Author: Rachel Maddow

The Armenia Azerbaijan Paris Talks have been described as helpful, sincere, and constructive following a high-level meeting in France. The discussions brought together the leaders of Armenia, Azerbaijan, and France to address key regional issues. Edward Nalbandian shared this assessment during a briefing after the meeting. He said the talks focused on ways to move forward in resolving the long-standing Nagorno-Karabakh conflict. According to Nalbandian, many important topics were discussed. These included steps that could help improve trust and create better conditions for future negotiations. He said Armenia supports the approach of the OSCE Minsk Group co-chairs, who believe confidence-building…

Airbus has secured a major Airbus China Aircraft Deal worth about US$21.4 billion, strengthening its position in one of the world’s most important aviation markets. The order comes from China Southern Airlines and its subsidiary Xiamen Airlines. It includes a total of 137 A320neo aircraft. The deal highlights strong demand for short-haul passenger jets in China and reinforces Airbus’s dominance in the region. China Southern Airlines will receive 102 aircraft, while Xiamen Airlines will take 35 aircraft. The A320neo model is widely used by airlines for its fuel efficiency and lower operating costs. Although the official value of the contract…

Israeli Airstrikes Target Iranian Defences The Israeli military says it carried out a broad attack on defence systems in western Iran early Saturday, following joint US-Israeli airstrikes. The operations mark a significant escalation after weeks of heightened tensions over Iran’s nuclear programme. Iran Hits Back Across the Gulf In response, Iran launched retaliatory strikes on American military sites throughout the Gulf region, sparing only Oman. US President Donald Trump framed the strikes as addressing long-standing grievances dating back to 1979, and urged Iranians to eventually rise up against their government. Global Concerns and Travel Disruptions World leaders, including UN Secretary-General…

Sudden Escalation After Months of Calm After several months of relative calm, violence along the 2,600-kilometre mountainous border between Pakistan and Afghanistan has sharply intensified. Early Friday, Pakistan launched airstrikes on Kabul and other cities, declaring “open war” following Taliban attacks on its border posts. 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 military installations in Kabul and Kandahar, where Taliban leader Hibatullah Akhundzada resides. The Taliban confirmed strikes on three provinces and reported retaliatory attacks…

De Niro Voices Alarm Over Trump Oscar-winning actor Robert De Niro has openly warned that Donald Trump “will never leave” office, urging Americans to act. Speaking on MS NOW and at a National Press Club event called “State of the Swamp,” De Niro said he felt “betrayed by my country,” calling out what he described as a government run by “a handful of dishonest and greedy and cruel authoritarians.” Trump Responds With Social Media Attack Trump reacted angrily on Truth Social, targeting De Niro and Democratic Representatives Ilhan Omar and Rashida Tlaib, calling them “lunatics” and suggesting deportation. He labeled…

Renewed Nuclear Vision for Europe President Emmanuel Macron is set to unveil plans to expand France’s nuclear deterrent to support European partners, emphasizing that this initiative would complement, not compete with, the US security umbrella. Speaking from the Île Longue peninsula — home to France’s four nuclear-powered ballistic missile submarines — Macron will deliver his first major address on the subject since 2020, when he first suggested involving willing European countries in exercises linked to French nuclear forces. A source close to the president described the upcoming speech as “an important moment” in Macron’s term, signaling potential shifts in Europe’s…

UN Submission Sparks Tensions Kuwait and Iraq are locked in a fresh dispute over sea borders after Baghdad submitted new coordinates and a map to the United Nations, claiming waters that Kuwait considers its own, including the Fasht al-Qaid and Fasht al-Aij shoals. Gulf Arab countries have expressed strong support for Kuwait, underscoring the strategic importance of northern Gulf waterways and offshore resources. Regional Allies Call for Dialogue Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Bahrain, and Oman have all backed Kuwait, urging respect for international law. Egypt also called for diplomatic negotiations, emphasizing adherence to existing agreements to preserve…

Legal Uncertainty Halts Progress European Parliament negotiators have suspended the EU-US trade agreement after last week’s US Supreme Court decision questioned the legality of key tariffs imposed in 2025. In response, President Donald Trump announced fresh 15% duties on imports, complicating the path forward. German MEP Bernd Lange basis has totally changed” and emphasized the need for clear assurances from Washington before resuming the deal. Parliament Seeks Stability Before Voting The pact, brokered in July 2025 by European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and Trump, was already controversial in Europe for favoring the US. While it locks in 15%…

Budapest Blocks Sanctions Until Pipeline Restored Hungary has announced it will block the EU’s 20th sanctions package against Russia until Ukraine resumes oil deliveries through the Druzhba pipeline, damaged in a Russian strike. Prime Minister Viktor Orbán told a meeting of the Energy Security Council that the EU would also withhold approval for the €90 billion war loan to Ukraine while supplies remain halted. Foreign Minister Péter Szijjártó confirmed the sanctions package, scheduled for discussion by EU foreign ministers, will not be supported until pipeline repairs are completed. Energy Exports and Regional Tensions The council also addressed electricity supplies to…

Immediate Action on Trade US President Donald Trump announced an immediate increase in global tariffs from 10% to 15%, a day after the Supreme Court struck down his previous use of emergency powers to impose broad import taxes. Trump criticized the court’s 6–3 ruling as “poorly written and extraordinarily anti-American” but said other legal avenues exist to continue defending US trade interests. Legal Limits and Alternative Measures The Supreme Court ruled that the Constitution grants Congress—not the president—the authority to levy taxes, including tariffs. While this limits Trump’s use of the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA), the administration plans…