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May 22, 2024
William Upton
NatSec

Biden’s Navy Chief Has ‘No Regrets’ After Axing 5,000+ Unvaxxed Sailors, Marines.

U.S. Secretary of the Navy Carlos Del Toro is standing by his dismissal of thousands of sailors and Marines who refused to comply with Joe Biden‘s COVID-19 vaccination mandate for military personnel. During a recent hearing on Capitol Hill, the Biden government appointee told senators that he had “no regrets” about the decision.

Senator Eric Schmitt (R-MO) pressed Del Toro on the impact of Biden‘s vaccination mandate and dismissals on military readiness. The Missouri Republican also raised concerns about the Navy’s recruitment efforts and focus on Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) training.

UNDERMANNED, UNDERPREPARED. 

Biden’s Navy Secretary fired 1,878 sailors and 3,746 Marines for refusing to comply with the vaccine mandate, which was enforced from August 2021 through January 2023. “Sir, I followed the laws, they disobeyed the law,” Del Toro told Sen. Schmitt when asked if he regretted his decision.

Sen. Schmitt pushed back, noting the Navy‘s continued recruitment shortfalls. “You are firing qualified people who are well-trained, and you sit here so smugly to act like none of that has any impact on the readiness of our Navy,” the Senator said in response to Del Toro.

In the heated exchange, Del Toro revealed that, out of 3,500 former service members who were contacted post-dismissal, only two chose to return. Sen. Schmitt argued this was evidence of the disenfranchisement these individuals felt and the disrespect they perceived from their government. According to Sen. Schmitt’s office, the Navy achieved less than 70 percent of its recruitment target for the first half of 2024 and is projected to fall short by approximately 6,700 sailors from its 2024 goal of 40,600 recruits. The Navy also missed its recruiting goal by 20 percent in 2023.

DEI HURTING RECRUITMENT.

Sen. Schmitt also pressed Del Toro about whether the Navy’s intense focus on DEI initiatives has hurt recruitment efforts. The Missouri Senator suggested that DEI programs, described as promoting “cultural Marxism,” might be alienating potential recruits. “I don’t think DEI has hurt recruiting efforts at all,” Biden‘s Navy Secretary responded. Last June, at a Department of the Navy DEI Summit, Del Toro emphasized the importance of DEI initiatives in maintaining the Navy’s strategic edge.

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By Popular Demand.
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8 minutes ago
News

UK PM Beginning to Undo Post-Brexit EU Immigration Contols.

PULSE POINTS:

❓What Happened: Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer is reportedly planning a so-called “youth mobility” scheme with the European Union (EU), partially undoing the post-Brexit termination of Free Movement immigration.

👥 Who’s Involved: Keir Starmer, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, Cabinet Office Minister Nick Thomas-Symonds, and senior government sources.

📍 Where & When: Announcement expected at a summit on Monday; negotiations ongoing between Britain and the EU.

💬 Key Quote: “The Brexiteers will cry betrayal and the Remainers will demand rejoin but it’ll be superb,” a senior government source claimed.

⚠️ Impact: The deal aims to “reset” UK-EU relations, but easing immigration from the European Union will reinforce domestic fears that Starmer, who campaigned against Brexit, intends to reverse it piece by piece, and undermines his recent moves to present himself as an immigration hawk compared to the formerly governing Conservatives.

IN FULL:

Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer is reportedly preparing to announce a so-called “youth mobility” scheme with the European Union (EU) as part of broader efforts to “reset” relations with the bloc post-Brexit. The scheme would allow individuals aged 18 to 30 to live and work across participating countries for two years, potentially reactivating much of the pre-Brexit inflow of cheap European migrant labor.

“The Brexiteers will cry betrayal and the Remainers will demand rejoin, but it’ll be superb,” a senior official said of the mobility scheme.

The scheme comes as Starmer is claiming he is moving to reduce legal mass migration, which exploded under Conservative former prime ministers Boris Johnson and Rishi Sunak, to prevent Britain from becoming an “island of strangers.” In reality, Starmer is likely only posing as a migration hawk to blunt the rise of Nigel Farage’s Reform Party, which owes much of its growing popularity to its strong stance against mass migration and is now pulling ahead of Starmer’s Labour Party as well as the Conservatives.

“Only Reform UK will freeze immigration, deport illegal migrants and regain control of our borders,” Farage commented on social media on Wednesday, referencing the increase in illegal immigration under Labour.

