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☆ 'Pretty horrific mistakes:' Democrats have few nice things to say about Henry Kissinger following his death
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-30 | by ( Bryan Metzger | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +6 min

"There are some pretty horrific mistakes that Henry Kissinger made that have taken the United States a very long time to recover from." Other Democrats have issued similar critiques of Kissinger's legacy in the wake of his death. "I am proud to say that Henry Kissinger is not my friend. "Count me in as somebody who will not be listening to Henry Kissinger," Sanders added at that debate. "Today, the world Henry Kissinger leaves behind bears his indelible mark," McConnell said on the Senate floor on Thursday.

Persons: Sen, Bernie Sanders, Henry Kissinger, Hillary Clinton's, Kissinger, I've, Sanders, —, Greg Casar, Richard Nixon, Gerald Ford, Chris Murphy of, Murphy, they've, General Augusto Pinochet, Pinochet, Jim McGovern, @RepMcGovern, Gerry Connolly, Vietnam –, Hillary Clinton, Mike Pompeo, AzyRrHhH6i — Bernie Sanders, George W, Bush, Mitch McConnell, McConnell Organizations: Service, Democratic, Texas, National Security, State, Republican, Chris Murphy of Connecticut, Massachusetts, House Foreign Affairs, — Locations: China, Soviet Union, Latin America, Southeast Asia, United States, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Vietnam, Argentina, East Timor, Cambodia, Bangladesh, Virginia, Iran, @GerryConnolly, Vermont, Khmer Rouge, @BernieSanders

Senate Democrats are discussing the possibility of attaching conditions to future Israel military aid amid humanitarian concerns in Gaza resulting from the country’s aggressive prosecution of its war against Hamas. “I do think that Israel needs to be more careful in the way it is conducting these operations,” Murphy added. Sen. John Fetterman of Pennsylvania told reporters he doesn’t support restrictions, saying that Hamas has to be “eliminated,” necessitating that there be no conditions on military aid to Israel. Senate Republicans were likewise largely opposed to conditions on aid to Israel, like Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, who called the idea “ridiculous.”“Our relationship with Israel is the closest national security relationship we have with any country in the world,” McConnell said. “We all support Israel.

Persons: Benjamin Netanyahu, Chuck Schumer, ”, Sen, Chris Coons, Bernie Sanders, Netanyahu’s, ” Sanders, Chris Murphy, ” Murphy, Joe Biden, Richard Blumenthal, who’s, ” Blumenthal, John Fetterman of, “, ” Fetterman, Mitch McConnell, ” McConnell, Israel –, “ We’ve, ” Sen, Peter Welch, we’re Organizations: CNN, Senate Republicans, Vermont Democrat, Israel Locations: Israel, Gaza, Chris Coons of Delaware, Vermont, Connecticut, U.S, Richard Blumenthal of Connecticut, John Fetterman of Pennsylvania

☆ US pushes for extension of Gaza pause, but the possibility of war raging again looms large
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-27 | by ( Stephen Collinson | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +11 min

The Israeli Cabinet has discussed the idea and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu told Biden in a call Sunday an extension would be welcome, his office said in a statement. In the short term, Israel and Hamas both appear to have strong reasons to continue the truce. Why the Gaza pause may eventually unravelAn extended pause in the fighting would play into humanitarian aims, but time may be short before the strategic goals of Israel or Hamas shift. In another sign that differences over the package could lead to further delays, Sen. Chris Murphy said he’d be open to conditioning Israeli aid on the protection of Palestinian civilians. And Israeli President Isaac Herzog told CNN’s Wolf Blitzer in an interview Sunday that he supported the idea for an “international coalition” to monitor Gaza after Hamas had been eradicated in the war.

