Monday, March 9, 2026
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Pope Francis, Tony Blair, & Pfizer CEO Albert Bourla Join Clinton Foundation Event Promoting Globalism.

The Clinton Foundation has announced Pope Francis will participate in the charity’s annual “Clinton Global Initiative” between September 18 and 19 next week, with the pontiff expected to discuss various topics including climate change, the migrant crisis, child welfare, and projects involving children’s hospitals alongside former United States President Bill Clinton.

Pope Francis will be one of a number of influential figures involved in the annual event, with former British Prime Minister Tony Blair, U.S. Secretary of the Interior Deb Haaland, Governor of California Gavin Newsom, CEO of Pfizer Albert Bourla, former White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki, U.S. Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen, among multiple others, all set to join.

The CGI was first launched by the Clintons in 2005 and claims to convene “global leaders to create and implement solutions to the world’s most pressing challenges, including climate change, inclusive economic growth, and health equity.”

Pope Francis has become increasingly vocal throughout his papal tenure, such as recently suggesting U.S. Catholic conservatives are “backward” as well as calling for “global governance” during the COVID-19 pandemic.

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Pro-Trump Texas Republican Steve Toth Backs Ken Paxton in Senate Runoff.

PULSE POINTS

WHAT HAPPENED: Texas Republican congressional candidate Steve Toth, who defeated anti-Trump Representative Dan Crenshaw (R-TX) in last week’s Republican primary, announced he is backing Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton over incumbent Senator John Cornyn in the Republican Senate primary run-off election.

👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: Steve Toth, Ken Paxton, and John Cornyn.

📍WHEN & WHERE: The endorsement was made on Monday, March 9, 2026.

💬KEY QUOTE: “On a personal level, I know Ken as a selfless servant who has always put Texas before his own personal interests. That is what we desperately need from the people we send to D.C., and it’s why I am endorsing him in his race to be our next United States Senator.” — Steve Toth

🎯IMPACT: Paxton, a staunch supporter of President Donald J. Trump, is facing immense pressure from establishment and anti-Trump Republicans to drop out of the race, as they view Cornyn, who has frequently been at odds with Trump, as more reliable.

IN FULL

Texas Republican congressional candidate Steve Toth, who defeated anti-Trump Representative Dan Crenshaw (R-TX) in last week’s Republican primary, announced he is backing Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton over incumbent Senator John Cornyn in the Republican Senate primary run-off election. “During my time in the Texas Legislature, I have come to know Ken Paxton on both a professional and personal level. As our Attorney General, Ken has been a staunch defender of conservative values and constitutional rights,” Toth said in an interview published Monday.

“Ken often served as the last line of defense for Texans during the Biden Administration years, securing major wins for border security, blocking COVID-19 vaccine mandates, and protecting our children. Ken Paxton is battle-tested,” Toth continued, adding: “On a personal level, I know Ken as a selfless servant who has always put Texas before his own personal interests. That is what we desperately need from the people we send to D.C., and it’s why I am endorsing him in his race to be our next United States Senator.”

During the March 3 primary, Toth defeated incumbent Congressman Dan Crenshaw by over 15 points, and, with nearly 100 percent of the vote reporting, captured 55 percent of the electorate. Importantly, Toth’s victory is well past the 50 percent needed to avoid a runoff election.

Meanwhile, Paxton and Cornyn are slated to face off in a runoff on May 26 as neither candidate hit the 50 percent threshold. Paxton, a staunch supporter of President Donald J. Trump, is facing immense pressure from establishment and anti-Trump Republicans to drop out of the race, as they view Cornyn, who has frequently been at odds with Trump, as more favorable.

The National Pulse has reported extensively on the dubious actions and statements of Cornyn’s staff. Over the past weekend, for instance, The National Pulse Editor-in-Chief Raheem Kassam revealed that in late May 2020, at the beginning of the “mostly peaceful” Black Lives Matter “summer of love” riots, Cornyn’s campaign communications director, Matt Mackowiak, was posting pro-George Floyd messages on his social media accounts. Mackowiak would even pitch a pro-Floyd op-ed to The National Pulse over a year later, in October 2021.

