The National Pulse

5 hours ago

Crime

Immigration

Illegals Face Execution for Shooting Pregnant Teen, Killing Unborn Baby.

Two illegal immigrants in Texas face capital murder charges for shooting a pregnant 17-year-old and killing her unborn child.

PULSE POINTS

❓ WHAT HAPPENED: Two illegal immigrants, Yeremy Alexander Zapata Aleman, 17, and Keyner Ariel Calero Jiron, 20, from Honduras and Nicaragua, respectively, have been charged with capital murder after allegedly shooting a pregnant 17-year-old in Dallas, Texas. The victim’s unborn child died as a result of the shooting, which occurred after a verbal altercation at a 7-Eleven parking lot escalated into a drive-by attack.

📍 WHEN & WHERE: The drive-by took place on May 3 at around 12:40 AM in Dallas, Texas.

📺 DETAIL: According to reports, the suspects followed the victim and another person after a confrontation at the parking lot. Shots were fired from the suspects’ vehicle, hitting the pregnant teen and her unborn baby. Police later pursued Calero Jiron, who crashed his vehicle, leading to his arrest. Cocaine, MDMA, and illegal firearms were reportedly found in the car. The victim, 22 weeks pregnant, underwent an emergency cesarean section, but her child did not survive.

🎯 IMPACT: If convicted, the suspects could face the death penalty under Texas law. The case highlights ongoing concerns about violent crimes involving illegal immigrants and has reignited calls for the Trump administration to deliver mass deportations.

📈 DATA: Both suspects face additional charges, including multiple counts of felony aggravated assault and possession of illegal substances. Calero Jiron also faces charges for unlawfully carrying a weapon.

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Two illegal immigrants in Texas face capital murder charges for shooting a pregnant 17-year-old and killing her unborn child.

6 hours ago

News

Politics

Mississippi Governor Backs Off Redistricting Before Midterms.

Republican Governor Tate Reeves has suggested that Mississippi will not redraw its congressional maps before the 2026 midterms.

PULSE POINTS

❓ WHAT HAPPENED: Mississippi will not redraw its congressional maps before the 2026 midterms, according to Governor Tate Reeves (R).

📺 DETAIL: In a post on X (formerly Twitter) on Wednesday, Governor Reeves announced that he expected Mississippi lawmakers to redraw the state’s congressional, legislative, and Supreme Court districts before the 2027 elections, rather than before the 2026 midterms in November. At present, Mississippi’s congressional map includes four districts, one of which is represented by Bennie Thompson, a Democrat. This announcement followed reports on Wednesday that Gov. Reeves canceled a special session centered around the possibility of redistricting the state. The session was scheduled for Wednesday next week. “Just to clarify, I said I expect lawmakers to redraw congressional lines BETWEEN NOW and 2027 elections! I also expect them to redraw legislative and Supreme Court lines between now and 2027 elections,” Reeves said. While it initially appeared Reeves was leaving the door open to redistricting before November, a follow-up announcement clarified that Mississippi will not be pursuing a redraw of its maps, which the governor suggested are now unnecessary, citing the dissolution of a District Court’s injunction preventing the use of the state’s current Supreme Court map.

💬 KEY QUOTE: “[T]here is no need for the Legislature to draw a new map. I am recalling and dissolving my April 23, 2026, Proclamation which called for a special session to redraw Mississippi’s Supreme Court map next Wednesday.” – Governor Reeves

🎯 IMPACT: Mississippi’s map is very unlikely to change ahead of the 2026 midterms, although Reeves claims he is open to doing so in the future. “Today is not the end of the redistricting process—it is just the beginning!” he said on X. However, assuming any potential redistricting proposal for Mississippi will not take place until after the November midterms, Republicans will have to look to other states to shore up additional potential representation. Reeves called for a special session prior to the Supreme Court’s ruling in Louisiana’s redistricting case, one of several battles to redraw congressional maps ahead of the midterms. States like California and Virginia have pushed proposals favoring Democrats while states like Texas and Florida seek to boost Republican representation in Congress. This week, it was reported that South Carolina and Missouri are making their own pushes to redistrict.

On Monday, the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals vacated the opinion finding that Mississippi’s current Supreme Court map violated the Voting Rights Act and must be redrawn.
As a result, the injunction preventing Mississippi from using the current Supreme Court map was dissolved.… pic.twitter.com/wy7cmPpIVy
— Governor Tate Reeves (@tatereeves) May 13, 2026

Image by Gage Skidmore.

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Republican Governor Tate Reeves has suggested that Mississippi will not redraw its congressional maps before the 2026 midterms.

6 hours ago

Corruption

Crime

Minnesota Grocer Abdidwahid Mohamed Charged Over $1M EBT Fraud Scheme.

Grocery store owner Abdidwahid Mohamed has been charged with defrauding taxpayers of over $1 million in the latest case of mass welfare fraud in Minnesota.

PULSE POINTS

❓ WHAT HAPPENED: Minnesotan grocer Abdidwahid Mohamed has been charged with defrauding the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) out of over $1.1 million.

📺 DETAIL: The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), also called food stamps, provides monthly benefits to low-income individuals and households to supplement their grocery budget. It is the largest federal anti-hunger program in the United States. However, SNAP is regularly abused through fraudulent schemes that redirect public funds into private pockets. This week, Abdidwahid Mohamed, owner of Minnesota Food Grocery LLC, was charged with using stolen Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) cards to purchase goods for resale at his grocery store. Mohamed allegedly used the EBT cards of people who were either out of the country or claimed to have never shopped at the stores where the cards were eventually used. Mohamed made purchases at Costco and Sam’s Club, according to surveillance and GPS data collected by the authorities.

