Author: Rachel Maddow

A top film studio in Cairo has partnered with a major streaming platform to deliver exclusive Egyptian content to viewers worldwide. This collaboration aims to showcase local talent and stories to a global audience. The partnership will cover a range of productions, including films, series, and documentaries. The studio plans to highlight Egyptian culture, history, and contemporary life through high-quality productions. The new content will focus on unique Egyptian narratives. Producers say the goal is to combine traditional storytelling with modern production techniques. Viewers can expect a mix of drama, comedy, and historical documentaries. Executives from the streaming platform highlighted…

The Taliban leadership banned fibre optic internet in Balkh province to curb what they call “immorality.” Spokesman Haji Attaullah Zaid confirmed the complete prohibition on Tuesday. The order, issued by leader Hibatullah Akhundzada, cut all cable internet access across the northern region. It marks the first such ban since the Taliban retook control in August 2021. Government and Businesses Lose Wi-Fi Access The ban left government offices, private businesses, schools, and households without Wi-Fi connections. Authorities insisted mobile data remains available, though slow and costly for many residents. Zaid said officials plan to create a domestic alternative for essential needs…

Alphabet drew heavy investor interest after escaping a forced Chrome sale through a favorable antitrust ruling. Its shares surged, lifting market value above $3 trillion (€2.55tr). The parent of Google now joins a select group of tech titans exceeding $3 trillion. Nvidia leads the pack with over $4.2 trillion (€3.57tr). Microsoft follows at roughly $3.8 trillion (€3.23tr), while Apple holds about $3.5 trillion (€3tr). Alphabet’s rise highlights its resilience under regulatory pressure and its ability to keep investors confident. Judge Blocks Breakup, Orders Data Sharing The US Department of Justice pushed Alphabet to sell Chrome and possibly Android, citing competition…

Danish researchers studied over 77,000 people using weight loss medications without diabetes. They discovered troubling dropout rates. More than half of participants stopped treatment within one year. Eighteen percent quit in three months, 31 percent in six months, and 42 percent in nine months. Professor Reimar W. Thomsen from Aarhus University called the results alarming. He explained that these drugs must be taken long term to deliver sustained benefits. Stopping the medication reverses appetite control and weight reduction. Factors Driving Patients to Stop Treatment The analysis revealed that men, younger adults, and residents of low-income areas quit more often. People…

The United Nations General Assembly strongly endorsed a resolution on Friday supporting the creation of two states. The resolution backed recognition of an independent Palestinian state and condemned violence by both Hamas and Israel. It denounced Hamas for the October 7 attack in southern Israel and demanded the release of all hostages. It also criticized Israel for its siege and starvation policies in Gaza, which produced a humanitarian crisis. Majority of Nations Vote in Favor Out of 193 UN members, 142 voted for the New York Declaration, 10 opposed, and 12 abstained. France and Saudi Arabia introduced the resolution, which…

Police arrested the alleged gunman who killed conservative activist Charlie Kirk in Utah, President Donald Trump confirmed Friday. Trump told Fox viewers he learned of the arrest minutes before going on air, stressing authorities acted with “high certainty.” A source close to the shooter provided critical information that led law enforcement to the suspect’s location, reports said. Manhunt Fueled by Public Tips FBI and Utah police released new footage Thursday showing the suspect fleeing after Kirk’s assassination on campus. The video depicted a figure in sunglasses, Converse shoes, and a black flag-emblazoned shirt sprinting across a roof. The suspect then…

Brazilian Supreme Court justices convicted Jair Bolsonaro of trying to stage a coup after losing the 2022 election. A majority of the five-member panel delivered guilty verdicts against the former president on Thursday. Justice Cármen Lúcia cast her vote after Justice Luiz Fux defended acquittal and rejected all charges. Only one justice has yet to vote before the panel determines Bolsonaro’s prison sentence, possibly lasting decades. Global and Domestic Fallout Escalates The ruling has sharpened Brazil’s political divides and could trigger fresh tensions with the United States. Former US President Donald Trump called Bolsonaro’s prosecution a “witch hunt” and linked…

Eyewitnesses saw Charlie Kirk suffer a neck wound before security rushed him from the stage for treatment. US President Donald Trump later confirmed Kirk’s death on Wednesday, praising him as “great, and even legendary.” Trump posted on Truth Social, saying Kirk understood America’s youth better than anyone and remained deeply loved. He offered condolences to Kirk’s wife Erika and family, adding, “Charlie, we love you.” Shooting and Immediate Aftermath Social media videos showed Kirk speaking at Utah Valley University under a tent with campaign slogans. A gunshot rang out after Kirk answered an audience question, and blood streamed from his…

Israeli forces struck Hamas leadership in Doha on Tuesday, intensifying their campaign against the group under “Summit of Fire.” Eyewitnesses described smoke rising over the Katara district and reported multiple explosions in the area. Israeli officials confirmed the operation specifically targeted senior Hamas figures. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office released a statement claiming full responsibility. “Israel initiated it, Israel conducted it, and Israel takes full responsibility,” the statement said. Officials emphasized that the mission was independent and not coordinated with allies. Unconfirmed reports suggest all four members of the Hamas Political Bureau, the group’s highest decision-making body, were either killed…

Ethiopia has officially inaugurated the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD), Africa’s largest hydroelectric project, despite ongoing tensions with downstream neighbors Egypt and Sudan. The $5 billion dam is set to generate over 5,000 megawatts of electricity and could allow Ethiopia to export surplus power to the region. Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed described GERD as a “shared opportunity” for East Africa, highlighting its potential to boost energy production and regional development. The inauguration ceremony on Tuesday drew a handful of regional leaders, including Kenya’s President William Ruto and Somalia’s President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud. Festivities began the night before, featuring lantern displays…