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October 11: Trump Press Pool Investigation and Iran’s Surviving Weapons Factories
In Stoke-on-Trent
Staffordshire Police say four people have been arrested on suspicion of murder after a man in his late teens was found dead in Meir late Friday. Another man in his late teens remains in hospital with serious injuries and is in stable condition. Those in custody are a 17-year-old boy, two 18-year-old men and a 20-year-old man. The boy also faces suspicion of attempted murder. Detectives are seeking witnesses and footage.
White House press coverage
The U.S. Justice Department is investigating whether ABC, CBS, CNN, NBC and Fox News violated antitrust law by briefly suspending pooled television coverage of President Trump last month. An agency spokesperson said the halt followed the White House barring CNN, MS Now and Politico. The spokesperson said group boycotts by competitors might violate U.S. law. The New York Times reports that officials contacted the networks Friday, demanding communications and materials about the pool, which shares filming responsibilities and distributes footage to other outlets.
In the Middle East
Trump condemned a deadly Houthi attack on Riyadh airport in Saudi Arabia and said the United States is evaluating whether to join Saudi attacks on the Houthis.
Meanwhile, unnamed Western officials tell Bloomberg that Iran has preserved its missile and drone factories despite months of U.S. and Israeli bombing. They say Tehran can replenish its arsenal; one official described substantial ballistic-missile stocks and some anti-ship weapons. Bloomberg also reports that Trump is holding off on strikes ahead of the midterm elections.
Russia sanctions and fuel prices
The New York Times reports that Trump announced a deal with Russia that undercuts U.S. sanctions on Moscow, under pressure to curb soaring diesel prices. The paper says the Iran war has clogged a vital oil-shipping corridor, making energy costs a Republican midterm liability. The campaigns of Michigan Senate candidate Mike Rogers and Alaska Senator Dan Sullivan expressed disapproval of the agreement.
California wealth taxes
Governor Gavin Newsom is endorsing a measure aimed at prohibiting wealth taxes, the Wall Street Journal reports. He has long opposed a separate ballot measure that would tax billionaires’ wealth.
Two Pennsylvania shootings
In Philadelphia, a city employee has been charged with murder in the shooting death of police officer Shane Seiber. Another officer was injured, and a suspect was apprehended.
Separately, authorities say a man killed eight people at his home in Erie before taking his own life. Those killed included a pregnant woman, children and other relatives.
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