Persons: Joe Biden, Benjamin Netanyahu, Biden, Netanyahu, Jason J, Eaton, –, Israel, ”, Ben Hodges, Israel’s, Jake Sullivan, “, ” Sullivan, Abigail Edan, she’d, ’, Chris Christie, CNN’s Dana, Christie, Chuck Schumer, Donald Trump, Mike Turner, NBC’s “, Sen, Chris Murphy, he’d, Isaac Herzog, CNN’s Wolf Blitzer Organizations: CNN, Qatar –, Israel, Burlington Police Department, Police, Hamas, Biden, Democratic Party, Younger, GOP, New, Democratic, House Republicans, Internal Revenue Service, Pro, Donald Trump Republicans, Senate Republicans, House, Ohio Republican, Connecticut Democrat, Union Locations: Gaza, Israel, Washington, Nantucket , Massachusetts, Qatar, Vermont, “ State, American, Michigan, New Jersey, Ukraine, Connecticut, United States

☆ Sen. Murphy open to placing conditions on aid to Israel, calls civilian death toll in Gaza ‘unacceptable’
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-26 | by ( Morgan Rimmer | Jack Forrest | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +5 min

CNN —Democratic Sen. Chris Murphy on Sunday said he was open to placing conditions on any aid to Israel, with the aim of reducing civilian casualties in Gaza. “We regularly condition our aid to allies based upon compliance with US law and international law. “I do believe that the level of civilian harm inside Gaza has been unacceptable and is unsustainable,” he said. “Hopefully, Hamas will accept the conditions that have been laid down that will allow for more hostages to be released. But if they don’t, ultimately Hamas is going to be defeated,” added Murphy.

Persons: Democratic Sen, Chris Murphy, CNN’s Dana, —, ” Murphy, “, ”, Murphy, it’s, Biden, Ukraine —, Sen, Bernie Sanders, Michael Bennet, Mike Turner, ” Turner, Benjamin Netanyahu’s, “ Benjamin Netanyahu, That’s, ” CNN’s Lauren Fox, Manu Raju Organizations: CNN, Democratic, The Connecticut Democrat, Senate Foreign Relations, Capitol, Hamas, Ukraine, West Bank, CBS, Intelligence, ”, Ohio Republican, NBC Sunday, “, Press, Sunday, Israeli Locations: Israel, Gaza, The, “ State, Ukraine, Washington, United States, Colorado, Ohio, Palestinian

What Biden is asking forBiden's emergency request to Congress included aid for Ukraine, Israel and other U.S. allies, along with $14 billion to bolster the immigration system and border security. “It is unanimous that our broken immigration system is in dire need of reform,” Mayorkas said. Republicans have made clear that will not be addressed in this package, which they want to be more narrowly focused on border security measures. Republicans argue that Ukraine aid could be a tough sell to some of their voters, and the border policy is the compromise. It’s border security for Ukraine aid.”So far, leaders in both parties have encouraged the talks.

Persons: Joe Biden, Arizona Sen, Kyrsten, ”, Pramila, Biden, Donald Trump, Alejandro Mayorkas, ” Mayorkas, Illinois Sen, Dick Durbin, What's, Barack Obama, Democratic Sen, Chris Murphy of, ” Murphy, Arkansas Sen, Tom Cotton Organizations: WASHINGTON, —, Republicans, House Democrats, Republican, Democratic, Congressional Progressive Caucus, Infrastructure, Homeland, U.S, Democrats, Trump, House Locations: Ukraine, U.S, Mexico, United States, Arizona, Washington, Venezuela, Israel, Russia, Illinois, Chris Murphy of Connecticut, Arkansas

Linking Ukraine’s military assistance to U.S. border security interjects one of the most divisive domestic political issues — immigration and border crossings — into the middle of an intensifying debate over wartime foreign policy. Failure risks delaying U.S. military aid to Kyiv and Israel, along with humanitarian assistance for Gaza, in the midst of two wars, potentially undermining America's global standing. Rather than approve Biden’s request, which includes $61 billion for Ukraine, Republicans are demanding something in return. Democrats call these essentially nonstarters, and the border security talks are going slowly. Other Republicans, led by Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene of Georgia, a Donald Trump ally, have drawn an even deeper line against Ukraine aid.

