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☆ Don’t read too much into those Black Friday and Cyber Monday spending totals
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-28 | by ( Elisabeth Buchwald | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +6 min

“It shows the psychological mind frame of consumers,” said Mickey Chadha, vice president of corporate finance at Moody’s Investors Services, referring to holiday spending data. This year, dollar sales growth for the holidays in the United States is forecast to slow to 3.3% from 6% last year. It means the spending growth it reported was “driven by net-new demand, not simply higher prices,” Adobe said. The experts CNN spoke to were all in agreement: Holiday spending data — no matter how good or bad — doesn’t represent the state of the entire US economy. A report she coauthored with Chadha predicts holiday sales will grow “a fairly modest 1% to 3%” this year.

Persons: ”, Mickey Chadha, Aditya Bhave, David Paul Morris, That’s, Tamara Charm, Charm, ” Adobe, Chedly Louis, Chadha, Michael Zdinak, he’s, Bhave, that’s Organizations: New, New York CNN, Moody’s Investors Services, Adobe Analytics, Adobe, P Global Market Intelligence, Bank of America, Bloomberg, Getty, Consumer, Consumers, McKinsey, CNN, Moody’s Investors Locations: New York, United States, That’s

☆ US Navy foils gunmen attempting to hijack an Israel-linked tanker off Yemen
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-27 | by ( Lloyd Lee | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +7 min

A US Navy warship responded to a distress call and secured the seized ship, an official said. London-based Zodiac Maritime is part of Israeli billionaire Eyal Ofer's Zodiac Group. Crew members of the Central Park tanker locked themselves in the ship's safe room for safety, the official told Griffin. Zodiac Maritime has been targeted previously amid a wider yearslong shadow war between Iran and Israel. Both the Symi and the Central Park had been behaving as if they faced a threat in recent days.

Persons: —, Ambrey, Zodiac, Eyal Ofer's, Ofer, Daniel Guy Ofer, Jennifer Griffin, Griffin, Mason, — Jennifer Griffin, @JenGriffinFNC Organizations: US Navy, Zodiac, Service, Attackers, Liberian, Zodiac Maritime, Associated Press, Reuters, Clumvez Shipping Inc, Eyal Ofer's Zodiac Group, Clumvez Shipping, Fox News Chief National, Central, NEW, U.S, US, Navy, Business, United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations, CMA, AP, Ships, AIS, Israel, Palestinian Locations: Israel, Yemen, Gulf, Aden, London, Saudi, Houthi, Gulf of Aden, Japanese, Iran, Oman, British, Yemen's, Djibouti, Somalia, Suez, Red

☆ Israel's use of 'really big' bombs to strike tiny Gaza Strip might only compare to Vietnam or World War II, military analyst says
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-26 | by ( Alia Shoaib | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

Most of the bombs Israel is using in Gaza are exceptionally big, weighing 1,000 to 2,000 pounds. The use of such large bombs on such a small area might only compare to Vietnam or World War II, an analyst said. He said that to find a historical comparison for so many large bombs being used on such a small area, we may "have to go back to Vietnam, or the Second World War." AdvertisementIsrael's aerial campaign appears to be moving too quickly to reduce harm to civilians, Castner said. "They are using extremely large weapons in extremely densely populated areas," Castner said.

Persons: —, Israel's, Marc Garlasco, Garlasco, Jonathan Conricus, Brian Castner, Castner Organizations: New York Times, Service, PAX, Pentagon, Times, Israel Defense Forces, Amnesty International, US Air Force, US Locations: Gaza, Vietnam, Israel, United States, State, Mosul, Iraq, Raqqa, Syria

☆ US homebuyers are waiting for the Fed to start cutting interest rates. Here's when 10 experts say it's going to happen.
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-24 | by ( Jacob Zinkula | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +6 min

Mortgage rates could decline if the Federal Reserve cuts interest rates next year. Here are 10 projections from experts on when the Fed's first rate cut will come. While these factors serve as deterrents for prospective buyers, interest rates may not stay this high forever. AdvertisementWhile declining interest rates wouldn't directly cause mortgage rates to fall, the two tend to move in the same direction. FebruaryIn August, Preston Caldwell, a Morningstar senior US economist, wrote in a note that he expected the Fed to start cutting interest rates in February.

