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☆ Ukraine at last has all the Abrams tanks the US promised. Now the question is how best to use them.
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-28 | by ( Chris Panella | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +9 min

Ukraine has received all 31 of the formidable M1A1 Abrams tanks promised by the US. Ukraine will have to be careful with how it employs the Abrams, especially as the counteroffensive likely slows in coming months. But don't expect to see many showdowns with Russian tanks. Russian minefields have held Ukraine's armor at bay, while artillery and anti-tank missiles threaten the vehicles that do advance. Soldiers handle a US M1 Abrams tank during the Finnish Army mechanized exercise "Arrow 23" at the Pohjankangas shooting and training area in Niinisalo, Finland, on May 4, 2023.

Persons: —, Abrams, Mark Cancian, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, Biden, Olivia Yanchik, that's, ANTTI AIMO, Moscow's, Ukraine's, Russia's, Yanchik, Cancian, JONATHAN NACKSTRAND, Zelenskyy, ATACMS Organizations: US, Abrams, Service, Center for Strategic, International Studies, US Marine Corps, US Army, Council's Eurasia Center, Royal United Services Institute, M1 Abrams, Finnish Army, Getty, Trident, Russian, U.S . Marine Corps M1A1, 1st Tanks Bravo Company, Marine, Palms Marine Corps Base, US Department of Defense, MGM, Tactical Missile Systems, NATO Locations: Ukraine, Kyiv, Niinisalo, Finland, AFP, Zaporizhzhia, NATO, Oppdal, Norway, Azov, California, Russia

☆ Moody's places Israel's A1 ratings on review for possible downgrade
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-19 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

Israel's Iron Dome anti-missile system intercepts rockets launched from the Gaza Strip, as seen from Ashkelon, in southern Israel, October 17, 2023. REUTERS/Amir Cohen/ File Photo Acquire Licensing RightsOct 19 (Reuters) - Global ratings agency Moody's on Thursday placed Israel's A1 ratings on review for a possible downgrade, citing the ongoing military conflict with the Palestinian Islamist group Hamas. There has been a huge spike in the cost of insuring Israel's government debt using what are known as credit default swaps (CDS). Israel has never been downgraded by any of the three main ratings agencies - S&P Global, Moody's and Fitch. Earlier this week, rival rating agency Fitch placed the country on rating watch negative and warned a major escalation of the ongoing conflict could result in a negative rating action.

Persons: Amir Cohen, Moody's, Yoav Gallant, Fitch, Aatrayee Chatterjee, Sriraj Organizations: REUTERS, Hamas, Israeli, CDS, P, Thomson Locations: Gaza, Ashkelon, Israel, Palestinian, Bengaluru

☆ Global market reaction to a week of war in Israel
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-13 | by ( Marc Jones | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

REUTERS/Brendan McDermid/File Photo Acquire Licensing RightsLONDON, Oct 13 (Reuters) - Below are five charts showing the volatile response of global financial markets to this week's war between Israel and Hamas. 1/TAKING STOCKMSCI's main world stocks index (.MIWD00000PUS) has reacted to the conflict by notching up its best week in almost two months. But that may have more to do with global bond market borrowing costs which - after rising sharply and knocking the confidence of equity markets - have seen their biggest weekly drop since early June. Its more than 3% drop marks its biggest weekly fall since February when concerns about rule of law changes were still raw. Investors use CDS either as a protection tool or to speculate and this week the cost of buying Israel CDS has surged 80%.

Persons: Brendan McDermid, Israel, Brent, Moody's, Fitch, Marc Jones, Mark Potter Organizations: New York Stock Exchange, REUTERS, Federal Reserve, European Central Bank, GAS, Reuters, CDS, Thomson Locations: New York City, U.S, Israel, Iran, United States, Moscow, Ukraine, India

☆ Israel raises $200 mln in bonds, debt insurance costs surge
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-12 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

REUTERS/Nir Elias/Illustration Acquire Licensing RightsLONDON, Oct 12 (Reuters) - Israel has raised $200 million from diaspora bond sales since the war with Hamas began, Israel Bonds said in a statement. The group, the government's vehicle for diaspora bonds, said that U.S. state and local governments accounted for $150 million of the purchases. "The response across many U.S. states was immediate and demand exceeded the amount of Israel bonds that we were able to sell at that time," Dani Naveh, president at Israel Bonds, said in a statement. Israel Bonds said it had nearly reached its standard annual goal to raise $1 billion before the war began. As of Dec. 31, it had $5.4 billion worth of outstanding bonds, representing approximately 12% of Israel's external governmental debt.

