GET THE APP
Thursday, February 26, 2026
Just now
Politics

Chris LaCivita Picks Up Another Client Trump Refused to Endorse in the Primary.

PULSE POINTS

❓WHAT HAPPENED: Idaho Governor Brad Little (R) announced on Thursday that he has hired former Trump campaign chief and Republican National Committee (RNC) Chief Operating Officer (COO) Chris LaCivita as a senior advisor.

👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: Gov. Brad Little, Chris LaCivita, and President Donald J. Trump.

📍WHEN & WHERE: The announcement was made on Thursday, February 26. 2026.

💬KEY QUOTE: “I’m excited to announce that [Chris LaCivita] has joined my re-election campaign as senior advisor.” — Brad Little

🎯IMPACT: Notably, Gov. Little was not endorsed by President Donald Trump during his 2021 primary run, with the America First leader instead backing then-Lt. Gov. Janice McGeachin (R-ID).

IN FULL

Idaho Governor Brad Little (R) announced on Thursday that he has hired former Trump campaign chief and Republican National Committee (RNC) Chief Operating Officer (COO) Chris LaCivita as a senior advisor. Notably, LaCivita—who has recently attacked a number of President Donald J. Trump’s long-time supporters, including calling the Editor-in-Chief of The National Pulse an “illegal immigrant“—is also serving as a senior advisor to Senator John Cornyn‘s (R-TX) re-election campaign. Despite pro-Cornyn campaign groups spending millions on the U.S. Senate primary race in Texas, the anti-Trump incumbent has fallen to a distant second place—and even third place—in most polls ahead of the March 3 primary.

“I’m excited to announce that [Chris LaCivita] has joined my re-election campaign as senior advisor,” Little wrote in a post on X (formerly Twitter). Notably, Gov. Little was not endorsed by President Donald J. Trump during his 2021 primary run, with the America First leader instead backing then-Lt. Gov. Janice McGeachin (R-ID). However, late last year, Trump did back Little’s re-election bid.

The National Pulse reported last week that LaCivita abandoned a major defamation lawsuit against the left-wing Daily Beast after the outlet published a stunning report about him gouging nearly $20M from the campaign’s coffers. “The consulting firm of Donald Trump’s White House campaign’s co-manager has raked in $19.2 million and counting from the Republican nominee’s political operation in just two years,” the Beast reported in late 2024.

The Daily Beast did not retract or even have to change any part of its story. It also offered no apology or cash payment, both of which are common in settlements.

Join Pulse+ to comment below, and receive exclusive e-mail analyses.

show less
show more
42 minutes ago
Crime

Another Victim of Transgender Ice Rink Shooter Dies.

PULSE POINTS

❓WHAT HAPPENED: A grandfather, Gerald “Gerry” Dorgan, became the third person to succumb to their injuries following a mass shooting at a youth hockey game in Pawtucket, Rhode Island, carried out by his daughter’s transgender ex-husband, Robert Dorgan.

👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: Gerald Dorgan, his daughter Rhonda Dorgan, and his grandson Aidan Dorgan were killed. Robert Dorgan, who also went by Roberta Esposito, was the shooter and took his own life after the shootings. Several others, including Gerald’s wife Linda Dorgan and Thomas Geruso, were injured.

📍WHEN & WHERE: The shooting occurred on February 16, 2026, at the Dennis M. Lynch Arena in Pawtucket, Rhode Island.

💬KEY QUOTE: “Our thoughts and prayers remain with the victim’s family, friends, and all those impacted by this tragic act of violence.” – Pawtucket Mayor Donald Grebien

🎯IMPACT: The National Pulse previously reported that Robert Dorgan had a history of family conflicts tied to his gender identity.

IN FULL

Gerald “Gerry” Dorgan, 75, has died after being critically injured in a mass shooting at the Dennis M. Lynch Arena in Pawtucket, Rhode Island. The shooting, carried out by his transgender ex-son-in-law, Robert Dorgan, targeted Gerald’s family members during a youth hockey game on February 16, 2026.

