Valentino Garavani, the legendary Italian designer whose elegant gowns became synonymous with timeless beauty, has died at his home in Rome at the age of 93. Revered for his refined style and his instinctive understanding of how to dress women, Valentino leaves behind a legacy that shaped global fashion for more than half a century. The Designer Who Dressed the World’s Most Famous Women Known simply as Valentino, he built a devoted following among royalty, first ladies and Hollywood stars. From Jackie Kennedy Onassis and Princess Diana to Julia Roberts, Cate Blanchett and Queen Rania of Jordan, his clients trusted…
Author: Rachel Maddow
Rachel Maddow
Rachel Maddow is a freelance journalist based in Beijing, China, with over 20 years of experience covering Politics, World Affairs, Business, Health, Technology, Finance, Lifestyle, and Culture. She holds a degree in Communication and Journalism from Stanford University. Over the course of her career, she has contributed to leading outlets such as The New York Times, BBC, and CNN. Recognized for her insightful analysis and engaging reporting style, Rachel delivers accurate and timely news that keeps readers informed on key national and international developments.
Airlines are tightening rules around portable batteries after a serious fire linked to a power bank broke out on a South Korean aircraft earlier this year. In Europe, Lufthansa has moved first, rolling out stricter limits aimed at reducing the risk of similar incidents on board. Lufthansa Tightens the Rules Germany’s flag carrier has introduced new restrictions on how passengers can carry and use power banks and battery packs during flights. With immediate effect, travellers are no longer allowed to charge devices using power banks while on board, nor can they plug them into seat-back entertainment systems. The airline clarified…
EU leaders close ranks amid escalating standoff European leaders have pledged to stand together after US President Donald Trump threatened sweeping new tariffs unless Denmark agrees to sell Greenland, a move that has stunned capitals across the continent and raised fears of a fresh transatlantic trade war. Leaders from across the EU stressed unity and sovereignty as Washington signalled it was prepared to ratchet up economic pressure. The White House said additional tariffs of 10% would be imposed on goods from eight European countries starting February 1, with the rate potentially rising to 25% by June. The countries targeted include…
Washington signals forceful response The United States has warned Iran that it is prepared to take military action if Tehran continues using lethal force against protesters, American officials told the UN Security Council on Thursday. Speaking during an emergency session focused on the unrest in Iran, US Ambassador Mike Waltz said President Donald Trump remains ready to act if the violence does not stop. Waltz stressed that Trump views military intervention as a real option, saying the president has made it clear that “all options are on the table” to halt what Washington describes as the killing of civilians. He…
Several European nations have begun sending troops to Greenland while diplomatic talks with the United States underscored deep disagreements over Washington’s interest in the Arctic island, which is part of the Kingdom of Denmark. European Maneuvers and US Reaction European military personnel from countries including France, Germany, Norway and Sweden have started arriving in Greenland’s capital, Nuuk, on what has been described as a reconnaissance and training mission. Danish-led planning is part of broader efforts to strengthen defense and cooperation in the Arctic region. Despite this buildup, the White House has made clear that the presence of European troops will…
The growing use of economic weapons such as tariffs and sanctions now poses the greatest danger to global stability, according to the World Economic Forum’s Global Risks Report 2026, released ahead of its annual meeting in Davos. Based on responses from more than 1,300 experts and leaders across business, government, academia and civil society, the report paints a bleak picture of the near future, with most respondents expecting rising instability rather than calm. Economic Rivalries Take Centre Stage So-called “geoeconomic confrontation” ranked as the number one global risk for 2026, ahead of misinformation, political division, extreme weather and even armed…
Alphabet, Google’s parent company, has become the fourth business in history to reach a market value of $4 trillion, joining Nvidia, Microsoft and Apple at the very top of the corporate world. The milestone is the latest sign of how powerful the artificial intelligence boom has become for technology stocks, even as some analysts warn that prices may be running ahead of reality. AI hype lifts Alphabet to new heights Alphabet’s share price has surged about 75% over the past year and is already up nearly 7% since January, driven largely by investor excitement around AI. One of the biggest…
Germany’s chancellor has thrown his weight behind a rapid expansion of the EU’s global trade network, saying a long-discussed free-trade deal with India could be signed within weeks. Speaking during an official visit to India on Monday, Friedrich Merz said European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and European Council President António Costa may travel to New Delhi before the end of the month to finalise the agreement. Germany doubles down on free trade Merz’s comments come just days after most EU countries approved the controversial Mercosur trade deal with South American nations — an agreement Germany strongly supports as…
Amid rising unrest inside Iran and growing international concern, reports suggest senior US and Israeli officials have discussed possible American intervention. Tehran has responded with stark warnings that any US military action would make US and Israeli forces “legitimate targets.” Meanwhile, Iran’s nationwide internet blackout entered its third day and the confirmed death toll from ongoing protests climbed to at least 116. Tehran’s Stark Warning as US Signals Support Iran’s parliament issued a blunt message to Washington and Tel Aviv this weekend. Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf, Speaker of Iran’s Parliament, said if the United States carries out a military strike, both…
Governments are under mounting pressure to crack down on high-emission luxury consumption and impose heavier taxes on fossil fuel profits as they struggle to meet international climate commitments. Activists argue that without targeting extreme wealth and its carbon footprint, global climate goals will remain out of reach. New findings from Oxfam reveal just how unequal global emissions have become. The richest one per cent of the world’s population had already consumed their entire annual carbon budget only ten days into 2026. This milestone, known as “Pollutocrat Day,” marks the point where emissions exceed levels compatible with limiting global warming to…
