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November 5, 2024
Jack Montgomery
Election 2024

Narrow Win for Harris in Guam’s Straw Poll, Exit Poll Suggests GOP Legislative Takeover.

The U.S. territory of Guam has voted for Kamala Harris in its non-binding straw poll on the U.S. presidency. However, her margin over former President Donald J. Trump is much tighter than that of Joe Biden in 2020, and an exit poll suggests that the GOP will take over the island’s legislature.

Harris eked out Trump with 49.46 percent to 46.22 percent support. In 2020, Biden won 55.38 percent, and in 2016, Hillary Clinton won 71.6 percent. If a similar swing towards Trump is replicated in formerly Democrat-voting areas in the U.S. proper, it could spell trouble for the Vice President.

Meanwhile, an exit poll for Guam’s legislative elections suggests the Republican Party will secure a majority for the first time since 2008.

Image by U.S. Navy, Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Jasen Moreno-Garcia.

By Popular Demand.
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1 hour ago
News
Religion

DOJ Challenges New York Law Forcing Nuns to House Men With Women.

The Justice Department is supporting a lawsuit by Catholic nuns challenging a New York law that forces them to violate their religious beliefs by housing biological men with women.

PULSE POINTS
❓ WHAT HAPPENED: The Department of Justice (DOJ) is intervening in a lawsuit filed by the Dominican Sisters of Hawthorne, a group of Catholic nuns, challenging a New York law that mandates long-term care facilities to house transgenders based on gender identity rather than biological sex. The DOJ argues that the law violates the U.S. Constitution’s Equal Protection Clause by forcing religious organizations to act against their beliefs.
📺 DETAIL: The Catholic nuns, who operate Rosary Hill Home for indigent cancer patients, contend that the law conflicts with their religious beliefs by requiring them to place biological men in women’s rooms and use preferred names and pronouns. Assistant Attorney General Harmeet K. Dhillon said the state cannot force religious organizations to abandon their faith-based convictions, warning that the law effectively compels the sisters to choose between their religious principles and their operating license. The Justice Department’s complaint supports the sisters’ claim that the policy infringes on their constitutional rights while they continue providing end-of-life care to patients.
💬 KEY QUOTE: “States should take notice that they cannot require Americans to abandon their religious beliefs in the name of woke gender ideology,” said Assistant Attorney General Harmeet K. Dhillon.
🎯 IMPACT: The DOJ’s support for the nuns’ lawsuit could set a significant precedent for protecting religious organizations from state-imposed mandates that conflict with their beliefs. A ruling in favor of the Dominican Sisters would reinforce First Amendment protections and undermine the enforceability of similar laws nationwide.

Image by Br. Christian Seno, OFM.

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The Justice Department is supporting a lawsuit by Catholic nuns challenging a New York law that forces them to violate their religious beliefs by housing biological men with women.

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By Popular Demand.
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2 hours ago
Immigration
News

Trump Admin Expands H-2A Program to Include Migrant Dairy Workers.

The United States Department of Agriculture’s decision to include year-round dairy workers in the seasonal H-2A visa program has drawn criticism over its potential impact on American workers.

PULSE POINTS
❓ WHAT HAPPENED: The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced that year-round dairy workers are now eligible for H-2A seasonal work visas.
📺 DETAIL: The H-2A visa allows agricultural employers to hire foreign nationals for temporary or seasonal farm work. It is designed to fill labor shortages and requires employers to prove that domestic workers are unavailable. The visas are limited to agricultural labor or services a temporary or seasonal nature, usually lasting for a period of up to one year. “The guidance clarifies that dairying is an agricultural activity eligible for consideration under the H-2A program and recognizes that dairy operations may experience temporary or seasonal labor needs that qualify for H-2A employment,” announced the USDA on Wednesday. Critics argue that the policy stretches the original intent of the H-2A visa program, which is reserved for seasonal labor. “Obviously, someone in the administration wants to get dairy into the unlimited seasonal temporary agricultural program, so apparently [it] is just redefining the word ‘seasonal’… Cows do not go on vacation, and generally neither do dairy workers… If you start with a law that says these workers must be temporary or seasonal, and you end up with, ‘Oh yeah, [year-round] dairy workers qualify,’ you’ve turned yourself into a pretzel,” said Rosemary Jenks of the conservative Immigration Accountability Project. The decision has sparked controversy as it could suppress wages, worsen working conditions, displace American workers, and discourage technological investments.
💬 KEY QUOTE: “We’re going to be importing a serf class to our dairy industry… and push Americans entirely out of the industry. It’s ridiculous.” — Rosemary Jenks, Cofounder and Policy Director of the Immigration Accountability Project.
🎯 IMPACT: The American dairy industry employs roughly 130,000 workers, half of whom are immigrants. The H-2A program is projected to import approximately 400,000 workers by the end of 2026. Along with the previously mentioned concerns about wage suppression, stagnant investment in automation, worsening working conditions, and displacement of native workers, the industry’s already heavy reliance on cheap foreign labor suggests that recent reports of worker shortages point to a more fundamental, structural challenge preventing it from hiring American workers.
📺 FLASHBACK: Back in March, following reports of a labor shortage in the agricultural sector, the Trump administration used the H-2A program to allow farmers to hire cheap immigrant workers on temporary visas. “The farm economy is in a difficult situation, and President Trump is utilizing all the tools available to ensure farmers have what they need to be successful,” said U.S. Agriculture Secretary Brooke L. Rollins at the time.