Persons: Nir Elias, Israel Bonds, Dani Naveh, Libby George, Karin Strohecker, Emelia Organizations: REUTERS, Hamas, Israel, Palestinian, P Global Market Intelligence, Thomson Locations: Israel, U.S

☆ Ukraine could soon be a muddy mess, but its new Abrams were made for this fight
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-05 | by ( Chris Panella | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +10 min

The first batch of US-provided Abrams tanks have arrived in Ukraine. The heavy tanks are joining the battle just in time for the infamous muddy season, which has bogged down some systems. AdvertisementAdvertisementUkraine's infamous mud season is on the horizon, raising questions about how the country's new Western-made armor, like the heavy US-provided M1A1 Abrams tanks, will perform in the coming muddy mess. AdvertisementAdvertisementAn Abrams tank from 1st Battalion, 8th Cavalry Regiment pulls security during Combined Resolve XIII at the Joint Multinational Readiness Center Hohenfels, Germany, on Feb. 02, 2002. In order to maintain the Abrams' Honeywell AGT1500 engine, Ukraine will need a consistent support and a solid supply chain able to provide sufficient spare parts.

Persons: Abrams, —, Robert Greenway, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, YEVHEN TITOV, George Barros, Vladimir Putin's, Barros, they've, It's, Omar Marques, Mark Cancian, They're, Greenway, Douglas R, Bush, it's Organizations: Service, Hudson Institute, Army, 1st Battalion, 8th Cavalry Regiment, Joint Multinational Readiness Center, US Army, Soviet, Getty, Institute for, ARIS MESSINIS, Nowa, Center for Strategic, International Studies, Marine Corps, Abrams, Honeywell, US Locations: Ukraine, Germany, Russia, AFP, Ukrainian, Bakhmut, Donbas, Southern Ukraine, Kyiv, Kharkiv, Nowa Deba, Poland, Soviet, Soviet Union, Latvia

☆ Elon Musk's dad said he turned down a free Tesla from his son
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-02 | by ( Grace Kay | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +4 min

Errol Musk, Elon Musk's dad, said he turned down his son's offer to send a Tesla to South Africa. In January 2022, Errol Musk turned down his son's offer to gift him a Tesla and ship it to his home in South Africa, he told Insider. South Africa charges a 25% tariff on automotive imports. While Tesla has begun selling its EVs in Europe and China, the vehicles are not for sale in South Africa. "You go to Austin and every time you turn around you're at a Tesla charging station."

Persons: Errol Musk, Elon Musk's, Errol, —, Elon, doesn't, it's, Elon wasn't, Tesla, Winstone Jordaan, It's, Ryan, I've, Kimbal, Walter Isaacson's, Royce Corniche, he's, Isaacson, he'd, I'm Organizations: Royce, Service, Auto Transport, Plaid, Elon, Tesla Locations: South Africa, Europe, China, Austin, North America, Florida

☆ Tank battles of the kind the Abrams was built for are rare in Ukraine, where tanks aren't often killed in fights with enemy armor
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-28 | by ( Chris Panella | Ryan Pickrell | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +6 min

US-made M1A1 Abrams tanks have arrived in Ukraine, but the war may not give it the opportunity to do what it does best. AdvertisementAdvertisementUkrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said Monday that Abrams tanks had arrived and were "preparing to reinforce our brigades." View of American M1A1 Abrams tanks as they cross the desert during the Gulf War, Iraq, 1991. U.S. Army M1A1 Abrams tank fires during NATO enhanced Forward Presence battle group military exercise Crystal Arrow 2021 in Adazi, Latvia March 26, 2021. AdvertisementAdvertisementBeyond enemy threats, Ukraine will still face a major challenge operating the Abrams on the battlefield — and that is keeping it there.

