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☆ Donor revolt at Harvard and UPenn over Israel shows big checks often have strings attached
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-24 | by ( Nathaniel Meyersohn | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +8 min

New York CNN —Big money donations are booming at America’s colleges, helping fund higher education for millions of students. The biggest donors often sit on universities’ board of trustees, which governs the university and selects university leadership, priorities and direction. The donor backlash at the University of Pennsylvania and uproar at Harvard University over Israel and Palestine highlight how big donations often come with demands for changes to university policy and politics. The backlash has raised questions about the influence big donors wield and pressure donors may exert over leadership, hiring decisions and academic affairs. Restricted giftsMore donations are coming with strings attached, rather than letting schools spend their donations however they want.

Persons: ’, ”, Cliff Asness, James Finkelstein, David Callahan, George Mason, Nikole Hannah, Jones, Rob Reich, “, Ann Marcus Organizations: New, New York CNN, University of Pennsylvania, Harvard University, Harvard, George Mason University, Faculty Senate Tri, Council, Advancement, “, ”, Aid, Education, Critics, Indiana University, George, Koch Foundation, Yale University, University of North, Chapel, Michigan State, Stanford University, Universities, New York University, NYU’s Steinhardt, of Higher Locations: New York, Israel, Palestine, University of North Carolina, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Kuwait

☆ How McDonald’s Middle East franchises got into a public feud over Israel
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-23 | by ( Danielle Wiener-Bronner | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +6 min

Many McDonald’s operators in the region quickly distanced themselves from the Israeli operator’s actions. “It’s less control.”As the public feud plays out in the Middle East, McDonald’s corporate hasn’t said much about the war. What’s going on with McDonald’s in the Middle EastOnline, McDonald’s operators have made clear that they are independent of each other. “McDonald’s Pakistan is a wholly Pakistani entity owned and managed by SIZA foods,” reads a statement posted by McDonald’s Pakistan on X, formerly Twitter. Nierman suspects that many McDonald’s customers might not be paying too much attention either way.

Persons: McDonald’s, Artur Widak, ”, Andrew Gilman, hasn’t, Michael Seid, ’, Seid, Al Maousherji, ” Gilman, Evan Nierman, ” Nierman Organizations: New, New York CNN, Palestinian Ministry of Health, Hamas, CNN, Food Program, MSA, ‘, McDonald’s, Al, Al Maousherji Catering, Kuwait Red Crescent Society, Universities Locations: New York, Israel, McDonald’s Israel, Kuwait, Pakistan, Gaza, United States, “, McDonald’s Pakistan, McDonald’s Kuwait, Kuwaiti, Palestine, ”

☆ Protests across Mideast as US’ Arab allies warn against pushing Palestinians out
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-20 | by ( Nadeen Ebrahim | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +8 min

CNN —Protests erupted around the Arab world on Friday as the Gaza war raged and an Israeli ground operation with the potential to displace millions of Palestinians loomed. In a sign of the growing anger over the Israeli operation in Gaza, Egypt sanctioned its first major nationwide protest in a decade. Amman and Cairo have sounded alarms over what they perceive as a plan to transfer Palestinians from Gaza and the West Bank to Egypt and Jordan. The West Bank, however, remains occupied and the previous right-wing government of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said it would advance plans to extend its jurisdiction to the West Bank. The Palestinians want to establish an independent state in the West Bank and Gaza.

Persons: Annie Sakkab, Antony Blinken, Azhar, Omar Zoheiry, Amal, Young, Joe Biden, ”, Israel, Abdel Fattah el, Ayman Mohsab, Sisi, ” Sisi, Ayman Safadi, Al Jazeera, ” Israel, Benjamin Netanyahu, Netanyahu, Benny Gantz, Jordan, Olaf Scholz Organizations: CNN, West Bank, Palestinian Ministry of Health, Bloomberg, Getty, Louk, AP, United, Reuters, Israel, Arab Affairs Committee, Al, Israeli, National Unity Party, Palestinian Authority, Cairo Peace, United Arab, United Nations Locations: Gaza, Israeli, Egypt, Jordan, Lebanon, Iraq, Yemen, Israel, Amman , Jordan, Rafah, Cairo’s, Cairo, Bab el, Tahrir, al, Old Cairo, Beirut, Lebanese, Iran, Iraq’s, Baghdad, United States, Amman, ‘, Jordanian, Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Bahrain, Kuwait, Italy, Greece

☆ Analysis: The US is dangerously close to being pulled into a Middle East war as it supports Israel's campaign against Gaza
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-20 | by ( Ben Wedeman | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +7 min

Editor’s Note: A version of this story appears in CNN’s Meanwhile in the Middle East newsletter, a three-times-a-week look inside the region’s biggest stories. Gaza may be where the war is happening now, but across the Middle East the warning lights of more trouble to come are blinking red. All the while the US is airlifting massive amounts of ammunition and equipment to help the Israeli war effort. Protests against Israel and USAs the war in Gaza rages, the Middle East is seething with anger. The American carrier groups just over the horizon are there to deter Iran, Hezbollah and others from going too far.