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The United States Department of Agriculture’s decision to include year-round dairy workers in the seasonal H-2A visa program has drawn criticism over its potential impact on American workers.

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By Popular Demand.
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2 hours ago
Health
News

MAHA Win as Nestlé Delivers on Pledge to Eliminate Artificial Colors.

Nestlé USA has fulfilled its pledge to remove Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic (FD&C) synthetic colors from its food and beverage products sold in the United States, marking a significant step in addressing consumer demand for healthier ingredients.

PULSE POINTS
❓ WHAT HAPPENED: Nestlé USA has officially removed all Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic (FD&C) synthetic colors from its food and beverage portfolio.
📺 DETAIL: Nestlé USA pledged to eliminate FD&C synthetic dyes by mid-2026. FD&C synthetic colors are food and beverage additives regulated and approved by the Food and Drug Administration. FD&C synthetic colors are among several targets of the Trump administration’s “Make America Healthy Again” (MAHA) agenda, which highlights their health risks and lack of nutritional value. Earlier this week, Nestlé USA announced that its pledge had been fulfilled, with updated recipes hitting shelves imminently. Marty Thompson, CEO of the company, emphasized the commitment to meeting consumer expectations for transparency and healthier options. “MAHA keeps racking up wins. Nestlé USA has officially removed FD&C colors across its U.S. food and beverage portfolio. Progress tastes pretty good,” posted the Food and Drug Administration on X (formerly Twitter). Similarly, Secretary of Health and Human Services Robert F. Kennedy Jr. posted: “Thank you, [Nestlé], for eliminating synthetic dyes from your products. Nestlé stepped up and delivered.”
💬 KEY QUOTE: “Consumers expect more choice, more transparency, and products they can feel good about… Eliminating FD&C colors from our portfolio is one more way we continue to meet those expectations,” said Marty Thompson, CEO of Nestlé USA.
🎯 IMPACT: The move away from FD&C synthetic colors is unlikely to stop with just Nestlé USA. Secretary Kennedy has already called on other companies to take similar action. “Now it’s time for every food company operating in America to do the same and help Make America Healthy Again,” Kennedy posted on X. The removal of synthetic dyes by Nestlé and other major companies reflects growing consumer demand for healthier, more natural ingredients. This story also shows that the MAHA agenda is making progress.
📺 FLASHBACK: Back in July of last year, American ice cream makers vowed to remove artificial food dyes from their products by 2028. The same month, it was announced that synthetic dyes would be removed from all Hershey’s snacks by the end of 2027. Previously, Kraft Heinz announced that it would also remove petroleum-based artificial dyes from its U.S.-sold products by the end of 2027. This rollback of artificial food dyes coincided with the FDA approving two additional natural color additives and expanding the use of a third.

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Nestlé USA has fulfilled its pledge to remove Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic (FD&C) synthetic colors from its food and beverage products sold in the United States, marking a significant step in addressing consumer demand for healthier ingredients.

show more
By Popular Demand.
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3 hours ago
Crime
News

State’s First Transgender Rep Sentenced to 33 Years for Child Sex Crimes.

Stacie Marie Laughton, the first open transgender elected to a state legislature, has received a 33-year prison sentence for child exploitation, having pleaded guilty to the charges last year.

