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June 17, 2024
Jack Montgomery
Crime
Election 2024
Immigration

HOAX: Biden DOJ Official Arrested for Sending Himself ‘Racist, Anti-Immigrant’ Messages.

Texas Rangers have arrested a Democrat candidate and Joe Biden appointee in Fort Bend for allegedly fabricating racist online messages addressed to himself and framing supporters of his rival. Taral Patel, the Democratic candidate for Precinct 3 Commissioner, faces Online Impersonation and Misrepresentation of Identity charges.

Rangers took Patel into custody following an investigation that began in October 2023. The inquiry started after the incumbent, Republican Commissioner Andy Meyers, urged authorities to find the origin of the racist messages Patel received.

Patel’s arrest record reveals he spent several months creating fake online profiles to impersonate Meyers’ supporters and send himself derogatory comments. Patel posted the inflammatory messages on social media in September 2023, describing the remarks as driven by “deep and misguided fear” within the GOP.

“[W]hen my Republican opponent’s supporters’ decide to hurl racist, anti-immigrant, Hinduphobic, or otherwise disgusting insults at my family, faith community, colleagues, and me – that crosses a line,” Patel wrote on Facebook, sharing screenshots of the supposed racist remarks. Patel allegedly used a photograph of an unsuspecting Fort Bend resident without consent to perpetuate the hoax.

Biden previously appointed Patel to the Office of White House Liaison and the White House Asian American Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander (WHAANHPI) Committee. Patel also worked at the Department of Justice (DOJ), ironically in the Public Integrity Section of the Criminal Division.

MAGA COUNTRY?

Bobby Eberle, the Fort Bend County Republican Chairman, compares Patel’s actions to those of disgraced actor Jussie Smollett. Smollett infamously claimed that Donald Trump supporters yelled, “This is MAGA country,” beat him, and tied a noose around his neck in Chicago. Authorities demonstrated that he orchestrated the attack with the assistance of two African men with whom he had a sexual relationship.

“Whether Republican or Democrat, such tactics should be unequivocally condemned by all who value integrity and accountability in politics,” Eberle stated. “Fort Bend County residents deserve leadership that fosters trust and sincerity rather than deceit and manipulation for political gain.”

Hate crime hoaxes have become a common feature of American politics since 2016. Yasmin Seweid pleaded guilty to fabricating a story about Trump supporters ripping her hijab off on a New York subway in 2017. In 2020, authorities arrested Trumaine Foster in Mississippi for spraying his cars with the words ‘Leave N*****s’ and ‘Trump’. In 2022, transgender activist Nikki Joly pleaded guilty to torching his own home in Jackson, Michigan, burning two German shepherd dogs and three cats alive, blaming anti-LGBTQ arsonists.

Democrat Rep. Barbara Lee recently claimed a “white guy” tried to stop her from using a Capitol elevator reserved for Congressmen, accusing her of stealing her congressional lapel pin. Skeptics cast doubt on the story, though it has not been proven false.

By Popular Demand.
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5 minutes ago
William Upton
Education
Politics

Trump Withdraws $2 BILLION from Harvard. Here’s Why…

PULSE POINTS:

❓What Happened: The Trump administration is freezing $2 billion in federal funding for Harvard University after the Ivy League institution rejected a set of government policy conditions aimed at addressing anti-Semitic incidents and pro-Hamas protests on its campus.

👥 Who’s Involved: Harvard University, President Donald J. Trump, Harvard President Alan Garber, pro-Hamas demonstrators, and federal officials.

📍 Where & When: Harvard University in Boston, Massachusetts, and the White House in Washington, D.C., with the funding freeze announced late on April 14, 2025.

💬 Key Quote: “Harvard’s statement today reinforces the troubling entitlement mindset that is endemic in our nation’s most prestigious universities and colleges,” the Trump administration’s Joint Task Force to combat anti-Semitism said in a statement.