Persons: Joe Biden, Biden, Benjamin Netanyahu, Miriam Alster, Antony Blinken, –, Saddam Hussein’s, Bashar al, Qasem Soleimani, Hossein Amir, Abdollahian, Israel, Israel’s, Jordan’s King Abdullah, Abdel Fattah el, Mahmoud Abbas, Sisi, King Abdullah, ” I’ve Organizations: Southern Lebanon CNN, Houthi, US, Israel, Gaza, White, Israeli, Hamas, Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, Islamic, Iranian, Ahli Baptist Hospital, Palestinian Locations: Southern Lebanon, Yemen, Syria, Iraq, Gaza, Iran, Israel, Tel Aviv, United States, Kuwait, Russia, Turkey, Islamic State, Aleppo, Damascus, Baghdad, it’s, Beirut, Vietnam, Afghanistan, East, Doha, Jordan, Lebanon, Libya, Morocco, Egypt, Amman, Ahli, Al, Cairo

☆ Egypt agrees to allow first aid trucks into Gaza as it reels from hospital blast
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-19 | by ( Jessie Yeung | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +26 min

A woman mourns over a dead man at the Al-Aqsa Martyrs Hospital in Gaza City on Wednesday, October 18. Brendan Smialowski/AFP/Getty Images A view shows the aftermath of a deadly blast that struck Al-Ahli Baptist Hospital in Gaza City on October 18. Abed Khaled/AP Bodies of Palestinians killed in the blast at the Al-Ahli Baptist Hospital lie in front of the Al-Shifa Hospital in Gaza City on October 17. Samar Abu Elouf/The New York Times/Redux Palestinians wait to cross into Egypt at the Rafah border crossing in Gaza on October 16. Yousef Masoud/The New York Times A morgue worker arranges body bags at al-Shifa hospital in Gaza City on October 12.

Persons: Joe Biden, Abdel Fattah el, Sisi, Biden, “ We’re, We’re, Farhan Haq, It’s, Richard Brennan, ”, Belal Khaled, Abed Rahim Khatib, Leon Neal, Hod, Alexi J . Rosenfeld, Ayal Margolin, Antony Blinken, Benjamin Netanyahu, Brendan Smialowski, Ali Jadallah, Netanyahu, Kenny Holston, Abed Khaled, Ariel Schalit, Mohammed Abed, Kfar Aza, Ilia Yefimovich, Khan, Mustafa Hassona, Mahmoud Khaled, Samar Abu, Fatima Shbair, Dor Reder, Violeta Santos Moura, Shir Torem, Wahaj Bani Moufleh, Antonio Macías, Macías, Francisco Seco, Mohammed Saber, Eli Albag, Liri, Mohammed Talatene, Sergey Ponomarev, Hatem Ali, Dor Kedmi, Mahmud Hams, Saher, Hatem Moussa, Abraham Cohen, Valentin Ghnassia, Ghnassia, Yuri Cortez, Yousef Masoud, Ibrahim Hams, Bashar Taleb, Baz Ratner, Jack Guez, Yahya Hassouna, Mapal Adam, Abed Zagout, Tamir Kalifa, Agha, Ibraheem Abu Mustafa, Reuters Itzik, Miriam Shafir, Dor Shafir, Savion Kiper, Maya Alleruzzo, Mohammed Salem, CNN Sergey Ponomarev, Eden Guez, Atef Safadi, Ohad, Mohammed Soboh, Said, Noam Elimeleh Rothenberg, Amir Cohen, Ilai Bar Sade, Erik Marmor, Oren Ziv, Ronen Zvulun, Majdi, Ramez Mahmoud, Roi Levy, Alleruzzo, Tali Touito, Jalaa Marey, Oded, Khan Younis, Ahmad Hasballah, Mohammed Fayq Abu Mostafa, Tsafrir, Ahmad Gharabli, Ilan Rosenberg, Eyad Baba, Itai Ron, Hadas Parush, “, –, Israel, Egypt’s, wouldn’t, Jonathan Conricus, ” Conricus, Xi Jinping, Mostafa Madbouly, ” Xi, Madbouly Organizations: CNN, UN, World Health Organization, WHO, –, Al, Aqsa Martyrs Hospital, Getty, Israel's, Ahli Baptist Hospital, Israel Defense Forces, Israeli, Ben Gurion International, New York Times, Shifa, Palestinian, AP, Reuters, West Bank, Aris Messinis, Haim, Mount, Mount Herzl Military, Nova, Anadolu Agency, Nova Festival, Ben Gurion, Rockets, United Nations, Reuters Police, Reuters Rockets, Hamas, Israel, Islamic Jihad, National Security Council, White House, Egyptian Locations: Egypt, Gaza, Israel, United States, Aqsa, Gaza City, Rafah, Tel Aviv, Hod HaSharon, Kiryat Shmona, AFP, Al, Ahli, Anadolu, Sderot, Gan, Kfar, Khan Younis, North Sinai, Samar, Samar Abu Elouf, Beit Kama, Haifa, Cyprus, Nablus, West, Lebanon, Kfar Saba, Israeli, Be'eri, Rehovot, Mount Herzl, Jerusalem, Kibbutz Be'eri, Modiin Maccabim, Kfar Aza, Ashkelon, Mount Herzel, Yassin, Palestinian, Beitar Ilit, Ramat Gan, Itai, Beit Hanun, Rishon Lezion, Iraq, Jordan, Kuwait, Tunisia, United, Iran, Beijing