Persons: Volodymyr Zelenskyy, Joe Biden’s, ”, Luke Coffey, Andriy Yermak, Coffey, Vladimir Putin’s, Mitch McConnell, It’s, “, Sen, Chris Murphy, Conn, Biden, Tom Cotton, McConnell, Sabrina Singh, Democratic Sen, Jack Reed, Mike Garcia of, Garcia, Mike Johnson, Marjorie Taylor Greene, Donald Trump, Lolita C, Baldor, Ellen Knickmeyer, Stephen Groves Organizations: WASHINGTON, Hudson Institute, Republican, Associated Press, NORC, for Public Affairs Research, Biden, Republicans, Democrats, Senate, The Defense Department, Defense Department, Congressional Research Service, World Bank . National, Democratic, Senate Armed Services Committee, Russia, Kyiv, Navy, Rep Locations: Washington, Russia, Ukraine, Israel, Mexico, U.S, Kyiv, Gaza, Ukrainian, United States, Kentucky, Russian, Rhode Island, ”, Mike Garcia of California, Iraq, Marjorie Taylor Greene of Georgia

☆ Hefty options 'disaster hedges' draw buyers as US stocks extend rally
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-17 | by ( Saqib Iqbal Ahmed | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

A street sign for Wall Street hangs in front of the New York Stock Exchange May 8, 2013. Some 100,000 January call options on the Cboe Volatility Index (.VIX) changed hands on Friday, with a strike price of 27. Similarly large positions in January VIX options were opened on Wednesday and Thursday. The recent large trades, however, are more likely hedges on a portfolio of stocks, rather than wagers on a massive equity selloff, options strategists said. The trades are unusually large and make up about 5% of this month's overall trading volume in VIX options, according to Trade Alert data.

Persons: Lucas Jackson, Chris Murphy, Murphy, Matthew Tym, Cantor Fitzgerald, Tym, Saqib Iqbal Ahmed, Ira Iosebashvili Organizations: New York Stock Exchange, REUTERS, Susquehanna Financial Group, Federal, Thomson Locations: U.S

☆ Some of the trillions parked in cash may trickle back in to stocks now that the market's rallying
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-15 | by ( Bob Pisani | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +5 min

2023: The year of chasing yield Investors historically chase after stock performance, but 2023 has been the year of chasing after yield performance. This year, the combined assets under management at money market funds grew to a record $6 trillion. There have been large inflows into short-term Treasury funds like the Vanguard Short-Term Treasury ETF (VGSH) and, surprisingly, even into long-term Treasury ETFs like the iShares 20+Year Treasury Bond ETF (TLT). Still, some think a large chunk of the money in short-term Treasuries and money markets is "scared money" and will be "sticky." Those institutional investors "Don't want any money in cash because it will lag behind the stock market," he told me.

Persons: Paul McCulley, they're, Mark Lehman, Eric Balchunas, Jeff Seyffart, Alec Young, Steve Sosnick, Jim Besaw, Besaw, Mike O'Rourke, JonesTrading, Matt Maley, Miller Tabak, Chris Murphy Organizations: Federal, CNBC, Citizens JMP Securities, Treasury, Treasury Bond ETF, Bloomberg, Schwab Money Fund, MapSignals, Interactive Brokers, Gentrust, UBS Locations: Susquehanna

☆ The day Congress went back to fourth grade
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-15 | by ( Stephen Collinson | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +12 min

The 118th Congress, which took an initial step to punt funding deadlines to the winter, looked more like a fourth grade class on a day that will further erode trust in government ahead of next year’s elections. Across Capitol Hill in the world’s so-called greatest deliberative body, Oklahoma Republican Sen. Markwayne Mullin was spoiling for a prize fight. Senate Republican leader Mitch McConnell, however, suggested that policing the Capitol was beyond even his wily capacity to enforce discipline within his conference. And only in the malfunctioning Congress would a speaker try to prevent one government shutdown by laying the possible path for two others. Israel and Ukraine have nothing to thank Congress forThe most glaring example of Congress’ failure to fulfill its duty on Tuesday came at a pro-Israel demonstration on the National Mall.

