Geopolitics
U.S. special envoy Tom Barrack told Gulf officials in Doha that America is no longer the world’s security guarantor of the past 80 years and that the shift is realignment, not abandonment. He said Gulf states should pursue regional partnerships such as the Saudi-Pakistan-Turkey pact. Allies have expressed concern about managing Iran after the conflict. Barrack added that the United States is not leaving and continues force buildups, including a third aircraft carrier.
The United Kingdom will deploy RAF Typhoon jets for so-called defensive counter-air missions protecting Saudi cities and infrastructure from Houthi missiles and drones. Defence Secretary Wes Streeting called the Riyadh airport attacks despicable. Saudi airports have been closed, Aramco sites damaged, and major events cancelled. Britain earlier pledged a refueling tanker. The United States has limited itself to intelligence sharing and advice. BBC News noted that the deployment would free up Saudi aircraft to carry out offensive strikes against the Houthis.
Economy
French 10-year bond yields reached 5 percent, a 24-year high, amid unrest that included looting, arson, and clashes. Moody’s is reviewing France’s Aa3 rating given a 5.4 percent-of-GDP deficit, debt at 119 percent of GDP and 2027 budget difficulties. The spread versus German bonds neared 160 basis points. Deutsche Bank ranked France the euro-area country most exposed to sovereign-debt risks. A Financial Times opinion piece asked whether France is “spinning out of control,” noting no balanced budget since 1974.
In the U.S., pending home sales fell 7.3 percent in September to a record low, versus a 3.9 percent expected decline. National Association of Realtors chief economist Lawrence Yun cited rapidly rising mortgage rates, with the 30-year fixed at 7.40 percent. The West recorded the steepest drop. Goldman Sachs economists expect housing activity to remain under pressure. Purchase-mortgage applications were down 16 percent from a year earlier.
Additionally, average new-car payments have reached $765 a month. Buyers have turned to longer loans or older models. Loans to weaker borrowers often extend into a vehicle’s second decade. Analysts have noted that aging collateral and rising delinquencies pose risks to the $1.7 trillion auto-loan market.
Energy
Japan’s average power prices rose more than 25 percent week-over-week to 31.15 yen per kilowatt-hour. Asian LNG for December delivery reached $29.30 per million British thermal units, a four-year high, as Hormuz cargoes remained limited and Europe competed for supply. Japan increased coal use (prices up 30 percent) while some plants underwent pre-winter maintenance.
European TTF gas prices exceeded 90 euros per megawatt-hour, levels last seen in 2022. Goldman Sachs projects 70 euros by year-end if Middle East supply recovers, or 150 euros if Gulf LNG exports stay at 25 percent of normal and winter is colder than average. The bank’s Brent base case is $90 a barrel, with $140 possible if Gulf output remains 5 million barrels a day below earlier levels. The Bloomberg Commodity Index has returned 36 percent this year.
In the U.S., President Trump announced an $8 billion Harvest Fuel Relief program to offset diesel costs averaging $6.18 per gallon, up $2.51 year-over-year. The Agriculture Department will apply a formula similar to the Farmer Bridge Assistance program. Secretary Brooke Rollins said the funds provide harvest certainty. Trump also cited record ethanol targets and a year-round E15 waiver that could become permanent with Republican midterm gains.
US Politics
Idaho prosecutors are seeking the death penalty by firing squad for Andrea Shaw, accused of murdering twins who died eight days after vaccinations on May 1, 2025. Shaw has denied the charges, citing a post-immunization-reaction diagnosis and continued illness. Her lawyer called the death-penalty request outrageous and noted sealed evidence. Children’s Health Defense counsel has joined the defense. Shaw is lead plaintiff in a lawsuit against the American Academy of Pediatrics over the childhood vaccine schedule. Prosecutors said experts ruled out vaccines as a cause of death and that charging documents indicated the children were suffocated.
Two polls listed the Iran conflict among leading midterm issues, behind the economy, corruption and health care but ahead of immigration and crime. A Fox poll found 75 percent of respondents very or extremely concerned and 60 percent opposed to military action. Those opposed favored Democrats by 56 points, according to the poll. An AP-NORC poll reported 62 percent naming it a top issue. President Trump’s foreign-policy approval stood at 33-35 percent. Some GOP candidates in close races have called for ending the conflict, citing gasoline prices linked to the Strait of Hormuz.