CVC targets an IPO that would value the company at more than 10 billion euros, the people said, with the company placing around 10% of its share capital, one of the people said. The private equity firm's partners are not expected to sell stock through the IPO, the people said. Blue Owl, CVC, GIC and HKMA declined to comment. On-road payments provider DKV Mobility, in which CVC has a minority holding, decided to defer its IPO plans because of volatile markets, Reuters reported earlier this month. London-headquartered CVC, which oversees more than 160 billion euros in assets, is striving to transform itself into a diversified asset manager.

Persons: de, Singapore's GIC, Renk, DIF, Glendower, Pablo Mayo Cerqueiro, Elisa Martinuzzi, Barbara Lewis Organizations: REUTERS, Partners, Reuters, CVC, Hong Kong Monetary Authority, Kuwait Investment Authority, DKV Mobility, Thomson Locations: Amsterdam, Netherlands, Kuwait, London

☆ What the Israel-Hamas war means for defense stocks
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-18 | by ( Nicole Goodkind | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +7 min

New York CNN —When war breaks out, defense companies tend to make money. That means aerospace and defense stocks tend to rise during geopolitical unrest. Defense stocks typically rise after military conflicts but soon lose those gains. Following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, the iShares defense ETF surged by 5%, with Lockheed Martin and Northrop Grumman’s shares jumping about 20%. Goldman Sachs announced third-quarter results on Tuesday morning, reporting earnings of $5.47 per share, which beat the $5.31 expected by analysts.

Persons: Lockheed Martin, Northrop Grumman, ”, Jim Taiclet, “ That’s, JPMorgan Chase, Jamie Dimon, “, ” Sam Stovall, Joe Biden’s, Northrop Grumman’s, Raffi Boyadjian, Goldman Sachs, David Solomon, “ David, Goldman, Tony Fratto, Solomon, DJ, ” Solomon, it’s, Lloyd Blankfein, they’re, Elon Musk’s, Elon Musk, X, Clare Duffy Organizations: CNN Business, Bell, New York CNN, U.S . Aerospace & Defense ETF, Raytheon, Lockheed, Boeing, General Dynamics, Northrop, “, Lockheed Martin Corporation, titans, Hamas, JPMorgan, Defense, XM, Treasury, CNN, Revenue, Twitter Locations: New York, Israel, U.S, Ukraine, Kippur, Kuwait, South Beach, New Zealand, Philippines

Several Arab countries, including Saudi Arabia, Jordan, Egypt, the United Arab Emirates and Iraq issued statements condemning Israel and accusing its military of bombing the hospital. People gather in Tahrir Square to protest the Gaza hospital blast in Baghdad, Iraq, on October 17. One group made an attempt to “reach it,” but a security source told CNN that security forces dealt with them and pushed them away. Jordanian security forces also used tear gas to disperse the protesters, according to two activists and videos posted to social media. TAP said “mass protests were held on Tuesday night,” in several areas “in solidarity with the Palestinian people” and against Israeli bombardment of Gaza.

