Author: Rachel Maddow

Washington signals readiness to escalate The United States has warned that it is prepared to consider military action if Iranian authorities continue using lethal force against protesters, US officials told an emergency session of the UN Security Council on Thursday. Speaking before the council, US Ambassador Mike Waltz said President Donald Trump remains open to all options in response to the ongoing violence linked to nationwide demonstrations in Iran. Waltz stressed that Trump would not hesitate to act, describing him as “a man of action” and warning Iran’s leadership that continued bloodshed could trigger a strong response. While the threat…

European forces touch down as Washington presses its case Troops and reconnaissance teams from several European countries have begun arriving in Greenland’s capital, Nuuk, in what allies describe as a short-term mission to bolster surveillance and training in the Arctic amid rising geopolitical tensions. France, Germany, Norway, Sweden and other partners have dispatched small contingents to work with Danish and local authorities on security tasks in the coming days. (Al Jazeera) White House says deployments won’t change U.S. agenda; Denmark pushes back A White House spokesperson said the arrival of European personnel “does not impact” President Trump’s interest in Greenland…

Sanctions and Tariffs Drive Rising Global TensionsEconomic confrontation between major powers has emerged as the most serious threat to global stability, according to the World Economic Forum’s Global Risks Report 2026. The report, released ahead of the WEF’s annual meeting in Davos, identifies geoeconomic conflict — including the growing use of sanctions, tariffs, and trade restrictions — as the top risk facing the world this year. Based on insights from more than 1,300 experts across business, government, academia, and civil society, the findings suggest anxiety is rising fast. Half of those surveyed expect the world to be “turbulent or stormy”…

Alphabet, Google’s parent company, has officially crossed a historic financial milestone, becoming one of only a handful of companies in the world valued at more than $4 trillion. It now sits alongside Nvidia, Microsoft, and Apple — and just behind Nvidia as the world’s second-most valuable firm. The surge reflects investor confidence in artificial intelligence and Google’s determination to remain at the center of the AI revolution. AI Momentum Fuels Alphabet’s Market Surge Tech stocks have been on a relentless upward climb over the past year, powered by soaring expectations around artificial intelligence. Alphabet’s share price has risen roughly 75%…

Germany’s chancellor is throwing his weight behind a new free trade agreement with India, signalling that the European Union could seal a long-awaited deal by the end of this month. The push comes just days after EU countries approved the controversial Mercosur agreement — a pact that has already sparked political backlash across the bloc. Merz Signals Fast-Track Deal With India Speaking during a visit to India, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz said European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and European Council President Antonio Costa could travel to New Delhi before the end of the month to formally sign an…

Fears of a wider conflict are rising as reports suggest the United States and Israel have discussed possible military intervention in Iran. At the same time, Iranian authorities are facing growing unrest at home, with a mounting death toll and a nationwide internet blackout now stretching beyond 60 hours. Iran’s leadership has issued stark warnings, protestors continue to fill the streets, and Washington’s rhetoric is sharpening — all adding to an increasingly volatile situation. Iran Warns US and Israel: “You Will Be Legitimate Targets” Iran’s parliament speaker Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf delivered a blunt message on Sunday, warning that any US…

Governments are under increasing pressure to confront the role of extreme wealth in driving the climate crisis. Campaigners are urging world leaders to ban high-polluting luxury goods and introduce tougher taxes on fossil fuel profits, arguing that these steps are essential if climate targets are to be met. New research from Oxfam paints a stark picture of carbon inequality. The richest one per cent of people on Earth had already consumed their entire annual carbon budget just ten days into 2026. That point marks when emissions surpass levels compatible with keeping global warming below 1.5°C, a milestone activists refer to…

The United States has seized another oil tanker in the Caribbean, escalating its crackdown on vessels accused of secretly transporting Venezuelan oil in violation of U.S. sanctions. The ship, named Olina, is the fifth tanker intercepted in recent weeks as Washington ramps up its naval presence around Venezuela. A Pre-Dawn Interception at Sea U.S. forces boarded the Olina early Friday during a coordinated operation involving the Coast Guard, Navy, and Marines operating under U.S. Southern Command. Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem described the vessel as part of a so-called “ghost fleet” — tankers that allegedly mask their identities and disable…

Fresh demonstrations swept through Iran’s capital on Thursday night after an appeal from exiled crown prince Reza Pahlavi, marking a sharp escalation in a protest movement that has been building for weeks across the country. Streets Erupt as Communications Go Dark As the clock struck 8 p.m., residents across Tehran poured into the streets or shouted from their rooftops, chanting slogans such as “Death to the dictator!” and “Death to the Islamic Republic!” Witnesses described thousands gathering in neighbourhoods throughout the city, with some also voicing support for the former monarchy. Almost immediately after the protests began, internet access and…

The White House has said that using the US military is “always an option” as President Donald Trump renews his controversial push to bring Greenland under American control, citing national security concerns in the rapidly warming Arctic. Greenland, a vast, mineral-rich island northeast of Canada, has long been strategically important to North American defence. More than two-thirds of its territory lies within the Arctic Circle, a location that has drawn increasing attention as global powers compete for influence in the region. Trump Renews Calls for US Control Trump first floated the idea of purchasing Greenland during his initial term in…