Salem News Channel

LONDON/WASHINGTON, Oct 5 (Reuters) - US Vice President JD Vance said on Monday that the decision to move B-1 bombers from a British airbase was done out of an abundance of caution after a suspected Iranian plot at the site last week. The planes had been stationed at RAF Fairford, the preferred European base for US bombers, and had recently been used in US strikes on Iran. Last week, five British men were arrested near the base - which Iran's Revolutionary Guards previously said was a legitimate target - on suspicion of preparing terrorist acts. "So, what you saw there is the Secretary of War, out of an abundance of caution, trying to protect our guys," Vance said as he left Washington for a trip to Alaska. "We do feel with some confidence that the Iranians are, you know, they're trying to do what the Iranian state has done for 49 years, which is engaged in acts of terrorism against the United States (and others), so we are being extremely cautious, and that's all I'd say about that." Earlier, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said there was no direct link between the sudden removal of the bombers and the suspected Iranian plot. He said the Pentagon is "constantly reallocating resources where they need to be." A NATO military source had said on Monday: "It is still believed that Iran poses an acute threat to US assets in the UK". While much about the incident remains unexplained, British Prime Minister Andy Burnham said any plot was likely backed by Iran. Iran has said accusations that it was involved in any plot are baseless, and Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi wrote on X: "I can confirm Iran's belief that releasing supposed terrorists working for foreign states really says it all. You're barking up the wrong tree." KEY AIR BASE FOR US STRIKES Rubio said on Monday the US had confidence in the security of all its bases. Fairford, located 90 miles (145 km) west of London, is one of the most important in Europe for the US, being one of only a few suitable for heavy bombers such as the B-1 aircraft. It has played a key role in previous US campaigns in the Middle East, although its bombers are not stationed there permanently. During the current conflict, the US had permission to use Fairford only to strike Iranian missile sites that were attacking ships in the Strait of Hormuz, or so-called defensive strikes. London had refused permission for the US to use British bases for offensive strikes on Iran. That approach has strained ties between the US and Britain, typically one of Washington's closest allies. A Pentagon official confirmed on Sunday that all US bombers which had been deployed to Fairford had headed to their home stations in the US. The Pentagon said the US bomber force remained ready to deliver precision global strike capabilities "anywhere, anytime". The New York Times, citing two US officials, said the US had rushed over the weekend to move the bombers after commanders received new threats about an Iran-backed plot. It said some of the planes had left while aerial refuelling aircraft were still being scrambled. A US official declined to comment. The British government also declined to comment, although a spokesman for Burnham said the base was safe. Christoph Bergs, research analyst at defence think tank the Royal United Services Institute, said the redeployment would in the short term reduce US capacity "to quickly surge sorties against Iran, reducing the threat level somewhat". But he noted that use of Fairford was already limited given London's stipulation on defensive strikes. The aircraft could now potentially be sent to either Diego Garcia or bases in the Gulf, to reduce the need for more air-to-air refuelling to cover the additional distance, but that would depend on capacity availability, negotiations with allies and security, he added. TRUMP SAID PLOT WAS FOR 'BIG DAMAGE' In the early hours of September 27, five British men in their 20s were arrested after being seen running into fields from three white vans parked near the base. Police said no explosive devices were found but a quantity of petrol was present. The men have since been released on bail. A sixth man, a dual UK-Iranian national arrested on suspicion of preparing terrorist acts four days later, has also been released on bail. US President Donald Trump said at the time of the first arrests that the plot had planned "big damage" and that it might have been connected to Iran. Trump later said he would not have released the suspects on bail. A senior NATO military official said the removal of the bombers would have no impact on the alliance: "NATO's defensive agility towards any aggression remains unchanged and unmatched thanks to the unity, strength, and combined capabilities of 32 nations." The Wall Street Journal first reported the removal of the US bombers.

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The mansion tax in Los Angeles, introduced to tackle the housing crisis by taxing high-value property sales, has resulted in a significant reduction in housing production. Research from Rand estimates a 30% drop in large apartment developments, leading to over 9,100 fewer housing units, including about 1,000 affordable homes. Developers argue that the tax makes projects financially unviable, with one developer abandoning plans for nearly 100 apartments due to the tax burden. This trend raises concerns about the broader implications of such tax policies, which are being considered in various states across the nation. The discussion highlights the unintended consequences of taxing housing, suggesting that while the intention was to increase affordability, the outcome may be a significant decrease in available housing units.

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(Nashville, TN) -- Christa Pike remains unconscious and on a ventilator after Tennessee's failed attempt to execute her. Her attorneys say in a court filing that Pike was intubated and on a ventilator Thursday night at a Nashville-area hospital. They say she remains critically ill as doctors work to clear the execution drug from her system. Pike survived two doses of pentobarbital during last Wednesday's failed execution. Her attorneys are asking the state to preserve evidence from the execution and commute her death sentence to life in prison.

