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December 4, 2024
William Upton
Health
Science
SCOTUS

Leftist SCOTUS Justices: Sex Changes for Minors Are Like Taking Aspirin, Banning Them Is Like Banning Interracial Marriage.

The United States Supreme Court heard oral arguments Wednesday morning over the constitutionality of banning sex-change procedures for legal minors—including hormone replacement treatments and the use of puberty blockers. At the core of United States v. Skrmetti is a Tennessee law that bans gender transition for minors and could have a far-reaching impact on at least 24 other states that have similar laws on the books.

While most of the nine Supreme Court Justices appeared skeptical of the challenge to the Tennessee law, far-left Justices Ketanji Brown Jackson and Sonia Sotomayor both laid out bizarre arguments in defense of the Biden-Harris government’s legal challenge. Justice Jackson likened the law to past bans on interracial marriage, which were overturned in the high court’s landmark Loving v. Virginia. Going even further, Justice Sotomayor likened gender transition procedures—which can render patients sterile and have a host of other life-altering side effects—to simply taking an aspirin.

SEX CHANGES & INTERRACIAL MARRIAGE.

“The question was whether [bans on interracial marriage were] discriminatory because it applied to both races and wasn’t—you know—necessarily invidious or whatever,” Justice Jackson argued, comparing the marriage bans with the Tennessee sex change law.

“But as I read the statute here—excuse me—the case here, you know, the court starts off by saying that Virginia is now one of 16 states which prohibited and punished marriages on the basis of racial classifications. And when you look at the structure of that law, it looks—in terms of you can’t do something that is ‘inconsistent with your own characteristics?’ It’s sort of the same thing.”

Justice Brown Jackson went on to suggest Virginia could have avoided having its interracial marriage ban overturned if it had made similar classification arguments used by Tennessee in defense of its sex change ban.

JUST LIKE AN ASPIRIN?

Not to be outdone, Justice Sonia Sotomayor pushed back against Tennessee Solicitor General Matthew Rice’s contention that allowing sex change procedures for minors could leave their bodies “irreparably harmed for unproven benefits.” According to the 70-year-old Justice, such life-altering medical procedures—which could include the removal of genitalia and breasts—are comparable to taking an aspirin.

“I’m sorry, counselor, every medical treatment has a risk. Even taking aspirin,” Sotomayor responded, adding: “There’s always going to be a percentage of the population, under any medical treatment, that’s going to suffer a harm. So the question in my mind is not, ‘Do policymakers decide whether one person’s life is more valuable than the millions of others who get relief from this treatment?’ The question is, can you stop one sex from the other?”

Image by Domenico Convertini.

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1 hour ago
Crime
News

CBP Seizes Massive Meth Shipment at Border.

PULSE POINTS

❓WHAT HAPPENED: U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) uncovered over $10.3 million worth of suspected methamphetamine hidden in a shipment of lettuce at the Pharr International Bridge in South Texas.

👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: CBP officers, the truck driver, and Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), which is conducting a criminal inquiry.

📍WHEN & WHERE: The discovery was made on November 21 at the Pharr International Bridge cargo facility in South Texas.

💬KEY QUOTE: “Within a shipment of salad greens, our frontline officers discovered contraband that does not belong on any holiday table,” said Port Director Carlos Rodriguez.

🎯IMPACT: The bust, one of the largest methamphetamine seizures at the South Texas port this year, highlights the critical role of inspection technology and CBP efforts in combating drug smuggling.

IN FULL

U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officers seized more than $10.3 million worth of suspected methamphetamine at the Pharr International Bridge in South Texas on November 21. The drugs, weighing approximately 1,153 pounds, were hidden inside a commercial shipment of lettuce arriving from Mexico. CBP officers first detected anomalies using non-intrusive inspection technology. A physical search then uncovered 500 packages of the suspected narcotic concealed in boxes designed to blend with ordinary produce crates.

“Within a shipment of salad greens, our frontline officers discovered contraband that does not belong on any holiday table,” said Carlos Rodriguez, Port Director for the Hidalgo/Pharr/Anzalduas Port of Entry. “As this seizure aptly illustrates, our officers’ use of tools and technology were instrumental in this massive takedown of hard narcotics.”

CBP seized the narcotics and the tractor-trailer. Homeland Security Investigations has opened a criminal investigation, but no information about the driver or possible arrests has been released.

The bust, occurring just days before Thanksgiving, ranks among the largest methamphetamine seizures this year at the South Texas port.

