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Israeli assets and the shekel remain under pressure and oil and gold prices are marginally higher than last week. World Markets Impact From MidEast Attacks WanesBlackRock chart on its Geopolitical Risk IndicatorNOWHERE TO RUN TO... Last updated shortly before the weekend events in Israel, BlackRock's Geopolitical Risk Indicator - which attempts to capture market attention to political risks - had indeed crept up to six month highs. Releasing its World Economic Outlook on Tuesday, the International Monetary Fund warned that more volatile commodity prices were a possible reflection of both greater climate and geopolitical risk. And yet hand wringing about geopolitical risk in different corners of the globe can also deflect from rising political risks in core economies - not the least in the United States.

Persons: Brendan McDermid, Vincent Mortier, Anna Rosenberg, Kristina Hooper reckons, Hooper, that's, It's, Amundi's Rosenberg, Pierre, Olivier Gourinchas, Gourinchas, Josie Kao Organizations: New York Stock Exchange, REUTERS, West Bank, International Monetary Fund, IMF, Treasury, Reuters, Thomson Locations: New York City, U.S, Israel, Gaza, Iran, United States, Saudi Arabia, Russia, China, Taiwan, Ukraine

☆ Turkey's Erdogan calls Israeli response to Hamas in Gaza a 'massacre'
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-11 | by ( Tuvan Gumrukcu | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

Turkey's President Tayyip Erdogan addresses the 78th Session of the U.N. General Assembly in New York City, U.S., September 19, 2023. REUTERS/Brendan McDermid/File Photo Acquire Licensing RightsANKARA, Oct 11 (Reuters) - Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan said on Wednesday that Israel's blockade and bombing of Gaza in retaliation for Palestinian militant group Hamas' attack was a disproportionate response amounting to a "massacre". With Ankara offering to mediate, Erdogan and his foreign minister held calls with regional powers, the United States and others. Speaking to his ruling AK Party in parliament, Erdogan said even war had a "morality" but the flare-up since the weekend had "very severely" violated that. On Wednesday, Erdogan criticised Israel's "disproportionate" attacks on Gaza as "devoid of any ethical foundation", and called on the world not to "blindly" take one side.

Persons: Tayyip Erdogan, Brendan McDermid, Erdogan, Israel's, Daren Butler, Andrew Cawthorne Organizations: General Assembly, REUTERS, Rights, Palestinian, Hamas, Ankara, AK Party, European Union, U.S, Thomson Locations: New York City, U.S, Rights ANKARA, Gaza, United States, Ankara, Israel, Turkey, Palestinian, Americas, Europe

REUTERS/Raneen Sawafta Acquire Licensing RightsRAMALLAH, West Bank, Oct 11 (Reuters) - As Israel declared war on Hamas and pounded Gaza following Saturday's devastating attack by the Islamist movement, violence has risen in the occupied West Bank, risking escalation after more than a year of continuous flare-ups. The Israeli military has said it is prepared for an escalation in the West Bank and its forces have been on high alert, carrying out arrests and thwarting possible attacks. By Wednesday, military checkpoints remained closed and roads in several parts of the West Bank were blocked with mounds of dirt, restricting movement. With uncertainty growing around who will replace the PA's unpopular octogenarian president, Hamas has been making efforts to expand its influence in the West Bank. Violence in the West Bank had already been surging, with stepped up Israeli military raids, settler assaults on Palestinian towns and a spate of Palestinian attacks targeting Israelis.

