Yes, the Iran War Has Destroyed Trump’s Presidency

Source: The American Conservative
by Andrew Day

“No one would claim that the Iran War has been a political godsend for President Donald Trump and the Republican Party. But some Israel-First conservatives are willing to say—and lately have been incessantly saying—that the Iran War hasn’t been a political scourge. Those Israel-First conservatives are wrong, even if the devil is, at least partly, hidden in the details. The Iran War has damaged Trump’s approval ratings, consumed his presidency, and darkened the GOP’s prospects in the upcoming midterm elections.” (09/29/26)

https://www.theamericanconservative.com/yes-the-iran-war-has-destroyed-trumps-presidency/

Thomas L. Knapp

Mystery over suspected bomb scare at UK airbase after reports no explosives found

Source: euronews [EU]

“A UK probe into a suspected bomb plot at an airbase used by the United States was mired in confusion on Tuesday, after media reported no explosives were detected in the vehicles seized nearby. … Police have said officers conducted an extensive examination of the vehicles with the help of ‘military assets’ and forensic experts. They did not disclose their findings. But The Times newspaper and several other UK media outlets have reported that police found no traces of explosives, easing fears that an attack had been foiled but leaving many questions unanswered. A resident in the neighbouring village of Kempsford, Patricia told the AFP news agency it was ‘very embarrassing that people around the world thought it was a terrorist attack but in the end no, it’s a lot of noise for nothing.'” (09/29/26)

https://www.euronews.com/2026/09/29/raf-fairford-bomb-plot-clearly-involves-foreign-actor-us-secretary-of-state-says

Thomas L. Knapp

Trump is using your money to lie about his presidency

Source: USA Today
by Sara Pequeño

“President Donald Trump isn’t trying to hide the propaganda arm of his administration. In fact, he’s using taxpayer dollars to do it. In two new ads funded by the government, the president has rallied against the perceived communist takeover of the United States. The first ad literally uses a song with a choir in the background reciting the verse ‘Love me.’ ‘Together we will defeat communism, socialism and Marxism in America,’ Trump says in a voiceover as the words flash across the screen. In the second ad, Trump declares that we are in the midst of the ‘final battle’ against the ‘deep state.’ Both ads almost certainly violate the Hatch Act, which prohibits federal employees from politicking, as well as other federal laws.” (09/29/26)

https://www.usatoday.com/story/opinion/columnist/2026/09/29/new-trump-ad-final-battle-love-me-taxpayer-dollars/91986749007/

Thomas L. Knapp

Justices’ Investments Should Be Blind: Alito Controversy Raises Persistent SCOTUS Problem

Source: Jonathan Turley
by Jonathan Turley

“Yesterday, Supreme Court Justice Samuel Alito recused himself from one of the term’s most important cases: Suncor Energy Inc. v. County Commissioners of Boulder County. As I have previously discussed, the case involving the liability of energy companies for nuisance actions tied to climate change could have sweeping implications for the country. Justice Alito should be commended for avoiding even the appearance of a personal interest or a conflict in the case. However, the controversy should prompt the Court to explore a longstanding problem for justices in holding financial interests that can conflict with their duties. The solution is simple: justices need to use blind trusts. Supreme Court Clerk Scott Harris released a letter revealing that Alito decided he ‘will not continue to participate’ in Suncor Energy Inc. v. County Commissioners of Boulder County.” (09/29/26)

https://jonathanturley.org/2026/09/29/justice-and-justice-investments-should-be-blind-the-alito-controversy-raises-persistent-problem-on-the-court/

Steve Trinward

Trump rules out joint US-China venture to develop AI

Source: BBC News [UK state media]

“US President Donald Trump has ruled out any sort of joint venture with China in artificial intelligence (AI), arguing it would be tantamount to ‘giving away secrets’ to America’s main economic rival. Speaking at an event in Washington on Tuesday, Trump again argued against putting any restrictions on the technology that would stifle growth in the future, despite mounting public concern. Following Chinese President Xi Jinping’s visit to the White House last week, Beijing and Washington announced the launch of a new AI dialogue, with further talks scheduled for November. The two countries also established a new communications channel to prevent misunderstandings during AI-related incidents. During Tuesday’s event marking the launch of America.gov – a new AI-powered website designed to streamline government services – Trump argued the US is ‘leading by a lot’ in the AI sector and does not want to ‘mix it up’ with potential competitors.” (09/29/26)

https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cwly5lmvy38qo

Steve Trinward

Shell backs $23 billion LNG Canada expansion in boost to Carney’s ‘energy superpower’ push

Source: CNBC

“A consortium led by British oil giant Shell is moving forward with expansion plans on its flagship liquefied natural gas project (LNG) in Canada, in a major boost to Prime Minister Mark Carney’s ambition to make the country an ‘energy superpower.’ Shell said in a statement on Tuesday that it had reached a final investment decision to double production capacity at the LNG Canada project in Kitimat, British Columbia, to roughly 28 million metric tons per annum (mtpa), up from 14 mtpa. Shell leads the LNG Canada project with a 40% stake. The joint venture also has the backing of Malaysia’s Petronas, China’s PetroChina, Japan’s Mitsubishi Corp and South Korea’s state-owned Korea Gas Corp.” (09/29/26)

https://www.cnbc.com/2026/09/29/shell-canada-lng-carney-oil-gas-energy.html

Thomas L. Knapp