Persons: Israel, Jihad, Murtadha, CNN’s Ben Wedeman, Protesters, Zohra Bensemra, Tayyip Erdogan, Joe Biden, Ayman Safadi, Safadi, “ can’t Organizations: CNN, Al, Ahli Baptist Hospital, Israel Defense Forces, Palestinian Islamic, United Arab, West, Anadolu Agency, US State Department, Security, Reuters, TAP, Palestinian Authority, West Bank, Jordan’s Foreign Affairs, IDF, UN, Episcopal, Al Ahli Baptist Hospital Locations: Israel, East, North Africa, Gaza City, Ahli, Saudi Arabia, Jordan, Egypt, United Arab Emirates, Iraq, Lebanon, Kuwait, Tunisia, West Bank, Ramallah, Gaza, Tahrir, Baghdad, Amman , Jordan, Jordanian, Beirut, Iran, Tehran, France, England, America, Esfahan, Qom ., Tunis, Istanbul, Turkish, ”, Jerusalem, Al Ahli, Al

☆ The devastating Gaza hospital blast is shrouded in uncertainty. Here’s what we know, and what we don’t
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-18 | by ( Rob Picheta | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +8 min

CNN —A day after a deadly blast tore through Al-Ahli Baptist Hospital in Gaza, sparking protests across the region, the United States has released its own assessment of what caused the devastation. Islamic Jihad – a rival group to Hamas – has denied responsibility. Here’s a look at what we know – and don’t know – so far. Dr. Fadel Na’eem, head of the orthopedic department, said he was performing surgery when a deafening blast sounded through the hospital. Israel has provided the US with intelligence it has gathered related to the deadly Gaza hospital explosion, according to an Israeli official and another source familiar with the matter.

Persons: Joe Biden, “, Israel, –, Ali Jadallah, Fadel Na’eem, Gaza City's, Mohammed Al, Masri, Abed Khaled, Na’eem, ”, Jonathan Conricus, ” Israel, Lior Haiat, Al, Israel “, Biden, Benjamin Netanyahu, we’ve, ” Biden, Adrienne Watson Organizations: CNN, Ahli Baptist Hospital, Wednesday, National Security Council, Health Ministry, Getty, Alhi Baptist, geolocated, Shifa, Reuters, Health, Israel Defense Forces, Islamic, IDF, Israel Foreign Ministry, ”, Israel, US National Security Council, Israeli, Intelligence, Palestinian, United Nations, United Arab, West Locations: Al, Ahli, Gaza, United States, Israel, Anadolu, Gaza City's Al, Saudi Arabia, Jordan, Egypt, United Arab Emirates, Iraq, Lebanon, Kuwait, Tunisia, West Bank, Ramallah

☆ Free meals for Israeli soldiers divide McDonald's franchises over Israel-Hamas war
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-17 | by ( Pesha Magid | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

RIYADH, Oct 17 (Reuters) - McDonald's (MCD.N) franchises in some Muslim countries disavowed a move by the company's Israeli restaurants to give free meals to the Israeli military, highlighting the polarized regional politics that global corporations navigate during war. McDonald's Israel said on its social media accounts last week that it has given thousands of free meals to Israel Defense Forces personnel. McDonald's Israel is owned by Alonyal Ltd, according to a company statement. We affirm that it was an individual decision on their part," McDonald's franchise in Saudi Arabia said in a statement. "Neither global McDonald's nor us nor any other country had a role or relationship with that decision, neither directly nor indirectly."

Persons: McDonald's Israel, Hadeel Al Sayegh, Rod Nickel Organizations: Israel Defense Forces, Hamas, Alonyal Ltd, United Arab, McDonald's Corp, U.S ., Thomson Locations: RIYADH, Gaza, McDonald's Israel, U.S, Saudi Arabia, Oman, Kuwait, United Arab Emirates, Jordan, Turkey, Israel

Having seen several previous Israeli strikes, Shawa told CNN they were certain it would be targeted. Born in Seattle to an American mother and Palestinian father, Shawa is one of an estimated 500-600 Palestinian-Americans in Gaza. It’s an impossible situation to be in.”Trapped with no way outEven if Shawa decided to leave Gaza, he can’t right now. “We anticipate that the situation at the Rafah crossing will remain fluid and unpredictable,” the US State Department advised US citizens. Despite the dire situation the Palestinian-Americans face, they at least have some hope of being able to leave Gaza soon – a remote prospect for those without alternative passports.