The attack also claimed the lives of Gerald’s daughter, Rhonda Dorgan, 52, and grandson, Aidan Dorgan, 23. Two others, Linda Dorgan—Gerald’s wife—and Thomas Geruso remain hospitalized in serious but stable condition. Robert Dorgan, a male-to-female transgender who also went by the names Roberta Esposito and Roberta Dorgano, was reportedly targeting his family and died by suicide after being subdued by bystanders.

Pawtucket Mayor Donald Grebien (D) expressed his condolences, saying, “Our thoughts and prayers remain with the victim’s family, friends, and all those impacted by this tragic act of violence.” Police confirmed the motive stemmed from a family dispute. The National Pulse previously reported that Robert Dorgan had a history of family conflicts tied to his gender identity. In 2020, he reported to North Providence police that he had undergone gender reassignment surgery, after which Gerald Dorgan demanded he leave the family home and used a derogatory term for transgenders. According to his daughter, Amanda Wallace-Hubbard, Robert Dorgan had a “vendetta” against his family.

Bystanders, including Michael Black, played a critical role in stopping the shooter. Black managed to jam the gun’s chamber with his hand and tackled Dorgan with assistance from others. Despite their efforts, Dorgan retrieved a second firearm and took his own life.

Image by Oriel Frankie Ashcroft.

Join Pulse+ to comment below, and receive exclusive e-mail analyses.

show less
show more
Footer Ad
Footer Ad
ken paxton acquitted
1 hour ago
William Upton
News

Ken Paxton Secures ‘First-of-Its-Kind’ Antitrust Settlement Against Vanguard for ESG Practices.

PULSE POINTS

❓WHAT HAPPENED: Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton (R) announced that the Vanguard Group has agreed to a “first-of-its-kind settlement”—effectively ending its defense in a multi-state antitrust lawsuit targeting the company along with BlackRock and State Street, alleging coordinated environmental, social, and governance (ESG)-driven market manipulation.

👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: Ken Paxton, Vanguard Group, BlackRock, State Street, corporate shareholders, asset management clients, and the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) Antitrust Division.

📍WHEN & WHERE: The settlement was announced on February 26, 2026.

💬KEY QUOTE: “While Vanguard has taken appropriate action to resolve this case, BlackRock and State Street have continued to ignore state laws, engage in anticompetitive schemes that hurt American energy, and undermine those who use their services to invest.” — Ken Paxton

🎯IMPACT: The decision by Vanguard to settle the case likely signals significant trouble for the asset management company’s former co-defendants, and, according to Paxton’s office, could mark a final ruling that “fundamentally resets the precedent for the conduct of large institutional investors.”

IN FULL

Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton (R) announced that the Vanguard Group has agreed to a “first-of-its-kind settlement”—effectively ending its defense in a multi-state antitrust lawsuit targeting the company along with BlackRock and State Street, alleging coordinated environmental, social, and governance (ESG)-driven market manipulation. The decision by Vanguard to settle the case likely signals significant trouble for the asset management company’s former co-defendants, and, according to Paxton’s office, could mark a final ruling that “fundamentally resets the precedent for the conduct of large institutional investors.”

“I am glad to see that Vanguard has chosen to protect investors and become the industry leader when it comes to empowering investors with proxy voting choice. This sets a new standard for institutional investors that every company should follow,” Paxton said, adding, “While Vanguard has taken appropriate action to resolve this case, BlackRock and State Street have continued to ignore state laws, engage in anticompetitive schemes that hurt American energy, and undermine those who use their services to invest.”

The antitrust litigation centers around allegations that “a BlackRock-led cartel that sought to drive up the price of coal under the guise of ‘green energy,'” and that “BlackRock’s efforts produced massive profits for itself and its co-conspirators and raised the prices of electricity on consumers throughout the United States.” The Texas Attorney General’s office further asserts that “To further profit on the back of Americans, BlackRock also deceived thousands of its investors who elected to invest in non-ESG funds.”

