Author: Rachel Maddow

Japan combats overtourism in Tokyo and Kyoto by promoting travel to lesser-known regions. The Japan National Tourism Organisation (JNTO) and All Nippon Airways (ANA) now offer free domestic flights across ANA’s entire regional network to UK and European travellers. The initiative, running from 24 November to 31 January 2026, encourages visitors to explore hidden destinations while easing pressure on crowded hotspots. Eligible economy passengers from the UK and Europe can book up to two free domestic flights when making an international booking by 31 January. Travellers can schedule these flights anytime after that date. ANA says this allows multi-stop itineraries…

The UN climate summit failed to deliver a clear plan to phase out fossil fuels, leaving the EU increasingly alone in global climate efforts. COP30 in Belém concluded with a final text that offered no roadmap, prompting critics to call it an empty deal and a moral failure. The United States withdrew from climate negotiations, creating both a political and financial void, with President Donald Trump dismissing climate change as a con job. Countries heavily dependent on fossil-fuel revenue, including Saudi Arabia and the UAE, openly opposed any target or timeline to phase out fossil fuels. One day before the…

Astronomers traced the origins of Theia, a planet that vanished billions of years ago.Theia likely formed closer to the Sun than scientists previously believed.Researchers in France, Germany, and the United States studied ancient Earth and Moon rocks.They aimed to identify the birthplace of the planet that helped create the Moon.The giant impact theory proposes Theia collided with early Earth 4.5 billion years ago.Debris from the collision coalesced into the Moon while mixing with Earth’s material.Theia’s disappearance left no direct chemical evidence, making its origin difficult to determine.Jake Foster of the Royal Observatory Greenwich called the study exciting and precise.He emphasized…

Trump met New York City Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani on Friday and maintained a surprisingly cordial tone.He previously called Mamdani a “100% Communist Lunatic” and a “total nut job.”Mamdani had labeled Trump’s administration “authoritarian,” yet praised their shared goals.Both men highlighted cooperation over conflict, focusing on improving New York rather than political differences.Trump said Mamdani might surprise conservative voters despite his democratic socialist platform.Mamdani stood beside him in the Oval Office as Trump expressed admiration.The meeting gave Mamdani national visibility and allowed Trump to promote affordability initiatives.Supporters on both sides may struggle to interpret this sudden friendliness.Trump pledged to help Mamdani…

The European Commission opened infringement proceedings against Italy for applying its golden power rule to block UniCredit’s Banco BPM takeover.Officials argue the rule allows Italy to examine, halt, or condition banking transactions, raising concerns over free capital movement.The Commission warned that Italy’s law overlaps with the European Central Bank’s authority under the Single Supervisory Mechanism.Italy now has two months to respond and correct the issues highlighted by Brussels. Italy Promises Regulatory Solution Economy Minister Giancarlo Giorgetti said Italy will respond to the Commission’s objections through the proper channels.He promised a regulatory proposal to clarify powers and address EU concerns in…

A power outage left tens of thousands of homes without electricity in Paris and Hauts-de-Seine on Thursday morning.French media reported the outage initially affected 55,000 households before dropping to a few thousand still impacted.Traffic lights and streetlights went dark, and some metro and suburban train lines stopped running.The blackout caused immediate disruption to transportation, forcing commuters to navigate unsafe intersections and halted services. Technical Fault Identified Enedis confirmed the blackout lasted around five minutes, though some homes remain without power.The operator traced the disruption to a technical failure at the RTE substation in Issy-les-Moulineaux.RTE manages France’s high-voltage electricity network and…

Anti-capitalists, climate advocates, women’s rights activists, and anti-migrant groups plan demonstrations, highlighting South Africa’s poverty and inequality.South African police and army paraded on Wednesday using helicopters, K-9 units, and motorcycle officers to display authority before expected protests.Authorities deployed 3,500 extra police officers and placed the army on standby under the National Joint Operational and Intelligence Structure.This structure unites police, army, and intelligence services under a single command to secure major events.Lieutenant General Tebello Mosikili told reporters that officials expect protests in Johannesburg and other major cities.She confirmed authorities will allow protests but within legal limits.Police assigned specific zones for demonstrators…

Dukovany Expansion Sets Ambitious Goals Czechia plans to produce up to 60 percent of its electricity from nuclear energy by 2050. Engineers are building two new reactors at the Dukovany site, where eight giant cooling towers already operate. Drilling rigs extract samples 140 meters underground to confirm the $19 billion site can support the expansion. Officials aim to at least double national nuclear output and secure Czechia’s position as one of Europe’s most nuclear-reliant countries. South Korea’s KHNP won the tender over France’s EDF to build two reactors exceeding 1,000 megawatts each. The units will start operating in the second…

Thousands of young people flooded Mexico City on Saturday in a nationwide protest against violence, corruption, and government inaction. The demonstration stretched across 52 cities in Mexico and reached communities abroad, including in the United States, Canada, Germany, and the Netherlands. The march ended at the Zócalo in clashes that injured 20 civilians and over 100 police officers, with around 20 arrests reported. The movement emerged after the 1 November assassination of Uruapan mayor Carlos Manzo, who repeatedly urged federal authorities to address Michoacán’s organized crime. His death sparked outrage among young people who view the system as unresponsive, violent,…

Activists described climate impacts in their countries and pushed for youth participation in UN negotiations. Thousands of protesters returned to COP30 in Belem, Brazil, blocking the climate conference entrance in a peaceful standoff. Brazilian youth groups, Indigenous communities, and climate activists marched together to demand action during the UN meeting. Fridays for Future members emphasized the need for young people to join formal discussions. Rachelle Junsay from Climate Action Philippines said youth inherit the planet and feel frustrated. She criticized decision-makers who debate in air-conditioned rooms while affected communities remain excluded. First Public Protests Since 2021 Protesters demonstrated outside UN…