The News Not Noise Letter: Storm Threatens Nuclear Reactors
Hurricane Helene’s massive impact. Plus: Fate of Hezbollah leader unknown, Harris visits the border and how do you feel about Thursdays?
We are six weeks out from the election but there is so much world news the campaign and the candidates aren’t our lead story today. There are dramatic developments out of the Middle East where Israel launched a ferocious surprise assault on Hezbollah commanders in Beirut, prompting a warning from Iran that this “changes the rules of the game.” The US is pressing for a diplomatic ramp down but so far to no avail.
Today we also cover Hurricane Helene, VP Harris’ visit to the border and a little culture news. We end with a few of social posts to make you smile.
Before we get to the headlines, I’d like to float something, based on reader feedback.
Here are your headlines:
Escalation in the Middle East: Did Israel kill Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah? It is too soon to know but CNN quotes an Israeli source saying they had a “high degree of certainty” that he was in a location under residential buildings Israel destroyed in a massive airstrike overnight. Israel flattened 6 buildings in the densely populated southern suburbs of Beirut using bunker buster bombs. Reuters quotes Hezbollah sources saying Nasrallah survived the attack. It will take some time to know the truth. The Lebanese Health Ministry reports 6 dead and 91 injured in those strikes but those numbers are expected to climb. Hezbollah responded, sending rockets into the Northern Israel city of Safed; two penetrated Israel’s air defenses but there is no word of casualties. Israel has launched new strikes on Beirut after notifying residents to evacuate the area.
Flying Home: All this happened as world leaders were gathered in New York for the UN General Assembly. After the strikes, Israel’s Prime Minister Netanyahu and Lebanon’s Prime Minister Najib Mikati both quickly headed home. Netanyahu spoke to the U.N. General Assembly Friday and vowed to continue Israel’s operation in Lebanon. He said “If you strike us, we will strike you.” He also warned Israel’s enemies: “There is no place in Iran that the long arm of Israel cannot reach, and that’s true of the entire Middle East.”
US Role: US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin said that the US was not notified of the strike in advance and in an interview with CNN warned that the conflict could broaden – with direct involvement from Iran, the Houthis or Iraqi Shia militia groups. “We want to see tensions taken down and resolved diplomatically,” he said. Though the US continues to push for diplomacy as an off ramp to the violence, these attacks make clear that Netanyahu is not ready to accept the 21-day ceasefire proposal the US and other nations proposed. The US moved dozens of troops to Cyprus to help evacuate American citizens from Lebanon.
Iran’s Warnings: This is expected to dramatically escalate the conflict, pushing the region closer to all-out war. Iran’s embassy in Beirut posted a message on X declaring that Israel’s strikes mark “a serious escalation that changes the rules of the game” and they threaten a fierce response. They also call the US “complicit” in the attack. Hezbollah is an Iran-backed terrorist group and has been firing rockets into Israel for years, with stepped-up intensity after 10/7. If you’d like to read about Nasrallah, you can do that here. A report on his response to the walkie-talkie attack is here.
Border Press Op: Today VP Kamala Harris visited the border at Douglas, Arizona – her first visit to the border since becoming the Democratic nominee. Immigration is a top issue for voters and Trump has the clear polling advantage. Harris is expected to announce that as president, she’d strengthen President Biden’s asylum policy limiting the ability for migrants to make new claims. She’s also expected to renew her vow to pass the bipartisan immigration legislation former President Trump got killed earlier this year. Biden suspended the entry of most migrants crossing the border illegally in June. Under the new stricter Biden/Haris policy, immigrant crossings have dropped 50 percent since June to their lowest levels since 2020.
Border Photo Op Drama: Rarely has such a big deal been made of a basic photo op. Visiting the border in person is purely optics — no policy is driven by what a presidential candidate or Vice President sees in a quick visit to a facility near the border. (Believe me. I have been on many many presidential and VP photo ops). But ever since Harris fumbled an answer in interview about not visiting the border, the GOP has pounded her over this. Also note, President Biden tasked Harris with addressing the root causes of immigration – not establishing border security.
Hurricane Helene roars through Southwest: After making landfall as a “catastropic” Category 4 hurricane in Florida’s Big Bend area, Hurricane Helene brought life-threatening flooding and power outages to more than 4 million people. There have been at least 45 storm-related deaths across five states. Northern Florida experienced record high 15-foot storm surge while Tampa, farther South, was pounded with high winds and it also experienced its highest storm surge on record. Major flooding hit the Carolinas and Georgia where the power grid sustained such serious damage a local utility shut down one nuclear reactor and reduced output from another out of an abundance of caution. As we type rescues are taking place across the region, including from the roof of a hospital in Tennessee. The rain is expected to subside Friday evening and Saturday but flooding risk remains a concern. If you live in impacted areas, heed emergency warnings. Moody’s predicts $15-26 billion in property damage; but analysts estimate insurers will pay only $5 billion in damage.
Climate Change: Say My Name: Scientists believe hurricanes are getting more severe thanks to climate change, which causes higher sea levels, warmer atmosphere, warmer ocean water and more intense rainfall. Recall that in May Florida Gov Ron DeSantis signed a bill that erased most references to climate change from state law; today he said that Florida “will bounce back”. And Project 2025, would downsize the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, which includes the National Weather Service, and contract out much of its work. It also advocates for the National Hurricane Center to stop focusing on climate change in its work.
Only in New York: New York City Mayor Eric Adams pleaded not guilty to federal bribery and corruption charges today. He has been accused of accepting free gifts, hotel stays and campaign contributions in exchange for influencing approval of the Turkish consulate in New York City. The mayor has said he won’t resign – he’s not required to - but the NY Times reports that the City’s public advocate is readying to become acting mayor if Adams steps aside. The governor could remove him but that would be a complicated, untested process. Question worth asking: Why was Turkey so determined to land a big development in NYC?
It Takes Two, Trump Says: Former President Trump met with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky at Trump Tower Friday. He renewed his vow to end the war, if elected, saying “it takes two to tango” and it will be a good deal “for both sides.” Trump has repeatedly complained about the funding the U.S. gives Ukraine. Also today, Trump campaigned outside Grand Rapids Michigan and will campaign in Erie Pennsylvania this weekend. He is returning to Butler – the location where he was targeted by a gunman – next week. A reminder: the VP debate will be this Tuesday night.
Losing a Great: Dame Maggie Smith, died today at 89. She started acting in the 1950s and starred in everything from Othello to A Room with a View and Sister Act. Smith, who was known for her prickliness, humor and enormous talent won two Oscars, five Baftas, four Emmys, and a Tony. “It’s true I don’t tolerate fools, but then they don’t tolerate me, so I am spiky,” Smith once said. She will be missed.
Looking Good at 50: Saturday Night Live returns for Season 50 tomorrow at 11:30 p.m. eastern. What do you think they send up in the cold open? There is just so much to choose from.
That’s a lot of heavy news so….
Here’s something to make you smile:
Can she be in charge?