Image by LiwenAristodemos.

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The List of Terror Attacks and Plots Since the Iran War Started is Growing:

PULSE POINTS

WHAT HAPPENED: A series of terror attacks and suspected terror attacks have unfolded worldwide since the launch of Operation Epic Fury, the ongoing U.S.-Israeli military operation against the Islamic Republic of Iran.

👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: U.S. and Israeli forces, Iranian-aligned militias and terrorists, and targeted American and Jewish civilians, among others.

📍WHEN & WHERE: February 28, 2026, to March 9, 2026, in locations including the U.S., Pakistan, Norway, Belgium, Azerbaijan, and Iraq.

🎯IMPACT: Intelligence and security agencies have issued heightened alerts, with investigations ongoing into Iran-inspired terror attacks and plots.

IN FULL

Since the launch of Operation Epic Fury by U.S.-Israeli forces on February 28, 2026, there have been a number of terror attacks or suspected terror attacks targeting Americans and Jews, among others, in the U.S., Europe, and bases and government buildings around the world.

1. Austin, Texas Bar Shooting 
Gunman Ndiaga Diagne opened fire outside Buford’s Backyard Beer Garden on Sixth Street in Austin, Texas, killing three civilians and wounding 14 others. Police shot and killed the 53-year-old suspect at the scene. He wore clothing with an Iranian flag design and “Property of Allah” messaging; investigators later found related materials in his home. The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) is actively treating the case as a possible act of terrorism inspired by the Iran conflict—the clearest suspected lone-wolf incident on U.S. soil to date.

2. Explosion at the U.S. Embassy in Oslo, Norway 
A blast struck near the consular entrance around 1 AM, causing minor structural damage but no injuries. Norwegian police are investigating it as a possible deliberate, targeted attack linked to the Iran war, with terrorism not ruled out.

3. NYC: Explosive Devices Thrown Near the Mayor’s Residence

On March 8, 2026, police investigated a suspected terror incident outside Gracie Mansion, the official residence of New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani, who follows the Twelver sect of Shia Islam that counts Iran’s ayatollahs as spiritual leaders. During a clash between a small protest against Islamic extremism and a larger counter-protest, two improvised explosive devices (IEDs) were thrown into the crowd, appearing to target protest organizer Jake Lang.

The devices were described as jars packed with nuts, bolts, screws, and a fuse, which could have acted as shrapnel bombs if they had detonated. Fortunately, neither device exploded.

4. Explosion Outside a Synagogue in Liège, Belgium 
An early-morning blast damaged a historic synagogue, shattering windows with no injuries reported, in Liège, Belgium. Belgian authorities and the Liège mayor condemned it as a “despicable antisemitic act” and are investigating possible terrorist motives.

5. Assault on the U.S. Consulate in Karachi, Pakistan 
Hundreds of pro-Iran protesters attempted to storm the U.S. Consulate, breaching the perimeter, smashing windows, and attempting arson. Pakistani security forces and U.S. Marines responded with force, killing 10–22 demonstrators and injuring dozens. Related unrest damaged UN offices in northern Pakistan and contributed to a nationwide protest death toll of around 20–26. Officials view this as direct backlash violence against a U.S. diplomatic target.

6. Foiled IRGC-Linked Terror Plot in Azerbaijan 
Azerbaijani security services dismantled an alleged Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) cell planning attacks on the Israeli Embassy in Baku, an Ashkenazi synagogue, Jewish community leaders, and a major oil pipeline. Explosives were seized and multiple suspects arrested, preventing what officials described as coordinated terrorist operations.

Notably, Azerbaijan, which previously paid tribute to slain Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, has committed to joining the war after being struck by Iranian strikes.

7. Drone and Rocket Attacks by Iranian-Aligned Militias in Iraq

Pro-Iranian militias have conducted numerous attacks on U.S. and coalition targets in Iraq since the conflict began. One militia group claimed 27 separate operations on March 3 alone, involving rockets and suicide drones targeting U.S. facilities, including locations near Erbil International Airport.

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Ayatollah Khamenei’s Son Replaces Him as Iran’s Supreme Leader.

