Author: Rachel Maddow

Zhimin Qian, 47, tricked over 128,000 people in China and tried to hide stolen cryptocurrency in the UK.UK courts convicted Qian of leading a Bitcoin scam connected to the world’s largest crypto seizure, worth £5.5 billion.Also called Yadi Zhang, Qian admitted at Southwark Crown Court to unlawfully acquiring and holding cryptocurrency. Escape and Laundering Efforts Police said her guilty plea followed a seven-year international money laundering investigation.From 2014 to 2017, Qian ran a huge fraud in China, converting victims’ money into Bitcoin assets.She fled China using fake documents and entered the UK, attempting to launder the funds by buying property…

Researchers tested VER-01, a cannabis-derived extract, on adults suffering persistent lower back pain. Patients reported meaningful pain relief over several months. Scientists developed VER-01 to reduce pain without causing addiction or severe side effects. Chronic lower back pain affects around 619 million people globally, making it the leading cause of disability. Traditional treatments like opioids carry high addiction risks, while NSAIDs, including ibuprofen, can harm the heart and digestive system. Many patients struggle to find effective alternatives, highlighting a critical need for safer therapies. Clinical Trial Shows Measurable Benefits The study enrolled 820 adults who failed to respond to non-opioid…

Germany will build Europe’s strongest conventional army, Chancellor Friedrich Merz declared in May. The government must address personnel shortages and rapidly equip troops with modern weaponry. Berlin plans a €83 billion procurement program, directing most orders to European manufacturers and only eight percent to the USA. Officials intend to complete 154 major defense projects between September 2025 and December 2026. Sipri data shows European NATO members doubled arms imports from 2020-2024, with Germany’s imports rising 334 percent, mostly from the US. Germany now promotes a “Buy European” approach to reduce dependency on American military systems. Risks of American Dependence US…

Tens of thousands of people marched through central Berlin on Saturday in support of Palestinians in Gaza. Protesters chanted “free, free Palestine” and demanded an end to Gaza’s humanitarian crisis caused by the Israel-Hamas conflict. Police deployed 1,800 officers to monitor the crowd, which started at Alexanderplatz and moved toward the Victory Column. Demonstrators urged Germany to stop sending weapons to Israel and called on the European Union to impose sanctions. Fifty organizations, including Amnesty International and Die Linke, organized the demonstration. Police dispersed one pro-Palestine protest in Kreuzberg for anti-Israel slogans. Counter-Protests and Tensions About 100 people rallied in…

Interpol coordinated a major operation across 14 African nations, arresting 260 people linked to online fraud and sextortion.The suspects built fake romantic relationships to extort money or blackmail victims with intimate images.Investigators identified over 1,400 victims who collectively lost nearly $2.8 million (€2.4 million) through these schemes.Cyril Gout, Interpol’s acting executive director of police services, reported rising cyber-enabled crimes across the continent. National Police Target Fraud Rings Ghanaian authorities detained 68 suspects who used fake identities, charged shipment fees, and secretly recorded victims for blackmail.Senegal police arrested 22 individuals who impersonated celebrities online, scamming over 100 people out of $34,000…

Rescue teams recovered five decomposed bodies 550 kilometers south of Tobruk in the Great Sand Sea.Authorities transported the remains to Tobruk, calling the incident part of the deadly “death journey.”Abreen, a local aid group, identified the victims as likely Sudanese and shared images from the operation. Migrants Face Deadly Journeys Migrants flee war and poverty in Africa and the Middle East, traveling overland or by sea through Libya.Drowning incidents near the coast occur often; 61 migrants died off Zuwara in December.In May, seven Sudanese migrants died after their vehicle broke down in the desert for 11 days. Europe Confronts Rising…

A drone launched from Yemen struck Eilat, injuring at least 22 people, local medics reported Wednesday.The Israeli military confirmed air defences failed to stop the drone before it hit the Red Sea city.Magen David Adom said two victims suffered serious injuries while the others had minor wounds. Authorities Warn Public to Avoid Site Police deployed bomb disposal teams to inspect the drone debris and check for explosives.Officials instructed residents to stay away and avoid handling any remnants at the crash location.The Israeli military urged civilians to follow Home Front Command safety guidelines posted on Telegram. Houthi Attacks and Regional Retaliation…

Donald Trump addressed the UN, claiming migration and climate policies endanger Europe’s heritage.He described immigration and climate measures as a “double-tailed monster” destroying nations.Trump warned, “If you don’t stop strangers, your countries will fail.”He criticized political correctness for weakening security and urged Europe to close borders.Trump accused the UN of facilitating mass migration into the United States.He demanded the organization stop invasions and halt funding for illegal entries. Trump Highlights Global Peace Achievements Trump announced he ended seven long-standing conflicts in the first seven months of his term.He cited disputes involving Armenia, Azerbaijan, Serbia, Kosovo, Israel, Iran, India, Pakistan, Egypt,…

European lawmakers, Nobel winners, and ex-leaders urged binding international rules to restrict AI’s most dangerous uses.They launched the campaign Monday at the UN’s 80th General Assembly in New York.The initiative calls for governments to set “red lines” by 2026, banning AI practices that threaten humanity.Signatories include Enrico Letta, Mary Robinson, MEPs Brando Benifei and Sergey Lagodinsky, ten Nobel laureates, and tech leaders.They warned that unregulated AI could produce pandemics, disinformation, human rights abuses, and loss of human control.Over 200 prominent individuals and 70 organisations from politics, science, and industry signed the appeal. Mental Health and AI Risks Researchers found chatbots…

President Trump publicly demanded that Attorney General Pam Bondi prosecute figures he calls his enemies.He named James Comey, Adam Schiff, and Letitia James, claiming they were “all guilty” and must face charges.Trump told reporters, “They have to act. They have to act fast.” Public Orders Break Justice Department Norms Trump’s social media posts represent a direct interference in prosecutorial decisions.The demand followed the firing of U.S. attorney Erik Siebert, who did not charge Comey or James.The president plans to nominate Lindsey Halligan, his personal legal team member, to Siebert’s former post.Halligan has never worked as a prosecutor. Pressure Extends to…