Israel's defense minister announces 'special situation' after Israeli attack on Iran
Israel's defense minister announced a 'special situation' after Israel attacked Iran.
Defense Minister Israel Katz declared a special state of emergency in the home front throughout the entire State of Israel, NBC News and the Associated Press reported:
"Following the State of Israel's preemptive strike against Iran, a missile and drone attack against the State of Israel and its civilian population is expected in the immediate future.
Therefore, and in accordance with his authority under the Civil Defense Law, Defense Minister Israel Katz has now signed a special order, according to which a special state of emergency will be imposed in the home front throughout the entire State of Israel.
You must obey the instructions of the Home Front Command and the authorities and remain in the protected areas."
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Fox Sports
3 hours ago
- Fox Sports
Louisiana is poised to hike its sports betting tax to help colleges pay their athletes
Associated Press Louisiana is poised to hike taxes on sports betting to pump more than $24 million into athletic departments at the state's most prominent public universities. Legislation pending before Gov. Jeff Landry would make Louisiana the first state to raise taxes to fund college sports since a judge approved a landmark settlement with the NCAA allowing schools to directly pay athletes for use of their name, image and likeness (NIL). Anticipating the court's approval, Arkansas this year became the first to waive state income taxes on NIL payments made to athletes by higher education institutions. More states seem almost certain to adopt their own creative ways to gain an edge — or at least keep pace — in the rapidly evolving and highly competitive field of college sports. 'These bills, and the inevitable ones that will follow, are intended to make states 'college-athlete friendly,'' said David Carter, founder of the Sports Business Group consultancy and an adjunct professor at the University of Southern California. But 'they will no doubt continue to stoke the debate about the `perceived' preferential treatment afforded athletes.' The new NCCA rules allowing direct payments to college athletes kick in July 1. In the first year, each Division I school can share up to $20.5 million with its athletes — a figure that may be easier to meet for big-time programs than for smaller schools weighing whether to divert money from other purposes. The settlement also continues to allow college athletes to receive NIL money from third parties, such as donor-backed collectives that support specific schools. Louisiana bill sponsor: `We love football' The Louisiana legislation won final approval just two days after a judge approved the antitrust settlement between the NCAA and athletes, but it had been in the works for months. Athletic directors from many of Louisiana's universities met earlier this year and hashed out a plan with lawmakers to relieve some of their financial pressures by dividing a share of the state's sports betting tax revenue. The biggest question for lawmakers was how large of a tax increase to support. The initial proposal sought to double the state's 15% tax on net proceeds from online sports betting. But lawmakers ultimately agreed on a 21.5% tax rate in a compromise with the industry. One-quarter of the tax revenue from online sports wagering — an estimated $24.3 million — would be split equally among 11 public universities in conferences with Division I football programs. The money must be used 'for the benefit of student athletes,' including scholarships, insurance, medical coverage, facility enhancements and litigation settlement fees. The state tax money won't provide direct NIL payments to athletes. But it could facilitate that indirectly by freeing up other university resources. The legislation passed overwhelmingly in the final days of Louisiana's annual session. 'We love football in Louisiana – that's the easiest way to say it,' said Republican state Rep. Neil Riser, who sponsored the bill. Smaller universities are feeling the squeeze Many colleges and universities across the country have been feeling a financial squeeze, but it's especially affected the athletic departments of smaller schools. Athletic departments in the top Division I football conferences take in millions of dollars from media rights, donors, corporate sponsors and ticket sales, with a median of just 7% coming from student fees and institutional and government support, according to the Knight-Newhouse College Athletics Database. But the remaining schools in Division I football bowl conferences got a median of 63% of the revenue from such sources last year. And schools without football teams got a median of 81% of their athletic department revenues from institutional and governmental support or student fees. Riser said Louisiana's smaller universities, in particular, have been struggling financially and have shifted money from their general funds to their sports programs to try to remain competitive. At the same time, the state has taken in millions of dollars of tax revenue from sports bets made at least partly on college athletics. 