Larry Lee
The Latest
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Ukraine and Russia Exchange High-Tech Drone Strikes, Targeting Civilians and Strategic Sites
The ongoing conflict between Ukraine and Russia intensified over the weekend with an exchange of drone and missile strikes, marking one of the most extensive cross-border escalations in recent months. Ukrainian drones targeted the Russian cities of Kazan and Saratov, disrupting airport operations and damaging residential areas, while Russia launched more than 100 drones and ballistic missiles into Ukraine, striking civilian infrastructure and military targets. 
The ongoing conflict between Ukraine and Russia intensified over the weekend with an exchange of drone and missile strikes, marking one of the most extensive cross-border escalations in recent months. Ukrainian drones targeted the Russian cities of Kazan and Saratov, disrupting airport operations and damaging residential areas, while Russia launched more than 100 drones and ballistic missiles into Ukraine, striking civilian infrastructure and military targets. -
Pope Francis Admonishes Vatican Bureaucrats for ‘Gossip and Backstabbing’
Pope Francis, battling a cold ahead of an arduous Christmas schedule and the launch of the Vatican's Holy Year, delivered a scathing critique of gossip and internal tensions within the Vatican bureaucracy. His annual Christmas address on Saturday to the Curia, the administrative body of the Catholic Church, underscored his ongoing campaign for humility and transparency among his closest collaborators. 
Pope Francis, battling a cold ahead of an arduous Christmas schedule and the launch of the Vatican's Holy Year, delivered a scathing critique of gossip and internal tensions within the Vatican bureaucracy. His annual Christmas address on Saturday to the Curia, the administrative body of the Catholic Church, underscored his ongoing campaign for humility and transparency among his closest collaborators. -
Deadly Christmas Market Attack in Magdeburg Leaves Five Dead, 200 Injured
Germany is grappling with shock and grief after a 50-year-old Saudi doctor drove a car into a crowded Christmas market in Magdeburg, killing five people and injuring more than 200. The attack has reignited concerns about public safety and immigration policies ahead of the country's federal elections in February. 
Germany is grappling with shock and grief after a 50-year-old Saudi doctor drove a car into a crowded Christmas market in Magdeburg, killing five people and injuring more than 200. The attack has reignited concerns about public safety and immigration policies ahead of the country's federal elections in February. -
Russia Bombards Kyiv with Ballistic Missiles Following Ukrainian Strikes on Russian Soil
Russia launched a deadly ballistic missile attack on Kyiv early Friday, killing at least one person and injuring 12 others, according to Ukrainian officials. The assault marked an escalation in hostilities, with Moscow claiming the strikes were in retaliation for Ukraine's recent use of American-supplied missiles against Russian targets. 
Russia launched a deadly ballistic missile attack on Kyiv early Friday, killing at least one person and injuring 12 others, according to Ukrainian officials. The assault marked an escalation in hostilities, with Moscow claiming the strikes were in retaliation for Ukraine's recent use of American-supplied missiles against Russian targets. -
Malaysia Restarts MH370 Search After a Decade with New Technology and Hope
Malaysia is set to revive the search for Malaysia Airlines Flight MH370, nearly 10 years after the aircraft disappeared in one of the aviation industry's greatest mysteries. The Malaysian government announced on Friday its agreement in principle to partner with U.S.-based marine exploration company Ocean Infinity in a "no find, no fee" arrangement. The search is expected to cover a new 15,000-square-kilometer area in the southern Indian Ocean early next year. 
Malaysia is set to revive the search for Malaysia Airlines Flight MH370, nearly 10 years after the aircraft disappeared in one of the aviation industry's greatest mysteries. The Malaysian government announced on Friday its agreement in principle to partner with U.S.-based marine exploration company Ocean Infinity in a "no find, no fee" arrangement. The search is expected to cover a new 15,000-square-kilometer area in the southern Indian Ocean early next year. -
Ukraine Targets Key Russian Oil and Chemical Facilities in Coordinated Strikes
Ukraine has launched a series of precision strikes on critical Russian infrastructure, marking a significant escalation in its efforts to disrupt Moscow's war capabilities. In separate operations, Ukrainian forces targeted the Novoshakhtinsky Oil Refinery and the Kamensky Chemical Plant in Russia's Rostov region, causing substantial damage to facilities vital for fueling the Russian military. 
Ukraine has launched a series of precision strikes on critical Russian infrastructure, marking a significant escalation in its efforts to disrupt Moscow's war capabilities. In separate operations, Ukrainian forces targeted the Novoshakhtinsky Oil Refinery and the Kamensky Chemical Plant in Russia's Rostov region, causing substantial damage to facilities vital for fueling the Russian military. -
Israel Strikes Houthi Targets in Yemen After Missile Hits Israeli School
Israel launched airstrikes on Houthi-controlled areas in Yemen early Thursday, targeting ports and energy infrastructure in retaliation for a ballistic missile attack on Israeli territory. The strikes, which Israeli officials described as precise and coordinated, mark the third such operation against the Iran-backed group in recent months. 
Israel launched airstrikes on Houthi-controlled areas in Yemen early Thursday, targeting ports and energy infrastructure in retaliation for a ballistic missile attack on Israeli territory. The strikes, which Israeli officials described as precise and coordinated, mark the third such operation against the Iran-backed group in recent months. -
Putin Signals Willingness for Talks with Trump Amid Ukraine Conflict and Rising Tensions
Russian President Vladimir Putin expressed readiness for potential discussions with U.S. President-elect Donald Trump, raising speculation about a diplomatic pivot as the war in Ukraine approaches its third year. Speaking during his annual marathon news conference in Moscow on Thursday, Putin addressed a range of pressing issues, including Russia's military objectives in Ukraine, its geopolitical standing, and strained relations with the West. 
Russian President Vladimir Putin expressed readiness for potential discussions with U.S. President-elect Donald Trump, raising speculation about a diplomatic pivot as the war in Ukraine approaches its third year. Speaking during his annual marathon news conference in Moscow on Thursday, Putin addressed a range of pressing issues, including Russia's military objectives in Ukraine, its geopolitical standing, and strained relations with the West. -
Gisèle Pelicot’s Ex-Husband Sentenced to 20 Years in Harrowing Rape Trial
In a case that has horrified the world and prompted a reckoning on sexual violence, Dominique Pelicot, the ex-husband of Gisèle Pelicot, was sentenced to 20 years in prison by a French court for drugging his wife and orchestrating her repeated rapes by strangers over nearly a decade. Fifty other men were also convicted of related crimes, with sentences ranging from three to 15 years. 
In a case that has horrified the world and prompted a reckoning on sexual violence, Dominique Pelicot, the ex-husband of Gisèle Pelicot, was sentenced to 20 years in prison by a French court for drugging his wife and orchestrating her repeated rapes by strangers over nearly a decade. Fifty other men were also convicted of related crimes, with sentences ranging from three to 15 years. -
Pope Francis Reveals British Intelligence Foiled Assassination Plots During Historic Iraq Visit
Pope Francis has disclosed that two assassination plots targeting his historic 2021 visit to Iraq were thwarted, thanks to intelligence provided by British agencies and rapid action from Iraqi police. In his autobiography, Hope (Spera), co-written with Italian author Carlo Musso, the Pope shared details of the threats he faced while making the first-ever papal visit to Iraq. 
Pope Francis has disclosed that two assassination plots targeting his historic 2021 visit to Iraq were thwarted, thanks to intelligence provided by British agencies and rapid action from Iraqi police. In his autobiography, Hope (Spera), co-written with Italian author Carlo Musso, the Pope shared details of the threats he faced while making the first-ever papal visit to Iraq.