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By Popular Demand.
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1 hour ago
Jack Montgomery
War
World

Germany Now Wants ‘Strongest Conventional Army in Europe.’

PULSE POINTS:

❓What Happened: German Chancellor (Prime Minister) Friedrich Merz vowed to build “the strongest conventional army in Europe,” responding to President Donald J. Trump’s demands for America’s NATO allies to boost defense spending.

👥 Who’s Involved: Chancellor Merz, President Trump, German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius, and former Chancellor Olaf Scholz.

📍Where & When: Bundestag, Berlin, on Wednesday, May 14, 2025.

💬 Key Quote: “Strengthening the Bundeswehr is our top priority,” Merz declared. “The German government will provide all the financial resources the Bundeswehr needs to become Europe’s strongest conventional army.”

⚠️Impact: Trump’s pressure is reshaping NATO, pushing Germany to step up militarily. However, this may raise alarm bells in Russia and other countries that have historically fallen victim to German aggression.

IN FULL:

President Donald J. Trump’s relentless push for European NATO allies to pull their weight is yielding results, as German Chancellor Friedrich Merz pledged on May 14, 2025, to transform the Bundeswehr (Federal Defense Forces) into “the strongest conventional army in Europe.” Speaking to the Bundestag (federal legislature) in his first major address since taking office, Merz credited Trump’s blunt demands for shaking Germany out of its post-Cold War complacency.

“This is appropriate for Europe’s most populous and economically powerful country,” Merz told lawmakers, vowing to provide “all financial means necessary” to overhaul the long-underfunded Bundeswehr. “Our friends and partners also expect this from us. Indeed, they practically demand it.” This nod to Trump, who has questioned Washington’s NATO commitment unless allies such as Germany spend more, highlights the America First leader’s influence in forcing Europe to confront its security shortcomings.

Germany’s military, mocked for faulty equipment like grounded helicopters and inaccurate rifles, has lagged since the Cold War, relying heavily on U.S. protection—while enriching adversary states like Russia through substantial energy deals. Merz’s pledge builds on former Chancellor Olaf Scholz’s 2022 allocation of €100 billion ($112 billion) to meet NATO’s two percent of GDP defense spending target, but parliamentary commissioner Eva Hoegl recently warned the Bundeswehr still has “too little of everything.”

Merz’s “bazooka” funding plan, worth hundreds of billions, aims to reverse this, with orders for German-built submarines already in motion—though delivery will take years.

Merz claims that Russia’s ambitions extend beyond Ukraine, stating, “Anyone who seriously believes that Russia would be satisfied with a victory over Ukraine… is mistaken.”

“Strength deters aggressors, while weakness invites aggression,” he said, reaffirming support for Ukraine but clarifying Germany’s non-combatant stance: “[W]e are not a party to war, and we don’t want to become one.”

To rebuild troop strength, Merz announced a “new, attractive voluntary military service,” though Defense Minister Boris Pistorius hinted conscription could return if volunteer numbers fall short. “We will initially rely on voluntary participation,” Pistorius said, stressing “initially” as a deliberate caveat.

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By Popular Demand.
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14 hours ago
Health
Immigration

Now Newsom Wants to Freeze Medicaid for Adult Illegal Aliens.

PULSE POINTS:

❓What Happened: California Governor Gavin Newsom (D) has proposed freezing new adult illegal alien enrollments in Medi-Cal and introducing a $100 monthly premium for certain enrollees.

👥 Who’s Involved: Governor Gavin Newsom, illegal alien Medi-Cal applicants, and current enrollees with “unsatisfactory immigration status.”

📍 Where & When: California; freeze proposed to start January 1, 2026, and premium to take effect January 1, 2027.

💬 Key Quote: “[T]he state must take difficult but necessary steps to ensure fiscal stability and preserve the long-term viability of Medi-Cal for all Californians,” states the governor’s office.

⚠️ Impact: The proposal could limit access to Medi-Cal for new adult illegal alien applicants while imposing additional costs on certain current enrollees.

IN FULL:

Democrat California Governor Gavin Newsom has unveiled a proposal to freeze new illegal alien adult enrollments in the state’s Medicaid program, Medi-Cal, starting no earlier than January 1, 2026. The freeze would apply to new adult applicants over the age of 19—but would not remove current enrollees from the program.

In addition, Newsom has proposed a $100 monthly premium for Medi-Cal participants aged 19 and older with “unsatisfactory immigration status.” This category includes individuals whose immigration status disqualifies them from federally funded Medicaid, encompassing both illegal immigrants and those with lawful status. The premium would take effect on January 1, 2027.

