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☆ Oil climbs more than $1 per barrel on reports Iran preparing to strike at Israel
▼ + stars: | 2024-11-01 | by ( ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +3 min

Oil prices extended gains on Friday, climbing more than $1 a barrel to pare weekly losses, as geopolitical tensions in the Middle East rose following reports that Iran was preparing a retaliatory strike on Israel from Iraq in the coming days. Brent crude futures , which have rolled to the January contract, climbed $1.31, or 1.80%, to $74.12 a barrel by 0128 GMT. U.S. West Texas Intermediate crude futures rose $1.35, or 1.95%, to $70.61 a barrel after settling up 0.95% in the previous session. Oil prices were also supported by expectations that OPEC+ could delay December's planned increase to oil production by a month or more, four sources close to the matter told Reuters on Wednesday, citing concern about soft oil demand and rising supply. The world's largest oil producer pumped a monthly record high of 13.4 million barrels per day in August, EIA said.

Persons: Axios, Monday's, Tony Sycamore, Sycamore Organizations: Brent, . West Texas, U.S, Reuters, NPC, Energy Information Administration, EIA Locations: pare, Iran, Israel, Iraq, Sydney, Middle, U.S, China

☆ Israel plans to use lasers to shoot down incoming missiles
▼ + stars: | 2024-11-01 | by ( Nadeen Ebrahim | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +7 min

Dubbed the Iron Beam, the shield aims to use high-power lasers to counter an array of projectiles, including missiles, drones, rockets and mortars, Israel’s defense ministry said this week. “The initial capability of the ground-based laser system… is expected to enter operational service within one year,” he said. Israel first unveiled a prototype of the Iron Beam in 2021 and has since been working to get it up and running. From Social MediaIt is unclear if Iran has developed a laser defense system of its own. Experts say the Iron Beam could also act as a deterrent to further attacks by Iran or its proxies.

Persons: ” Eyal Zamir, ”, Israel, Benjamin Netanyahu’s beachside, Yehoshua Kalisky, Rafael, Naftali Bennett, ” Sascha Bruchmann, Kalisky, Benjamin Netanyahu's, Hunter, Bruchmann, Israel “, ” Bruchmann Organizations: CNN, Rafael, Defense Systems, Elbit Systems, Israel’s, Institute for National Security Studies, Israel Defense Forces, Rafael Advanced Defense Systems, ”, Institute for Strategic Studies, US Navy, Pentagon, New York Times, Hamas, Times . CNN Locations: Iran, Israel, Gaza, Lebanon, Yemen, Syria, Iraq, Caesarea, Lebanese, Tel Aviv, London, United Kingdom, China, Russia

☆ Top U.S. commander in Middle East being investigated on allegations of shoving a subordinate
▼ + stars: | 2024-10-31 | by ( Https | Media-Cldnry.S-Nbcnews.Com Image Upload Newscms Courtney-Kube-Circle-Byline-Template.Jpg | Courtney Kube | ) www.nbcnews.com time to read: +2 min

The Army Criminal Investigation Division is looking into allegations that Gen. Michael “Erik” Kurilla shoved an airman while traveling on a C-17 several weeks ago, the officials said. The Army Criminal Investigation Division said in a statement that it is "aware of an alleged incident and is currently looking into it. The Army Criminal Investigation Division is an independent federal law enforcement agency responsible for felony criminal investigations and operations. For now, he remains in the job and is currently traveling in the Middle East, according to a senior administration official. Kurilla has been at the helm of CENTCOM, the combatant command in the Middle East and Central Asia, since April 2022.

