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October 16, 2023
Jake Welch
Health
News
Science

Pfizer Cuts Costs After Collapse In Vax Uptake.

Pfizer has been forced to reduce staff numbers and implement billion-dollar cuts in its operating costs following the collapse in COVID-19 vaccine and treatment sales over the past 12 months.

The pharmaceutical giant is set to cut costs by $1 billion this year and at least $2.5 billion in 2024 as its annual revenue has almost halved from over $100 billion last year, with Coronavirus vaccine sales making up $56 million of that figure, to around $60 billion in 2023. There is yet to be a confirmed figure regarding job losses, however.

The company also anticipates sales of its vaccine and Paxlovid, another coronavirus medication, to be $12.5 billion, roughly $9 billion lower than initially forecasted.

“We remain proud that our scientific breakthroughs played a significant role in getting the global health crisis under control,” said Pfizer’s chief executive, Albert Bourla, following the announcement.

“As we gain additional clarity around vaccination and treatment rates for COVID, we will be better able to estimate the appropriate level of supply to meet demand,” Bourla added.

The fall in demand for COVID-19 vaccines has also forced countries to scrap hundreds of millions of doses.

By Popular Demand.
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25 minutes ago
Economy
News

DOJ Closes Investigation Into Fed Chair Jerome Powell.

Federal prosecutors have closed their investigation into Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell, shifting focus to an Inspector General for the Federal Reserve review of the renovation of the central bank’s D.C. headquarters.

PULSE POINTS
❓ WHAT HAPPENED: Federal prosecutors have officially ended their investigation into Jerome Powell, Chairman of the Federal Reserve. The announcement came from Jeanine Pirro, U.S. Attorney for the District of Columbia, on Friday. She also announced that the case will shift to the Federal Reserve’s Inspector General and examine the cost of renovating the central bank’s headquarters.
📺 DETAIL: Jeanine Pirro announced on X (formerly Twitter) that the Department of Justice (DOJ) is closing the federal investigation into Powell, noting that while the investigation is now closed, her office is prepared to reopen the case if new evidence emerges. She emphasized that the Inspector General’s report is intended to resolve lingering questions about cost overruns in the renovation of the Federal Reserve’s D.C. headquarters. The investigation into Powell began in January, when the DOJ served subpoenas related to Powell’s testimony about renovations to Federal Reserve buildings.
💬 KEY QUOTE: “I have directed my office to close our investigation as the IG undertakes this inquiry. Note well, however, that I will not hesitate to restart a criminal investigation should the facts warrant doing so.” – Jeanine Pirro
🎯 IMPACT: The end of the federal investigation into Powell removes a key hurdle for the confirmation of Kevin Warsh, President Donald J. Trump’s nomination to chair the Federal Reserve’s Board of Governors. Warsh is on track to take over from Powell when the latter’s tenure ends in May, but the takeover has been obstructed by Senator Thom Tillis (R-NC), who objected to the investigation into Powell.
📺 FLASHBACK: President Trump has voiced considerable criticism of Powell, saying in November: “I’ll be honest, I’d love to fire his ass.” In particular, the President is critical of Powell’s reluctance to lower interest rates. When the investigation into Powell was first announced, Trump said: “I don’t know anything about it, but he’s certainly not very good at the Fed, and he’s not very good at building buildings.”

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Federal prosecutors have closed their investigation into Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell, shifting focus to an Inspector General for the Federal Reserve review of the renovation of the central bank's D.C. headquarters.

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By Popular Demand.
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1 hour ago
TECH
UK

Trump Threatens ‘Big Tariff’ on Britain Over Tech Tax.

President Donald J. Trump has threatened the British government with tariffs unless it repeals its digital services tax, which targets U.S. tech firms.

PULSE POINTS
❓ WHAT HAPPENED: President Donald J. Trump has warned the British government that the United States will impose significant tariffs if it does not repeal its digital services tax, which falls heavily on U.S. tech companies due to their dominant position internationally.
📺 DETAIL: Speaking from the Oval Office on Thursday, President Trump said his administration will “probably” impose a tariff on the United Kingdom in response to the country’s digital services tax. The two percent levy was imposed on companies with revenues from digital activity that exceed £500 million (~$676m) and include over £25m (~$33.8m) from British users in 2020. The tax heavily impacts U.S. companies with British users, such as Google, Apple, and Meta. Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer has defended the tax as a necessary fiscal measure, generating £800 million (~$1.08 billion) in revenue during the 2024-2025 financial year.
💬 KEY QUOTE: “If they don’t drop the tax, we’ll probably put a big tariff on the UK.” – President Donald J. Trump
🎯 IMPACT: The threat of tariffs could further strain U.S.-UK relations ahead of the four-day state visit by King Charles III and Queen Camilla to the U.S. The state visit is scheduled to include a private meeting between the King and President Trump, who has said the visit could “absolutely” repair the relationship between the two countries following clashes over the Iran war and free speech.

