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Trump Suspends New Russia Sanctions as Tensions With Ukraine Deepen

Syndicated Content — Sat, 17 Oct 2026 08:21:04 +0000

President Donald Trump has suspended a new round of U.S. sanctions against Russia, just two days before the measures were scheduled to take effect on October 18, 2026.

According to CNN, Trump signed an executive order on October 16 waiving sanctions and tariffs established under legislation he signed into law on September 18. The president justified the decision as being in the national interest of the United States.

The legislation, named after the late Senator Lindsey Graham, was designed to increase economic pressure on Moscow over its ongoing war in Ukraine. It included penalties targeting Russian financial institutions, energy-related businesses, and countries purchasing Russian oil and gas.

The decision comes amid growing tensions between Washington and Kyiv. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has criticized recent U.S. efforts to ease restrictions on Russian energy exports while Russian attacks on Ukrainian infrastructure continue.

The move has also raised concerns among American lawmakers and European allies who support maintaining economic pressure on Moscow.

Existing sanctions imposed under separate presidential authorities remain in place, while several new restrictions have been waived.

Arthur Purves and His Run for Congress in VA-11

Nathan Brinkman — Fri, 16 Oct 2026 17:33:57 +0000

By Jeffrey A. Leach

Recently I sat down with Arthur Purves of Vienna, who is running for Congress in Virginia’s 11th Congressional District, to ask him what voters should know about him and what sets him apart.

Born just after the second world war in Allied-occupied Germany, where his father served in the U.S. occupation government, Arthur moved with his family to DC in 1953. He first developed an interest in politics during the Eisenhower-Stevenson campaign in 1956. After high school, he attended the University of Pennsylvania, where he earned an MBA from the Wharton School and an MS degree from the engineering school.

Arthur married his wife Carol in 1973, and in 1976 the couple moved to Vienna, where they raised two children. Arthur was a computer programmer for 40 years, a career he enjoyed. He and Carol were also active in their church and volunteered extensively, including at the Fairfax County Public Schools that their children attended. Arthur has also served as the President of Fairfax County Taxpayers Alliance for 30 years. Carol, sadly, passed away in 2019.

When asked what a congressman from our district should focus on at the national level, Arthur quickly replied, “Our out-of-control federal spending,” warning that we are headed towards a financial collapse worse than that of 1929. He pointed to the $40 trillion debt, $2 trillion annual deficits, and the $1 trillion interest on the debt. Excessive federal spending causes high inflation, and the mounting 10-year treasury yields drive up mortgage rates.

Not only does Arthur say that he is the only candidate not side-stepping the pending economic disaster, but also that he is the only one providing a solution, one that “slashes trillions of dollars of spending without cutting a program.” He notes that of the $7 trillion that the U.S. spent last year, around $2 trillion was on healthcare. Why? Because America has a chronic disease epidemic: per RealFood.gov, 50% of Americans have diabetes, 75% of adults report having one chronic condition, and 90% of healthcare spending is on chronic disease. Key contributors to the epidemic are the thousands of unregulated chemicals in our ultra-processed food and the old federal high-carb, lean-meat food pyramid, which was, in fact, a prescription for diabetes. Chronic disease is bankrupting federal and state governments and is a hardship for local governments, businesses, and families.

Arthur’s solution? Stop chronic disease by eating real food, as Americans did a hundred years ago: eggs, saturated fats, and red meat, along with fruits, vegetables, and whole grains. Follow the new food pyramid. This solution requires policing additives and educating citizens, neither of which will be easy since Big Food and Big Pharma have financial incentives in making and keeping us sick. Their lobbies spend more than $1 million per senator and representative.

On international issues, Arthur says that the Iran war has proven that Iran wants the atomic bomb. Cries of “Death to America!” and “Death to Israel!” should be taken seriously, since the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps currently controlling Iran has fomented war against both the US and Israel, and shown by its missile strike on Diego Garcia that Israel and Europe are already within striking distance.

That the IRGC slaughtered tens of thousands of protesters shows that its religious fanaticism devalues life (and that gun control is an effective tool for violently suppressing dissent).

Iran is a tough opponent. History teaches us that the longer we take to oppose tough opponents (like Hitler in the Sudetenland), the worse the conflict.

For all these reasons we should support the President in his actions against the IRGC and resist Democratic support for the regime.

While recognizing that the earth’s climate is warming and that humans may be part of the cause, Arthur opposes costly climate alarmism. Democrats have no evidence of a climate crisis due to rising CO2. “The Democrats are hypocrites when they criticize the Iran war for raising oil prices,” said Arthur. “The Democrats want high oil prices to get people off of fossil fuels.” As to where he obtains his climate data, Arthur pointed to Hot Talk, Cold Science, by Fred Singer and Climate4You.com.

