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Tuesday, May 20, 2025

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3 hours ago
Politics

DOJ Investigates Chicago Mayor Over Anti-White Hiring Remarks.

PULSE POINTS:

❓What Happened: The Department of Justice (DOJ) has launched an investigation into Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson over suspected racial discrimination in hiring practices.

👥 Who’s Involved: Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson, U.S. Assistant Attorney General Harmeet Dhillon, Governor J.B. Pritzker (D-IL), and the DOJ.

📍 Where & When: The investigation was announced this week following remarks by the Democrat mayor at a church in Woodlawn, Chicago.

💬 Key Quote: “Considering these remarks, I have authorized an investigation to determine whether the City of Chicago is engaged in a pattern of practice of discrimination as set forth above,” Dhillon said.

⚠️ Impact: The investigation adds to ongoing legal scrutiny of Chicago, which has already faced a DOJ lawsuit over its sanctuary city policies.

IN FULL:

The U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) has initiated an investigation into Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson (D), alleging racial discrimination in his hiring practices. The probe was announced this week after Johnson made remarks at a Woodlawn church, emphasizing a preference for hiring black people in his administration.

During his Sunday remarks, Mayor Johnson acknowledged potential criticism over his focus on hiring black employees. “There are some detractors that will push back on me and say, ‘The only thing the mayor talks about is the hiring of black people.’ No. What I’m saying is, when you hire our people, we always look out for everybody else. We are the most generous people on the planet. I don’t know too many cultures that have play cousins,” Johnson said.

Assistant Attorney General Harmeet Dhillon referenced the mayor’s public comments in her announcement, stating, “Considering these remarks, I have authorized an investigation to determine whether the City of Chicago is engaged in a pattern of practice of discrimination as set forth above.” The investigation will assess whether Johnson’s hiring practices violate the 1964 Civil Rights Act.

This investigation is the latest in a series of legal actions involving Chicago under the Trump administration. Earlier this year, the DOJ filed a lawsuit against the city and the state of Illinois over sanctuary policies that allegedly obstruct federal immigration enforcement efforts. The lawsuit accuses Chicago and the State of Illinois of deliberately hindering federal officers in carrying out deportation responsibilities.

Governor J.B. Pritzker (D-IL) has pushed back against federal scrutiny, previously denying any violations of federal law. Responding to the February lawsuit, the governor’s office complained, “Instead of working with us to support law enforcement, the Trump Administration is making it more difficult to protect the public, just like they did when Trump pardoned the convicted January 6 violent criminals. We look forward to seeing them in court.”

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16 minutes ago
Data

Voters Demand Transparency on Election Fraud, Epstein Records.

PULSE POINTS:

❓What Happened: A majority of U.S. voters want President Donald J. Trump to release records related to Jeffrey Epstein’s activities and allegations of 2020 election fraud, according to a Rasmussen Reports survey.

👥 Who’s Involved: President Trump, convicted sex trafficker Jeffrey Epstein, Attorney General Pam Bondi, and 1,047 likely U.S. voters surveyed by Rasmussen Reports.

📍 Where & When: Survey conducted May 6-8, 2025; Epstein records partially released in February 2025.

💬 Key Quote: “The Trump administration promised to publish previously secret records about the activities of convicted sex trafficker Jeffrey Epstein and his associates but have made little progress in doing so. How important is it to get these files into the public domain?” the Rasmussen Reports survey asked respondents.

⚠️ Impact: 67 percent of likely voters consider it important to release Epstein-related records, with 36 percent deeming it “Very Important.” Only 28 percent disagree.

IN FULL:

A new Rasmussen Reports survey reveals that a significant majority of U.S. voters believe it is important for President Donald J.  Trump to fulfill his promises of releasing records connected to convicted sex trafficker Jeffrey Epstein and allegations of fraud in the 2020 election.

