Israel Conducts Targeted Airstrikes on Iran Following October Missile Attack
Israel carried out a series of “precise and targeted” airstrikes on Iranian military installations early Saturday, responding to an earlier missile barrage launched by Tehran. This latest escalation has raised fresh concerns of further conflict between the two nations, although preliminary reports suggest the strikes were more restrained than some analysts feared.
The strikes began at approximately 2:15 a.m. local time in Iran, with explosions reported near the capital, Tehran, according to local media. Videos circulating online captured scenes of projectiles and explosions lighting up the sky, verified by BBC sources. Within minutes, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) confirmed they had targeted “military sites” across Iran, aiming to neutralize threats without broadening the confrontation.
In a statement, the White House classified the strikes as an “exercise of self-defense,” stressing that the U.S. had coordinated with Israel to ensure the operation was “targeted and proportional.” Senior U.S. officials noted that the Biden administration specifically urged Israel to avoid any strikes on Iranian nuclear facilities or oil infrastructure to prevent wider fallout.
According to IDF reports, the airstrikes targeted approximately 20 Iranian military sites, including missile production facilities and air defense systems. While the Iranian military confirmed that two soldiers had died during the operation, the impact appears localized. The Iranian government announced that their air defenses intercepted several projectiles, though some areas in Tehran and the provinces of Khuzestan and Ilam sustained “limited damage.”
Following the operation, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defense Minister Yoav Gallant monitored the mission from IDF headquarters in Tel Aviv. In a later statement, the IDF conveyed its intent to avoid further escalation, attributing ongoing hostilities to Iran’s activities. “We are focused on our objectives in Gaza and Lebanon. It is Iran that continues to push for a wider regional escalation,” the statement read.
A recent Axios report revealed that Israel sent a preliminary notice to Iran about the strikes, signaling an intent to de-escalate after this exchange. A senior U.S. official later indicated that the U.S. hopes this marks the conclusion of direct hostilities.
The diplomatic response has been mixed. The U.S. National Security Council highlighted Israel’s efforts to focus on military targets, contrasting this with Iran’s prior strikes aimed at populous areas in Israel. U.K. Prime Minister Keir Starmer expressed support for Israel’s right to self-defense, but he urged both nations to exercise restraint. Egypt and Saudi Arabia voiced concerns, warning that escalating violence could destabilize the region.
Iran, meanwhile, condemned the strikes, calling them a violation of international law. The Iranian Foreign Ministry said it “recognizes its responsibilities towards regional peace and security” but asserted its “entitlement to defend itself.”
Despite the unfolding tensions, life in Iran appears relatively undisturbed. Iranian media showed Tehran’s bustling streets and markets, and flights resumed in Iranian airspace after a brief closure. However, authorities have prohibited the distribution of footage or news related to the attacks on platforms they deem “Israel-affiliated,” underscoring efforts to control information domestically.
As the situation develops, the international community is watching closely, weighing whether this restrained exchange could hold or if more severe repercussions are forthcoming.
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Ford to Cut 4,000 Jobs in Europe Amid Economic and EV Sales Struggles
Ford has announced plans to cut 4,000 jobs across Europe by the end of 2027, attributing the decision to increased competition, weaker-than-expected electric vehicle (EV) sales, and ongoing economic challenges. The cuts, which represent around 14% of the company’s European workforce, will predominantly affect Germany, where 3,000 positions will be eliminated, along with 800 jobs in the UK.
The company emphasized that the job reductions are part of a broader strategy to improve its competitiveness in the face of a rapidly changing automotive landscape. Discussions with unions are still ongoing, and a final decision on the cuts will be made once talks are concluded.
In addition to job cuts, Ford also plans to reduce working hours for employees at its Cologne plant in Germany, where it manufactures electric vehicles such as the Capri and Explorer. Dave Johnston, Ford’s European vice president for transformation and partnerships, explained, “It is critical to take difficult but decisive action to ensure Ford’s future competitiveness in Europe.”
