About the Show
Anchored by Jake Tapper, The Lead airs at 4 p.m. ET on CNN.
On the Next Episode of The Lead
We've moved! Come join us at our new show page.
world lead
Israeli official: Israel won't break the cease-fire, Hamas is the wild card
(CNN) – Hours before the three-day cease-fire in the Middle East is set to expire, Hamas is pushing its negotiators to reject an extension and return to battle.
"Israel won't break the cease-fire," said Israeli Government Spokesman Mark Regev. "But Hamas is the wild card. We know they could restart hostilities."
FULL POST
world lead
U.S. considers air strikes in Iraq
(CNN) - The United States is considering air strikes in Iraq in response to a militant surge in northern areas that has left minority groups trapped by fighting, a U.S. official told CNN.
The official said the possibility of such military action "has been something" the Obama administration "has been talking about for some time and the latest news just might meet the threshold for action."
world lead
Ukraine: Rebel leader resigns; militants shoot down fighter plane
Donetsk, Ukraine (CNN) - A leader of pro-Russian rebels in eastern Ukraine resigned his post Thursday as fighting flared there, with militants reportedly downing a Ukrainian military plane as Ukrainian government forces continued their attempt to retake the key city of Donetsk.
Alexander Borodai, prime minister of the self-proclaimed Donetsk People's Republic, told reporters in the city he was stepping down Thursday and handing power to Alexander Zakharchenko, a little-known militia commander.
world lead
Spokesman: Hamas will not extend cease-fire, 'we are ready for a long war'
By CNN chief Washington correspondent Jake Tapper and Kareem Khadder
Jerusalem (CNN) – The military wing of Hamas announced at 9:15 p.m. Gaza time Thursday that, unless its demands are met, the 72-hour cease-fire will be over when it expires at 8 am tomorrow morning local time.
"The resistance is ready to pay the price and the people are behind the resistance," said Abu Obaida, the masked spokesman for the Qassam Brigades, in an announcement aired on Al Aqsa television.
FULL POST