Persons: Michael “ Erik ” Kurilla, Kurilla, It’s Organizations: Army, U.S . Central Command, Army Criminal, Army Criminal Investigation, Defense, 75th Ranger Regiment, 82nd Airborne Division, XVIII Airborne Corps, Operations Command Locations: U.S, CENTCOM, East, Central Asia, Israel, Iran, Iranian, Syria, Mosul, Iraq

☆ Israel says another rocket barrage from Lebanon kills 2 in Israel, hours after 5 were killed
▼ + stars: | 2024-10-31 | by ( The Associated Press | ) www.nbcnews.com time to read: +5 min

TEL AVIV, Israel — Rockets fired from Lebanon killed two more people in northern Israel on Thursday, Israeli medics said, raising the death toll there to seven in what marked the deadliest strikes to hit Israel since its military invaded southern Lebanon earlier this month. First responders carry the shrouded body of a woman who was killed Thursday when a rocket fired from Lebanon hit near Kiryat Ata in northern Israel. First responders transport a woman following a rocket attack near Kiryat Ata in northern Israel. Agricultural areas along Israel’s border, where much of the country’s orchards are located, are closed military areas that can only be entered with official permission. In Israel, rockets, missiles, and drones launched by Hezbollah have killed at least 68 people, about half of them soldiers.

Persons: Hassan Nasrallah, Ahmad Gharabli, Magen David Adom, Sheikh Naim Kassem, “, ”, Hassan Ammar, Jean Fakhry, Zahraa Younis Organizations: Israel — Rockets, Biden, Getty, Refugees and Migrants, National News Agency, Lebanese Health Ministry, Hezbollah Locations: TEL AVIV, Israel, Lebanon, Gaza, Iran, Kiryat Ata, AFP, Haifa, Metula, Israel’s, Baalbek, Lebanon’s, Bekaa, Deir, “

• US officials are heading to the Middle East in a renewed push to resolve the conflicts in Gaza and Lebanon, and to deter an Iranian response to Israel’s strikes last week. The White House said Iran should not respond, but the US was ready to assist Israel’s defense. • Israeli strikes near the historic city of Baalbek killed at least 19 people, Lebanese authorities said. • Aid entering Gaza has sunk to the lowest level since the war began last year, UN data shows. Only 836 aid trucks entered the enclave so far in October, far short of the pre-war average of 500 trucks per day.

Persons: ”, Israel Organizations: CNN Locations: Gaza, Lebanon, Israel, Iran, Baalbek

☆ North Korean troops will become 'cannon fodder' if they join Russia's war against Ukraine, South Korea says
▼ + stars: | 2024-10-31 | by ( Kwan Wei Kevin Tan | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

South Korea's UN ambassador says North Korean soldiers will become "cannon fodder" in Ukraine. AdvertisementNorth Korean troops headed to fight in Ukraine will "end up as mere cannon fodder," Joonkook Hwang, the South Korean ambassador to the UN, said on Wednesday. 'Cannon fodder'The news of North Korea's troops joining Russian troops comes as Russia has struggled to find the manpower for its military. Hwang's prediction of the fate that awaits North Korean troops echoes comments Ukraine and the US have made over the course of the war. AdvertisementIn June, the Pentagon said North Korean soldiers will become "cannon fodder" if they are sent to aid the Russian war effort.

Persons: —, Joonkook Hwang, Hwang, Kim Jong, Cannon, Vladimir Putin, Kim Jong Un Organizations: North, Service, South, UN, UN Security, Ukraine, Russian, Pentagon, Business Locations: UN, Ukraine, North Korea, South Korean, New York, Russia, South Korea, North, Iran, DPRK, Europe

☆ Israel’s military leaders signal their work in Gaza and Lebanon is done. Will Netanyahu listen?
▼ + stars: | 2024-10-31 | by ( Mick Krever | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +5 min

It comes as Lebanon’s prime minister says that a ceasefire between Hezbollah and Israel could be imminent. In Gaza, he said, “if we take out the northern Gaza Brigade commander, it’s another collapse…. Amir Cohen/ReutersIsraeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has repeatedly pledged “absolute victory.” His defense minister and longtime political tormentor Yoav Gallant has bristled at that goal. That’s a far cry from the existing, maximalist war aim of eliminating Hamas’ military and governance capabilities. A spokesperson for the prime minister declined to comment.