Importantly, as part of its settlement, Vanguard has agreed to no longer pursue an ESG agenda over profit motive for its clients. According to the Texas Attorney General, “Vanguard will not use its shareholdings to (a) direct its portfolio companies’ business strategies, (b) threaten its portfolio companies that it will withdraw from its holdings unless they agree to act (or not act) in some manner, or (c) nominate directors or shareholder proposals to its portfolio companies.” In addition, the company will pay $29.5 million in fines.

Notably, Paxton’s legal action against three asset management companies—with BlackRock as the primary defendant—was backed by the Trump administration’s Department of Justice (DOJ) Antitrust Division and former Assistant Attorney General Gail Slater. However, following Slater’s ouster after a push by Republican lobbyist Mike Davis, who represented several clients under scrutiny for anticompetitive conduct, it is unclear where the department stands on Paxton’s litigation.

Join Pulse+ to comment below, and receive exclusive e-mail analyses.

show less
show more
2 hours ago
World

Rubio Doesn’t Trust Cuba’s ‘Highly Unusual’ Account of Deadly Shootout With U.S. Boat.

PULSE POINTS

❓WHAT HAPPENED: Cuba’s border guard engaged in a shootout with a U.S.-registered fishing boat, leaving four dead and six wounded. The incident is under investigation by both Cuban and U.S. authorities.

👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: Cuban border guard forces, the U.S.-registered fishing boat’s occupants, Secretary of State Marco Rubio, and Vice President J.D. Vance.

📍WHEN & WHERE: The incident occurred on Wednesday in Cuban territorial waters. Rubio addressed the matter while in Saint Kitts and Nevis.

💬KEY QUOTE: “Suffice it to say, it is highly unusual to see shootouts in the open sea like that. It’s not something that happens every day.” – Marco Rubio

🎯IMPACT: The U.S. is evaluating the facts before responding, while Cuba claims the fishing boat aimed to carry out terrorist activities.

IN FULL

Secretary of State Marco Rubio addressed an alleged shootout between Cuba’s border guard and a U.S.-registered fishing boat, calling the situation “highly unusual.” President Donald J. Trump’s Secretary of State emphasized the need for the U.S. to evaluate the facts before issuing a response. Speaking from Saint Kitts and Nevis on Wednesday, Rubio stated, “We’re not going to base our conclusions on what they’ve told us. And I’m very, very confident that we will know the full story of what happened here, and we will know it soon.”

“Suffice it to say, it is highly unusual to see shootouts in the open sea like that. It’s not something that happens every day,” Rubio added.

The National Pulse reported on Wednesday that Cuba’s Interior Ministry stated its border guard shot four dead and wounded six others aboard the 1981 Pro-Line 24-foot center-console fishing boat. The ministry claimed the boat carried ten armed individuals intending to conduct an infiltration for terrorist purposes. Among the deceased was Michel Ortega Casanova, while seven others have been identified, including Amijail Sánchez González and Leordan Enrique Cruz Gómez. The ministry also alleged that those aboard had a history of criminal activity and were Cuban nationals residing in the U.S.

Rubio refused to speculate on potential consequences for Cuba, stating that more analysis was required. Vice President J.D. Vance, who was briefed on the matter by Rubio, echoed the sentiment, saying, “Hopefully it’s not as bad as we fear it could be, but I can’t say more because I just don’t know more.”

Cuba’s Interior Ministry claimed that weapons, bulletproof vests, and camouflage uniforms were found aboard the vessel. The Cuban Embassy in the U.S. alleged that the fishing boat crew fired on Cuban personnel, injuring their commander. “Cuba reaffirms its determination to protect its territorial waters,” the embassy stated.

The vessel, registered in Florida, was reported stolen by its Miami-based owner, who is not considered a suspect.

Join Pulse+ to comment below, and receive exclusive e-mail analyses.

show less
show more
3 hours ago
William Upton
Immigration
Lawfare

Trump Admin Again Asks Supreme Court to End Lower Court Lawfare Against Deportations.

PULSE POINTS

❓WHAT HAPPENED: The Trump administration has filed a request with the U.S. Supreme Court to end Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for Syrian nationals.

👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: President Donald J. Trump’s administration, the U.S. Supreme Court, and lower courts across the country.

📍WHEN & WHERE: February 26, 2026, in Washington, D.C.

💬KEY QUOTE: “This application marks the third time that the government has been compelled to seek a stay from this Court after lower Courts have baselessly blocked the Secretary of Homeland Security’s determinations regarding Temporary Protected Status (TPS) just before they took effect.” — Trump administration filing

🎯IMPACT: The administration argues that lower courts have overstepped their authority, delaying the Department of Homeland Security’s (DHS) decisions.

IN FULL

The Trump administration is once again having to ask the U.S. Supreme Court to end lower court lawfare efforts hampering executive branch powers to end Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for certain groups of foreign nationals. In filings made on Thursday, the administration is seeking to appeal a lower court’s stay on ending TPS for Syrians. By removing the stay ruling, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) would be cleared to begin facilitating the return of Syrian nationals temporarily allowed to reside in the U.S. to their home country.

“This application marks the third time that the government has been compelled to seek a stay from this Court after lower Courts have baselessly blocked the Secretary of Homeland Security’s determinations regarding Temporary Protected Status (TPS) just before they took effect,” the Trump administration states in its filing with the Supreme Court. “The lower courts’ arrogation of core Executive Branch prerogatives irreparably harms the government, and respondents’ alleged harms were inherent in the temporary nature of the program that Congress designed.”

The National Pulse reported last May that the Trump administration was forced to go to the Supreme Court to end a lower court’s block on ending TPS for Venezuelan nationals. In August of last year, U.S. District Court Judge Trina L. Thompson ruled against the administration’s decision to terminate TPS designations for approximately 60,000 immigrants from Nepal, Honduras, and Nicaragua. The judge alleged that the administration’s decision was influenced by discriminatory beliefs, including the notion that non-white immigrant groups could replace white Americans.

Subsequently, the Trump administration’s decision to end TPS for Haitian nationals was blocked by U.S. District Court Judge Ana Reyes, appointed by former President Joe Biden, earlier this month. Judge Reyes, a Harvard-educated Uruguayan immigrant, admitted that the TPS statute limits judicial review of the substantive decisions on country designations, but argued she could intervene regardless to examine whether the administrative process followed proper procedures.

Image by Billy Wilson.

Join Pulse+ to comment below, and receive exclusive e-mail analyses.

show less
show more
4 hours ago
Jack Montgomery
Election Integrity
UK

Britain is Holding a Key Special Election Today. Voter ID is Required.

PULSE POINTS

❓WHAT HAPPENED: A parliamentary by-election (special election) in England on Thursday will be subject to voter ID requirements.

👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: The British government, the Electoral Commission, and voters in Britain.

📍WHEN & WHERE: Voter ID requirements were introduced by the Elections Act 2022, affecting today’s Gorton and Denton by-election in Manchester, England.

💬KEY QUOTE: “At least 50,000 voters were initially turned away at polling stations [during the] 2024 general election, with 34,000 returning. This meant 16,000 did not return.” – House of Commons Library research briefing

🎯IMPACT: Britain’s in-person voting is more secure than America’s although Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer’s governing Labour Party is moving to weaken existing safeguards, and postal (mail-in) voting on-demand remains highly vulnerable.

IN FULL

Voters in the Gorton and Denton constituency (electoral district) in Greater Manchester, England, are heading to the polls for a by-election (special election) to choose a new Member of Parliament (MP), in what is expected to be a tight contest between Matt Goodwin, representing Nigel Farage’s Reform Party, and far-left candidates for Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer’s ruling Labour Party and the Greens. Unlike in the United States, voters will be required to present a valid ID.

The Elections Act 2022 made photo ID compulsory for in-person voting in British Parliament elections and in English and Northern Irish local and regional elections, although Northern Ireland had required photo ID for much longer, with basic ID checks starting in 1985 and photo ID specifically mandated since 2003 to address concerns about electoral fraud. Elections to the Scottish Parliament or the Senedd (Welsh Parliament)—roughly equivalent to U.S. state legislatures—do not have voter ID requirements, nor do most of those countries’ local elections, which are subject to weaker regional regulations set by leftist regional governments.

