International
Israel claims to be prepared for the possibility of an imminent attack by Iran and Hizbulah
“Israel is prepared for a multi-fronted threat,” Israeli President Isaac Herzog said on Monday when intelligence information collected by both the country and the United States points to an imminent attack by Iran and Hezbollah, probably in the next 24 hours.
Israel has been on “maximum alert” since last week after both Iran and Hezbollah swore revenge for the murders of the leader of Hamas, Isamil Haniyeh, in Tehran; and the top military leader of the Lebanese Shiites, Fuad Shukr, in Beirut.
Since then, several intelligence sources pointed out that this coordinated attack – which could be joined by other Iranian satellites such as the Houthis of Yemen, the Islamic Resistance of Iraq or the pro-Iranian militias of Syria – could occur on the Jewish holiday of Tisha B’av, which began today at sunset and commemorates the destruction of the first and second temples in Jerusalem.
“About the tense days we are living, after Iran and all our enemies of the axis of evil have declared their intention to attack us soon with great force; I emphasize: the State of Israel is prepared to face this multi-frontal threat,” the president said today in a message to the citizenry on the occasion of Tisha B’av.
“We have first-class military capabilities; an air force and advanced multidimensional defense systems that are on high alert and ready; in addition to exhaustive intelligence,” he stressed.
Herzog called on the Israelis to “act responsibly, follow instructions, remain calm,” in the face of the imminence of such an attack, on which the command of the domestic front of the Army, has not yet changed the precautionary instructions to the population.”
The president also referred to the “diplomatic and security alliances and associations” that seek to thwart any “enemy action,” alluding to the United States, which in the last week has deployed defensive systems, including aircraft carriers, warships and ballistic missiles, to the Middle East to help Israel repel such an attack.
“The most important thing is that the strongest power in the world, the United States, is committed to our security,” Herzog stressed.
Precisely the White House spokesman, John Kirby, said today that Washington shares Israel’s assessment that Iran and its allies could launch the large-scale attacks this week and suggested that one of the purposes may be to hinder the negotiations for a ceasefire that was scheduled to resume this Thursday, August 15, although Hamas announced last night that it would not send a delegation.
In his message, Herzog also showed his “firm support” for an agreement for a ceasefire in the Gaza Strip, which will allow the return of the 111 kidnapped on October 7 who are still being held.
“The duty of a State to its citizens is, above all, to bring them back home, away from the enemy. With creativity, determination, courage, initiative and with all the commitment,” he said in his message, which was broadcast by video at a demonstration organized by the families of the hostages in Tel Aviv, on the occasion of Tisha B’av.
International
U.S. Senate Rejects Budget, Bringing Government Closer to Shutdown Amid DHS Dispute
The U.S. Senate voted on Thursday against a budget proposal in a move aimed at pressuring changes at the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), following the killing of two civilians during a deployment of immigration agents in Minneapolis.
All Senate Democrats and seven Republican lawmakers voted against the bill, which requires 60 votes to advance, pushing the country closer to a partial government shutdown that would cut funding for several agencies, including the Pentagon and the Department of Health.
The rejection came as Senate leaders and the White House continue negotiations on a separate funding package for DHS that would allow reforms to the agency. Proposed measures include banning Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents from wearing face coverings and requiring them to use body-worn cameras during operations.
The vote took place just hours after President Donald Trump said he was “close” to reaching an agreement with Democrats and did not believe the federal government would face another shutdown, following last year’s record stoppage.
“I don’t think the Democrats want a shutdown either, so we’ll work in a bipartisan way to avoid it. Hopefully, there will be no government shutdown. We’re working on that right now,” Trump said during a Cabinet meeting at the White House.
International
Trump Says Putin Agreed to One-Week Halt in Attacks on Ukraine Amid Extreme Cold
U.S. President Donald Trump said on Thursday that he secured a commitment from Russian President Vladimir Putinto halt attacks against Ukraine for one week, citing extreme weather conditions affecting the region.
“Because of the extreme cold (…) I personally asked Putin not to attack Kyiv or other cities and towns for a week. And he agreed. He was very pleasant,” Trump said during a Cabinet meeting broadcast by the White House.
Trump acknowledged that several advisers had questioned the decision to make the call.
“A lot of people told me not to waste the call because they wouldn’t agree. And he accepted. And we’re very happy they did, because they don’t need missiles hitting their towns and cities,” the president said.
According to Trump, Ukrainian authorities reacted with surprise to the announcement but welcomed the possibility of a temporary ceasefire.
“It’s extraordinarily cold, record cold (…) They say they’ve never experienced cold like this,” he added.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky later commented on the announcement, expressing hope that the agreement would be honored.
International
Storm Kristin Kills Five in Portugal, Leaves Nearly 500,000 Without Power
Storm Kristin, which battered Portugal with heavy rain and strong winds early Wednesday, has left at least five people dead, while nearly half a million residents remained without electricity as of Thursday, according to updated figures from authorities.
The revised death toll was confirmed to AFP by a spokesperson for the National Emergency and Civil Protection Authority (ANPEC). On Wednesday, the agency had reported four fatalities.
Meanwhile, E-Redes, the country’s electricity distribution network operator, said that around 450,000 customers were still without power, particularly in central Portugal.
Emergency services responded to approximately 1,500 incidents between midnight and 8:00 a.m. local time on Wednesday, as the storm caused widespread disruptions.
The Portuguese government described Kristin as an “extreme weather event” that inflicted significant damage across several regions of the country. At the height of the storm, as many as 850,000 households and institutions lost electricity during the early hours of Wednesday.
Several municipalities ordered the closure of schools, many of which remained shut on Thursday due to ongoing adverse conditions.
Ricardo Costa, regional deputy commander of the Leiria Fire Brigade, said residents continue to seek assistance as rainfall persists.
“Even though the rain is not extremely intense, it is causing extensive damage to homes,” he noted.
In Figueira da Foz, a coastal city in central Portugal, strong winds toppled a giant Ferris wheel, underscoring the severity of the storm.
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