PULSE POINTS

WHAT HAPPENED: Mojtaba Khamenei, son of the late Iranian dictator Ali Khamenei, has been named Supreme Leader following his father’s death.

👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: Mojtaba Khamenei, Ali Khamenei, U.S. President Donald J. Trump, and Israeli officials.

📍WHEN & WHERE: Monday, March 9, 2026.

🎯IMPACT: The appointment decreases the chances of a quick Iranian surrender.

IN FULL

Mojtaba Khamenei, the son of Iran’s deceased dictator, Grand Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, has been selected to replace his father as Supreme Leader of the Islamic Republic. The National Pulse reported last week that Mojtaba Khamenei, despite having no prior government role nor significant position within the Twelver Islam religious sect, was poised to take over from his father, who was killed in U.S. and Israeli airstrikes at the end of February.

U.S. President Donald J. Trump has previously called Mojtaba Khamenei’s appointment “unacceptable.” Meanwhile, Israel has stated that they would consider anyone elected to replace Ali Khamenei to be a legitimate military target.

According to some sources, Mojtaba Khamenei was wounded at some point during the U.S.-Israeli airstrikes, though how serious his injuries are is unknown. The U.S. and Israeli militaries began hitting key political and military targets in Iran on February 28, in Operation Epic Fury. On the first day, it is believed that between 40 and 50 of the Iranian regime’s top military and political leaders were killed, including the former Supreme Leader.

Despite days of bombings that have weakened the regime’s grip on power, Iran has maintained an aggressive stance, launching dozens of drone attacks against Israel and U.S. allies in the region. Mojtaba Khamenei is now the third Supreme Leader of Iran since the country’s 1979 revolution.

Image by Mahmoud Hosseini / Tasnim News Agency.

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Blast at U.S. Embassy in Norway: Police Issue Suspect Images.

PULSE POINTS

WHAT HAPPENED: An explosion caused by an improvised device occurred outside the US embassy in Oslo, Norway, causing minor damage but no injuries.

👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: Norwegian police, U.S. State Department, and an unidentified suspect captured in surveillance footage.

📍WHEN & WHERE: Early Sunday morning at the U.S. embassy in the Morgedalsvegen district of Oslo, Norway.

💬KEY QUOTE: “The security of diplomatic missions is very important to us.” – Espen Barth Eide, Norwegian Foreign Minister.

🎯IMPACT: The incident is under high-priority investigation, with authorities appealing for public assistance and addressing potential terrorism links.

IN FULL

Norwegian police have released surveillance footage images of a suspected individual connected to an explosion that occurred outside the U.S. Embassy in Oslo early Sunday morning. The images depict a person whose face is hidden, wearing dark clothing and carrying a backpack.

Officials have determined that the blast was triggered by an improvised explosive device (IED) positioned at the embassy entrance. The explosion resulted in minor damage, with no injuries reported. Authorities responded to the scene around 1:00 AM local time.

The investigation is being treated as a top priority. In addition to the released images, police are examining a video that was uploaded to Google Maps around the time of the incident but has since been removed; reports indicate it showed Iran’s former Supreme Leader, Grand Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, who was recently killed in joint U.S.-Israeli strikes on Tehran.

Norwegian Foreign Minister Espen Barth Eide described the incident as “unacceptable” and stressed the need to protect diplomatic premises. The U.S. State Department has stated it is looking into the matter as well.

Police are asking the public for any tips about the suspect or any suspicious activity in the vicinity between midnight and 2:00 AM local time. Social media images from the scene revealed broken glass and damage in the area near the embassy’s consular section.

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EXC: ‘RIP George Floyd’ – How Cornyn’s Comms Chief Pitched a BLM-Friendly Op-Ed to The National Pulse… We Declined.

In late May 2020, at the beginning of the “summer of love” and the “mostly peaceful” Black Lives Matter riots, John Cornyn’s campaign communications director, Matt Mackowiak, was posting pro-George Floyd messages on his social media accounts. Mackowiak would even pitch a pro-Floyd op-ed to The National Pulse over a year later, in October 2021.

We declined to publish his piece.

