Larry Lee
The Latest
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Russia’s Transport Minister Found Dead After Putin Firing, Kremlin Cites Suicide, Media Points to Scandal
Russia's former transport minister Roman Starovoit was found dead from a gunshot wound on Monday, hours after President Vladimir Putin dismissed him from office. The Kremlin has described the death as "tragic," while investigators say suicide is the most likely cause, amid mounting speculation linking the 53-year-old official to a widening corruption investigation tied to the military's defensive failures in Ukraine. 
Russia's former transport minister Roman Starovoit was found dead from a gunshot wound on Monday, hours after President Vladimir Putin dismissed him from office. The Kremlin has described the death as "tragic," while investigators say suicide is the most likely cause, amid mounting speculation linking the 53-year-old official to a widening corruption investigation tied to the military's defensive failures in Ukraine. -
Hamas Accepts Framework for U.S.-Backed Gaza Ceasefire as Hostage Deal Advances
At least 60 days of ceasefire could be within reach in Gaza, as Hamas has reportedly accepted the framework of a U.S.-backed proposal to halt hostilities and begin talks on ending the war with Israel. The proposal, developed by U.S. envoy Steve Witkoff alongside officials from Egypt and Qatar, involves a structured exchange of hostages and prisoners and aims to pave the way for a permanent cessation of fighting, according to officials cited by The Wall Street Journal. 
At least 60 days of ceasefire could be within reach in Gaza, as Hamas has reportedly accepted the framework of a U.S.-backed proposal to halt hostilities and begin talks on ending the war with Israel. The proposal, developed by U.S. envoy Steve Witkoff alongside officials from Egypt and Qatar, involves a structured exchange of hostages and prisoners and aims to pave the way for a permanent cessation of fighting, according to officials cited by The Wall Street Journal. -
Russia Unleashes Record 539 Drones on Kyiv Hours After Trump-Putin Call; At Least 24 Casualties Reported
Russia launched its largest drone assault to date on Ukraine overnight, striking Kyiv with 539 unmanned aerial vehicles and 11 missiles just hours after U.S. President Donald Trump's call with Russian President Vladimir Putin ended in frustration, according to Ukrainian officials. The aerial attack killed at least one person and injured 23 others, marking one of the most destructive assaults of the war's third year. 
Russia launched its largest drone assault to date on Ukraine overnight, striking Kyiv with 539 unmanned aerial vehicles and 11 missiles just hours after U.S. President Donald Trump's call with Russian President Vladimir Putin ended in frustration, according to Ukrainian officials. The aerial attack killed at least one person and injured 23 others, marking one of the most destructive assaults of the war's third year. -
Putin Tells Trump Russia Won’t Retreat from Ukraine Goals
President Donald Trump spoke by phone for over an hour on Thursday with Russian President Vladimir Putin, discussing the war in Ukraine and tensions in the Middle East, including Iran, according to Russian officials. The call followed a U.S. decision to halt weapons shipments to Ukraine and amid growing questions about Trump's stalled diplomatic push to end the Ukraine conflict. 
President Donald Trump spoke by phone for over an hour on Thursday with Russian President Vladimir Putin, discussing the war in Ukraine and tensions in the Middle East, including Iran, according to Russian officials. The call followed a U.S. decision to halt weapons shipments to Ukraine and amid growing questions about Trump's stalled diplomatic push to end the Ukraine conflict. -
Iran Issues Defiant Nuclear Update After U.S. Condemns IAEA Withdrawal
Tensions between Tehran and Washington deepened this week as Iran suspended cooperation with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), prompting sharp criticism from the United States and its allies and reigniting fears over the future of the country's nuclear ambitions. 
Tensions between Tehran and Washington deepened this week as Iran suspended cooperation with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), prompting sharp criticism from the United States and its allies and reigniting fears over the future of the country's nuclear ambitions. -
Ukraine Kills Russian Navy Deputy Chief Gudkov in HIMARS Strike on Kursk Command Post
Major General Mikhail Gudkov, Deputy Commander-in-Chief of the Russian Navy, was killed in combat near the Ukrainian border, marking one of the highest-level military casualties Moscow has suffered since the start of its full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022, Russian officials confirmed Thursday. 
Major General Mikhail Gudkov, Deputy Commander-in-Chief of the Russian Navy, was killed in combat near the Ukrainian border, marking one of the highest-level military casualties Moscow has suffered since the start of its full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022, Russian officials confirmed Thursday. -
Hamas Demands Ceasefire Guarantees as Israeli Strikes Kill Dozens Across Gaza
Efforts to secure a ceasefire in the nearly 21-month Israel-Hamas war gained traction Thursday as Hamas signaled tentative approval of a U.S.-brokered proposal for a 60-day halt in fighting, contingent on international guarantees that negotiations will lead to a permanent end to the war. The development comes as Israeli airstrikes across Gaza killed at least 59 people in a single day, according to Gaza health authorities. 
Efforts to secure a ceasefire in the nearly 21-month Israel-Hamas war gained traction Thursday as Hamas signaled tentative approval of a U.S.-brokered proposal for a 60-day halt in fighting, contingent on international guarantees that negotiations will lead to a permanent end to the war. The development comes as Israeli airstrikes across Gaza killed at least 59 people in a single day, according to Gaza health authorities. -
U.S. Intel: Iran Loaded Naval Mines After Israeli Strikes, Threatened Strait of Hormuz Closure
Iranian military forces loaded naval mines onto vessels in the Persian Gulf last month, signaling preparations to potentially block the Strait of Hormuz following Israel's June 13 strikes on targets inside Iran, according to two U.S. officials familiar with classified intelligence. 
Iranian military forces loaded naval mines onto vessels in the Persian Gulf last month, signaling preparations to potentially block the Strait of Hormuz following Israel's June 13 strikes on targets inside Iran, according to two U.S. officials familiar with classified intelligence. -
Europe Roasts Under Record Heatwave as Paris Nears 104°F and Spain Hits 114°F
A brutal heatwave gripping Europe intensified this week, pushing temperatures to record highs and triggering sweeping health alerts, school closures, and fatalities across the continent. In Paris, forecasters expected temperatures to reach 40°C (104°F) on Tuesday, while Spain reported its hottest June on record and Italy issued red alerts in 17 cities including Milan and Rome. 
A brutal heatwave gripping Europe intensified this week, pushing temperatures to record highs and triggering sweeping health alerts, school closures, and fatalities across the continent. In Paris, forecasters expected temperatures to reach 40°C (104°F) on Tuesday, while Spain reported its hottest June on record and Italy issued red alerts in 17 cities including Milan and Rome. -
Ukraine Loses F-16 Pilot as Russia Launches 477 Drones, 60 Missiles in Massive Air Assault
A Ukrainian F-16 fighter pilot was killed Sunday while defending against one of Russia's largest aerial assaults since the war began, according to Ukraine's military. The pilot, identified as 1st Class Lt. Col. Maksym Ustymenko, was credited with downing seven air targets before his jet was hit and crashed. He was unable to eject. 
A Ukrainian F-16 fighter pilot was killed Sunday while defending against one of Russia's largest aerial assaults since the war began, according to Ukraine's military. The pilot, identified as 1st Class Lt. Col. Maksym Ustymenko, was credited with downing seven air targets before his jet was hit and crashed. He was unable to eject.