Methamphetamine is a powerful synthetic stimulant that produces intense euphoria but carries severe health risks, including rapid heart rate, high blood pressure, paranoia, organ damage, psychosis, and fatal overdose. Large-scale production is dominated by Mexican cartels, which smuggle multi-ton shipments into the United States.

Recent related enforcement actions highlight the ongoing challenge. In February 2025, Mexican authorities, acting under increased U.S. pressure on drug trafficking, seized roughly 440 pounds of finished methamphetamine and more than 3,170 gallons of chemical precursors worth an estimated $40 million in Sinaloa state. In October 2025, federal agents in Georgia confiscated over 325 pounds of meth from a storage unit, resulting in charges against a suspected distributor.

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2 hours ago
Politics

D.C. Mayor Bowser Won’t Run for Fourth Term.

PULSE POINTS

❓WHAT HAPPENED: Washington D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser announced she will not seek re-election in 2026, citing the challenges of federal intervention in the city under President Donald J. Trump.

👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: Muriel Bowser, President Donald J. Trump, D.C. Council members, and federal agencies, including the National Guard.

📍WHEN & WHERE: Bowser made her announcement via social media on Tuesday, as federal involvement in D.C. remains a contentious issue.

🎯IMPACT: Bowser’s decision not to run opens the door for new candidates.

IN FULL

Muriel Bowser, the three-term Democrat mayor of Washington, D.C., announced on Tuesday that she will not seek re-election next year. The decision comes as Bowser has found herself increasingly at odds with both the far-left Washington, D.C. City Council and President Donald J. Trump, the latter having federalized law enforcement and deployed National Guard troops in the capital city to address rampant violent crime.

Bowser made the announcement in a video posted to X (formerly Twitter), where she reflected on her tenure and urged residents to “summon our collective strength to stand tall against bullies who threaten our very autonomy while preserving Home Rule.” She did not directly mention Trump in her address but highlighted the supposed importance of local governance.

During her leadership, Bowser often cooperated with federal initiatives, such as clearing homeless encampments and working with federal immigration agents, while also criticizing the deployment of National Guard troops. She acknowledged that federal intervention had contributed to a significant reduction in crime, raising the ire of the progressive-dominated D.C. City Council.

The federal government’s involvement in D.C. escalated in August when President J. Trump issued an emergency order federalizing the city’s police force. This move, which included National Guard deployments, sparked legal challenges from the district. A federal judge recently ruled in favor of the city, ordering an end to the deployment, though the decision is expected to be appealed.

Bowser’s decision not to run has already prompted speculation about potential candidates. D.C. Council members Robert White Jr. and Brooke Pinto have declared their candidacies for the district’s U.S. House delegate seat, while Janesse Lewis George is considered a possible contender.

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2 hours ago
Immigration
News

Trump Admin Reassessing Refugees Admitted by Biden.

PULSE POINTS

❓WHAT HAPPENED: Green card approvals for refugees admitted under the former Biden regime have been suspended, as per a government memo.

👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: Refugees admitted between January 20, 2021, and February 20, 2025, the former Biden regime, and the Trump administration.

📍WHEN & WHERE: The memo impacts refugees admitted to the United States during Biden’s term, with reviews ongoing under the Trump administration.

💬KEY QUOTE: “USCIS [U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services] is ready to uphold the law and ensure the refugee program is not abused.” – Joseph Edlow, director of United States Citizenship and Immigration Services

🎯IMPACT: The review raises uncertainty about the status of Biden-era refugees and highlights the shift in U.S. refugee policy under the Trump administration.

IN FULL

The Trump administration has suspended all green card approvals for refugees who entered the United States between January 20, 2021, and February 20, 2025, according to a report based on an internal government memo. The directive orders an immediate halt to processing permanent residency applications for refugees admitted during the former Biden regime. It extends to a review of refugees who have already received green cards.

The memo states that those found to have been improperly admitted “have no right to appeal” the determination, though anyone placed in removal proceedings may present their case before an immigration judge.

Joseph Edlow, director of United States Citizenship and Immigration Services, said, “USCIS is ready to uphold the law and ensure the refugee program is not abused.” Department of Homeland Security Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin stated: “For four straight years, the Biden administration accelerated refugee admissions from terror and gang-prone countries, prioritizing sheer numbers over rigorous vetting and strict adherence to legal requirements. This reckless approach undermined the integrity of our immigration system and jeopardized the safety and security of the American people. Corrective action is now being taken to ensure those who are present in the United States deserve to be here.”