Persons: –, ” Herzi Halevi, Staff Herzi Halevi, Amir Cohen, Benjamin Netanyahu, ”, Yoav Gallant, ” Gallant, Najib Mikati, Amos Hochstein, Israel, Hassan Nasrallah, Mikati, Ariel Hermoni, Gallant, “, Netanyahu Organizations: Jerusalem CNN, Israel Defense Forces ’, “, General Staff, Hezbollah, Gaza, Staff, Reuters, CNN, Defense, State Locations: Jerusalem, Lebanon, Gaza, Israel, there’s, Reuters Israeli, we’re, Iran, Qatar

☆ Strike on Iran shows Israeli Air Force's embrace of ballistic missiles
▼ + stars: | 2024-10-31 | by ( ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +7 min

Israel's weapon of choice in its attack on Iran was the air-launched ballistic missile. Their weapon of choice: Air-launched ballistic missiles. The Israeli Air Force's use of various ALBMs suggests some middle ground was ultimately reached. While Israel does have an arsenal of land-based Jericho intermediate-range ballistic missiles (IRBMs), these are reserved for nuclear strikes. Israel designed its Sparrow missiles to simulate Iraqi Scud and Iranian Shahab ground-launched missiles for testing its Arrow interceptor missiles, which successfully intercepted most of the incoming Iranian ballistic missiles fired at Israel on October 1.

Persons: —, Freddy Khoueiry, RANE, Air LORA, Sebastien Roblin, Roblin, Federico Borsari, ALBMs, Borsari, Israel, Avigdor Lieberman, RANE's Khoueiry Organizations: Service, Air, IDF, Rampage, Centre for, Haaretz Locations: Iran, Israel, Iraq, East, North Africa, Tehran, Khuzestan, Ilam, Tehran province

☆ The US Navy fired nearly $2 billion in weapons over a year of fighting in the Middle East
▼ + stars: | 2024-10-31 | by ( Jake Epstein | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +5 min

The US Navy has been involved in combat operations in the Middle East for over a year. In that time, Navy warships and aircraft in the region have fired $1.85 billion worth of munitions. AdvertisementThe US Navy has fired off nearly $2 billion worth of munitions since it began intense combat operations in the Middle East a little over a year ago. An F/A-18E Super Hornet launches from the flight deck of the USS Dwight D. Eisenhower in the Red Sea. Advertisement"We've demonstrated that on multiple occasions throughout the Middle East, whether it's supporting the defense of Israel, protecting the freedom of navigation in the Red Sea, or addressing threats throughout the Middle East and other places," he added.

Persons: —, Dwight D, Eisenhower, Jonathan Word, Maj, Pat Ryder Organizations: US Navy, Service, Navy, Business, Pentagon, Hornet, US, Street Journal, US Central Command Locations: Red, Israel, Iran, Aden, Gaza, Iranian, Yemen

President Harris would probably put more pressure on Israel to reach a cease-fire and open up talks with the Palestinians. Ukrainians worry that a President Trump would force a quick and dirty peace deal favorable to Russia. They hope a President Harris would continue to support them on the battlefield. Under President Harris, that would probably mean continuity with the Biden administration policies that have become much more restrictive over time. Migrants from all over the world pass through Mexico to get to the U.S. border, and the United States can’t control the flow of migrants without Mexico’s assistance.

Persons: Israel Patrick Kingsley, Harris, Trump, Benjamin Netanyahu, Ukraine Anton Troianovski, Volodymyr Zelensky, Vladimir V, Putin, Biden, China Keith Bradsher, NATO Steven Erlanger, United States doesn’t, “ I’m, Ana Swanson, Donald Trump, haven’t, South Africa John Eligon, Biden —, Harris —, Mexico Natalie Kitroeff, Somini Sengupta Organizations: Trump, U.S, Manufacturing, NATO, The Times, Global, United, Biden Locations: Jerusalem, Israel, Gaza, Iran, Russia, Ukraine, Moscow, United States, America, Europe, China, Beijing, Taiwan, Japan, South Korea, Philippines, India, —, Hungary, Italy, Germany, South Africa, Johannesburg, Africa, Zambia, Indian, Brazil, Ethiopia, BRICS, Mexico, Mexico City, U.S