The company cited the global auto industry’s ongoing transition to electrified mobility as a major factor in the restructuring. Ford’s statement acknowledged the particularly challenging environment in Europe, where automakers face stiff competition, economic headwinds, and a mismatch between stringent CO2 regulations and consumer demand for electric vehicles.
To adapt to these pressures, Ford has already cut back on vehicle production, focusing on models that generate the highest profit margins. The company is also adjusting to the new regulatory landscape, where European car manufacturers must sell more electric vehicles to meet stricter carbon dioxide emission limits by 2025. However, consumer interest in EVs has been slower than anticipated, partly due to rising costs and the withdrawal of government incentives for EV purchases in key markets like Germany.
Ford’s move follows similar actions by other automakers. General Motors recently announced 1,000 global job cuts, and Nissan revealed plans to eliminate 9,000 jobs and reduce its global production capacity by 20%. Volkswagen is also reportedly considering the closure of three plants in Germany, which could result in thousands of job losses.
The European Automobile Manufacturers’ Association has called for a faster review of the lower CO2 emission limits set for 2026, urging policymakers to reconsider the current pace of the transition to electric vehicles amid market challenges.
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Ukraine Fires US-Supplied Long-Range Missiles Into Russia for the First Time
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Google Opposes DOJ’s Proposal to Sell Chrome, Warns of Harm to Consumers
Google has strongly opposed a proposal by the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) that could force the company to sell its popular Chrome browser, warning it would harm both consumers and businesses. The DOJ is expected to present this proposal to a judge on Wednesday, according to Bloomberg.
This latest development follows a ruling in August by Judge Amit Mehta, who concluded that Google holds a monopoly in online search. Since then, the court has been considering what actions or penalties to impose. While the DOJ has not yet commented publicly on the matter, Google has made it clear that it opposes the measure.
“The DOJ continues to push a radical agenda that goes far beyond the legal issues in this case,” said Lee-Anne Mulholland, Google’s executive. The company has also expressed concerns that the proposal could extend beyond Chrome, with reports suggesting that Google could be asked to implement new measures around its artificial intelligence (AI), Android operating system, and data usage.
Google argues that the government’s intervention would have a detrimental effect on the technology sector. “The government putting its thumb on the scale in these ways would harm consumers, developers, and American technological leadership at precisely the moment it is most needed,” Mulholland added.
Dominance in Browsers and Search
Chrome remains the world’s most widely used web browser, with market tracker Similarweb estimating its global market share at 64.61% in October. In addition, Google Search commands nearly 90% of the global search engine market, according to Statcounter. Chrome’s prominence is also tied to its integration with Google Search, which is the default engine on Chrome and many smartphone browsers, including Safari on iPhones.
Judge Mehta had previously noted that Google’s position as the default search engine in Chrome is “extremely valuable real estate.” He observed that while new competitors could theoretically bid for this default position, they would need to invest billions of dollars to compete effectively.
Break-up Concerns
The DOJ had initially considered remedies that could involve breaking up Google’s business or forcing the company to separate key services like Chrome, Android, and its app store, Google Play. These actions are intended to prevent Google from using its products to promote its search engine and related services. In its filing, the DOJ hinted at the possibility of breaking up Google to reduce its competitive advantage in the market.
Google, however, has rejected the idea of splitting off parts of its business, arguing that it would disrupt its business models, increase the cost of devices, and undermine its ability to compete with Apple’s iPhone and App Store. The company also warned that breaking up Chrome and Android would make it more difficult to keep these services secure.
Impact on Google’s Financials
Despite these regulatory challenges, Google’s financial performance remains strong. In its most recent quarterly earnings report, the company announced a 10% increase in revenues, reaching $65.9 billion, driven by its search and advertising businesses. CEO Sundar Pichai also highlighted the growing use of Google’s AI-driven search tools, which are now accessed by millions of users worldwide.
Investors are closely watching Google’s stock performance as the DOJ’s proposed remedies move forward, with many speculating that these regulatory actions could impact the company’s future growth.
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