💬 KEY QUOTE: “Minneapolis didn’t become America’s fraud capital by accident. It was earned. This week, it’s a grocer charged with running up $1.1 million in charges on other people’s EBT cards. Next week, it will be something else, but the bill always lands on the Minnesotans who actually pay taxes,” commented Dalia al-Aqidi, Republican candidate for Minnesota’s 5th District, currently represented by Ilhan Omar (D).

🎯 IMPACT: If found guilty, Mohamed faces up to 20 years in prison or a $100,000 fine. Notably, this is not the first time that Minnesota has been hit by a major welfare fraud scandal. Last week, it was reported that a co-defendant in Minnesota’s largest Medicaid fraud case had pleaded guilty as part of no-jail plea deal with the office of Minnesota’s Attorney General. The charges involved stealing millions in taxpayer funds. In a similar case in December last year, another prominent member of the state’s Somalian community pleaded guilty to profiting from a fraudulent child food scheme, stealing hundreds of thousands of dollars from taxpayers. Somali-run daycares are also under investigation in the state.

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Grocery store owner Abdidwahid Mohamed has been charged with defrauding taxpayers of over $1 million in the latest case of mass welfare fraud in Minnesota.

7 hours ago

Crime

News

Former Democrat Gubernatorial Candidate, Swalwell Donor Arrested.

Stephen Cloobeck, a former Democrat mega-donor, gubernatorial candidate, and Eric Swalwell supporter, has been arrested and faces potential charges of attempting to impede victim or witness testimony.

PULSE POINTS

❓ WHAT HAPPENED: Stephen Cloobeck, a former Democrat mega-donor and California gubernatorial candidate, has been arrested pending possible charges of attempting to impede victim or witness testimony.

📰 DETAIL: Cloobeck was arrested on Tuesday in the Los Angeles, California area and booked into custody in West Hollywood. Cloobeck initially launched a gubernatorial campaign before withdrawing and supporting former Democrat Representative Eric Swalwell. However, following a slew of sexual assault allegations against Swalwell, Cloobeck distanced himself from Swalwell and the Democrats entirely. “I am no longer associated with a man that takes advantage of women… I support women’s rights,” Cloobeck said at the time. Records from the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department suggest the possible charges against Cloobeck relate to attempting to impede victim or witness testimony. Specifically, Cloobeck is alleged to have threatened three male victims in an attempt to stop them from giving a testimony in a case concerning his fiancée, Adva Lavie, a 29-year-old influencer and model currently facing charges of burglary.

💬 KEY QUOTE: “These charges are false and we look forward to our day in court.” – Elias Dabaie, Cloobeck’s attorney

🎯 IMPACT: Cloobeck has been released on $300,000 bail. While Cloobeck’s attorney insists the charges are false, the news of his arrest only worsens the reputation of Swalwell’s now-suspended gubernatorial bid. Earlier in the year, when Cloobeck publicly ended his support for Swalwell and the Democrats, it was revealed that Cloobeck had given over $1 million in donations to Swalwell and allowed him to stay at his mansion. Moreover, Cloobeck has historically been a powerful and reliable Democrat donor, donating more than $4 million in federal contributions since 2000. As such, these charges not only harm the now-dispersed Swalwell camp, but the Democrats’ campaign machine as a whole.

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Stephen Cloobeck, a former Democrat mega-donor, gubernatorial candidate, and Eric Swalwell supporter, has been arrested and faces potential charges of attempting to impede victim or witness testimony.

8 hours ago

Crime

Election Integrity

Immigration

ICE Detains Non-Citizen Ex-Mayor After Years of Illegal Voting.

Joe Ceballos, a former Kansas mayor and green card immigrant, faces deportation after being detained by ICE for voting and holding local office as the mayor of a town illegally.

PULSE POINTS

❓ WHAT HAPPENED: Joe Ceballos, a former mayor of Coldwater, Kansas, was detained by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) for both voting illegally as a green card holder and holding political office. After pleading guilty to misdemeanors related to election conduct, Ceballos was taken into custody and now faces potential deportation.

📰 DETAIL: Ceballos claims he was unaware that his status as a green card holder made him ineligible to vote or hold office. His lawyer said ICE detained him on Wednesday in Wichita and is expected to begin deportation proceedings, though Ceballos plans to fight removal in immigration court. The case has gained national attention amid the Trump administration’s focus on voter fraud and immigration enforcement, with federal officials publicly pledging to seek his deportation if convicted. Ceballos had twice been elected mayor and said he did not know it was illegal for noncitizens to vote. After he pleaded guilty last month to three misdemeanor counts of disorderly election conduct and avoided jail time, many supporters believed the matter was resolved. However, federal officials later cited both his recent conviction and a 1995 battery conviction while emphasizing that U.S. elections are reserved for citizens.

💬 KEY QUOTE: “This alien has now been convicted… our elections belong to American citizens, not foreign citizens.” – Lauren Bis, Department of Homeland Security spokeswoman

🎯 IMPACT: The detention of Ceballos underscores the federal government’s stance against voter fraud and the legal consequences for non-citizens who violate election laws. The case calls into question how many other non-citizens may be either voting illegally in elections or even holding office, as Ceballos did.

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Joe Ceballos, a former Kansas mayor and green card immigrant, faces deportation after being detained by ICE for voting and holding local office as the mayor of a town illegally.