☆ US makes final ceasefire push before election but doubts progress will be made in Gaza before next US president is known
▼ + stars: | 2024-10-31 | by ( Kevin Liptak | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +7 min

CIA Director Bill Burns was in Cairo on Thursday for discussions on Gaza and Lebanon, including a meeting with Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi. The US envoys also met Israeli defense minister Yoav Gallant to discuss “security arrangements” related to northern Israel, Lebanon and the return of hostages from Gaza. That makes it likely the war in Gaza will continue shadowing the US contest in its final days. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu speaks at the opening of the 25th Parliament session in Jerusalem on October 28, 2024. The White House offered the same message; National Security Council spokesperson Sean Savett said purported drafts shared online do not reflect the current state of ceasefire talks.

Persons: Benjamin Netanyahu, ”, Najib Mikati, Netanyahu, Biden, –, Bill Burns, Abdel Fattah El, Amos Hochstein, Brett McGurk, Hochstein, McGurk, Israel, Yoav Gallant, Kamala Harris ’, “, ” Harris, Debbie Hill, Harris, Burns, Yahya Sinwar, David Barnea, Mohammed bin Abdulrahman, Lebanon’s Mikati, Sean Savett, CNN’s Lauren Izso, Alex Marquardt, Mostafa Salem Organizations: CNN, American, CIA, White, “, University of Wisconsin -, Getty, Democratic, Hamas, Qatari, Hezbollah, White House, National Security Locations: Gaza, Lebanon, Israel, Cairo, Iran, Madison, University of Wisconsin - Madison, “, Jerusalem, AFP, United States, Qatar, Egypt, Doha, Mohammed bin Abdulrahman al Thani, ” Israel

U.S. officials expect that in the coming weeks, Iran is likely to contact individual Americans directly to try to influence how they vote, stir societal divide or incite violence, according to three sources with knowledge of U.S. intelligence reporting on the issue. The U.S. intelligence community noted this month that Iranian hackers appear to have gained access to some Americans’ voting records, as they did in 2020. Last week, U.S. intelligence officials told reporters that both Iran and Russia were continuing propaganda operations to influence American voters and society. A spokesperson for Iran’s mission to the United Nations didn’t respond to a request for comment, but officials for Tehran have routinely denied American accusations of election influence campaigns. In the leadup to the 2020 election, U.S. officials announced that Iran was behind an ambitious effort to sow election discord.

Persons: ”, John Hultquist, Donald Trump, ” Max Lesser, we’ve, IRGC, desecraters Organizations: Google’s Threat Intelligence Group, United Nations, Foundation for Defense of Democracies, NBC News, “, Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, Department, Trump militia, Google, Haaretz Locations: Iran, U.S, Sweden, Israel, Russia, Tehran, Florida, Swedish

TEL AVIV — Senior White House officials will travel to Israel on Thursday, a U.S. official and a source briefed on the matter told NBC News, as the Biden administration intensifies efforts to end the conflicts in Lebanon and the Gaza Strip. The officials are expected to meet with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to discuss the possibility of a deal to end the fighting in Lebanon, the source said. Brett McGurk, National Security Council coordinator for the Middle East, and Amos Hochstein, a U.S. special envoy with a focus on Lebanon, are also expected to meet other senior Israeli officials, the source said. McGurk and Hochstein will engage the U.S. ally on a range of issues including Gaza, Lebanon, hostages and Iran, the U.S. official said. But the visit of McGurk and Hochstein comes amid growing optimism in Israel that a cease-fire with Hezbollah in Lebanon could now be reached without a deal to end the war in Gaza.

