Larry Lee
The Latest
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Pope Francis Placed on Breathing Machine After Sudden Respiratory Crisis
Pope Francis suffered a sudden respiratory crisis on Friday, prompting Vatican medical staff to place him on noninvasive mechanical ventilation after he experienced a severe episode of bronchospasm and vomiting. The 88-year-old pontiff, who has been hospitalized at Rome's Gemelli Hospital since February 14, remains in intensive medical care as concerns over his condition mount. 
Pope Francis suffered a sudden respiratory crisis on Friday, prompting Vatican medical staff to place him on noninvasive mechanical ventilation after he experienced a severe episode of bronchospasm and vomiting. The 88-year-old pontiff, who has been hospitalized at Rome's Gemelli Hospital since February 14, remains in intensive medical care as concerns over his condition mount. -
Hundreds of Thousands Protest in Greece on Train Crash Anniversary, Clashes Erupt in Athens
Hundreds of thousands of people took to the streets across Greece on Friday, marking the second anniversary of the country's deadliest train crash with mass protests and a nationwide strike that halted flights, shut down businesses, and disrupted public services. Demonstrators expressed frustration over what they see as government inaction and a failure to hold anyone accountable for the disaster that killed 57 people in February 2023. 
Hundreds of thousands of people took to the streets across Greece on Friday, marking the second anniversary of the country's deadliest train crash with mass protests and a nationwide strike that halted flights, shut down businesses, and disrupted public services. Demonstrators expressed frustration over what they see as government inaction and a failure to hold anyone accountable for the disaster that killed 57 people in February 2023. -
Putin Sees ‘Hope’ in U.S. Talks but Accuses Europe of Undermining Relations
Russian and U.S. officials met for six hours in Istanbul on Thursday in an attempt to restore normal embassy functions, marking one of the first tangible steps in diplomatic engagement between the two countries since Donald Trump's return to the White House. Russian President Vladimir Putin, speaking separately in Moscow, described the initial contact with Trump's administration as a source of "hope" but warned that European nations were attempting to obstruct progress. 
Russian and U.S. officials met for six hours in Istanbul on Thursday in an attempt to restore normal embassy functions, marking one of the first tangible steps in diplomatic engagement between the two countries since Donald Trump's return to the White House. Russian President Vladimir Putin, speaking separately in Moscow, described the initial contact with Trump's administration as a source of "hope" but warned that European nations were attempting to obstruct progress. -
North Korea Deploys More Troops to Russia as Casualties Mount in Ukraine War
North Korea has sent additional troops to Russia following heavy casualties among its forces deployed to the front lines of the Ukraine war, according to South Korea's National Intelligence Service (NIS). The intelligence agency said on Thursday it was assessing the scale of the new deployment but confirmed North Korean soldiers had been redeployed in Russia's Kursk region in early February. 
North Korea has sent additional troops to Russia following heavy casualties among its forces deployed to the front lines of the Ukraine war, according to South Korea's National Intelligence Service (NIS). The intelligence agency said on Thursday it was assessing the scale of the new deployment but confirmed North Korean soldiers had been redeployed in Russia's Kursk region in early February. -
Russia Launches 177 Drones at Ukraine in Overnight Assault, Kyiv and Kharkiv Among Targets
Russia launched a large-scale overnight drone assault on Ukraine, deploying 177 Shahed strike drones and targeting multiple regions, including Kyiv and Kharkiv, according to Ukraine's Air Force. The barrage, which began at 7:00 p.m. Kyiv time on February 25, marked one of the largest coordinated air attacks in recent months, as Moscow continues to intensify its aerial campaign. 
Russia launched a large-scale overnight drone assault on Ukraine, deploying 177 Shahed strike drones and targeting multiple regions, including Kyiv and Kharkiv, according to Ukraine's Air Force. The barrage, which began at 7:00 p.m. Kyiv time on February 25, marked one of the largest coordinated air attacks in recent months, as Moscow continues to intensify its aerial campaign. -
Kyiv Secures Better Terms in U.S. Minerals Deal as Zelensky, Trump Prepare to Meet
Ukraine has reached a preliminary agreement with the United States on a minerals deal that would grant Washington a stake in the country's state-owned natural resources while securing economic benefits for Kyiv. Ukrainian officials said the agreement improves on earlier U.S. demands, including the removal of a controversial proposal for Ukraine to pay $500 billion in exchange for continued American support. 