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(San Diego, CA) -- The USS Abraham Lincoln is expected to arrive home this week. About 40 of the helicopter strike squadron flew off the ship and returned to San Diego last Friday. There are approximately five-thousand sailors on board. The Navy says the crew played a critical role during their deployment in the Middle East, which lasted more than 286 days without a port stop. There are rumors President Trump will be in San Diego for the return of the ship, but that is not yet confirmed by the White House.

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(Chicago, IL) -- Former Speaker of the House Dennis Hastert is dead at the age of 84. He passed away due to natural causes over the weekend, according to the Kendall County, Illinois coroner. The Republican became the highest-ranking elected U.S. official to ever serve a prison sentence in 2016. He was sentenced to 15 months after being convicted over hush money payments made to cover up his sexual abuse of teenage boys during his time as a high school wrestling coach. Hastert represented Illinois in Congress from 1987 to 2007.

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(Grand Island, NE) -- President Trump is visiting Nebraska today with the midterm elections just one month away. He's slated to speak to supporters at a rally in Grand Island where he'll appear alongside Republican Senator Pete Ricketts as he campaigns for re-election. Over the weekend, the president headlined a rally in Ohio where he claimed that if Democrats gain power in November, the country will see the worst inflation in U.S. history.

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Authorities in Central Florida are investigating after a school bus rolled over the morning of Oct. 5 leaving at least two people, including a high school student, dead. The crash involved a Winter Haven High School bus and two other vehicles and took place about 6:15 a.m. ET, Polk County. Other injuries have been reported.

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In this segment, the discussion revolves around a civil lawsuit filed by a former Cornell University student alleging she was drugged and sexually assaulted by seven members of a fraternity. The incident took place in October 2024, and the accused men have denied any wrongdoing. The case has been reopened with New York Attorney General Letitia James appointed as a special prosecutor. Critics argue that James's prior comments on social media about the incident may compromise her impartiality. The conversation also touches on comments by Michelle Cottle, a New York Times columnist, who blamed the incident on a culture she attributes to former President Donald Trump, despite the incident occurring while Joe Biden was president. The discussion highlights concerns about political bias influencing analysis and the tendency to attribute societal issues to political figures.

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The 2026 election battle is already taking shape, with both parties preparing to use every available political and electoral tool. At the same time, new proposals involving voter turnout, government payments and benefits are fueling accusations, criticism and concerns about political optics.

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A dispute over daylight saving time has grown into a broader clash over political pressure, Senate independence, and the limits of party loyalty—raising questions about whether bipartisan cooperation can survive the confrontation.

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It's interesting, isn't it, how so many things that the Left tells us never happen, keep happening? Case in point: Illegal voting by non-citizens, which Democrats insist, as the electoral house burns all around them, that is all fine, everything is fine, there isn't enough illegal voting to worry about.

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A concerning incident at an anti-plague research facility in Siberia has raised questions about biosafety and transparency. A researcher working at the facility died, and despite initial reports suggesting a possible plague infection, Russian authorities have stated that no plague organisms were detected, and the cause of death was pneumonia of unknown origin. However, the significant measures taken, such as quarantining potentially hundreds of people and shutting down major hospitals for three weeks, indicate a serious concern among authorities. Dr. Robert Malone, a physician and scientist, has been analyzing the situation, noting that while the official narrative denies a plague outbreak, there are discrepancies that warrant further investigation. The situation is reminiscent of the COVID-19 origins debate, highlighting the need for transparent and thorough investigations in such critical scenarios. The discussion also touches on the potential for engineered pathogens and the importance of international cooperation in handling such incidents.

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This video delves into the pivotal legal debate over whether state and local governments can use state law lawsuits to seek damages from energy companies for alleged climate harms and greenhouse gas emissions. With nearly 30 similar climate lawsuits filed across the country, the outcome could significantly influence energy producers, consumers, and the future of climate policy. Steve Milloy, a policy fellow at the Energy and Environment Legal Institute and a former member of the Trump EPA transition team, provides his insights. He explains that climate is inherently a federal issue and argues that if these lawsuits proceed, energy costs will rise, ultimately affecting everyone. The Supreme Court's decision will be crucial in determining whether climate litigation continues in state courts or shifts to federal courts, potentially impacting various industries beyond fossil fuels.

