GET THE APP
Saturday, September 13, 2025

Month: January 2024
January 2, 2024
Jack Montgomery
Crime
Immigration

POISONING THE BLOOD: Couriers Caught with 62 Pounds of Fentanyl at AZ Border, Made ‘2 to 3 Trips a Month’.

Two “cash couriers” have been indicted in Arizona on charges of conspiracy, importation, and possession with intent to distribute fentanyl after being caught with 62 pounds of the deadly synthetic drug at the Dennis DeConcini port of entry in Nogales.

Jocelinne Guadalupe Carrillo Rivera and Perla Marivy Gomez Galvez have admitted that they traveled from Phoenix to Mexico with tens of thousands of dollars for a “coordinator” two or three times a month, in exchange for a small cut of the money.

They claimed they did not know their car was being loaded up with fentanyl, responsible for 73,654 deaths in the United States in 2022 – though they confessed they suspected it was happening.

News of the indictments follows confirmation that U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) seized 854.07 pounds of crystal meth, 164.72 pounds of speed, and 165.34 pounds of cocaine at the border in Laredo, Texas, earlier this month, highlighting the growing scale of the drugs crisis on the southern border.

Presidential candidate Donald Trump has strikingly warned that the drugs and disease flowing across the Mexican frontier amid an unprecedented migrant crisis are “poisoning the blood” of the country, earning criticism from leftist media but plaudits from voters.

show less
Two "cash couriers" have been indicted in Arizona on charges of conspiracy, importation, and possession with intent to distribute fentanyl after being caught with 62 pounds of the deadly synthetic drug at the Dennis DeConcini port of entry in Nogales. show more
January 2, 2024
William Upton
News

Trump Rivals Will Spend Near $8M in Iowa Ads in Next 12 Days.

With just under two-weeks to go until the Iowa Republican Caucus the campaigns and supporting SuperPACs are flooding the state’s airwaves making their last-ditch pitch to voters. A total of around $7.5 million will be spent in these closing days, with former-South Carolina Governor Nikki Haley’s making up a bulk of the ad spending with $4.6 million in air-time reserved.

  • SFA Fund (Pro-Haley SuperPAC): $3.3 million
  • Haley campaign committee: $1.3 million
  • Trump campaign committee: $954k
  • Fight Right (Pro-DeSantis SuperPAC): $705k
  • Good Fight (Pro-DeSantis SuperPAC): $609k
  • DeSantis campaign committee: $412.5k
  • Binkley campaign committee: $176k
  • Ramaswamy campaign: $29k

Former Governor Haley’s recent surge in polls have kicked off a close fight for second place in Iowa. The Republican presidential nomination front-runner, former President Donald Trump, continues to maintain a strong first place position.

The Haley campaign and its affiliated SuperPAC has blanketed Iowa with ads primarily focused on her electability versus President Joe Biden. Several recent polls show Haley and Trump are the only two Republicans capable of defeating the incumbent Democrat. In addition, the SFA Fund is also airing ads attacking Gov. DeSantis – who has polled a weak second place position in Iowa. One recent SFA Fund ad compared DeSantis to a dumpster fire.

Both Haley and DeSantis’s closing argument in Iowa has been a mixed of positive messaging for their candidacy and attacks on each other. The pro-DeSantis Fight Right SuperPAC has highlighted Haley’s positive comments towards China. The DeSantis campaign itself – strapped for cash and only recently going up on air in Iowa – has primarily focused its ad on Iowa Gov. Kim Reynold’s endorsement of DeSantis, as well as an emotion ad featuring Casey DeSantis talking about her husband.

show less
With just under two-weeks to go until the Iowa Republican Caucus the campaigns and supporting SuperPACs are flooding the state's airwaves making their last-ditch pitch to voters. A total of around $7.5 million will be spent in these closing days, with former-South Carolina Governor Nikki Haley's making up a bulk of the ad spending with $4.6 million in air-time reserved. show more
January 2, 2024
News
World

WATCH: South Korean Opposition Leader Stabbed in Neck, Airlifted to Hospital.