Persons: Odeh, Raneen, Israel, Daniel Hagari, Fatah, Mohammad Shtayyeh, Mahmoud Abbas, Nick Macfie Organizations: West Bank, REUTERS, Palestinian Foreign Ministry, Palestinian Authority, Palestinian, UN, Thomson Locations: Nablus, RAMALLAH, West, Gaza, Qusra, West Bank, Judea, Samaria, East Jerusalem, U.S, ISRAEL, Israel, Palestinian, Jerusalem

Israeli tanks were deployed in the far northern border town of Metulla as rain came down near the heavily fortified border. Six people were killed on Monday - three Hezbollah members, an Israeli officer, and two Palestinian militants who touched off the violence by infiltrating Israel from Lebanon. A storm put many people in Lebanon on edge as thunder was mistaken for Israeli bombardment. Lebanon took years to rebuild from the 2006 war, during which Israeli bombardment pounded Hezbollah-controlled south Lebanon and destroyed wide areas of its stronghold in the southern suburbs of Beirut. Lebanon can ill-afford another big war with Israel, four years into a financial meltdown that has spread impoverishment and paralysed state institutions.

Persons: Charbel Alam, Alam, Nazimiya, I'm, Jihad, Orel Sigon, we've, Bassam, Dan Williams, Ayhan, Maya Gebeily, Tom Perry, Mark Heinrich Our Organizations: Hezbollah, Palestinian, Hamas, Lebanese, Islamic, Iran's, Guards, Sunday, Thomson Locations: Israel, Lebanon, Iran, Lebanese, Metulla, Rmeish, Gaza, Kiryat Shmona, Beirut, Syria

☆ We Shop for a Living—Here’s What We’re Buying on Amazon Prime Big Deal Days
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-10 | by ( Buy Side Staff | ) www.wsj.com time to read: +11 min

By Buy Side StaffAmazon Prime Big Deal Days are here, which means it’s time to save on products across the mega-retailer’s offerings. For that I recommend this Bose SoundLink Revolve+ ii portable speaker on sale with 40% off for $199. That will soon change, since I’m buying a sparkling water maker from Sodastream while it’s more than 30% off. Now I’m excited to add this standing lamp that’s currently on sale to introduce some fun colors to my home. And while it’s already a good deal at $25, it’s an even better one now that it’s on sale for under $20 during Prime Big Deal Days.” —Madeline Diamond, staff editor

Persons: audiophiles, Nick Guy, ” — Ian Salisbury, Astrid Stawiarz, it’s, ” — Alix Milne, Watt, — Leslie Yazel, I’ve, Emily Schwartzberg, Samantha Sharf, I’m, Madeline Diamond, ”, Jenny Jackson —, Williams College —, ” — Bellamy Richardson, — Chao Li, KitchenAid, she’s, Jessica Woodbury, Handy Organizations: Staff, Side’s, Amazon Big, Amazon, Williams College, Prime, Deal, Philips, Apple, Samsung, Meta Locations: Sodastream, Korean, I’m, Tessan

☆ What's the Israel-Palestinian conflict about and how did it start?
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-10 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +6 min

The conflict pits Israeli demands for security in what it has long regarded as a hostile region against Palestinian aspirations for a state of their own. Palestinians who stayed put in the war today form the Arab Israeli community, making up about 20% of Israel's population. Israel has occupied the West Bank, Arab East Jerusalem, which it captured from Jordan, and Syria's Golan Heights ever since. Israel has said a Palestinian state must be demilitarised so as not to threaten Israel. Jerusalem - Palestinians want East Jerusalem, which includes sites sacred to Muslims, Jews and Christians, to be the capital of their state.

Persons: David Ben, Gurion, Israel, Golan, Yasser Arafat, Mohammed Salem, Yitzhak Rabin, Arafat, David, Bill Clinton, Ehud Barak, Donald Trump, Joe Biden, Jerusalem, Trump, Edmund Blair Organizations: Israel, West Bank, Palestinian, REUTERS, Oslo Accords, U.S, Refugees, Reuters, Thomson Locations: Israel, British, Palestine, Jordan, Lebanon, Syria, Gaza, East Jerusalem, U.S, Egypt, Arab East Jerusalem, Suez, Golan, Gaza City, Oslo, Israeli, Palestinian, Washington, Saudi Arabia, Riyadh, Jerusalem

☆ What's the Israel-Palestinian conflict about? The origin of wars explained
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-10 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +6 min

Palestinians who stayed put in the war today form the Arab Israeli community, making up about 20% of Israel's population. Israel has occupied the West Bank, Arab East Jerusalem, which it captured from Jordan, and Syria's Golan Heights ever since. A two-state solution, Israeli settlements, the status of Jerusalem, and refugees are at the core of the dispute. Israel has said a Palestinian state must be demilitarised so as not to threaten Israel. Jerusalem - Palestinians want East Jerusalem, which includes sites sacred to Muslims, Jews and Christians, to be the capital of their state.

