Friday, April 17, 2026

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The U.S. Is Exiting 66 Global Organizations Opposed to American Interests.

PULSE POINTS

WHAT HAPPENED: President Donald J. Trump announced the withdrawal of the U.S. from 66 international organizations deemed contrary to American interests.

👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: President Trump, Secretary of State Marco Rubio, and the Trump Cabinet.

📍WHEN & WHERE: The announcement was made on Wednesday, with Rubio posting on X (formerly Twitter) the same day.

💬KEY QUOTE: “These withdrawals keep a key promise President Trump made to Americans – we will stop subsidizing globalist bureaucrats who act against our interests.” – Marco Rubio

🎯IMPACT: The decision highlights a focus on ending financial support for organizations seen as wasteful or harmful to U.S. sovereignty and interests.

IN FULL

President Donald J. Trump has ordered the United States to withdraw from 66 international organizations that his administration has determined hold interests contrary to those of America, including 31 United Nations (UN) entities. Late Wednesday, the President signed a memo citing a report compiled by U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, which examined all international intergovernmental organizations to which the U.S. belongs, along with international conventions and treaties, and identified those with aims in conflict with U.S. policies.

The America First leader, after reviewing the Secretary of State’s report, determined that the U.S. should withdraw from many organizations. “Today, President Trump announced the U.S. is leaving 66 anti-American, useless, or wasteful international organizations. Review of additional international organizations remains ongoing,” Sec. Rubio wrote in a post on X (formerly Twitter) following the decision. He explained, “These withdrawals keep a key promise President Trump made to Americans – we will stop subsidizing globalist bureaucrats who act against our interests. The Trump Administration will always put America and Americans first.”

The Secretary of State, in a statement, explained, “The Trump Administration has found these institutions to be redundant in their scope, mismanaged, unnecessary, wasteful, poorly run, captured by the interests of actors advancing their own agendas contrary to our own, or a threat to our nation’s sovereignty, freedoms, and general prosperity.”

“President Trump is clear: It is no longer acceptable to be sending these institutions the blood, sweat, and treasure of the American people, with little to nothing to show for it. The days of billions of dollars in taxpayer money flowing to foreign interests at the expense of our people are over,” he added.

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Hundreds of Thousands of Flight Cancellations Loom Amid Jet Fuel Crisis.

The Iran war is causing a jet fuel crisis, with the potential to ground hundreds of thousands of flights worldwide; Europe may run out of jet fuel within weeks.

PULSE POINTS
❓ WHAT HAPPENED: Airlines worldwide are cutting flights as a worsening jet fuel crisis tied to the war involving Iran disrupts global energy supplies and drives up costs. The conflict has restricted key oil routes, particularly the Strait of Hormuz, a vital corridor for fuel transport.
💬 KEY QUOTE: “You could be looking at tens of thousands, potentially hundreds of thousands, of flights being canceled globally.” – Willie Walsh, International Air Transport Association (IATA) Director-General
📰 DETAIL:  Jet fuel prices have surged dramatically, nearly doubling in some cases, placing intense financial strain on carriers. Industry experts warn the aviation sector is facing an “existential crisis” as both fuel availability and affordability deteriorate. Airlines across Europe and Asia have already reduced schedules, grounded aircraft, and cut routes. Major carriers such as KLM, Lufthansa, and Scandinavian Airlines are among those scaling back operations. Europe depends heavily on imported jet fuel and could face critically low supplies within weeks if disruptions continue.
🎯 IMPACT: Thousands, or even hundreds of thousands of flights could be canceled if jet fuel supplies dry up, causing travel chaos and likely economic disaster for countries that rely heavily on overseas tourism in places like Europe and Asia. Airlines are already raising ticket prices and adding fuel surcharges to offset rising costs. In the United States, some carriers are trimming less profitable routes or relying on internal reserves to cope. Overall, the trend is expected to result in fewer flights, higher fares, and significant global travel disruptions if fuel supplies do not stabilize.

Image by Panhard.

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The Iran war is causing a jet fuel crisis, with the potential to ground hundreds of thousands of flights worldwide; Europe may run out of jet fuel within weeks.

show more
By Popular Demand.
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DATA: Young Men Are Driving a Surprise Revival in Religious Faith.

