October 2, 2024

Daily News Brief

*) Iran warns it will hit all Israeli infrastructure if attacked Iran’s top military boss is drawing a line in the sand. If Israel attacks, Tehran’s response will be devastating. After firing off a massive 200-missile barrage, General Mohammad Bagheri said that was just the start. Next time, he warned, the strikes will be even more intense, targeting all of Israel’s infrastructure. Bagheri explained that Iran had held back after the US and EU promised a ceasefire in Gaza following the killing of Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh. But after Israel took out Hezbollah’s Hassan Nasrallah and Iran’s own General Abbas Nilforoushan, Bagheri made it clear that Tehran’s patience had run out. *) Israel launches new air strikes on Beirut Beirut is under fire once again. Israeli warplanes have unleashed a fresh round of air strikes on southern suburbs of the Lebanese capital, hitting several neighbourhoods as civilians scrambled to flee. No word yet on the damage or casualties, but the strikes come hot on the heels of an ultimatum from Israel, warning civilians to get out. The situation is tense, with no signs of letting up. *) Erdogan warns of consequences for Israel’s ground offensive in Lebanon Turkish President Erdogan isn’t holding back. He’s warning Israel that their current ground offensive in Lebanon won’t play out the way their past invasions have. Speaking to the Turkish parliament just as Israeli troops began rolling into Lebanon, Erdogan said this time, the fallout could be far worse. He slammed Israel’s actions in the region, accusing them of dragging countries into conflict, and called out the ongoing violence in Gaza, which he described as genocide. Erdogan made it clear that the stakes have never been higher. *) Vance and Walz face off in crucial vice presidential debate It’s a showdown in the race for vice president. Ohio Senator JD Vance, representing the GOP, and Minnesota Governor Tim Walz, standing for the Democrats, went head-to-head in their only vice presidential debate. With the election just five weeks away, both men are under serious pressure to lock in support for their parties. *) Austria embraces far-right party with Nazi roots, anti-Muslim stance Austria’s far-right Freedom Party has pulled off a “historic win” in the country’s parliamentary elections. The party, which opposes immigration and takes anti-Muslim stance, is riding high on the wave of success seen by far-right groups across Europe. But what makes the Freedom Party stand out is its reluctance to cut ties with its Nazi past — a history other far-right European parties have distanced themselves from.