The governor’s office has attributed these measures to fiscal challenges, attempting to blame President Donald J. Trump’s trade policies. “Trump’s pendulum swings on tariffs have slowed the economy and weakened state revenues by a staggering $16 billion,” the document alleges. In fact, the America First leader’s tariffs have generated $16 billion in additional revenue nationally, slashing the federal budget deficit.

“[T]he state must take difficult but necessary steps to ensure fiscal stability and preserve the long-term viability of Medi-Cal for all Californians,” Newsom’s office said of the proposed Medi-Cal changes.

Newsom, who has served as governor since 2019, surviving a recall election in 2021, has faced criticism over his handling of state issues, including homelessness and health care. However, despite being seen as a leading figure in the Democratic party and a potential presidential candidate, Newsom has failed to attract the support of Democratic voters, who rank him behind several others in popularity.

Image by Gage Skidmore.

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By Popular Demand.
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14 hours ago
Christopher Tomlinson
Crime
UK

Anti-Trump UK Foreign Sec Allegedly Assaulted Euro Cabbie.

PULSE POINTS:

❓What Happened: British Foreign Secretary David Lammy is accused of assaulting a taxi driver after refusing to pay a massive bill on a 360-mile trip from Italy to France.

👥 Who’s Involved: David Lammy, of Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer’s Labour Party, an unnamed French taxi driver, and the French authorities.

📍 Where & When: The alleged attack took place on April 10 in Haute Savoie in the French Alps.

💬 Key Quote: “On the night of April 10-11, I was the victim of assault and violence by members of a British embassy during an international transfer, where they refused to pay me.” — Taxi driver.

⚠️ Impact: The incident could be the latest embarrassment for Lammy, who previously referred to President Donald J. Trump as a “neo-Nazi sympathizing sociopath.”

IN FULL:

British Foreign Secretary David Lammy, known for calling President Donald J. Trump a “neo-Nazi sympathizing sociopath” in the past, has been accused of assaulting a European taxi driver over a bill costing over $780. Lammy and his wife used a taxi service to take them on a 360-mile trip from Italy to a French ski resort on April 10.

The trip followed King Charles III‘s three-day trip to Italy, during which Lammy and his wife Nicola Green were also present. The taxi driver alleges that Lammy became aggressive over payment for the ride, totaling over $1,700, though most of the cost was paid by the transfer service Lammy booked the nearly seven-hour trip with.

Lammy was expected to pay the remaining $782 but allegedly refused, “became aggressive,” and ultimately swiped a receipt from the driver’s hands. The driver left the pair at the destination in Haute Savoie in the French Alps and reported the incident to local police. The authorities found diplomatic material in the car, including a briefcase, two diplomatic passports, and diplomatic license plates.

“On the night of April 10-11, I was the victim of assault and violence by members of a British embassy during an international transfer, where they refused to pay me,” the driver told French media.

The Bonneville prosecutor’s office has opened an investigation into the incident, but Lammy and his wife have denied the allegations and claimed the man fraudulently removed their luggage, along with cash, saying they will sue him.

The driver says he did not know who Lammy was at the time of the incident but joked that if he had, he would have charged “much more.”

Image by Ben Dance / FCDO.

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By Popular Demand.
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15 hours ago
News
Politics

Kevin McCarthy Backs ‘Young and Smart’ David Hogg After DNC Ouster.

PULSE POINTS:

❓What Happened: Former Speaker Kevin McCarthy defended David Hogg after the Democratic National Committee (DNC) voided his election amid internal party disputes.

👥 Who’s Involved: Kevin McCarthy, David Hogg, James Carville, Nancy Pelosi, Chuck Schumer, Hakeem Jeffries, Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, Maxine Waters.

📍 Where & When: Fox News, Wednesday; the DNC’s credentials committee decision reported Monday.

💬 Key Quote: McCarthy: “This is exactly what the Democrats do… If you’re old and not working to win a majority, you ought to leave!”

⚠️ Impact: The controversy highlights internal Democratic Party tensions and potential shifts in leadership dynamics.

IN FULL:

Former Speaker of the House Kevin McCarthy expressed his support for anti-gun-rights activist David Hogg on Wednesday, after the Democratic National Committee (DNC) voided his election as vice chair amid internal disputes.