Persons: Jason Shawa, Shawa, Zainab, Malak, Najla, we’re, Abdulla Okal, Haneen, –, Nabil Alshurafa, Naela Elshorafa, Nabil Alshurafa “, ” Alshurafa, “, haven’t, ”, Ahmad Hasaballah, I’ve, Lena Beseiso, Beseiso –, Haneen Okal, Abdulla, ” Shawa, aren’t, Shawa’s, Jason Shawa's, Jason Shawa “, Alshurafa Organizations: CNN, Israel Defense Forces, US Embassy, US State Department, Palestinian Ministry of Interior, US, Department’s, State Department Locations: Gaza City, Palestinian, Gaza, Seattle, American, Rafah, United States, New Jersey, Kuwait, Camarillo , California, Egypt, Jerusalem, Salt Lake City, Israel, U.S

☆ Premarket stocks: What the Israel-Hamas war means for US markets
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-17 | by ( Nicole Goodkind | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +7 min

New York CNN —Growing unrest in the Middle East has cast a shadow on global financial markets. Israeli stocks listed in New York and Tel Aviv have sunk to recent lows, underscoring the growing economic uncertainties in the war-torn region and leaving investors unsure of where markets go from here. Funds in the US hold more than $43 billion in Israeli stocks and bonds, according to a Bloomberg tracker. Big names, big exposure: As the war continues, businesses with headquarters, factories and inventory in Israel appear increasingly at risk to geopolitical turmoil. “If the war remains confined between Israel and Palestinians, it’s likely that the markets will forget about it after a few days,” he wrote.

Persons: ”, Steven Schoenfeld, Jamie Dimon, “, Benjamin Netanyahu, Raffi Boyadjian, Sam Stovall, Nathaniel Meyersohn, drugstores, David Silverman, Bill Ford, Vanessa Yurkevich, Ford, Jim Farley, Shawn Fain Organizations: CNN Business, Bell, New York CNN, Nasdaq, Funds, Bloomberg, Hamas, Bank of Israel, JPMorgan, Israel Innovative Technology, Mobileye, Tower Semiconductor, Teva Pharmaceutical, XM, CVS, Walgreens, Walmart, Fitch, Ford Motor Company, United Auto Workers, Big Three, UAW, Monday, Ford Locations: New York, Tel Aviv, New Jersey, Israel, United States, Canada, China, Ukraine, Kippur, Kuwait, Kansas City, drugstores, Rouge, Dearborn , Michigan

☆ Echoes of the 1973 Oil Crisis
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-16 | by ( Arthur Herman | ) www.wsj.com time to read: 1 min

Pushing a car to a Boston gas station in 1973. Photo: Spencer Grant/Getty ImagesThe attack on Israel on the 50th anniversary of the Yom Kippur War should remind us of another anniversary: the 1973 Arab oil embargo. The war began on Oct. 6, and the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries cut production and raised prices on Oct. 17. By the end of the embargo in March 1974, the global cost of oil had climbed nearly 300%. The White House had ration cards printed in secret (fortunately never used), and President Richard Nixon contemplated military action to seize oil fields in Saudi Arabia, Kuwait and Abu Dhabi.

Persons: Spencer Grant, Richard Nixon Organizations: Organization of, Petroleum, Service, White Locations: Boston, Israel, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Abu Dhabi

CNN —A US Marine rapid response force is headed to the waters off the coast of Israel and the Pentagon is preparing American troops for a potential deployment to the country, escalating the US’ show of force in the region as it works to prevent the conflict between Israel and Hamas from widening any further. A defense official familiar with the planning said the rapid response force, consisting of 2,000 Marines and sailors, is being sent. That could be particularly valuable if Israel launches a ground invasion of Gaza, which could be complicated and bloody, experts have warned. Officials would not specify where exactly the Marine unit will now go, other than to say it is headed toward Israel. The Wall Street Journal was first to report about the potential deployment of troops to Israel.