The national telephone and online poll, conducted from May 6-8, 2025, found that 67 percent of likely voters support making previously undisclosed records about Epstein and his associates public. Of those, 36 percent consider such transparency “Very Important.” In contrast, 28 percent of respondents do not view the release of these records as important. The survey polled 1,047 likely U.S. voters and has a margin of sampling error of +/- 3 percentage points with a 95 percent confidence level.

This follows Attorney General Pam Bondi‘s February announcement of the “first phase” of records related to Epstein, who died in 2019 under controversial circumstances in a Manhattan jail. Bondi did not specify when additional records might be released, leaving many questions unanswered about Epstein’s activities and potential connections to high-profile individuals.

The survey also underscores persistent public interest in allegations surrounding the 2020 election. While the Rasmussen survey did not specify the level of importance voters place on election-related records compared to those tied to Epstein, it highlights a broader demand for government transparency on contentious issues.

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By Popular Demand.
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40 minutes ago
Crime
News

Stabbing Sprees by Migrants Leave 8 Injured, Including 11-Year-Old Girl.

PULSE POINTS:

❓What Happened: Two separate stabbings in Germany left eight people injured, including an 11-year-old girl. Migrants are believed to be the perpetrators.

👥 Who’s Involved: A 35-year-old Syrian asylum seeker is suspected in a Bielefeld attack, while a 46-year-old from Kosovo has been arrested in a Halle incident.

📍 Where & When: The first attack occurred the morning of May 18 in Bielefeld, North Rhine-Westphalia, and the second on the same day outside an apartment block in Halle, central Germany.

💬 Key Quote:  “It’s high time for a clear turnaround: properly protect borders, consistently deport illegal immigrants, and finally make the security of its own population a priority again. Germany is on a knife-edge. Therefore: remigration now!” — Marc Bernhard, Alternative for Germany (AfD) MP.

⚠️ Impact: The incidents highlight ongoing concerns over security and migration policy in the European Union (EU), with countries like Germany facing increasing violence linked to migrants.

IN FULL:

Two separate stabbing attacks in Germany over the weekend left eight people injured, including an 11-year-old girl, with migrants reportedly identified as the suspects in both incidents.

In the first attack, five soccer fans, aged between 22 and 27, were injured outside a bar in Bielefeld, North Rhine-Westphalia, on the morning of May 18. The assailant, armed with a knife and a cane sword, reportedly attacked the group indiscriminately. Four of the victims sustained serious injuries but managed to fight back, forcing the attacker to flee.

Police later discovered a bag left behind by the suspect containing multiple knives, a liquid smelling of gasoline, and identification documents indicating Syrian nationality. The 35-year-old suspect, who entered Europe via Turkey in 2023 and applied for asylum in Germany, was arrested Monday in Heiligenhaus near Düsseldorf. Authorities are investigating the case as a potential terror attack.

In a separate incident on May 18 in Halle, central Germany, three people, including an 11-year-old girl, were injured in a stabbing outside an apartment block. Witnesses reported that the violence stemmed from a dispute over children making noise. A 46-year-old migrant from Kosovo has been arrested in connection with the attack.

Responding to the incidents, Marc Bernhard, a member of Germany’s Bundestag (federal legislature) for the Alternative for Germany (AfD) party, criticized the government’s handling of mass migration, stating, “Even after 10 years of bloodshed, people are still talking about ‘isolated cases.’”

He added, “It’s high time for a clear turnaround: properly protect borders, consistently deport illegal immigrants, and finally make the security of [Germany’s] own population a priority again. Germany is on a knife-edge. Therefore: remigration now!”

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, of the notionally center-right Christian Democratic Union (CDU), formerly led by Angela Merkel, had previously pledged to implement stricter immigration controls, including shutting down illegal border crossings. However, he has faced resistance from neighboring countries like Poland and has yet to deliver on promises of increased deportations.

The two attacks are part of a broader pattern of violent incidents involving migrants in Germany, with similar cases reported in cities such as Magdeburg, Munich, and Solingen in recent years.