During an appearance on Fox News, McCarthy criticized the Democratic Party’s handling of Hogg’s situation, arguing that the party’s leadership is resistant to change. Hogg, who had been proposing to fund challenges against insufficiently woke Democratic incumbents, had faced backlash from the party leadership prior to his removal, ostensibly on grounds that his appointment transgressed party gender quotas.

“This is exactly what the Democrats do,” McCarthy said. “They don’t believe in allowing Democrats to pick who should lead them. He’s right, and he’s young, he’s smart, and he’s going to be around, and this is only going to elevate him.”

The controversy began Monday after reports stated that the DNC’s credentials committee had nullified Hogg’s election as vice chair, citing gender-parity policies. However, Hogg and many observers believe the move is linked to Hogg’s outspoken criticism of the party’s leadership and ongoing efforts to install more “progressive” candidates.

McCarthy suggested that Hogg’s criticism of older Democratic leaders resonates with party members. “If you’re old and not working to win a majority, you ought to leave,” McCarthy remarked, pointing to figures like former Speaker Nancy Pelosi, 85, and Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, 74, as examples of leadership he believes is ineffective.

The former Speaker also highlighted the fundraising success of Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY), whom he described as a rising leader in the party. “AOC has raised more money in the last quarter than any member in Congress—three times as much as the Speaker. [Hogg’s] going to be next, and this is the future.”

McCarthy predicted that Hogg’s position within the party will ultimately be strengthened, saying, “They’re going to elevate him, and he should fight this; and he will become the chairman of the party or get elected.”

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By Popular Demand.
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16 hours ago
Jack Montgomery
NatSec

Justice Dept Charges Ex-Soldier with Plot to Attack Base for ISIS.

PULSE POINTS:

❓What Happened: A former U.S. Army National Guard member, Ammar Abdulmajid-Mohamed Said, was arrested for planning an Islamic State-inspired mass shooting at a Michigan military base, charged with supporting a terrorist organization and distributing destructive device information.

👥 Who’s Involved: Ammar Abdulmajid-Mohamed Said, the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ), and the Islamic State (ISIS).

📍 Where & When: Warren, Michigan, with the arrest on Tuesday, May 13, 2025.

💬 Key Quote: “This defendant was stopped dead in his tracks as he conspired with others in planning a deadly attack on a U.S. military base here at home for IS,” the Justice Department stated.

⚠️ Impact: The arrest underscores the continued threat of radical Islam in the U.S., with adherents present even among military service members.

IN FULL:

The Department of Justice (DOJ) has confirmed the arrest of 19-year-old Ammar Abdulmajid-Mohamed Said on May 13, 2025, for plotting an Islamic State-inspired mass shooting at the U.S. Army’s Tank-Automotive and Armaments Command (TACOM) facility in Warren, Michigan.

Said, a Melvindale, Michigan resident, faces charges of attempting to provide material support to the Islamic State (ISIS) and distributing information related to a destructive device, each carrying a maximum 20-year prison sentence. According to the Justice Department, Said supplied armor-piercing ammunition and magazines, recruited two conspirators, and flew a drone over TACOM for reconnaissance. His plan was set to unfold on the day of his arrest, but law enforcement stopped him cold.

“This defendant was stopped dead in his tracks as he conspired with others in planning a deadly attack on a U.S. military base here at home for IS,” the Justice Department said. The swift intervention prevented a potential catastrophe at TACOM, a critical hub for military vehicle development.

Said’s alleged betrayal, as a former National Guard member, underscores the insidious reach of radical Islam, even among those sworn to protect the nation.

At the beginning of the year, military veteran Shamsud-Din Jabbar carried out a vehicle-based terrorist attack for ISIS in New Orleans, Louisiana, killing 14 people and injuring 57. Jabbar wounded two police officers in a shootout following the car ramming, before being fatally shot himself.

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By Popular Demand.
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17 hours ago
Economy
News

Swing Voters Back Trump Tariffs, Poll Shows.

PULSE POINTS:

❓What Happened: A survey shows Americans in swing districts support President Donald J. Trump’s China tariffs and blame retailers for gouging prices.

👥 Who’s Involved: Donald J. Trump, American voters in 19 swing districts, retail CEOs, China.

📍 Where & When: Polling was released on May 14.

💬 Key Quote: “Our data found that swing district voters are generally behind Trump in his efforts to correct decades of outsourcing through his recent tariffs and trust him far more than the retailers to stick up for American workers,” said the Protecting America Initiative.

