Author: Rachel Maddow

The UN climate summit failed to produce a clear plan to phase out fossil fuels, leaving the EU increasingly isolated as global climate ambition fades. COP30 in Belém ended with a final text that contained no roadmap, prompting critics to call it a moral failure and an empty deal. The United States’ withdrawal from climate negotiations created both a political and financial void, with President Donald Trump dismissing climate change as a “con job.” Countries heavily reliant on fossil-fuel revenue, including Saudi Arabia and the UAE, opposed any targets or timelines for phasing out fossil fuels. One day before COP30…

Astronomers studied ancient lunar and terrestrial rocks to trace the origin of the vanished planet Theia.They suggest Theia, which helped form the Moon, may have formed much closer to the Sun than thought.Scientists believe Theia collided with early Earth about 4.5 billion years ago, creating debris that became the Moon.The giant impact theory has guided understanding of the Moon’s formation since Apollo samples arrived over fifty years ago.Theia disappeared billions of years ago, leaving no direct chemical evidence and obscuring its composition and origin.Researchers in France, Germany, and the United States now reconstruct Theia’s history using isotopic analysis.Jake Foster of…

US President Donald Trump met New York City Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani on Friday in a surprisingly friendly Oval Office encounter.Trump previously called Mamdani a “100% Communist Lunatic” and a “total nut job.”Mamdani had labeled Trump’s administration “authoritarian” and declared himself “Trump’s worst nightmare.”Despite their combative history, both leaders focused on common goals instead of political differences.Trump praised Mamdani as someone who could surprise conservative voters.Mamdani stood beside Trump, emphasizing shared intentions to support New Yorkers rather than stoke conflicts.The meeting offered mutual political benefits: Mamdani gained national exposure, and Trump highlighted affordability concerns.Trump stressed they would work together to create…

The European Commission opens infringement proceedings against Italy over its golden power rule blocking UniCredit’s Banco BPM takeover.Officials warn the regulation lets the government review, halt, or impose conditions on corporate banking transactions.The Commission says the rule risks unjustified interference, undermining free establishment and capital movement in the single market.EU officials note that the Italian law overlaps with the European Central Bank’s supervisory authority under the Single Supervisory Mechanism.Italy has two months to respond and address the Commission’s concerns. Italy Promises Regulatory Response Economy minister Giancarlo Giorgetti acknowledges the Commission’s objections and pledges a formal response through proper channels.He promises…

A Thursday morning outage cut electricity to tens of thousands of homes across Paris and Hauts-de-Seine.French media reported the blackout initially affected 55,000 households, later dropping to a few thousand.The outage also disabled traffic lights and streetlights, disrupting local road traffic and public safety.Metro and suburban train services halted temporarily, leaving commuters stranded across the region. Technical Failure Behind Outage Enedis, the electricity grid operator, said the blackout lasted about five minutes.The company identified a technical incident at the RTE substation in Issy-les-Moulineaux as the cause.RTE oversees high-voltage electricity transmissions across France and manages large-scale power distribution.Technicians acted quickly to…

Anti-capitalists, climate activists, women’s rights advocates, and anti-migrant groups plan demonstrations, highlighting South Africa’s poverty and inequality.Police and army displayed force on Wednesday with helicopters, K-9 units, and motorcycle officers before weekend G20 protests in Johannesburg.Authorities deployed 3,500 additional police officers and placed the army on standby under the National Joint Operational and Intelligence Structure.This body coordinates police, army, and intelligence agencies to secure major national events.Lieutenant General Tebello Mosikili told reporters that officials expect protests in Johannesburg and other major cities.She said authorities will allow protests but enforce strict legal limits.Police assigned designated areas near the summit venue, beside…

Expanding Capacity at Dukovany and Temelín Czechia plans to generate up to 60 percent of its electricity from nuclear power by 2050. Engineers oversee construction of two new reactors at Dukovany while eight cooling towers dominate the skyline. Mobile drilling rigs extract geological samples 140 meters underground to ensure the $19 billion project meets safety and stability standards. South Korea’s KHNP won the contract over France’s EDF to build two 1,000-megawatt reactors. They will start operating in the late 2030s and join Dukovany’s four 512-MW units from the 1980s. Officials can also add two reactors at Temelín, which currently has…

Thousands of young people filled Mexico City streets on Saturday, protesting corruption, violence, and government inaction. The demonstrations spread across 52 Mexican cities and several international locations, including the United States, Canada, Germany, and the Netherlands. The march ended in the Zócalo with violent clashes, injuring 20 civilians and over 100 police officers, and resulting in roughly 20 arrests. The movement ignited after the 1 November assassination of Uruapan mayor Carlos Manzo, who had repeatedly urged the federal government to combat organized crime in Michoacán. His death became a symbol for youth disillusioned with a system that ignores citizens’ demands.…

Activists highlighted climate impacts in their home countries and pushed for youth voices in UN negotiations. Thousands of protesters gathered outside the COP30 climate conference in Belem, Brazil, blocking the venue in a peaceful demonstration. Brazilian youth groups, activists, and Indigenous communities marched together to demand urgent climate action. Rachelle Junsay from Climate Action Philippines said youth inherit the planet, and exclusion from talks frustrates them. She criticized negotiators for ignoring communities directly affected by climate change. Public Demonstrations Resume After Three Years Protesters returned to demonstrate outside the UN climate talks for the first time since 2021. Organizers promoted…

The Zenos Health Summit in Riyadh gathered leading innovators shaping the international wellness and longevity field. Speakers included Mark Hyman, Darshan Shah, Jessica Shepherd, and Alejandro Bataller, who shared insights with global audiences. International media increasingly highlight one idea: preventive care and longevity now define a new approach to life, not a passing trend. Saudi Arabia continues to reshape healthcare through Vision 2030, launched by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. Leaders integrate holistic practices, AI-driven medical tools, and preventive strategies to elevate worldwide health standards and longevity research. The Kingdom’s ambitions mirror the founding goals of the new World Health…