Author: Rachel Maddow

Court Limits Presidential Authority The US Supreme Court on Friday struck down Donald Trump’s sweeping global tariffs, ruling that the president overstepped his authority by invoking emergency powers. In a 6–3 decision, the justices emphasized that the Constitution clearly grants Congress — not the president — the power to levy taxes, including tariffs. Chief Justice John Roberts wrote that the Framers “did not vest any part of the taxing power in the Executive Branch.” Justices Samuel Alito, Clarence Thomas, and Brett Kavanaugh dissented, with Kavanaugh calling the tariffs “clearly lawful” despite questions of policy. Emergency Powers and Legal Challenges The…

Arrest and Property Searches Prince Andrew was taken into custody on Thursday as part of an investigation into alleged misconduct during his time serving as the United Kingdom’s trade envoy. Authorities confirmed that a man in his sixties had been arrested and remains in custody, while searches were carried out at properties in Berkshire and Norfolk. Although the initial police statement did not identify him by name, details surrounding the case made clear who was involved. Officers were seen outside the Sandringham estate in Norfolk earlier that morning, where Andrew has been residing since leaving Royal Lodge in Windsor. Police…

Preparing for ETS2 and Rising Energy Costs EU member states have agreed to strengthen a key mechanism designed to prevent sudden spikes in carbon prices, ahead of the introduction of a new carbon tax on cars, vans, and buildings in 2028. The updated system, part of the European Union’s emissions trading scheme (ETS2), aims to keep prices from jumping too high, helping households and businesses manage rising costs for heating and transport. Some countries, including Slovakia and the Czech Republic, have called for the tax to be postponed until 2030 due to concerns over its social impact. Meanwhile, Sweden, Denmark,…

Brussels Signals Readiness for Independent Action The European Union is preparing to implement a full ban on maritime services for Russian oil tankers, regardless of whether its G7 partners reach an agreement. Valdis Dombrovskis emphasized that while coordination with the G7 is preferable, it is not an “absolute precondition” for the EU to move forward. The 20th sanctions package is expected to be approved by 24 February, marking four years since Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine. If enacted, the EU ban would override the G7’s oil price cap of $44.10 per barrel, stopping European companies from servicing Russian tankers entirely,…

Strong Ties and Open Support U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio visited Budapest to deliver a clear message of support from former President Donald Trump to Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán ahead of Hungary’s April elections. Speaking alongside Orbán after the Munich Security Conference, Rubio praised the personal relationship Orbán has cultivated with Trump, calling it a cornerstone of the strong U.S.–Hungarian bond. Rubio highlighted the benefits of that relationship, including Hungary’s one-year exemption from U.S. sanctions on Russian oil imports last November. “It was because of that personal relationship. It’s because we want you to continue. After all, we…

Competing Visions: Is Europe in Need of Saving? At this year’s Munich Security Conference, world leaders clashed over the state of the West. U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio warned that the West faces a civilizational decline caused by poor policies on climate and migration and urged Europe to join the U.S. in defending shared values. He described America as a “child of Europe,” with its future tightly linked to the continent. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said she felt reassured by Rubio’s call for cooperation, while EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas rejected the idea that Europe…

Europe Must Be at the Negotiation Table Speaking at the Munich Security Conference, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy criticized the limited role of European leaders in U.S.-facilitated talks aimed at ending the war with Russia. He called it a “big mistake” and emphasized that any lasting peace must account for the security needs of the entire continent, not just Ukraine and Washington. Zelenskyy highlighted the upcoming trilateral talks with Russia and the U.S., noting that progress toward a ceasefire has been slow. He voiced frustration over discussions that seem disconnected and warned that focusing only on Ukrainian concessions while Russia faces…

The United Nations has established a 40-member international panel to study the risks and impacts of artificial intelligence (AI), a move hailed by the UN as a key step toward a global scientific understanding of the technology. The decision comes as former AI employees and leading tech figures raise alarms about potential dangers. A Global Panel to Study AI The Independent International Scientific Panel on Artificial Intelligence will produce annual reports analyzing AI’s risks, opportunities, and societal effects. UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres described the panel as a “foundational step” that gives all member states, regardless of technological resources, a voice…

NATO may be entering a new chapter, with European allies taking on a larger share of responsibility for their own defence. At a recent defence ministers’ meeting in Brussels, the US and Europe agreed that the alliance must adapt to survive, even if their reasons for change differ. Washington is looking to pivot attention toward other global regions, while European leaders want to reduce reliance on an unpredictable US administration. US Under Secretary of War Eldridge Colby outlined a vision he called “NATO 3.0,” emphasizing that Europe should provide most of the forces needed to deter and, if necessary, defeat…

A small community in northern British Columbia was left in shock on Tuesday after a shooting at Tumbler Ridge Secondary School left at least nine people dead. The suspected shooter was also found dead, and multiple others were injured, marking one of the most severe school attacks in Canada in decades. Tragedy at the School and Nearby Home Authorities said six victims were discovered inside the school, with another person dying while being transported to the hospital. The suspected gunman was found deceased at the scene, apparently from a self-inflicted injury. Police later reported finding two more victims at a…