'Without the athletes, we wouldn't have the revenue. I just felt like it's fairness that we do give something back and, at the same time, help the general funds of the universities,' Riser said. Other states are investing in college sports Louisiana would become the second state behind North Carolina to dedicate a portion of its sports wagering revenues to colleges athletics. North Carolina launched online sports wagering last year under a state law earmarking part of an 18% tax on gross gaming revenue to the athletic departments at 13 public universities. The state's two largest institutions were excluded. But that might be about to change. Differing budget plans passed by the state House and Senate this year both would start allotting sports betting tax revenue to the athletic programs at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and North Carolina State University. The Senate version also would double the tax rate. The proposals come a year after University of North Carolina trustees approved an audit of the athletics department after a preliminary budget projected about $100 million of debt in the years ahead. Other schools also are taking actions because of deficits in their athletic departments. Last week, University of Kentucky trustees approved a $31 million operating loan for the athletics department as it begins making direct NIL payments to athletes. That came after trustees in April voted to convert the Kentucky athletics department into a limited-liability holding company — Champions Blue LLC — to more nimbly navigate the emerging financial pressures. Given the money involved in college athletics, it's not surprising that states are starting to provide tax money to athletic departments or — as in Arkansas' case — tax relief to college athletes, said Patrick Rishe, executive director of the sports business program at Washington University in St. Louis. 'If you can attract better athletes to your schools and your states, then this is more visibility to your states, this is more potential out-of-town economic activity for your state," Rishe said. 'I do think you're going to see many states pursue this, because you don't want to be the state that's left exposed or at a disadvantage.' recommended
CNBC
5 hours ago
- CNBC
CNBC Daily Open: The Israel-Iran conflict continues but markets seem unfazed
The U.S. stock market rose and oil prices retreated amid news that Iran wants a ceasefire with Israel. As early as the first days of Israel's strikes, Tehran reportedly asked several countries to persuade U.S. President Donald Trump to call on Israel for an immediate ceasefire, NBC News reported, citing a Middle East diplomat with knowledge of the situation. When asked at a news briefing Monday about the prospect of a ceasefire, however, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu indicated he was not interested in one, according to NBC News. Netanyahu said Israel is "not backing down" from eliminating Iran's nuclear program. Regardless of how negotiations — or the lack thereof — play out, it's clear that countries are placing renewed emphasis on defense. The U.S. Defense Department is turning to artificial intelligence to bolster its forces, announcing on Monday a one-year contract with OpenAI "to address critical national security challenges in both warfighting and enterprise domains." Amid the Monday developments regarding armed conflict and defense considerations, the Trump Organization announced a mobile phone plan called Trump Mobile and a smartphone, clad in gold and emblazoned with an American flag, dubbed "T1." Putting aside iffy ethical issues about the sitting U.S. president lending his name to consumer products, their unveiling seemed ill-timed and tone deaf. Perhaps the reception over Trump Mobile was spotty. Markets recover on hopes of containmentU.S. stocks rose Monday on news that Iran is reportedly seeking a ceasefire with Israel. The S&P 500 was up 0.94%, the Dow Jones Industrial Average climbed 0.75% and the Nasdaq Composite jumped 1.52%. Europe's Stoxx 600 index added 0.36%. Some analysts, however, are warning that global investors may be underpricing the impact of a conflict between Israel and Iran. Safe-haven assets dipIn another sign the markets are shrugging off the Israel-Iran conflict — which continued for the fourth consecutive day — both safe-haven assets and oil prices dipped Monday. At the end of the trading day stateside, spot gold prices fell 1.03%, while the dollar index dipped 0.07%. Meanwhile, U.S. crude fell 1.66% to settle at $71.77 and international benchmark Brent lost 1.35% to close at $73.23 a barrel. 'Golden share' in U.S. SteelShares of U.S. Steel rallied 5.1% Monday after Trump issued an executive order on Friday that allowed the firm and Nippon Steel to finalize their merger so long as they sign a national security agreement with the U.S. government. U.S. Steel said Friday that the agreement, which both companies have signed, includes a golden share for the U.S government, which would give it veto power over many decisions. OpenAI wins contract from Defense DepartmentOpenAI has been awarded a $200 million one-year contract to provide the U.S. Defense Department with artificial intelligence tools, the latter announced Monday. It's the first contract with OpenAI listed on the Department of Defense's website. In December, OpenAI said it would collaborate with defense technology startup Anduril to deploy advanced AI systems for "national security missions." Trump Organization enters telecommunicationsThe Trump Organization, a company owned by the current U.S. President, on Monday announced a mobile phone plan and a $499 smartphone set to launch in September. The company's new foray into telecommunications mainly comprises a licensing agreement. On Friday, the president reported that he had made more than $8 million in 2024 from various licensing agreements. [PRO] What would it take for markets to react?Equity and energy markets appeared to shake off concerns of a wider conflict in the Middle East on Monday, reversing some of the moves from late last week. Such a response to geopolitical conflict is not unusual, according to one strategist, who explained what it would take for markets to feel the effects of the hostilities. As G7 leaders meet, allies ask: Is Trump with us or against us? As leaders of the world's largest advanced economic powers gather in Canada for this year's Group of Seven summit, ongoing trade instability and turmoil in Ukraine and the Middle East are set to dominate talks. With uncertainty over those major issues largely arising from the White House's economic and foreign policy, allies are likely to ask whether Trump stands with them, or against them on major geopolitical points. Asked if he planned to announce any trade pacts at the summit as he left the White House on Sunday, Trump said: "We have our trade deals. All we have to do is send a letter, 'This is what you're going to have to pay.' But I think we'll have a few, few new trade deals," in comments reported by The Associated Press.