Persons: Defense Lloyd Austin, Biden, Capt, Angelica White, Sabrina Singh, “, ” Organizations: CNN, Pentagon, Hezbollah, Defense, Israel, USS Ford, Air Force, Troops, 26th Marine Expeditionary Unit, Marine Corps Locations: Israel, Iran, Lebanese, Gaza, Middle East, Kuwait, “, Red, Bataan, Gulf of Oman, of Oman, Hormuz

☆ A bigger war in Israel would send oil prices skyrocketing and hurt the economy's chances of avoiding a recession
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-16 | by ( Cork Gaines | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +6 min

The impact on oil prices would be enormous with one prediction of $150 per barrel. A surge in oil prices could undo the fight against inflation and cause prices to soar again. International Monetary Fund managing director Kristalina Georgieva expressed concern on Thursday over how global oil markets would be impacted by the war. If that were to happen, they predict that oil prices would skyrocket more than 70% to $150 per barrel from just under $90 we have now. An estimated 20-30% of global oil supply passes through the Strait of Hormuz, which is controlled by Iran.

Persons: —, Kristalina Georgieva, Steven Mnuchin, That's, Mnuchin, Mustafa Hassona, there's, Jerome Powell, Liu Jie Organizations: Service, Hamas, Monetary Fund, Bloomberg Economics, Bloomberg, US, Fox Business, Anadolu Agency, Getty, Biden, US Strategic Petroleum Reserve, Strategic Petroleum Reserve Locations: Israel, Iran, Hormuz, Iraq, Kuwait, Abu Nasr, Gaza City, Ukraine, Washington ,, Xinhua

☆ Factbox-US Aircraft Carriers - What They Bring to the Middle East
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-15 | by ( Oct. | At P.M. | ) www.usnews.com time to read: +2 min

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The Pentagon has deployed two aircraft carriers -- and their supporting ships -- to the eastern Mediterranean since the attacks on Israel. FORD CARRIERThe Gerald R. Ford carrier, along with supporting ships, arrived in the eastern Mediterranean early last week. The Ford, which was commissioned in 2017, is the United States' newest aircraft carrier and the world's largest, with more than 5,000 sailors aboard. It has an arsenal of missiles, like the Evolved Sea Sparrow Missile, which is a medium-range, surface-to-air missiles used to counter drones and aircraft. The supporting ships, such as the Ticonderoga-class guided missile cruiser Normandy, Arleigh-Burke-class guided missile destroyers Thomas Hudner, Ramage, Carney, and Roosevelt.

Persons: Gerald R, Burke, Thomas Hudner, Ramage, Carney, Roosevelt, Dwight Eisenhower, Ike, Mason, Idrees Ali, Sandra Maler Organizations: WASHINGTON, Pentagon, FORD, Ford, Hornet, EISENHOWER Locations: Israel, United States, Arleigh, Kuwait

☆ US aircraft carriers - What they bring to the Middle East
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-15 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

FORD CARRIERThe Gerald R. Ford carrier, along with supporting ships, arrived in the eastern Mediterranean early last week. The Ford, which was commissioned in 2017, is the United States' newest aircraft carrier and the world's largest, with more than 5,000 sailors aboard. It has an arsenal of missiles, like the Evolved Sea Sparrow Missile, which is a medium-range, surface-to-air missiles used to counter drones and aircraft. The supporting ships, such as the Ticonderoga-class guided missile cruiser Normandy, Arleigh-Burke-class guided missile destroyers Thomas Hudner, Ramage, Carney, and Roosevelt. EISENHOWER CARRIERThe Pentagon directed the Dwight Eisenhower carrier strike group to move to the eastern Mediterranean.

Persons: Gerald R, Ford, Burke, Thomas Hudner, Ramage, Carney, Roosevelt, Dwight Eisenhower, Ike, Mason, Idrees Ali, Sandra Maler Organizations: USNS Laramie, U.S Naval Forces, U.S . Sixth Fleet, Pentagon, FORD, Ford, Hornet, EISENHOWER, Thomson Locations: U.S Naval Forces Europe, WASHINGTON, Israel, United States, Arleigh, Kuwait

Along with mild winter weather in much of the northern hemisphere, Chinese fuel exports helped avert widespread shortages of diesel, heating oil and gasoil. Russia's ban on diesel exports ahead of winter has sparked a new round of concerns of another supply shock. Chinese fuel exports are currently around 1.1 million barrels per day (bpd), down from last year's peak at 1.8 million bpd in December. China's fuel exports are subject to quotas, closely monitored by the global fuel trading community. China also has quotas for imports of crude oil that refiners use to make diesel and other products.