Persons: Joe Biden’s, Xi Jinping, Kevin McCarthy –, –, Tim Burchett, CNN’s Manu Raju, McCarthy, Oklahoma Republican Sen, Markwayne Mullin, Sean O’Brien, Mullin, O’Brien, ” Mullin, “, ” O’Brien, Vermont Sen, Bernie Sanders, let’s, ” Sanders, ”, Jared Moskowitz, James Comer, Comer, leafing, Moskowitz couldn’t, Gargamel, Marjorie Taylor Greene, Georgia –, Darrell Issa, Alejandro Mayorkas, Greene, Donald Trump, ” McCarthy, Dakota Sen, John Thune –, Mitch McConnell, who’s, Mike Johnson’s, Johnson, ” Rep, Patrick McHenry, Tom Cole, Trump, Joe Biden, Chuck Schumer, Hakeem Jeffries, Iowa GOP Sen, Joni Ernst, Biden, Vladimir Putin, hasn’t, he’d, ” Connecticut Democratic Sen, Chris Murphy Organizations: CNN, 118th, Republican, GOP, Tennessean, Oklahoma Republican, International Brotherhood of Teamsters, Health, Education, Labor, Pensions, Sooner, Martial Arts, Democratic, Biden, Florida Democrat, Capitol, Georgia Republican, Homeland, Capitol ., Congressional, Senate Republican, Capitol Police, Kentucky Republican, Republicans, ”, CNBC, “, Congress, House Democratic, Iowa GOP, Internal Revenue Service, Senate, White, ” Connecticut Democratic Locations: Israel, Ukraine, Washington, China, Oklahoma, Vermont, Florida, Kentucky, Georgia, California, Capitol . Congress, Dakota, Gaza, Iowa, “ Ukraine, ” Connecticut

☆ Congress just found the dumbest way to avoid a government shutdown
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-14 | by ( Brent D. Griffiths | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +5 min

Congress now appears likely to avoid a government shutdown this week. The White House even weighed in over the weekend before House Democrats started to warm up to Johnson's plan. Republican Sen. Ted Cruz of Texas didn't stop Obamacare. And Republican Sen. Rand Paul's colleagues tore into him after he forced a brief shutdown in 2018. As I was writing this story about how Johnson's plan is the dumbest thing Congress has done, Sen. Bernie Sanders had to stop one of his colleagues from throwing down with a union boss.

Persons: —, America's, Mike Johnson, Democratic Sen, Patty Murray, Sen, Susan Collins of, Collins, Chris Murphy, It's, Joe Biden, Kevin McCarthy's, Mick Mulvaney, Obama, Republican Sen, Ted Cruz, Obamacare, Donald Trump didn't, Rand Paul's, Bernie Sanders, Kevin McCarthy Organizations: Service, Government, Pentagon, State, Justice, Human Services, House Democrats, Democratic, Senate, Republican, Connecticut Democrat, White House, GOP, Politico, Trump Locations: Washington, Susan Collins of Maine, Punchbowl, Connecticut, Ted Cruz of Texas

☆ Hardline Republicans push back on US House speaker's plan to avert shutdown
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-13 | by ( David Morgan | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +6 min

The bill is intended to pressure the House and Senate to agree on spending bills for fiscal 2024 by the assigned dates. Johnson warned Democrats that House Republicans would impose a full-year CR for 2024 "with appropriate adjustments to meet our national security priorities" if Congress fails to reach agreement on full-year spending. Democrats had worried that Republicans would put defense and other party priorities in the first tranche and then let the remaining programs shut down. Failure to hit that benchmark led to McCarthy's ouster, but some House Republicans suggested Johnson deserved more time. The brutal infighting among Republicans this year, including the party's own rejection of three seasoned nominees for House speaker, coincides with falling federal revenues and mounting costs for interest, health and pension outlays.

Persons: Mike Johnson, Elizabeth Frantz, Johnson, Bob Good, Kevin McCarthy, Joe Biden, Johnson's, centrists, Good, Marjorie Taylor Greene, Warren Davidson, Scott Perry, Andrew Clyde, Chip Roy, Republican George Santos, Perry, Chris Murphy, Biden, McCarthy, David Morgan, Scott Malone, Andrea Ricci, Richard Chang Organizations: U.S . House, U.S, Capitol, REUTERS, Rights, . House, Republican, Democratic, Senate, Food and Drug Administration, House, White, Caucus, White House, NBC, Republicans, Social Security, Total U.S, Thomson Locations: Washington , U.S, Washington, Louisiana

