Author: Rachel Maddow

Massive destruction across the Gaza Strip has made it nearly impossible for Hamas to recover the bodies of remaining Israeli hostages buried under rubble. On Saturday, the first Egyptian convoy carrying bulldozers and excavators entered Gaza to assist in the search. Under the U.S.-brokered ceasefire, Israel agreed to return 15 Palestinian bodies for every Israeli hostage’s body. So far, Israel has handed over 195 Palestinian bodies, 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 all bodies are returned within…

The Louvre secretly transferred part of its jewelry collection to the Bank of France vaults on Friday following last week’s audacious robbery. French radio network RTL reported that the move served as a precaution to prevent further thefts. Police escorted the operation as museum staff discreetly removed the pieces, including the famed “Crown Jewels” from the Apollo Gallery and other valuable items. The Bank of France vault, located 27 meters below its Paris headquarters, also stores 90% of the nation’s gold reserves. The transfer followed public outrage after the museum confirmed the theft of several historic jewels, forcing officials to…

The U.S. military ordered the USS Gerald R. Ford to move toward South American waters in a significant show of strength. The Pentagon confirmed the deployment on Friday as part of an expanding buildup in the Caribbean and off Venezuela’s coast. Secretary of War Pete Hegseth directed the carrier and its strike group to operate under U.S. Southern Command. Pentagon spokesman Sean Parnell said the mission will detect, monitor, and dismantle criminal networks that threaten American security and prosperity. The USS Gerald R. Ford currently operates in the Mediterranean alongside five destroyers. The move signals a major escalation of U.S.…

Lithuania reported that two Russian military aircraft entered its airspace on Thursday for about 18 seconds. The Lithuanian military identified the aircraft as an Su-30 fighter jet and an Il-78 refuelling plane. Officials believe both aircraft conducted refuelling training when they crossed into Lithuania from Russia’s Kaliningrad region around 1600 CET. Spanish Eurofighter Typhoon jets from NATO’s Baltic Air Police immediately scrambled and began patrolling the region. Lithuanian President Gitanas Nausėda denounced the intrusion on X, calling it a blatant violation of international law and national sovereignty. He strongly condemned the act in a video statement, declaring that Lithuania must…

Meta, the parent company of Facebook and Instagram, is eliminating 600 positions in its AI division, US media reported. The company confirmed the move on Wednesday, stating it will continue hiring for its superintelligence lab while executing these layoffs. Axios revealed that the cuts will hit Meta’s Fundamental AI Research (FAIR) group, along with its product-related AI and infrastructure teams. However, Meta’s newer TBD Lab will remain untouched. Impact on Teams and Employee Transition Chief AI officer Alexandr Wang informed staff about the changes in a memo. He urged affected workers to apply for other internal positions, expecting most to…

European stocks rebounded on Tuesday morning as investors cautiously returned after recent weakness. Equity indexes across the continent opened higher while Asian markets continued to advance and U.S. futures slipped slightly. By midday, Milan’s stock market led gains, rising 0.80%. UniCredit, Intesa Sanpaolo, energy giant Eni, and defence firm Leonardo all strengthened. German defence shares also rose, but the DAX index still dipped 0.13%. TKMS, the German shipbuilder that went public Monday, jumped 6.28% on its second day of trading in Frankfurt after debuting at €60 per share. Rheinmetall AG rose 0.48%, while BAE Systems in London dropped 0.91%. European…

Afghanistan and Pakistan agreed to resume talks in Qatar to create lasting peace conditions. The decision followed a week of cross-border clashes that killed dozens. Qatari mediators confirmed both sides accepted an immediate ceasefire after meetings in Doha. Qatar’s Foreign Ministry announced the truce and promised further negotiations to ensure stability. Turkish envoys also played a role in securing the agreement. Both nations plan to meet again soon to maintain peace and prevent new hostilities. Deadly Exchanges and Rising Hostilities Violence surged between Afghanistan and Pakistan earlier this month as each blamed the other for aggression. Afghan officials denied sheltering…

Americans filled streets across the country on Saturday, rallying against President Donald Trump’s leadership in nationwide “No Kings” demonstrations. Organisers coordinated over 2,600 rallies in cities including Washington, New York, Chicago, and Boston, drawing thousands of protesters. Crowds packed Times Square before noon, chanting “Trump must go now!” and waving signs condemning his immigration policies. Demonstrators displayed messages such as “Resist Fascism” and “Nothing is more patriotic than protesting.” The rallies had the feel of a street festival — complete with marching bands, frog-costumed activists, and a giant “We The People” banner for participants to sign. The frog costume, first…

A panel led by Garrick Ohlsson selected 11 performers to compete in the final round of the 19th International Fryderyk Chopin Piano Competition. Poland’s Piotr Alexewicz remains the country’s only representative in the finale, keeping national hopes alive. Music enthusiasts around the world now know the full list of contenders for one of classical music’s most renowned competitions, held in Warsaw. Founded in 1927, the event ranks among the world’s most respected piano contests, dedicated solely to the music of Fryderyk Chopin. Each performer must showcase mastery of Chopin’s style, technique, and emotional depth to earn the ultimate recognition. Global…

A Norwegian court in Oslo convicted a 28-year-old former security guard of spying for Russia and Iran. The court sentenced him to three years and seven months in prison for multiple espionage-related offenses. Prosecutors said the man handed over information about US Embassy diplomats, building layouts, and security procedures, according to Norwegian state broadcaster NRK. They reported that his anger over US-Israel ties and the war in Gaza motivated him to contact Russian and Iranian officials. The defendant admitted to the facts in the indictment but denied criminal intent. He insisted that his actions did not endanger national security or…