9 hours ago

Economy

News

Kevin Warsh Confirmed as Fed Chairman Amid Rising Inflation.

Kevin Warsh’s confirmation as Federal Reserve Chairman signals potential monetary policy shifts, with inflation rising amid the Iran war and disruption to global energy supplies.

PULSE POINTS

❓ WHAT HAPPENED: The U.S. Senate confirmed Kevin Warsh as the new Federal Reserve Chairman on Wednesday, succeeding Jerome Powell. Warsh, a former Fed governor from 2006 to 2011, assumes the role amid spiking inflation related to the Iran war, and clashes between the central bank and the Trump administration over interest rates.

📺 DETAIL: Warsh has indicated that he wants “regime change” at the Federal Reserve, including closer alignment with the Department of Treeasury. His confirmation comes as inflation pressures mount, driven in large part by rising oil prices linked to Iran’s disruption of trade through the Strait of Hormuz.

💬 KEY QUOTE: “I have known Kevin for a long period of time, and have no doubt that he will go down as one of the GREAT Fed Chairmen, maybe the best. On top of everything else, he is ‘central casting,’ and he will never let you down.” – President Donald J. Trump, announcing Warsh’s nomination in January

🎯 IMPACT: Warsh’s leadership could mark a shift toward a more inflation-conscious and less interventionist Federal Reserve. The National Pulse previously reported in August 2025 that Warsh had publicly aligned with President Trump on cutting interest rates, stating, “The President’s right to be frustrated with [Jerome] Powell and the Federal Reserve.” Notably, Powell—who has clashed publicly with Trump on numerous occasions—has said he intends to remain on the Fed’s board, so he may retain influence over U.S. monetary policy in spite of Warsh.

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Kevin Warsh's confirmation as Federal Reserve Chairman signals potential monetary policy shifts, with inflation rising amid the Iran war and disruption to global energy supplies.

9 hours ago

Health

News

Massive Fraud Crackdown Freezes $1.4 Billion in Healthcare Funds.

The Trump administration has announced a six-month freeze on new Medicare hospice and home health providers to combat fraud.

PULSE POINTS

❓ WHAT HAPPENED: The Trump administration announced a six-month nationwide freeze on new Medicare enrollments for hospice and home health providers as part of a broader crackdown on healthcare fraud, with officials saying scammers have exploited vulnerable patients and billed the government for unnecessary services.

👤 WHO WAS INVOLVED: The initiative is being coordinated with Vice President J.D. Vance and his anti-fraud task force, which is spearheading efforts to root out fraudulent activity in high-risk sectors.

📺 DETAIL: The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services said existing providers will not be affected, but the pause will allow regulators to strengthen oversight and investigate suspicious billing practices. CMS Administrator Dr. Mehmet Oz said the move is intended to protect patients and taxpayer dollars. Vice President Vance is leading a federal anti-fraud task force focused on abuses in hospice and home healthcare programs. Federal officials estimate tens of billions of dollars are lost annually to healthcare fraud, with California receiving particular scrutiny over allegations of widespread hospice abuse and fraudulent claims. Medicare spent roughly $28.3 billion on hospice care and $16 billion on home healthcare in 2024, according to federal data.

KEY QUOTE: “A third of all hospices… in the entire country are in Los Angeles. Ask yourself, ‘How is that possible?’ It’s not. There are not that many people dying in Los Angeles… We believe that at least half of the hospices in the entire area around Los Angeles are fraudulent.” – Dr. Mehmet Oz

🎯 IMPACT: While current providers remain unaffected and can continue serving patients, the freeze could greatly reduce the fraud in hospice care for anyone trying to acquire federal funds going forward.

“We are going to turn off the money”
🚨 BREAKING: @VP announces that @WHFraudTF is requiring all state Medicaid programs to show they are aggressively prosecuting fraud. pic.twitter.com/WprFmqiO9V
— HHS Rapid Response (@HHSResponse) May 13, 2026

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The Trump administration has announced a six-month freeze on new Medicare hospice and home health providers to combat fraud.

10 hours ago

Health

News

U.S. Overdose Deaths Fall Amid Cartel Crackdown.

Preliminary data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) shows a 14 percent drop in overdose deaths in 2025.

PULSE POINTS

❓ WHAT HAPPENED: Preliminary government data shows that approximately 70,000 Americans died from drug overdoses in 2025, marking a 14 percent decline compared to the previous year. This is the third consecutive annual drop, bringing the total back to pre-pandemic levels seen in 2019.

📺 DETAIL: Health officials said deaths involving fentanyl and other synthetic opioids saw some of the steepest drops, but fatalities tied to cocaine and methamphetamine also declined. Experts credited expanded access to naloxone, increased addiction treatment, opioid settlement funding, and shifts in the illegal drug supply for the improvement. The fall also comes amid an ongoing crackdown on cartels and cross-border and seaborne drug trafficking by the Trump administration, including military strikes on drug smuggling vessels.

💬 KEY QUOTE: “I’m cautiously optimistic that this represents really a fundamental change in the arc of the overdose crisis.” – Brandon Marshall, Brown University researcher

🎯 IMPACT: While the decline offers hope, experts warn that shifts in the drug supply could reverse progress. Several states, including Arizona, Colorado, and New Mexico, still experienced increases in overdose deaths despite the broader national decline.

📺 FLASHBACK: Overdose deaths surged during and after the COVID-19 pandemic, peaking at nearly 110,000 in 2022. Regulatory changes in China, where many fentanyl precursors are produced, and improvements in border security have helped bring the crisis under greater control.