WNBA commissioner Cathy Engelbert stated that Enes Kanter Freedom and Royce White are men and therefore ineligible, because only women may play in the league. However, the 2026 collective-bargaining agreement does not define “woman.” Freedom asked how the league identifies men without defining women. White questioned the commissioner’s authority to reject his stated identity. The decisions followed an Indiana Fever player’s criticism of male participation in women’s sports and an incident in which league officials reprimanded a spectator for an XX/XY shirt. Reuters reported that league sources described the players’ announcements as an effort to sow division and court attention.
Reports indicate political appointees asked CISA to acquire a voting machine for White House review without notifying the vendor. CISA cybersecurity staff treated the request as a protocol violation, and the request ended after relevant personnel had been laid off. More than 1,000 CISA positions were eliminated (a one-third reduction), with an additional $700 million in cuts proposed. States received no midterm assistance. Some have withheld data after declassifications. A 13-page plan was released September 24.
Canadian Politics
Albertans voted 75 percent against beginning a separation process (25 percent in favor). However, eight of nine autonomy questions passed, including immigration control, voter-citizenship proof, and Senate-abolition efforts with other provinces. Opting out of some federal programs failed narrowly. Premier Smith welcomed a stronger Alberta in a united Canada. Separatists noted 470,000 process votes as a base. The People’s Party of Canada leader called the immigration results a rejection of open-border policies. Prime Minister Mark Carney said Albertans have chosen Canada and that the country is moving forward together with renewed purpose.
Sources
CISA Staffers Shocked by White House Request to Secretly Hack a Voting Machine
The proposition was shocking to CISA’s career staffers.
Source | Submitted by Shplad
French Bond Yields Hit 24-Year High as Far-Left Unrest and Fiscal Crisis Collide
The bond market sees social unrest, an approaching credit-rating review later this week, and a deficit crisis as severe problems that may have paralyzed the Macron government.
Japan’s Power Prices Jump 25% as LNG Hits Four-Year High
Japan’s average power prices jumped by over 25% at the start of this week from the previous week amid soaring LNG and higher coal prices.
Iran War Overtakes Immigration as Top Voter Concern in Midterm Polls
Significantly, the Iran war has surpassed immigration and crime, two issues on which President Donald Trump performed particularly well in 2024, among voters’ top concerns.
Trump Unveils $8 Billion Harvest Fuel Relief for Farmers as Diesel Costs Soar
President Donald Trump announced a new Department of Agriculture program offering $8 billion to farmers during harvest season, as rising diesel costs strain operations nationwide.
Pending Home Sales Crash to Record Low as Mortgage Rates Hammer Housing Market
“Market conditions weakened in September due to fast-rising mortgage rates,” says Lawrence Yun, NAR’s chief economist.
UK Typhoons to Saudi Skies: ‘Defensive’ Cover or Yemen Escalation?
The United Kingdom has on Tuesday announced yet more creeping escalation in the Yemen war.
EU Gas Hits 2022 Crisis Highs as Goldman Flags Path to 150 Euros
European gas prices (TTF) have topped 90 euros per megawatt-hour, the highest level since late 2022.
Alberta Stays in Canada but Votes to Curb Ottawa Overreach
Albertans have voted not to hold a future vote on whether or not the province should separate from Canada; however, most voted to increase provincial autonomy.
WNBA Can’t Define ‘Woman’ But Knows Kanter and White Are Men
With respect to your questions regarding eligibility, only women are eligible to play in the WNBA and the individuals you cite in your letter are both men.
Idaho Seeks Firing Squad for Mom After Twins Die 8 Days Post-Vaccines
Idaho prosecutors are seeking the death penalty for Andrea Shaw, accused of murdering her twin toddlers eight days after they received routine vaccinations.
$1.7 Trillion Auto Loans Head for a Crash as Buyers Stretch Into a Vehicle’s Second Decade
The $1.7 trln auto loan market heads for a crash
Trump Envoy to Gulf Allies: U.S. Won’t Police the Middle East Forever
“America as the guarantor to the world, for the last 80 years, it is no longer there,”
Source (Paywalled)
In addition to sources submitted by community members, the following were also used in the creation of this report: ProPublica, Reuters, The Epoch Times, @Montel_Energy, eju.tv, The Washington Post, and BBC News.
by larrythelogger 
