Larry Lee
The Latest
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U.S. Intel: Iran Loaded Naval Mines After Israeli Strikes, Threatened Strait of Hormuz Closure
Iranian military forces loaded naval mines onto vessels in the Persian Gulf last month, signaling preparations to potentially block the Strait of Hormuz following Israel's June 13 strikes on targets inside Iran, according to two U.S. officials familiar with classified intelligence. 
Iranian military forces loaded naval mines onto vessels in the Persian Gulf last month, signaling preparations to potentially block the Strait of Hormuz following Israel's June 13 strikes on targets inside Iran, according to two U.S. officials familiar with classified intelligence. -
Europe Roasts Under Record Heatwave as Paris Nears 104°F and Spain Hits 114°F
A brutal heatwave gripping Europe intensified this week, pushing temperatures to record highs and triggering sweeping health alerts, school closures, and fatalities across the continent. In Paris, forecasters expected temperatures to reach 40°C (104°F) on Tuesday, while Spain reported its hottest June on record and Italy issued red alerts in 17 cities including Milan and Rome. 
A brutal heatwave gripping Europe intensified this week, pushing temperatures to record highs and triggering sweeping health alerts, school closures, and fatalities across the continent. In Paris, forecasters expected temperatures to reach 40°C (104°F) on Tuesday, while Spain reported its hottest June on record and Italy issued red alerts in 17 cities including Milan and Rome. -
Ukraine Loses F-16 Pilot as Russia Launches 477 Drones, 60 Missiles in Massive Air Assault
A Ukrainian F-16 fighter pilot was killed Sunday while defending against one of Russia's largest aerial assaults since the war began, according to Ukraine's military. The pilot, identified as 1st Class Lt. Col. Maksym Ustymenko, was credited with downing seven air targets before his jet was hit and crashed. He was unable to eject. 
A Ukrainian F-16 fighter pilot was killed Sunday while defending against one of Russia's largest aerial assaults since the war began, according to Ukraine's military. The pilot, identified as 1st Class Lt. Col. Maksym Ustymenko, was credited with downing seven air targets before his jet was hit and crashed. He was unable to eject. -
Israeli Army Under Fire After Reports of Shootings at Gaza Food Lines; Netanyahu Calls Claims 'Falsehoods'
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defense Minister Israel Katz on Friday rejected reports alleging that Israeli troops were ordered to fire on Palestinians approaching humanitarian aid distribution sites in Gaza, calling the claims "malicious falsehoods designed to defame" the Israel Defense Forces (IDF). 
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defense Minister Israel Katz on Friday rejected reports alleging that Israeli troops were ordered to fire on Palestinians approaching humanitarian aid distribution sites in Gaza, calling the claims "malicious falsehoods designed to defame" the Israel Defense Forces (IDF). -
Russia Seizes Key Ukrainian Lithium Deposit, Undermining U.S.-Backed Reconstruction Plan
Russian forces have taken control of Shevchenko, a village in Ukraine's Donetsk region that sits atop one of the largest undeveloped lithium deposits in Europe, complicating Western efforts to secure critical minerals essential for clean energy technologies. The occupation, confirmed by Ukrainian and French sources, marks a significant gain for Moscow in the broader geopolitical contest over natural resources. 
Russian forces have taken control of Shevchenko, a village in Ukraine's Donetsk region that sits atop one of the largest undeveloped lithium deposits in Europe, complicating Western efforts to secure critical minerals essential for clean energy technologies. The occupation, confirmed by Ukrainian and French sources, marks a significant gain for Moscow in the broader geopolitical contest over natural resources. -
Israel Closes Gaza Crossings as Clans Deny Hamas Role in Armed Aid Escorts
Israel's decision to close its northern Gaza aid crossings on Thursday has intensified humanitarian concerns as food shortages and famine risks escalate across the Palestinian enclave. The move follows the circulation of a video showing masked men guarding aid convoys, prompting Israeli leaders to suspend deliveries over fears Hamas might be seizing supplies. Israel's decision to close its northern Gaza aid crossings on Thursday has intensified humanitarian concerns as food shortages and famine risks escalate across the Palestinian enclave. The move follows the circulation of a video showing masked men guarding aid convoys, prompting Israeli leaders to suspend deliveries over fears Hamas might be seizing supplies. -
India Recovers Air India Crash Black Box Data Two Weeks After Disaster That Killed 260
Investigators in India have retrieved and begun analyzing black box data from the fatal Air India crash earlier this month that killed 260 people, including 241 passengers and crew on board and 19 individuals on the ground. The Boeing 787 Dreamliner, bound for London, plunged to the ground shortly after taking off from Ahmedabad on June 12, marking the deadliest aviation disaster globally in over a decade. 
Investigators in India have retrieved and begun analyzing black box data from the fatal Air India crash earlier this month that killed 260 people, including 241 passengers and crew on board and 19 individuals on the ground. The Boeing 787 Dreamliner, bound for London, plunged to the ground shortly after taking off from Ahmedabad on June 12, marking the deadliest aviation disaster globally in over a decade. -
Khamenei Declares Victory After Ceasefire as Iran Warns U.S. of Future Retaliation
Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei resurfaced Thursday to deliver a defiant message following a U.S.-brokered ceasefire that ended 12 days of warfare between Iran and Israel. In a televised address, his first since going into hiding during the conflict, Khamenei claimed victory, warned the United States of future attacks, and declared that Tehran had "delivered a heavy slap to the U.S.'s face." 
Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei resurfaced Thursday to deliver a defiant message following a U.S.-brokered ceasefire that ended 12 days of warfare between Iran and Israel. In a televised address, his first since going into hiding during the conflict, Khamenei claimed victory, warned the United States of future attacks, and declared that Tehran had "delivered a heavy slap to the U.S.'s face." -
UK to Purchase 12 F-35A Jets Capable of Carrying Nuclear Weapons in Largest Strategic Shift Since Cold War
The United Kingdom will acquire at least 12 U.S.-made F-35A fighter jets capable of carrying tactical nuclear weapons, Prime Minister Keir Starmer announced Wednesday at the NATO summit in The Hague. The move marks what Downing Street called "the biggest strengthening of the UK's nuclear posture in a generation" and brings Britain back into NATO's airborne nuclear mission for the first time since 1998. 
The United Kingdom will acquire at least 12 U.S.-made F-35A fighter jets capable of carrying tactical nuclear weapons, Prime Minister Keir Starmer announced Wednesday at the NATO summit in The Hague. The move marks what Downing Street called "the biggest strengthening of the UK's nuclear posture in a generation" and brings Britain back into NATO's airborne nuclear mission for the first time since 1998. -
NATO Allies Pledge 5% of GDP to Defense by 2035 in Major Strategic Shift Under Trump Pressure
NATO leaders on Wednesday agreed to raise defense spending to 5% of gross domestic product by 2035, a sweeping commitment that more than doubles the alliance's prior 2% target and signals a dramatic recalibration of security priorities amid heightened threats from Russia and growing demands from U.S. President Donald Trump. 
NATO leaders on Wednesday agreed to raise defense spending to 5% of gross domestic product by 2035, a sweeping commitment that more than doubles the alliance's prior 2% target and signals a dramatic recalibration of security priorities amid heightened threats from Russia and growing demands from U.S. President Donald Trump.