The move is part of a broader crackdown on the issuance of green cards. In February 2025, President Donald J. Trump announced the termination of the EB-5 investor visa program, which he called a fraudulent “cheap way to buy a green card,” replacing it with a new $5 million “Trump Gold Card” that requires direct payment to the Treasury and job-creation commitments.

In July, the administration began revoking green cards from permanent residents with criminal records, including those supporting terrorist organizations, and intensified deportations at ports of entry. The following month, the House passed, and the Senate advanced the Protect Our Communities from DUIs Act, which would make any DUI conviction, past or present, grounds for deportation of non-citizens, including green card holders. The White House has endorsed the legislation.

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3 hours ago
Lawfare

Swalwell Files Lawsuit Against Housing Official Over Criminal Referrals for Fraud.

PULSE POINTS

❓WHAT HAPPENED: Representative Eric Swalwell (D-CA) has filed a federal lawsuit against President Donald J. Trump’s Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA) director Bill Pulte, alleging violations of privacy and political retribution.

👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: Rep. Eric Swalwell, Bill Pulte, and other Democrat figures such as Senator Adam Schiff (D-CA), New York Attorney General Letitia James (D), and Federal Reserve governor Lisa Cook.

📍WHEN & WHERE: The lawsuit was filed in the U.S. Court for the District of Columbia on November 25, 2025.

💬KEY QUOTE: “Pulte’s brazen practice of obtaining confidential mortgage records… is unprecedented and unlawful,” the lawsuit alleges.

🎯IMPACT: Swalwell’s lawsuit comes in response to a criminal referral made by Pulte to the Department of Justice (DOJ) alleging the California Democrat engaged in mortgage fraud, and Swalwell’s announcement that he is running for California governor.

IN FULL

Representative Eric Swalwell (D-CA) has filed a federal civil lawsuit against President Donald J. Trump’s Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA) director Bill Pulte, accusing him of violating privacy laws by accessing his confidential mortgage records. Swalwell claims these records were improperly used to refer him to the Department of Justice (DOJ) for an investigation into mortgage and tax fraud allegations.

The lawsuit, filed in the U.S. Court for the District of Columbia, alleges that Pulte engaged in “unprecedented and unlawful” practices by obtaining mortgage records through Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac. Swalwell, who recently announced his candidacy for Governor of California, stated that the disclosure of these records damaged his reputation at a critical political moment.

Pulte has also referred other prominent Democrats, including Senator Adam Schiff (D-CA), New York Attorney General Letitia James (D), and Federal Reserve Board member Lisa Cook, to the DOJ for investigation. Schiff and James have denied wrongdoing, while Cook is challenging her removal from the Federal Reserve Board by the Trump administration in a case the Supreme Court will hear in January.

Swalwell’s lawsuit also accuses the Trump administration of using federal agencies for political retribution, despite Democrats having undertaken a far more aggressive lawfare campaign against Trump and his allies after the 2020 election. The allegations against Swalwell are linked to his Washington, D.C., property, likely related to the issue of whether his permanent residence is in the capital or in California.

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3 hours ago
Crime
News

Trump Slams Chicago Crime and Liberal Judges After Career Criminal Sets Woman on Fire.

PULSE POINTS

❓WHAT HAPPENED: President Donald J. Trump criticized Chicago crime and “liberal judges” after a woman was set on fire on a train, allegedly by a man with 72 prior arrests who was out on bond.

👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: President Trump, Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker (D), Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson (D), victim Bethany MaGee, and alleged attacker Lawrence Reed.

📍WHEN & WHERE: The attack occurred in Chicago, Illinois, on November 17; Trump spoke during the annual Thanksgiving turkey pardon at the White House.

💬KEY QUOTE: “They burned this beautiful woman riding in a train. A man was arrested 72 times. Think of that. And they’ll let him out again, the liberal judges will let him out again.” – Donald Trump

🎯IMPACT: Trump renewed calls to deploy the National Guard to Chicago to address violent crime; critics are pointing to progressive criminal policies as enabling repeat offenders.

IN FULL

President Donald J. Trump highlighted Chicago crime and lambasted “liberal judges” after Bethany MaGee was set on fire on a subway train, allegedly by Lawrence Reed, a man with 72 prior arrests who had been released on bond despite prosecutors seeking detention.