⚠️ Impact: The university is being hit with a freeze on $2.2 billion in multi-year federal grants, and the Trump administration has canceled a $60 million contract with Harvard.

IN FULL:

Late Monday evening, the Trump administration suspended $2.2 billion in multi-year federal grants for Harvard University after the Ivy League academic institution rejected funding conditions U.S. President Donald J. Trump proposed to address anti-Semitism on campus. Earlier Monday, Harvard issued a statement declaring the Trump White House’s push for policy changes at the university to be “illegal.” The Trump White House had previously announced it would condition funding for Harvard on the school adequately addressing anti-Semitic incidents on campus, ensuring viewpoint diversity in its academic programs, and assisting with the federal screening of foreign students for pro-terrorism and extremist ideologies.

“Harvard’s statement today reinforces the troubling entitlement mindset that is endemic in our nation’s most prestigious universities and colleges—that federal investment does not come with the responsibility to uphold civil rights laws,” the Joint Task Force to combat anti-Semitism announced in a statement yesterday evening, continuing: “The disruption of learning that has plagued campuses in recent years is unacceptable. The harassment of Jewish students is intolerable. It is time for elite universities to take the problem seriously and commit to meaningful change if they wish to continue receiving taxpayer support.”

The statement concluded: “The Joint Task Force to combat anti-Semitism is announcing a freeze on $2.2 billion in multi-year grants and $60M in multi-year contract value to Harvard University.”

Universities across the United States have seen an explosion in anti-Semitic incidents and the harassment of Jewish students by pro-Hamas demonstrators. In several instances, protests escalated to the point where demonstrators would surround and trap Jewish students in university classrooms and libraries. In recent weeks, the Trump administration has moved to revoke student visas for hundreds of foreign students over their participation in the campus demonstrations and for public pro-Hamas statements.

Image by Adam Fagen.

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By Popular Demand.
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44 minutes ago
Science

Now ‘Climate Change’ is Responsible for… Schizophrenia!?

PULSE POINTS:

❓What Happened: A study in Nature Climate Change links high temperatures to increasing mental and behavioral disorders, including schizophrenia, and warns of a further rise due to climate change.

👥 Who’s Involved: Researchers from the University of Adelaide conducted the study.

📍 Where & When: The Australian study was published in Nature Climate Change on Monday.

💬 Key Quote: Dr. Peng Bi claims, “From mild distress to serious conditions like schizophrenia, rising temperatures are making things harder for millions.”

⚠️ Impact: The study alleges there will be a 49 percent increase in mental health burdens by 2050 due to climate-related heat unless effective adaptations are made.

IN FULL:

A recent study by researchers at the University of Adelaide, Australia, claims that increasing temperatures significantly affect mental health. According to the findings published in Nature Climate Change, extreme heat is contributing to a rising incidence of mental and behavioral disorders, and the situation will worsen if the climate warms.

The research utilizes the metric of disability-adjusted life years (DALYs) to estimate the mental health toll of rising temperatures. Currently, heat supposedly contributes to the annual loss of over 8,450 healthy life years in Australia, accounting for about 1.8 percent of the nation’s mental and behavioral disorder burden. The study claims this toll could rise by nearly 50 percent by 2050 if global temperatures increase.

Dr. Peng Bi, who led the research, alleges that high temperatures exacerbate conditions from mild distress to severe illnesses like schizophrenia. According to the study, approximately 8.6 million Australians could encounter a mental behavioral disorder at some point. Co-author Dr. Jingwen Liu claims, “Climate change will drive up mental health challenges beyond what population growth alone would cause,” and, “Young people, who often face these issues early in life, are especially at risk as the climate crisis worsens.”

The research models various scenarios, indicating a possible 49 percent increase in burden under a high-emissions pathway and up to 141 percent when factoring in population growth. It claims climate change policies could limit the increase. Notably, however, Western countries such as Australia now account for only a small percentage of global emissions, with the impact of net zero policies that have a punishing effect on households and businesses being wiped out by the increasing use of coal and other carbon-heavy fuels by the likes of China and India.