Persons: —, Preston Caldwell, Arend Kapteyn, Bhanu Baweja, David Einhorn, Diane Swonk, Andrew Hollenhorst, Goldman Sachs, David Mericle, we'll, Simona Mocuta, Jeff Morton Organizations: Federal Reserve, Service, Federal, Morningstar, UBS, KPMG, Citi, Reuters, State Street Global Advisors, DWS Locations: North America's

The deal also involves the entry of hundreds of trucks carrying aid relief, medical supplies and fuel to all parts of Gaza, the Hamas statement said. Three Americans could be among the 50 women and children freed as part of the deal, senior US officials said. While the deal stipulates the release of at least 50 hostages it “incentivizes the release of everybody,” according to the official. “The hostages deal, as it is structured, includes a pause, a humanitarian pause over a number of days, four to five days at least. Soon after, two Israeli women, Nurit Cooper and Yocheved Lifshitz, were also released.

Persons: CNN —, –, ”, Benjamin Netanyahu, Anat Moshe Shoshany, Nir Oz, ” “, ” Shoshany, “, ” Liz Hirsh Naftali, Abigail Edan, Abigail, ” Naftali, Judith Tai Raanan, Natalie Raanan –, Nurit Cooper, Yocheved Lifshitz, Israel Organizations: CNN, Hamas, US, Qatar, American, Palestinian Prisoners Locations: Gaza, Israel, Nova, Qatar

CNN —Qatar is hoping to announce a deal as soon as Tuesday to release civilian hostages taken by Hamas in the October 7 attack in exchange for a pause in fighting, according to a diplomatic source and another source familiar with the talks. US officials close to the negotiations stressed that while the deal is not done, they are increasingly optimistic and believe the many weeks of difficult work is about to pay off with a hostage release. Two Israeli sources said a deal could be announced as soon as Tuesday. The release of the prisoners needs to be approved by the Israeli government but isn’t expected to be an obstacle, one said. It was not immediately clear how many more – if any – American citizens would be among the 50 hostages that Hamas initially releases.

Persons: “, ”, Abigail Edan –, Joe Biden, Benjamin Netanyahu, CNN’s Kaitlan Collins Organizations: CNN —, CNN, American Locations: CNN — Qatar, Israel, Gaza

☆ Defense secretary Austin arrives in Kyiv in surprise visit meant to reemphasize support for Ukraine
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-20 | by ( Haley Britzky | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +3 min

CNN —US Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin arrived in Kyiv on Monday, in a surprise trip to Ukraine to reemphasize the US’ support for the embattled country amid other pressing challenges abroad. “The message that I bring you today, Mr. President, is the United States of America is with you,” Austin told Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky. What happened here in Ukraine – that not only matters to Ukraine but it matters to the rest of the world. A senior defense official said Austin intended to speak with Ukrainians about their requirements for security assistance. There’s probably nothing more important than that.”Austin’s trip comes just days before he will host the 17th meeting of the Ukraine Defense Contact Group, virtually from the Pentagon.

Persons: Defense Lloyd Austin, ” Austin, Volodymyr Zelensky, “, Austin, Ukraine’s, Israel’s, Sabrina Singh, ” Organizations: CNN, Defense, Defense Department, Hamas, Pentagon, Ukraine, Embassy Kyiv, Ukraine Defense Contact Group Locations: Kyiv, Ukraine, United States, America, United States of America, ”, Russia

☆ Opinion: Why Biden won’t do more to restrain Netanyahu
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-20 | by ( Opinion Aaron David Miller | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +53 min

Mahmud Hams/AFP/Getty Images Israeli soldiers form an honor guard at the funeral of Israeli reserve soldier Master Sgt. Mustafa Hassona/Anadolu/Getty Images Palestinians flee to southern Gaza on Salah al-Din Street in Bureij, Gaza, on November 10. Ronen Zvulun/Reuters A woman carries a white flag as Palestinians flee from Gaza City to the south on November 7. Ronen Zvulun/Reuters A woman mourns over a dead man at the Al-Aqsa Martyrs Hospital in Gaza City on October 18. Yousef Masoud/The New York Times A morgue worker arranges body bags at al-Shifa hospital in Gaza City on October 12.