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President Donald J. Trump has threatened the British government with tariffs unless it repeals its digital services tax, which targets U.S. tech firms.

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By Popular Demand.
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2 hours ago
News
War

Israeli PM Netanyahu Undergoes Treatment for Cancer.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has disclosed the successful removal of a malignant tumor, claiming he remains in excellent health as he steers his country through multiple conflicts.

PULSE POINTS
❓ WHAT HAPPENED: Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu revealed that he successfully underwent treatment for a malignant tumor discovered during routine medical monitoring. The tumor was detected following an earlier surgery for a benign enlarged prostate.
📺 DETAIL: In a post on X on April 24, the 76-year-old leader said the tumor, described as “a tiny spot of less than a centimeter,” was successfully treated and left “no trace,” adding that a prior benign prostate issue had already been fully resolved, Netanyahu explained he delayed releasing his annual health report to avoid its publication during the height of the war with Iran, citing concerns the Islamic Republic could use it for propaganda. He emphasized that he chose immediate treatment upon learning of the risk, saying, “When I’m given information in time about a potential danger, I want to address it immediately. This is true on the national level and also on the personal level.”
💬 KEY QUOTE: “I had a minor medical issue with my prostate that was completely treated. Thank God, it’s behind me,” said Netanyahu.
🎯 IMPACT: Netanyahu’s disclosure comes as he prepares for a high-stakes visit to the White House, where discussions on a long-term peace strategy in the conflict with Iran are expected. His health update comes as the new Supreme Leader of Iran, Mojtaba Khamenei, is also reportedly facing health issues, and may require a prosthetic leg and plastic surgery due to injuries suffered in an Israeli air strike.

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Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has disclosed the successful removal of a malignant tumor, claiming he remains in excellent health as he steers his country through multiple conflicts.

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By Popular Demand.
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3 hours ago
Christopher Tomlinson
Corruption
War

Calls to Pardon Soldier Who Bet on Maduro Removal — Here’s Why…

Representative Anna Paulina Luna (R-FL) has called for a presidential pardon of a soldier who helped plan the capture of former Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro and used his insider information to make $400,000 on an online betting site.

PULSE POINTS
❓ WHAT HAPPENED: Representative Anna Paulina Luna (R-FL) called for the pardon of active duty soldier Gannon Ken van Dyke following the announcement of his arrest this week. Van Dyke had profited around $400,000 from betting on the fall of former Venezuelan leader Nicolas Maduro, using insider knowledge he gained while he was part of the planning for Operation Absolute Resolve.
📺 DETAIL: Rep. Luna argues Van Dyke should be pardoned because politicians in Congress are profiting from insider trading daily without punishment, although she acknowledges that Van Dyke’s actions were wrong and called for his winnings to be disgorged. “There is no ‘justice,’ when guys like this get the book thrown at him yet members are illegally profiting every day,” she wrote on X (formerly Twitter) on Thursday. The Department of Justice (DOJ) released a statement earier the same day saying Van Dyke used the betting platform Polymarket to make bets on the date of the fall of Maduro, starting around December 26. Maduro was captured by the U.S. forces on January 3. If not pardoned, Van Dyke could face up to 60 years in prison on all charges and have all of his winnings seized.
💬 KEY QUOTE: “Maybe not a popular take but I am calling for this guy to be pardoned. Unless the DOJ plans on going after all the crooks in congress currently insider trading, this is simply skewed justice.” – Rep. Anna Paulina Luna.
🎯 IMPACT: A presidential pardon would likely be opposed by the Pentagon, in case the encouragement of large-scale bets on military operations undermined their secrecy. However, Luna’s is in line with her previous calls to end the ability of lawmakers to use their positions for insider trading, and her intervention may reenergize the movement in favor of reform.