South Korean Democratic Party leader Lee Jae-myung has been stabbed in the neck during a press scrum in Busan. The opposition leader, who narrowly lost the presidential elections to Yoon Suk Yeol of the conservative People Power Party in 2022, was airlifted to Seoul National University Hospital.

“This is an act of terror on Representative Lee Jae-myung and a serious threat to democracy which should never take place under any circumstances,” said Democratic Party spokesman Kwon Chil-seung outside the hospital.

Lee’s condition is currently unknown, but he reportedly sustained damage to his jugular vein and has undergone surgery. The Democratic Party said the procedure “took longer than expected, and we are closely following his progress.”

The suspect, a man in his sixties who approached Lee wearing a paper crown and claiming to be an autograph-seeker, has been named only as Kim. As of the time of publication, no motive for the attack had been disclosed, but he did confess it was his intention to assassinate Lee.

 

show less
South Korean Democratic Party leader Lee Jae-myung has been stabbed in the neck during a press scrum in Busan. The opposition leader, who narrowly lost the presidential elections to Yoon Suk Yeol of the conservative People Power Party in 2022, was airlifted to Seoul National University Hospital. show more
January 1, 2024
William Upton
Analysis
World

Here’s a List of All The Countries Having Elections This Year.

Nearly half the global population – expected to hit 8 billion people total today, January 1st – will head to the polls at some point over the coming year. At least sixty-four countries, and the European Union will hold elections – with some expected to result in tectonic political shifts.

The National Pulse has compiled a comprehensive list of countries expected to hold elections by region and will be providing further insight as each election grows nearer.

Europe.

  • European Union (EU): The 27 EU member states, comprising 448 million people,  will hold elections for the European Parliament from June 6th to the 9th.
  • The United Kingdom (UK): A general parliamentary election for the House of Commons is expected to be held at some point in 2024. The general election must be held before 28 January 2025 and Parliament itself is set to be dissolved no later than December 17th, 2024.
  • Ukraine: A presidential election is scheduled for March 31st, however the ongoing conflict with Russia and the declared state of martial law may prevent the election from happening.
  • Romania: The Eastern European nation is expected to hold elections for its Presidency, Senate, and Chamber of Deputies at some point between November and December 2024.
  • Belgium: On June 9th, Belgians will head to the polls to elect a new Chamber of Representatives. The election could potentially result in the dissolution of the country along linguistic and cultural lines.
  • Czech Republic: An election to choose a new Czech Senate will held at a to-be-determined date next year.
  • Portugal: A snap legislative  election will occur in Portugal on March 10th after the fall of the socialist government. A tight race is expected between the country’s socialists and right-wing populists.
  • Belarus: The Russian-allied state will hold elections for its Chamber of Representatives on February 25th.
  • Austria: The Germanic nation is expected to hold elections for the National Council – its lower house of parliament – on September 29th. Polling shows the right-populist FPÖ is positioned to win its first Austrian legislative and form a government. The Communist Party of Austria has also seen a degree of increased popularity.
  • Slovakia: An election for the President of Slovakia will be held at some point in 2024.
  • Finland: One of the earlier elections of 2024, citizens of Finland will elect a new president on January 28th, 2024.
  • Croatia: The Balkan nation will likely hold two elections. A presidential contest is expected in December of 2024 while it is not yet known when the country will hold its parliamentary elections.
  • Republic of Moldova: A presidential election is expected in November.
  • Lithuania: The Baltic state will hold a presidential election on May 12th with parliamentary elections on October 13th.
  • North Macedonia: A presidential election will be held on April 24th while its parliamentary election will occur on May 8th.
  • Iceland: The North Atlantic island nation will hold a presidential election on June 1st.
  • San Marino: The European micro-state is expected to hold elections for the Grand and General Council at some point in December.
  • Georgia: Parliamentary elections will be held on October 26th. The presidential election date has yet-to-be-determined.