Arthur thinks the Democrats do not want to enforce immigration law or even deport illegal alien criminals, but that, instead of saying this explicitly, they encourage obstruction of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), which is dangerous to officers and protesters alike. He supports vetting immigrants at entry points in a closed border.

With respect to running a political campaign in our polarized country, Arthur says: “I have made it a goal . . . to always be civil, collegial with my opponents.” He spoke in friendly terms of past rivals, such as Janet Howell, Jeff McKay, and Stu Gibson, who beat him in various past campaigns.

Finally, I asked Arthur if there was any other topic he’d like to address. “The importance of faith in God,” he replied. “Edmund Burke said, ‘Men are qualified for civil liberty in exact proportion to their disposition to put moral chains upon their appetites.’ We need divine help to rein in our passions and appetites, to defer gratification, to be our brother’s keeper, and to overcome greed,” the cause of many of the problems he seeks to resolve.

The final day for voting in Virginia’s 11th Congressional District is November 3, 2026.

This article was submitted to WMAL by Jeffrey A. Leach, who resides in Northern Virginia. A graduate of Oxford and UVA, he is a member of the District of Columbia and Virginia bar associations.

HHS Proposes Letting Pharmacies Make Peptides

Nathan Brinkman — Fri, 16 Oct 2026 14:53:09 +0000

By Mary McCue Bell (The Washington Times)

The Department of Health and Human Services is aiming to let pharmacies compound certain peptides, according to a filing posted Thursday.

The department submitted the policy plan to the White House for consideration after a Food and Drug Administration panel recommended in July to loosen restrictions on six of seven peptides under review.

Peptides are short chains of amino acids that act as building blocks for proteins. While certain synthetic peptides such as insulin or GLP-1 drugs are FDA-approved and clinically tested, many trending peptides promoted online lack extensive human trials.

Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has said U.S. compounding pharmacies must be allowed to sell peptides because Americans are increasingly buying “gray market” versions made in China and other countries.

Pharmacies are legally permitted to mix, alter or combine ingredients to create custom medications when a patient has a medical need that can’t be met by an FDA-approved commercial drug.

The filing does not say which peptides the policy would cover. Two people familiar with the plan told The Associated Press it includes BPC-157, which is promoted for muscle building and injury recovery.

In July, an FDA panel recommended that HHS add six peptides to its list of substances pharmacies can compound: BPC-157, KPV, TB-500, MOTS-c, epitalon and semax. It voted against a seventh, emideltide.

Eight of the panel’s members were recently appointed under Mr. Kennedy’s department, and six of them run or work for clinics that offer peptides, according to multiple reports.

FDA staff recommended against adding any of the seven peptides to the compounding list, citing evidence on their safety and effectiveness.

Risks include contamination, allergic reactions and tumor growth, according to the FDA.

This article was made available to WMAL via The Washington Times.

DHS Records Best Year Ever at Southern Border

Nathan Brinkman — Fri, 16 Oct 2026 14:37:10 +0000

By Stephen Dinan (The Washington Times)

The Department of Homeland Security closed out fiscal year 2026 with its best numbers ever at the southwestern border, with only a trickle of illegal immigrants detected — and not a single one given a catch-and-release.

DHS said Friday that the Border Patrol recorded a 95% drop in apprehensions over the last 12 months, compared to the Biden administration.

That’s the lowest number on record.

And for the 17th straight month, every single one of the migrants who was caught was either immediately returned to Mexico, detained by DHS or shipped to another authority for detention or prosecution.

By contrast, during some months under President Biden, the Border Patrol would catch-and-release 100,000 migrants, allowing them to seep deeper into American communities.

“President Trump promised the American people a secure border, and the data proves he delivered,” said DHS Secretary Markwayne Mullin.

He’s operating under the same laws that the Biden administration had. But where the past administration sought reasons for leniency, the Trump team tilts toward enforcement.

With Mr. Trump’s border emergency declarations, increased capacity to detain illegal border crossers and restricted access to asylum, the new administration has undercut the incentives that spurred would-be illegal immigrants to attempt crossing.

Fewer people means fewer border deaths. DHS said that figure is down nearly 80% under Mr. Trump, compared to the Biden administration.

The lower rate of crossing has also hit the smuggling cartels, who specialize in drugs but also control the flow of people. DHS said they have been “disrupted.”

This article was made available to WMAL via The Washington Times.

Tragedy at Oregon Elementary School Leaves 4 Dead and 2 Injured

Nathan Brinkman — Fri, 16 Oct 2026 08:42:20 +0000

Three children and a teacher were killed Thursday, October 15, in a shooting at Silver Rail Elementary School in Bend, Oregon. Two other people were critically injured.

Reuters confirmed the initial death toll, while local authorities later identified the victims as children ages 5, 8, and 11, along with a teacher.