Persons: Biden, Benjamin Netanyahu, Brett McGurk, Amos Hochstein, McGurk, Hochstein, Michael “ Erik ” Kurilla, William Burns, Hassan Nasrallah, ” Organizations: TEL AVIV — Senior White House, U.S, NBC, National Security, U.S . Central Command, CIA Locations: TEL, Israel, Lebanon, Gaza, U.S, Iran, Cairo, Hezbollah

☆ A familiar-looking Houthi torpedo could be derived from captured US tech, analysts say
▼ + stars: | 2024-10-30 | by ( Thibault Spirlet | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +5 min

The weapon resembles a US sea drone the group captured years ago, analysts told BI. AdvertisementThe Houthi rebels in Yemen have a new torpedo to show off — and it looks familiar. Martin Kelly of the UK advisory firm EOS Risk Group, said the torpedo could derive from a US REMUS 600 drone lost in 2018. Houthi forcesPer Kelly, Iranian scientists could have turned a captive example into a "blueprint" for the homegrown weapon seen this week. He told BI that the torpedo looked like models put on display at an Iranian navy exhibition in Tehran in December 2023.

Persons: —, Al Qar'iah, Martin Kelly, REMUS, US REMUS, Per Kelly, Kelly, Mohammed Albasha Organizations: Service, EOS Risk, US MIM, US, US Defense Intelligence Agency, Geneva Graduate Institute, BI, US Navy, Pentagon, Drewry Locations: Iran, Yemen, US, Russia, Ukraine, Tehran, Iranian, Red, Israel, Gaza, Albasha

☆ North Korea likely to ask for nuclear technology from Russia in exchange for troops, South Korea says
▼ + stars: | 2024-10-30 | by ( Natasha Bertrand | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +4 min

North Korea will likely request Russian technology transfers relating to tactical nuclear weapons, the advancement of North Korean intercontinental ballistic missiles, reconnaissance satellites and nuclear submarines, Kim said, speaking through a translator alongside Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin. The US independently confirmed for the first time last week that thousands of North Korean troops had been sent to Russia for military training. A small number of North Korean troops are already in Ukraine, CNN reported on Tuesday, and officials are growing increasingly concerned that the forces will enter into combat alongside Russian troops. “The evidence now suggests that North Korea has sent around 10,000 soldiers to train in eastern Russia,” Austin said on Wednesday. But he did say that South Korean military analysts could be deployed to observe the North Koreans fighting the Russians to gain more insight into North Korea’s military readiness.

Persons: ”, Kim Yong Hyun, Kim, Lloyd Austin, ” Austin, Austin, “, ” Kim, ” CNN’s Haley Britzky, Michael Conte Organizations: CNN, South Korean Defense, Pentagon, North Korean, NATO, Russian, DPRK, Intelligence, South, Korean, Koreans Locations: North Korea, ” Moscow, Russia, Ukraine, Korea, Russian, Iran, Moscow, Tehran, South Korea, Koreans, Republic of Korea

☆ Oil prices steady on shrinking U.S. crude inventories
▼ + stars: | 2024-10-30 | by ( ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +1 min

Oil prices stabilized on Wednesday on industry data showing a surprise drop in U.S. crude and gasoline inventories, following two previous sessions of losses on the prospect of hostilities easing in the Middle East. U.S. crude oil and fuel stocks fell last week, market sources said on Tuesday, citing American Petroleum Institute figures. Crude stocks dipped by 573,000 barrels in the week ended Oct. 25, the sources said on condition of anonymity. Gasoline inventories lost 282,000 barrels, and distillate stocks fell by 1.46 million barrels, the sources said. On Monday, prices lost about 6% after Israel's retaliatory strike on Iran over the weekend missed Tehran's oil infrastructure.

Persons: Benjamin Netanyahu Organizations: Brent, . West Texas, American Petroleum Institute, Reuters, U.S, Israeli Locations: Midland , Texas, Lebanon, Iran

Satellite imagery suggests that Israeli’s attack on Iran appears to have damaged a key element of Tehran’s ballistic missile production and air defense sites, potentially leaving it exposed to any future attacks, military analysts told NBC News. Israel appears to have targeted Iran’s missile production process instead of storage sites — thereby making it harder for Tehran to add to an already dwindling supply of missiles. “It was a very smart attack, targeting all the sensitive sites,” Hinz said in an interview. "The missiles are dispersed all over the country, some of them are deep inside Iran and deep underground. "But when you hit the missile production facilities, you can't produce them anymore."