The attack happened on November 17. Trump raised the case during the annual Thanksgiving turkey pardon at the White House and again called for National Guard troops to be sent to the city.

Trump said: “This is a very serious thing. They burned this beautiful woman riding in a train. A man was arrested 72 times. Think of that. And they’ll let him out again, the liberal judges will let him out again.”He added: “We’re going to lose a great city if we don’t do it quickly.”

Trump has repeatedly offered federal troops to Chicago, pointing to past deployments in other cities to fight violent crime. Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker (D) and Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson (D) have rejected the idea, calling it unconstitutional and denying there is a crime crisis.

Critics of Illinois’ progressive criminal justice policies pointed to the MaGee case as an example of repeat offenders committing serious crimes while on release. Reed had been placed on electronic monitoring in August but reportedly violated curfew and movement restrictions before the alleged attack. Cook County Judge Teresa Molina-Gonzalez had denied prosecutors’ request to detain him, saying: “I can’t keep everybody in jail because the State’s Attorney wants me to.”

The White House posted on X: “Liberal soft-on-crime policies are FAILING American communities and endangering law-abiding citizens. A career criminal with 72 arrests should have never been free to roam the streets. Pray for Bethany.”

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4 hours ago
Economy
News

U.S. Retail Sales Continued Upward Trend in September.

PULSE POINTS

❓WHAT HAPPENED: U.S. retail and restaurant sales increased in September, showing resilient consumer spending despite high prices and economic challenges.

👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: The U.S. Commerce Department, consumers, and retailers such as Walmart and others.

📍WHEN & WHERE: September 2025, with the report released Tuesday after a delay caused by the Senate Democrat-caused government shutdown.

🎯IMPACT: Consumer spending remains crucial for economic growth, but unemployment and inflation could pose challenges ahead of the holiday season.

IN FULL

U.S. retail and restaurant sales edged up 0.2 percent in September from August, the Commerce Department reported Tuesday in a release delayed by the Senate Democrat-caused government shutdown. The modest gain came despite stubbornly high prices for groceries and housing. Economists say steady consumer spending is on track to push third-quarter economic growth to an annualized rate of three percent or higher, a notable acceleration from the 1.6 percent pace recorded in the first half of the year.

Challenges are mounting, however. The unemployment rate rose to 4.4 percent in September, the highest in nearly four years, and hiring has cooled sharply. A sustained labor market slowdown could eventually crimp household budgets and broader economic growth.

The spending resilience is being led by higher-income households, while lower- and middle-income shoppers increasingly stick to essentials and hunt for discounts. Recent Bank of America data—and comments from retailers such as Walmart—highlight the growing divide as the crucial holiday shopping season begins.

The National Retail Federation predicts holiday sales will top $1 trillion for the first time, though the projected increase over last year remains modest. The current performance echoes patterns seen earlier under President Donald J. Trump’s economic policies. In June 2025, retail sales jumped a stronger-than-expected 0.6 percent, defying forecasts of only 0.2 percent growth and ending a three-month slide. The surge spanned clothing, restaurants, and online purchases, even as new tariffs began raising some costs.

“June’s retail sales were resilient and they show that the consumer is still willing and able to spend,” said Neil Saunders, managing director at GlobalData.

On the inflation front, wholesale prices remained contained in September. Core producer prices, excluding food and energy, rose just 0.1 percent for the month, while the overall index increased 0.3 percent, driven by a 3.5 percent jump in energy and a 1.1 percent rise in food costs. Year-over-year core inflation stood at a moderate 2.6 percent, suggesting price pressures are easing enough to support continued consumer spending through year-end.

Image by Sharon Hahn Darlin.

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4 hours ago
Crime
News

California Man Convicted of Killing His Wife, Burying and Violating Her Corpse.

PULSE POINTS

❓WHAT HAPPENED: A California man who admitted to killing his estranged wife, burying her body, and then exhuming it to commit sexual acts was convicted of murder in late November.

👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: Zarbab Ali, 28, and Rachel Castillo, 25.

📍WHEN & WHERE: The murder occurred in November 2022, in Simi Valley, California.

💬KEY QUOTE: “Just to confirm that I am a monster, I raped her,” Ali confessed.

🎯IMPACT: Ali was convicted of first-degree murder and faces life imprisonment, with sentencing scheduled for January 12, 2026.