Image by Jorge Royan.

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By Popular Demand.
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1 hour ago
Economy
News

Europe Braces for Influx of Cheap Chinese Imports as Trump Tariffs Protect U.S. Producers.

PULSE POINTS:

❓What Happened: Europe is concerned about an influx of cheap Chinese goods due to tariffs imposed by the United States on Chinese exports.

👥 Who’s Involved: Key players include European leaders, Chinese manufacturers, and the U.S. government.

📍 Where & When: The situation is unfolding across Europe, with a focus on countries like France, Germany, and Italy, amid escalating trade tensions.

💬 Key Quote: Liana Fix of the Council on Foreign Relations noted, “The overcapacity challenge has taken a long time, but it has finally arrived in European capitals.”

⚠️ Impact: Potential economic strain on European industries and increased vigilance on imports to prevent dumping.

IN FULL:

Europe faces an expected surge in Chinese products due to the ongoing trade clash between the United States and China. With U.S.-imposed tariffs dampening export opportunities for Chinese goods, the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) could seek to dump exports on the European market. This situation raises alarm over the potential negative impact on local industries across the European Union (EU).

The situation stems from President Donald J. Trump’s hefty tariffs on China, which have significantly obstructed Chinese exports to American markets. Consequently, there are growing apprehensions that these goods—ranging from electric vehicles to consumer gadgets—might overflow into the European market. Such an influx could undercut European manufacturers, impacting economic stability in major economies like France, Germany, and Italy.

“The overcapacity challenge has taken a long time, but it has finally arrived in European capitals,” remarked Liana Fix of the Council on Foreign Relations.

In response to the mounting concerns, Ursula von der Leyen, President of the European Commission, has emphasized the importance of constructive engagement with China. She acknowledges the indirect effects of the U.S.-imposed tariffs, stressing the need for vigilance in monitoring Chinese imports. A newly constituted task force will track these imports for signs of dumping, aiming to maintain market balance within Europe.

President Trump also enacted significant tariffs on European Union goods—though the trade duties have been reduced to 10 percent for a 90-day grace period while trade negotiations take place. The EU initially announced its own retaliatory tariffs, but it later caved and announced it would suspend the idea to pursue trade negotiations.

Image: European Union 2023– Source: EP.

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By Popular Demand.
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2 hours ago
Jack Montgomery
UK

‘America is an Anglo Country’ — VP Vance Says Brexit Britain Has ‘Good Chance’ to Strike U.S. Trade Deal.

PULSE POINTS:

❓What Happened: U.S. Vice-President J.D. Vance expressed optimism about the potential for a trade agreement with the United Kingdom, which regained control over its trade policy from the European Union (EU) following Brexit, as negotiations to end tariffs continue.

👥 Who’s Involved: U.S. Vice-President J.D. Vance, U.S. President Donald J. Trump, British Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer, British Business and Trade Minister Sarah Jones.

📍 Where & When: Comments made during an interview with UnHerd on Monday.

💬 Key Quote: “There’s a real cultural affinity. And of course, fundamentally America is an Anglo country. I think there’s a good chance that, yes, we’ll come to a great agreement that’s in the best interest of both countries.” — Vice President J.D. Vance.

⚠️ Impact: A potential British-American trade deal may eliminate or significantly reduce tariffs, leaving Britain better placed to conduct trade with the U.S. than the European Union.

IN FULL:

Vice President J.D. Vance indicated there is a “good chance” the U.S. will reach a trade agreement with the United Kingdom. Speaking to UnHerd, Vance said, “We’re certainly working very hard with Keir Starmer’s government” on a trade deal.” Unlike the 27 national governments of the European Union (EU), which surrender control over their trade policy to the unelected European Commission, the British government can strike bilateral trade deals on its own initiative following Brexit.