Persons: David Ben, Gurion, Israel, Golan, Yasser Arafat, Yitzhak Rabin, Arafat, David, Bill Clinton, Ehud Barak, Donald Trump, Joe Biden, Jerusalem, Trump, Edmund Blair Organizations: Israel, West Bank, Palestinian, Oslo Accords, U.S, Refugees, Reuters, Thomson Locations: Israel, British, Palestine, Jordan, Lebanon, Syria, Gaza, East Jerusalem, U.S, Egypt, Arab East Jerusalem, Suez, Golan, Oslo, Israeli, Palestinian, Washington, Saudi Arabia, Riyadh, Jerusalem

☆ The crisis in the Middle East could fuel a flare-up in inflation and hasten an economic slump for the US
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-10 | by ( George Glover | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +4 min

Iran becoming embroiled in the crisis would be bad news for the US economy, according to analysts. NEW LOOK Sign up to get the inside scoop on today’s biggest stories in markets, tech, and business — delivered daily. download the app Email address Sign up By clicking “Sign Up”, you accept our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy . AdvertisementAdvertisementIran becoming embroiled in the crisis gripping the Middle East could have disastrous knock-on effects for the US economy, analysts have warned. So this is why the big question for the markets and for the economy is whether you get escalation," he added.

Persons: —, Brent, LPL, Quincy Krosby, Pierre Andurand, David Donabedian, Mohamed El, Erian Organizations: Service, West Texas, Wall, CIBC Private Wealth, Treasury Locations: Israel, Iran, Tel Aviv, Tehran, Hamas, Ukraine, Russia, China

☆ What would an Israeli ground assault in Gaza look like? Here’s what I know from the one I saw
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-10 | by ( Ben Wedeman | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +5 min

It was the deepest Israeli ground operation into Gaza since the withdrawal from the Strip in 2005. Then, Israeli troops largely avoided the most built up and crowded areas, particularly Gaza’s eight crammed refugee camps. During the siege that followed, Israeli warplanes and artillery pummeled West Beirut, but ground troops stayed out of Beirut proper. It was only after they left that Israeli troops took control of the western part of the city. If it comes, the ground operation will be far bloodier and more destructive.

Persons: Jerusalem CNN — “, Israel, Liberation of, Yoav Gallant, Ariel Sharon, Sabra, –, they’re Organizations: Jerusalem CNN, CNN, Islamic, Front, Liberation, Liberation of Palestine, Democratic Front, Fatah, Palestine Liberation Organisation, Israeli, Defense, PLO, Hamas Locations: Jerusalem, Rafah, Gaza, Gaza City, Israel, alleyways, Lebanon, Palestine, Beirut, Yemen, Tunisia, West Beirut

☆ Huge ancient solar storm revealed by tree rings in French Alps
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-09 | by ( Will Dunham | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +5 min

Researchers said on Monday the solar storm - the sun sending a large burst of energetic particles into space - occurred 14,300 years ago. Nine such extreme solar storms now have been identified using tree-ring radiocarbon evidence, with the most recent in 774 and 993 AD. The largest directly observed solar storm, called the Carrington Event, occurred in 1859, wreaking havoc on telegraphs and creating a nighttime aurora so bright that birds sang as if the sun was rising. The effects of solar storms can disable electronics. "If similar solar storms happened today, they could be catastrophic for society, as we are so reliant upon technology," Heaton said.