Persons: Aaron David Miller, ” Miller, I’ve, Joe Biden, Netanyahu, Aaron David Miller Israel, Israel —, Biden, Ashraf Amra, Ahmad Gharabli, Mohammed Abed, Ohad, Rizek Abdeljawad, Major Jamal Abbas, Shir Torem, Fatima Shbair, Alexi J . Rosenfeld, Abed Rahim Khatib, Khan, Christopher Furlong, Hatem Ali, Avraham Fetena, Mostafa Alkharouf, Mahmud Hams, Sgt, Raz Abulafia, Ariel Schalit, Fadel Senna, Nasser, Mohammed Salem, Matan Meir, Amir Levy, Haitham Imad, Roni Eshel, Eshel, Kenzo Tribouillard, Benjamin Netanyahu, Sadi Berek, Mustafa Hassona, Salah al, Jack Guez, Varda Goldstein, Nir Oz, Bernat, Abed Zagout, Tomer Appelbaum, Mohammad Abu Elsebah, Khaled Ibn Al, Walid, Khan Younis, Ya'akov Ozeri, Ronen Zvulun, Mohammed Dahman, Ahmad Hasaballah, Leo Correa, Amir Cohen, Mohammed Alaloul, Majdi, Neil Hall, Saeed Jaras, Mohammad Abu Hattab, Mohammed Talatene, Ditza Heiman, Salman Habaka, Ibraheem Abu Mustafa, Yuval Zilber, Jalaa Merey, Ahmad Salem, Ali Jadallah, Atef Safadi, Anas al, Yosef Vahav, Kiryat Shmona, Jalaa Marey, Albert Miles, Ilan Rosenberg, Manna, Tamar Chaya Torpiashvili, Abed Khaled, Tamir Kalifa, Yoav Gallant, Ammar Awad, Jehad Al, Kafarnah, Teddy, Dan Kitwood, Dima Vazinovich, Sagiv Ben Zvi, Evelyn Hockstein, Omar El, Yasser Qudih, Tsafrir, Francisco Seco, Mohammed Saber, Ali Mohmoud, Mai Yaghi, Yam Goldstein, Nadav, Khaled Joudeh, Samar Abu, Leon Neal, Hatem Moussa, Wolfgang Schwan, Yousef Masoud, Shadi Tabatibi, Belal al Sabbagh, Janis Laizans, Gallant, Ofir Libstein, Aza, Belal Khaled, Hod, Ayal Margolin, Antony Blinken, Brendan Smialowski, Kenny Holston, Kfar Aza, Ilia Yefimovich, Mahmoud Khaled, Dor Reder, Violeta Santos Moura, Mohammed Fayq Abu Mostafa, Antonio Macías, Macías, Eli Albag, Liri, Sergey Ponomarev, Dor Kedmi, Saher, Abraham Cohen, Valentin Ghnassia, Ghnassia, Yuri Cortez, Ibrahim Hams, Bashar Taleb, Baz Ratner, Yahya Hassouna, Mapal Adam, Agha, Reuters Itzik, Miriam Shafir, Dor Shafir, Savion Kiper, Maya Alleruzzo, CNN Sergey Ponomarev, Eden Guez, Mohammed Soboh, Said, Noam Elimeleh Rothenberg, Ilai Bar Sade, Erik Marmor, Oren Ziv, Ramez Mahmoud, Roi Levy, Alleruzzo, Tali Touito, Oded, Ahmad Hasballah, Eyad Baba, Itai Ron, Hadas Parush, Biden —, —, Barack Obama, hasn’t, ’, Israel isn’t, craven, It’s Organizations: Carnegie Endowment, International Peace, Democratic, Republican, CNN, Israel, Israel Defense Forces, Hamas, Democratic Party, Department of State, Senior, UN, US, Washington Post, Al, Aqsa Martyrs Hospital, Getty, Unicef, Reuters, AP, Anadolu, AP Journalists, Israeli, Modern, Nasser Hospital, Tel, Nasser Medical, Najjar, Israel Defence Forces handout, Shutterstock, Reuters United Nations, Shifa, Palestine, Pictures, Bloomberg, Israeli Apache, United Nations Relief, Works Agency, Al Aqsa Martyrs Hospital, Palestinian, IDF, EyePress, New York Times, Getty Images, Nasser Medical Hospital, Deir Al, Tel Aviv University, Reuters Civil, AP Rockets, AP Israel's, Regional, Israel's, Ahli Baptist Hospital, Ben Gurion International, Aris Messinis, Haim, Puma, Mount, Mount Herzl Military, Nova, Anadolu Agency, Nova Festival, Ben Gurion, West Bank, Rockets, United Nations, Reuters Police, Reuters Rockets, America, Senate, Washington, Twitter Locations: East, Israel, Gaza, Biden’s Washington, Washington, Al, Aqsa, Al Bureij, Deir Al Balah, Anadolu, Tel Aviv, AFP, Rafah, Xinhua, Pekiin, Khan Younis, Mavki'im, Jerusalem, Haifa, Sderot, Beit Hashmonai, Europe, Israeli, Rishpon, Odem, Gaza's Al, Gaza City, Kfar Saba, Deir Al, Balah, Bureij, Kfar Aza, Palestinian, Khan, Meron, Jerusalem's, City, Jerusalem's Old City, Deir Balah, Mahmud, Southern Israel, Ashkelon, Yanuh Jat, Netaim, Golan Heights, Lebanon, Egypt, Shareef, Beit Guvrin, Reuters Israeli, Kiryat, Al Aqsa, Kibbutz Be'eri, Ashdod, Holon, Najjar, Ichilov, Kibbutz Shefayim, Deir, Samar, Samar Abu Elouf, Deir al, Kibbutz Kissufim, Zahra City, East Jerusalem, Ras, Israel's, Yehuda, Hod HaSharon, Kiryat Shmona, Ahli, Gan, Kfar, North Sinai, Beit Kama, Cyprus, Be'eri, Rehovot, Mount Herzl, Modiin Maccabim, Mount Herzel, Yassin, Beitar Ilit, Ramat Gan, Itai, Beit Hanun, Rishon Lezion, ”, Palestinian Authority

