Larry Lee
The Latest
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Merz Elected German Chancellor in Second Vote After Historic Bundestag Setback
Friedrich Merz has been elected Germany's chancellor after a dramatic second-round vote in the Bundestag on Tuesday, following a failed initial attempt that temporarily unsettled Berlin's political establishment. Merz secured 325 votes in the 630-member chamber, narrowly clearing the 316-vote threshold required to assume office. 
Friedrich Merz has been elected Germany's chancellor after a dramatic second-round vote in the Bundestag on Tuesday, following a failed initial attempt that temporarily unsettled Berlin's political establishment. Merz secured 325 votes in the 630-member chamber, narrowly clearing the 316-vote threshold required to assume office. -
Hamas Says Ceasefire Talks Pointless, Accuses Tel Aviv of ‘Extermination War’ in Gaza
Hamas announced on Tuesday that it will no longer engage in ceasefire negotiations with Israel, citing ongoing military operations and humanitarian deprivation across Gaza. The declaration follows Israel's ultimatum that a failure to release 10 hostages in exchange for a 45-day ceasefire would trigger an expanded offensive, including territorial seizures and disruption of humanitarian aid distribution. 
Hamas announced on Tuesday that it will no longer engage in ceasefire negotiations with Israel, citing ongoing military operations and humanitarian deprivation across Gaza. The declaration follows Israel's ultimatum that a failure to release 10 hostages in exchange for a 45-day ceasefire would trigger an expanded offensive, including territorial seizures and disruption of humanitarian aid distribution. -
Israel Destroys Yemen’s Sanaa Airport After Houthi Missile Hits Near Ben-Gurion
The Israeli military launched a wide-ranging series of airstrikes across Yemen on Tuesday, disabling Sanaa International Airport and targeting infrastructure used by the Iran-backed Houthi regime, following a missile strike that landed near Israel's Ben-Gurion Airport over the weekend. The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) confirmed the operation, calling it a direct response to repeated missile and drone attacks by the Houthis. 
The Israeli military launched a wide-ranging series of airstrikes across Yemen on Tuesday, disabling Sanaa International Airport and targeting infrastructure used by the Iran-backed Houthi regime, following a missile strike that landed near Israel's Ben-Gurion Airport over the weekend. The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) confirmed the operation, calling it a direct response to repeated missile and drone attacks by the Houthis. -
Ukrainian Drone Attacks Target Moscow as China’s Xi, Global Leaders Prepare for Victory Day Parade
Ukrainian drones targeted Moscow for the second consecutive night, forcing temporary flight suspensions at four major airports in the Russian capital just days before President Xi Jinping of China and other world leaders are due to attend Russia's Victory Day celebrations. The Russian defense ministry reported that more than 100 drones were intercepted across nearly a dozen regions overnight Tuesday, including 19 near Moscow alone. 
Ukrainian drones targeted Moscow for the second consecutive night, forcing temporary flight suspensions at four major airports in the Russian capital just days before President Xi Jinping of China and other world leaders are due to attend Russia's Victory Day celebrations. The Russian defense ministry reported that more than 100 drones were intercepted across nearly a dozen regions overnight Tuesday, including 19 near Moscow alone. -
Netanyahu Threatens Full Gaza Occupation, Mass Displacement if No Hostage Deal by Trump Visit
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has pledged to permanently reoccupy parts of the Gaza Strip and displace its civilian population following the cabinet's approval of a sweeping military plan, codenamed "Gideon's Chariots." The operation, which a senior Israeli official said aims to "completely defeat Hamas," will commence if no ceasefire or hostage deal is reached by the time U.S. President Donald Trump arrives in the Middle East next week. 
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has pledged to permanently reoccupy parts of the Gaza Strip and displace its civilian population following the cabinet's approval of a sweeping military plan, codenamed "Gideon's Chariots." The operation, which a senior Israeli official said aims to "completely defeat Hamas," will commence if no ceasefire or hostage deal is reached by the time U.S. President Donald Trump arrives in the Middle East next week. -
India-Pakistan Standoff Escalates as Both Nations Test Missiles and Mobilize Militaries
India and Pakistan are on heightened military alert following a deadly April 22 attack on Indian tourists in Kashmir, which New Delhi blames on Islamabad. In response, both nuclear-armed neighbors have tested missiles, escalated airspace confrontations, expelled diplomats, and suspended water-sharing agreements, raising fears of another armed conflict with more advanced weaponry than in previous encounters. 
India and Pakistan are on heightened military alert following a deadly April 22 attack on Indian tourists in Kashmir, which New Delhi blames on Islamabad. In response, both nuclear-armed neighbors have tested missiles, escalated airspace confrontations, expelled diplomats, and suspended water-sharing agreements, raising fears of another armed conflict with more advanced weaponry than in previous encounters. -
Israel Approves Full-Scale Gaza Offensive and 'Conquest' Strategy Amid Rising Civilian Toll
Israel's security cabinet has unanimously approved an expanded military operation in Gaza that officials described as a plan for "the conquest of Gaza and the holding of the territories," signaling a significant escalation in both combat operations and long-term intentions for the Palestinian enclave. 
Israel's security cabinet has unanimously approved an expanded military operation in Gaza that officials described as a plan for "the conquest of Gaza and the holding of the territories," signaling a significant escalation in both combat operations and long-term intentions for the Palestinian enclave. -
Putin: 'No Need' for Nuclear Weapons as Russia Has Strength to End Ukraine War
Russian President Vladimir Putin, speaking in a state television film commemorating his 25 years in power, stated that "there has been no need to use those (nuclear) weapons ... and I hope they will not be required" in Ukraine. 
Russian President Vladimir Putin, speaking in a state television film commemorating his 25 years in power, stated that "there has been no need to use those (nuclear) weapons ... and I hope they will not be required" in Ukraine. -
Netanyahu Vows Strikes on Houthis and Iran After Missile Hits Near Tel Aviv Airport
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has vowed retaliation against Yemen's Houthi rebels and what he called their "Iranian terror masters" after a missile launched from Yemen struck near Ben Gurion International Airport, Israel's main air travel hub. 
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has vowed retaliation against Yemen's Houthi rebels and what he called their "Iranian terror masters" after a missile launched from Yemen struck near Ben Gurion International Airport, Israel's main air travel hub. -
Hospital Bombing Kills 7 in South Sudan as Fears of Renewed Civil War Intensify
At least seven civilians were killed and 20 injured in a series of aerial attacks Saturday targeting a hospital and civilian market in Old Fangak, South Sudan, as tensions mount over the country's fragile peace agreement and fears rise of a return to civil war. Médecins Sans Frontières (Doctors Without Borders) confirmed the attack on its hospital, calling it a "clear violation of international law." 
At least seven civilians were killed and 20 injured in a series of aerial attacks Saturday targeting a hospital and civilian market in Old Fangak, South Sudan, as tensions mount over the country's fragile peace agreement and fears rise of a return to civil war. Médecins Sans Frontières (Doctors Without Borders) confirmed the attack on its hospital, calling it a "clear violation of international law."