“The President really loves the United Kingdom. He loved the Queen. He admires and loves the King. It is a very important relationship. And he’s a businessman and has a number of important business relationships in [Britain],” Vance explained. “But I think it’s much deeper than that. There’s a real cultural affinity. And of course, fundamentally America is an Anglo country. I think there’s a good chance that, yes, we’ll come to a great agreement that’s in the best interest of both countries,” he added.

The “Liberation Day” reciprocal tariff imposed on Britain on April 2 was initially half the tariff imposed on the EU, at 10 percent versus 20 percent. However, President Trump has now reduced all reciprocal tariffs—except China’s—to 10 percent while trade negotiations are conducted.

Sources in the United Kingdom claim significant progress has been made in discussions with the U.S., aiming for a comprehensive trade deal. This agreement would transcend tariffs, involving trade in both goods and services. Vance believes a U.S.-EU trade deal may be more challenging, as “with the United Kingdom, we have a much more reciprocal relationship than we have with, say, Germany… While we love the Germans, they are heavily dependent on exporting to the United States but are pretty tough on a lot of American businesses that would like to export into Germany.”

British Business and Trade Minister Sarah Jones responded positively to Vance’s comments, emphasizing that reducing tariffs is a priority to promote jobs and growth.

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By Popular Demand.
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4 hours ago
News
World

Hungary Gets Constitutional in Fight to Protect Kids From LGBT Ideology.

PULSE POINTS:

❓What Happened: Hungary passed a constitutional amendment that permits authorities to prohibit LGBT+ public events like Pride marches.

👥 Who’s Involved: Hungary’s government, led by Prime Minister Viktor Orban; opposition politicians; protesters; LGBT+ communities.

📍 Where & When: Hungary, April 14.

💬 Key Quote: “We’re protecting children’s development, affirming that a person is born either male or female, and standing firm against drugs and foreign interference.” — Prime Minister Viktor Orban.

⚠️ Impact: The law could increase tensions regarding LGBT+ rights, potentially leading to broader use of surveillance technology and affecting freedom of assembly.

IN FULL:

Hungary’s parliament has approved a constitutional amendment enabling authorities to ban LGBTQ public events to protect children from LGBTQ ideology. The amendment, which passed Monday, explicitly allows the government to halt events such as Budapest‘s annual Pride march.

Prime Minister Viktor Orban said of the constitutional changes, “Hungary’s constitutional amendment is now law. We’re protecting children’s development, affirming that a person is born either male or female, and standing firm against drugs and foreign interference.”

Specifically, the amendment allows for the prohibition of events that “promote or display deviation from a person’s gender at birth, gender reassignment, or homosexuality” in settings where children could be exposed to them, such as public streets.

In response to the amendment, opposition politicians and demonstrators blockaded the parliament’s entrances and used air horns to disrupt proceedings inside the legislature.

In addition to the provisions concerning Pride marches, the amendment codifies previously stated definitions regarding gender, explicitly recognizing only two sexes. In a statement, the government said this clarifies that laws around sex and gender are based on biological realities rather than self-identification.

Further provisions in the amendment include a right to cash payments, a right to community self-defense, powers to strip dual nationals working for foreign powers of their Hungarian citizenship, and an explicit ban on the production and promotion of narcotics.

This is the 15th amendment to the constitution penned by an Orban government since 2011. This reflects his party’s strong, sustained mandate from the Hungarian electorate, which is necessary for constitutional amendments to pass.

Image by Annika Haas (EU2017EE).

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By Popular Demand.
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5 hours ago
Health
UK

Children’s Home Leaders Instructed to Adopt Gender-Inclusive Language Over ‘Boys’ and ‘Girls.’

PULSE POINTS:

❓What Happened: The Care Inspectorate in Scotland has issued new guidance directing children’s home managers to use “gender-inclusive language” to avoid offending transgenders. Staff are advised not to refer to residents as “boys” or “girls” and to use gender-neutral terms to ensure inclusivity.