☆ China welcomes Arab, Muslim majority nations in Beijing for Israel-Hamas conflict talks
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-20 | by ( Simone Mccarthy | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +5 min

Hong Kong CNN —China welcomed officials from Arab and Muslim majority countries on Monday for talks on “de-escalating” the Israel-Hamas conflict as Beijing steps-up its efforts to play a role in establishing a ceasefire. Zhai’s itinerary thus far has not included stops in Israel, Palestinian-controlled territories, or Iran, per information released by China’s Foreign Ministry. It’s not clear if China has been in contact with Hamas officials during the latest conflict. Visiting officials in Beijing this week include Palestinian Foreign Minister Riyad al-Maliki of the West Bank-based Palestinian National Authority. In the talks, Foreign Minister Wang Yi said they’d already held discussions with the Iranians on the topic, the senior official said.

Persons: “, Wang Yi, Washington –, Zhang Jun, Zhai Jun, Zhai, Wang, Eli Cohen, Riyad al, Xi Jinping, Joe Biden, Biden, Xi, they’d Organizations: Hong Kong CNN, Palestinian National Authority, of Islamic Cooperation, CNN, Israel Defense Forces, United Nations, Security Council, UN, Hamas, Foreign Ministry, China’s Foreign Ministry, Israeli, Palestinian, West Bank, Palestinian National Authority ., Ministry’s Locations: Hong Kong, China, Israel, Beijing, Saudi Arabia, Jordan, Egypt, Indonesia, United States, Gulf, Qatar, Washington, Gaza, United, Palestine, UAE, Turkey, Bahrain, Singapore, Europe, Palestinian, Iran, Palestinian National Authority . China, Lebanon, California

☆ What we know about what Israel has found at Al-Shifa
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-17 | by ( Sophie Tanno | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +4 min

CNN —Gaza’s largest hospital, Al-Shifa, has become a flashpoint in the conflict that began when Hamas militants crossed the border into Israel on October 7, killing around 1,200 people. CNN has not verified the claims of either Israel or Hamas. Israel has repeatedly accused Hamas of operating from tunnels beneath the vast complex of Al-Shifa hospital. The IDF also published an “intelligence-based” illustrated video of what it claims the Hamas headquarters under Al-Shifa looks like. The White House has backed Israel’s claims, saying that Hamas was storing weapons and operating a command node from the Al-Shifa hospital in Gaza, citing US intelligence.

Persons: CNN —, ”, Volker Türk, Daniel Hagari, Israel’s, Medhat Abbas, Israel, ” Israel, – Organizations: CNN, Israel Defense Forces, UN, Human Rights, IDF, Al, Senior, Hamas Locations: Al, Israel, Gaza, Gaza City, Israeli

☆ Alibaba stock drops as chip war nixes its plan to spin out cloud business
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-16 | by ( Hanna Ziady | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +4 min

London CNN —Alibaba has dropped plans to spin off its cloud computing arm, sending its stock tumbling, because of US controls on chip exports to China which the company said had created “uncertainties” for the division’s prospects. “We will focus on developing a sustainable growth model for Cloud Intelligence Group under the fluid circumstances,” the company said. During talks with Biden Wednesday, Xi described the restrictions as “technological containment,” according to a senior US official. Biden said in response that the United States is not going to provide technology to China that could be used against it by the Chinese military. Alibaba’s revenues for the June-to-September quarter climbed 9% on the previous year to 224.8 billion renminbi ($31 billion).