Persons: Benjamin Netanyahu, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, Fabian Hinz, ” Hinz Organizations: NBC, Planet Labs, International Institute for Strategic Studies Locations: Iran, Tehran, Israel, London

Legal experts say an attempt to overturn the 2024 election results would be more difficult than in 2020. And a lost Chopin waltz is discovered after 200 years. Legal experts say those changes would make another attempt to overturn the result of the election much more difficult and unlikely. If Trump attempted to overturn the election result in Congress, he’d be up against the bipartisan Electoral Count Reform Act. This election season, voters said they are disillusioned by both major parties, especially over the handling of the war in Gaza.

Persons: Andrea Mitchell, Antony Blinken’s, Chopin, Donald Trump, Trump, he’d, Matthew Sanderson, Kamala Harris, JD Vance, hadn’t, Tony Hinchcliffe, ”, Hinchcliffe —, ➡️ Elon Musk, Harris, ➡️ Jeff Bezos, “, WaPo, ➡️, Democratic Sen, Bob Casey of Pennsylvania, Isaac Herzog, Antony Blinken, Nathan Howard, Benjamin Netanyahu, Yahya Sinwar’s, Blinken, Brittany Randall, Kamberlyn Bowler, ” Randall, Freddie Freeman, Jay Johnston, Bob’s, Helene, Milton, Matthew Perry’s, Suzaenne Perry, Mustafa Hussain, Vanessa Leroy, — Zara Katz, Brooks, Jolie, Elizabeth Robinson Organizations: NBC, Trump, Count, Washington , D.C, Trump’s New, PAC, The Washington Post, Democratic, ➡️ Authorities, Getty, U.S, United Nations, West Bank ., CDC, Los Angeles Dodgers, New York Yankees, JPMorgan, Cuban, NBC News, American, RNC, Ninja Locations: Washington ,, Georgia, Trump’s New York City, Puerto Rico, Michigan, Portland , Oregon, Vancouver , Washington, Iran, Tel Aviv, AFP, Israel, Washington, Gaza, Lebanon, Beirut, U.S, Junction , Colorado, “, Dearborn , Michigan, Dearborn, Detroit

☆ Israeli airstrike hits Gaza's Beit Lahia, Hezbollah names new leader after Knesset bans UNRWA
▼ + stars: | 2024-10-29 | by ( Https | Media-Cldnry.S-Nbcnews.Com Image Upload Newscms Alex-Smith-Circle-Byline-Template.Jpg | Alexander Smith | ) www.nbcnews.com time to read: +4 min

It came hours after the Israeli parliament outlawed a key United Nations aid agency in a move that could throttle the supply of medicine, food and education in the devastated territory. Gaza airstrike kills dozensThe strike hit a five-story building in the northern city of Beit Lahia housing some 200 people, according to the Gaza government media office. The Israel Defense Forces did not immediately respond to a request for comment on Tuesday's airstrike from NBC News. The law bans UNRWA, the U.N.'s Palestinian aid agency, from operating inside Israel or having any contact with Israeli authorities. But Israel has long criticized UNRWA, alleging it has been infiltrated by Hamas and intensifying that pushback after Oct. 7.