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Preliminary data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) shows a 14 percent drop in overdose deaths in 2025.

11 hours ago

News

Trump Allowed to Delay $83 Million Payout to E Jean Carroll Ahead of SCOTUS Review.

The 2nd U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals has granted President Donald J. Trump a delay in paying an $83 million defamation award to E. Jean Carroll, pending a potential Supreme Court review.

PULSE POINTS

❓ WHAT HAPPENED: The 2nd U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals has allowed President Donald J. Trump to delay paying an $83 million defamation award to E. Jean Carroll. This decision will hold until the U.S. Supreme Court decides whether to review the case or reject an appeal.

📰 DETAIL: The appeals court’s Tuesday decision requires Trump to post a $7.4 million bond to cover potential interest costs, a condition requested by Carroll’s legal team. The court had previously denied Trump’s request for a hearing before the full 2nd Circuit on the appeal of a three-judge panel’s decision upholding Carroll’s defamation award. The advice columnist sued the President for an alleged rape and sexual assault in a New York City department store decades ago, and for defamation related to his public denial of any wrongdoing. A civil jury found him not liable for rape but liable for sexual assault and defamation.

🎯 IMPACT: The delay in payment allows Trump to avoid paying Carroll immediately while the legal process continues. Trump lawyer Justin D. Smith has said he believes there is a “fair prospect” that the Supreme Court will rule in the President’s favor should it take up an appeal.

👀 FLASHBACK: Carroll alleges that Trump attacked on a deserted floor of the Bergdorf Goodman department store, in changing rooms that are usually locked and attended by staff, sometime in the mid-1990s. No forensic evidence or surveillance footage was presented during the civil case, which was funded in part by Democrat megadonor and Epstein island visitor Reid Hoffman. Carroll claims she has been attacked by at least seven other boys and men over the course of her life.

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The 2nd U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals has granted President Donald J. Trump a delay in paying an $83 million defamation award to E. Jean Carroll, pending a potential Supreme Court review.

11 hours ago

Health

News

CIA Whistleblower Testifies Fauci Concealed COVID Lab Leak Origins.

A Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) whistleblower has testified that Dr. Anthony Fauci used his position to get the intelligence community to drop its initial conclusion that COVID-19 originated in a Wuhan lab.

PULSE POINTS

❓ WHAT HAPPENED: A Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) whistleblower has testified before the Senate Homeland Security Committee that Dr. Anthony Fauci pushed to cover up the lab leak origins of COVID-19.

📺 DETAIL: James Erdman, an active CIA officer, testified before the Senate Homeland Security Committee on Wednesday, alleging that Fauci pressured intelligence officials to accept the “natural origins” hypothesis of COVID-19. In August 2021, the intelligence community (IC) was prepared to accept the Wuhan lab leak theory of COVID’s origins. However, just days before the IC was set to announce its position, Fauci, in his capacity as head of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID), intervened and “significantly influenced” officials to abandon their initial position. He allegedly “injected himself” into the process by consulting a “curated” group of experts. The announcement was scheduled for August 12, 2021, but on August 17, the IC’s position had changed. “Dr. Fauci’s role in the cover-up was intentional,” Erdman told Senators on Capitol Hill. It was also heard that the agency continues to block the release of documents containing information about COVID-19’s origins. Fauci has not yet responded to Erdman’s allegations.

💬 KEY QUOTE: “Dr. Fauci influenced the analytical process and findings by leveraging his position to ensure the IC [Intelligence Community] consulted with a conflicted list of curated subject matter experts, public health officials, and scientists.” – James Erdman

🎯 IMPACT: Erdman’s testimony is likely to reignite concerns about transparency and oversight in public health institutions. In 2024, Sen. Rand Paul (R-KY), who chaired the hearing of Erdman’s testimony on Wednesday, flagged a 2018 funding grant proposal linking Fauci and the National Institutes of Health to the Wuhan Institute. This testimony ties into concerns about U.S.-funded gain-of-function research. In May 2025, President Donald J. Trump signed an executive order targeting gain-of-function research in multiple adversarial nations. Earlier this week, the Office of the Director of National Intelligence announced an investigation into more than 120 overseas biolabs funded by U.S. taxpayers.

.@SenRandPaul: "CIA scientists from an early time…were concluding that a lab leak was the most likely hypothesis?"
CIA whistleblower James Erdman III: "There were agencies within the IC circulating papers…that said that all the conditions were present for a lab leak." pic.twitter.com/ozjQ59PORJ
— CSPAN (@cspan) May 13, 2026

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A Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) whistleblower has testified that Dr. Anthony Fauci used his position to get the intelligence community to drop its initial conclusion that COVID-19 originated in a Wuhan lab.

12 hours ago

News

Britain’s Establishment is Trying to Remove Nigel Farage from Parliament… Because He Dared to Hire Private Security.

Nigel Farage, leader of Reform UK, is under investigation for a £5 million donation he received for personal security, in a similar manner to how political opposition attempted to ban President Trump and Marine Le Pen from office.

PULSE POINTS

❓ WHAT HAPPENED: Nigel Farage is being investigated by the Parliamentary Commissioner for Standards over a £5 million donation he received for personal security, which he did not declare. The donation was made by Christopher Harborne, a Thailand-based billionaire and crypto investor. The investigation was triggered by political opponents in Britain’s centrist “Conservative” party, and is a similar tactic to the ones used against President Donald J. Trump, as well as French leader Marine Le Pen.