IN FULL

Zarbab Ali, 28, has been convicted of murdering his estranged wife, Rachel Castillo, 25, in California’s Simi Valley in November 2022. The crime occurred just as the couple was finalizing their divorce. Ali confessed to the heinous act, which included stabbing Castillo to death, burying her in a shallow grave, and later exhuming her body to commit sexual acts on her corpse.

Ali admitted to hiding inside Castillo’s darkened apartment before ambushing her and stabbing her repeatedly in the chest. He then wrapped her lifeless body in a blanket, attempted to clean up the scene, and buried her remains in a remote desert location. Disturbingly, Ali returned in the middle of the night to dig up her body and commit further crimes. In a police interview, he confessed, “Just to confirm that I am a monster, I raped her.”

During the trial, Ali attempted to justify his actions by claiming he was driven by anger over his wife’s alleged infidelity and her refusal to let him move on. “This is the only way I could escape,” he stated, adding, “I wanted her dead. I was angry that she just wouldn’t let me move on.”

However, prosecutors revealed that Castillo was on the verge of finalizing her divorce when she was brutally attacked. Ventura County District Attorney David Russell commended law enforcement for their efforts in securing the conviction, stating, “Our thoughts are with Rachel’s family, who have endured unimaginable pain since the day she was taken from them. While nothing can restore what her loved ones have lost, this conviction ensures the defendant will spend the rest of his life in prison and that the community will be protected from him forever.”

Zarbab Ali was found guilty of first-degree murder by a jury and is scheduled to be sentenced on January 12. He faces life imprisonment for his crimes.

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5 hours ago
News

Trump Plans China Visit Following Productive Call with Xi.

PULSE POINTS

❓WHAT HAPPENED: President Donald J. Trump accepted an invitation from Chinese leader Xi Jinping to visit Beijing in April following a phone call between the two leaders.

👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: President Trump, Chinese President Xi Jinping, and other officials, including Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins.

📍WHEN & WHERE: The phone call took place on Monday, with the visit to Beijing planned for April.

💬KEY QUOTE: “Now we can set our sights on the big picture. To that end, President Xi invited me to visit Beijing in April, which I accepted.” – Donald Trump

🎯IMPACT: The conversation addressed key issues such as Taiwan, Ukraine, and trade, with potential agreements on soybean purchases and U.S.-China relations on the horizon.

IN FULL

U.S. President Donald J. Trump announced on Tuesday that he has accepted an invitation from Chinese President Xi Jinping to visit Beijing this coming April. Trump and Xi spoke at length during the call, with Chinese officials describing it as  “positive, friendly, and constructive.”

The Chinese Foreign Ministry was unusually upbeat following the impromptu Tuesday call, with spokesman Mao Ning stating, Communication between the two heads of state on issues of common concern is very important for the stable development of China-U.S. relations.” According to Chinese state media, Xi mostly focused on China’s continued push to control Taiwan and his country’s concerns regarding a resurgent Japan.

Meanwhile, President Trump, in a Truth Social post, described the call as “very good,” revealing that he and the Chinese leader discussed a reciprocal visit to the United States late next year as well as China’s efforts to crack down on its export of fentanyl processors. Notably, the call comes nearly a month after Trump and Xi met in person during the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) in Seoul, South Korea, at the end of October.

Importantly, it is believed that the Tuesday phone call was initiated by Xi—a rare move by the Chinese leader who often tries to appear more aloof. Following the discussion with Xi, President Trump spoke with Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi, discussing U.S.-China relations and strengthening the Japan-U.S. alliance. This suggests Xi is likely looking for U.S. help in de-escalating Chinese tensions with Japan.

In recent days, Japan has begun building up military assets on its island holdings near Taiwan, as part of an effort to deter a potential Chinese invasion of the island. This has prompted Beijing to accuse Japan of violating international law, with the Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi calling the perceived Japanese militarism a “grave violation.”

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6 hours ago
News
Sports

Transgender Victorious at World’s Strongest Woman Competition.

PULSE POINTS

❓WHAT HAPPENED: Jammie Booker, a biological man, won the 2025 World’s Strongest Woman competition in Texas, leading to outrage from athletes and coaches.

👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: Jammie Booker, Andrea Thompson, Rebecca Roberts, and Laurence Shahlaei.

📍WHEN & WHERE: November 2025 in Arlington, Texas.

💬KEY QUOTE: “Transgender women, people born male, should not be competing in the women’s category.” – Rebecca Roberts

🎯IMPACT: Booker’s win has been overturned, with the competition claiming they were not aware that he was a really a man.