Persons: —, Sheikh Naim Kassem —, Hassan Nasrallah, Kamal Adwan, It's, Philippe Lazzarini, Matthew Miller Organizations: Hezbollah, Palestinian Health Ministry, Health Ministry, Israel Defense Forces, NBC News, AFP, Getty, West Bank, UNRWA, State Locations: Gaza, Nations, Lebanon, Iran, Beit, Beit Lahia, Israel, United States, Washington, Canada, Australia, France, Germany, Japan, South Korea, Britain

☆ Israel’s strikes on Iran shattered a forty-year taboo. Tehran may now be forced to rethink its defense strategy
▼ + stars: | 2024-10-29 | by ( Mostafa Salem | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +7 min

Israel openly said it conducted “precise strikes” on military targets in Iran. “Israel now has broader aerial freedom of operation in Iran,” Israel’s military spokesman Daniel Hagari said, touting achievements in the attack. The idea was that if Israel were to strike Iran, Tehran would retaliate by unleashing its militias against Israel. Iranian officials have repeatedly stated that they have no intention of weaponizing the country’s nuclear program, while simultaneously using its potential as leverage in negotiations with the West. “Even the more hawkish American presidents have not favored taking military strikes because the most likely outcome is that, at some point, that will make Iran turn nuclear,” Parsi said.

Persons: CNN —, Israel, Israel didn’t, “, ”, Daniel Hagari, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, Benjamin Netanyahu, Nicole Grajewski, Hassan Nasrallah, ” Mohammad Ali Shabani, Amwaj.media, Trump, Fatemeh, Parsi, Grajewski Organizations: CNN, Schools, Iran’s, Quincy Institute, Responsible, Nuclear, Carnegie Endowment, International Peace, Israel, West, Bushehr Nuclear Power, Anadolu Agency, Getty Locations: CNN — Iran, Republic, Israel, Iran, Islamic Republic, Israeli, Damascus, “ Israel, Tehran, Washington, Syria, Israel’s, Gaza, Lebanon, London, Iraq, Bushehr

☆ One of Republicans’ biggest inflation cudgels against Democrats has evaporated
▼ + stars: | 2024-10-29 | by ( Matt Egan | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +5 min

It’s a crucial trend that undercuts one of the biggest arguments Republicans have used to hammer Democrats over the cost of living. Although gas prices are down and the rate of inflation has cooled sharply, consumers are still hurting from years of price hikes. After Russia invaded Ukraine, oil prices skyrocketed due to fears of massive supply disruptions. Drivers rolling up to gas stations in some battleground states are enjoying significant price drops, including Nevada (79 cents cheaper than a year ago), Arizona (78 cents cheaper), Pennsylvania (36 cents cheaper) and Wisconsin (32 cents cheaper). But for now the markets appear to be bracing for muted prices, a situation that should keep a lid on gas prices.

Persons: Harris, ” Patrick De Haan, It’s, we’re, ”, De Haan, Donald Trump, Kamala Harris, Biden, Trump, Tom Kloza, Kloza, Brent, “ Organizations: New, New York CNN, Biden, CNN, AAA, Drivers, Iran, Oil Price Information Service, Citigroup, ClearView Energy Partners Locations: New York, Nevada, Arizona, Russia, Ukraine, Pennsylvania, Wisconsin, Israel, Iran, Persian, China, United States

☆ Israeli strikes dealt a serious blow to Iran's missile operations but far from destroyed them
▼ + stars: | 2024-10-29 | by ( Jake Epstein | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +6 min

Satellite images show the strikes caused damage at sites linked to Iran's missile program. Officials and analysts say Iran's missile operations took a hit, but it's unclear how badly. The strikes were a long-awaited response to Iran's massive ballistic missile attack against Israel on October 1, the second such attack this year. AdvertisementHowever, Nadimi said Iran's missile industry is large, dispersed, and hardened underground. The Israeli strikes "can only delay certain processes for weeks or months at best," he said, adding that follow-up strikes likely three times as large would be needed to have lasting effects.