Police said the suspected shooter was a 16-year-old boy who entered the school after firing through locked doors. An armed community member who witnessed the incident followed the teenager into the building and fatally shot him before officers arrived.

A 7-year-old student and another teacher were taken to a hospital with critical injuries.

Bend Police Chief Mike Krantz said officers responded within minutes, secured the building, and provided emergency assistance to those injured.

Oregon Governor Tina Kotek expressed condolences to the victims’ families and acknowledged the community member who intervened.

The shooting prompted an emergency response involving local police and federal investigators. Authorities are continuing to investigate the circumstances surrounding the attack, including what may have motivated the teenager.

Trump Announces Plans for New Military ‘Super Range’ in Montana

Nathan Brinkman — Thu, 15 Oct 2026 06:12:53 +0000

President Donald Trump has announced plans to establish a new military testing facility in Montana, expanding the state’s role in advanced defense technology.

The announcement came during a campaign rally in Kalispell on October 14, 2026. According to Reuters, Trump described the proposed facility as a “super range” designed to test emerging military systems, including autonomous weapons, space technology, electronic warfare equipment, and supersonic and hypersonic weapons.

The planned facility would support the development and evaluation of technologies used in modern military operations.

Montana already hosts the Montana Spaceport & Test Range and the affiliated Limestone Hills Innovation & Test Campus, which support aerospace and defense testing. Trump did not specify whether the new facility would connect with those existing operations.

The announcement was made during Trump’s campaign tour supporting Republican candidates ahead of the November 3 midterm elections.

Additional details, including the project’s exact location, construction timeline, and estimated cost, have not been announced.

Greenland Energy Exploration Moves Ahead Following U.S. Agreement

Nathan Brinkman — Wed, 14 Oct 2026 06:18:09 +0000

President Donald Trump says large-scale oil, natural gas, and mineral exploration is preparing to begin in Greenland, bringing renewed attention to the Arctic island’s natural resources.

The announcement came Wednesday, October 14, with Reuters reporting that Trump outlined the plans in a statement on Truth Social. He suggested Greenland could contain exceptionally large quantities of easily accessible oil, citing unnamed experts.

However, Trump did not provide details about the companies involved, exploration locations, or when operations would begin.

The announcement follows a September agreement between the United States, Denmark and Greenland, designed to reduce tensions after Trump’s previous efforts to gain control of the island.

The agreement expands the American military presence in Greenland, allowing for two additional military bases and the planned deployment of the Golden Dome missile defense system.

It also reaffirms Denmark’s sovereignty and Greenland’s right to self-determination.

Trump emphasized Greenland’s strategic importance to U.S. national security, describing its location as essential for defending against potential missile and drone attacks.

Specific details about the proposed energy exploration remain unconfirmed.

Trump’s New Press Secretary Takes the White House Podium

Nathan Brinkman — Tue, 13 Oct 2026 17:29:16 +0000

By Tom Howell Jr. (The Washington Times)

Katie Zacharia made her debut as President Trump’s press secretary Tuesday, fielding questions from a briefing-room podium that’s been relatively dormant since Karoline Leavitt left the post in August.

Ms. Zacharia is stepping into the role in the heat of the midterm campaign. She is responsible for defending Mr. Trump against unrelenting attacks from his Democratic foes and promoting his agenda as Republicans fight to keep their majorities in the House and Senate.

At the podium, Ms. Zacharia said she always wanted to work for Mr. Trump.

“I’m looking forward to working with each of you as well, especially as we are in the middle of a midterm blitz, with energy and excitement never seen before in the history of midterms, thanks to President Trump,” she said.

Speaking slowly from prepared remarks, Ms. Zacharia outlined a series of accomplishments, including Mr. Trump’s efforts to slash prescription drug prices and secure foreign investments.

Ms. Zacharia’s first briefing was brief, clocking in at about 15 minutes. She said they had to run because Mr. Trump was traveling to Alaska.

The new press secretary took a few relatively friendly questions, though made news by saying Mr. Trump demanded Kimberly Guilfoyle’s resignation because of improper conduct as ambassador to Greece.

Pressed by a Fox News reporter on whether the U.S. stopped sharing intelligence with Ukraine, Ms. Zacharia said she would have to “get back to” the press on that matter.

Ms. Zacharia spoke about her husband and four children, noting they planned to move to Washington from California.

“President Trump is the most family-friendly president we have ever had,” she said.

Ms. Zacharia officially started the job on Monday.

She will walk a tricky tightrope as Mr. Trump’s chief spokeswoman with the press. Mr. Trump craves the limelight, but he uses the press as a foil and says the mainstream media won’t give him a fair shake.

Mr. Trump recently banned CNN, MS NOW and Politico from White House grounds, though a court reversed the ban while litigation proceeds.

