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Christopher Columbus May Have Sephardic Jewish Roots, Say Spanish Scientists

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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.

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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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Investigation Underway After Goa Nightclub Fire Kills at Least 25

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Authorities in the Indian state of Goa have opened an investigation into a nightclub fire that killed at least 25 people, including several tourists, in one of the region’s most popular party districts. Six others were injured in the blaze, which broke out shortly after midnight in Arpora, a nightlife hub about 25 kilometres from the state capital, Panaji.

Goa Chief Minister Pramod Sawant confirmed the death toll in a statement posted on X, saying the victims included many of the club’s kitchen staff and a small number of visiting tourists. He added that all the injured were in stable condition and receiving medical treatment. Rescue teams recovered all bodies from the site.

Early reports from local police, cited by the Press Trust of India, indicated that a gas cylinder explosion triggered the fire. Witnesses, however, told the agency that the blaze appeared to start on the club’s first floor, where nearly 100 tourists were dancing at the time. As smoke and flames swept through the building, many people ran toward the lower floor, where they became trapped along with staff members.

Sawant said a formal inquiry would determine the exact cause and whether the club complied with fire safety regulations. He pledged strict action against anyone found responsible, writing on X that any negligence uncovered by investigators would be “dealt with firmly”.

Eyewitnesses described scenes of panic as patrons attempted to flee the burning building. “We rushed out of the club only to see that the entire structure was up in flames,” said Fatima Shaikh, who was inside when the fire began.

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Prime Minister Narendra Modi offered condolences in a message on X, calling the incident “deeply saddening” and wishing the injured a swift recovery.

Local media reported that the club’s location along the Arpora River backwaters posed challenges for emergency crews. A narrow approach road forced fire engines to park about 400 metres from the entrance, slowing their response. Reports also revealed that the building had previously received a demolition notice after officials found it lacked a construction permit. That order was later withdrawn by senior state authorities, according to Arpora councillor Roshan Redkar.

Incidents involving gas cylinders and electrical faults are not unusual in India and often lead to heavy casualties, prompting renewed calls for stronger enforcement of safety standards. Opposition leader Rahul Gandhi criticised the tragedy as a “criminal failure of safety and governance” and urged a transparent investigation to establish accountability and prevent future disasters.

The probe into the fire is expected to assess structural safety, emergency exits and compliance with existing regulations as authorities work to piece together how the late-night gathering turned into one of the deadliest incidents in the state in recent years.

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White House Unveils “Media Hall of Shame” Portal as Attacks on Press Intensify

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The White House has launched an online “Media Hall of Shame,” a federally hosted portal that lists news outlets and individual journalists it accuses of publishing false or misleading information. The move marks a sharp escalation in President Donald Trump’s long-running campaign against what he frequently labels “fake news,” and comes amid rising condemnation over his public attacks on reporters.

The new portal, published on an official government website, claims to offer a fully sortable and regularly updated record of what the administration describes as inaccurate reporting. “It ensures no hoax, no anonymously ‘sourced’ fan fiction, and no partisan smear gets memory-holed again,” the White House said in its announcement.

Among its features, the site names The Washington Post as “Offender of the Week,” while also spotlighting The New York Times, CNN, CBS News and The Independent. Accredited international wire services including the Associated Press and Reuters are also listed, with the administration accusing the AP of “bias” and “omission of context” and labeling a Reuters report as a “lie.”

Stories are placed into categories such as “false claim,” “misrepresentation,” “failure to report,” “malpractice,” “mischaracterisation,” and “circular reporting.” Another section titled “left-wing lunacy” aims at content the White House asserts reflects ideological slant. Notably, no conservative-leaning outlets appear anywhere on the site.

The move has drawn significant backlash from journalism advocates and major newsrooms. Matt Murray, executive editor of The Washington Post, condemned the website as an attack on constitutionally protected reporting. “Let’s be clear what’s happening here: the wrongful and intentional targeting of journalists by government officials for exercising a constitutionally protected right,” Murray said. “The Washington Post will not be dissuaded and will continue to report rigorously and accurately in service to all of America.”

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While conservative media watchdogs have welcomed the launch, critics warn that the portal represents an unprecedented government effort to single out journalists. The Media Research Centre, which often accuses national news networks of liberal bias, praised the initiative. “It’s a stronger effort than Republican presidents have done before,” said MRC director of media analysis Tim Graham. “I think all Republicans realize today that the media is on the other side and need to be identified as on the other side.”

Press freedom experts interviewed by German broadcaster DW said the White House’s new approach poses a direct risk to journalists and undermines democratic norms by framing independent reporting as an adversarial act. They warned that such rhetoric fuels hostility toward the press and contributes to a climate in which reporters may face harassment or threats.

The launch of the portal comes at a time when Trump has intensified his criticism of the media, frequently singling out reporters—often women—with personal insults, calling them “stupid,” “piggy,” and “ugly inside and out.” The growing pressure on journalists has raised alarms among advocates who argue that a free and independent press is vital to the country’s democratic institutions.

The White House has not responded to questions about how the portal will be maintained or which officials will determine what qualifies as an “offense.”

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Russia Launches Massive Overnight Barrage on Ukraine as Peace Talks With U.S. Continue

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Ukraine was hit by one of the largest overnight assaults of the war as Russia launched 653 drones and 51 missiles across the country early Saturday, triggering nationwide air raid alerts and striking multiple regions. At least eight people were wounded, including three in Kyiv, according to Ukrainian officials.

Ukraine’s air force reported that its defenses intercepted 585 of the drones and 30 of the missiles, but 29 locations were still hit during the hours-long attack. Strikes were recorded in the Kyiv region, where industrial facilities and residential buildings sustained damage.

President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said on X that energy sites were the primary targets, adding that the attack also hit the main railway station building in Fastiv. He described the strike as “meaningless from a military point of view,” arguing that Moscow “could not have been unaware” that it was a civilian facility.

Several other regions felt the impact, including Dnipro, Chernihiv, Zaporizhzhia, Odesa, Lviv, Volyn, and Mykolaiv. Emergency services worked through the morning to contain fires, restore power and assess damage at multiple sites.

The latest assault came as Ukraine continues to brace for Russia’s winter strategy of targeting infrastructure, aimed at cutting off heat, electricity and water during the coldest months. Ukrainian officials have warned repeatedly that Moscow is renewing efforts to cripple the country’s energy grid.

In Russia, the Ministry of Defence reported that its air defenses intercepted 116 Ukrainian drones overnight across several regions. A Russian Telegram news channel, Astra, reported that Ukraine hit the Ryazan Oil Refinery, one of the country’s key energy facilities. Regional governor Pavel Malkov confirmed that drone debris fell at an industrial site and damaged a nearby residential building, but did not mention the refinery.

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Ukraine has increasingly focused its own attacks on Russia’s energy infrastructure, arguing that oil revenues remain central to financing Moscow’s full-scale invasion. Kyiv says these strikes are aimed at pressuring the Kremlin to scale back its military campaign and engage seriously in diplomatic efforts.

The escalation on both sides came as Ukrainian and U.S. officials prepared for a third day of meetings aimed at advancing discussions over a potential path to peace. Washington has been acting as an intermediary between Kyiv and Moscow, though progress has been limited.

Ukrainian officials and several European governments have accused Russian President Vladimir Putin of showing interest in negotiations only for political advantage. Recent exchanges between U.S. and Russian representatives have produced no major breakthroughs, and Kyiv remains skeptical of Moscow’s intentions.

Saturday’s bombardment underscored the deep instability surrounding the talks, as both countries continue to push for leverage on the battlefield while diplomats seek even the smallest opening to halt the conflict.

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