Larry Lee
The Latest
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UK and France to Draft Ukraine Peace Plan After Trump-Zelenskyy Clash
European leaders gathered in London on Sunday for high-stakes discussions with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy as Britain and France announced they would take the lead in drafting a peace plan for Ukraine. The proposal, which will be developed in collaboration with Kyiv, is expected to be presented to the United States as part of a broader effort to end the three-year war between Ukraine and Russia. 
European leaders gathered in London on Sunday for high-stakes discussions with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy as Britain and France announced they would take the lead in drafting a peace plan for Ukraine. The proposal, which will be developed in collaboration with Kyiv, is expected to be presented to the United States as part of a broader effort to end the three-year war between Ukraine and Russia. -
Israel Blocks Humanitarian Aid to Gaza After Hamas Rejects Ceasefire Extension Proposal
Israel has halted all humanitarian aid into the Gaza Strip following Hamas' rejection of a ceasefire extension proposal backed by the United States, escalating tensions in the ongoing conflict. The Israeli government announced Sunday that it would not allow further deliveries of goods and supplies into the region until Hamas agrees to the proposed framework. 
Israel has halted all humanitarian aid into the Gaza Strip following Hamas' rejection of a ceasefire extension proposal backed by the United States, escalating tensions in the ongoing conflict. The Israeli government announced Sunday that it would not allow further deliveries of goods and supplies into the region until Hamas agrees to the proposed framework. -
Hamas Rejects Israeli Proposal to Extend Ceasefire as Talks Stall in Cairo
Hamas has rejected an Israeli proposal to extend the first phase of the Gaza ceasefire by 42 days, insisting that negotiations must move to the next stage, which includes a full Israeli withdrawal from the enclave. The militant group's stance complicates ongoing talks in Cairo, where mediators from Egypt and Qatar have been working to secure an agreement before the current truce expires on Saturday. Hamas has rejected an Israeli proposal to extend the first phase of the Gaza ceasefire by 42 days, insisting that negotiations must move to the next stage, which includes a full Israeli withdrawal from the enclave. The militant group's stance complicates ongoing talks in Cairo, where mediators from Egypt and Qatar have been working to secure an agreement before the current truce expires on Saturday. -
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.