👥 Who’s Involved: The Care Inspectorate provided the guidance. It impacts staff at children’s homes across Scotland.

📍 Where & When: This guidance applies to children’s homes in Scotland and was released by the regional government last week.

💬 Key Quote: A spokesman from the Care Inspectorate stated, “Every day, the staff of these services must, and do, find ways of helping all young people to feel supported, loved, valued, and respected.”

⚠️ Impact: The Scottish government agency contends the guidance aims to create a more inclusive environment for all young residents. However, critics contend the language policy only affirms false perceptions caused by mental health issues.

IN FULL:

The Care Inspectorate in Scotland has issued new guidance directing children’s homes to adopt “gender-inclusive” language to ensure all residents feel respected and valued. According to the latest guidelines, children’s home staff should avoid calling residents “boys” or “girls” and encourage language that does not risk offending transgender patients.

Officials for Scotland’s devolved government—roughly equivalent to a U.S. state government—claim the move follows requests from child services seeking assistance in accommodating the needs of young people who identify as transgender or non-binary. The instructions indicate that phrases like “come on, boys and girls” no longer align with recommended practices for supporting LGBTQ individuals.

A representative from the Care Inspectorate explained, “Every day, the staff of these services must, and do, find ways of helping all young people to feel supported, loved, valued and respected.” The guidance states that staff should “try to create an environment that feels safe to explore identity and enables young people to change their mind in the future if they wish to do so.”

The Care Inspectorate guidance comes just months after the British central government, now led by the leftist Labour Party, decided to maintain the previous Conservative government’s ban on prescribing puberty-blocking drugs to minors in England. Announcing the move last December, Health Secretary Wes Streeting emphasized the lack of evidence for the safety of child gender transitions: “Children’s health care must always be evidence-led. The independent expert Commission on Human Medicines found that the current prescribing and care pathway for gender dysphoria and incongruence presents an unacceptable safety risk for children and young people.”

Increasingly, medical studies are finding that so-called “gender-affirming” treatments do not reduce the demand for mental health services, indicating that the procedures fail to address underlying psychological issues associated with transgenderism.

Image by Quinn Dombrowski.

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By Popular Demand.
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15 hours ago
Crime
NatSec

Teen Accused of Murdering Parents in Plot to Assassinate Trump, FBI Reports.

PULSE POINTS:

❓What Happened: A 17-year-old in Wisconsin is accused of killing his mother and stepfather to obtain resources and freedom in order to execute a plan to assassinate President Donald J. Trump and overthrow the U.S. federal government.

👥 Who’s Involved: Nikita Casap, his stepfather Donald Mayer, his mother Tatiana Casap, Waukesha County, Wisconsin authorities, and federal investigators.

📍 Where & When: The incident occurred in Waukesha County, Wisconsin, with the arrests made in March. A preliminary court hearing on Casap’s state charges was held on April 9, with the 17-year-old set to be formally arraigned on May 7.

💬 Key Quote: “He was in touch with other parties about his plan to kill the President and overthrow the government,” investigators said in the affidavit.

⚠️ Impact: The incident prompted federal charges in addition to the state counts.

IN FULL:

Authorities in Wisconsin have charged a teenager with the murder of his mother and stepfather, citing intentions to use their assets to execute plans to assassinate President Donald J. Trump and overthrow the federal government. Nikita Casap, 17, faces multiple state charges, including two counts of first-degree murder following the March incident. Authorities located the bodies of Donald Mayer, 51, and Tatiana Casap, 35, within their Waukesha County residence.

Prosecutors also charged Casap with hiding bodies, theft, and identity theft. In addition to the state prosecution, the 17-year-old will also likely face federal charges, according to affidavits filed by federal investigators. Based on a review of a manifesto allegedly written by the teenager, the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) believes Casap likely communicated with other individuals regarding his plot—suggesting the possibility of a broader conspiracy.