Persons: Cecile Miramont, eked, Tim Heaton, Heaton, Edouard Bard, Cécile Miramont, Will Dunham, Rosalba O'Brien Organizations: REUTERS, University of Leeds, Engineering Sciences, Marseille University, Thomson Locations: Gap, Handout, England, France, paleoclimates, Aix, Washington

☆ Israel retaliates after Hamas attacks, deaths pass 1,100
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-09 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +10 min

Israeli military spokesperson Lieutenant Colonel Jonathan Conricus said the country had called in around 100,000 soldiers. Iran is an ally of Hamas and while it congratulated Hamas on the attack, its mission to the United Nations said Tehran was not involved in the attacks. Several international air carriers have suspended flight services with Tel Aviv in light of the Hamas attack, saying they are waiting for conditions to improve before resuming. In Gaza, Hamas spokesperson Hazem Qassem condemned the U.S. announcement as "an actual participation in the aggression against our people" and said the group would not be intimidated. The United States led Western denunciations of Hamas' attack, with Biden issuing a blunt warning to Iran and others on : "This is not a moment for any party hostile to Israel to exploit these attacks."

Persons: Israel, Benjamin Netanyahu's, Yoav Gallant, Jonathan Conricus, Brent, Ebrahim Raisi, they're, They're, Yoni Asher, Uri David, Mohammed Salem, Attar, Daniel Hagari, Netanyahu, Aaron David Miller, Joe Biden, Lloyd Austin, Gerald R, Hazem Qassem, Lebanon's, Peacemaking, Ismail Haniyeh, Gazans, Maayan Lubell, Ari Rabinovitch, Nidal, Ammar Anwar, Henriette Chacar, Emily Rose, Dan Williams, Ali Sawafta, Steven Scheer, James Mackenzie, Angus McDowall, Andrew Cawthorne, Matt Spetalnick, Stephen Coates, Michael Perry Organizations: Fighters, United Nations, Nasdaq, Sunday, REUTERS, White, National Security, Islamic, Carnegie Endowment, International, . Defense, Ford Carrier Strike Group, Palestinian, West Bank, Palestinian Authority, Jerusalem, United, Biden, Thomson Locations: Gaza, JERUSALEM, GAZA, Israel, Egypt, Yom, Ofakim, Iran, Tehran, Tel Aviv, Lebanon's Iran, Palestine, Gaza City, Palestinian, U.S, Saudi Arabia, United States, Jerusalem, Sderot, Ramallah, Modiin, Washington

☆ Israel flashes geopolitical warning at shaky time
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-09 | by ( George Hay | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +4 min

The Kingdom’s rulers have historically supported Palestinian rights and opposed Israel, while waging proxy wars against Iran. Indeed, one motivation of the Hamas attacks may have been to provoke an Israeli response that derails those negotiations. At a time when the global economy needs inflationary geopolitical risks to simmer down, more are flashing red. In response, Israeli air strikes hit housing blocks, tunnels, a mosque and homes of Hamas officials in Gaza, killing more than 400 people, Reuters reported. President Joe Biden said on Saturday that Israel had the right to defend itself and issued a warning to Iran and other countries hostile to Israel not to exploit the attacks.

Persons: Benjamin Netanyahu’s, Joe Biden, Netanyahu, Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Biden, toughening, Israel, Benjamin Netanyahu, “, Brent, Peter Thal Larsen, Thomas Shum Organizations: Reuters, Hamas, Iran, Saudi Crown, Sunday, Thomson Locations: Ukraine, United States, China, Israel, Gaza, Iran, Jerusalem, Tehran, Saudi Arabia, U.S, Saudi, Germany, Italy, Britain

☆ The US carrier strike group headed toward Israel is heavily armed, but these ships could still be sailing into dangerous waters
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-09 | by ( Jake Epstein | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +7 min

A US Navy carrier strike group is heading for Israel after the deadly Hamas attacks on Saturday. AdvertisementAdvertisementThe US Navy dispatched a carrier strike group to waters near Israel after a brutal attack over the weekend by the Hamas militant group. US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin on Sunday announced the movement of the USS Gerald R. Ford Carrier Strike Group to the eastern Mediterranean. This collection of ships includes the aircraft carrier USS Gerald R. Ford, the guided missile cruiser USS Normandy, and the guided missile destroyers USS Thomas Hudner, USS Ramage, USS Carney, and USS Roosevelt. USS Gerald R. Ford sails in the Oslo fjord alongside Norwegian military vessels and aircraft on May 24, 2023.

