Former President Donald Trump has been privately pressuring national security officials to regain control of Bagram Air Base in Afghanistan, which the Taliban seized after the US withdrawal in 2021. Trump believes the base is vital for monitoring China, accessing rare earth elements, combating ISIS, and potentially reopening a diplomatic facility. While a 2020 agreement mandated a full US troop withdrawal, Trump has suggested the US has leverage over the Taliban due to their need for assistance. Bagram, a key military hub for nearly two decades, was left by US troops in 2021, with its departure criticized in a State Department review for contributing to the chaotic overall withdrawal.
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Speaking aboard Air Force One, President Trump suggested revoking the licenses of broadcast television networks critical of him. This followed ABC’s suspension of “Jimmy Kimmel Live!” due to the host’s comments. Trump referenced negative media coverage, particularly from Kimmel and Stephen Colbert, asserting these networks are biased. He deferred to FCC Chairman Brendan Carr, emphasizing his patriotism and hinting at potential action regarding network licenses.
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Initially, senior ABC executives expressed support for Jimmy Kimmel, but this stance shifted dramatically leading to the show’s removal. Reports indicate that intense meetings occurred, with executives reportedly concerned about potential backlash from former President Donald Trump following Kimmel’s comments. The FCC Chairman’s warning about withdrawing ABC’s broadcasting license, due to Kimmel’s remarks on a right-wing activist, prompted Nexstar, which owns several ABC affiliates, to pull the show. This decision was celebrated by Trump, who has previously been at odds with Kimmel.
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On September 18th, Ukrainian drones reportedly targeted the Gazprom Neftekhim Salavat petrochemical plant in Russia’s Bashkortostan Republic, resulting in a fire and “massive explosion” at a crude oil processing unit. Separately, Ukrainian forces also struck an oil refinery in Russia’s Volgograd Oblast, which is a key supplier to the Russian military and forced operations to cease. The attacks are part of a broader strategy to disrupt Russia’s oil industry. While Russian authorities claimed to have intercepted numerous Ukrainian drones across several regions, The Kyiv Independent could not independently verify the claims.
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The Trump administration has petitioned the Supreme Court for an emergency order to remove Lisa Cook from the Federal Reserve’s board of governors. This action follows a failed attempt by the administration to oust Cook, who was appointed by President Joe Biden, and is part of a larger effort to reshape the Fed. The legal challenge is unprecedented, as no president has previously fired a sitting Fed governor. The administration argues that Cook’s alleged actions regarding mortgage rates raise concerns about her trustworthiness and ability to manage interest rates, though she denies any wrongdoing and has not been charged with a crime.
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Nexstar and Sinclair, two major TV station owners, pulled Jimmy Kimmel’s show due to his jokes about the killing of a police officer, citing “insensitive” comments. Both companies have significant business pending before the Trump administration and are seeking mergers that would expand their reach. Media analysts suggest these decisions were made to curry favor with the administration, especially given the timing and the need for regulatory approvals. This, according to Stelter, is an obvious conclusion considering the circumstances.
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Following controversial comments made by Jimmy Kimmel about conservative activist Charlie Kirk’s assassination, ABC indefinitely suspended “Jimmy Kimmel Live!” triggering widespread backlash. Critics, including free speech advocates, condemned the move, citing it as a violation of free speech and a dangerous precedent for censoring commentary. The suspension prompted calls for boycotts of Disney and ABC on social media platforms, fueled by concerns of government censorship. The decision also came after FCC pressure and followed similar actions by ABC affiliate owners, including Nexstar Media Group and Sinclair Broadcasting.
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Poland reported increased activity of Russian and Belarusian drones attempting to breach its airspace, days after shooting down Russian drones earlier this month. This follows an incident that led Poland to invoke Article 4 of the NATO charter, prompting security discussions. Polish officials stated the border with Belarus will remain closed until it is deemed safe, given the heightened tensions. Analysts suggest these incursions may be attempts to test NATO’s defenses and resolve, and further training is needed to deal with these provocations.
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The Metropolitan Police have arrested three individuals suspected of spying for Russia. A 41-year-old man and a 35-year-old woman were apprehended in Grays, Essex, while a 46-year-old man was arrested at a separate address in the same area. All three were arrested under the National Security Act 2023, specifically for assisting a foreign intelligence service, with the alleged target country being Russia. They were taken to a London police station for further investigation.
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At Meta Connect, CEO Mark Zuckerberg showcased new technology, including updated Meta Ray-Bans, a neural wristband, and Meta Ray-Ban Display glasses with a heads-up display. During a demo of the Display glasses and neural wristband, technical difficulties arose when the devices failed to respond to hand gestures, resulting in a live call that did not connect. Further complicating matters, an AI assistant in the Ray-Ban Display glasses struggled to provide clear instructions during a live cooking demonstration. These incidents caused an array of reactions, despite Zuckerberg’s enthusiasm for the new products.
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John Q. Hosedrinker