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Israel and Iran exchange threats, raising regional war risk
Israel and Iran have launched retaliatory threats against one other, raising long-held anxieties about the possibility of a regional war. Israel, with support from its US ally, has threatened to reply to Iran's massive missile attack late Tuesday. Iran has stated that any such reprisal will face an even "tougher" response. Meanwhile, Israel renewed its attacks on Lebanon on Wednesday, announcing that it will send more troops to carry out the ground offensive that began on Tuesday.
Israel may target Iranian oil plants in retaliation strikes
Israel may strike Iranian oil refineries in retaliation for Tuesday night's attack, in which Tehran launched an estimated 180 ballistic missiles at Tel Aviv and other locations across the country, dramatically escalating the situation between the two countries. According to the US website Axios, Israeli officials are considering a "significant retaliation" to the Iranian attack within the next few days, which may target Iranian oil production facilities and other vital targets. Israeli officials are said to be consulting with the United States on how to tailor their military reaction, which may push the Middle East closer to a regional war.
The U.S. is already at war
Iran launched a missile barrage at Israel yesterday in revenge for Israel's death of Hezbollah secretary-general Hassan Nasrallah in Beirut last week and of Hamas' political chief Ismail Haniyeh in Tehran in July. United States President Joe Biden directed the US military to assist Israel in neutralizing the missiles - not that Israel does not already have multiple layers of ultra-sophisticated protection against incoming projectiles, allowing it to slaughter people left and right while suffering minimal damage in return.
IDF claims Iran launched missiles into Israel
Iran has launched missiles into Israel, according to the Israeli military. The attack, in retaliation for Israel's campaign against the Hezbollah militia in Lebanon, represents a dramatic escalation in the conflict. Approximately 200 missiles were launched, according to Israeli army radio. Warning sirens rang out in Jerusalem just after 5.30 pm5.30 pm UK time, and explosions were heard.
96-Year-Old Woman Sentenced for Causing Death by Dangerous Driving
June Mills, a 96-year-old from Ainsdale, Merseyside, has been handed an 18-month suspended sentence after pleading guilty to causing the death of 76-year-old Brenda Joyce in a fatal accident. Mills' vehicle mounted the pavement, hitting Joyce and another pedestrian in Formby in August of last year. During the hearing at Liverpool Crown Court, the court learned that Mills accidentally applied too much pressure on the accelerator of her Vauxhall Corsa, which led to the tragic collision. Her lawyer, Tom Gent, explained that "the accelerator pedal fell beneath her foot, she panicked and failed to react."
Marine Le Pen Faces Trial Over Alleged Misuse of EU Funds
Marine Le Pen, the long-time leader of France’s far-right National Rally (RN) and a presidential contender, goes on trial in Paris for allegedly misusing European parliamentary funds. More than 20 senior party officials are also implicated, accused of hiring assistants for party work instead of parliamentary duties, which were funded by the European Parliament. If convicted, Le Pen faces possible fines, imprisonment, and disqualification from running for office for up to 10 years, which would seriously impact her presidential hopes. She denies any wrongdoing. Party spokesperson Laurent Jacobelli stated, "We are going to prove there was no system of embezzling EU funds." He argued that it is possible to work as a parliamentary assistant while also being involved in party affairs.
Can Russia’s Military Challenge NATO After Ukraine War?
Russia's army has expanded rapidly during the Ukraine conflict. However, its increased numbers have not compensated for inadequate training and equipment shortages. Moscow has relied on attrition, using large-scale forces to wear down Ukraine’s military. Learning from initial setbacks, Russia now deploys elite units like marines, airborne VDV, and Spetsnaz forces for offensive operations, equipping them with better gear and extended training. The Russian military has shifted from brigades to divisions to absorb high casualties. Divisions, being larger, can endure losses and continue fighting, while brigades proved unsustainable in heavy combat.
Austria’s Far-Right Freedom Party Claims Victory in Election
Austria's far-right Freedom Party (FPÖ) has secured a historic victory, winning 29.2% of the vote in Sunday’s election. Although the FPÖ emerged as the largest party, surpassing the conservative People’s Party (ÖVP), it fell short of a majority. FPÖ leader Herbert Kickl described the win as a “new era” for Austria, thanking voters for their "optimism, courage, and trust." Despite the FPÖ's victory, Chancellor Karl Nehammer of the ÖVP has ruled out forming a government with Kickl, citing his association with conspiracy theories. Nehammer's party garnered 26.5% of the vote. Voter turnout was high at 74.9%, with many voters driven by concerns over migration, the economy, and the ongoing war in Ukraine.
UK Becomes First G7 Nation to End Coal Power
The UK, which has used coal to generate electricity since 1882, is set to close its final coal-fired power station, marking a significant shift towards renewable energy. The Ratcliffe-on-Soar power station in Nottinghamshire, owned by Uniper, will cease operations on Monday, ending 142 years of coal usage for electricity production in the country. As the first nation to generate public power from coal, the UK will now become the first G7 country to eliminate coal power entirely. Over the past decades, renewable energy sources like solar and offshore wind have gradually replaced coal, which once accounted for 80% of the UK’s electricity needs in 1990.
Hezbollah’s Deputy Chief Issues Defiant Message After Leader’s Death
Hezbollah’s deputy leader, Sheikh Naim Qassem, vowed that the Lebanese armed group is fully prepared to confront an Israeli ground invasion, even after the death of its leader Hassan Nasrallah and several senior commanders. In a public address on Monday, Qassem asserted that Israel had not damaged Hezbollah’s military capabilities despite the recent bombardment of Lebanon. He emphasized that the Iran-backed group would continue its fight unabated. Qassem noted that Hezbollah’s operations have not slowed since Nasrallah’s assassination on Friday, stating that a new leadership would soon be appointed through internal mechanisms. He did not offer further specifics on who might take over but indicated that the process was clear.
Deep Intelligence Breach Enables Israel to Kill Hezbollah Leader Hassan Nasrallah
In a devastating airstrike on Friday evening, Israel used approximately 100 munitions, including U.S.-made 2,000lb bombs, to kill Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah. The strike targeted an underground bunker in the Dahieh suburb of southern Beirut. Nasrallah, who was famously cautious about his security and rarely appeared in public, made an unplanned trip to the secret meeting location. However, Israel’s deep intelligence penetration of Hezbollah allowed them to track Nasrallah’s movements and deliver the deadly strike.
US Military Kills 37 ISIL and Hurras al-Din Fighters in Syria Strikes
The U.S. military has announced that it killed dozens of fighters from ISIL (ISIS) and an al-Qaeda-affiliated group in two separate airstrikes in Syria this month. According to a statement released by the U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) on Sunday, a “large-scale airstrike” targeted a remote ISIL camp in central Syria on September 16, killing at least 28 militants, including four senior leaders. Although CENTCOM did not specify the names of those killed, the attack was described as a blow to ISIL’s “capability to conduct operations against U.S. interests, allies, and partners.”