Ukraine has reached a preliminary agreement with the United States on a minerals deal that would grant Washington a stake in the country's state-owned natural resources while securing economic benefits for Kyiv. Ukrainian officials said the agreement improves on earlier U.S. demands, including the removal of a controversial proposal for Ukraine to pay $500 billion in exchange for continued American support. -
Syria’s Interim Leader Opens ‘Historic’ National Dialogue Amid Political Uncertainty
Syria's interim leader, Ahmed al-Sharaa, launched a national dialogue on Tuesday, pledging a democratic transition and a unified state following the fall of former President Bashar al-Assad. Addressing a gathering in Damascus, al-Sharaa called for national unity and announced the formation of a transitional justice committee. 
Syria's interim leader, Ahmed al-Sharaa, launched a national dialogue on Tuesday, pledging a democratic transition and a unified state following the fall of former President Bashar al-Assad. Addressing a gathering in Damascus, al-Sharaa called for national unity and announced the formation of a transitional justice committee. -
New MH370 Search Underway After 11-Year Mystery as British Team Targets Indian Ocean ‘Hotspots’
A new search for Malaysia Airlines Flight MH370 has begun in the Indian Ocean, more than a decade after the aircraft vanished, Malaysian Transport Minister Anthony Loke confirmed Tuesday. The latest effort, led by British marine exploration company Ocean Infinity, marks what could be the final attempt to locate the wreckage of the Boeing 777, which disappeared from radar on March 8, 2014, while flying from Kuala Lumpur to Beijing with 239 passengers and crew onboard. 
A new search for Malaysia Airlines Flight MH370 has begun in the Indian Ocean, more than a decade after the aircraft vanished, Malaysian Transport Minister Anthony Loke confirmed Tuesday. The latest effort, led by British marine exploration company Ocean Infinity, marks what could be the final attempt to locate the wreckage of the Boeing 777, which disappeared from radar on March 8, 2014, while flying from Kuala Lumpur to Beijing with 239 passengers and crew onboard. -
Britain Increases Defense Spending to 2.5% of GDP, Slashes Aid Budget
The United Kingdom will increase defense spending to 2.5% of GDP by 2027, Prime Minister Keir Starmer announced Tuesday, funding the initiative by reducing the country's international aid budget. The decision, which will see aid spending drop from 0.5% to 0.3% of gross national income, comes as Starmer prepares to meet U.S. President Donald Trump in Washington later this week. 
The United Kingdom will increase defense spending to 2.5% of GDP by 2027, Prime Minister Keir Starmer announced Tuesday, funding the initiative by reducing the country's international aid budget. The decision, which will see aid spending drop from 0.5% to 0.3% of gross national income, comes as Starmer prepares to meet U.S. President Donald Trump in Washington later this week. -
Trump-Putin Ukraine Talks Gain Momentum, But Kremlin Says No Detailed Peace Plan Yet
Russian President Vladimir Putin said Monday that discussions with U.S. President Donald Trump over a potential resolution to the Ukraine war had not yet reached a detailed stage, despite growing speculation about a possible diplomatic breakthrough. His remarks, broadcast on Russian state television, followed reports that U.S. and Russian officials met in Saudi Arabia last week for initial negotiations-without the participation of Ukraine or European allies. 
Russian President Vladimir Putin said Monday that discussions with U.S. President Donald Trump over a potential resolution to the Ukraine war had not yet reached a detailed stage, despite growing speculation about a possible diplomatic breakthrough. His remarks, broadcast on Russian state television, followed reports that U.S. and Russian officials met in Saudi Arabia last week for initial negotiations-without the participation of Ukraine or European allies.