☆ New US House speaker tries to muster his Republicans to avert government shutdown
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-13 | by ( David Morgan | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +6 min

[1/2] Newly elected Speaker of the House Mike Johnson (R-LA) addresses the U.S. House of Representatives after he was elected to be the new Speaker at the U.S. Capitol in Washington, U.S., October 25, 2023. Johnson also warned Democrats that House Republicans would impose a full-year CR for 2024 "with appropriate adjustments to meet our national security priorities" if Congress fails to reach agreement. House Republicans are aiming for a Tuesday vote. Failure to hit that benchmark led to McCarthy's ouster, but some House Republicans suggested Johnson deserved more time. The brutal infighting that has characterized Republicans this year, including the party's own rejection of three seasoned nominees for House speaker, coincides with falling federal revenues and mounting costs for interest, health and pension outlays.

Persons: Mike Johnson, Elizabeth Frantz, Johnson's, Kevin McCarthy, Joe Biden, Johnson, centrists, Marjorie Taylor Greene, Warren Davidson, Chris Murphy, Murphy, Tom Cole, Biden, McCarthy, Ken Buck, David Morgan, Scott Malone, Andrea Ricci Organizations: U.S . House, U.S, Capitol, REUTERS, Rights, . House, Republican, Democratic, Senate, Food and Drug Administration, House, White, Firebrand, NBC, Republicans, Social Security, Total U.S, Thomson Locations: Washington , U.S, Washington, Louisiana

And for newly minted Speaker Mike Johnson, the fight ahead marks a major test – and one that foretold his predecessor’s loss of the gavel. Instead, to the frustration of a handful of House Republicans who have already expressed opposition to the measure, it extends current funding levels set under former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi. It’s nearly the same set of circumstances that tested former House Speaker Kevin McCarthy just months ago – and precipitated his ouster, posing a major test for the new speaker. Adding to Johnson’s difficulties was a commitment from House Democrats to oppose anything but a clean continuing resolution. But lawmakers ultimately coalesced around a last-minute House continuing resolution that angered House conservatives and dealt McCarthy his final blow.

Persons: Mike Johnson, Johnson –, Johnson’s, ” Johnson, Nancy Pelosi, It’s, Kevin McCarthy, Johnson, there’s, ” Sen, Chris Murphy, Chuck Schumer, Schumer, McCarthy Organizations: Jan, Republicans, House Democrats, Connecticut Democrat, NBC Locations: Connecticut

☆ The GOP plan to avoid a government shutdown in 5 days could actually help student-loan companies struggling to manage repayment
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-13 | by ( Ayelet Sheffey | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +4 min

It includes flexibility for the Education Department to reallocate money to student-loan companies. 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 . AdvertisementAdvertisementRepublican lawmakers' latest plan to keep the government funded includes some flexibility for the Education Department as it manages a challenging return to repayment. The Education Department referred Insider to the Office of Management and Budget for a comment on the proposal.

Persons: —, Mike Johnson, Johnson, Chip Roy, Pelosi, Sen, Chris Murphy Organizations: Republicans, Education Department, Service, Department, Management, OMB, Conservative, Senate, NBC

☆ Government shutdown looms as new speaker struggles to control hardliners
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-13 | by ( Stephen Collinson | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +9 min

The move could head off the Washington holiday-season tradition of shutdown dramas and mammoth all-encompassing spending bills. But the chances that a GOP majority that has trouble passing any bill could deliver on this intricate plan seem very low. Time is critically short given the need to muscle a funding measure through both the House and Senate in five days. Trump looms over the House – and the year to comeHouse Democrats are yet to solidify their position but did note Saturday that spending cuts weren’t included in Johnson’s plan. Johnson pleads for a break from his hardlinersAs with the White House, Johnson’s language explains his strategy.