Persons: Meng Meng, John Kilduff, Matt Smith, Al Zour, Kpler, Laura Sanicola, Trixie Yapl, Simon Webb, David Gregorio Our Organizations: REUTERS, Total, Al, Diesel, U.S . East, U.S . Energy Information Administration, Thomson Locations: Boxing, Shandong Province, China, U.S, Ukraine, Europe, Americas, Brazil, Turkey, New York, Beijing, Russia, Iran, Venezuela, Asia, Middle, Western Europe, America, U.S . East Coast

☆ OPEC sticks to 2024 oil demand growth forecast
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-12 | by ( Alex Lawler | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

REUTERS/Dado Ruvic/Illustration/File Photo Acquire Licensing RightsLONDON, Oct 12 (Reuters) - OPEC on Thursday stuck to its forecast for relatively strong growth in global oil demand in 2023 in 2024, citing signs of a resilient world economy so far this year and expected further demand gains in China. A lifting of pandemic lockdowns in China has helped oil demand rise in 2023. OPEC has consistently forecast stronger demand growth for next year than other forecasters such as the International Energy Agency. "In 2024, solid global economic growth, amid continued improvements in China, is expected to further boost oil consumption," OPEC said in the report. The OPEC report also said OPEC oil production rose in September despite pledged OPEC+ supply cuts, driven by increases in Nigeria, Saudi Arabia and Kuwait.

Persons: Dado Ruvic, Alex Lawler, Jason Neely Organizations: REUTERS, Organization of, Petroleum, OPEC, International Energy Agency, for Economic Co, Development, Thomson Locations: China, OPEC, Europe, Nigeria, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait

"This is important for the predictability of the oil market, and ultimately for the well-being of all mankind," Putin said. Russia and Saudi have coordinated supply cuts - both as part of OPEC+ and with side agreements - to support oil prices in recent years. Putin praised Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and said that if there were differences on extending OPEC+ cuts, then the Kremlin would seek consensus. "For the stability of the oil market, the interaction of the main suppliers is necessary, and on open, transparent terms. And it is with this logic that Russia works with partners within the framework of OPEC+," Putin said.

Persons: Dado Ruvic, Putin, Vladimir Putin, Mohammed Shia Al, Alexander Novak, Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Vladimir Soldatkin, Guy Faulconbridge, Christina Fincher Organizations: REUTERS, Putin, Organization of, Petroleum, Russian Energy, Iraqi, Kremlin, Hamas, OPEC, Crown, Thomson Locations: OPEC, MOSCOW, Russia, Moscow, Sudani, Iraq, Saudi Arabia, Israel, Iran, Kuwait, Venezuela, Saudi

☆ Congress is in shambles and failing America when it needs it to function most
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-11 | by ( Madison Hall | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +7 min

War broke out in the Middle East with one of the US' closest allies, but Congress can't do a thing. Without a House speaker, very little additional aid can be approved to aid Israel or even Ukraine. NEW LOOK Sign up to get the inside scoop on today’s biggest stories in markets, tech, and business — delivered daily. AdvertisementAdvertisementThe United States Congress is tragically failing when the world — not just the country — needs it to function most. While President Joe Biden said on Tuesday that some aid has already been sent, sending more will likely depend on the cooperation of Congress.

Persons: —, gridlock, Kevin McCarthy, Joe Biden, Israel isn't, there's, McCarthy, Steve Scalise, Jim Jordan, George Santos, Santos, Matt Gaetz, Tommy Tuberville, Justin Sullivan, Sen, Bob Menendez, he's, GOP Sen, Chuck Schumer, Democratic Sen, Dick Durbin, Republican Sen, Ted Cruz, Biden, Cruz isn't Organizations: Service, United, United States Congress, Democratic Caucus, Hamas, Republican Party, Republicans, Representatives, GOP, Biden, Foreign Relations, Democratic, Senate, Republican, Counterterrorism, Politico, Biden White House Locations: Israel, Ukraine, United States, New York, Minden, Oman, Kuwait, Lebanon

UNITED NATIONS (AP) — Russia faces a tough fight to regain a seat in the U.N.’s premiere human rights body in Tuesday’s election in the General Assembly, which voted last year to suspend Moscow after its invasion of Ukraine. The 193-member assembly will be electing 15 members to the Geneva-based Human Rights Council, with candidates put forward by the U.N.’s five regional groups. Human Rights Watch said last week that Russia and China are unfit to serve on the Human Rights Council. The New York-based watchdog said China’s rights record should also disqualify it from the Human Rights Council. The Geneva-based Human Rights Council was created in 2006 to replace a commission discredited because of some members’ poor rights records.