A search warrant on the teenager’s phone uncovered affiliations with “The Order of Nine Angles,” a group associated with extremist and racially charged ideology. In his manifesto, Casap allegedly advocates for violent actions to “save the white race” alongside imagery revering Adolf Hitler.

“He was in touch with other parties about his plan to kill the President and overthrow the government of the United States. And he paid for, at least in part, a drone and explosives to be used as a weapon of mass destruction to commit an attack,” federal investigators state in the affidavit. They add: “Other parties, with whom Casap was in contact, appear to have been aware of his plan and action and to have provided assistance to Casap in carrying them out.”

During the 2024 election, President Trump was the target of two assassination attempts, with the first would-be assassin striking the America First leader’s ear with a bullet during a rally in Butler, Pennsylvania. The second assassination attempt involved pro-Ukraine activist Ryan Routh, who was discovered with a rifle hiding along the treeline at Trump International Golf Club, only a short distance from the America First leader.

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By Popular Demand.
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16 hours ago
Education

Trump-Backed School Choice Program Texas Is Poised to Adopt Will Be Largest in U.S.

PULSE POINTS:

❓What Happened: The Texas House, during an extended session, passed a $337 billion budget proposal, including a large-scale school choice initiative. The budget bill now heads to a conference committee that will reconcile differences between the versions passed by the Texas House and Senate before receiving a final vote on passage. 

👥 Who’s Involved: Governor Greg Abbott (R-TX), lawmakers in the Texas state legislature, school choice advocates, and Texas Democrats who oppose the budget bill and school choice program.

📍 Where & When: The debate took place in Texas on April 10, 2025, with the House passing the budget bill early Friday morning.

💬 Key Quote: Governor Abbott stated, “The fact is that we are going to pass school choice this session. At the same time, we’ll ensure Texas public schools receive record funding.”

⚠️ Impact: The budget measure seeks to distribute funds for educational savings accounts, affecting 100,000 students, and includes plans for property tax relief and increased border security funds.

IN FULL:

The Texas House engaged in a lengthy session on Thursday to debate the state’s $337 billion budget proposal, which includes a provision establishing the largest school choice program in the United States. After hours of debate and consideration of over 390 amendments —with only 25 being adopted—lawmakers moved to adopt the budget measure early on Friday morning, moving the school choice program one step closer to becoming a reality. The bill now heads to a conference committee that will reconcile differences between the House-passed budget and a version passed earlier this year by the Texas Senate.

If enacted, budget legislation would allocate $1 billion towards educational savings accounts, affecting roughly 100,000 Texas students. Additionally, the measure allows families to utilize public funds for differing educational expenses, such as private school tuition and homeschooling. President Donald J. Trump announced his support for the Texas school choice program in February, writing on Truth Social: “The Texas House must now pass School Choice to deliver a gigantic Victory for Texas students and parents… We need School Choice passed in every State!”

Governor Greg Abbott (R-TX) has also backed the school choice provision in the budget, contending that it will simultaneously bolster educational outcomes and empower families in their education decisions. “The fact is that we are going to pass school choice this session,” Abbott wrote in a post on X (formerly Twitter). “School choice creates competition and guarantees a better education for ALL students.”

Additional elements of the proposal include $11.2 billion for property tax relief and a record-setting $6.5 billion for border security. However, Democrat lawmakers in the state legislature have signaled they will oppose the final budget bill—though it appears unlikely they will be able to prevent its passage.

Image by Chmorich.

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By Popular Demand.
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16 hours ago
News
UK

Minority Report: Predictive Algorithms Will Be Used to Identify Potential Criminals.

PULSE POINTS:

❓What Happened: An algorithm is being developed to predict which criminals might later commit murder.

👥 Who’s Involved: Britain’s Ministry of Justice, Greater Manchester Police and other British police forces, and civil liberties group Statewatch.

📍 Where & When: The United Kingdom; the project started in January 2023 and is believed to have been completed in December 2024 but is yet to be deployed.