Persons: Mike Johnson, Kevin McCarthy —, Johnson, “, Chip Roy, McCarthy, Jabin Botsford, Jabin, haven’t, Ukraine’s, —, ”, Karine Jean, Pierre, Joe Biden, Donald Trump, — Biden, Trump, Jack Smith, Marjorie Taylor Greene, ” Greene, Biden, Republicans —, Connecticut Democratic Sen, Chris Murphy, ” Murphy, Murphy Organizations: CNN, New, Republican, Washington, GOP, CRs, Democratic, White, Caucus, Texas Rep, Getty, Washington Post, Senate, Internal Revenue Service, Republicans, Democrats, Trump, Connecticut Democratic, Press Locations: Louisiana, Washington, DC, Washington ,, Israel, Gaza, Marjorie Taylor Greene of Georgia, Connecticut

☆ Speaker Mike Johnson enters into his big shutdown test
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-13 | by ( Lauren Fox | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +6 min

Johnson’s spending plan would fund government agencies through spending bills for the military, Veterans Affairs, transportation, housing and urban development and energy and water through mid-January. One of the first major tests for Johnson will be whether he can even pass a procedural vote for the spending bill known as the rule. McCarthy passed the last short-term spending bill under a suspension of the rules, a decision that ultimately cost him his job. Over the course of the last week, House Republicans have struggled just like they did under McCarthy to unify on spending. Congress must avoid a shutdown and pass a CR that facilitates enacting full-year spending bills and emergency assistance as soon as possible.”CNN’s Manu Raju contributed to this report.

Persons: Mike Johnson’s, Johnson, ”, Warren Davidson, Chip Roy, “, Pelosi, ‘, ’ ”, can’t, ” Sen, Chris Murphy, –, Kevin McCarthy’s, McCarthy, Republicans don’t, Rosa DeLauro, ” DeLauro, CNN’s Manu Raju Organizations: Republican, Caucus, GOP, CNN, Veterans Affairs, Press, Republicans, ” Locations: Ohio

It's a disruption that Johnson — just two weeks into his job running the House — has said he wants to avoid. “We're running up against the clock on Nov. 17, and we're obviously aware of that,” Johnson said this week, referring to the date that government funding expires. Democrats have made it clear they will not support any funding packages that include policy wins for conservatives. Rep. Hakeem Jeffries of New York, who the Democratic leader in the House, said they would not “pay a single, right-wing ransom demand” as part of a funding resolution. Democratic lawmakers are also eager to play up the House Republican divisions and to pin any blame for a shutdown squarely on the new speaker and his GOP colleagues.

Persons: Mike Johnson, Johnson —, —, Johnson, “, ” Johnson, Kevin McCarthy, ”, Troy Nehls, Rep, Hakeem Jeffries, Steny Hoyer, Chuck Schumer, ” Schumer, ” Sen, Chris Murphy, Sen, Joe Manchin Organizations: WASHINGTON, House Republican, Louisiana Republican, Republican, Republicans, Treasury Department, Small Business Administration, House Republicans, Israel, Hamas, Democratic, GOP, Capitol, Ukraine, Democrats Locations: Washington, Louisiana, Texas, New York, “, Ukraine, U.S, Mexico, United States, Connecticut

☆ Russia is trying to buy back weapons it sold other countries because it needs them in Ukraine: report
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-09 | by ( Mia Jankowicz | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

Russia is secretly trying buy back military tech that it sold other countries, the WSJ reported. The report comes as Russia ramps up domestic military production for its war in Ukraine. AdvertisementAdvertisementRussia has approached several countries asking to buy back weapons it sold them, hoping to deploy them in Ukraine, The Wall Street Journal reported. Russia also asked for four engines it sold to Pakistan, six from Belarus, and 12 from Brazil, the outlet reported. While Pakistan denied being approached, two unnamed sources told the outlet that Belarus — a strong ally of Russia — had agreed.

