341: IDF Prepares for Ground Combat in S. Lebanon - France Proposes 21-Day Ceasefire at UN + US Security Package to Ukraine worth $375 Million + Northrup Selected to Build Hypersonic Glide Interceptor + More

For review:1. US Congress passes Continuing Resolution (CR) for continued Federal Government funding.The CR now makes its way to the White House, which has indicated that the President will sign the bill well in advance of the 30 Sep deadline.2.  IDF Prepares for Ground Combat in S. Lebanon.Israel has continued to launch hundreds of strikes against Hezbollah targets and warned that a ground offensive was looming. IDF chief LTG Halevi told Soldiers they would likely soon find themselves in Lebanon.3. France Proposes 21-Day Ceasefire in Lebanon. France outlined the proposal at an emergency UN Security Council session. French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot said that the two Western powers (France & US) were proposing a truce of 21 days "to allow for negotiations and a more sustainable ceasefire."4. US Security Package to Ukraine worth $375 Million.Capabilities include: air-to-ground weapons; munitions for rocket systems and artillery; armored vehicles; and anti-tank weapons.5. US approves $920 million Foreign Military Financing (FMF) loan to Romania.FMF dollars have to be spent on US-made weapons and the loans come with interest that will have to be paid back to the US government. 6. South Korean defense company Hanwha Ocean no longer pursues bid to purchase Australian ship building firm Austal. 7. China fires ICBM into Pacific Ocean during test.Chinese Defense Ministry reports that the ICBM carried a dummy warhead and fell into a designated area of the sea, and that the test complied with international law and was not directed against any country or target.8. Northrup Grumman Selected to Build Hypersonic Glide Interceptors (GPI).The fiscal 2024 National Defense Authorization Act is pushing the US Missile Defense Agency to ensure initial operational capability (IOC) for the GPIs by the end of 2029 and full operational capability (FOC) by 2032, as well as to deliver at least 24 x GPIs by 2040.