📰 DETAIL: Farage says the donation was a personal gift and not a political contribution, asserting that no rules were broken. However, rival parties have accused him of violating rules that require MPs to declare donations. The investigation could lead to his suspension from the House of Commons if a serious breach is found.

🎯 IMPACT: If Farage is found to have committed a serious breach, he could face suspension from Parliament, which might trigger a recall petition and potentially force him to contest a special election for his seat. This investigation comes as Reform UK recently achieved significant success in local elections.

💬 KEY QUOTE: “He (Farage) has always been clear that this was a personal, unconditional gift and no rules were broken.” – Reform UK spokesperson

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Nigel Farage, leader of Reform UK, is under investigation for a £5 million donation he received for personal security, in a similar manner to how political opposition attempted to ban President Trump and Marine Le Pen from office.

13 hours ago

News

TECH

Feds Penalize Tech Firm for Favoring Foreign Workers Over Qualified Americans.

The Labor Department penalized Cloudera Inc. for bypassing qualified American workers in favor of foreign hires, suspending the company from a key immigration program.

PULSE POINTS

❓ WHAT HAPPENED: The U.S. Labor Department has suspended Cloudera Inc., a California-based data software company, from the federal government’s PERM program for 180 days. Officials say the company violated the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA) by favoring foreign workers over qualified American applicants for high-paying tech jobs.

📺 DETAIL: According to Acting Labor Secretary Keith Sonderling, Cloudera “engineered a non-functional recruitment process” that effectively excluded qualified American workers from applying for positions. The agency said Cloudera was suspended for 180 days from the federal PERM labor certification program, which allows employers to sponsor foreign nationals for employment-based green cards. The case comes amid broader federal scrutiny of visa and labor programs tied to the technology sector, including concerns about H-1Bs and other foreign worker pipelines. Labor officials said the suspension is intended to enforce protections for American workers and ensure companies comply with federal anti-discrimination rules in hiring.

💬 KEY QUOTE: “Protecting the integrity of our immigration and labor systems requires employers to follow the law and provide American workers a fair opportunity to compete for jobs.” – Acting Labor Secretary Keith Sonderling

🎯 IMPACT: Cloudera’s suspension highlights the federal government’s increased scrutiny of companies exploiting immigration loopholes to undercut American workers. The case reveals the prevalence of such practices and may serve as a warning to other companies engaging in similar behavior. The outcome of the investigation could lead to further penalties or reforms to the PERM program. Critics have long observed that some employers deliberately make job postings inaccessible to Americans to justify hiring foreign workers.

Image by G. Edward Johnson.

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The Labor Department penalized Cloudera Inc. for bypassing qualified American workers in favor of foreign hires, suspending the company from a key immigration program.

13 hours ago

Economy

News

Wholesale Inflation Surges, Putting Pressure on Companies to Hike Prices.

Wholesale inflation in the U.S. reached its highest level in several years, primarily driven by rising energy costs linked to the Iran war, signifying economic pressure on producers that could be passed on to consumers.

PULSE POINTS

❓ WHAT HAPPENED: U.S. wholesale inflation rose by six percent year-over-year in April, marking the highest increase since December 2022.

📺 DETAIL: U.S. wholesale inflation is measured by the Producer Price Index (PPI), which tracks average changes in wholesale prices. It draws on price quotations from thousands of businesses, collected by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, and is widely used to gauge inflation trends. The Federal Reserve’s preferred inflation gauge, the Department of Commerce’s Personal Consumption Expenditures (PCE) price index, is heavily influenced by the PPI. According to PPI data released by the Department of Labor on Wednesday, U.S. wholesale inflation have increased by six percent, marking the highest year-over-year increase since December 2022. Economists had forecast more moderate increases, but rising energy costs, driven by the Iran war, have pushed up production costs. In addition to an increase in wholesale inflation, monthly inflation surged by 1.4 percent, the largest spike since March 2022.

🎯 IMPACT: Sharp increases in production costs mean higher prices for consumers, which tend to damage consumer confidence. U.S. consumer confidence was at its lowest on record last month, according to the Consumer Sentiment Index, produced by the University of Michigan’s Institute for Social Research. The report tracks short- and long-term economic expectations, and revealed that consumer confidence has dropped to just 49.8, the lowest since records began in 1978. The Consumer Price Index (CPI), a metric estimating the average price of goods and services, also shows inflationary pressure, with costs rising 3.8 percent year-over-year in April. This is the largest increase in over three years, according to data released by the Department of Labor on Tuesday.

Image by Erica Fischer.

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Wholesale inflation in the U.S. reached its highest level in several years, primarily driven by rising energy costs linked to the Iran war, signifying economic pressure on producers that could be passed on to consumers.

14 hours ago

News

Politics

Louisiana GOP Advances New Congressional Map.

Louisiana’s Republican-controlled Senate has advanced a new congressional map that could shift the state’s congressional delegation from a 4-2 to a 5-1 Republican majority, following a Supreme Court decision against racial gerrymandering.

PULSE POINTS

❓ WHAT HAPPENED: The Louisiana Senate has moved forward with a new congressional map favoring Republicans, potentially increasing their delegation to five seats compared to one for Democrats. This follows a Supreme Court decision striking down the previous map, which included a racially gerrymandered, Democrat-leaning black-majority district, as unconstitutional.