Persons: —, Yoav Gallant, Nadimi, ISW, Michael Allen, Bush, Morteza Nikoubazl, Getty Images Allen, Israel Organizations: Iran, Service, Israel, Israeli Air Force, Israel Defense Forces Iran, Israeli, Planet Labs PBC, Business, Planet, Planet Labs PBC Farzin, The Washington Institute for Near East, Planet Labs PBC Nadimi, Institute for, National Security Council, Getty Images, Royal United Services Institute Locations: Israel, Iran, Tehran, Shahroud, Washington, Russia

☆ U.S. crude oil gains 1% to trade above $68 after worst day in two years
▼ + stars: | 2024-10-29 | by ( Spencer Kimball | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +1 min

U.S. crude oil rose more than 1% on Tuesday, one day after posting the worst daily loss in two years. Energy traders were relieved Monday after Israel's long-anticipated retaliatory strikes on Iran last Friday spared the Islamic Republic's oil and nuclear facilities. The benchmark U.S. crude oil contract sold off more than 6%, or $4.40, to $67.38 per barrel. Here are Tuesday's energy prices:Goldman Sachs expects the price of Brent to recover to $77 per barrel in the fourth quarter even without any oil supply disruptions in the Middle East. Demand is soft in China, U.S. production is robust and OPEC+ has plans to bring crude back to the market in December.

Persons: Goldman Sachs, Daan Struyven, CNBC's, Struyven, Brent Organizations: Energy, U.S . Strategic Petroleum Reserve Locations: Iran, U.S, China

☆ Naim Qassem: Hezbollah names a new leader to replace Nasrallah. Here’s what we know about him
▼ + stars: | 2024-10-29 | by ( Nadeen Ebrahim | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +3 min

CNN —Hezbollah has named Shiite cleric Naim Qassem as leader, over a month after his predecessor Hassan Nasrallah was killed in an Israeli airstrike. Not for long.”The cleric had long been the group’s second-in-command, serving as deputy chief to the late Nasrallah. The 71-year-old Shiite cleric helped found Hezbollah in 1982, and has served seven consecutive terms as deputy secretary-general since 1991. Before killing Nasrallah, Israel also targeted his predecessor Abbas al-Musawi, who was killed in an airstrike in 1992. Qassem represented “the lower middle class,” while Nasrallah “belonged to the impoverished class in Lebanon,” Ali said.

Persons: Naim Qassem, Hassan Nasrallah, Qassem, “, Israel –, Yoav Gallant, Nasrallah, ” Mohanad Hage Ali, Malcolm H, ” Hashem Safieddine, “ Harakat al, –, Amal, Nabih, Israel, Abbas, Ali, ”, Nasrallah “, ” Ali Organizations: CNN, group’s Senior, Kerr Carnegie Middle East Center, Lebanese Locations: group’s, Israel, Lebanon, Iran, Beirut, Lebanese, Kfar Kila, “, Nabih Berri, Gaza

Washington had pressed its ally in the hopes of ending the cycle of attacks and avoiding escalation into a wider war. Blinken said the U.S. is tracking the aid deliveries very carefully and “absolutely essential” that Israel comply. "Israel has achieved most of its strategic objectives when it comes to Gaza,” Blinken said in Tel Aviv. (It also signed off on $9.5 billion in humanitarian aid for Gaza, as well as the conflict zones of Ukraine and Sudan.) But far-fetched as it might seem, it came up during Blinken’s meeting with the Saudi crown prince during this trip.

Persons: Antony Blinken, Benjamin Netanyahu, it’d, Yahya Sinwar, Isaac Herzog, Nathan Howard, Amos Hochstein, Donald Trump, Netanyahu —, Netanyahu, Blinken, Israel, ” Blinken, “ It’s, Ibrahim Fakhroo, Sinwar, William Burns, Khalil al, “, Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Joe Biden, Ayman Safadi, we’ve, ” It’s Organizations: State Department, Getty, Israel, Hamas, Trump, Qatar's Ministry of Foreign, CIA, Qatari, Senior, Palestinian Authority, Saudi Crown, U.S, U.S . Locations: United States, Israel, Iran, Washington, Gaza, Egypt, Lebanon, Blinken, Tel Aviv, AFP, U.S, Beirut, Saudi Arabia, Doha, Qatar, Riyadh, Ukraine, Sudan, Saudi, Palestinian, Jordanian, London

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