Image by Gage Skidmore.

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Representative Anna Paulina Luna (R-FL) has called for a presidential pardon of a soldier who helped plan the capture of former Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro and used his insider information to make $400,000 on an online betting site. show more
By Popular Demand.
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4 hours ago
War
World

Rumored Memo Suggests U.S. Could Turn on UK Over Falkland Islands.

The Trump administration may withdraw U.S. support for European “imperial possessions” such as Britain’s Falkland Islands and seek to push Spain out of NATO, in retaliation for European NATO allies’ refusal to assist with the Iran war.

PULSE POINTS
❓ WHAT HAPPENED: A leaked, rumored Pentagon email suggests the Trump administration could review its support for European “imperial possessions,” including Britain’s Falkland Islands, in response to European governments’ failure to support U.S. operations against Iran. Other remedial measures under consideration include blocking people from particularly “difficult” nations from senior NATO positions and suspending socialist-led Spain from the alliance altogether. The National Pulse understands the document has not yet been seriously discussed at a high level, though the President is understood to believe in ratcheting up pressure on allies.
📺 DETAIL: Several European governments, including Britain, Spain, and Italy, denied the U.S. from using their airspace and bases on their territory to support U.S. operations against Iran since the launch of Operation Epic Fury in late February. This has caused President Donald J. Trump to question the value of the NATO alliance from a U.S. perspective, with the leaked email obtained by Reuters complaining that “ABO”—access, basing, and overflight rights—should be “just the absolute baseline for NATO.” The British government has reiterated Britain’s sovereignty in the Falklands, a collection of South Atlantic islands which are also claimed by Argentina, in response to the leak, with a spokesman for Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer stating, “The Falkland Islands have previously voted overwhelmingly in favour of remaining an overseas territory. We have always stood behind the right to self-determination.”
💬 KEY QUOTE: “The Prime Minister has been clear repeatedly that he will not be pressured. He will always take a strong position on the UK’s national interests, and the Falklands is no different… Sovereignty rests with the UK and self-determination is paramount.” – Downing Street spokesman
🎯 IMPACT: It is unclear how the U.S. might impose some of the most robust punishments proposed in the email, such as pushing Spain out of NATO. Britain’s reaffirmation of sovereignty hints at the potential for further friction between the Trump administration and Starmer’s government ahead of King Charles III’s state visit to the U.S. Notably, Starmer’s position on the British Indian Ocean Territory (BIOT) is much different than his position on the Falklands, with the British premier actively attempting to give the territory away to China-allied Mauritius and Trump urging him to retain it.
📺 FLASHBACK: In 2013, the Falkland Islanders voted overwhelmingly to remain a British Overseas Territory, with 99.8 percent in favor of maintaining ties to the United Kingdom. Officially, the U.S. is neutral on the British and Argentine claims to the islands, although support was provided to the British—albeit reluctantly—when Argentina attempted to take them by force in the 1980s.

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The Trump administration may withdraw U.S. support for European "imperial possessions" such as Britain's Falkland Islands and seek to push Spain out of NATO, in retaliation for European NATO allies' refusal to assist with the Iran war.

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By Popular Demand.
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5 hours ago
News
Religion

Dozens of Congressmen Urge VA to Permit Catholic Crucifixes on Military Headstones.

Nearly 50 members of Congress have urged the Department of Veterans Affairs to approve the Catholic crucifix as an emblem option for veterans’ headstones in U.S. national cemeteries.

PULSE POINTS
❓ WHAT HAPPENED: Nearly 50 members of Congress are urging the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to approve the Catholic crucifix as an emblem option for veterans’ headstones in national cemeteries.
📺 DETAIL: The initiative was started by CatholicVote, an organization dedicated to representing the interests and values of Catholic Americans. The organization consulted the Department of Veterans Affairs on whether a Catholic crucifix was acceptable, and the VA answered that it was, but official approval would be required—a process that could take three to four years. Consequently, a group of lawmakers, led by Rep. Greg Steube (R-FL), sent a letter to VA leadership on April 10 demanding an expedited review process to ensure approval as soon as possible.
💬 KEY QUOTE: “While even atheists, humanists, and wiccans have an eligible emblem of belief for inscription, Catholic veterans do not currently have the option to select a crucifix. In the pursuit of religious freedom, as guaranteed by the First Amendment to our Constitution, we urge the Department of Veterans Affairs… to offer the crucifix as an eligible emblem of belief for inscription on headstones at national cemeteries.” – Letter to the U.S. Department of Veteran Affairs.
🎯 IMPACT: If approved, the Catholic crucifix would join nearly 100 other VA-approved emblems, including symbols for Protestant Christianity, the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (Mormonism), Judaism, Islam, Hinduism, and even atheism. Supporters argue the decision would provide Catholic veterans, who make up roughly 20 percent of the U.S. military, meaningful representation of their faith in national cemeteries.

