Author: Rachel Maddow

Donald Trump actively campaigned for the Nobel Peace Prize and long sought international recognition. Experts expected him to win FIFA’s newly established peace award. FIFA presented Trump with the prize during the 2026 World Cup draw on Friday, adding a distinct Trump presence to the event. Spectators noted the ceremony highlighted his influence and global profile. Strong Connections Influence Recognition Trump maintains a close alliance with FIFA president Gianni Infantino, who publicly praised Trump’s Gaza ceasefire efforts. Infantino declared, “This is your prize, this is your peace prize.” He often described football as a global unifier, yet the award deviated…

Watches of Switzerland reported rising sales and profits even with US tariffs on Swiss goods hitting 39%.The company said demand for luxury watches and jewellery remains strong and resilient.Half-year results show Swiss watch sales in the US holding steady despite steep import costs, highlighting continued high-end demand. The UK-listed retailer, Britain’s largest seller of Rolex, Omega, and Cartier, recorded £845 million (€967mn) in revenue for the 26 weeks ending 26 October 2025.Revenue increased 10% at constant currency and 8% at reported rates.Adjusted earnings before interest and tax climbed 6% at constant currency to £69 million (€78.9mn), while statutory profit before…

The EU will ban Russian pipeline gas and LNG by late 2026 and mid-2027, with exceptions for Hungary and Slovakia.Landlocked states may access Russian supplies if emergencies occur, protecting them from shortfalls under the new law.Short-term LNG contracts signed before June 2025 will face a ban starting April 2026; pipeline gas contracts follow in June 2026.Long-term LNG contracts remain valid until January 2027, while long-term pipeline deals will end in September 2027, possibly extending to November.The EU accelerated these measures after Russia invaded Ukraine in February 2022, causing energy price surges across the bloc.Dependence on Russian gas fell from 45%…

Scientists discovered that daily orange juice alters how thousands of genes in immune cells function.Many affected genes regulate blood pressure, reduce inflammation, and control sugar metabolism, supporting long-term heart health.David C. Gaze explains that these changes improve vascular function, limit stress responses, and promote cardiovascular protection. Daily Consumption Lowers Inflammation and Blood Pressure Researchers asked adults to drink 500 ml of pasteurised orange juice daily for two months.After 60 days, stress-related genes such as NAMPT, IL6, IL1B, and NLRP3 showed reduced activity.The SGK1 gene, which controls kidney sodium retention, also decreased in activity.Orange juice relaxes blood vessels, reduces inflammation, and…

Bitcoin plunged on Monday, falling below €75,000 as the broader cryptocurrency market continued its sharp decline.Cryptocurrencies opened another month in the red, with Bitcoin losing more than 5% in early European trading.After peaking around €110,000 in early October, Bitcoin started a prolonged decline as the market faced heavy sell-offs.In November, Bitcoin lost over 16% of its value, briefly approaching €74,000.Ethereum and Solana also dropped more than 5%, continuing the downtrend that began in October.Bitcoin briefly showed signs of stabilising last month, but rebounds quickly faded and prices resumed their fall. Investor Risk Aversion Impacts Markets Other stocks also declined in…

Researchers identify more than 237 cyber operations targeting space infrastructure from 2023 to 2025.Cyber warfare now threatens satellites and communication networks, the report warns.Analysts tracked 237 attacks on the space sector between January 2023 and July 2025 during the Gaza conflict.The Center for Security Studies (CSS) at ETH Zürich compiled reports from social media, news outlets, and cybercrime forums.They documented assaults on Israeli space systems and international space agencies.June 2025 saw the sharpest increase in attacks, with 72 operations during Israel-Iran tensions.Clémence Poirier, the report’s author, says this surge accounts for nearly one-third of all incidents.The study compares these trends…

Ukraine struck two Russian-linked oil tankers hours before drones hit Novorossiysk terminal.Sea drones attacked the Caspian Pipeline Consortium’s terminal around 4AM, local media reported.Russia halted operations at one of its largest oil terminals after the overnight assault. Rapid Rescue Efforts Save Tanker Crews Coast guard and rescue units pulled crews from the damaged ships after immediate intervention.The Gambia-flagged Kairos exploded and ignited 28 nautical miles off Kocaeli while sailing empty to Novorossiysk.The second tanker, Virat, suffered a strike about 35 nautical miles off the Turkish coast.Authorities classify both ships as sanctioned vessels from Moscow’s older fleet used to bypass restrictions.…

Health officials warn that measles, which caused fewer deaths since 2000, is now resurging worldwide. The World Health Organization (WHO) reported a 47 per cent rise in measles cases across Europe and Central Asia last year, largely caused by declining vaccination rates. Officials say global gains in preventing infections and deaths are now slipping. In 2024, measles killed approximately 95,000 people, mostly children under five. That number dropped from 780,000 deaths in 2000, but the WHO insists that every preventable death is unacceptable. The agency reports that vaccination campaigns have saved nearly 59 million lives globally since 2000. Infections Climb…

A lack of park rangers and inaccurate weather forecasts pushed tourists onto the dangerous O Circuit despite worsening conditions. Torres del Paine National Park in Chile, located in wild Patagonia, welcomes roughly 250,000 to 300,000 visitors annually. Thousands attempt its famous trails. On 17 November, a sudden, violent blizzard struck the remote O Circuit trail. The storm killed five trekkers and left dozens stranded for hours in near-zero visibility. Although weather caused the tragedy, it revealed serious gaps in park safety and planning, which critics have long highlighted. The Blizzard Hits Trekkers About 30 international hikers left the Los Perros…

Dozens of demonstrators filled central Paris to protest rising gender-based violence and honor victims.Marie-Josée, a 78-year-old activist, said protesters constantly face harsh realities while mourning five women killed last week.The demonstration occurred hours before the government received a report urging radical reforms in domestic abuse justice procedures.Officials submitted the report to Justice Minister Gérald Darmanin, recommending a magistrate dedicated exclusively to intrafamilial violence cases.Le Parisien revealed the study before the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women, warning domestic violence requires a comprehensive response.Despite longstanding political promises, many protesters argued conditions for women in France continue to worsen.…