Asia and Oceana.

  • India: The worlds largest democracy, with 1.44 billion people, is expected to hold elections for its Lok Sabha (House of the People) – the lower house of the Indian parliament – at some point in April or May of 2024. Political parties comprising the nationalist and populist Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s National Democratic Alliance hold a narrow lead in polls.
  • Indonesia: The South East Asian island nation of 279 million people will hold a general election on February 14th with the Presidency, Regional Representative Council, and House of Representatives all on the ballot. The secular nationalist and populist Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle has lead in the legislative polls with the right-wing populist Gerindra Party close behind.
  • Pakistan: The Muslim state will hold elections for its National Assembly on February 8th. Pakistan has experienced an ongoing political crisis and mass demonstrations over the past year after the arrest of its former Prime Minister Imran Khan who was ousted from power by a no-confidence vote in 2022.
  • Bangladesh: An election for the National Parliament will be held on January 7th.
  • Russian Federation: From March 15th to 17th Russians will head to the polls to vote for the nation’s president. Vladimir Putin, the incumbent president, is expected to win re-election.
  • Uzbekistan: The Central Asian state is expected to hold elections for the Legislative Chamber in October, but they can occur as late as December of 2024.
  • North Korea: On April 10th the Communist nation lead by dictator Kim Jong-un will hold ‘elections’ for its Supreme People’s Assembly. An alliance of communist political parties under the Democratic Front for the Reunification of Korea has won all seats in the legislative assembly since 1948.
  • South Korea: Elections for the National Assembly will be held on April 10th.
  • Taiwan: A critical presidential and legislative election will be decided on January 13th, 2024. The current government lead by the liberal Democratic Progressive Party faces insurgent campaigns from the nationalist Kuomintang and the populist Taiwan People’s Party. The outcome could have a significant impact on China’s stance towards Taiwan and the United States.
  • Cambodia: Senate elections will be held on February 25th.
  • Sri Lanka: Presidential and parliamentary elections are expected to be called at some point in 2024.
  • Mongolia: Elections for the State Great Khural – the country’s unicameral legislature – are expected to be held in June.
  • Bhutan: An election for the country’s National Assembly will be held on January 9th.
  • Solomon Islands: A general election for the National Parliament is expected in April of 2024.
  • Maldives: Between March and May, a general election for the country’s legislature is expected to be held.
  • Kiribati: Elections for the country’s Presidency and House of Assembly are expected to be held in 2024.
  • Palau: A general election for the Presidency, Senate, and House of Delegates will be held on November 12th.
  • Tuvalu: Parliamentary elections will be hold on January 26th.

Middle East.

  • Syrian Arab Republic: Despite political instability and an ongoing civil war, it is expected Syria will hold elections for the People’s Assembly at some point in 2024.
  • Islamic Republic of Iran: Both the Islamic Consultative Assembly and the Assembly of Experts will be up for election on March 1st.
  • Azerbaijan: The Islamic country will elect a president on February 7th.
  • Jordan: The country’s elections for House of Representatives are expected to be held in November 2024.

Africa.