💬 Key Quote: “Time and again, research shows that algorithmic systems for ‘predicting’ crime are inherently flawed,” noted Sofia Lyall from Statewatch.

⚠️ Impact: Concerns about bias and the ethical implications of using such predictive models on vast datasets, including from communities already facing structural discrimination.

IN FULL:

The British Ministry of Justice is advancing in its initiative to create an algorithmic tool aimed at predicting which individuals convicted of crimes might escalate to committing homicide. Known internally as the Homicide Prediction Project, the undertaking emerged through Freedom of Information requests from the civil liberties group Statewatch, which flagged the project as concerning.

Expanding on risk-prediction systems already in place, the project is designed to build upon frameworks such as the Offender Assessment System (OASys), which has been used since 2001 to forecast recidivism and inform legal decisions. However, the broad scope of data in this new model has raised red flags. Data utilized, sourced from various police and government bodies, potentially includes information on up to half a million people, some without any criminal history.

Despite officials’ assertions that the project remains in a research phase, uncovered documents allude to future deployments. Sources claim increased collaboration across government agencies and police forces, such as Greater Manchester Police and the Metropolitan Police, to enhance the dataset driving these predictions.

Statewatch has raised ethical concerns about the predictive model’s potential for systemic bias. The British state has already attempted to introduce guidelines that were explicitly two-tier and would have seen ethnic minorities prioritized for bail over white men in the country.

Statewatch’s Sofia Lyall described the algorithm project as “chilling and dystopian,” calling for an immediate cessation of its development. “Time and again, research shows that algorithmic systems for ‘predicting’ crime are inherently flawed,” he said. She highlighted the risk algorithms pose in creating profiles of potential criminals before any crime is committed.

Image by Rama.

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By Popular Demand.
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17 hours ago
News
War

White House Hits Back After Zelensky Attacks Vice President Vance.

PULSE POINTS:

❓What Happened: The White House responded to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky’s accusation that Vice President J.D. Vance is justifying Russian President Vladimir Putin’s actions.

👥 Who’s Involved: Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, U.S. Vice President JD Vance, U.S. President Donald Trump, and the White House.

📍 Where & When: Comments were made during an interview on CBS’s 60 Minutes on Sunday, with updates and responses on Monday, April 14, 2025.

💬 Key Quote: Taylor Van Kirk, press secretary to Vice President Vance: “Instead of mischaracterizing Vice President Vance’s rhetoric, President Zelensky should be focused on bringing this conflict to a peaceful conclusion.”

⚠️ Impact: The diplomatic rift appears to widen amidst continued hostilities in Ukraine, with criticisms from both sides regarding efforts to end the conflict.

IN FULL:

The White House rebuffed allegations from Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky on Monday after he criticized Vice President J.D. Vance for supposedly justifying Russian President Vladimir Putin’s actions. During a CBS 60 Minutes interview aired on Sunday, Zelensky accused Vance and President Donald J. Trump of promoting an “altered reality” concerning events leading up to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. Zelensky suggested Vance seemed to approve of Putin’s actions, a claim that prompted a swift reply from Vance’s press team.

Taylor Van Kirk, the Vice President’s press secretary, responded to Zelensky’s allegations, emphasizing that Vance has consistently stated that the war’s origins lie in the Biden government’s “weakness and incompetence.”

“Instead of mischaracterizing Vice President Vance’s rhetoric, President Zelensky should be focused on bringing this conflict to a peaceful conclusion,” Van Kirk said.

This recent escalation follows a previous meeting in the Oval Office, during which Zelensky faced harsh criticism from both Trump and Vance over his ungrateful behavior. Zelensky, who sparked the clash by starting an argument with Vance over the need for diplomacy, was later removed from the White House.

President Trump, placing responsibility for the war on former President Joe Biden, expressed his determination to halt the ongoing violence in a post on Truth Social, emphasizing an urgency to cease hostilities.

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