Image by Stiller Beobachter.

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Nearly 50 members of Congress have urged the Department of Veterans Affairs to approve the Catholic crucifix as an emblem option for veterans' headstones in U.S. national cemeteries.

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By Popular Demand.
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6 hours ago
News
TECH

Eric Trump-Backed Robot Startup Secures $24M Pentagon Deal to Challenge China.

The U.S. military is investing millions of dollars in Foundation Future Industries to develop advanced humanoid robots to compete with China and maintain military superiority.

PULSE POINTS
❓ WHAT HAPPENED: The Pentagon has awarded a $24 million contract to Foundation Future Industries to develop and test humanoid robots for military use. The heavy-duty robots are designed to break into enemy sites, reduce the risk to American soldiers during military operations, and ensure the United States maintains a competitive edge against China. Notably, Eric Trump, son of President Donald J. Trump, is a chief strategy advisor at Foundation Future Industries.
📺 DETAIL: Developed by Foundation Future Industries, the “Phantom” robots are built for fluid movement, physical strength, and adaptability to human environments. The company has developed the Phantom Mark 1, an early-production robot, and the Phantom Mark 2, a mass-manufacturing robot. Eric Trump emphasized the urgent need for the United States to win the technology race, citing significant strides in robotics by China.
💬 KEY QUOTE: “We are America First. We have to win this race. The uses are unlimited, and I think it’s a very beautiful thing, but we must win this race.” – Eric Trump
🎯 IMPACT: The investment underscores the U.S. government’s focus on leveraging cutting-edge technology to maintain military superiority, and the readiness of the Pentagon to pay millions of dollars for the privilege.
📺 FLASHBACK: Earlier this month, China held a robot marathon, in which long-distance humanoid robots broke world records in the half-marathon. Previously, China unveiled a short-distance humanoid robot that approached Olympic sprinting gold medalist Usain Bolt’s record-breaking average speed.

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The U.S. military is investing millions of dollars in Foundation Future Industries to develop advanced humanoid robots to compete with China and maintain military superiority.

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By Popular Demand.
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19 hours ago
News
War

REPORT: Iran’s Hidden Supreme Leader Needs Prosthetic Leg, Plastic Surgery.

Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei reportedly requires a prosthetic leg and multiple surgeries, and has severe burns to his face.

PULSE POINTS
❓ WHAT HAPPENED: Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei, Iran’s new Supreme Leader, is reportedly awaiting a prosthetic leg and will require facial surgery after being severely injured in an Israeli air strike, likely the same one that killed his father, former Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei. Selected in March, the younger Khamenei has not yet been seen in public, fueling speculation on his condition, and even whether he is still alive.
📰 DETAIL: The New York Times, citing “four senior Iranian officials familiar with [Khamenei’s] health,” reports that Khamenei may have undergone at least three surgeries on his leg and one on his hand. His face and lips, said to have been extensively burned, will require plastic surgery. Access to Khamenei is claimed to be extremely restricted, with senior Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) members and government officials not meeting with him directly, due to fears that Israeli or American forces could track and target visitors. Israel has previously carried out precision assassination strikes on much of the leadership of Iran and the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC).

💬 KEY QUOTE: “” Based on the fact that the Government of Iran is seriously fractured, not unexpectedly so and, upon the request of Field Marshal Asim Munir, and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, of Pakistan, we have been asked to hold our Attack on the Country of Iran until such time as their leaders and representatives can come up with a unified proposal.” – President Donald J. Trump

🎯 IMPACT: The secrecy surrounding Khamenei’s condition and location complicates Iran’s diplomatic efforts, as uncertainty persists over who can officially represent the nation in peace talks. President Donald J. Trump has extended the ceasefire with Iran, citing issues with Iran’s leadership, which appears fractured and unable to agree on a comprehensive plan for peace. Despite the severity of his injuries, reports claim Khamenei remains mentally astute and engages with matters of state, although IRGC commanders handle much of the day-to-day running of the country on their own initiative.