PULSE POINTS
❓ WHAT HAPPENED: The first transgender state representative in New Hampshire has been sentenced to more than 30 years in prison for sexually abusing children. 
📺 DETAIL: Stacie Marie Laughton, born Barry Charles Laughton Jr., a former New Hampshire state legislator and the first open transgender elected to a United States state legislature, was sentenced to 33 years in prison for child exploitation. Laughton, a trans-identified male, was found guilty of receiving explicit images of children from Lindsay Groves, a former daycare worker at Creative Minds Early Learning Center in Tyngsborough, Massachusetts, and Laughton’s former partner. Groves was given nearly 22 years in prison. Laughton was sentenced on Tuesday. Over 10,000 explicit messages were shared between the two. Specifically, Groves had taken explicit images of children while at a daycare job and sent the pictures to Laughton, who had previously expressed sexual interest in children. The explicit images included children as young as three years old. According to reports, Groves made the children at the daycare expose their genitals, taking pictures of them during bathroom breaks and diaper changes. Initially withdrawing due to a felony conviction for fraud, Laughton went on to serve in the New Hampshire legislature between 2020 and 2022.
🎯 IMPACT: Laughton’s extensive criminal record, along with the obscenity of the crimes committed alongside Groves, underscores the need for thorough background checks of public representatives and those working with children.
📺 FLASHBACK: Laughton pleaded guilty to the charges back in November last year. The explicit images were taken between May 2022 and June 2023. During the trial, Laughton’s history of legal issues came to light, including arrests for sexual assault, domestic violence, making bomb threats, and misusing emergency services, as well as charges for stalking.

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Stacie Marie Laughton, the first open transgender elected to a state legislature, has received a 33-year prison sentence for child exploitation, having pleaded guilty to the charges last year.

show more
By Popular Demand.
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4 hours ago
News

Court Denies Biden’s Attempt to Seal Ghostwriter Recordings.

A federal judge ruled against Joe Biden’s attempt to prevent the release of recordings obtained during a classified documents investigation, citing public interest over privacy concerns.

PULSE POINTS
❓ WHAT HAPPENED: U.S. District Judge Dabney Friedrich rejected former President Joe Biden’s effort to block the release of recordings to a conservative group. The recordings, obtained during Special Counsel Robert Hur’s investigation into Biden’s mishandling of classified documents, were requested by a Heritage Foundation staffer.
📺 DETAIL: Judge Friedrich ruled that the public interest in the recordings outweighed Biden’s privacy concerns, noting that sensitive personal discussions, including references to the death of his son Beau Biden, had been redacted. The recordings became a point of contention after Hur declined to bring charges against Biden and congressional Republicans demanded access to the material. Biden’s administration refused to release the recordings and transcripts, leading House Republicans to hold then-Attorney General Merrick Garland in contempt. The Trump Justice Department later approved their release in response to a request from a Heritage Foundation staffer, prompting Biden to file suit to block disclosure. Friedrich, a Trump appointee, found the remaining material contained no highly sensitive personal information and denied Biden’s request, though his legal team has asked for the release to be paused pending appeal.
🎯 IMPACT: The ruling emphasizes the public interest in government transparency, particularly in cases involving high-profile figures. However, Biden’s team has signaled that it plans to appeal the decision, potentially delaying the release of the material.
📺 FLASHBACK: The recordings stem from a broader investigation into Biden’s mishandling of classified documents during his tenure as a U.S. Senator and as Vice President.

Image by Gage Skidmore.

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A federal judge ruled against Joe Biden's attempt to prevent the release of recordings obtained during a classified documents investigation, citing public interest over privacy concerns.

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By Popular Demand.
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5 hours ago
News
War
World

Israel Agrees to Lebanon Ceasefire Amid U.S.-Iran Negotiations.

The reported ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah coincides with the deal between the United States and the Islamic Republic of Iran aimed at resolving the four-month-long conflict.

PULSE POINTS
❓ WHAT HAPPENED: Israel and Hezbollah have agreed to renew their ceasefire in southern Lebanon, despite Israeli National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir’s call for continued, devastating strikes.
📺 DETAIL: The ceasefire was announced on Friday. The ceasefire intends to end the fighting in southern Lebanon as part of a broader attempt to end hostilities between the U.S. and Iran, both of which recently signed a memorandum of understanding on peace, as well as their allies and proxies in the Middle East. This follows renewed fighting overnight between Israel and Hezbollah, which operates from Lebanon despite being outlawed by the Lebanese government. The memorandum of understanding was signed on Wednesday, giving the parties 60 days to finalize a comprehensive deal. Despite the ceasefire, continued Israeli attacks on Hezbollah, Iran’s proxy in southern Lebanon, have complicated the arrangement. In particular, Vice President J.D. Vance heavily criticized elements within the Israeli government of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu for their belligerent attitude. “Two-thirds of the defensive weapons that have protected your homeland have been built by American hands and paid for by American tax dollars… wake up and smell the reality of the situation that country is in,” Vance warned. President Donald J. Trump reflected this sentiment in comments at the G7 Summit in France this week, criticizing the Israeli government’s actions in Lebanon. “Too many people are being killed… and they’re not all Hezbollah, that I can tell you,” he said. In response, Israel’s National Security Minister, Itamar Ben-Gvir, called for the Israeli military to “go beserk” in southern Lebanon, encouraging mass destruction, contrary to the wishes of the Trump administration. “In the Middle East, you don’t win with measured responses and restraint—you need to go berserk. To obliterate,” wrote Ben-Gvir on X (formerly Twitter).
🎯 IMPACT: The ceasefire could ease tensions in the region and support U.S. efforts to reach a resolution with Iran. However, the recent criticism from President Trump and Vice President J.D. Vance of Netanyahu’s government over its actions in southern Lebanon highlights the emerging tensions within the U.S.-Israeli partnership as a deal for stability in the region now appears within reach.
💬 KEY QUOTE: “For every tear of an Israeli mother, a thousand Lebanese mothers must weep. All of Lebanon must burn!” – Itamar Ben-Gvir, Israel’s National Security Minister