Persons: —, Lloyd Austin, Gerald R, Ford, Thomas Hudner, Ramage, USS Carney, Roosevelt, Austin, Israel, Finnbarr Webster, Washington Organizations: US Navy, —, Service, US, Sunday, Ford Carrier Strike Group, Central Command, US Air Force, Hamas, Israel Defense Forces, Ford, Norwegian Armed Forces, Hezbollah, Center for Strategic, International Studies, CSIS Locations: Israel, Normandy, Gaza, Oslo, States, Tehran, Lebanon, Iran, Gosport, England, Washington, China, Russian, Yemen

☆ Russia calls on Israel and Palestinians to cease fire
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-07 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

Russian President Vladimir Putin makes a statement following talks with Uzbek President Shavkat Mirziyoyev at the Kremlin in Moscow, Russia, October 6, 2023. Sputnik/Pavel Bednyakov/Pool via REUTERS/File Photo Acquire Licensing RightsMOSCOW, Oct 7 (Reuters) - Russia expresses its most serious concern at the sharp aggravation of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, Russian foreign ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova said on Saturday. "We call on the Palestinian and Israeli sides to implement an immediate ceasefire, renounce violence, exercise the necessary restraint and establish, with the assistance of the international community, a negotiation process aimed at establishing a comprehensive, lasting and long-awaited peace in the Middle East," she said in a statement. Russia is in contact with Israel, the Palestinians and Arab countries over the flare-up, the Interfax news agency reported earlier, citing Deputy Foreign Minister Mikhail Bogdanov. Reporting by Reuters; editing by Jason Neely and Andrew Cawthorne私たちの行動規範：トムソン・ロイター「信頼の原則」

Persons: Vladimir Putin, Shavkat Mirziyoyev, Pavel Bednyakov, Maria Zakharova, Mikhail Bogdanov, Jason Neely, Andrew Cawthorne 私 Organizations: Kremlin, Sputnik, Rights, Reuters Locations: Moscow, Russia, Israel

☆ Hamas launched a 'surprise' attack on Israel, but for Netanyahu's critics, the writing was on the wall for months
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-07 | by ( Joshua Zitser | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +5 min

Hamas launched a surprise attack on Israel, killing at least 70 people. Critics have long been warning of a security lapse as a result of internal civil unrest in Israel. They warned that protests linked to judicial reforms were impacting Israeli national security. Netanyahu's judicial reforms, which were proposed in January and eventually passed in July, seek to limit the Supreme Court's power to exercise judicial review and declare legislation unconstitutional. "This is a clear, immediate, and real danger to Israel's security," Gallant said at the time.

Persons: —, Benjamin Netanyahu's, Yuval Sade, Calcalist, disdainfully, Israel, Netanyahu, Yair Lapid, Tamir Pardo, We've, Tomer Bar, Yoav Gallant, Gallant Organizations: Hamas, Service, IDF, PLO, Israel, Shin, Los Angeles Times, Israeli Air Force Locations: Israel, Iran

☆ Timeline of conflict between Israel and Palestinians in Gaza
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-07 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +4 min

Israel and the U.S. cut off aid to Palestinians because Hamas refuses to renounce violence and recognise Israel. June 25, 2006 - Hamas militants capture Israeli army conscript Gilad Shalit in a cross-border raid from Gaza, prompting Israeli air strikes and incursions. Dec. 27, 2008 - Israel launches a 22-day military offensive in Gaza after Palestinians fire rockets at the southern Israeli town of Sderot. After demanding Israel withdraw security forces from the compound, Hamas unleashes a barrage of rockets from Gaza into Israel. Israel responds with air strikes on Gaza.

