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.
Israel Targets Iranian Defence Systems The Israeli military confirmed it carried out a broad strike on defence sites in western Iran early Saturday, following joint US-Israeli air operations. The attacks come amid weeks of rising tensions as Washington and Tehran negotiate over Iran’s nuclear program. Iran Strikes Back Across the Gulf In retaliation, Iran launched strikes on American military positions across the Gulf region, sparing only Oman. US President Donald Trump framed the operations as addressing grievances going back to the founding of the Islamic Republic in 1979, and urged Iranians to eventually rise up against their government. Global Concerns…
Recent Clashes Ignite New Violence After months of relative calm along their 2,600-kilometre mountainous border, Pakistan and Afghanistan are once again embroiled in serious conflict. Early Friday, Pakistan launched airstrikes on Kabul and other cities, declaring “open war” after Taliban forces attacked Pakistani border positions. Pakistani Defence Minister Khawaja Asif said Islamabad’s patience with the Taliban government had “run out.” Pakistan’s military claimed that Operation Ghazab lil Haq (“Righteous Fury”) killed 133 Taliban fighters and targeted key installations in Kabul and Kandahar, where Taliban leader Hibatullah Akhundzada resides. The Taliban confirmed strikes across three provinces and said retaliatory attacks had…
De Niro Speaks Out Against Trump Oscar-winning actor Robert De Niro attended a counter-State of the Union event and told attendees he feels “betrayed by my country.” Speaking on MS NOW, he predicted that Donald Trump “will never leave” office unless Americans act to remove him. De Niro condemned the current state of US politics, calling the country “of, by and for a handful of dishonest and greedy and cruel authoritarians” and urging a return to the nation’s founding values. Trump Responds with Personal Attacks Trump reacted on Truth Social, targeting De Niro along with Democratic Representatives Ilhan Omar and…
Renewed Focus on European Deterrence President Emmanuel Macron is set to outline plans for France to take a more active role in Europe’s nuclear defense. Speaking from the Île Longue peninsula, home to the country’s four nuclear-powered ballistic missile submarines, Macron will stress that this expansion would complement, not compete with, the US nuclear umbrella. This will be his first major address on France’s nuclear capabilities since 2020, when he first proposed involving willing European partners in exercises — a suggestion largely overlooked at the time. Geopolitical Shifts Drive Interest European interest in a stronger French nuclear contribution has grown…
Rising Tensions Over Sea Borders Kuwait and Iraq are clashing again over their maritime boundaries, with Gulf states lining up behind Kuwait. The dispute intensified after Baghdad submitted new coordinates and a map to the United Nations, claiming areas that Kuwait considers its own, including the Fasht al-Qaid and Fasht al-Aij shoals. The northern Gulf’s waterways and offshore resources remain highly strategic, adding weight to the disagreement. Regional Backing and Calls for Dialogue Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Bahrain, and Oman have publicly supported Kuwait, emphasizing the need to respect international law. Saudi officials noted that parts of…
Legal Uncertainty Halts Implementation European Parliament negotiators have paused the EU-US trade agreement after a recent US Supreme Court ruling questioned the legality of tariffs imposed in 2025. The court found that President Donald Trump had exceeded his authority by imposing duties without Congress under emergency powers. In response, Trump announced fresh 15% tariffs on imports, leaving the pact’s future in doubt. German MEP Bernd Lange, who chairs the parliamentary trade committee, stressed that the legal framework had “totally changed” and that a clear statement from Washington is needed before the deal can move forward. Parliament Demands Clear Commitments The…
Budapest Demands Pipeline Repairs Before Supporting Sanctions Hungary has announced it will block the EU’s 20th package of sanctions against Russia until Ukraine restores oil deliveries to the country. Prime Minister Viktor Orbán said that the EU would also withhold the €90 billion war loan to Ukraine until shipments resume. Foreign Minister Péter Szijjártó explained that Hungary will not back the sanctions package at the EU foreign ministers’ meeting on Monday, citing the need for Ukraine to repair the Druzhba pipeline, which was damaged in a Russian attack. The Energy Security Council also discussed electricity supplies to Ukraine, which rely…
Trump Administration Signals Backing U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio visited Budapest to convey a message of support from former President Donald Trump to Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán, whose ruling Fidesz party is trailing the opposition ahead of April elections. Rubio highlighted the personal relationship between Orbán and Trump, pointing to Hungary’s recent one-year exemption from U.S. sanctions on Russian oil imports as a tangible benefit of their connection. “President Trump is deeply committed to your success, because your success is our success,” Rubio said at a press conference following the Munich Security Conference. During his trip, Rubio also…
Clashing Views on Europe’s Role The Munich Security Conference showcased contrasting perspectives on the West’s future. U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio urged Europe to join the U.S. in safeguarding a shared civilisation, warning that the West risks decline if it ignores poorly designed policies on climate and migration. Rubio described America as a “child of Europe” whose fate is intertwined with the continent. In response, EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas rejected the idea that Europe needs saving, saying a so-called “woke, decadent” Europe is not facing civilisational collapse. Ursula von der Leyen said Rubio’s remarks reassured her about…
Europe Must Have a Strong Seat at the Table Speaking at the Munich Security Conference, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said it is a “big mistake” that European leaders are largely absent from U.S.-led negotiations aimed at ending the war with Russia. He stressed that a lasting peace must address the security needs of all of Europe, not just Kyiv and Washington. Zelenskyy noted that upcoming trilateral talks with Russia and the United States have seen little progress toward a ceasefire. He expressed frustration that the parties often seem to be “talking about completely different things” and criticized the focus on…
