Author: Rachel Maddow

Thousands of students had gathered under clear skies at a Utah college to hear Charlie Kirk speak, a leading figure in conservative campus politics. The 31-year-old activist, known for his provocative style, was discussing politics and debating opponents when tragedy struck. In an instant, a gunshot shattered the calm. Kirk was hit in the neck and mortally wounded. The moments were captured on cameras, leaving graphic images that are difficult to forget. For many young conservatives, Kirk had been a hero, and now he may be seen as a martyr. Kirk had often warned about threats from critics, yet he…

Eyewitnesses reported that Charlie Kirk, 31, suffered a gunshot to the neck during a Turning Point USA event at Utah Valley University. Videos show Kirk speaking into a microphone under a white tent marked “The American Comeback” and “Prove Me Wrong” when a single shot rang out. Attendees rushed Kirk from the stage, and blood poured from the left side of his neck as he was taken for medical treatment. Trump Announces Death and Offers Condolences US President Donald Trump confirmed Kirk’s death on Wednesday, calling him “great, and even legendary” on his Truth Social platform. Trump said, “No one…

Israeli jets struck senior Hamas officials in Doha on Tuesday, expanding their campaign under “Summit of Fire.” Netanyahu’s office said Israel independently planned and executed the strike and assumes full responsibility for the attack. Eyewitnesses reported multiple explosions and saw smoke rising over the Katara district in northern Doha. Unclear Casualties and Condemnation Initial unconfirmed reports said four Hamas Political Bureau members were killed or missing after the strike. Qatari officials confirmed no deaths so far but said the attack hit residences housing Hamas leaders. The Qatari Foreign Ministry condemned the strike, calling it reckless, and launched top-level investigations immediately.…

French authorities have charged anaesthetist Frédéric Péchier with poisoning 30 patients, resulting in 12 deaths at Besançon clinics between 2008 and 2017. Officials investigated Péchier after Sandra Simard suffered cardiac arrest during routine surgery in January 2017. They found a lethal potassium dose in her anaesthesia bag. Prosecutors Claim Deliberate Medical Sabotage Prosecutors allege Péchier contaminated infusion pouches to harm colleagues professionally, then assisted in resuscitations, claiming he “always had a solution.” Péchier denies all allegations. His victims ranged from 4 to 89 years old. His defense insists he will prove his innocence. Trial Highlights Technical and Legal Challenges Lawyers…

US President Donald Trump warned Hamas on Sunday to accept a US-brokered ceasefire that Israel reportedly approved. He posted on Truth Social, “Everyone wants the Hostages HOME. Everyone wants this War to end! This is my last warning. There will not be another one.” US Sends Ceasefire Proposal US Special Envoy Steven Witkoff reportedly delivered the proposal to Hamas on Sunday. The deal offers US support to end Israel’s military actions if Hamas releases all hostages immediately. In return, Israel would free up to 3,000 Palestinian prisoners. Hostages and Growing Pressure Officials report 48 hostages remain in Gaza, though only…

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy rejected Vladimir Putin’s proposal to meet in Moscow, calling it unrealistic and insincere. Zelenskyy told ABC News he cannot travel to “the capital of this terrorist” while Ukraine faces daily missile strikes. He invited Putin to come to Kyiv instead. U.S. Pushes for Direct Talks President Donald Trump urged face-to-face negotiations between the Ukrainian and Russian leaders, highlighting this goal during his Alaska summit with Putin. Trump said Putin and Zelenskyy would meet after Zelenskyy visits Washington and speaks with European leaders. Moscow added conditions and increased attacks on Ukrainian cities, delaying progress. This week, Putin…

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 a narrow, steep hill road. Its roof and sides appeared partially crumpled as dozens of emergency workers rushed to the scene. Local media reported the accident happened around 6 pm, at the start of the evening rush hour. Authorities have not yet identified the cause of the derailment. President Condemns Tragedy President Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa offered condolences to victims’ families and all affected by the crash. Glória Funicular Serves Residents The…

Villagers in Dupnitsa reported seeing a black panther, prompting a police investigation and sparking social media jokes. A resident filmed a dark animal he believes could be the dangerous feline, showing it moving through tall grass. Mayor Desislav Nachov visited the filming site with police to inspect the area. Authorities are questioning the witness who recorded the footage for Euronews. Nachov said police have not decided whether to open an emergency search headquarters. He added the witness described the animal as resembling a large dog. Dupnitsa lies roughly 66 kilometres south of Sofia and near the Serbian border, over 430…

OpenAI introduced parental controls for ChatGPT after the parents of 16-year-old Adam Raine filed a lawsuit. Raine died by suicide in April. His parents claimed ChatGPT created a psychological dependency and guided his actions. They alleged the chatbot helped Adam plan his death and even drafted a suicide note. Features of the new controls OpenAI said parents can link their accounts with their children’s to manage accessible features. The controls cover chat history and memory, which stores user facts automatically retained by ChatGPT. The system will notify parents if it detects “acute distress” in their teen, guided by expert advice.…

Researchers confirmed Yersinia pestis, later behind the Black Death, caused the Justinian Plague 1,500 years ago. They traced the bacterium to its epicentre for the first time, solving a centuries-old mystery. Experts found Yersinia pestis in a mass grave beneath Jerash’s ruins in Jordan, providing direct biological proof. Lead author Rays HY Jiang said the discovery offers the first genetic evidence of the pandemic’s spread. How the Plague Spread Across the Empire The Justinian Plague began in 541 CE, sweeping through the Byzantine Empire and eastern Mediterranean. Historians estimate it killed between 15 and 100 million people over two centuries…