⚠️ Impact: The broad support for President Trump’s tariffs in key swing states could affect the upcoming mid-term elections in 2026.

IN FULL:

A new poll reveals that a plurality of voters in several key swing districts support President Donald J. Trump‘s tariff policies. The survey, released May 14, examined the opinions of voters in 19 key battleground districts and found that more voters trust President Trump on defending American workers than they trust the CEOs of major retailers.

A massive 78 percent of those polled by the Protecting America Initiative (PAI) say that those retailers should absorb the price of tariffs themselves, and half say retailers have engaged in price gouging. A further 75 percent say retailers used the COVID-19 pandemic as an excuse to raise their prices and saw record profits as a result.

Over 80 percent say they wish to see investigations into possible price gouging by corporations, and 78 percent say they would like to see penalties for companies that used the COVID-19 pandemic as an excuse to raise prices.

“Our data found that swing district voters are generally behind Trump in his efforts to correct decades of outsourcing through his recent tariffs and trust him far more than the retailers to stick up for American workers,” PAI stated.

A total of 48 percent say they support President Trump’s tariffs on Chinese imports, insisting that American retailers should be less dependent on the communist country and prioritise support for American manufacturing.

President Trump’s tariffs have already prompted billions of dollars in investment for American manufacturing from some of the largest companies in the world, such as Nvidia, which pledged to invest $500 billion in infrastructure and manufacturing of AI supercomputers in the U.S.

The tariffs have also contributed to a government surplus for the month of April, as the Trump administration reported over $16 billion in tariff receipts.

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By Popular Demand.
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17 hours ago
News

Rep. Forcing Trump Impeachment Vote Branded ‘Dumbs**t’ by Fellow Democrats.

PULSE POINTS:

❓What Happened: Michigan Democrat Rep. Shri Thanedar forced a House vote on articles of impeachment for President Donald J. Trump, but his colleagues are not happy.

👥 Who’s Involved: Rep. Shri Thanedar, House Democrats, Michigan State Rep. Donavan McKinney (D).

📍 Where & When: U.S. House of Representatives; articles introduced April 28, vote by Thursday.

💬 Key Quote: “This is the dumbest f***ing thing. Utterly selfish behavior,” said an unnamed House Democrat.

⚠️ Impact: The move is seen as jeopardizing Democrats in competitive districts where Trump is popular, with little chance of succeeding.

IN FULL:

Michigan Congressman Shri Thanedar, a Democrat facing a tough primary battle, is forcing a House vote on articles of impeachment against President Donald J. Trump. The vote, scheduled for Thursday, is widely expected to fail, and has already drawn sharp criticism from some of Thanedar’s Democratic colleagues.

The articles of impeachment, introduced by Thanedar on April 28, accuse Trump of bribery, corruption, and other supposed infractions. Speaking on the House floor in a thick Indian accent, the foreign-born lawmaker declared, “President Donald J. Trump has been committing crimes since day one.”

The timing of the move coincides with Michigan State Rep. Donavan McKinney’s announcement of his candidacy for Thanedar’s Detroit-area seat, raising questions about Thanedar’s motivations. Despite his insistence that the action is based on principle, some Democrats are skeptical.

“He’s really just doing it for himself,” one House Democrat told Axios, while another described the move as “a waste of time.” Another unnamed lawmaker expressed frustration, calling it “the dumbest f***ing thing. Utterly selfish behavior.”

New York Democratic Rep. Jerry Nadler is said to have called Thanedar’s impeachment move “idiotic,” while another House Democrat commented simply, “What a dumbs**t.”

Rep. Al Green (D-TX) was the first House Democrat to publicly call for Trump’s impeachment back in February, but Thanedar is the first to actually force a vote by introducing his resolution as privileged. However, it is likely House Republicans will move to table his resolution before the Thursday deadline for a vote, effectively killing it.

The debacle highlights internal divisions within the Democratic Party, as individual politicians struggle to gain relevance and aged party grandees such as Nancy Pelosi, now 85, struggle to either provide decisive leadership or pass the torch to clear successors.

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By Popular Demand.
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18 hours ago
Jack Montgomery
NatSec

U.S. Officials Find Secret Comms Devices in China-Made Solar Inverters, Batteries.

PULSE POINTS:

❓What Happened: U.S. energy officials uncovered undocumented communication devices in Chinese-made solar inverters and batteries, raising fears of remote cyberattacks that could disrupt America’s power grid.

