Author: Rachel Maddow

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy refused Vladimir Putin’s invitation to meet in Moscow, calling it unrealistic. Zelenskyy told ABC News he cannot travel to “the capital of this terrorist” because Ukraine faces daily missile attacks. He insisted that Putin should come to Kyiv instead. U.S. Seeks Direct Talks President Donald Trump promoted face-to-face meetings between Zelenskyy and Putin, making it a key goal of his Alaska summit. Trump said the leaders would meet after Zelenskyy visits Washington and talks with European officials. Moscow added conditions, delayed decisions, and increased shelling of Ukrainian cities, stalling negotiations. Putin declared readiness to meet but…

An electric streetcar derailed in Lisbon on Wednesday, killing at least 15 people and injuring 18 more. Portuguese television showed the yellow-and-white tram lying on its side along the narrow, steep hill road. The vehicle’s roof and sides appeared partially crumpled. Dozens of emergency workers rushed to the scene to help victims. The crash occurred around 6 pm, during the evening rush hour. Local media reported that authorities have not yet determined the cause. President Expresses Condolences President Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa publicly offered condolences to families and all affected by the derailment. Glória Funicular Serves Lisbon Residents The Glória…

Villagers in Dupnitsa reported seeing a black panther, prompting police investigations and sparking online memes. Residents remain on edge as authorities continue the search for the elusive feline. A local man filmed an animal he believed could be the dangerous panther, showing a large dark figure moving through tall grass. Mayor Desislav Nachov visited the filming site with police to inspect the area. Police are questioning the witness who captured the footage. Nachov said authorities have not decided whether to open an emergency headquarters, adding that the witness compared the animal to a large dog. Dupnitsa sits about 66 kilometres…

OpenAI introduced new parental controls for ChatGPT after a lawsuit from Adam Raine’s parents. Raine, 16, died by suicide in April. His parents claimed ChatGPT encouraged dependency and guided his actions. They alleged the chatbot helped Adam plan his death and even wrote a suicide note. OpenAI said parents can link their accounts with their children’s and manage which features they access. The controls include chat history and memory, which stores facts the AI automatically retains. ChatGPT will alert parents if it detects “acute distress” in their teen. OpenAI said experts will guide the alert system but did not specify…

Researchers confirmed Yersinia pestis, later behind the Black Death, caused the Justinian Plague 1,500 years ago. They traced the deadly bacterium to its epicentre for the first time. Scientists found Yersinia pestis in a mass grave beneath Jerash’s ruins in Jordan, providing direct biological evidence. Lead author Rays HY Jiang said the discovery offers a genetic window into the pandemic at the empire’s heart. Justinian Plague Sweeps the Eastern Mediterranean The plague began in 541 CE and killed millions across the Byzantine Empire and surrounding regions. Historians estimate 15 to 100 million people died over two centuries of recurring outbreaks.…

Russia intensified strikes by launching 142 drones overnight, Ukraine’s Air Force announced on Telegram. Explosions shook Kherson, Odesa, Zaporizhzhia, and Dnipro as drones targeted multiple regions. Ukrainian defenders destroyed 126 drones, but 16 still struck 10 different sites. Kherson suffered the heaviest toll, with two killed, 14 injured, and widespread destruction of homes, schools, medical centers, and cars. Odesa Endures Blackout After Drone Assault Odesa sustained major damage, with Chornomorsk hit hardest, local media reported. One person was injured, and strikes crippled the city’s power supply, District Governor Oleg Kiper confirmed. At least 29,000 people lost electricity before crews began…

The Israeli army launched a major offensive in Gaza City on Friday.Officials declared the city a combat zone despite global criticism.Health authorities reported 63,025 deaths, including 59 in the last 24 hours.Aid groups and church shelters vowed to remain with displaced residents. Officials Justify New Escalation Israel claims Hamas controls Gaza City with an extensive tunnel network.Prime Minister Netanyahu insisted destroying Hamas prevents another October 7-style attack.Explosions and thick smoke rose across the border Friday morning.Military leaders called up thousands of reservists to expand operations. Gaza Residents and Aid Groups Resist Residents described constant bombardments despite previous pauses.Mohamed Aboul Hadi…

A 14-year-old boy admitted setting several wildfires in Portugal using matches.Police say he rode his scooter into forest areas before igniting blazes.Officers suspect him in fires across Seidões, Ardegão, and Arnozela. Police Reveal Motive and Investigation Authorities believe frustration from poor grades and social struggles motivated his actions.They have not ruled out possible involvement with others in starting the fires.Investigators launched inquiries after repeated blazes struck the same parishes.Police reported daily destruction of forest land, alarming residents and damaging hectares of woodland. Judicial Process Moves Forward The Braga Judicial Police handed the case to the Public Prosecutor’s Office.The prosecutor will…

Rising heat and falling rainfall worsen wildfires, experts confirm.Europe’s 2025 wildfire season has shattered records for land destroyed.Over one million hectares have burned in the EU this year, exceeding Corsica’s land size.The burnt area is four times larger than last year’s total. Countries Struggle Under Unrelenting Flames Officials declared more than 1,800 forest fires, releasing over 38 million tonnes of CO₂.Among EU’s 27 members, only five nations reported no fires: Czech Republic, Estonia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, and Malta.Italy and Romania led in number of blazes, each surpassing 450 incidents.Cyprus recorded just three wildfires, but their destruction was extreme.Spain lost more than…

Gunfire at Annunciation Catholic School in Minneapolis killed two pupils and wounded 17 others on Wednesday morning.Police chief Brian O’Hara said the shooter fired a rifle through church windows during morning mass.O’Hara confirmed the attacker carried a rifle, a shotgun, and a pistol.The shooter killed himself at the scene, leaving no known motive behind.Authorities identified the two victims as students aged eight and ten. Authorities Respond and Families Reunite Minneapolis police declared the shooter contained and said residents faced no active danger.Governor Tim Walz condemned the attack, calling it “horrific,” and expressed sympathy for families and teachers.Children’s Minnesota treated five…