Persons: Amir Cohen, Gilad Shalit, Shalit, Fatah, Mahmoud Abbas, Ahmad Jabari, Tom Perry, Angus McDowall, Jan Harvey Organizations: REUTERS, Hamas, Palestinian Authority, Israel, West Bank, Thomson Locations: Gaza, Ashkelon, Israel, Palestinian, Egypt, U.S, Sderot, Gaza’s, Al Aqsa, Jerusalem, Islamic, Iranian, Jihad

☆ Beware these debt-laden stocks breaking down under the weight of higher rates
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-05 | by ( Lisa Kailai Han | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +7 min

Stocks have sold off as Wall Street accepted that the Federal Reserve might keep interest rates higher for longer to crush inflation. Corporate debt refinancings are going to start hitting profits more urgently starting in 2024, according to Wolfe Research chief investment strategist Chris Senyek. "[T]hat higher interest expense is likely to create a $5-$7/share headwind for S & P 500 operating EPS in 2024," Senyek said. Stocks have sold off as Wall Street accepted that the Federal Reserve might keep interest rates higher for longer to crush inflation. "[T]hat higher interest expense is likely to create a $5-$7/share headwind for S&P 500 operating EPS in 2024," Senyek said.

Persons: Stocks, Chris Senyek, —, Senyek, LSEG, RC Willey, George Frey, BAX Baxter, Lockheed Martin, Kellogg Organizations: Labor Department, Wall, Federal Reserve, Wolfe Research, CNBC, General Motors, United Auto Workers, GM, Whirlpool, Kellogg, RC, Bloomberg, Getty, Equity, Lockheed, AEP American Electric Power, Dominion Energy, Motors, Duke Energy, VZ Verizon Communications, Nasdaq, Stock Screener, Whirlpool Corp Locations: Draper , Utah

☆ What is the PKK, the Kurdish rebel group behind bomb blast in Turkey?
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-02 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

* The PKK is a militant group founded by Abdullah Ocalan in southeast Turkey in 1978 with an ideology based on Marxist-Leninist ideas. * It launched its insurgency against the Turkish state in 1984 with the initial aim of creating an independent Kurdish state. It subsequently moderated its goals to seeking greater Kurdish rights and limited autonomy in southeast Turkey. Much of the fighting in the past was focused in rural areas of mainly Kurdish southeast Turkey, but it has also conducted attacks in urban areas. * In recent years the conflict has moved from southeast Turkey to be focused mainly in northern Iraq, where the PKK has bases in the mountains.

Persons: Abdullah Ocalan, Ocalan, Abdul, Latif Rashid, Daren Butler, Jonathan Spicer, Angus MacSwan Organizations: Kurdistan Workers Party, Marxist, European Union, BATTALION, PKK, Turkish, Islamic, Thomson Locations: ISTANBUL, Turkish, Ankara, Turkey, Iraq, Kurdish, United States, Syria, Kenya, Istanbul, Kurdistan, U.S, Islamic State

☆ The US is warning of a big build-up of Serbian troops on the Kosovo border. Here’s why tensions are high
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-30 | by ( Sophie Tanno | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +6 min

CNN —The long fractious ties between Kosovo and Serbia are once again on edge after one of the worst outbreaks of violence in years. Ognen Teofilovski/ReutersMore than 20 years on, fragile peace has been preserved in Kosovo, while Serbia continues not to recognize Kosovo’s independence. During the subsequent shootout in the village of Banjska in northern Kosovo, police said they killed three armed attackers and arrested another. Visar Kryeziu/APIn another development, a top Kosovo Serb politician, Milan Radoicic said he took part in the gun battle, Reuters reported. The White House has warned that the incident represents a threat to the safety of not only Kosovo personnel, but international personnel including NATO troops.

