Central Beirut hit as Israel vows ‘very strong’ response to Iran
CNN,
Israel continued its strikes on Hezbollah targets in Beirut, Lebanon, on Thursday, with major explosions reported, including in the city center. Nine people were killed in central Beirut — the first time Israel has struck the area since 2006. Israeli airstrikes targeted Hashem Safieddine, a potential successor to Hezbollah’s late leader Hassan Nasrallah, but it is unclear if he was killed. Israel issued evacuation orders for additional villages in southern Lebanon as part of its expanded ground incursion. Over 1,300 people in Lebanon have died, and approximately 1 million have been displaced since Israel’s escalation with Hezbollah began. The U.S. has not yet determined how Israel will respond to Iran’s recent missile attack, though U.S. President Joe Biden mentioned discussions regarding a possible Israeli strike on Iran’s oil reserves.
Filing in Trump case details remarkable schism with Pence over rejecting 2020 election loss
Associated Press,
New details in the case against Donald Trump reveal a significant rift between the former president and Vice President Mike Pence regarding the 2020 election certification. Days before rioters at the U.S. Capitol chanted to “hang Mike Pence,” Trump told Pence that people would “hate your guts” if he did not block the certification of Joe Biden’s election victory. Trump repeatedly pressured Pence, both publicly and privately, to reject the election results, part of what became known as “Operation Pence Card.” Trump accused Pence of being “too honest” during a phone call on New Year’s Day 2021, days before the January 6 Capitol insurrection.
Japan PM Ishiba tells cabinet to compile stimulus package
Reuters,
Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba has instructed his ministers to prepare a new economic package aimed at alleviating the impact of rising living costs. This package is part of the government’s priority to exit deflation, which has affected the economy for decades. The package will include payouts to low-income households and subsidies for local governments. Ishiba, once an advocate for fiscal austerity, now emphasizes the importance of stimulating economic growth, particularly with wage increases that outpace inflation. The stimulus package will be funded by a supplementary budget after the general elections set for October 27. Among other measures, Ishiba plans to raise the minimum wage to 1,500 yen an hour within the next decade, from the current 1,055 yen.
Bullish Bitcoin traders switch sides and target new BTC lows under $60K
Cointelegraph,
Bitcoin’s price dropped by $6,000 between September 29 and October 3, reaching a two-week low of $59,860. Analysts attribute the decline to geopolitical tensions in the Middle East, with the cryptocurrency losing key support levels. Bitcoin has broken below its 50-day and 100-day exponential moving averages. Analyst AlphaBTC suggests that Bitcoin’s price may fall further due to geopolitical uncertainties and signs of weakness in U.S. economic data. Fellow analyst Crypto Rover warned that if Bitcoin falls below the $60,000 support level, it could drop further to $58,000.
China stimulus draws investors back to offshore bonds of troubled property sector
Reuters ,
Institutional investors have returned to Chinese property bonds following the announcement of aggressive stimulus measures from the Chinese government. The measures, announced Tuesday, primarily target the beleaguered property sector, which has been struggling with debt and slow sales since 2021. The announcement triggered a rally in offshore bonds of major developers, including Vanke and Longfor. Some investors, such as Beijing G Capital Private Fund Management Center, are making significant purchases of property bonds, marking a shift in sentiment. However, analysts remain divided over the long-term prospects for the property sector.
French envoy hails Modi-Macron bond as ‘key asset’ in troubled times
ANI ,
French Ambassador to India Thierry Mathou praised the strong relationship between Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and French President Emmanuel Macron, calling it a key asset in today’s troubled global climate. Mathou emphasized the importance of personal relationships in diplomacy, stating that such connections reduce fragmentation and foster understanding between nations. During the 79th United Nations General Assembly, Macron reiterated his support for India’s permanent membership in the United Nations Security Council (UNSC), highlighting the need for reforms to make the organization more representative and effective in addressing global challenges.
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