Persons: Abrams, —, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, Biden, Allan Tannenbaum, there's, hasn't, Moscow's, INTS KALNINS Organizations: Wall Street, Service, Royal United Services Institute, Army, New York Times, US Army, U.S . Army M1A1, NATO Locations: Ukraine, Soviet, Iraq, Russia, Ukrainian, Adazi, Latvia

☆ Abrams tanks were 'built to kill' Russian armor, but Ukraine has its work cut out for it keeping them in the fight
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-27 | by ( Chris Panella | Ryan Pickrell | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +12 min

Ukraine has received a first batch of US-provided M1A1 Abrams tanks. It's heavy-duty, combat-proven armor that was built with a very specific mission in mind: killing Russian tanks. The promise to deliver American-made Abrams tanks to Ukraine followed plans from the UK, Germany, and other European partners to provide Ukraine with Challenger and Leopard tanks. AdvertisementAdvertisement"The Abrams was built, A1 and A2 alike, knowing we had to kill many more Russian tanks. AdvertisementAdvertisementUS M1A1 Abrams tanks needed for training the Armed Forces of Ukraine arrive by rail at Grafenwoehr, Germany, May 14, 2023.

Persons: Abrams, it's, —, Robert Greenway, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, Biden, M1A1 Abrams, Lance Cpl, Scott Jenkins, Joe Biden, M1A1s, Pat Ryder, Gian Gentile, RAND's, Gentile, Leo, Challenger, Allan Tannenbaum, Greenway, Charlie Company ,, Brendan Mullin, there's, It's, Tylon Chapman, Douglas R, Bush, we've Organizations: US Army, Service, Ukraine, Soviet, Hudson Institute, Army, New York Times, M1A1, Iraq's, Special Forces, Marine Corps M1A1, 2nd Tank Battalion, 2nd Marine Division, Marine Expeditionary Force, US Marine Corps, Kyiv, Pentagon, Challenger, Leopard, Leopards, RAND's Arroyo Center, US, Charlie, Charlie Company , 1st Tank Battalion, 1st Marine Division, United Arab Emirates, Armed Forces, US Air National Guard, Honeywell, Abrams, Acquisition, Logistics, Technology, M1 Abrams Locations: Ukraine, Soviet, Pohjankangas, Niinisalo, Finland, Scott Jenkins Ukraine, Germany, RAND's Arroyo, Russian, Iraq, Soviet Union, U.S, Kuwait, Grafenwoehr

☆ Russia says Karabakh Armenian fighters start giving up arms
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-23 | by ( Felix Light | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +4 min

"The armed formations of Karabakh have begun handing over weapons and military equipment under the control of Russian peacekeepers," said Russia, which has around 2,000 peacekeepers in Karabakh. Russia's defence ministry said so far six armoured vehicles, more than 800 guns, about 5,000 units of ammunition were handed over by the fighters. Armenians in Karabakh told Reuters that they were essentially besieged in the region, with little food, electricity or fuel - and called on big powers to help them. Azerbaijan envisages an amnesty for Karabakh Armenian fighters who give up their arms and has said the Armenians can leave the region for Armenia if they want. Thousands of Karabakh Armenians have massed at the airport seeking the protection of Russian peacekeepers there.

Persons: Irakli, Cross, Nikol Pashinyan, Antony Blinken, Karapetyan, Svetlana Alaverdyan, Guy Faulconbridge, Gareth Jones Organizations: REUTERS, Karabakh, ICRC, Azerbaijan, International Committee, Reuters, Nagorno, United, Thomson Locations: Armenia, Karabakh, Tegh, Russia, KORNIDZOR, Nagorno Karabakh, Azerbaijan, Baku, United States, Nagorno, Kusapat, Arajadzor

☆ Karabakh Armenians say ceasefire being implemented, aid is arriving
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-23 | by ( Felix Light | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +6 min

Earlier, the Karabakh Armenians held another round of talks with Azerbaijani officials in the town of Shusha, three days after the ceasefire that followed a lightning 24-hour offensive in which Baku retook control of the mountainous region. Armenians say they fear they will be persecuted if they stay. "Today we were thrown out into the street - they made us vagabonds," Karapetyan told Armenia A1+, a partner of Reuters. Thousands of Karabakh Armenians have massed at the airport seeking the protection of Russian peacekeepers there. "They were shooting on the right, they were shooting on the left - we went out one after another, without taking clothes," she told Armenia A1+.