Persons: —, Russia —, Chris Murphy, Vladimir Putin ramped, Katherine Tangalakis Organizations: Service, Street Journal, Russian Ministry of Defense, US, Egypt Independent, Washington Post, Senate Foreign Relations Locations: Russia, Egypt, Ukraine, Belarus, Brazil, Pakistan, North Korea, Syria, Estonia

☆ Investors spurn options hedges as U.S. stock rally crushes fear
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-08 | by ( Saqib Iqbal Ahmed | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

NEW YORK, Nov 8 (Reuters) - Fear has plunged in the U.S. equity market following last week's explosive rally, and some options mavens are urging clients to stock up on portfolio protection while it's cheap. Meanwhile, the Cboe Volatility Index (.VIX), known as Wall Street's fear gauge, has tumbled to its lowest level in seven weeks. They recommended taking advantage of the drop in volatility to deploy stock replacement trades, which involve swapping long stock positions for cheap call options that would reap gains if the market continued to rally. Investors' equity positioning fell to a five-month low before last week's rally, Deutsche Bank data showed. With investors less exposed to stocks, "they don't necessarily need to be rushing to get hedges now," Murphy said.

Persons: Matthew Tym, Cantor Fitzgerald, Cantor's Tym, Chris Murphy, Murphy, Saqib Iqbal Ahmed, Ira Iosebashvili, Andrea Ricci Organizations: Federal, Reuters Graphics, Barclays, Treasury, Susquehanna Financial Group, Deutsche Bank, Thomson Locations: U.S, Santa

McConnell said he is aligned with Biden's “comprehensive approach” to funding Ukraine, Israel and other regions, but Republicans are “very serious” about including the border changes. “What we saw from Senate Republicans is not a serious piece of legislation," press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre said. House Republicans are veering dramatically from the agreement Biden and McCarthy struck earlier this year to set spending levels. House Republicans are cutting money for most departments except the Pentagon, while the Senate also boosts defense and has shifted some resources. The House Republicans spent most of last month struggling to elect a new speaker before settling on Johnson.

Persons: Mike Johnson, Kevin McCarthy, ” Johnson, “, Johnson, Joe Biden's, ”, Chuck Schumer, I've, Mitch McConnell, Kentucky, Biden, Janet Yellen, McConnell, Karine Jean, Pierre, Donald Trump, Sen, Patty Murray, Vladimir Putin, Putin, Chris Murphy, Conn, McCarthy, Kelly Armstrong, Kevin Freking, Seung Min Kim, Mary Clare Jalonick Organizations: WASHINGTON, Republican, Ukraine, Russia, New, Republicans, GOP, Democrats, Senate, Senate Republican, U.S ., Pentagon, Freedom Caucus, Associated Press Locations: Israel, Ukraine, Asia, Pacific, Russia, U.S, Mexico, Kyiv, Johnson, North Dakota

☆ Israel's bombing of a refugee camp could be a turning point. Even its closest allies are expressing concern.
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-04 | by ( Charles R. Davis | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +7 min

An IDF attack on a refugee camp this week, which killed dozens, caused alarm in Washington. NEW LOOK Sign up to get the inside scoop on today’s biggest stories in markets, tech, and business — delivered daily. Biden, in particular, "didn't like this at all," one person told CNN, referencing the attack on the refugee camp. While still defending Israel's right to defend itself, Blinken said that right does not mean anything the IDF does is acceptable. "I share Israel's desire to destroy the threat from Hamas," Sen. Chris Murphy, a liberal Democrat from Connecticut, said this week.

Persons: Joe Biden, —, Biden, Israel, Israel —, Hamas's, aren't, Antony Blinken, Blinken, Benjamin Netanyahu, imploring, that's, Sen, Dick Durbin, apologism, Chris Murphy, Netanyahu Organizations: Israel, IDF, Service, Hamas, United Nations, Israel Defense Forces, UN, CNN, Israeli Locations: Israel, Palestinian, Washington, States, Gaza, United States, imploring Israel, Illinois, Connecticut

☆ Influential Democrat calls Israel's relentless strikes on Gaza 'unacceptable and unsustainable'
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-02 | by ( Erin Snodgrass | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +4 min

Chris Murphy and Dick Durbin's comments come after an Israeli airstrike hit a Gaza refugee camp. NEW LOOK Sign up to get the inside scoop on today’s biggest stories in markets, tech, and business — delivered daily. AdvertisementAdvertisementThe lawmakers' comments appear to be prompted in part by a Tuesday airstrike launched by Israel's military that devastated a refugee camp in Gaza. The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) claimed credit for the strike on the Jabaliya refugee camp in northern Gaza. In his Thursday statement, Murphy reaffirmed Israel's "right and obligation" to defend itself from terror attacks.