Mackowiak – a long-standing NeverTrumper who also runs a group called “Save Austin Now” – posted on May 27, 2020: “Truly awful story. RIP George Floyd.”

Floyd, a violent criminal who once pointed a gun at a pregnant mother’s belly, died during an altercation with Minneapolis police. At the time of death, Floyd had fentanyl intoxication, heart disease, arterial blockage, and had recently tested positive for COVID-19.

But Floyd’s death was nevertheless leveraged by hucksters like the “Black Lives Matter” movement and used by the political left to assail the Trump presidency.

Riots that summer killed 25 people, including Lee Keltner, a conservative murdered by a media organization’s security guard, press photographer Tyler Gerth, murdered by a left-wing protester, Barry Perkins, who died when a FedEx truck began moving as BLM tried to loot it. Summer Taylor, a BLM protester who was hit while protesting on a freeway, David Dorn, a black police officer murdered by BLM looters for trying to stop them, 8-year-old Secoriea Turner, murdered by a BLM protester, and Victor Cazares Jr, murdered by BLM for defending his store.

As riots gripped America, Cornyn’s comms chief asked, “Has anyone put forward serious reforms that would prevent another George Floyd situation?”

Within another few days, Mackowiak would host Touré Neblett – a long-standing race grifter – on his podcast to “discuss the George Floyd police killing, the national protest movement, tangible solutions on police reform, and the concepts of systemic racism and white privilege.”

At the time of publication, these podcasts had been removed from the internet. Toure recently posted to his Instagram about Iran’s March 2026 claim of capturing U.S. troops: “Unconfirmed at ths [sic] point. But I believe Iran more than this gov.”

By the next month, July 2020, Mackowiak was posting “All black lives matter” on his Twitter page.

Another year would pass before he would pitch his pro-George Floyd op-ed to The National Pulse, co-authored with his “Save Austin Now” co-founder, Cleo Petrick.

The piece, broadly against defunding of the Austin police, began with the following framing, describing Floyd’s death as an “horrific murder” which set off “protests” and a “national discussion about police brutality” which Mackowiak describes as “rightly” taking place.

We have redacted the e-mail address of a former colleague of Mackowiak’s for their privacy.

Mackowiak’s co-author and co-founder of “Save Austin Now” is Cleo Petricek, a self-described “Longtime Activist in Democratic Politics,” whose bio still appears as such on their website.

The first images on the site associated with Petricek feature her with former President Barack Obama and failed Texas political leftist Beto O’Rourke. In Petricek’s hands are Democratic Party election materials, suggesting the pair had been campaigning together. Petricek had also posted images of her children holding up “BETO” signs.

She writes: “With my own money in 2008, I started a website for Latinos for Obama in Dallas, when everyone was supporting Hillary.”

After reading their proposed op-ed, and researching their previous work, we replied: “Hey guys, thanks for this. We would not publish something lauding the protests (riots) as a mechanism for change, nor describe Floyd’s killing (an accident) as an “horrific murder”. Would you be wiling [sic] to change this?”

At this point, Mackowiak stopped responding, presumably because our editorial position on the matter was not to his taste.

Besides running “Save Austin Now” and John Cornyn’s campaign communications team, Mackowiak also heads the Potomac Strategy Group, where his colleagues include Aaron Pluto, a former advisor to U.S. Ambassador to Ukraine Geoffrey Pyatt. Pyatt was the only other participant in the now-infamous “F*ck the EU!” phone call leak from Obama operative Victoria Nuland.

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In late May 2020, at the beginning of the "summer of love" and the "mostly peaceful" Black Lives Matter riots, John Cornyn's campaign communications director, Matt Mackowiak, was posting pro-George Floyd messages on his social media accounts. Mackowiak would even pitch a pro-Floyd op-ed to The National Pulse over a year later, in October 2021. show more
By Popular Demand.
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Iran Agent Caught in Hitman Plot to Assassinate Trump.

PULSE POINTS

WHAT HAPPENED: A federal jury convicted Asif Merchant, an operative of Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), of murder for hire and attempting to commit an act of terrorism transcending national boundaries.

👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: Asif Merchant, undercover U.S. law enforcement officers, Attorney General Pamela Bondi, FBI Director Kash Patel, and Assistant Attorney General John A. Eisenberg.

📍WHEN & WHERE: Merchant arrived in the U.S. in April 2024, met with undercover agents in New York in June, and was arrested in July 2024.

💬KEY QUOTE: “This man landed on American soil hoping to kill President Trump — instead, he was met with the might of American law enforcement.” – Attorney General Pamela Bondi

🎯IMPACT: Merchant faces life in prison, and the case highlights the vigilance of U.S. law enforcement in thwarting foreign terrorism plots.

IN FULL

A federal jury has convicted Asif Merchant, also known as “Asif Raza Merchant,” of murder for hire and attempting to commit an act of terrorism transcending national boundaries. Merchant, a trained operative of the Iranian government’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), admitted at trial that he was sent to the United States to arrange political assassinations and steal documents. Law enforcement foiled the plot before any attack could be carried out.

Merchant arrived in the United States in April 2024. By June, he had met with purported hitmen—who were actually undercover U.S. law enforcement officers in New York—and began planning assassinations and thefts. He was arrested in July 2024 before leaving the country. Merchant testified that his IRGC handler instructed him to finalize the plans and depart the U.S. before the attacks were carried out.

“This man landed on American soil hoping to kill President Trump — instead, he was met with the might of American law enforcement,” said Attorney General Pamela Bondi. FBI Director Kash Patel added, “Merchant tried to hire someone to kill a politician or a U.S. government official, but the FBI and our partners stopped that deadly plot.” Assistant Attorney General John A. Eisenberg emphasized that Merchant’s actions “struck at the heart of our democracy and our commitment to the rule of law.”

Merchant’s plot involved recruiting individuals to commit acts of theft, stage protests, and assassinate U.S. officials, including President Trump. He met with an acquaintance in New York who reported his plans to law enforcement, becoming a confidential source. Merchant later met with undercover officers posing as hitmen, paying them $5,000 as an advance for their services. He planned to leave the U.S. on July 12, 2024, but was arrested before his departure.

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Epstein Guard Googled Him Just Before Death, Banked Unexplained $5K.

PULSE POINTS

WHAT HAPPENED: New Department of Justice documents reveal that a prison guard googled Jeffrey Epstein just minutes before he was found dead and made a $5,000 cash deposit 10 days prior to his death.

👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: Tova Noel, one of two guards accused of falsifying records, and Michael Thomas, another correctional officer, were implicated in the events surrounding Epstein’s death.

📍WHEN & WHERE: The events occurred on August 10, 2019, at the Metropolitan Correctional Center in Manhattan.

💬KEY QUOTE: “I don’t remember doing that,” Noel said when questioned about her internet searches on Epstein.

🎯IMPACT: The revelations have fueled ongoing questions and conspiracies surrounding Epstein’s death and the actions of those responsible for his supervision.

IN FULL

Newly released Department of Justice documents have revealed that Tova Noel, a prison guard at the Metropolitan Correctional Center, searched for Jeffrey Epstein online just minutes before he was discovered dead in his cell. The search occurred at 5:42 a.m. and again at 5:52 a.m., less than 40 minutes before Noel’s colleague, Michael Thomas, found Epstein hanging in his cell at 6:30 a.m.

Noel, who was accused of falsifying records stating she had checked on Epstein throughout the night, denied making the search during a sworn statement in 2021. “I don’t remember doing that,” she said, adding that the FBI’s records were “not accurate.” The FBI highlighted the search in its 66-page forensic examination of the prison computers used by Noel and Thomas.

Additional scrutiny has been placed on a $5,000 cash deposit made to Noel’s bank account 10 days before Epstein’s death. Chase Bank flagged the deposit, along with 11 others totaling $11,880, in a suspicious activity report filed with the FBI. Noel, who began working in the Special Housing Unit where Epstein was held in July 2019, was not questioned about the deposits during her interview with the DOJ.

The FBI also identified Noel as the likely individual seen in a blurry surveillance video near Epstein’s cell at 10:40 p.m. on the night of his death. The video reportedly shows a person carrying linen or inmate clothing, which Epstein allegedly used to hang himself. Noel denied providing any linens to Epstein, stating, “I never gave out linen — ever,” and claimed she last saw him alive “somewhere around after 10.”