Persons: ’, Moscow’s U.N, Vassily Nebenzia, ” Nebenzia, Felice Gaer, Jacob, Russia’s, Ferit Hoxha, Robert Wood, ”, Louis Charbonneau, U.N, Vladimir Putin Organizations: UNITED NATIONS, General Assembly, Rights, Albania, East European, Human Rights, Russia, Jacob Blaustein Institute, Advancement of Human, Human Rights Council, Security Council, United Nations, General, Rights Watch, Human Rights Watch, International, Court, The Locations: Russia, Moscow, Ukraine, Geneva, Bulgaria, United States, Russian, Ukrainian, U.S, America, Caribbean, Cuba, Brazil, Dominican Republic, Peru, China, Japan, Kuwait, Indonesia, Burundi, Malawi, Ghana, Ivory Coast, France, Netherlands, “, The New York, Xinjiang, North Korea, Iran, Venezuela, South Korea, Afghanistan, Vietnam, Sudan

The IMF said it expects global economic growth to slow to 2.9% in 2024 from an expected 3% this year. “The global economy is limping along, not sprinting," IMF chief economist Pierre-Olivier Gourinchas said at a news conference during the organization's annual meeting in Marrakech, Morocco. If sustained, a 10% increase in oil prices would reduce global economic growth by 0.15% and increase global inflation by 0.4%, Gourinchas said. So far, the increase in oil prices has been “fairly muted,” said Commerzbank commodities analyst Carsten Fritsch. The United States is a standout in the IMF’s latest World Economic Outlook, which was completed before the outbreak of war between Israel and Hamas.

Persons: Pierre, Olivier Gourinchas, “, Gourinchas, “ We’ve, ”, Carsten Fritsch Organizations: Hamas, International Monetary Fund, IMF, United Arab, U.S . Federal Reserve, Saudi Locations: Ukraine, Israel, Marrakech, Morocco, Palestinian, Gaza, Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates, Kuwait, Iraq, United States, U.S, Europe, Russia, Beijing

The White House has been working urgently in the past 24 hours to get a Senate confirmation process in motion for President Joe Biden's nominee to be U.S. ambassador to Israel, according to two White House officials. But the White House officials said they hope lawmakers in both parties will agree with the president on the need to quickly confirm Lew amid the war between Israel and Hamas. "Everyone understands the importance behind it," one White House official said. Tom Nides, Biden's former ambassador to Israel, told NBC News in an interview that the Senate needs to confirm his successor "immediately" upon return. One official said Lew is "eager" to get to work, and the White House hopes he is confirmed with bipartisan support.

Persons: Jack Lew, Joe Biden's, Obama, Biden, Lew, Tom Nides, Nides, Sen, Chris Murphy, Israel, Chris Coons, Coons, hasn't, Ted Cruz, Bill Clinton Organizations: International Monetary Fund, World Bank Group, IMF, White, Foreign Relations, White House, West Bank, Palestinian Health Ministry, NBC News, Connecticut, U.S, State, Counterterrorism, U.S . Agency for International Development, USAID, Republicans, Senate, Washington, Management, Israel, Organization, Economic Locations: Europe, Washington , DC, Israel, Gaza, U.S, Oman, Kuwait, Egypt, Ted Cruz of Texas

Military promotions, including for the chief of naval operations, have been held up by a single senator because of abortion policy. "It could make our response significantly less effective" and imperil aid to both Israel and Ukraine. That followed the sending of a U.S. aircraft carrier strike group and military aircraft closer to Israel as a show of support. The United States is also supplying Israel with munitions and other military supplies, Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin said. "This kind of situation is what many were worrying about, with all the holds on nominations and military promotions.

Persons: Joe Biden's, Israel, Sen, Jack Reed, Israel –, Reed, Laura Blumenfeld, Blumenfeld, Biden, Benjamin Netanyahu, “, Lloyd Austin, Jonathan Lewallen, –, Donald Moynihan, Moynihan, Rand Paul, J.D, Vance, Tommy Tuberville, Tuberville's, Chuck Schumer, …, Gerry Connolly, Lewallen Organizations: Rhode Island, Armed Services Committee, United States Central Command, GOP, Johns Hopkins School, International Studies, State, Palestinian, U.S, Hamas, Defense, University, Tampa, Georgetown University, Senate, Kentucky Republican, Ohio Republican, Alabama Republican, Military, White, New, New York Democrat, Joint Chiefs of Staff, Army, Marine Corps, Virginia Democrat, House Foreign Affairs, MSNBC Locations: Israel, Kuwait, Oman, Lebanon, Egypt, U.S, Palestinian, Ukraine, United States, France, Germany, Great Britain, Kentucky, China, Ohio, Alabama, New York, Virginia

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