📺 DETAIL: The proposal, approved by a state Senate committee after hours of overnight testimony, would likely force Democratic Reps. Troy Carter and Cleo Fields into the same district. The redistricting push follows a recent U.S. Supreme Court ruling that weakened aspects of the Voting Rights Act mandating racial gerrymandering in favor of minorities, and opened the door for Republican-led states to redraw congressional maps in a number of states. Louisiana Governor Jeff Landry (R) previously delayed congressional primaries to give lawmakers time to adopt a new map. The proposal now heads to the full Senate and, if approved, would move to the state House and then to Governor Landry for final approval.

📺 FLASHBACK: The Supreme Court previously ruled that Louisiana’s 2022 congressional maps violated constitutional protections by relying on racial data to draw districts, mandating the creation of a second majority-Black district. This marks the third redistricting effort in Louisiana since the last census.

🎯 IMPACT: If approved, the map could have significant implications for the balance of power in the U.S. House of Representatives come the November midterms. Redistricting efforts are intensifying across the country ahead of these elections, with the Democrats moving to redraw maps in their favor in states like California and Virginia, and the Republicans doing the same in states like Louisiana, Tennessee, and Florida.

Image by Ted Eytan.

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Louisiana's Republican-controlled Senate has advanced a new congressional map that could shift the state's congressional delegation from a 4-2 to a 5-1 Republican majority, following a Supreme Court decision against racial gerrymandering.

15 hours ago

News

State RINOs Derail Trump-Backed Electoral Map.

South Carolina’s state senate failed to pass a redistricting proposal supported by President Donald J. Trump, after five Republicans joined with the Democrats to block it—including state Senate Majority Leader Shane Massey.

PULSE POINTS

❓ WHAT HAPPENED: Republican state senators Sean Bennett, Chip Campsen, Tom David, and Greg Hembree, and Shane Massey—the Majority Leader—joined with the Democrats in South Carolina to block a redistricting proposal aimed at redrawing the state’s congressional map to favor the GOP, following a Supreme Court ruling against Democrat-leaning, racially gerrymandered black-majority districts. President Donald J. Trump had publicly backed the new map, but despite a GOP supermajority in the state senate, Massey and his contingent of Republicans-in-name-only (RINOs) caused the redistricting initiative to fall two votes short of the two-thirds majority required to proceed.

📺 DETAIL: The redistricting effort was seen as a way to strengthen Republican advantages in South Carolina, as the Democrats have moved to redistrict congressional maps in their favor in states like California and Virginia, with mixed success. President Trump had urged South Carolina Republicans to back the new map, writing on Truth Social that “Republicans across the Country… are counting on their Elected Leaders to use every Legal and Constitutional authority they have to stop the Radical Left Democrats from destroying our Country, including leveling the playing field against their decades of egregious Gerrymandering and Census Rigging.” However, Massey, in a 45-minute speech to the state senate, insisted that preserving Democrat representation in South Carolina’s congressional delegation was a good thing.

💬 KEY QUOTE: “Republicans are stronger when the Democrat Party is vibrant and viable.” – Republican Majority Leader Shane Massey

🎯 IMPACT: Massey and his cohorts are facing backlash from fellow Republicans and the Republican base. The majority leader acknowledged “There are likely consequences for me, personally, taking the position that I am right now,” but said he is “comfortable with that… My conscience is clear on this one.”

📺 FLASHBACK: Similar GOP sabotage of redistricting plans previously took place in Indiana, where state senators blocked a new map in December. Trump later supported primary challengers against those responsible, resulting in the ousting of five incumbents.

🚨 HOLY CRAP!! South Carolina Senate Leader Shane Massey (R) blocked 2026 redistricting because, HIS WORDS: “South Carolina is stronger” when “we have a vibrant and viable Democratic Party”

Trump won his district by 34 POINTS.

PRIMARY HIM OUT!

He actually said: “South Carolina… pic.twitter.com/iFYEw6we9s

— Eric Daugherty (@EricLDaugh) May 12, 2026

Image by jpellgen.

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South Carolina's state senate failed to pass a redistricting proposal supported by President Donald J. Trump, after five Republicans joined with the Democrats to block it—including state Senate Majority Leader Shane Massey.

15 hours ago

News

UK

REPORT: UK PM Starmer to Face Leadership Challenge as Soon as Tomorrow.

British Health Secretary Wes Streeting is reportedly on the cusp of resigning from Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer’s government and challenging him for the leadership of the country’s governing Labour Party.

PULSE POINTS

❓ WHAT HAPPENED: British Health Secretary Wes Streeting held a brief meeting with Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer at his official residence in London on Wednesday morning, as dozens of lawmakers from the governing Labour Party are urging the premier to resign. Following heavy losses in English, Scottish, and Welsh local and regional elections last week, Starmer’s premiership is in jeopardy, with many detractors looking to Streeting to mount a leadership challenge.

📺 DETAIL: The BBC and other British media outlets report that allies of Streeting say he is preparing to quit as soon as Thursday. Over 80 Labour Members of Parliament (MPs) have signed a letter calling on Starmer to resign, and if they back a specific challenger, such as Streeting, a leadership contest process will be activated under party rules. Officially, Starmer’s office is saying the Prime Minister has “full confidence” in Streeting. A spokesman for Streeting has said, “He is not planning to say anything following his meeting with the Prime Minister that might distract from the King’s Speech,” referring to the Wednesday morning speech in Parliament by King Charles III setting out the Starmer government’s legislative agenda. However, this does not rule out Streeting making a move against Starmer on Thursday, following Wednesday’s coverage of the King’s Speech.

