Larry Lee
The Latest
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Powerful 7.3 Earthquake Strikes Vanuatu, Causing Widespread Destruction
A powerful magnitude 7.3 earthquake struck the Pacific island nation of Vanuatu on Tuesday, causing significant damage to homes, businesses, and critical infrastructure, including the U.S. Embassy in the capital city of Port Vila. The quake, centered 30 kilometers west of Port Vila, hit just before 1 p.m. local time at a depth of 57 kilometers, according to the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS). 
A powerful magnitude 7.3 earthquake struck the Pacific island nation of Vanuatu on Tuesday, causing significant damage to homes, businesses, and critical infrastructure, including the U.S. Embassy in the capital city of Port Vila. The quake, centered 30 kilometers west of Port Vila, hit just before 1 p.m. local time at a depth of 57 kilometers, according to the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS). -
South Korea's Investigators Blocked from Raiding President Yoon’s Office
South Korea's ongoing political crisis escalated on Tuesday as investigators probing President Yoon Suk Yeol's controversial martial law declaration were denied entry to the presidential office for a second time. The standoff occurred amid mounting political division and uncertainty over the Constitutional Court's upcoming decision on whether to reinstate or remove Yoon from office. 
South Korea's ongoing political crisis escalated on Tuesday as investigators probing President Yoon Suk Yeol's controversial martial law declaration were denied entry to the presidential office for a second time. The standoff occurred amid mounting political division and uncertainty over the Constitutional Court's upcoming decision on whether to reinstate or remove Yoon from office. -
Russian Chemical Weapons Chief Killed in Moscow Blast; Ukraine Takes Credit for Attack
A high-ranking Russian military officer, Lieutenant-General Igor Kirillov, was killed on Tuesday in a targeted bomb attack in Moscow, an incident that a Ukrainian official has claimed was orchestrated by Ukraine's Security Service (SBU). The bombing, which also killed Kirillov's aide, comes amid ongoing accusations that Russia has deployed banned chemical weapons during its war in Ukraine. 
A high-ranking Russian military officer, Lieutenant-General Igor Kirillov, was killed on Tuesday in a targeted bomb attack in Moscow, an incident that a Ukrainian official has claimed was orchestrated by Ukraine's Security Service (SBU). The bombing, which also killed Kirillov's aide, comes amid ongoing accusations that Russia has deployed banned chemical weapons during its war in Ukraine. -
Assad Secretly Airlifted $250 Million to Russia Before Fleeing Syria
Bashar al-Assad's regime secretly transferred $250 million in cash to Russia over the course of 18 months, according to records revealed by the Financial Times. 
Bashar al-Assad's regime secretly transferred $250 million in cash to Russia over the course of 18 months, according to records revealed by the Financial Times. -
Israel’s ‘Earthquake Bomb’ Strikes Syrian Coast, Massive Blasts Register on Richter Scale Amid Tartus Missile Depot Attack
Israel launched one of its most intense military campaigns in Syria in over a decade, targeting air defense systems, missile depots, and other strategic sites in the coastal Tartus region. The strikes, described by the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights as "the heaviest strikes" in years, caused massive explosions, with some registering as a magnitude 3.0 seismic event. Videos shared on social media showed dramatic fireballs and mushroom clouds lighting up the night sky. 
Israel launched one of its most intense military campaigns in Syria in over a decade, targeting air defense systems, missile depots, and other strategic sites in the coastal Tartus region. The strikes, described by the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights as "the heaviest strikes" in years, caused massive explosions, with some registering as a magnitude 3.0 seismic event. Videos shared on social media showed dramatic fireballs and mushroom clouds lighting up the night sky. -
North Korean Troops Suffer Heavy Losses in Kursk Battles, Ukraine Reports
Ukrainian military intelligence has reported significant casualties among North Korean troops fighting alongside Russian forces in the Kursk region, marking a new phase in the ongoing conflict. According to the Main Directorate of Intelligence (GUR), around 30 North Korean soldiers were killed or wounded over the weekend in battles near the villages of Plekhovo, Vorozhba, and Martynovka. At least three additional North Korean troops were reported missing near the village of Kurilovka. 
Ukrainian military intelligence has reported significant casualties among North Korean troops fighting alongside Russian forces in the Kursk region, marking a new phase in the ongoing conflict. According to the Main Directorate of Intelligence (GUR), around 30 North Korean soldiers were killed or wounded over the weekend in battles near the villages of Plekhovo, Vorozhba, and Martynovka. At least three additional North Korean troops were reported missing near the village of Kurilovka. -
Israel Approves Plan to Double Settler Population in Golan Heights, Sparking International Outcry
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's government has approved an $11 million plan to double the settler population in the occupied Golan Heights, intensifying tensions in a region already fraught with geopolitical complexities. The move, announced Sunday, has drawn swift condemnation from Arab states and reignited debates over Israel's long-term intentions in the territory seized from Syria in the 1967 Six-Day War. 
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's government has approved an $11 million plan to double the settler population in the occupied Golan Heights, intensifying tensions in a region already fraught with geopolitical complexities. The move, announced Sunday, has drawn swift condemnation from Arab states and reignited debates over Israel's long-term intentions in the territory seized from Syria in the 1967 Six-Day War. -
Cyclone Chido Leaves Hundreds Feared Dead in Mayotte as French Island Faces Catastrophic Damage
Cyclone Chido has left a trail of devastation across the French Indian Ocean territory of Mayotte, with officials fearing the death toll could reach into the hundreds or even thousands. The intense tropical cyclone struck the impoverished island on Saturday, destroying homes, uprooting trees, and crippling essential infrastructure. François-Xavier Bieuville, Mayotte's prefect, described the situation as catastrophic and warned that the human toll could be staggering. 
Cyclone Chido has left a trail of devastation across the French Indian Ocean territory of Mayotte, with officials fearing the death toll could reach into the hundreds or even thousands. The intense tropical cyclone struck the impoverished island on Saturday, destroying homes, uprooting trees, and crippling essential infrastructure. François-Xavier Bieuville, Mayotte's prefect, described the situation as catastrophic and warned that the human toll could be staggering. -
Israel Closes Embassy in Ireland Amid Accusations of 'Extreme Anti-Israel Policies'
Israel has announced the closure of its embassy in Ireland, accusing the Irish government of fostering "extreme anti-Israel policies" and taking actions that cross "all red lines" in their bilateral relationship. The decision, confirmed by Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa'ar, marks a significant escalation in the strained ties between the two nations, which have clashed over issues related to Palestine and international law. 
Israel has announced the closure of its embassy in Ireland, accusing the Irish government of fostering "extreme anti-Israel policies" and taking actions that cross "all red lines" in their bilateral relationship. The decision, confirmed by Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa'ar, marks a significant escalation in the strained ties between the two nations, which have clashed over issues related to Palestine and international law. -
U.S. Confirms Direct Contact with Syrian Rebels
The United States has entered into direct contact with Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), the Syrian militant group that led the overthrow of President Bashar al-Assad's regime, Secretary of State Antony Blinken confirmed on Saturday. The announcement, made during a diplomatic tour in Jordan, underscores Washington's cautious but significant engagement in Syria's evolving political landscape. 
The United States has entered into direct contact with Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), the Syrian militant group that led the overthrow of President Bashar al-Assad's regime, Secretary of State Antony Blinken confirmed on Saturday. The announcement, made during a diplomatic tour in Jordan, underscores Washington's cautious but significant engagement in Syria's evolving political landscape.
