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Christopher Columbus May Have Sephardic Jewish Roots, Say Spanish Scientists
Madrid, Spain – Christopher Columbus, the 15th-century explorer credited with opening the Americas to European colonization, may have been a Sephardic Jew from Western Europe, according to new DNA research. Spanish scientists revealed their findings on Saturday, shedding light on the long-standing debate surrounding Columbus’ origins.
For centuries, historians and nations have argued over Columbus’ birthplace and final resting place. Traditionally, it was believed that Columbus hailed from Genoa, Italy, but alternative theories have persisted, with some suggesting he was of Spanish Jewish, Greek, Basque, Portuguese, or even British descent.
A team of researchers led by forensic expert Miguel Lorente conducted a 22-year investigation, using DNA analysis on remains buried in Seville Cathedral. These remains have long been identified as Columbus’ final resting place, although rival claims exist. The findings were announced in a documentary titled “Columbus DNA: The True Origin” aired on Spain’s national broadcaster TVE on Saturday.
“We have DNA from Christopher Columbus—very partial, but sufficient. We also have DNA from Hernando Colón, his son,” Lorente explained during the broadcast. He further added that both the Y chromosome (inherited from the father) and the mitochondrial DNA (inherited from the mother) show traits consistent with Jewish ancestry.
This discovery ties into a historical backdrop of the expulsion of Jews and Muslims from Spain. Before the Catholic monarchs Isabella and Ferdinand ordered Jews to convert to Catholicism or leave Spain in 1492, around 300,000 Jews lived in the country. Many fled to various parts of the world, leaving a lasting diaspora known as Sephardic Jews. The term “Sephardic” comes from “Sefarad,” the Hebrew word for Spain.
The research team examined 25 possible places for Columbus’ birth and concluded that he was from Western Europe, although they could not pinpoint the exact location. On Thursday, Lorente confirmed that their findings strongly support the theory that the remains in Seville indeed belong to Columbus.
The journey to unravel Columbus’ origins has been challenging due to the sheer volume of historical data. However, Lorente expressed confidence in the results, stating that “the outcome is almost absolutely reliable.”
Columbus died in 1506 in Valladolid, Spain, but he had requested to be buried on the island of Hispaniola, now shared by the Dominican Republic and Haiti. His remains were moved several times: to Hispaniola in 1542, then to Cuba in 1795, before allegedly being transferred to Seville in 1898.
The new findings add another layer to the complex legacy of Columbus, a figure who continues to spark debate over his role in history, much like the divisive conversations that persist in today’s news landscape.
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Two Dead, Nearly 200 Injured as PSG Title Celebrations Turn Violent Across France

What began as jubilant celebrations of Paris Saint-Germain’s historic UEFA Champions League victory ended in violence and tragedy in parts of France, with two people killed and nearly 200 injured during street festivities that spiraled out of control.
Authorities confirmed on Sunday that a 17-year-old boy was fatally stabbed in the southwestern town of Dax during a PSG street gathering, while in Paris, a man died after his scooter was struck by a car amid the crowded celebrations. Both incidents are currently under investigation.
The unrest followed PSG’s dramatic win in Munich, where the club secured its first-ever Champions League title, marking a milestone in French football history. While fans across the country took to the streets to celebrate, several areas descended into violence.
According to the French Interior Ministry, a total of 294 people were arrested nationwide as of 2 a.m. Sunday. Of the nearly 200 injured, 21 were police officers—18 of them in Paris alone. One officer remains in a medically induced coma after being struck in the face by a firework.
Interior Minister Bruno Retailleau condemned the violence in a statement on social media. “True PSG fans are celebrating a magnificent achievement. Meanwhile, barbarians have taken to the streets to commit crimes and provoke law enforcement,” he said. “It is unacceptable that people cannot celebrate without being endangered by a violent minority.”
Despite the unrest, the majority of gatherings were peaceful, authorities noted, with large crowds celebrating the historic win in cities including Marseille, Lyon, and Lille.
The PSG squad returned to Paris from Munich on Sunday afternoon aboard a Qatar Airways charter flight, arriving at 4 p.m. The team is expected to continue celebrations in the capital with tens of thousands of fans, under heightened security measures.
The violent turn of events has reignited debate in France over crowd control during major sporting celebrations, and how best to ensure public safety without dampening national enthusiasm.
PSG’s Champions League triumph marks a defining moment for the club, which has long pursued European glory. As the team prepares for a hero’s welcome, officials are urging fans to celebrate responsibly and respect public safety.
News
Ukraine Launches Major Drone Assault on Russian Airfields, Hits Over 40 Strategic Bombers

Ukraine’s Security Service (SBU) has claimed responsibility for a large-scale drone strike on four Russian air bases over the weekend, targeting dozens of strategic bombers across vast swaths of Russian territory — from Siberia to the Arctic.
According to Ukrainian officials, the operation, codenamed “Spiderweb” (Pavutyna), was launched on June 1 and struck 41 long-range bombers stationed at airfields in Russia’s Ryazan, Ivanovo, Irkutsk, and Murmansk regions. The attack is being hailed by Kyiv as one of its most ambitious and far-reaching strikes since the beginning of Russia’s full-scale invasion.
“Enemy strategic bombers are burning en masse in Russia,” a senior SBU official said, noting that the operation was specifically designed to cripple Moscow’s airstrike capabilities. “This is a large-scale special operation aimed at destroying enemy bomber aircraft.”
The four airfields targeted were Dyagilevo in the Ryazan region, Ivanovo in central Russia, Belaya air base in Irkutsk — over 4,000 kilometers from the front lines — and Olenya air base on the Kola Peninsula near the Arctic, roughly 2,000 kilometers from Ukraine’s border.
Ukrainian officials described the complex logistics of the operation, which involved covertly transporting drones deep into Russian territory, hiding them until the time of launch, and remotely executing the strikes. While specific details remain classified, Ukraine previously revealed it had developed drones with a flight range of up to 3,000 kilometers, enabling long-range operations like this.
Satellite imagery analyzed after the attack shows the presence of several high-value Russian aircraft types at the affected bases, including the Tu-95, Tu-22M3, Tu-160, and A-50 radar planes. These aircraft have been central to Russia’s long-range missile campaign against Ukraine.
The Tu-22M3, for example, is capable of carrying Kh-22 and Kh-32 cruise missiles at speeds exceeding Mach 4. The Tu-95, a Cold War-era bomber once designed to carry nuclear weapons, has been retrofitted to launch conventional cruise missiles. The A-50 aircraft provides airborne radar surveillance and target coordination for Russian forces.
The scale of the strike underscores Ukraine’s growing long-range capabilities and signals a shift in Kyiv’s strategy to disrupt Russian air operations at their source. President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said he had held meetings with the Ministries of Defense and Foreign Affairs, along with the General Staff and SBU, to coordinate further defense and counter-offensive planning.
There has been no immediate official response from Moscow regarding the extent of damage caused.
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