The Hill
6 hours ago
- The Hill
US aircraft, warships headed to Middle East amid Israel-Iran conflict
The Big Story Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth announced Monday that he has directed 'the deployment of additional capabilities' to the Middle East amid escalating tensions in the region. © Associated Press 'Protecting US forces is our top priority and these deployments are intended to enhance our defensive posture in the region,' Hegseth said in a post on social platform X. He did not name the additional capabilities, though earlier on Monday, a U.S. official confirmed to NewsNation, The Hill's sister network, that the U.S. military has moved a large number of refueling tanker aircraft to Europe. The move is intended to 'provide options' to Trump amid the escalating tensions, the official added. A Defense official also confirmed to The Hill that Hegseth directed the USS Nimitz Carrier Strike Group be sent to the Middle East 'to sustain our defensive posture and safeguard American personnel.' Multiple outlets have reported that the action was a pre-planned deployment that had been expedited. The vessel is able to hold some 5,000 personnel and more than 60 aircraft, including fighter jets. U.S. European Command also deployed two destroyers to the eastern Mediterranean Sea on Friday. The vessels can help defend against guided missile strikes. The shifted U.S. military assets and personnel comes as the conflict between Israel and Iran has entered its fourth day, with both sides intensifying their assaults following Israel's initial strike on Tehran on Friday. Israel and Iran have taken part in tit-for-tat attacks, open warfare that Israeli officials have said could last 'weeks, not days' and threatens to spark a wider war in the Middle East. Israel last week moved forward with its strikes after accusing Iran of being on the verge of building a nuclear bomb. Since then, the two sides have traded large scale missile attacks back and forth in what has become the deadliest confrontation between the countries, with at least 24 people killed in Israel and more than 220 killed in Iran. Read the full report at Welcome to The Hill's Defense & National Security newsletter, I'm Ellen Mitchell — your guide to the latest developments at the Pentagon, on Capitol Hill and beyond. Did someone forward you this newsletter? Subscribe here. Essential Reads How policy will affect defense and national security now and inthe future: Democrat moves to prevent Trump from striking Iran without congressional approval Sen. Tim Kaine (D-Va.) introduced a resolution Monday seeking to prevent the U.S. from getting involved in a military conflict with Iran without congressional approval. The resolution reaffirms existing law, directing the president to end any use of the U.S. armed forces 'for hostilities' against Iran 'unless explicitly authorized by a declaration of war or specific authorization for use of military force against Iran.' The … White House denies reporting by Guardian on VA benefits: 'Totally FALSE story' The Trump administration on Monday denied reporting by The Guardian that said new Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) hospitals could refuse care to veterans based on factors like marital status and political affiliation due to an executive order by President Trump. The Guardian earlier Monday published a report saying VA hospitals are implementing new rules in response to Trump's executive order in January, which would … Netanyahu doesn't rule out targeting Iran's supreme leader Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Monday didn't rule out targeting Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, just hours after reports emerged that President Trump nixed a plan by Israel to take out Khamenei. 'It's not going to escalate the conflict, it's going to end the conflict,' Netanyahu told ABC News's Jonathan Karl when asked about the reports that Trump rejected … On Our Radar Upcoming things we're watching on our beat: In Other News Branch out with a different read from The Hill: Suspect in Minnesota lawmaker shootings in custody after two-day manhunt The man suspected of shooting two Minnesota state lawmakers over the weekend, killing one of them, has been taken into custody after a massive search. Law enforcement apprehended Vance Boelter on Sunday night after a two-day search, Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz (D) announced at a press conference shortly … On Tap Tomorrow Events in and around the defense world: What We're Reading News we've flagged from other outlets: Trending Today Two key stories on The Hill right now: Trump to depart G7 early due to Middle East conflict President Trump will depart the Group of Seven (G7) summit on Monday night, a day earlier than planned, because of the growing conflict in the Middle … Read more Senate releases Trump tax and Medicaid blueprint Senate Finance Committee Chair Mike Crapo (R-Idaho) on Monday released the Senate's long-awaited version of President Trump's tax agenda, which would … Read more Opinions in The Hill Op-eds related to defense & national security submitted to The Hill: You're all caught up. See you tomorrow! Thank you for signing up! Subscribe to more newsletters here