💬 KEY QUOTE: A Streeting ally has told the BBC that, if the Health Secretary does not mount a leadership challenge, “we’ll have knifed ourselves for nothing.” Notably, several junior government ministers and ministerial aides have already resigned from Starmer’s government, although Streeting would be the first Cabinet-level resignation.

🎯 IMPACT: Notably, a British prime minister is not directly elected by the public, instead depending on his ability to command a majority in the House of Commons—roughly equivalent to the U.S. House of Representatives, but with the ability to override the Senate-equivalent House of Lords. In practice, this usually means that the largest party in the Commons can replace the Prime Minister at any time, and this has happened with multiple recent prime ministers, including Theresa May, Boris Johnson, and Liz Truss.

🚨 WATCH: Wes Streeting leaves No 10 after just 16 minutes pic.twitter.com/9Gl42g5ZKI

— Politics UK (@PolitlcsUK) May 13, 2026

Image by Simon Dawson / No 10 Downing Street.

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British Health Secretary Wes Streeting is reportedly on the cusp of resigning from Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer's government and challenging him for the leadership of the country's governing Labour Party.

16 hours ago

News

UK Govt Proceeds With Digital ID Scheme Despite Public Opposition.

King Charles III’s announcement of a Digital ID initiative faces significant public opposition and political challenges.

PULSE POINTS

❓ WHAT HAPPENED: King Charles III announced the introduction of a Digital ID system during the 2026 state opening of Parliament in the United Kingdom, as part of the Labour government’s Digital Access to Services Bill.

📰 DETAIL: The King’s speech, traditionally written by the government, was delivered on behalf of Sir Keir Starmer’s Labour Party, which is currently facing political challenges after losing numerous council seats to Reform UK. The Digital ID proposal is controversial, with significant opposition from the public and political figures like Nigel Farage, leader of Reform UK, who has campaigned against it.

🎯 IMPACT: If implemented, the Digital ID system could change how citizens interact with public services, but its future is uncertain given the public’s opposition and the potential for a Reform UK government to cancel the policy if they win the 2029 election.

Say NO to a UK Digital ID! pic.twitter.com/c63mHIsluo

— Nigel Farage MP (@Nigel_Farage) September 25, 2025

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King Charles III's announcement of a Digital ID initiative faces significant public opposition and political challenges. show more

May 12, 2026

Immigration

News

ICE Flags 10,000-Plus Foreign Student Fraud Cases.

Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) has identified nearly 10,000 cases of alleged fraud among students enrolled in a work permit initiative, including the use of fake employers.

PULSE POINTS

❓ WHAT HAPPENED: Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) has identified over 10,000 potential fraud cases linked to the Optional Practical Training (OPT) program, which allows foreign students to work in the U.S. post-graduation.

📰 DETAIL: ICE Director Todd Lyons described the program as a “magnet for fraud,” reporting that investigators uncovered shell companies, some reportedly operated from India, that were used to help international students maintain legal status and employment authorization. The agency said investigators found cases involving nonexistent offices, locked buildings, and questionable job placements, raising concerns about oversight and abuse of the visa system. The OPT program, created under President George W. Bush and later expanded by the Obama administration, has long faced criticism from immigration hardliners who argue it undercuts American workers and lacks proper congressional authorization. ICE officials said enforcement efforts will include increased site visits and investigations into employers participating in the program

💬 KEY QUOTE: “Our nation will not tolerate security threats originating from the foreign student program,” said ICE acting Director Todd Lyons.

🎯 IMPACT: The findings are expected to bolster calls from immigration restrictionists for reforms to visa programs used to bypass hiring American graduates. The Trump administration had already initiated a crackdown on such programs, leading to legal challenges from affected students.

📺WATCH: New ICE HSI data shows rampant foreign student fraud — ICE director says these probes are only the beginning.

➡️We’ve identified over 10,000 foreign students who claim to be working for highly-suspect employers.

➡️We’ve discovered empty buildings and locked doors at… pic.twitter.com/RS51VLKM1V

— U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (@ICEgov) May 12, 2026

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Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) has identified nearly 10,000 cases of alleged fraud among students enrolled in a work permit initiative, including the use of fake employers.

May 12, 2026

Crime

News

Trans Student Used Bathroom Access to Take Photos and Videos of Dozens of Girls.

A notoriously woke Virginia school district faces backlash after allegations of a transgender student taking inappropriate photos and videos in school bathrooms of over 40 other students.

PULSE POINTS

❓ WHAT HAPPENED: A transgender student at Freedom High School in Loudoun County, Virginia, is under investigation for allegedly filming and photographing over 40 classmates in school bathrooms. The incidents, reportedly occurring over three years, have sparked outrage and renewed scrutiny of the school district’s woke gender policies.

📺 DETAIL: Principal Tania Brown informed parents in late April that administrators were coordinating with law enforcement, while advising families to discuss appropriate technology use with students. The incident has renewed scrutiny of the district’s policies allowing transgender students to use opposite sex bathrooms, an issue that previously placed the district at odds with the Trump administration’s interpretation of Title IX protections for women and girls based on biological sex. Education Secretary Linda McMahon previously warned northern Virginia school districts they could risk losing federal funding if found to be in violation of federal law. The district has faced repeated controversy since a 2021 sexual assault case at Stone Bridge High School, where former superintendent Scott Ziegler was criticized for initially denying knowledge of assaults despite internal emails showing otherwise. Ziegler was later fired amid concerns over his handling of multiple incidents.