The findings have reignited questions and conspiracy theories surrounding the circumstances of Epstein’s death. Despite the troubling revelations, criminal charges against Noel and Thomas were dropped in December 2021. Noel has since faced additional legal trouble, including a lawsuit in Westchester County Supreme Court for alleged assault at her current job.

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By Popular Demand.
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Fifth Column: Mamdani’s Wife ‘Likes’ Instagram Posts Celebrating Hamas Terror on Civilians.

PULSE POINTS

WHAT HAPPENED: New York Mayor Zohran Mamdani’s wife, Rama Duwaji, liked Instagram posts celebrating Hamas’ October 7 attack on civilians and supporting Palestinian jihad.

👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: Zohran Mamdani, Rama Duwaji, and left-wing groups like The Slow Factory and People’s Forum.

💬KEY QUOTE: “Mayor Mamdani has been clear and consistent: Hamas is a terrorist organization, October 7 was a horrific war crime, and he has condemned that violence unequivocally.” – Mamdani’s spokesman.

🎯IMPACT: Duwaji’s social media activity sparked controversy and scrutiny of Mamdani’s political stances.

IN FULL

Rama Duwaji, the wife of Mayor Zohran Mamdani, recently faced backlash for liking Instagram posts that celebrated the October 7, 2023, Hamas attack on Israel. These posts included images from the assault and messages supporting Palestinian jihad.

The posts, shared by groups like The Slow Factory and People’s Forum, featured slogans such as “resisting apartheid since 1948.” Another image showed a bulldozer breaching the barrier between Gaza and Israel.

Duwaji also liked posts promoting protests against Israel’s military actions in Gaza. One such post called for support of Palestinian resistance, stating, “FROM THE RIVER TO THE SEA, PALESTINE WILL BE FREE!”

In response to the controversy, Mamdani described his wife as a private person uninvolved in his political career. He emphasized his responsibility to address questions about his own political views.

Despite the scrutiny, Mamdani has consistently condemned Hamas, labeling the October 7th attack as a “horrific war crime” and reaffirming his stance against the violence.

New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani (D) is a follower of the Twelver sect of Shia Islam. This sect counts Iran’s now-deceased Supreme Leader, Grand Ayatollah Khamenei, and the country’s surviving ayatollahs as spiritual leaders, owed religious taxes like khums and zakat by ordinary Twelvers.

Iqbal Akhtar, Associate Professor of Religious Studies at Florida International University, has noted: “The Mamdani family… is part of the Twelver community… whose Twelfth Imam is believed to be hidden from the world and only emerges in times of crisis. Twelvers believe he will help usher in an age of peace during end times.”

Though this Imam, Muhammad al-Mahdi, is said to have disappeared into hiding in 874 AD, the Ayatollahs of Iran have taken up the mantle of leadership for the Twelver community.

Robert Spencer, head of the JihadWatch group, has described the sect as the official religion of the Islamic Republic of Iran.

Mamdani has described the strikes against Iran as “a catastrophic escalation in an illegal war of aggression.”

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BBC Caught Mistranslating Hegseth Speech, After Previously Doctoring Trump Address.

PULSE POINTS

WHAT HAPPENED: The BBC’s Persian service mistranslated remarks by U.S. Secretary of War Pete Hegseth, making it look as though he said U.S. forces were targeting the Iranian “people” rather than the Iranian “regime.”

👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: Pete Hegseth, BBC Persian, and President Donald J. Trump.

📍WHEN & WHERE: The mistranslation occurred during a live broadcast on Monday, with subsequent fallout online and in international media.

💬KEY QUOTE: “This mistranslated word was a mistake, as a result of human error, during the live simultaneous translation of a speech.” – BBC spokesman

🎯IMPACT: The mistranslation has raised questions about the BBC’s impartiality and reignited criticism from Donald Trump, who has a history of disputes with the broadcaster.