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By Popular Demand.
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2 hours ago
News
War

America’s ‘Golden Dome’ Missile Shield is Underway.

PULSE POINTS:

❓What Happened: President Donald J. Trump is set to announce details about the Golden Dome missile defense system.

👥 Who’s Involved: President Trump, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, and Space Force Vice Chief of Operations General Michael Guetlein.

📍 Where & When: Announcement scheduled for 3 PM ET today.

💬 Key Quote: A U.S. official confirmed the Pentagon will reveal recommendations and plans for the satellite-based missile defense system.

⚠️ Impact: The announcement will outline the architecture and implementation of a multibillion-dollar defense project.

IN FULL:

President Donald J. Trump is expected to reveal details about the Golden Dome missile defense system during a press conference at 3 PM Eastern Time today, according to a U.S. official.

The announcement will take place alongside Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and General Michael Guetlein, Vice Chief of Operations for the United States Space Force. The focus of the event will be the Pentagon’s recommendations for the ambitious missile defense initiative.

The Golden Dome system, described as a complex satellite-based project, aims to bolster U.S. missile defense capabilities. The Pentagon’s drafted architecture and implementation plan for the system will reportedly be unveiled during the briefing.

Details about the system’s specific capabilities, timeline, and funding structure remain under wraps. However, the project is expected to represent a significant investment in national security infrastructure.

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By Popular Demand.
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2 hours ago
News

WATCH: Trump’s Hilarious ‘I’ll Run Again and I’ll Shove It Up Their A**!’ Comments.

PULSE POINTS:

❓What Happened: President Donald J. Trump spoke at a Kennedy Center board dinner on Monday night, recalling his role in securing the Olympics and World Cup, while reiterating his perspectives on the 2020 election fraud and its impact on 2024.

👥 Who’s Involved: Donald Trump, Kennedy Center board members, and FIFA President Gianni Infantino.

📍 Where & When: Kennedy Center board dinner, Washington, D.C., Monday night.

💬 Key Quote: “I said, You know what I’ll do? I’ll run again and I’ll shove it up their ass!” – Donald Trump.

WATCH:

IN FULL:

At a Kennedy Center board dinner on Monday night, President Donald J. Trump claimed that his decision to run for office again was motivated, in part, by a desire to receive recognition for securing the Olympics and World Cup during his first term. He also took aim at his political opponents and reiterated how the 2020 election was stolen.

Speaking to attendees, Trump recounted his role in helping the United States secure the 2028 Summer Olympics and the 2026 FIFA World Cup, crediting his relationship with FIFA President Gianni Infantino. “We got the Olympics and then we got through Gianni, he’s the boss, he’s a friend of mine, we got the World Cup,” Trump said, adding that he feared his contributions would be forgotten if he did not return to office.

Trump went on to say that his 2024 presidential run was partly motivated by the contested results of the 2020 election. He declared, “I said, You know what I’ll do? I’ll run again and I’ll shove it up their a**!” to the crowd’s applause.

The President also criticized the state of the Kennedy Center, where he serves as board chair. He remarked on the facility’s mismanagement of funds, stating, “They certainly didn’t spend it on wallpaper, carpet, or painting.”

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By Popular Demand.
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4 hours ago
News
UK

UK Cops Taze and Mace 92-Year-Old With One Leg for Holding a Butter Knife.

PULSE POINTS:

❓What Happened: A 92-year-old disabled man holding a butter knife was pepper-sprayed, tasered, and struck with a baton by police officers responding to a nursing home incident. After being hospitalized, he contracted COVID-19 and died within a month.

👥 Who’s Involved: Donald Burgess, a one-legged wheelchair user; Police Constable (PC) Stephen Smith, and PC Rachel Comotto.

📍 Where & When: The incident occurred at St Leonards-on-Sea, England, on June 21, 2022. Bodycam footage was released this week.