Acceptable forms of photo ID are broad, including passports, driving licences, and bus passes. The document must be original (not a photocopy or photo on a phone), but it can be expired as long as the photo still resembles the voter reasonably well. For those without a suitable ID, the government provides a free Voter Authority Certificate (VAC), which serves as an alternative form of photo ID. Applications can be made online or through local electoral offices.

Implementation has generally been smooth administratively, with low numbers of people ultimately unable to vote. According to a House of Commons Library research briefing, “At least 50,000 voters were initially turned away at polling stations [during the] 2024 general election, with 34,000 returning. This meant 16,000 did not return.” This suggests the regulations have thwarted some fraudulent voters.

The rules were introduced by the formerly governing Conservative (Tory) Party, with the incumbent Labour Party opposed to them. Labour, under Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer, now says it will not abolish the ID requirements, but does plan to expand the list of acceptable IDs in the future, potentially including bank cards, which the Electoral Commission has flagged as a safety risk.

As in the United States, mail-in or postal voting on demand remains a significant vulnerability, with historic cases of fraud on an “industrial scale” in Labour-voting Muslim communities. Judge Richard Mawrey QC, sitting as an election commissioner in one case, found that the postal voting system was “wide open to fraud and any would-be political fraudster knows that it’s wide open to fraud,” and would “disgrace a banana republic.”

Notably, Mawrey warned ahead of the 2020 elections in the United States that American mail-in voting has even fewer safeguards than British postal voting and could “easily” be rigged.

Image by Rcsprinter123.

Join Pulse+ to comment below, and receive exclusive e-mail analyses.

show less
show more
Footer Ad
Footer Ad
5 hours ago
NatSec
News
TECH

Massive Data Breach Exposes 26 MILLION Social Security Numbers.

PULSE POINTS

❓WHAT HAPPENED: The social security numbers of at least 26 million Americans were exposed in a major data breach involving Conduent, a company managing data for corporations, healthcare providers, and state agencies.

👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: Conduent, an unauthorized third party, and impacted Americans across multiple states, including Texas, Oregon, Delaware, Massachusetts, and New Hampshire.

📍WHEN & WHERE: The breach occurred between October 21, 2024, and January 13, 2025, affecting individuals nationwide.

💬KEY QUOTE: “If any insurance giant cut corners or has information that could help us prevent breaches like this in the future, I will work to uncover it. My office is committed to uncovering exactly what went wrong, taking action to protect Texas families, and ensuring there is justice for any negligence.” – Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton

🎯IMPACT: The breach exposed sensitive personal information, including social security numbers and health records, with long-term risks for affected individuals.

IN FULL

The personal data of at least 26 million Americans has been exposed in what has been described as the largest data breach in U.S. history. Conduent, a company that handles sensitive information for corporations, healthcare providers, and state agencies, confirmed that an unauthorized third party accessed its systems between October 21, 2024, and January 13, 2025.

Over 15 million residents in Texas were affected, along with more than 10 million individuals in Oregon and hundreds of thousands in other states, including Delaware, Massachusetts, and New Hampshire. Notifications sent to those affected revealed that compromised data may have included names, Social Security numbers, medical information, and health insurance details. Conduent clarified that not all data elements were present for every individual.

While the breach was discovered on January 13, 2025, Conduent stated that it is unaware of any misuse of the stolen information at this time. Affected individuals have been notified, and a dedicated phone line has been set up to address questions and concerns at (855) 291-2605. The company emphasized that its network was secured, law enforcement was notified, and operations were safely restored following the incident.

Safepay, a ransomware group, has claimed responsibility for the attack, reportedly obtaining over eight terabytes of data. While it remains unclear if a ransom has been demanded, Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton (R) stated, “If any insurance giant cut corners or has information that could help us prevent breaches like this in the future, I will work to uncover it. My office is committed to uncovering exactly what went wrong, taking action to protect Texas families, and ensuring there is justice for any negligence.”

