Israel’s military announced it killed Hassan Nasrallah, Hezbollah’s leader, in an airstrike on the group’s headquarters in Beirut. The strike also eliminated Ali Karki and other commanders. The attack, based on real-time intelligence, targeted a facility under a residential building. The Friday strikes, the largest since Hezbollah began firing on Israel in October 2023, killed at least six and wounded 91. Israel aimed to minimize civilian casualties and degrade Hezbollah’s leadership. Prime Minister Netanyahu cut short a U.S. visit due to the strike’s significance.

Penelope Kingsley 28/09/2024 11:30 am

U.S. officials announced a two-stage shift in the American military presence in Iraq, allowing continued operations against ISIS in Syria, disputing Baghdad’s claims of a near-total withdrawal. This comes after Iraq’s statement of a deal with the Biden administration to remove most U.S. troops over two years. The announcement highlights Washington’s caution in revealing military plans amid Middle East volatility and creates confusion about the Pentagon’s future presence. Currently, 2,500 U.S. personnel are in Iraq, with plans for a small residual force in northern Iraq. Officials emphasized a “sustainable security partnership” with Iraq.

Noah Prescott 28/09/2024 8:00 am

Two climate activists, Phoebe Plummer, 23, and Anna Holland, 22, were sentenced to prison for throwing soup over Van Gogh’s “Sunflowers” during a protest against fossil fuels. Plummer received two years, and Holland 20 months. Despite the sentences, Just Stop Oil continued protests, with more activists targeting Van Gogh paintings. The activists caused over $13,000 in damage to the painting’s frame. Judge Christopher Hehir criticized their actions, emphasizing the potential risk to the artwork and stating their beliefs did not justify criminal behavior. Plummer received an additional three-month sentence for a separate protest.

Ava Sinclair 28/09/2024 8:00 am

Austrians vote in a general election on Sunday, with the far-right Freedom Party (FPÖ) potentially topping the polls for the first time. Led by Herbert Kickl, the FPÖ narrowly leads the ruling conservatives in opinion polls, with the Social Democrats in third. Despite a possible first-place finish, no party is expected to secure an outright majority, complicating coalition-building. The FPÖ has capitalized on concerns about migration, inflation, the Ukraine war, and COVID-19 handling, polling around 27%. Kickl’s use of the term “Volkskanzler,” linked to Hitler, has alarmed some Austrians, recalling the FPÖ’s Nazi origins.

Noah Prescott 28/09/2024 4:30 am

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu faced significant opposition at the United Nations General Assembly in New York, with many world leaders and pro-Palestinian demonstrators condemning Israel. Despite tensions with the Biden administration over a proposed pause in fighting with Hezbollah, Netanyahu remained defiant, criticizing Israel’s detractors and the UN. He ordered an airstrike in Beirut targeting Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah, coinciding with his speech at the UN, where he declared Israel’s conflicts as victories. U.S. officials caution this view may overlook the potential for a larger, devastating conflict. Senior Israeli officials expressed confidence in their military campaign.

Ava Sinclair 28/09/2024 4:30 am

Sheikh Hassan Nasrallah, leader of Lebanon’s Hezbollah, is a key figure in the Middle East, known for his influence and close ties to Iran. He has not appeared publicly for years due to assassination fears. Nasrallah transformed Hezbollah into a powerful political and military force, training fighters from Hamas and militias in Iraq and Yemen, and acquiring missiles from Iran. Born in 1960, he joined the Amal movement during Lebanon’s civil war and later helped form Hezbollah. He became its leader in 1992 after Abbas al-Musawi’s assassination and has since played a crucial role in its evolution.

Penelope Kingsley 28/09/2024 4:30 am

The Israeli military struck Hezbollah’s central headquarters in Beirut, marking the most powerful explosions in the Lebanese capital in the past year. Israeli attacks continued into Saturday after warning residents to evacuate. Prime Minister Netanyahu cut short his U.S. visit, emphasizing Israel’s ongoing campaign against Hezbollah. Over 720 people have died in Lebanon this week, with Israel targeting Hezbollah’s military and leaders. The conflict has displaced over 200,000 people. The UN reported that escalating violence has forced 20 primary health care centers in Lebanon to shut down.

Noah Prescott 28/09/2024 4:30 am

In a fiery speech at the UN General Assembly, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu declared Israel is “winning” on multiple fronts and would attack Iran and its proxies anywhere in the Middle East. Many delegates walked out as he called the UN a “swamp of antisemitic bile.” Arab leaders, including Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, criticized Israel’s military actions in Gaza, the West Bank, and Lebanon. Abbas accused Israel of exploiting the Oct. 7 Hamas attack to commit genocide, which Israel denies. Netanyahu claimed he came to “set the record straight,” asserting Israel’s desire for peace.

Ava Sinclair 28/09/2024 1:00 am

The Israeli military struck Hezbollah’s headquarters in Beirut, causing massive explosions that killed at least six and wounded 91, according to Lebanon’s health ministry. The strikes targeted Hezbollah leaders, but it was unclear if leader Hassan Nasrallah was among the casualties. The death toll is expected to rise as rescue teams search the rubble. Israel aimed to minimize civilian casualties and stated it wasn’t seeking a broader war but aimed to degrade Hezbollah’s military capabilities. Prime Minister Netanyahu cut short a U.S. visit, signaling the strikes’ significance, and reaffirmed Israel’s campaign against Hezbollah at the U.N.

Noah Prescott 28/09/2024 1:00 am

Argentina’s poverty rate has surged to nearly 53% in the first six months of Javier Milei’s presidency, the highest in two decades. Milei’s austerity measures, aimed at reducing chronic inflation and the budget deficit, include slashing public spending, freezing pensions, cutting welfare, and firing public employees. These actions have led to increased costs and eroded purchasing power, pushing 3.4 million Argentinians into poverty. While markets and the IMF have welcomed the cuts, experts and citizens criticize the severe impact on the poor, despite a drop in monthly inflation.

Noah Prescott 27/09/2024 9:30 pm