💬 Key Quote: Prosecutor Paul Jarvis KC: “This was an elderly, vulnerable man who may not have understood what was going on. Rather than being met with understanding and sympathy, he was confronted by irritation and annoyance on the part of the defendants.”

⚠️ Impact: Mr. Burgess was hospitalized and died 22 days after the incident.

IN FULL:

Two British police officers are on trial for allegedly using excessive force against a 92-year-old disabled man at a nursing home in East Sussex. The incident, which occurred on June 21, 2022, involved Donald Burgess, a one-legged pensioner in a wheelchair, who was pepper-sprayed, tasered, and struck with a baton within seconds of officers entering his room.

Southwark Crown Court heard that Police Constable (PC) Stephen Smith and PC Rachel Comotto were responding to an emergency call after staff reported Mr. Burgess had poked a care worker with a knife. Staff had spent 30 minutes attempting to calm Mr. Burgess after he flicked food and brandished a small butter knife, before calling police.

Prosecutors allege that the officers used “unjustified and unlawful” force. According to bodycam footage presented in court, PC Smith pepper-sprayed Mr. Burgess directly in the face, allegedly emptying the canister. Moments later, Smith struck him with a baton, and Comotto deployed her Taser, causing Mr. Burgess to cry out in pain.

Prosecutor Paul Jarvis KC told jurors that Mr. Burgess was seated in his wheelchair, holding the knife but posing no immediate threat. He stated, “It ought to have been obvious by the fact he had one leg that this was a man who wasn’t going to be mobile.”

He added, “This was an elderly, vulnerable man who may not have understood what was going on. Rather than being met with understanding and sympathy, he was confronted by irritation and annoyance on the part of the defendants.”

The court was told that the officers did not consult staff or explain their actions to Mr. Burgess before issuing commands. PC Smith warned, “Do you want to put the knife down, or you will be sprayed or tasered? Those are the options,” before discharging the spray.

Mr. Burgess, who suffered from multiple health conditions, including diabetes and carotid artery disease, was taken to the hospital after the incident. He later reportedly contracted COVID there and passed away 22 days later. Still, prosecutors say that the officers are not being held responsible for his death.

The case comes amid accusations of two-tier policing by British police, with Christians, conservatives, and white people receiving less favorable treatment. There have been many arrests and visits to people’s homes over social media posts in recent months, some of them labelled “non-crime hate incidents.”

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By Popular Demand.
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5 hours ago
News

Musk Announces ‘I’m Going to Do A Lot Less’ After DOGE Failures.

PULSE POINTS:

❓What Happened: Elon Musk announced plans to significantly reduce his political spending in the future, citing that he believes he has “done enough.”

👥 Who’s Involved: Elon Musk, President Donald J. Trump, Musk’s companies (Tesla, SpaceX, xAI), and an anonymous Musk adviser.

📍 Where & When: Qatar Economic Forum, Tuesday.

💬 Key Quote: “I think in terms of political spending, I’m going to do a lot less in the future. I think I’ve done enough,” Musk said.

⚠️ Impact: Musk’s decision may alter his role in political campaigns, though his influence is expected to remain significant through quieter contributions.

IN FULL:

Elon Musk, the billionaire entrepreneur and a key supporter of President Donald J. Trump during his 2024 re-election campaign, announced plans to scale back his political spending. Speaking at the Qatar Economic Forum on Tuesday, Musk stated, “I think in terms of political spending, I’m going to do a lot less in the future. I think I’ve done enough.”

Musk, who contributed over $250 million to a super PAC supporting Trump last year, expressed ambivalence about future political commitments. He added, “Well, if I see a reason to do political spending in the future, I will do it. I don’t currently see a reason.”

An adviser to Musk, speaking on condition of anonymity, suggested that the billionaire’s reduced public political profile would not diminish his influence. “Musk scaling back his public profile does not diminish his influence. I think it can actually sharpen it,” the adviser said. They noted that Musk could still quietly back causes he supports without generating “unnecessary noise.”