Persons: Cross, Elshad Hajiyev, Irakli, Gary Peters, We've, Peters, Nikol Pashinyan, Hikmet Hajiyev, Karapetyan, Svetlana Alaverdyan, Guy Faulconbridge, Alexander Marrow, Gareth Jones Organizations: ICRC, Karabakh, International Committee, Reuters, REUTERS, Rights, Democrat, Nagorno, Thomson Locations: Russia, Karabakh, KORNIDZOR, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Shusha, Baku, Artsakh, Moscow, Kornidzor, Michigan, Kusapat, Arajadzor

☆ Moody's lifts 2023 U.S. growth forecast, cuts China's for 2024
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-01 | by ( Marc Jones | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

REUTERS/Amr Alfiky Acquire Licensing RightsLONDON, Sept 1 (Reuters) - Credit rating agency Moody's raised its 2023 U.S. economic growth forecast on Friday but cut its estimate next year for China, saying that while the risk of a recession had fallen in the United States, China's challenges were mounting. "We have raised our growth forecast for the United States' economy to 1.9% in 2023 from 1.1% in our May outlook, acknowledging the strong underlying economic momentum," Moody's said in a report. The firm, now the only big three agency to have a top notch triple A rating for the U.S. following Fitch's downgrade last month, kept its 2024 growth forecast at 1%, saying that high interest rates would act as a brake on the economy. Moody's kept its growth projection for this year at 5% but cut its 2024 forecast to 4.0% from 4.5% previously. "We believe that low consumer confidence is holding back household spending, and economic and policy uncertainty will continue to weigh on business decisions".

Persons: Amr Alfiky, Moody's, Marc Jones, Mark Potter Organizations: Liberty, REUTERS, Fed, Aaa, Thomson Locations: Liberty State, Manhattan, Jersey City , New Jersey, U.S, China, United States

Banks now must sacrifice profit to keep customers who are struggling to make repayments on time. Cash profit for the year ended June 30 rose 6% to A$10.16 billion, slightly ahead of analyst forecasts, but CBA put aside $A1.47 billion more in provisions due to "ongoing cost of living pressures and rising interest rates". CBA stopped offering cash payments for mortgage refinancings to lure new borrowers in June, which CEO Matt Comyn said had "weighed on our market share". CBA's mortgage book grew in line with the total market in 2023. The number of borrowers struggling to repay loans, while rising, remained below pre-pandemic levels "but these figures will rise", Comyn said.

Persons: Banks, Matt Comyn, Comyn, Australia's, Byron Kaye, Sameer Manekar, Anil D'Silva, Stephen Coates, Jamie Freed Organizations: CBA, SYDNEY, Commonwealth Bank of Australia, Citi, National Australia Bank, Westpac, ANZ Group, Thomson Locations: COVID, Sydney, Bengaluru

REUTERS/Lewis Jackson/File PhotoSYDNEY, Aug 6 (Reuters) - Australia will drastically tighten penalties for promoters of dodgy tax schemes and beef up the power of regulators as part of reforms announced on Sunday in response to a scandal over the use of leaked tax plans by PwC Australia. PwC Australia was not fined for the breach under the existing rules, and the changes will not applied retroactively, a Treasury spokesperson told Reuters. "The PwC scandal exposed severe shortcomings in our regulatory frameworks," said the statement from the ministers for treasury and finance and the attorney general. The Australian Tax Office (ATO) foiled several attempts by companies to subvert the 2016 Multinational Anti-Avoidance Law but was frustrated in its subsequent investigation by "highly ambitious if not false" legal privilege claims from PwC Australia. Collins and PwC Australia were not sanctioned until late 2022 by a separate agency that regulates tax agents, the Tax Practitioners Board, after police said there was insufficient information for them to act.