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In this interview, Hans Von Spakovsky, Senior Legal Fellow at Advancing American Freedom, discusses several pressing legal issues. First, he addresses the case of an Oklahoma National Guard member arrested in Washington, DC, for having a personal firearm, despite being legally allowed to carry it in his home state. Von Spakovsky argues that prosecuting this case could set a significant precedent for challenging DC's restrictive gun laws. Next, the conversation shifts to the Cornell University sexual assault case where seven students have been accused but not criminally charged. Von Spakovsky questions the credibility of the accuser who initially stated that the encounter was consensual but later filed a civil suit. He warns against potential political and social pressures influencing the District Attorney's decision to pursue criminal charges. Von Spakovsky also talks about the Vera Montage Supreme Court case, which focuses on the legality of bans on semi-automatic rifles, commonly referred to as assault weapons. He stresses the importance of this case in determining the extent to which states can regulate firearms based on appearance rather than function. Additionally, he explains the significance of the SAVE database, which helps verify voter citizenship, and criticizes the injunction that prevented states from using it. Von Spakovsky also touches upon the ethical concerns surrounding the leak of a Supreme Court draft opinion, emphasizing the need for accountability. This discussion provides insightful analysis on various legal matters, offering perspectives on gun control, sexual assault allegations, firearm regulations, and election integrity.

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In this interview, Hans Von Spakovsky, Senior Legal Fellow at Advancing American Freedom, discusses several pressing legal issues. First, he addresses the case of an Oklahoma National Guard member arrested in Washington, DC, for having a personal firearm, despite being legally allowed to carry it in his home state. Von Spakovsky argues that prosecuting this case could set a significant precedent for challenging DC's restrictive gun laws. Next, the conversation shifts to the Cornell University sexual assault case where seven students have been accused but not criminally charged. Von Spakovsky questions the credibility of the accuser who initially stated that the encounter was consensual but later filed a civil suit. He warns against potential political and social pressures influencing the District Attorney's decision to pursue criminal charges. Von Spakovsky also talks about the Vera Montage Supreme Court case, which focuses on the legality of bans on semi-automatic rifles, commonly referred to as assault weapons. He stresses the importance of this case in determining the extent to which states can regulate firearms based on appearance rather than function. Additionally, he explains the significance of the SAVE database, which helps verify voter citizenship, and criticizes the injunction that prevented states from using it. Von Spakovsky also touches upon the ethical concerns surrounding the leak of a Supreme Court draft opinion, emphasizing the need for accountability. This discussion provides insightful analysis on various legal matters, offering perspectives on gun control, sexual assault allegations, firearm regulations, and election integrity.

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Lieutenant Colonel Tony Shaffer joins us to discuss the terrifying incident aboard FlyDubai flight 1073, where the copilot attempted to crash the plane. Shaffer examines how the copilot, who had been previously banned from flying, managed to get back into a cockpit, raising serious security questions. They delve into potential state sponsorship and whether this could have been a terrorist attack. Shaffer also addresses the broader implications for airline security and the ongoing threats facing international flights. Later, Shaffer talks about the growing pressure on Iran's oil exports and the potential economic collapse of the Iranian regime. With significant military and economic pressure being applied, Shaffer explains what signs might indicate the beginning of the end for the Iranian government. Additionally, Shaffer discusses the Pentagon's intensified fight against drug trafficking in Central and South America, including the targeting of drug smuggling vessels in international waters. He clarifies the legal basis for these operations and emphasizes the importance of defunding criminal organizations that undermine rule of law.

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Dr. Stanley Goldfarb, former professor of medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, joins us to discuss the ongoing debate over medical school admissions. He argues that medical schools should focus on intellectual ability, work ethic, and individual qualifications rather than race or ethnicity. Dr. Goldfarb participated in a debate at the University of South Florida, asserting that there is no valid legal argument for considering race in admissions following the 2023 Supreme Court ruling. He debunks the myth that having doctors of the same race as their patients improves health outcomes and emphasizes that standardized tests and GPAs are the best predictors of medical school success. Dr. Goldfarb also discusses how some medical schools use indirect methods to consider race, despite legal prohibitions, and stresses the importance of merit-based healthcare and medical education for the quality of patient care.

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Newly released FBI records are revealing more about Thomas Matthew Crooks, the gunman behind the 2024 assassination attempt against President Donald Trump in Butler, Pennsylvania. The documents show Crooks exchanged messages with unidentified contacts before the attack, including communications involving 3D-printed parts. Records also show Crooks had previously attempted to build a 3D-printed handgun. Read the full story at Townhall.com.

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President Donald Trump is vowing to pursue legislation that would impose the death penalty on large-scale drug dealers, human traffickers and people convicted of killing police officers. Trump made the pledge during a rally in Ohio while outlining his public safety priorities. "We will pass the death penalty," Trump told supporters as he discussed his administration's approach to violent crime and drug trafficking.

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The U.S. Supreme Court reconvenes today with several high-profile cases on the docket. Justices will first hear arguments in a Colorado case over whether lawsuits seeking to hold fossil fuel companies responsible for climate change can proceed in state courts. The high court will also consider whether federal courts have the authority to review certain disputes involving veterans' benefits.

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