Persons: Ognen Teofilovski, What’s, Albin Kurti, ”, Vjosa Osmani, Aleksandar Vucic, Vucic, “, Visar, Milan Radoicic, Radoicic, John Kirby, Jens Stoltenberg Organizations: CNN, Kosovar, Federal, NATO, Sunday, Facebook, Kosovo, Reuters, Kosovo police, AP, Kosovo Serb, Kosovo Police, National Security Locations: Kosovo, Serbia, Yugoslavia, Serbian, Federal Republic of Yugoslavia, Montenegro, Banjska, Belgrade, Pristina, Serbs, Zvecan

Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr, in his first remarks over the latest flare up, said the Philippines was upholding its rights to fish in its exclusive economic zone. China, which says Scarborough Shoal is its territory, has chided the United States for what it calls provocations in the region. Since cutting the floating barrier, the Philippines has observed less Chinese presence in the shoal, Tarriela said. There were three Chinese coastguard vessels and one maritime militia ship seen from an inspection flight on Thursday, versus seven Chinese vessels last week, Tarriela said. There were two Filipino vessels fishing in the shoal, but it remains a struggle to enter the lagoon, he added.

Persons: Ferdinand Marcos Jr, Ursula von der Leyen, Aaron Favila, Marcos, we're, Jay Tarriela, Tarriela, Enrico Dela Cruz, Neil Jerome Morales, Martin Petty, Mark Potter Organizations: coastguard, Philippine coastguard, Manila, Washington, Thomson Locations: Philippine, Manila, Philippines, China, shoal's, coastguard MANILA, Scarborough, Beijing, United States

Here are the key takeaways of an Associated Press investigation into the probe:WHAT DO THEY THINK HAPPENED? Investigators led by the federal bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and Maui County have declined to comment on specifics of the probe. They included a heavily charred, hollowed 4-foot-tall stump of a utility pole, two heavily burned trees and the remains of an old car tire. Photos taken after the blaze show charred foliage in the utility’s right-of-way still more than 10 feet high. The utility instead sought to shift the blame to Maui County fire officials for what it believes was their premature, false claim that they had extinguished the first fire.

Persons: ”, Balagso, couldn’t, Munro Tulloch Organizations: Associated Press, Co, Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, Explosives, Press, AP, Electric Locations: Lahaina, Maui, Maui County

☆ What is Scarborough Shoal in the South China Sea and why are China and the Philippines disputing it?
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-26 | by ( Martin Petty | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +5 min

The Philippines coastguard said the mission, approved by President Ferdinand Marcos Jr, showed its determination to maintain a presence at the shoal. Located in the middle of the South China Sea and near shipping lanes carrying an estimated $3.4 trillion of annual commerce, its position is strategic for Beijing. A landmark 2016 ruling on the South China Sea by the Permanent Court of Arbitration, which went largely in favour of the Philippines, was not tasked with establishing sovereignty. China has not acknowledged the presence of militia in the South China Sea. The Pentagon stated mutual defence commitments would be invoked over an attack "anywhere in the South China Sea" and that coastguard vessels are among those protected.

Persons: Ferdinand Marcos Jr, Rodrigo Duterte, Thomas, Marcos, Martin Petty, Sharon Singleton Organizations: SCARBOROUGH, coastguard, China's coastguard, Philippines coastguard, Guard, Philippine Coast Guard, REUTERS, WHO, China's, Mutual, Treaty, Pentagon, Thomson Locations: Philippines, South China, Beijing, Manila, China, Scarborough, Philippine, British, South, Spratly, China's, United States, Washington

☆ Russia smells blood as Ukraine tries to stop war fatigue spreading among allies
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-26 | by ( Holly Ellyatt | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +7 min

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky listens during a meeting with US President Joe Biden in the Oval Office of the White House in Washington, DC, on September 21, 2023. One noted Russian academic, historian and author Sergei Medvedev said he's worried about Western resolve in Ukraine, saying, "I think the West is tiring." Russian President Vladimir Putin speaks during The Strong Ideas For The New Times Forum on June 29, 2023 in Moscow, Russia. Getty ImagesWhen a very public rift erupted between Poland and Ukraine last week, the Kremlin was quick to seize upon the tensions. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and U.S. President Joe Biden in the Oval Office on Sept. 21, 2023.