IN FULL

The BBC is facing backlash after BBC Persian mistranslated comments made by U.S. Secretary of War Pete Hegseth during a broadcast. In the original speech, Hegseth made clear that U.S. military operations in Iran are aimed at Iran’s regime rather than its citizens, stating, “It turns out the regime that chanted ‘Death to America and death to Israel’ was gifted death from America and death from Israel. This is not a so-called regime change war, but the regime sure did change, and the world is better off for it.” However, BBC Persian translated this as: “It turns out the people that chanted ‘Death to America and death to Israel’ was gifted death from America and death from Israel,” making it look as though the Iranian people as a whole, rather than the Islamic Republic’s ruling mullahs, are being targeted.

The mistranslation drew swift backlash, and BBC Persian subsequently acknowledged the issue and issued a correction, claiming it was an unintentional mistake made by the interpreter during real-time simultaneous translation.

The incident follows a major scandal involving the BBC doctoring a speech by President Donald J. Trump on January 6, 2021, for a programme aired shortly before the U.S. elections in 2024. BBC Panorama showed a clip of Trump saying, “We’re gonna walk down to the Capitol, and I’ll be with you, and we fight. We fight like hell, and if you don’t fight like hell, you’re not gonna have a country anymore,” making it appear as though he directly incited disorder.

In reality, Trump said, “We’re going to walk down to the Capitol, and we’re going to cheer on our brave senators and congressmen and women”—the BBC had created its clip by splicing together two sections of Trump’s speech close to an hour apart.

The broadcaster’s Director General and Head of News both abruptly resigned following the scandal, but it has not officially admitted any malicious wrongdoing and is fighting a multi-billion-dollar lawsuit from Trump.

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Islamic Decorations Appear at Texas School.

PULSE POINTS

WHAT HAPPENED: Parents spotted Islamic Ramadan decorations on Go Texan Day, in an elementary school that supposedly enforces a ban on religious displays.

👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: Moms for Liberty, Spring Branch ISD, and Bunker Hill Elementary School.

📍WHEN & WHERE: March 2026, at Bunker Hill Elementary School in Houston.

💬KEY QUOTE: “This is in a school district that does NOT allow (per board policy) religious symbols to be displayed, yet somehow these decorations were approved,” – Moms for Liberty.

🎯IMPACT: The display has been removed following online backlash.

IN FULL

Parents spotted an Islamic Ramadan display at Bunker Hill Elementary School in Houston, Texas, on Go Texan Day, despite the district’s policy on political and religious neutrality. The display included signage reading “Ramadan Mubarak” and Islamic symbols such as crescent moons and stars.

“‘Ramadan’ decor was set up in the lobby of an elementary school in Houston TX by a PTA ‘Cultural Committee.’ This is in a school district that does NOT allow (per board policy) religious symbols to be displayed, yet somehow these decorations were approved,” the Moms for Liberty, Harris County, Texas, chapter wrote in a post on X (formerly Twitter). “On Friday in Houston, it was ‘Go Texan Day’…a day where kids across the city celebrate their TX Pride to kick off rodeo season. Parents are often invited to come to the school to watch their kids participate in square dancing and line dancing. Imagine walking into the school for ‘Go Texan Day,’ and this is the decor that greets you,” the group added.

The display was removed on Monday “because the display was religious in nature,” according to a spokesman for the school district.

The growth of Islam and attempts to enforce Sharia law in Texas have sparked significant discussion in recent years. The state’s growing Muslim population has attempted to assert itself both politically and culturally, with projects like EPIC City, a proposed residential development near Dallas, designed exclusively for adherents of Islam. Earlier this month, the Trump administration launched an investigation into the EPIC City project, joining a state probe led by Attorney General Ken Paxton, seeking to determine whether the Islamic group’s land development project has violated federal and state laws, including the Fair Housing Act.

The National Pulse reported last March that the Tablighi Jamaat—a global Islamic missionary network that intelligence agencies contend acts as a potential entry point for jihadis—had established its new headquarters in Garland, Texas. The network, also known as the ‘Army of Darkness,’ has set up operations inside the Masjid Yaseen mosque, which now serves as its American nerve center, following its relocation from Louisiana.

Image by Don Sniegowski.

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