👥 Who’s Involved: President Donald J. Trump’s administration, U.S. energy officials, Chinese firms like Huawei and Sungrow, and European solar trade bodies.

📍 Where & When: United States, with the discovery reported by Reuters on May 14, 2025.

💬 Key Quote: “With over 200GW of Europe’s solar capacity relying on these inverters… the security risk is systemic,” warned the European Solar Manufacturing Council.

⚠️Impact: Trump’s focus on exposing Chinese tech threats strengthens national security, potentially spurring domestic manufacturing and safeguarding America’s energy infrastructure.

IN FULL:

U.S. energy officials have uncovered rogue communication devices embedded in Chinese-made solar inverters and batteries. Reuters reports these undocumented devices could enable remote access, bypassing cybersecurity firewalls and allowing adversaries to disrupt America’s power grid.

Solar inverters, the digital “brains” of photovoltaic systems, are critical to energy production, and Chinese firms like Huawei and Sungrow control over 50 percent of the global market. The discovery of these devices, which could theoretically let hackers trigger blackouts or damage infrastructure, validates President Donald J. Trump’s warnings about China’s influence over critical systems, aligning with the America First leader’s push to secure U.S. energy independence.

The alarm extends beyond America’s borders. The European Solar Manufacturing Council (ESMC) called the issue a “systemic” risk, noting that 200GW of Europe’s solar capacity—equivalent to 200 nuclear plants—relies on these inverters. The ESMC urged the European Commission—the European Union’s unelected executive—to probe sabotage and espionage risks. SolarPower Europe and consultancy DNV echoed these concerns in a recent report, warning that an attack on just 3GW of inverter capacity could destabilize power systems.

At Intersolar Europe in Munich, a leading European inverter manufacturer previously likened the threat to Russia’s gas supply cuts post-Ukraine invasion, telling PV Tech, “It’s very clear inverter companies could switch off the grid if they want to.”

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By Popular Demand.
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19 hours ago
News
World

Trump Secures $1.2 Trillion Deal with Qatar.

PULSE POINTS:

❓What Happened: President Donald J. Trump signed a $1.2 trillion economic exchange agreement with Qatar, alongside $243.5 billion in additional economic deals.

👥 Who’s Involved: President Donald J. Trump, Qatari officials, U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, Boeing.

📍 Where & When: Doha, Qatar, on Wednesday, following Trump’s visit to Saudi Arabia on Tuesday.

💬 Key Quote: “The landmark deals celebrated today will drive innovation and prosperity for generations, bolster American manufacturing and technological leadership, and put America on the path to a new Golden Age.” — White House statement.

⚠️ Impact: The agreement includes a $200 billion Boeing aircraft deal and further defense cooperation.

IN FULL:

President Donald J. Trump and Qatari officials signed a “joint declaration of cooperation” on Wednesday during Trump’s visit to Doha. The agreement comes as part of a broader diplomatic push by the Trump administration following his stop in Saudi Arabia earlier in the week.

According to the White House, the deal will “generate an economic exchange worth at least $1.2 trillion,” alongside “economic deals totaling more than $243.5 billion.”

Coinciding with the signing, Qatar announced a major aircraft purchase from Boeing, involving 160 wide-body jets valued at over $200 billion. Trump called the deal “fantastic” and described it as a “record” for Boeing. The agreement also includes an option for additional aircraft, underscoring the administration’s emphasis on foreign investment in US manufacturing.

Qatar has also offered the administration a luxury Boeing 747 aircraft worth as much as $400 million to replace Air Force One, as Boeing has delayed the delivery of the new Air Force One fleet, initially promised in 2024. “We’re giving to everybody else, why wouldn’t I accept a gift? Because it’s going to be a couple years until the Boeings are finished,” President Trump said this week.

Some have criticised the gift. Qatar has a history of supporting groups like the terrorist organisation Hamas in the past. However, it has been a key mediator in the Israel-Hamas conflict, facilitating hostages being freed. It was also part of prior ceasefire negotiations.

The Doha visit followed Trump’s announcement in Saudi Arabia of $600 billion in investment commitments, including significant data center infrastructure projects involving companies like DataVolt.

Meanwhile, U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth signed a statement of intent with Qatar to enhance defense cooperation. The agreement included finalizing letters of offer and acceptance for the delivery of MQ-9B drones and FS-LIDS systems.

Jack Montgomery contributed to this report.

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By Popular Demand.
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