fueled by strong iPhone sales and continued consumer demand. The results highlight the ongoing strength of one of the largest U.S. tech companies. The company’s earnings exceeded analysts’ expectations, marking a milestone in its consistent performance. iPhone sales remain the key driver of growth, reflecting strong global demand for Apple’s flagship products. Revenue gains were seen across multiple regions, including the U.S., Europe, and Asia. Analysts say this broad-based growth reinforces confidence in the consumer technology sector. Apple’s success also shows the resilience of high-end consumer electronics. Even amid economic uncertainties, customers are willing…
President Donald Trump confirmed that the United States has begun talks with Cuban leaders, even as his administration increases pressure on the island by cutting off critical oil supplies and targeting countries that continue to support Havana. Speaking to reporters Saturday night while flying to Florida, Trump said simply, “We’re starting to talk to Cuba,” without providing further details. Oil Cuts as a Lever for Negotiations Trump indicated that recent US actions—blocking oil shipments from Venezuela and Mexico—are intended to push Cuba toward negotiations. The president suggested that restricting these energy supplies would compel Havana to engage with Washington, following…
United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has issued a stark warning that the organisation could run out of money by July unless member states pay their dues promptly. Chronic budget shortfalls have already forced hiring freezes and program cutbacks, raising concerns about the UN’s ability to operate effectively. Unpaid Contributions Put UN at Risk Guterres highlighted that some countries are failing to pay mandatory contributions in full or on time, creating a growing financial strain. By the end of 2025, unpaid dues had reached roughly $1.6 billion—more than double the previous year—even though over 150 member states had fulfilled their obligations.…
Panama’s Supreme Court has struck down a concession that allowed Hong Kong-based CK Hutchison to operate ports at both ends of the Panama Canal, following an audit that alleged irregularities in a 25-year extension granted in 2021. The ruling has drawn sharp criticism from Hong Kong and added a new layer of complexity to international trade and geopolitical relations. Hong Kong Voices Strong Objection On Friday, Hong Kong’s government issued a statement condemning the court’s decision, calling it “unjust” and harmful to the interests of Hong Kong companies operating overseas. Officials emphasized that they oppose any foreign government using coercive…