Persons: London CNN — Alibaba, Xi Jinping, Joe Biden, BABA, ”, Xi, Biden, Tim Cook, Tesla, Elon, ” Xi, Jack Ma Organizations: London CNN, Cloud Intelligence Group, Biden Wednesday, US, San, Apple Locations: China, London, Hong Kong, United States, Beijing, San Francisco

☆ Takeaways from the Biden-Xi summit, where low expectations were met
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-15 | by ( Stephen Collinson | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +13 min

U.S. President Joe Biden shakes hand with Chinese President Xi Jinping on the sidelines of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit, in Woodside, California, U.S., November 15, 2023. The Biden administration is worried about scores of what it calls “unprofessional” operations by Chinese planes and ships near US assets. Biden balances his job as commander in chief with huge political risksBiden knew his meeting with Xi would unleash a political firestorm. Biden had huge political incentives to make this summit a success but also needed to show he was tough on Xi. Meeting low bars at a moderately successful summit will not change the fundamentals of their rivalry.

Persons: Joe Biden’s, Xi Jinping, Biden, Xi, ” Biden, ” Xi, China’s, Joe Biden, Kevin Lamarque, “, Nancy Pelosi’s, Sen, Jim Risch, lacerated Biden, Bill Clinton’s, George H.W, Nikki Haley, Ron DeSantis, Donald Trump’s, it’s, ” Sue Mi Terry, George W, Bush, Barack Obama, CNN’s Erin Burnett, reaffirmation, “ I’m, that’s, ”, he’d, he’s Organizations: CNN, Economic Cooperation, United, US Air Force, Soviet Union, People’s Liberation Army, Republican, Senate Foreign Relations, US, Biden, South Carolina Gov, Florida Gov, GOP, Barack Obama National Security Council, Center for Strategic, International Studies, Congress, New York Times, Trump Locations: San Francisco, perilously, Asia, China, United States, ., Woodside , California, U.S, Taiwan, Chinese, Hainan, Soviet, Ukraine, Moscow, Syria, The Idaho, Beijing, George H.W . Bush, Iowa, Washington

During his news conference following the summit, Biden summed up his approach to the Chinese leader. Xi at one point called on the United States to “not scheme to suppress or contain China,” Chinese state media reported. In the talks, Biden made clear to Xi that he viewed Hamas as separate from the Palestinians. As host of the meeting, Biden walked out of the building first to welcome Xi. Speaking after Biden, Xi offered starker view of US-China ties.

Persons: Joe Biden, Xi Jinping, Biden, Xi, “, ”, “ That’s, ” Biden, Antony Blinken, Jake Sullivan, Defense Lloyd Austin, we’ve, – Biden, Xi’s, readouts, ” Xi, I’ve, I’m, That’s, Wang Yi, they’d, Sullivan, Wang, Janet Yellen, Gina Raimondo, John Kerry, –, Nikki Haley Organizations: California CNN, Biden, Defense, US, Xinhua, Hamas, Marine, China’s, American, South, Republicans Locations: Woodside, California, China, Washington, Beijing, United States, “, Taiwan, San Francisco, Israel, Iran, East, Europe, Blinken, South Carolina

CNN —President Joe Biden said Tuesday that he believes a deal can be reached to release hostages being held by Hamas in Gaza, voicing optimism as officials tell CNN prolonged talks to free hostages are nearing an agreement. The broad parameters that are currently being discussed entail Hamas releasing a large group of hostages at the same time Israel frees Palestinian prisoners. Israel recently asked for 100 hostages to be released, according to a Hamas spokesman and a source familiar with the negotiations. A senior Israeli official told that CNN hostage negotiations are ongoing – and are being handled by Qatar, the CIA, and Israel’s intelligence agency Mossad. Another factor that had slowed talks was a lack of information about the hostages Hamas is holding.

Persons: Joe Biden, “ I’ve, ” Biden, “, it’s, Biden, Jake Sullivan, Hostage Affairs Roger Carstens, Israel, Benjamin Netanyahu, CNN’s Dana Bash, – Organizations: CNN, White, US, National, Hostage Affairs, Israel, Qassam, CIA Locations: Gaza, Israel, Washington ,, Qatar, Israeli

☆ Biden preparing to discuss Israel and Ukraine wars with Xi – and make case to Beijing for containment
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-14 | by ( Mj Lee | Kevin Liptak | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +6 min

The global unrest ratchets up the stakes of Biden’s sit-down with Xi, their first face-to-face meeting in a year. As Biden confronts two presidency-defining conflicts in Ukraine and Israel, he is eager to improve ties with Beijing and prevent another crisis from exploding on his watch. Still, US officials believe there might be a limited role Beijing can play in the Ukraine war, notwithstanding China’s deep economic alliance with Russia. Since the earliest stages of the Ukraine war, Biden has sought to convince Xi to withhold support for his ally in Moscow, President Vladimir Putin. Like Iran, Russia shares China’s aims of reshaping what they see as an American-led world order hostile to their aims.