  • South Africa: National Assembly elections are expected to be held between May and August of 2024. The African National Congress continues to poll at or close to 50-percent.
  • Algeria: A presidential election is expected in December of 2024.
  • Ghana: Presidential and parliamentary elections will be held on December 7th, 2024.
  • Mozambique: Presidential and legislative elections will be held on October 9th.
  • Madagascar: Elections for the National Assembly are due to happen before May.
  • Mali: The military junta in control of the country has postponed a February presidential election indefinitely with only vague reasons given as to why.
  • Chad: A presidential election is expected in October.
  • Senegal: A presidential election will be held on February 25th.
  • Rwanda: Elections for the Presidency and Chamber of Deputies will happen on July 15th.
  • Tunisia: A presidential election is expected to be held at some point in the fall of 2024.
  • South Sudan: Presidential and legislative elections are expected to be held in December of 2024.
  • Togo: Legislative elections are expected to be held in early 2024.
  • Mauritania: A presidential election will occur on June 22nd.
  • Botswana: An election for the National Assembly is expected in October.
  • Namibia: Presidential and legislative elections will be held at some point in 2024.
  • Guinea Bissau: A presidential election is slated to occur at a to-be-decided point in 2024.
  • Mauritius: Legislative elections are expected to be held in 2024.
  • Comoros: A presidential election will be held on January 14th.

The Americas.

  • The United States of America (USA): Elections for President, the House of Representatives, and the Senate – along with state and local races – will be held on November 5th. Former President Donald Trump, the front-runner for the Republican nomination, appears set for a rematch against the Democrat incumbent President Joe Biden.
  • Mexico: Presidential and legislative elections will be held on June 2nd. Current President Andrés Manuel López Obrador is term-limited. Claudia Sheinbaum of the left-wing National Regeneration Movement is expected to face-off against Xóchitl Gálvez of the centrist National Action Party.
  • Venezuela: A presidential ‘election’ could possibly be held in December of 2024. The South American nation’s dictator Nicolás Maduro is ‘running’ for ‘re-election’.
  • Dominican Republican: The Caribbean island nation will hold presidential and legislative elections on May 19th.
  • El Salvador: The Central American state will hold presidential and legislative elections on February 4th. Incumbent President Nayib Bukele is running for re-election after the country’s supreme court ruled he would not have to wait 10-years between terms in office.
  • Panama: Presidential and legislative elections will be held on May 5th.
  • Uruguay: Presidential and legislative elections will be held on October 27th.
show less
Nearly half the global population – expected to hit 8 billion people total today, January 1st – will head to the polls at some point over the coming year. At least sixty-four countries, and the European Union will hold elections – with some expected to result in tectonic political shifts. show more
January 1, 2024
NatSec

China Hacks U.S. Treasury.

The Biden-Harris government announced on Monday that a state-sponsored actor from China breached the U.S. Treasury Department. According to federal officials, the attack allowed the hackers to access workstations used by government employees and obtain unclassified materials. This development follows recent reports that Chinese entities had infiltrated U.S. telecommunications networks, gaining access to the conversations and text messages of American officials.

On December 8, BeyondTrust, a third-party software service vendor, alerted the Treasury Department about the security breach. The hackers had secured a security key, enabling remote access to certain department workstations and associated documents. The Treasury Department communicated this information to lawmakers in a formal letter.

The department stated that it investigated the breach in collaboration with the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), the intelligence community, and other relevant agencies to assess its impact. The compromised service has since been disabled, and no current evidence suggests that the Chinese hackers maintain access to the Treasury’s systems.

A Treasury spokesman emphasized that the department treats threats to its systems and data seriously and will enhance the security of the financial system against cyber threats.

While the timeline of the hacking incident remains undisclosed, the Treasury Department has committed to providing additional details in a forthcoming report to Congress.

This breach highlights ongoing concerns about the security of U.S. infrastructure systems. In separate events, the Chinese hacking group identified as Salt Typhoon reportedly infiltrated American telecommunications networks earlier this year. According to Microsoft’s cybersecurity team, this breach allowed unauthorized access to conversations involving individuals such as President-elect Donald J. Trump and Vice President-elect J.D. Vance.

show less
The Biden-Harris government announced on Monday that a state-sponsored actor from China breached the U.S. Treasury Department. According to federal officials, the attack allowed the hackers to access workstations used by government employees and obtain unclassified materials. This development follows recent reports that Chinese entities had infiltrated U.S. telecommunications networks, gaining access to the conversations and text messages of American officials. show more