Persons: Lewis Jackson, Peter Collins, Collins, William Mallard Organizations: REUTERS, PwC, Facebook, Bills, Reuters, Australian Tax, Thomson Locations: Barangaroo, Australia, PwC Australia

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The best Prime Day TV dealsDeal icon An icon in the shape of a lightning bolt. $79.99 from Amazon Originally $149.99 Save 47%Deal icon An icon in the shape of a lightning bolt. Deal Samsung 75-inch QN90B 4K QLED TV This 75-inch Samsung Neo QLED is an excellent high-end alternative for buyers who don't want an OLED TV. $719.99 from Amazon Originally $1,049.99 Save 31%Insignia 43-inch Class F30 Series 4K TV This Insignia Fire TV offers 4K quality and Amazon Fire Smart TV functionality in an affordable package. $99.00 from Amazon Originally $129.00 Save 23%Deal icon An icon in the shape of a lightning bolt.

Persons: we'll, Price, It's, we've, Apple AirPods Organizations: Prime Day, Amazon, Price LG, LG, PlayStation, Samsung, Dolby, Fire, Apple, Price Apple

☆ Investors look to next week's key inflation data after rally in stocks stumbles
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-23 | by ( Zev Fima | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +4 min

The Dow Jones Industrial Average , the S & P 500 and the Nasdaq lost more than 1% each for this holiday-shortened week. This coming week will feature some key inflation data to keep an eye on. On Tuesday, the May housing starts report was released, coming in much stronger than expected, at a 1.63 million seasonally adjusted annual rate (SAAR), versus 1.39 million SAAR expected. Building permits were also above expectations at a1.49 million SAAR versus 1.43 million SAAR expected. As a subscriber to the CNBC Investing Club with Jim Cramer, you will receive a trade alert before Jim makes a trade.

Persons: Jerome Powell, Jim Cramer, he's, Jefferies, JEF, Mills, HB Fuller, Jim Cramer's, Jim, Spencer Platt Organizations: Federal, Dow Jones, Nasdaq, Constellation Brands, Corp, Walgreens Boots Alliance, Micron Technology, Gross, Aid, McCormick &, Jim Cramer's Charitable, CNBC, New York Stock Exchange, Getty Locations: U.S, SAAR

☆ Russia's being more cautious with its tanks and trying to hide them after heavy losses in battle, but it's shooting itself in the foot
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-28 | by ( Ryan Pickrell | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +9 min

Heavy Russian tank and armored vehicle losses have led Russia to change its tactics, according to a new report. A Ukrainian soldier checks a wrecked Russian tank outside of the village of Mala Rogan, east of Kharkiv, on April 1, 2022. "It is pretty rare to find a Russian tank that hasn't blasted ERA on every single surface they can conceivably get it on, including somewhere it's really counterproductive," Watling said. While ERA is quite effective, the Ukrainians know where the weak points are to one-shot kill a Russian tank, though it's not always easy to get a clean shot off. Destroyed Russian tank is seen outside of Izyum district of Kharkiv Oblast, Ukraine on October 13, 2022.

☆ ANALYST VIEW Markets tumble as Turkey faces runoff election after Erdogan leads first round
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-15 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +6 min

[1/2] Supporters of Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan wave flags outside the AK Party headquarters, in Ankara, Turkey May 15, 2023. DEBT: Five-year credit default swaps jumped over 100 basis points from Friday and dollar bonds fell more than 7 cents. STOCKS: Borsa Istanbul issued a market-wide circuit breaker after the benchmark index (.XU100) dropped 6.38% in pre-market trading and was last down 2.7%. PIOTR MATYS, SENIOR FOX ANALYST, IN TOUCH CAPITAL MARKETS, POLAND:"When/if President Erdogan is re-elected, the lira should be trading far more freely. CLEMENS GRAFE AND BASAK EDIZGIL, GOLDMAN SACHS, LONDON:"The (rates and CDS) market dynamics post the initial move will be dependent on the FX market.

ApartmentComplex Before dawn on Feb. 6, a powerful earthquake in southern Turkey destroyed an upscale apartment complex, killing hundreds. The main building in the Renaissance complex toppled over, evidence that the building had major vulnerabilities on the lower level and the south side. Tall column Recreational space on ground floor Antis Yapi via Facebook The most vulnerable part of Renaissance was the ground floor, which had an open layout. 3-D model highlights the ground floor columns and recreational spaces. The horizontal forces could have weakened the ground floor columns and possibly torn them apart.

