Author: Rachel Maddow

The European Commission launches infringement proceedings against Italy for using the golden power rule to block UniCredit’s Banco BPM takeover.The Commission warns that Italy’s rule allows government intervention in banking deals, potentially violating free establishment and capital movement rights.Officials argue that the regulation overlaps with the European Central Bank’s supervisory authority under the Single Supervisory Mechanism.Italy now has two months to respond and correct the issues identified by Brussels. Italy Signals Response Economy Minister Giancarlo Giorgetti confirms Italy will address the Commission’s objections through official channels.He promises a cooperative regulatory proposal to clarify powers and resolve conflicts with EU rules.Giorgetti…

A Thursday morning blackout left tens of thousands of homes in Paris and Hauts-de-Seine without electricity.French media reported that the outage initially affected 55,000 households before dropping to a few thousand.The power cut also disabled traffic lights, streetlights, and halted some metro and suburban train services.Commuters and residents faced disruption as authorities scrambled to manage transport and road safety. Technical Fault at Substation Enedis reported the blackout lasted about five minutes, but a couple thousand homes remain without power.The operator said a technical failure at the RTE substation in Issy-les-Moulineaux caused the disruption.RTE manages France’s high-voltage electricity network, controlling power…

Anti-capitalists, climate campaigners, women’s rights groups and anti-migrant organisations plan protests.They aim to highlight South Africa’s poverty and inequality.Police and army staged a parade on Wednesday with helicopters, K-9 units and motorcycle officers to show force.Authorities deployed 3,500 additional officers and placed the army on standby under the National Joint Operational and Intelligence Structure.Lieutenant General Tebello Mosikili said officials expect protests in Johannesburg and other major cities.She confirmed authorities will allow demonstrations within legal limits.Police assigned specific areas for protesters near the summit venue, beside the country’s largest soccer stadium.Airports Company South Africa created “speakers’ corners” in airports and security…

Expanding Dukovany and Temelín Reactors Czechia plans to generate up to 60 percent of electricity from nuclear energy by 2050. Workers are building two new reactors at Dukovany, where eight giant cooling towers already dominate the site. Mobile drilling rigs dig 140 meters underground to confirm geological safety for the $19 billion project. Officials expect this expansion to at least double the country’s nuclear output and solidify its place among Europe’s most nuclear-dependent nations. South Korea’s KHNP won the tender over France’s EDF to construct the new plant. Each reactor will generate more than 1,000 megawatts and start operations in…

Thousands of young people marched across Mexico on Saturday, demanding an end to corruption, violence, and government neglect. The protest in Mexico City escalated at the Zócalo, injuring 20 civilians and over 100 police officers, and resulted in about 20 arrests. Generation Z coordinated demonstrations in 52 Mexican cities and internationally, including the United States, Canada, Germany, and the Netherlands. The movement gained momentum after the 1 November assassination of Uruapan mayor Carlos Manzo, who had repeatedly urged authorities to confront organized crime in Michoacán. His death became the catalyst for youth anger and nationwide mobilization. The protest drew students,…

Activists described climate change impacts in their home countries and called for youth representation in UN negotiations. Thousands of protesters gathered at the gates of the COP30 climate conference in Belem, Brazil, peacefully blocking the venue. Brazilian youth groups, Indigenous communities, and activists marched together to demand urgent climate action. Fridays for Future members insisted that young people deserve a seat at the negotiation table. Rachelle Junsay from Climate Action Philippines said youth frustration stems from inheriting a damaged planet while decision-makers discuss solutions in air-conditioned rooms, excluding affected communities. Demonstrations Return After Three-Year Hiatus Protesters demonstrated outside UN climate…

Russian forces launched a large-scale attack on Kyiv, killing four and injuring 27. Fires broke out, and buildings suffered extensive damage. Mayor Vitali Klitschko reported rescue teams could not yet retrieve two bodies from the rubble, as authorities continue gathering details about the victims. Emergency crews treated at least 27 injured people across multiple districts. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy condemned the strikes, calling them a deliberate attack on civilians and infrastructure. Weapons and Casualties Zelenskyy detailed the assault, stating Russia used 430 drones and 18 missiles, including ballistic and aeroballistic types. Powerful explosions shook the city as air defenses activated.…

The Audit Office of Cyprus found serious gaps in water management amid climate change and rising scarcity. Officials warned that the Water Development Department (DWD) must oversee resources carefully to protect the nation’s supply. Monitoring and Billing Gaps Threaten Accuracy Auditors discovered weak metering, inaccurate billing, and incomplete documentation. Inspectors found that two key intake points, supplying 64% of Nicosia’s water, lacked regular checks. The DWD could not access Limassol meters or Larnaca’s telemetry system, leaving invoicing uncertain. Officials noticed unexplained discrepancies in readings but did not investigate. The Water Billing System also had flaws in data protection and access…

A car exploded near New Delhi’s Red Fort on Monday, killing at least eight people and injuring several others. The blast ignited a fire that destroyed nearby parked vehicles. Police and emergency teams quickly cordoned off the area. Firefighters and Rescue Teams Respond Fire services dispatched multiple engines after the explosion near a Red Fort metro station gate. Firefighters battled flames spreading across parked cars. Rescue personnel helped the injured and cleared civilians from the danger zone. Witnesses Describe the Scene Local residents reported hearing a “window-shattering sound” before seeing flames engulf multiple vehicles. Police spokesman Sanjay Tyagi confirmed casualties…

The New‑York Historical Society has reached a milestone in its $175 million expansion, completing the top‑out of its new wing. The addition will feature the first permanent home of the future American LGBTQ+ Museum, along with expanded gallery spaces for a range of exhibits. This development signals a growing commitment to inclusivity and cultural diversity in the U.S. museum sector. Experts say the project reflects a broader trend where institutions adapt to represent a wider spectrum of narratives and communities. The new wing is designed to provide immersive experiences for visitors, highlighting both historical and contemporary stories. The American LGBTQ+ Museum…