Musk played a prominent role in the latter part of Trump’s campaign, having initially badmouthed him and supported Florida Governor Ron DeSantis in the Republican primary. Following Trump’s re-election, Musk was appointed to lead the newly created Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), focusing on restructuring federal agencies and workforce reductions.

Musk initially claimed DOGE would save the U.S. taxpayer over $2 trillion. That number was quickly revised to $1 trillion and then again to just $150 billion. It is unclear at this point if any money has been saved at all through his work, as billions in claimed savings have now disappeared from the DOGE website.

Earlier this year, Musk invested heavily in a Wisconsin state Supreme Court race, supporting a conservative candidate who ultimately lost in April. His political vehicle, America PAC, is run by former DeSantis staffers Generra Peck and Phil Cox, the latter of whom is linked to Mitt Romney, Paul Ryan, and even George Soros operatives.

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By Popular Demand.
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5 hours ago
Christopher Tomlinson
Politics
UK

British PM Declares Nigel Farage His Number One Rival for Power.

PULSE POINTS:

❓What Happened: British Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer has acknowledged that Nigel Farage and his Reform Party are now the ruling Labour Party’s main rivals for power.

👥 Who’s Involved: Sir Keir Starmer, Nigel Farage, Labour Party, Reform Party, Conservative Party.

📍 Where & When: Starmer made the comments to fellow Labour Members of Parliament (MPs) on May 19.

💬 Key Quote: “Reform are our main rivals for power. We have a moral responsibility to make sure Farage never wins.” — Sir Keir Starmer.

⚠️ Impact: The admission is a major shakeup in British politics, which has been dominated by Labour and the Conservatives for around a century. 

IN FULL:

British Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer has reportedly told the inner circle of his ruling Labour Party that Reform UK leader Nigel Farage and his party are now their “main rivals for power.” Starmer met with his Members of Parliament (MPs) on May 19, telling them, “The Conservatives are not our principal opponent. Reform are our main rivals for power. We have a moral responsibility to make sure Farage never wins.”

Starmer labelled Farage, “A state-slashing, NHS-privatising, Putin apologist, without a single patriotic bone in his body. We will take the fight to him. We will fight as Labour.”

The statements come just hours after Starmer announced a new trade deal with the European Union (EU), which Farage blasted as a “surrender deal.”

“In 2016, we voted to take back control of our fishing waters from the EU and give a much-needed lifeline to our fishing industry. Today, we learn that Sir Keir Starmer’s much vaunted EU reset deal will grant European fishermen access to British waters for 12 years,” Farage said. He also criticised another aspect of the deal, which could reintroduce a form of Free Movement immigration for EU nationals who are under the age of 30.

Farage also previously criticised Starmer’s trade deal with India, claiming that it betrayed British workers as it could make it 20 percent cheaper for companies to hire Indian workers over native Brits.

Reform dominated the municipal elections in England last month, at the expense of both the Conservatives and Labour. Polling now routinely puts Reform above both the Conservatives and Labour.

Image by Gage Skidmore.

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Editor’s Notes

Behind-the-scenes political intrigue exclusively for Pulse+ subscribers.

RAHEEM J. KASSAM Editor-in-Chief
Do not take this as financial advice, but I’ve got some serious money on Nigel winning the 2029 election! Just saying!
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Do not take this as financial advice, but I’ve got some serious money on Nigel winning the 2029 election! Just saying! show more
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By Popular Demand.
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8 hours ago
Immigration
UK

Gun-Toting Palestinian Migrant Gets Just 9 Months Jail for Illegal Entry Attempt.

PULSE POINTS:

❓What Happened: A Palestinian illegal immigrant and alleged terrorist has been jailed for just nine months after attempting illegal entry into the United Kingdom by small boat.