Ms. Zacharia is a conservative commentator who’s made frequent appearances on Fox News and briefly served as a spokeswoman for the Department of Homeland Security.

She served as a communications adviser for the Trump Media & Technology Group, which operates Truth Social, and general counsel and legal advisor for Fix California, an organization focused on advancing conservative policies, according to her LinkedIn profile.

“Katie has been with me, in spirit, from the very beginning, and will do a fantastic job!” Mr. Trump said on social media.

After her first briefing, Mr. Trump said she did “very good.”

Ms. Zacharia replaced Ms. Leavitt, who served as press secretary from the start of Mr. Trump’s second term to August of this year.

Ms. Leavitt’s last formal press briefing was July 23, and she addressed reporters for the last time in a White House driveway gaggle on Aug. 27.

White House press briefings have been rare since then, even as the GOP tries to sell its America First agenda of tax cuts, deregulation and investment in domestic manufacturing.

Vice President J.D. Vance appeared at the podium on Sept. 3, and Attorney General Todd Blanche hosted a briefing on Sept. 15.

This article was made available to WMAL via The Washington Times.

Kimberly Guilfoyle Resigns as Ambassador to Greece

Nathan Brinkman — Tue, 13 Oct 2026 17:12:20 +0000

By Vaughn Cockayne (The Washington Times)

U.S. Ambassador to Greece Kimberly Guilfoyle stepped down Tuesday after the White House asked for her resignation over allegations of improper conduct during her time at the embassy.

In her resignation statement, Ms. Guilfoyle rejected accusations that she had abused her position in the Trump administration and vowed to defend her name.

“While my time as Ambassador may be coming to an end, my commitment to President Trump, the America First movement, and the country I love will never end,” she wrote on X.

White House Press Secretary Katie Zacharia announced on Tuesday that Ms. Guilfoyle had been asked to resign.

“We have asked Ambassador Guilfoyle to resign. She has been a wonderful asset to the team, and we wish her well,” Ms. Zacharia told reporters during a press briefing.

She did not offer a timeline for replacing Ms. Guilfoyle.

President Trump, who nominated Ms. Guilfoyle to the ambassadorship last year, said Monday that he was “looking” at whether to fire her following several Wall Street Journal articles that alleged misconduct.

“We’re not happy,” Mr. Trump told reporters.

Ms. Guilfoyle was one of the first ambassadors appointed during Mr. Trump’s second term. Before that, she was a Fox News Channel host and was previously engaged to Donald Trump Jr.

The Journal reported last week that Ms. Guilfoyle had used her influence in the administration to solicit $100,000 from a prominent Trump donor to pay off her American Express card ahead of her Senate confirmation hearing last summer.

The outlet also reported allegations that Ms. Guilfoyle told a Greek official that the U.S. could subvert the country’s government if it chose to, and gave a private audience to lobbyists from a Greek construction company.

Other allegations, first reported in U.K. tabloid The Daily Mail, said that Ms. Guilfoyle exhibited “tyrannical” behavior while leading the embassy and threatened staff.

Ms. Guilfoyle on Tuesday rejected the allegations and said she will defend her name.

Secretary of State Marco Rubio, who traveled to Greece last week as part of a diplomatic trip and met with Ms. Guilfoyle at the U.S. embassy, cast doubt on the allegations and called her a “strong ambassador.”

“You guys walk around thinking that because some source told you something and you reported it, it’s the gospel. It’s not the gospel. It’s not the gospel for me. That’s not the way we do things,” Mr. Rubio told reporters.

Late last week, reports suggested that the State Department’s Inspector General was considering opening a probe into the allegations against Ms. Guilfoyle. It remains unclear if the IG has opened an official investigation.

This article was made available to WMAL via The Washington Times.

China Expands AI Data Centers as Tech Race With US Intensifies

Nathan Brinkman — Tue, 13 Oct 2026 07:41:49 +0000

China is accelerating construction of massive data centers as competition with the United States over artificial intelligence continues to grow.

A CNN report published October 13 highlights developments in Ulanqab, Inner Mongolia, where nearly 90 data center projects are planned. The area offers affordable land, access to renewable energy, and a climate that helps reduce cooling costs.

The expansion is part of China’s broader effort to strengthen its AI infrastructure. Beijing has announced a $560 billion initiative covering computing and information systems over five years.

China’s construction efforts also benefit from government coordination and fewer local development obstacles than some projects face in the United States.

However, building more facilities does not automatically translate into greater computing capabilities. US export restrictions continue to limit Chinese companies’ access to advanced AI processors, while American technology firms maintain significant advantages in computing resources and investment.

The growing demand for electricity also makes renewable energy an important consideration for both countries.

China’s expansion illustrates how infrastructure, energy availability, and access to advanced technology have become central factors in the global AI competition.