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The reported ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah coincides with the deal between the United States and the Islamic Republic of Iran aimed at resolving the four-month-long conflict.

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By Popular Demand.
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6 hours ago
NatSec
News

Pulte Moves to Gut Intel Bureaucracy on Day One as Acting DNI.

Bill Pulte, newly appointed as Acting Director of National Intelligence, initiated significant staff reductions on his first day.

PULSE POINTS
❓ WHAT HAPPENED: Bill Pulte, the Director of the Federal Housing Finance Agency and the new Acting Director of National Intelligence (DNI), has begun implementing mass firings at the National Counterterrorism Center (NCTC) on his first official day in the DNI role.
📰 DETAIL: Reports state that Pulte arrived at the agency a day early on June 18, requested a list of employees, and met with agency lawyers as he prepared personnel decisions. The move comes after President Donald J. Trump nominated former U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of New York Jay Clayton to serve as DNI last week, amid opposition to his earlier nomination of Pulte as the permanent DNI. Clayton’s confirmation has been delayed until the Senate approves his successor in New York, creating an interim period in which Pulte will lead the intelligence agency. Notably, it may be delayed further, as President Trump seeks to link his confirmation and the renewal of FISA to Congress approving election integrity measures in the SAVE America Act. This delay will allow Pulte to implement significant staffing changes, urged by President Trump, before Clayton potentially takes office.
🎯 IMPACT: The decision to initiate these cuts has stalled bipartisan efforts to renew Section 702 of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA), with Democrats expressing opposition to proceeding while Pulte is in charge. Trump has backed Pulte strongly, saying of his work as Director of the Federal Housing Finance Agency, “He’s very smart. He’s a person who’s got high integrity. He’s done a phenomenal job.”

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Bill Pulte, newly appointed as Acting Director of National Intelligence, initiated significant staff reductions on his first day.

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By Popular Demand.
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7 hours ago
News
War

Pentagon Requests $80 Billion to Cover Iran War.

The Pentagon is requesting $80 billion to cover the costs of the Iran war and related expenses.

PULSE POINTS
❓ WHAT HAPPENED: The Department of War is seeking congressional approval for approximately $80 billion to cover the costs of the Iran war.
📰 DETAIL: The Department of War’s request was first reported on Thursday by The Wall Street Journal. Deputy War Secretary Stephen Feinberg presented the funding request to lawmakers, highlighting the risk of running out of operational funds within months without congressional action. According to recent Pentagon reports, the cost of the Iran war is already approximately $29 billion, though the true cost may be much higher. In addition to triggering a spike in the price of oil, resulting from the closure of the Strait of Hormuz, a vital chokepoint for global oil exports, the Iran war has also reportedly strained the country’s munitions stockpile, so much so that Acting United States Navy Secretary Hung Cao has warned that the war is undermining the United States’ ability to arm Taiwan. Notably, Secretary of War Pete Hegseth has dismissed claims of munitions shortages, though a portion of the $80 billion requested by the Department of War will go towards munitions.
🎯 IMPACT: The funding requests feed into worries that the U.S. is overstretching itself abroad to the detriment of domestic priorities, such as affordability and immigration enforcement. Under the War Powers Act of 1973, the President requires congressional approval within 60 days of committing American forces to military conflict. As the deadline has now passed, congressional lawmakers see the Department of War’s request as a chance to rein in the Trump administration on war spending, despite simultaneously committing further funds to Ukraine. The administration insists the 60-day timeline paused when the U.S. and Iran agreed to a ceasefire in April.