👥 Who’s Involved: Abu Wadee, also known as Mosab Abdulkarim Al-Gassas; Judge Sarah Counsell; terrorism expert Joe Truzman.

📍 Where & When: Initially arrested in Kent, England, on March 6, 2024, after crossing the Channel.

💬 Key Quote: “There is legitimate public concern about breaches of border control,” Judge Sarah Counsell said, despite handing down a light sentence for the accused Palestinian terrorist.

⚠️ Impact: Wadee’s arrival raised security concerns due to his militant ties and rhetoric targeting Jews. His light prison sentence for illegally crossing the English Channel into the United Kingdom raises concerns about how the British justice system is handling cases involving dangerous foreign nationals who are illegally entering the country.

IN FULL:

A Palestinian man with alleged ties to Islamist militant groups and a history of anti-Semitic rhetoric has been sentenced to just nine months in prison for attempting to enter the United Kingdom illegally. Abu Wadee, also known as Mosab Abdulkarim Al-Gassas, pleaded guilty at Canterbury Crown Court after crossing the English Channel in a small boat on March 6, 2025, without valid entry clearance. Wadee, 33, reportedly paid smugglers €1,500 (£1,300 or $1,700) to facilitate the journey and was arrested upon arrival in Kent, England.

The court heard that Wadee, who left Gaza in 2022, had previously sought asylum in Greece, Germany, and Belgium. He had no familial or financial ties to the United Kingdom and stayed in northern France for about a week before attempting the crossing. Judge Sarah Counsell highlighted the public concern over illegal boat crossings, noting the dangers involved and the profits gained by organized criminals.

Bizarrely, Judge Counsell took a moment to chastize Wadee directly, not over his ties to terrorism or violent speech towards Jewish people, but rather over his decision to cross the English Channel. The judge warned Wadee that the illegal crossing posed a significant “risk of death or injury to you and others.”

Meanwhile, videos and images posted online show Wadee expressing support for Hamas, calling for violence against Jews, and posing with an assault rifle. In one Facebook video, he reportedly called for Allah to “punish [Jews] completely.”

Terrorism expert Joe Truzman stated that Wadee had been affiliated with Gaza-based terror groups, including the Hamas-aligned Al-Qadir al-Husseini Brigades. Truzman added that Wadee gained notoriety during the Great March of Return protests from 2018 to 2022, where he participated in violent clashes at the Gaza-Israel border.

Footage obtained by The Telegraph allegedly shows Wadee throwing pipe bombs during confrontations with Israeli forces in 2021. He has also amassed a significant online following, with 170,000 TikTok followers and 189,000 YouTube subscribers.

Image by Duncan Cumming.

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By Popular Demand.
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9 hours ago
News
World

Portugal’s Populists Are Surging. Here’s Why…

PULSE POINTS:

❓What Happened: Portugal’s Chega Party achieved its best-ever election result, securing a record vote share and challenging the country’s long-standing two-party establishment.

👥 Who’s Involved: Chega Party, led by André Ventura; Socialist Party, led by Pedro Nuno Santos; Democratic Alliance (AD), led by Luís Montenegro.

📍 Where & When: Portugal, during snap parliamentary elections concluded in May 2025.

💬 Key Quote: “The system has been shaken,” said Chega lawmaker Pedro Pinto. “And we represent a governing alternative.”

⚠️ Impact: The result signals a shift in Portugal’s political landscape, with Chega emerging as a significant populist force in the European Union (EU). The election outcome leaves the AD coalition short of a majority.

IN FULL:

Portugal’s populist Chega Party has achieved its strongest electoral performance to date, securing 22.56 percent of the vote in the nation’s recent snap parliamentary elections. This result, confirmed Monday, marks the end of decades-long two-party dominance in Portuguese politics.

Led by André Ventura, Chega campaigned on an anti-immigration and anti-corruption platform. Ventura described the outcome as “historic,” emphasizing a voter rejection of mass immigration policies under the sitting government. The election was the third in as many years, triggered by political scandals involving former prime ministers.