Persons: San Francisco CNN —, Joe Biden, Xi Jinping, Biden, Xi, ”, Beijing’s, Wang Yi, week’s Biden, Wang, Jake Sullivan, Vladimir Putin, Putin Organizations: San Francisco CNN, US, United, San, Pacific Rim, Hamas, Saudi, “, White Locations: San, Ukraine, Russia, Israel, San Francisco Bay, Iran, Beijing, East, Europe, United States, San Francisco, California, China, Chinese, Washington, Gaza, Moscow, American, North Korea

☆ Inside the remarkably intricate planning for Biden’s meeting with Xi
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-14 | by ( Mj Lee | Kevin Liptak | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +7 min

That included the timing and location of the summit, which is occurring amid a larger gathering of Pacific leaders in San Francisco. “China – normally, if they come to United States, they want everything. San Francisco and the Bay Area are home to one of the largest populations of Chinese or Chinese-Americans in the United States. One-fifth of the population of San Francisco has Chinese roots, according to US census data. “Chinese officials will want to project to their domestic audience that Xi is received by Biden with dignity and respect.

Persons: Xi Jinping, Joe Biden, Xi, Biden, ”, Victor Cha, San, Xi ”, Barack Obama, Donald Trump, Obama, Trump, –, Xi’s, Ryan Hass, John L, ” Hass, Wednesday’s, “ Organizations: San Francisco CNN, Beijing, CNN, White House, Center for Strategic, International Studies, APEC, Area, Biden, Communist Party, Trump, Mar, Thornton China Center, Brookings Institution, House Locations: San, United States, San Francisco, China, Asia, China American, California, Palm Springs, Beijing

[1/5] A trader reacts as a screen displays the Fed rate announcement on the floor of the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) in New York City, U.S., July 26, 2023. REUTERS/Brendan McDermid/File Photo Acquire Licensing RightsNEW YORK, Nov 14 (Reuters) - A benign U.S. inflation report is bolstering hopes that the Federal Reserve can bring down consumer prices without hurting the economy, a so-called Goldilocks environment that investors believe will benefit stocks and bonds. This does feel like a Goldilocks moment for the entire market.”The data fueled a powerful rally in stocks and bonds. The S&P 500 (.SPX) was up about 2% on the day, on track for its biggest one-day rise since January. Still, some investors believed it was too early to call a victory in the fight against inflation.

Persons: Brendan McDermid, Eric Kuby, bearish, “, Daniel Kirsch, Piper Sandler, Thomas Hayes, ”, Brian Rose, Jamie Cox, Lewis Krauskopf, Saqib Iqbal Ahmed, Davide Barbuscia, Ankika Biswas, Ira Iosebashvili, Nick Zieminski Organizations: New York Stock Exchange, REUTERS, Federal Reserve, North Star Investment Management Corp, Thomson Reuters, BofA's Global, Fed, Fund, UBS Global Wealth Management, Harris Financial, Thomson Locations: New York City, U.S, Thomson Reuters United States, New York, Bengaluru

☆ Hostage negotiators discussing days-long fighting pause between Israel and Hamas in exchange for freeing large group
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-10 | by ( Mj Lee | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +4 min

Still, they repeatedly cautioned that the talks could at any point stall or deteriorate: “It’s been close before. But even as a deal was being considered, Israel did not relent in its Gaza offensive. A senior advisor to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said that the Israeli government sees an aggressive offensive as the way to get Hamas to release hostages. The US, Israel and Hamas – with Qatar playing a significant mediating role – have been engaged in talks for weeks to free the hostages from Gaza. After their exit, President Joe Biden revealed that Israel had agreed to a brief pause to secure their release.