🎯 IMPACT: The allegations have reignited debates over LCPS’s handling of privacy concerns and its adherence to federal Title IX regulations. The district’s policies have previously placed it at odds with both federal interpretations and parental concerns, raising questions about accountability and student safety.

Image by Oriel Frankie Ashcroft.

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A notoriously woke Virginia school district faces backlash after allegations of a transgender student taking inappropriate photos and videos in school bathrooms of over 40 other students.

May 12, 2026

Economy

News

War

Treasury Ramps Up ‘Economic Fury’ Sanctions on China-Iran Network.

The U.S. Treasury has more sanctioned individuals and entities tied to a network facilitating Iranian oil sales to China.

PULSE POINTS

❓ WHAT HAPPENED: The U.S. Treasury announced sanctions on a dozen individuals and entities for their involvement in facilitating Iranian oil sales to China in a May 11 press release.

💬 KEY QUOTE: “As Iran’s military desperately tries to regroup, Economic Fury will continue to deprive the regime of funding for its weapons programs, terrorist proxies, and nuclear ambitions. Treasury will continue to cut the Iranian regime off from the financial networks it uses to carry out terrorist acts and to destabilize the global economy.” – Secretary of the Treasury Scott Bessent.

📰 DETAIL: Since February last year, the U.S. Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) has sanctioned over 1,000 individuals, vessels, and other entities linked to Iran. The latest sanctions are part of Operation Economic Fury, a mirror campaign of Operation Epic Fury. On Monday, the U.S. Treasury designated another 12 individuals and entities. The most recent sanctions specifically relate to the shipment of Iranian oil by the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) to China. The newly sanctioned individuals include three senior officials based at the IRGC’s Shahid Purja’fari Oil Headquarters: headquarters chief Ahmad Mohammadi Zadeh, head of finance Samad Fathi Salami, and head of commerce Mohammadreza Ashrafi Ghehi. The sanctioned entities include front companies based in Hong Kong (Hong Kong Blue Ocean Ltd, Hong Kong Sanmu Ltd, Jiandi HK Ltd, Max Honor International Trade Co Ltd), Sharjah, United Arab Emirates (Atic Energy FZE), Dubai, the United Arab Emirates (Ocean Allianz Shipping LLC, Universal Fortune Trading LLC, Blanca Goods Wholesaler LLC), and Oman (Zeus Logistics Group). These front companies are used to obscure the IRGC’s role in selling crude oil, facilitating oil shipments, arranging vessels for shipments, and acting as a front for the National Iranian Oil Company, the country’s government-owned oil producer. The entities are capable of laundering tens of millions of dollars in revenue.

🎯 IMPACT: The sanctions aim to cut off the IRGC’s access to international financial systems. By cutting off Iran from international oil markets, the Islamic Republic’s ability to fund its military, foreign proxies, and terrorist activities is limited. On top of the most recent sanctions, the U.S. Treasury warned that it is willing to impose secondary sanctions on foreign financial institutions involved in facilitating oil shipments from Iran to China.

As Iran’s military desperately tries to regroup, Economic Fury will continue to deprive the regime of funding for its weapons programs, terrorist proxies, and nuclear ambitions. Treasury will continue to cut the Iranian regime off from the financial networks it uses to carry out… https://t.co/nenSlWtW8T

— Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent (@SecScottBessent) May 11, 2026

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The U.S. Treasury has more sanctioned individuals and entities tied to a network facilitating Iranian oil sales to China.

UK Elections Explained: Farage’s Reform Cruises to Victory as PM Starmer REFUSES to Leave.

Britain’s Feckless Prime Minister, Sir Keir Starmer, May be Jobless After Tomorrow’s Elections. Here’s How…

Berlin Doubles Down on Making Americans Pay.

If Trump Signs the ‘Grown in America Act’ Before His China Trip, He’ll Limit Xi’s Ability to Hurt American Farmers.

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Illegals Face Execution for Shooting Pregnant Teen, Killing Unborn Baby.

Mississippi Governor Backs Off Redistricting Before Midterms.

Minnesota Grocer Abdidwahid Mohamed Charged Over $1M EBT Fraud Scheme.

Former Democrat Gubernatorial Candidate, Swalwell Donor Arrested.

ICE Detains Non-Citizen Ex-Mayor After Years of Illegal Voting.

Kevin Warsh Confirmed as Fed Chairman Amid Rising Inflation.

Massive Fraud Crackdown Freezes $1.4 Billion in Healthcare Funds.

U.S. Overdose Deaths Fall Amid Cartel Crackdown.

Trump Allowed to Delay $83 Million Payout to E Jean Carroll Ahead of SCOTUS Review.

CIA Whistleblower Testifies Fauci Concealed COVID Lab Leak Origins.

Britain’s Establishment is Trying to Remove Nigel Farage from Parliament… Because He Dared to Hire Private Security.

Feds Penalize Tech Firm for Favoring Foreign Workers Over Qualified Americans.

Wholesale Inflation Surges, Putting Pressure on Companies to Hike Prices.

Louisiana GOP Advances New Congressional Map.

State RINOs Derail Trump-Backed Electoral Map.

REPORT: UK PM Starmer to Face Leadership Challenge as Soon as Tomorrow.

UK Govt Proceeds With Digital ID Scheme Despite Public Opposition.

ICE Flags 10,000-Plus Foreign Student Fraud Cases.

Trans Student Used Bathroom Access to Take Photos and Videos of Dozens of Girls.

Treasury Ramps Up ‘Economic Fury’ Sanctions on China-Iran Network.

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