Experts warn that the long-term impact of this breach could be severe, as social security numbers and health records cannot be easily changed like credit card details. Affected individuals are advised to place credit freezes with major bureaus such as Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion, request fraud alerts on their credit files, and monitor bank statements and credit reports for suspicious activity.

Join Pulse+ to comment below, and receive exclusive e-mail analyses.

show less
show more
5 hours ago
William Upton
Lawfare

The Biden DOJ and Jack Smith ‘Arctic Frost’ Scandal Just Got a Lot Worse.

PULSE POINTS

❓WHAT HAPPENED: The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) under former President Joe Biden subpoenaed the phone records of now-FBI Director Kash Patel and now-White House Chief of Staff Susie Wiles during the Arctic Frost investigation into President Donald J. Trump and his allies.

👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: Kash Patel, Susie Wiles, Joe Biden’s FBI leadership, and special counsel Jack Smith.

📍WHEN & WHERE: Subpoenas were issued in 2022 and 2023 during the Biden government.

💬KEY QUOTE: “It is outrageous and deeply alarming that the previous FBI leadership secretly subpoenaed my own phone records—along with those of now-White House Chief of Staff Susie Wiles.” – Kash Patel

🎯IMPACT: At least ten FBI employees were dismissed, and the FBI ended the ability to categorize certain files as “prohibited.”

IN FULL

The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), as part of the former Biden government’s Arctic Frost investigation of President Donald J. Trump, subpoenaed the phone records of now-FBI Director Kash Patel and now-White House Chief of Staff Susie Wiles in 2022 and 2023, when both were private citizens. Concerningly, it also appears that the FBI recorded conversations between Wiles and her attorney. While the latter granted the bureau permission to do so, Florida is a two-party consent state, raising concerns that the FBI may have illegally obtained the recordings.

Notably, the FBI’s subpoenas and recording activities occurred as the Biden Department of Justice’s (DOJ) special counsel Jack Smith had taken over the Arctic Frost investigation into President Donald Trump and the Capitol riots on January 6. The National Pulse has previously reported that Smith is accused of abusing his power as special counsel to cast a wide net of subpoenas, including for phone toll records belonging to members of Congress. Subsequently, Smith used friendly judges like James Boasberg and Beryl Howell to attain orders preventing phone carriers from notifying the lawmakers that their records had been subpoenaed.

Even more troubling, it appears the Biden government attempted to hide the phone record files it possessed for Patel and Wiles, with the documents being found in files labeled “prohibited.” After the discovery, Director Patel has moved to fire ten current FBI employees involved in the subpoenas and has ended the bureau’s ability to categorize certain files as “prohibited.”

Patel called the discovery of the subpoenas and recording of Wiles’s meeting with her attorney “outrageous and deeply alarming.” He added, “It is outrageous and deeply alarming that the previous FBI leadership secretly subpoenaed my own phone records—along with those of now White House chief of staff Susie Wiles—using flimsy pretexts and burying the entire process in prohibited case files designed to evade all oversight.”

Join Pulse+ to comment below, and receive exclusive e-mail analyses.

show less
show more
6 hours ago
Corruption
News

World Economic Forum Chief Resigns Over Epstein Meetings.

PULSE POINTS

❓WHAT HAPPENED: The president and chief executive of the World Economic Forum (WEF), Børge Brende, announced his resignation following scrutiny over past interactions with deceased pedophile Jeffrey Epstein.

👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: Børge Brende, the WEF co-chairs Andre Hoffmann and Larry Fink, and Jeffrey Epstein.

📍WHEN & WHERE: Brende announced his decision after more than eight years in his role, following an independent review of his meetings with Epstein in 2018 and 2019.

💬KEY QUOTE: “I believe now is the right moment for the forum to continue its important work without distractions.” – Børge Brende

🎯IMPACT: The resignation impacts the World Economic Forum’s already contentious reputation and future operations.