Image via Wikimedia Commons.

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Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei reportedly requires a prosthetic leg and multiple surgeries, and has severe burns to his face.

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By Popular Demand.
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20 hours ago
War

Iran Claims It Has Started Banking Hormuz Toll Revenue.

Iranian lawmakers claim the country has started depositing revenue from its toll on ships passing through the Strait of Hormuz, and that it is “in control” of the crucial waterway.

PULSE POINTS
❓ WHAT HAPPENED: Iranian lawmakers claim the country has started depositing toll revenue collected from ships passing through the Strait of Hormuz into the state central bank. Hamidreza Hajibabaei, Deputy Speaker of the Iranian parliament, claimed on Thursday, “We have control over this Strait,” adding: “We are not engaged in negotiations—rather, we are making demands.”
📺 DETAIL: The Strait of Hormuz is a critical chokepoint for the global oil and fertilizer trade, and has been blockaded by Iran since the onset of hostilities with the U.S. and Israel in late February. While the waterway is supposed to be open as a condition of the recently extended ceasefire with the U.S., Iran is attempting to extract toll revenue from ships as a condition of passage, with Iranian lawmaker Alireza Salimi saying on Thursday, “The amount collected from each ship depends on its cargo and level of risk they pose. Iran determines how much and how these fees are collected, in other words, we determine the rules.”
💬 KEY QUOTE: “We have control over this Strait. If the United States continues on its current course, no vessels will pass through the Strait of Hormuz.” – Hamidreza Hajibabaei
🎯 IMPACT: Obstruction in the Strait of Hormuz has driven oil prices above $100 per barrel, straining global energy markets and raising gas prices in the United States. Notably, while the reliability of Iranian claims about toll collections, often made via state and state-aligned media, is in question, reports do indicate that the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) has been laying mines in the strait this week, prompting President Donald J. Trump to order the U.S. Navy to “shoot and kill” any boats found to be engaged in such activities. The U.S. is also maintaining a retaliatory blockade against Iranian ships in the region.

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Iranian lawmakers claim the country has started depositing revenue from its toll on ships passing through the Strait of Hormuz, and that it is "in control" of the crucial waterway.

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By Popular Demand.
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20 hours ago
News
War

Iran Lays More Mines In Strait Of Hormuz, Trump Orders Navy to ‘Shoot And Kill’ Boats.

Iran is laying more mines in the Strait of Hormuz, threatening global oil supply and prompting President Donald J. Trump to issue a “shoot and kill” order against minelaying boats.

PULSE POINTS
❓ WHAT HAPPENED: Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) navy has laid additional mines in the Strait of Hormuz this week, further obstructing the critical global energy chokepoint. The move follows the U.S. extending a ceasefire with Iran, but an escalating military standoff, with the U.S. tightening a naval blockade against Iranian ships.
📰 DETAIL: The U.S. military previously estimated that over 90 percent of Iran’s mine-laying ships and warehouses had been destroyed, but realized it was likely that stockpiles remained hidden along the country’s shores. These stockpiled mines are being deployed by dozens of small, lightly armed speedboats still in operation after the conventional navy was extensively destroyed by U.S. strikes. President Donald J. Trump announced on Thursday that he has ordered the destruction of any boats caught laying mines, despite the wider ceasefire.
💬 KEY QUOTE: “I have ordered the United States Navy to shoot and kill any boat, small boats though they may be (Their naval ships are ALL, 159 of them, at the bottom of the sea!), that is putting mines in the waters of the Strait of Hormuz. There is to be no hesitation. Additionally, our mine ‘sweepers’ are clearing the Strait right now.” – President Trump on Truth Social
🎯 IMPACT: The newly-laid mines will likely exacerbate what the International Energy Agency has termed the largest oil supply disruption in history, surpassing the 1970s oil shocks. With 20 percent of the world’s seaborne oil and much of its fertilizer passing through the strait, the disruption has already significantly reduced traffic.

Image via Wikimedia Commons.

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Iran is laying more mines in the Strait of Hormuz, threatening global oil supply and prompting President Donald J. Trump to issue a "shoot and kill" order against minelaying boats.

show more
By Popular Demand.
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