Persons: –, It’s, Benjamin Netanyahu, Mark Regev, Netanyahu, Joe Biden, Israel, Antony Blinken, “, we’ll, Blinken, Biden, CNN’s Paul LeBlanc Organizations: Washington CNN, CNN, MSNBC, “, Qatar, National Security, Administration, Palestinian Ministry of Health Locations: Gaza, Israel, Qatari, United States, New Delhi, Northern Gaza, Ramallah

☆ Brazen ransomware attack on US unit of Chinese banking giant has financial sector on alert
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-10 | by ( Sean Lyngaas | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +5 min

It led to a flurry of behind-the-scenes coordination with the affected bank and across the financial sector about the threat. The hackers hit New York-based ICBC Financial Services, a subsidiary of the world’s largest bank by assets and a Chinese state-owned institution. ICBC Financial Services did not respond to CNN’s request for comment on Friday. “If China sees this as a black eye, they may demand action from the Russian government,” Liska told CNN. LockBit ransomware was the most deployed ransomware around the world in 2022, according to US cybersecurity officials.

Persons: ”, “, ” Jon Miller, Halcyon, BNY Mellon, LockBit, Allan Liska, ” Liska, JPMorgan Chase, LockBit ransomware, ” Will Thomas Organizations: CNN, Commercial Bank of, Intelligence, Financial Services, Treasury, ICBC Financial, Reuters, JPMorgan, FBI, Infrastructure Security Agency, Treasury Department Locations: Commercial Bank of China, US, York, China, Russia, United States, Iran, cybersecurity

☆ Biden and Xi meeting set for next week as US hopes to halt downward spiral in relations
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-10 | by ( Kevin Liptak | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +6 min

CNN —President Biden’s highly anticipated meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping is set for next Wednesday in the San Francisco Bay Area, senior US administration officials said, setting up a test of whether the two men can slow a downward spiral in relations at a moment of heavy global turbulence. It includes restoring military-to-military communication between the two countries, a chief objective for Biden, who plans to press Xi on the issue. Despite a deep and apparently warm personal relationship cultivated during their time as vice presidents, Biden and Xi have overseen a deterioration in US-China relations to the lowest level in decades. That meeting was intended to establish a baseline for the relationship amid heightened economic and military tension. Ahead of next week’s meeting, US Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen invited Chinese Vice Premier He Lifeng, known as the country’s “economic tsar,” for a two-day meeting starting Thursday.

Persons: Biden’s, Xi Jinping, aren’t, Biden, Xi, ”, Bonny Lin, “ Rather, Nancy Pelosi, Antony Blinken, Janet Yellen, Gina Raimondo, Wang Yi, Jake Sullivan, Han Zheng, ” Han Organizations: CNN, San Francisco Bay Area, White, Communist Party, Biden, China Power Project, Center for Strategic, International Studies, US National, Washington, Bloomberg Locations: San Francisco Bay, Ukraine, Washington, Beijing, Israel, South, Taiwan, California, China, Russia, United States, Bali, Singapore

☆ Israel’s cyber defense chief tells CNN he is concerned Iran could increase severity of its cyberattacks
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-06 | by ( Sean Lyngaas | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +8 min

So far, suspected Iranian hackers appear to have had minimal impact on their publicly claimed targets in Israel in the last month. But Portnoy said those hackers have been relatively quiet in the latest Israel-Hamas war (Israeli airstrikes have decimated internet infrastructure in Gaza.) “There is a gap between their [cyber] capabilities and their rhetoric,” the official told CNN, referring to Iran-backed hackers. “Even the successful, real cyberattacks are probably not going to be about the actual attack,” John Hultquist, Mandiant’s chief analyst, told CNN. This campaign is “maybe the most sophisticated we have seen from Iran on a technological level,” Sergey Shykevich, threat intelligence group manager at Check Point, told CNN.

Persons: “, ”, Gaby Portnoy, ” Portnoy, Portnoy, –, Christopher Wray, ” Wray, ” Eric Goldstein, CrowdStrike, ” John Hultquist, “ It’s, Solomon, Israel, Adam Meyers, CrowdStrike’s, ” Meyers, Sergey Shykevich Organizations: CNN, Israel National Cyber Directorate, Lebanese, Hezbollah, Palo Alto Networks, Hamas, Infrastructure Security Agency, FBI, Boston Children’s Hospital, ” CNN, Iranian, United Nations, “, Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps Locations: Iran, Israel, Saudi Arabia, East, Iranian, Syria, Iraq, Tehran, –, Palo, Gaza, Palestine, China, Russia

☆ Yemen's Houthi rebels are using the Israel-Hamas war to show off their growing arsenal, and US warships are in the crossfire
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-06 | by ( Paul Iddon | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +8 min

The US Defense Department later confirmed that the Houthi missiles had a range of no less than 2,000 kilometers, or about 1,240 miles. AdvertisementAdvertisementUSS Carney fires on Houthi missiles and drones over the Red Sea on October 19. A third incident, on October 31, saw Israel's advanced Arrow air-defense system intercept a Houthi ballistic missile and an Israeli F-35 stealth fighter shoot down a cruise missile. Houthi ballistic missiles "have long proven" inaccurate, and the group likely doesn't have a very large stockpile of advanced long-range missiles and drones, Bey added. Sailors in USS Carney's Combat Information Center during an operation to defeat Houthi missiles and drones on October 19.

