Larry Lee
The Latest
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Hamas Offers to Release American-Israeli Hostage as Ceasefire Talks Stall
Hamas has agreed to release American-Israeli soldier Edan Alexander and return the bodies of four other dual-national hostages, according to a statement issued by the militant group on Friday. The announcement comes amid ongoing negotiations mediated by Qatar and Egypt, as the United States seeks to extend a temporary ceasefire in Gaza in exchange for the release of hostages. 
Hamas has agreed to release American-Israeli soldier Edan Alexander and return the bodies of four other dual-national hostages, according to a statement issued by the militant group on Friday. The announcement comes amid ongoing negotiations mediated by Qatar and Egypt, as the United States seeks to extend a temporary ceasefire in Gaza in exchange for the release of hostages. -
China, Russia, and Iran Call for End to U.S. Sanctions, Push for New Nuclear Talks Amid Rising Tensions
Representatives from China, Russia, and Iran met in Beijing on Friday to call for the removal of U.S. sanctions on Tehran and a return to diplomatic negotiations on Iran's nuclear program. The meeting, which underscored the three nations' alignment against Washington's "maximum pressure" strategy, comes as President Donald Trump has renewed his push for a new nuclear deal with Iran, even as he holds out the possibility of military action. 
Representatives from China, Russia, and Iran met in Beijing on Friday to call for the removal of U.S. sanctions on Tehran and a return to diplomatic negotiations on Iran's nuclear program. The meeting, which underscored the three nations' alignment against Washington's "maximum pressure" strategy, comes as President Donald Trump has renewed his push for a new nuclear deal with Iran, even as he holds out the possibility of military action. -
Why Putin’s Backing of Trump’s Ceasefire Deal Could Be a Tactical Deception
Russian President Vladimir Putin signaled cautious support for a U.S.-brokered ceasefire proposal in Ukraine but attached conditions that Western officials say amount to a strategic maneuver rather than a genuine step toward peace. The Kremlin's response followed a meeting in Moscow on Thursday between Putin and Steve Witkoff, a special envoy for President Donald Trump, as Washington attempts to broker an end to the conflict. 
Russian President Vladimir Putin signaled cautious support for a U.S.-brokered ceasefire proposal in Ukraine but attached conditions that Western officials say amount to a strategic maneuver rather than a genuine step toward peace. The Kremlin's response followed a meeting in Moscow on Thursday between Putin and Steve Witkoff, a special envoy for President Donald Trump, as Washington attempts to broker an end to the conflict. -
Putin Backs Ceasefire With Conditions Ukraine Sees as Surrender
Russian President Vladimir Putin on Thursday expressed conditional support for a U.S.-brokered 30-day ceasefire in Ukraine but outlined a series of demands that analysts say amount to a de facto Ukrainian surrender. 
Russian President Vladimir Putin on Thursday expressed conditional support for a U.S.-brokered 30-day ceasefire in Ukraine but outlined a series of demands that analysts say amount to a de facto Ukrainian surrender. -
UN Report Accuses Israel of Systematic Sexual Violence in Gaza Conflict, Netanyahu Rejects Allegations
United Nations-backed human rights investigators accused Israel on Thursday of systematically employing sexual violence and reproductive abuse against Palestinians in Gaza during its recent war with Hamas, sparking fierce pushback from Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. 
United Nations-backed human rights investigators accused Israel on Thursday of systematically employing sexual violence and reproductive abuse against Palestinians in Gaza during its recent war with Hamas, sparking fierce pushback from Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. -
Putin Orders Relentless Offensive in Kursk as U.S. Special Envoy Arrives in Moscow
Russian forces have retaken the town of Sudzha in the Kursk region, marking a significant territorial loss for Ukraine just as the United States presses for a ceasefire. The Russian Defense Ministry announced Thursday that its troops had "liberated" Sudzha along with two smaller settlements, Melovoy and Podol, as part of a broader push to regain control of Kursk. 
Russian forces have retaken the town of Sudzha in the Kursk region, marking a significant territorial loss for Ukraine just as the United States presses for a ceasefire. The Russian Defense Ministry announced Thursday that its troops had "liberated" Sudzha along with two smaller settlements, Melovoy and Podol, as part of a broader push to regain control of Kursk. -
Putin Visits Kursk, Orders Swift Defeat of Ukrainian Forces Ahead of Ceasefire Talks
Russian President Vladimir Putin traveled to the Kursk region on Tuesday for the first time since Ukrainian forces seized territory there last August, calling for the immediate defeat of remaining Ukrainian troops as peace negotiations between Russia and the United States approach. 
Russian President Vladimir Putin traveled to the Kursk region on Tuesday for the first time since Ukrainian forces seized territory there last August, calling for the immediate defeat of remaining Ukrainian troops as peace negotiations between Russia and the United States approach. -
Ukraine’s Foothold in Russia Collapses as Moscow Recaptures Kursk Region
Ukrainian forces appeared to be withdrawing from their last foothold in Russia's Kursk region on Wednesday, as Russian troops advanced and reclaimed the town of Sudzha, marking the collapse of Kyiv's cross-border incursion into Russian territory. Videos shared by Kremlin-affiliated military bloggers showed Russian soldiers raising the national flag in Sudzha's central square, while Moscow's defense ministry declared continued victories over Ukrainian forces in the region. 
Ukrainian forces appeared to be withdrawing from their last foothold in Russia's Kursk region on Wednesday, as Russian troops advanced and reclaimed the town of Sudzha, marking the collapse of Kyiv's cross-border incursion into Russian territory. Videos shared by Kremlin-affiliated military bloggers showed Russian soldiers raising the national flag in Sudzha's central square, while Moscow's defense ministry declared continued victories over Ukrainian forces in the region. -
Pakistan Military Battles Baloch Militants in Train Hijacking Standoff
Pakistani security forces continued a high-stakes operation Wednesday to rescue more than 300 hostages held by separatist militants after a passenger train was hijacked in Balochistan province. The Baloch Liberation Army (BLA), the insurgent group behind the attack, claimed responsibility and demanded a prisoner swap, while authorities reported dozens of militant casualties in the ongoing battle. 
Pakistani security forces continued a high-stakes operation Wednesday to rescue more than 300 hostages held by separatist militants after a passenger train was hijacked in Balochistan province. The Baloch Liberation Army (BLA), the insurgent group behind the attack, claimed responsibility and demanded a prisoner swap, while authorities reported dozens of militant casualties in the ongoing battle. -
Russian Captain Arrested After Collision Between Cargo Ship and U.S. Military Tanker in North Sea
A Russian national was the captain of the cargo ship Solong that collided with the U.S.-registered tanker Stena Immaculate off the coast of England, igniting a fire and spilling jet fuel into the North Sea. British authorities arrested the 59-year-old captain on suspicion of gross negligence manslaughter. The incident, which took place near the port of Hull on Monday, has triggered an environmental and maritime safety investigation, though officials have stated there is no immediate sign of foul play. 
A Russian national was the captain of the cargo ship Solong that collided with the U.S.-registered tanker Stena Immaculate off the coast of England, igniting a fire and spilling jet fuel into the North Sea. British authorities arrested the 59-year-old captain on suspicion of gross negligence manslaughter. The incident, which took place near the port of Hull on Monday, has triggered an environmental and maritime safety investigation, though officials have stated there is no immediate sign of foul play.