Persons: Israel, Chris Murphy, Dick Durbin's, Durbin, —, Sen, Murphy, Israel — “, ”, F3RV5c0hrJ, Andrew Desiderio, Dick Durbin of, Joe Biden, Israel's Organizations: Service, Connecticut Democrat, Foreign Relations, Dick Durbin of Illinois, Senate, Tuesday, Israel Defense Forces, IDF, Hamas Locations: Gaza, Israel, Connecticut

CNN witnessed the skies of Northern Gaza illuminated by flares and explosions as the bombardment intensified late Thursday night. Israel Defense Forces spokesman Lt. Col. Jonathan Conricus claimed the strike was targeting a Hamas commander hiding in an underground bunker and that when the complex imploded it possibly collapsed nearby buildings. The Israel military says there are fuel supplies in Gaza being held by Hamas, which are not being distributed for humanitarian purposes, CNN has reported. Pentagon officials believe Israel has been striking legitimate Hamas targets, including some senior commanders. Blinken plans to raise the issue in his talks with Israeli officials Friday, according to a person familiar with the matter.

Persons: Joe Biden, Biden, Lloyd Austin, Antony Blinken –, –, “ didn’t, ”, Jonathan Conricus, Benjamin Netanyahu, Netanyahu, Israel, Blinken, “ I’m, Base Andrews, “, Sen, Chris Murphy of, Austin, Yoav Gallant, CQ Brown, Herzi, Gabriel Boric, Boric, CNN’s Oren Liebermann Organizations: Washington CNN, Israel, Israel Defense Forces, CNN, White, Israeli, Sunday, West Bank, Hamas, Base, Pentagon, Joint Chiefs, Staff Locations: Israel, Gaza, Gaza City, Northern Gaza, Minnesota, Chris Murphy of Connecticut, Chile

“The border has never been a money issue,” said Rep. Dan Crenshaw, R-Texas. It also suggests $1.4 billion to add 375 immigration judges and their teams in addition to money for 1,300 new border patrol agents. “But it’s got to be designed to secure the border, not to facilitate travel through the border,” he said. “No more money should be spent simply to facilitate current border policy.”It's unclear if compromise is possible on the issue. The border is not about money; there’s some money that needs to be spent on certain things, but it is way more about policy.

Persons: Joe Biden, It's, ”, Dan Crenshaw, Biden, “, Colleen Putzel, there's, Eric Adams, Alex Gough, J.B . Pritzker, Maura Healey, Kevin McCarthy, Sen, Kevin Cramer, he’d, it’s, Texas Republican Sen, John Cornyn, Chris Murphy, ” Murphy, ” Crenshaw, Mary Clare Jalonick, Kevin Freking, Claire Savage, Mike Casey, Patrick Whittle, Lisa Rathke, Holly Ramer Organizations: WASHINGTON, U.S, White, Democratic, Homeland Security, Migration Policy Institute, Central America, New York, ”, O’Hare, Illinois Gov, GOP, Texas Republican, Connecticut Democrat, Department of Homeland Security, Associated Press Locations: Ukraine, Mexico, Israel, Texas, U.S, South, Central, York City, New, implore, New York City, Chicago, ” Massachusetts, Massachusetts, Connecticut, Washington, Boston, Portland , Maine, Montpelier , Vt, Concord, N.H

☆ The options market implied move for Meta is on the cheaper side, says Susquehanna's Chris Murphy
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-20 | by ( ) www.cnbc.com time to read: 1 min

Share Share Article via Facebook Share Article via Twitter Share Article via LinkedIn Share Article via EmailThe options market implied move for Meta is on the cheaper side, says Susquehanna's Chris MurphyChris Murphy, Susquehanna co-head of derivative strategy, and CNBC's Deirdre Bosa join 'The Exchange' to discuss upcoming big tech earnings, investor expectations for big tech performance, and the economics of AI monetization and development.

Persons: Susquehanna's Chris Murphy Chris Murphy, CNBC's Deirdre Bosa Organizations: Meta, Susquehanna

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