Image by Asten.

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The Pentagon is requesting $80 billion to cover the costs of the Iran war and related expenses.

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By Popular Demand.
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7 hours ago
Health
News

Gabbard Releases Final Docs Linking Fauci, U.S. Funds to Wuhan Lab.

Former DNI Tulsi Gabbard has released documents suggesting Dr. Anthony Fauci funded gain-of-function research and worked to suppress lab-leak theories about COVID-19’s origins.

PULSE POINTS
❓ WHAT HAPPENED: Tulsi Gabbard, on her final day as Director of National Intelligence (DNI), released documents suggesting Dr. Anthony Fauci used U.S. taxpayer dollars to fund gain-of-function research at the Wuhan Institute of Virology. She also accused Fauci of working with politicized elements of the Intelligence Community (IC) to suppress the lab-leak theory and mislead Congress.
📺 DETAIL: Gain-of-function research involves manipulating viruses to study their potential mutations, and the Wuhan lab has been at the center of controversy regarding COVID-19‘s origins. Fauci, who led the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID) during the COVID-19 pandemic, has long denied funding research that could have created the virus. In a post on X, Gabbard alleged that Fauci worked with members of the Intelligence Community to suppress information about the origins of COVID-19, conceal evidence supporting the lab-leak theory, and mislead Congress during testimony in 2024. The FBI, Department of Energy, and CIA have each assessed that a research-related origin is possible.
💬 KEY QUOTE: “I’m releasing how Dr. Fauci worked with politicized elements within the Intelligence Community to suppress the truth about his actions and hide the virus’ lab-leak origins, and lied to Congress while under oath in 2024. It’s time you know the truth.” – Tulsi Gabbard
🎯 IMPACT: The release of these documents could reignite debate over the origins of COVID-19 and the role of U.S. funding in controversial research abroad. Gabbard’s allegations may also lead to renewed scrutiny of Fauci’s testimony to Congress and his actions during the pandemic. Gabbard has left her post as DNI to support her husband, who is suffering from an aggressive form of cancer.

Image by Gage Skidmore.

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Former DNI Tulsi Gabbard has released documents suggesting Dr. Anthony Fauci funded gain-of-function research and worked to suppress lab-leak theories about COVID-19's origins.

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By Popular Demand.
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8 hours ago
News

REPORT: UK PM Starmer to Decide on Resignation Over the Weekend.

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer faces mounting pressure to resign his leadership of the Labour Party following rival Andy Burnham’s decisive parliamentary by-election (special election) victory on Thursday.

PULSE POINTS
❓ WHAT HAPPENED: Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer will decide whether he will fight to retain his leadership of Britain’s governing Labour Party or voluntarily resign over the weekend, according to reports. Rival Andy Burnham, currently the Mayor of Greater Manchester, won a parliamentary by-election (special election) on Thursday, allowing him to reenter the House of Commons as soon as Monday and challenge Starmer for the party leadership and, by extension, the office of Prime Minister.
📰 DETAIL: Several Labour Members of Parliament (MPs) and Cabinet ministers are privately urging Starmer to step down willingly. On Friday morning, the Prime Minister said he would fight any leadership contest, and a campaign website has reportedly been registered. However, it was later reported that he will contemplate stepping aside without a fight over the weekend. Burnham’s team favor a smooth handover rather than a bruising leadership contest, with Labour’s public standing already badly damaged. His decision to attempt a return to Parliament and challenge for the leadership followed heavy losses to Nigel Farage’s Reform UK party in local elections in May. his future as Prime Minister over the weekend, following increased pressure from his cabinet after Andy Burnham’s by-election win.
💬 KEY QUOTE: “If there is a contest, then yes, I will stand. I am not going to walk away.” – Sir Keir Starmer
🎯 IMPACT: A YouGov snap poll shows that 44 percent of voters support a leadership challenge by Burnham. Opinions are divided on whether Starmer should contest such a challenge: 36 percent say he should, and 38 percent say he should not. Among Labour voters, 47 percent believe Starmer should fight on, substantially ahead of the 35 percent who believe he should go quietly, suggesting the Prime Minister does still have a modicum of internal support. In the United Kingdom, prime ministers must be able to command a majority in the House of Commons to remain in post, meaning they can usually be replaced between elections due to infighting within the chamber’s dominant party.

Image by Simon Dawson / No 10 Downing Street.

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British Prime Minister Keir Starmer faces mounting pressure to resign his leadership of the Labour Party following rival Andy Burnham's decisive parliamentary by-election (special election) victory on Thursday.

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By Popular Demand.
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