Persons: Yemen's Houthi, —, Carney, MCS2 Aaron Lau, Houthis, Khaled Abdullah The, Matthew Bey, RANE, Khaled Abdullah, Bey, wasn't, Mason, ANDREW CABALLERO, REYNOLDS, Bryan Clark, Clark, Paul Iddon Organizations: US Navy, Service, Hamas, US Defense Department, REUTERS, Saudi, Ballistic, Houthi, Tomahawk, Patriot, Getty, Hudson Institute Locations: Israel, Yemen, Saudi Arabia, Taba, Nuweiba, Israeli, Gaza, Sanaa, Iran, Tehran, Riyadh, Yemeni, Mandeb

☆ US officials are concerned that Ukraine is running out of troops and have hinted at peace talks with Russia, report says
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-04 | by ( Alia Shoaib | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +4 min

Western officials have suggested Ukraine consider peace negotiations with Russia, a report says. US officials fear that Ukraine is running out of troops, while Russia seems to have an endless supply. AdvertisementAdvertisementWestern officials have begun broaching the topic of holding peace negotiations with Russia with the Ukrainian government, a report says. Biden administration officials are also concerned that Ukraine is running out of forces as it struggles to recruit more troops for the fight. The Russian president might be hoping to "wait out the West" and hope support for Ukraine wanes, officials told the outlet.

Persons: —, Biden, Joe Biden, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, Vladimir Putin, Ursula von der Leyen, Ilia yefimovich, Adrienne Watson, Ukraine wanes, Putin, Donald Trump Organizations: Service, US, NBC, Pentagon, Biden, European Commission, Getty, Kyiv, National Security Council, Ukraine, Republican Locations: Ukraine, Russia, Israel, Ukrainian, United States, Kyiv, Gaza, Russian

☆ US anticipates shift in Israel’s tactics in the coming week, senior US official says
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-03 | by ( Donald Judd | Mj Lee | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +4 min

Asked when the Biden administration might feel compelled to call for a ceasefire – something it has so far declined to do – the senior administration official said that given the scale and nature of Hamas’ attacks on Israel on October 7, a ceasefire was not appropriate. “A terrorist group takes 200 hostages and kills 1,400 people and is hiding under tunnels, including the leaders – ceasefire is not really the word … to use,” the official told CNN. Neither he nor anyone in his administration has come close to criticizing how Israel is conducting its offensive. “I understand the emotion,” Biden said as he continued his remarks after the protester was led out of the room. The official said Friday that there is “just as intense a process ongoing” to secure the safe release of hostages held by Hamas in Gaza.

Persons: Biden, we’ve, “, Joe Biden, Israel, ” Biden, Biden’s, ” Organizations: CNN, Hamas, Israel Defense Forces, United Nations Locations: Israel, Gaza, Northern Gaza, Minneapolis, Rafah

Washington CNN —President Joe Biden and his top national security officials are increasingly confronting questions about Israel’s commitment to minimizing civilian deaths and how scenes from Gaza could affect his domestic political standing. Already, Biden had been walking a tightrope in his support for Israel following the Hamas terror attacks on October 7. Biden has resisted calls for a ceasefire, including at the United Nations, and insists Israel has a “responsibility” to defend its citizens from terrorism. It also included attempts by US officials to interrogate Israel’s war plans, which appeared not fully developed to some. And I think everyone understands that,” Biden told reporters as he returned home from his brief trip to Israel on October 18.

Persons: Joe Biden, Biden, Benjamin Netanyahu, “ They’ve, “, John Kirby, Kirby, ”, Richard Hecht, CNN’s Wolf Blitzer, Hecht, Blitzer, ” Jeremy Konyndyk, Obama, ” Konyndyk, Netanyahu, Biden’s, Israel, Jake Sullivan, Israel’s, Antony Blinken, Lloyd Austin, ” Biden, CNN’s Priscilla Alvarez Organizations: Washington CNN, White, Israeli, National Security, Israel Defense Forces, Refugees International, USAID, IDF, ”, CNN, Democratic Party, United Nations, Hamas, Capitol Hill Locations: Gaza, Israel, –, Hamas, Egypt, United States, ”, Qatar, Europe, Tel Aviv

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