☆ Moody's outlook downgrade fuels split reaction in Israel
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-16 | by ( Steven Scheer | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +4 min

Moody's Investors Service on Friday lowered Israel's outlook to stable from positive while affirming its sovereign credit rating of "A1". The legislative push has sparked weeks of intensifying mass protests and Moody's said it reflected weaker institutions. This would "stop the deterioration of the Israeli economy," it said. Israel's economy grew 6.5% in 2022 but the Bank of Israel foresees 2.5% growth this year. On the heels of Moody's action, Israeli government bond prices were down as much as 1.1%, while Tel Aviv share indexes were down 0.2%.

☆ Moody's Israel rating outlook cut "not big drama," finance minister says
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-16 | by ( Steven Scheer | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

JERUSALEM, April 16 (Reuters) - Israeli Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich on Sunday said Moody's decision to cut the outlook for Israel's sovereign credit rating was "not a big drama" and that the government's plan to overhaul the judiciary would help the economy. Moody's Investors Service on Friday lowered Israel's outlook to stable from positive, saying the planned reforms could weaken Israel's institutions. Israel's sovereign credit rating was affirmed at "A1". Smotrich told a session of parliament's finance committee during a debate on the 2023-24 state budget that Israel's credit outlook was lowered in 2020, but raised in 2022. Israel's economy grew 6.5% in 2022 but the Bank of Israel foresees 2.5% growth this year.

☆ Israeli government says economy strong after Moody's rating outlook cut
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-15 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: 1 min

JERUSALEM, April 15 (Reuters) - Israel's government said on Saturday the economy was strong and that concerns raised by credit ratings agency Moody's were only "natural for those unfamiliar with the strength of Israeli society". Moody's on Friday lowered its outlook on Israel to stable from positive, citing deterioration of governance due to events stemming from the government's proposed overhaul of the judiciary. It affirmed Israel's sovereign credit rating at "A1". "There will be no harm to Israeli democracy and the Israeli economy," Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich said in a joint statement. Reporting by Ari Rabinovitch; editing by Jason NeelyOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

☆ Israeli leaders rebuff Moody's outlook cut, protests persist
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-15 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

[1/3] An aerial view shows people during a demonstration against Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his nationalist coalition government's judicial overhaul, in Tel Aviv, Israel, April 15, 2023. Moody's report issued on Friday marks the latest warning about a potential economic backlash to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's legislative push. Moody's affirmed Israel's sovereign credit rating at "A1", while revising its outlook to stable from positive. They said the concerns raised by Moody's are "natural for those unfamiliar with the strength of Israeli society". At the same time tens of thousands of Israelis again gathered in Tel Aviv and other cities in intensifying weekly protests, waving flags, banging drums and blaring horns.

☆ Moody's cuts Israel's outlook from 'positive' to 'stable'
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-14 | by ( Jason Gewirtz | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

It's another setback for Israel's economy since massive protests broke out across the country last month, due to proposed changes in the judicial system that are widely unpopular among citizens. For now, Moody's left the overall A1 rating in place for Israel, allowing it to stay in the upper end of the investment-grade category. But as a rating slips, a country faces the danger of having to pay higher rates to potential borrowers. What's more, outside investment from the U.S. and Europe is crucial to the health of Israel's economy. In a note issued late Friday afternoon, Moody's wrote: "The change of outlook to stable from positive reflects a deterioration of Israel's governance, as illustrated by the recent events around the government's proposal for overhauling the country's judiciary."

☆ Ukraine is getting older US Abrams tanks, but Russia's Soviet-era tanks still won't be a match for them in battle
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-23 | by ( Chris Panella | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +7 min

Instead of newer Abrams, Ukraine will receive older M1A1 Abrams tanks. According to some early performance reports from the first Gulf War, America's M1A1 tanks were a formidable and invaluable asset on the battlefield. Performance reports make similar arguments, noting that the inclusion of the depleted uranium boosted a round's ability to penetrate heavy tank armor. Allan Tannenbaum/Getty ImagesIn the Gulf War, the M1A1 was very successful at moving around the battlefield. During the Gulf War, tank crews complained about sand getting into the air filtration systems, as well as constant refueling, which the updated versions and the A2 improved upon.

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