IN FULL

Børge Brende, president and chief executive of the globalist World Economic Forum (WEF), announced his resignation on Thursday amid scrutiny of his previous contacts with deceased pedophile Jeffrey Epstein. Brende acknowledged having dined with Epstein on three occasions during 2018 and 2019, long after his 2008 conviction as a child sex offender, but claimed he was unaware of Epstein’s highly-publicized criminal background at the time.

Recent disclosures by the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) also showed communications, including emails and text messages, between the two men. The WEF subsequently initiated a supposedly independent external review, which insisted there were “no additional concerns beyond what has been previously disclosed.”

“After careful consideration, I have decided to step down as president and chief executive of the World Economic Forum. I am grateful for the incredible collaboration with my colleagues, partners, and constituents, and I believe now is the right moment for the forum to continue its important work without distractions,” Brende said in his resignation statement.

WEF co-chairs André Hoffmann and Larry Fink released a joint statement commending Brende’s tenure, noting, “His dedication and leadership have been instrumental during a pivotal period of reforms for the organisation, leading to a successful annual meeting in Davos. We respect his decision to step down.”

Brende is one of several European leaders who have been caught in the fallout from the latest Epstein disclosures. Former British ambassador to the U.S. and Cabinet member Peter Mandelson has been arrested for misconduct in public office, as has the now-former Prince Andrew, related to them allegedly passing confidential information to the pedophile financier. Meanwhile, former Norwegian Prime Minister, head of the Norwegian Nobel Committee, and Secretary General of the Council of Europe Thorbjørn Jagland has attempted suicide amid corruption charges for his Epstein links.

Image by Eric Miller / World Economic Forum.

Join Pulse+ to comment below, and receive exclusive e-mail analyses.

show less
show more
8 hours ago
Immigration
War

Russia Uses Secret Tunnels to Infiltrate West with Migrants.

PULSE POINTS

❓WHAT HAPPENED: Russian proxy Belarus is reportedly using underground tunnels to send migrants into the European Union (EU) as part of a hybrid warfare strategy.

👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: Russia, Belarus, Polish officials, Bulgarian Interior Minister Daniel Mitov, and British Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper.

📍WHEN & WHERE: The tactic has been ongoing since at least 2021, targeting Poland’s eastern border and other NATO states.

💬KEY QUOTE: “Illegal migration inflows are an instrument for hostile regimes to destabilize the European Union and the United Kingdom.” – Daniel Mitov

🎯IMPACT: The strategy aims to destabilize European welfare systems, increase social tensions, and divide NATO allies.

IN FULL

The Polish government is accusing Russia, through its proxy Belarus, of constructing and utilizing a network of underground tunnels under the Belarusian border to flood Poland, Lithuania, and Latvia with migrants from Africa, the Middle East, and Central and South Asia as part of a hybrid warfare strategy against Europe. The Polish officials contend that experts from the Middle East with “a high level of expertise” have been involved in designing and digging these tunnels—insinuating that Russia and Belarus may be employing current or former members of Hamas who oversaw the construction of the Islamist terror group’s tunnel network under Gaza.

The tactic forms part of Belarus’ ongoing efforts to channel tens of thousands of migrants toward Poland’s eastern frontier. Belarusian security forces have been accused of escorting migrants to the Polish border while blocking their retreat, a practice referred to as “instrumentalized migration.” Since 2021, Belarus has relaxed entry rules for migrants from the Middle East and Africa, encouraging them to move toward NATO borders after they arrive.

Bulgarian Interior Minister Daniel Mitov stated that Russian security services are also aiding migrants in entering Britain and other European countries illegally. “They are aiming to destabilize the welfare systems, plus, of course, through smuggling radicalized individuals, they create security issues for us,” Mitov contends, while alleging that some European non-governmental organizations (NGOs) aid these operations, knowingly or not.

The United Kingdom’s Foreign Secretary, Yvette Cooper, echoed these concerns, saying, “It is clear that illegal migration into Europe and beyond is being driven not just by organized crime networks seeking to make a profit, but by hostile state actors seeking to destabilize Europe.”

Image via Wikimedia Commons.

Join Pulse+ to comment below, and receive exclusive e-mail analyses.

show less
show more
Footer Ad
Footer Ad