IN FULL

The 2025 World’s Strongest Woman competition in Texas has ignited controversy after male competitor Jammie Booker won the title. Andrea Thompson of Great Britain, who finished second, walked off the podium in protest, and many within the strongwoman community later referred to her as the rightful winner.

Rebecca Roberts, a three-time champion, said competitors and organizers were unaware of Booker’s background before the event. In a public statement, she wrote, “Transgender women, people born male, should not be competing in the women’s category. This isn’t about identity or politics; it’s about the undeniable physical differences in strength-based sports.” Roberts reiterated her position that “Women’s divisions must remain biologically born female-only.”

Thompson’s coach, Laurence Shahlaei, also challenged the result. Praising Thompson’s preparation and performance, he wrote, “You worked your a** off for this, and I’m so proud of you,” adding that the women’s category exists to protect fairness in competition. Mitchell Hooper, the 2023 World’s Strongest Man, publicly congratulated Thompson, while three-time World’s Strongest Woman Donna Moore commented that Thompson was the “True winner of World’s Strongest WOMAN this weekend.”

In a YouTube video posted eight years ago, Booker admits he is transgender, complaining about living under the “rule” of religious parents, and it is alleged that he has a public history of appearing in transgender pornography.

Ultimately, the competition overturned his win amid public backlash, upgrading Thompson to the number one spot and claiming they did not know he was a man.

Policies regarding transgender athletes in women’s sports are shifting across the United States. Earlier in 2025, President Donald J. Trump signed Executive Order 14201, directing federal agencies and U.S. sports bodies to ensure that women’s categories are limited to those born female. The U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Committee subsequently adjusted its athlete eligibility standards to comply with federal directives.

Federal immigration authorities have also adopted new visa guidance treating participation of transgender women in women’s athletic events as a negative factor in visa evaluations. The Department of Justice (DOJ) has filed a lawsuit against the state of Maine, arguing that its policies allowing transgenders to compete against girls in school sports violate Title IX by granting an unfair competitive advantage to male athletes.

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6 hours ago
Crime
Immigration

Migrants Drag Couple From Car, Gang Rape Teen in Front of Fiancé.

PULSE POINTS

❓WHAT HAPPENED: A couple in Rome, Italy, was violently attacked by three migrant men, with the woman, aged 18, gang raped in front of her restrained fiancé.

👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: An Italian couple and three Moroccan men, who have since been arrested.

📍WHEN & WHERE: October 2025, near Tor Tre Teste in eastern Rome, Italy.

💬KEY QUOTE: “Now I will be called racist, but there is a higher incidence, unfortunately, in cases of sexual violence, by immigrants, especially illegal ones.” – Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni

🎯IMPACT: The case has reignited discussions about illegal migration and its connection to crime in Italy.

IN FULL

An Italian couple suffered a brutal attack on October 25 when three men smashed their car windows near Tor Tre Teste in eastern Rome, dragged them from the vehicle, and gang-raped the 18-year-old woman while forcing her 24-year-old fiancé to watch.

Three Moroccan nationals have been arrested on charges of gang rape and robbery. Two were detained days later in Rome; the third was tracked down in Venice. Fingerprints lifted from the shattered car window matched the suspects. Investigators say the case remains open and up to five perpetrators may have been involved.

Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni reacted strongly to the incident, linking it to broader concerns about illegal immigration. “Now, I will be called racist, but there is a higher incidence, unfortunately, in cases of sexual violence, by immigrants, especially illegal ones,” she said.

The Rome assault is the latest in a string of high-profile cases involving foreign nationals. In 2024, a 13-year-old girl in Catania was gang-raped by seven Egyptian migrants, while a 10-year-old girl in Lombardy was reportedly impregnated by a Bangladeshi asylum seeker.

Despite Meloni’s hard-line campaign promises to stop migrant boats, irregular arrivals doubled in her first year in office, exceeding 120,000 in 2023 alone. In a leaked phone call in 2023, she claimed the migration crisis as “impossible” to solve without wider international help.

While irregular migration has decreased more recently, Meloni’s government has expanded legal migration, planning nearly half a million work visas for non-European Union foreigners between 2023 and 2025, arguing that migrants are needed for Italy’s labor market. Critics accuse her of abandoning the populist pledges that got her elected.

Italy and Greece also recently agreed to accept some migrants processed under a U.S. program that diverts asylum seekers from Latin America to Europe instead of the United States, adding to domestic tensions over an already strained reception system.

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