Author: Rachel Maddow

Massive destruction across Gaza has made it nearly impossible for Hamas to recover the bodies of remaining Israeli hostages buried under rubble. On Saturday, an Egyptian convoy carrying excavators and bulldozers entered Gaza to assist in the recovery operations. Under the U.S.-brokered ceasefire, Israel agreed to return 15 Palestinian bodies for each Israeli hostage body. So far, Israel has handed back 195 Palestinian remains, while Hamas has returned 18 Israeli bodies. Earlier this month, Hamas released all 20 living Israeli hostages. U.S. President Donald Trump said he is “watching very closely” to ensure the bodies are returned within 48 hours.…

Thieves stole eight crown jewels from the Louvre last week, igniting public anger and renewed scrutiny of museum security. The daring robbery, carried out in broad daylight, targeted the Apollo Gallery, one of the museum’s most visited rooms. French radio network RTL reported that the Louvre moved part of its jewelry collection to the Bank of France’s vaults on Friday. Police escorted the transfer discreetly to prevent further risks. The secured items included the “Crown Jewels” and other precious artifacts from multiple galleries. The Bank of France’s underground vault, located 27 meters beneath its headquarters, holds about 90% of France’s…

The US military announced Friday that it will deploy the USS Gerald R. Ford and its strike group to the waters off South America. Pentagon spokesperson Sean Parnell said the deployment will strengthen efforts to detect and disrupt criminal operations that threaten US security and prosperity. Secretary of War Pete Hegseth ordered the carrier and its five destroyers to join the US Southern Command. The USS Ford, currently stationed in the Mediterranean Sea, will soon move toward the Caribbean region. Deploying an aircraft carrier marks a sharp escalation of US military power in an area already experiencing heavy buildup near…

Two Russian military aircraft entered Lithuanian airspace for 18 seconds on Thursday, the country’s military reported. The aircraft, identified as an Su-30 fighter jet and an Il-78 refuelling plane, crossed from the Russian exclave of Kaliningrad around 1600 CET during what appeared to be a refuelling exercise. Spanish Eurofighter Typhoon jets from NATO’s Baltic Air Police scrambled to respond and began patrolling the area. Lithuania’s President Gitanas Nausėda denounced the incident on X, calling it a “blatant breach of international law and territorial integrity.” In a video statement, Nausėda condemned Russia’s actions and urged a strong response, saying Lithuania must…

Meta has eliminated 600 roles in its artificial intelligence division, according to U.S. reports. The company confirmed the layoffs on Wednesday while continuing to recruit staff for its superintelligence lab. Axios revealed that the job cuts target Meta’s Fundamental AI Research (FAIR) team, along with its product-based AI and AI infrastructure groups. FAIR Faces Major Workforce Changes Meta’s TBD Lab will remain unaffected by these layoffs. In a memo, Chief AI Officer Alexandr Wang urged affected employees to seek new positions within the company. Most displaced workers are expected to secure other internal roles. Wang stated that reducing team size…

TIRANA — Mounting evidence suggests that Albania has quietly become a gateway for sanctioned Russian and Iranian interests to bypass Western trade restrictions, exposing vulnerabilities in the country’s governance and critical infrastructure. Investigations indicate that through negligence, smuggling, or outright corruption within the government of Prime Minister Edi Rama, entities tied to Russia and Iran have gained access to sectors considered vital to national security. A report by RBC Ukraine uncovered how banned Russian oil was being funneled into Europe through Albanian ports. The investigation described ships docking at Porto Romano near Durrës under false cargo declarations — vessels listed…

European markets rose slightly on Tuesday, rebounding from recent declines despite ongoing geopolitical uncertainty. Major indexes in Europe opened cautiously higher after Asian shares advanced and U.S. futures dipped. By midday, Milan’s stock exchange led European gains with a 0.80% increase. Italian banking giants UniCredit and Intesa Sanpaolo, along with energy producer Eni and aerospace firm Leonardo, helped drive the rally. Germany’s defence sector also lifted sentiment, although the DAX index still slipped 0.13%. Shipbuilder TKMS gained 6.28% in Frankfurt after its IPO debut at €60 per share on Monday. Rheinmetall AG added 0.48%, while London-listed BAE Systems dropped 0.91%.…

Afghanistan and Pakistan agreed to hold new peace talks in Qatar to set lasting peace terms after a deadly week of cross-border fighting. The clashes killed dozens and wounded hundreds, marking the most violent confrontation between the two nations in years. Qatari mediators in Doha facilitated an immediate ceasefire, according to Qatar’s Foreign Ministry. Qatar announced that both governments would create mechanisms to strengthen long-term stability. They also planned more meetings soon to maintain the truce. Turkish negotiators actively supported the peace deal. Violence had grown rapidly since early this month, with each side accusing the other of aggression. Afghanistan…

Americans filled streets across the country on Saturday for “No Kings” demonstrations, protesting President Donald Trump’s leadership and policies. More than 2,600 rallies took place nationwide, drawing thousands to New York, Washington, Boston, and Chicago. By noon, Times Square and the nation’s capital swelled with protesters chanting, “Trump must go now!” They waved bold, often profane signs denouncing Trump’s immigration crackdowns and authoritarian behavior. Demonstrators carried banners reading “Nothing is more patriotic than protesting” and “Resist Fascism.” Many turned the rallies into celebrations, with marching bands, a massive “We The People” banner, and frog-costumed protesters — a symbol of resistance…

The jury of the 19th International Fryderyk Chopin Piano Competition, chaired by Garrick Ohlsson, selected 11 pianists for the final round. Local hopes now rest on Poland’s Piotr Alexewicz, the only Polish performer to advance. The classical music world turned its attention to Warsaw, where the names of the finalists were officially announced. The competition, launched in 1927, remains one of the oldest and most prestigious piano contests in the world. Since its creation, participants have performed only the works of Fryderyk Chopin, celebrating his genius through generations of pianists. Global Talent Shines in Chopin’s Eleven The finalists joining Alexewicz…