Persons: Volodymyr Zelensky, Joe Biden, Jim Watson, Russia —, Vladimir Putin, Sergei Medvedev, he's, Trump, Putin, Dmitry Peskov, Rava, Yuriy Dyachyshyn, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, Mateusz Morawiecki, Teneo, Kevin Lamarque, Ian Bremmer, Zelenskyy, let's, Andrzej Duda Organizations: White, AFP, Getty, Republicans, CNBC, Kremlin, New Times Forum, Agency for Strategic Initiatives, Putin's, European Commission, World Trade Organization, General Assembly, Kyiv, Teneo, U.S, Republican, Ukraine, Reuters, Eurasia Group, Trump, Sunday Locations: Washington ,, Ukraine, Russia, Europe, U.S, Poland, Slovakia, Russian, Moscow, Warsaw, Kyiv, Polish, Hungary, New York City

☆ Why more women are choosing to be child-free
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-25 | by ( Harmeet Kaur | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +11 min

Demographers point to a number of factors driving this phenomenon: economic insecurity, political uncertainty, shifting gender norms and a lessening stigma around the choice to remain child-free. In the past, women who could have been inclined to remain child-free might have given birth anyway because that is what society expected from them. Even so, women who choose to remain child-free say they still feel like they constantly have to explain their choices to others. Women who opt to remain child-free say they still experience judgment for their choices. The assumption that child-free women don’t care about children simply isn’t true either, some say.

Persons: CNN — Dyanna Volek, “ I’m, ”, Volek, “, doesn’t, don’t, Cecilia Sanders, Sanders, ’ ”, Amy Blackstone, ” Blackstone, “ We’ve, we’ve, Yana Grant, Yana Grant “, ” Grant, Grant, They’re, Graves, Jordan Levey, Levey, they’d, wasn't, Jordan Levey “, —, ” Sanders, Blackstone, They’ve, they’ll, couldn’t, ’ Organizations: CNN, Centers for Disease Control, University of Maine, US, Getty Locations: San Francisco, Chicago, Tulsa , Oklahoma, Oklahoma, Washington

☆ Philippines Removes Chinese Barrier at Disputed Shoal in 'Special Operation'
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-25 | by ( Sept. | At A.M. | ) www.usnews.com time to read: +4 min

By Enrico Dela CruzMANILA (Reuters) -The Philippines said on Monday it executed a "special operation" to remove a floating barrier installed by China at a prime fishing patch in the South China Sea, a move that could stoke tension after a years-long detente in Asia's most disputed waters. Hours after the national security adviser had vowed to take action, the Philippine coastguard said it had removed the floating cordon, at the behest of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr and his special task force on the South China Sea. Japan's government urged calm and said the South China Sea was central to regional stability. "Our country strongly opposes any conduct that heightens tension in the South China Sea," Japanese Chief Cabinet Secretary Hirokazu Matsuno said at a regular press conference. China on Monday said the shoal, which it calls Huangyan Island, was "China's inherent territory", over which it had indisputable sovereignty.

Persons: Enrico Dela Cruz, Ferdinand Marcos Jr, Rodrigo Duterte, Hirokazu Matsuno, Huangyan, Wang Wenbin, Enrico dela Cruz, Liz Lee, Kiyoshi Takenaka, Kanupriya Kapoor, Martin Petty, Alex Richardson Organizations: stoke, coastguard, Philippine coastguard, Philippine, China, South China, Chinese coastguard Locations: Philippines, China, South China, Asia's, Scarborough, Philippine, Manila, Washington, Beijing, British, South, Hague, Tokyo

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