The governing Democratic Alliance (AD), led by Prime Minister Luís Montenegro, emerged as the largest party with 32 percent of the vote but fell short of an outright majority. Meanwhile, the Socialist Party, under Pedro Nuno Santos, finished second with 23 percent. The Socialists’ poor showing prompted Santos to announce his resignation, as the party’s vote share drew nearly level with Chega.

Despite Chega’s strong performance, Montenegro has ruled out forming a coalition with the populist party. He has instead expressed hopes of leading a minority government. The election result leaves Portugal’s political future uncertain, with overseas votes yet to break the tie between Chega and the Socialist Party.

Chega’s rise mirrors a broader populist surge in neighboring Spain and across Europe as a whole. The party had already made significant gains in last year’s elections, and its continued momentum highlights growing dissatisfaction with the political establishment.

Chega lawmaker Pedro Pinto remarked, “The system has been shaken. And we represent a governing alternative.” The results underscore a shift in Portuguese politics, with populism gaining ground against traditional parties.

Image via Vox.

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By Popular Demand.
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19 hours ago
NatSec
TECH

Apple’s New China AI Partner Is Raising Major National Security Concerns.

PULSE POINTS:

❓What Happened: Apple’s plan to integrate Alibaba’s artificial intelligence (AI) models into iPhones for the Chinese market faces scrutiny from Republican and Democrat lawmakers on Capitol Hill.

👥 Who’s Involved: Apple, Alibaba, U.S. lawmakers, including Representative Raja Krishnamoorthi (D-IL), and national security officials.

📍 Where & When: China and the United States; ongoing discussions, including a March meeting with the House Select Committee on China.

💬 Key Quote: “Alibaba is a poster child for the Chinese Communist Party’s military-civil fusion strategy, and why Apple would choose to work with them on AI is anyone’s guess,” said Rep. Raja Krishnamoorthi.

⚠️ Impact: Concerns over potential data-sharing, surveillance, and military tech development linked to the Chinese Communist Party (CCP).

IN FULL:

Apple’s collaboration with Chinese tech giant Alibaba to enhance artificial intelligence (AI) capabilities in iPhones sold in China has sparked significant concerns among U.S. lawmakers and national security officials in President Donald J. Trump’s administration. The partnership, aimed at integrating Alibaba’s AI models into Apple devices, has raised alarms over potential risks related to data-sharing, surveillance, and military technology development.

The deal has prompted scrutiny over whether Alibaba, a company with close ties to the Chinese Communist Party (CCP), could gain access to sensitive data or technical insights through the arrangement. Officials worry such access might contribute to state-run programs, including those tied to China’s military objectives.

During a March meeting with the House Select Committee on China, Apple executives reportedly struggled to provide clear answers about the scope of the agreement with Alibaba. Questions remain about what kind of user data might be shared and whether Apple has agreed to comply with Chinese regulations that could demand broader data access or restrict certain functionalities.

Representative Raja Krishnamoorthi (D-IL), a member of the House Intelligence Committee, criticized Apple’s lack of transparency, saying, “It is extremely disturbing that Apple has not been transparent about its agreement.” He added, “Alibaba is a poster child for the Chinese Communist Party’s military-civil fusion strategy, and why Apple would choose to work with them on AI is anyone’s guess.”

Apple’s push to expand its AI offerings globally, including in China, is part of its broader growth strategy. China is Apple’s second-largest market, accounting for nearly 20 percent of the company’s global revenue. However, this effort comes with risks, particularly as geopolitical tensions between the U.S. and China have escalated.

The U.S. government has already imposed restrictions on China’s access to advanced semiconductors and tools. Lawmakers fear that commercial collaborations, such as Apple’s partnership with Alibaba, could undermine these efforts by indirectly aiding China’s technological advancements in areas with potential military applications, including autonomous weapons and drone coordination.

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