A recent Gallup poll indicates a significant rise in religiosity among young men, surpassing young women in viewing religion as “very important” in their lives for the first time in 25 years.

PULSE POINTS
❓ WHAT HAPPENED: A Gallup poll from 2024-2025 shows that 42 percent of young men now consider religion “very important,” a significant increase from 28 percent in 2022-2023, surpassing young women, who remain steady at 30 percent.
📰 DETAIL: This marks a reversal of a long-standing trend, as young men have now surpassed young women in religiosity for the first time in roughly 25 years. Young women’s religious commitment has remained relatively flat at around 30 percent. The change is largely concentrated among young Republicans, while religious participation among young Democrats, especially women, has stayed the same or declined. Experts suggest factors such as social isolation, political identity, and the search for community may be influencing young men’s growing interest in religion. The gender gap reversal is mainly limited to people under 30, as older women still tend to be more religious than men.
💬KEY QUOTE: “With the recent surge in their attachment to religion, young men have returned to the high point of their expressed religiosity of the past 25 years, roughly tying the 43 percent found in 2000-2001. By contrast, women of all age groups and older men are at or near their historical lows.” – Gallup
🎯 IMPACT: The increase in religiosity among young men, particularly among young Republicans, suggests political dynamics may be influencing religious engagement. The trend contrasts with historically low levels of religiosity in the U.S. overall, highlighting young conservative men as an emerging bastion of faith. Overall, the findings indicate a significant but still uncertain shift in the religious landscape among young Americans. Positive trends have been seen in the Roman Catholic Church in the United States, Britain, and France, which recorded a record number of adult baptisms in 2026.
Gallup

Image by Brooke Ann.

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A recent Gallup poll indicates a significant rise in religiosity among young men, surpassing young women in viewing religion as "very important" in their lives for the first time in 25 years.

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By Popular Demand.
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Senate Passes Brief Extension of FISA Surveillance Powers After Fight Among House GOP.

A divided House approved a short-term extension of controversial FISA surveillance powers overnight after a group of Republican lawmakers derailed a longer-term extension; the Senate has since approved the stopgap measure.

PULSE POINTS
❓ WHAT HAPPENED: The House of Representatives passed a 10-day extension of Section 702 of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA) early Friday morning, following a series of overnight votes in which a group of 20 Republican lawmakers demanding broad reforms to the surveillance powers derailed a longer extension. The Senate passed the stopgap extension later the same morning.
📺 DETAIL: Section 702 of FISA allows U.S. intelligence agencies to monitor communications of non-citizens abroad without a standard warrant. It is seen by supporters as a critical tool for national security. However, some House Republicans are demanding reforms, including requiring warrants for surveillance to prevent potential abuses against U.S. citizens deemed to be in contact with foreign targets. Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA) initially pushed for an 18-month extension, but opposition from elements within the House GOP led to the shorter 10-day stopgap.
🎯 IMPACT: The short-term extension was passed unanimously by the Senate, preventing the surveillance powers from lapsing on Monday. “We just can’t afford to go dark,” said Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-SD) on the stopgap, while recognizing that the fight over Section 702 will have to be resolved promptly. “[W]e’ve got to figure it out. Hopefully we can move the 10-day extension and then we’ll try and set things up to try to do something over here,” he said.
📺 FLASHBACK: While President Trump has backed a long-term FISA powers extension, he has criticized them in the past after they were weaponized against him during the Russia collusion investigation at the beginning of his first administration. On Tuesday, he wrote on his Truth Social platform in support of a FISA extension, “While parts of FISA were illegally and unfortunately used against me in the Democrats’ disgraceful Witch Hunt and Attack in the RUSSIA, RUSSIA, RUSSIA Hoax, and perhaps would be used against me in the future, I am willing to risk the giving up of my Rights and Privileges as a Citizen for our Great Military and Country!”

Image by Ted Eytan.

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A divided House approved a short-term extension of controversial FISA surveillance powers overnight after a group of Republican lawmakers derailed a longer-term extension; the Senate has since approved the stopgap measure.

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By Popular Demand.
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Afghan Migrant Charged With Raping Rescue Animals.

An Afghan migrant has been charged with animal cruelty in France after being caught in the act of sexually abusing farm animals.

PULSE POINTS
❓ WHAT HAPPENED: A 19-year-old Afghan migrant was arrested in France for allegedly raping sheep and goats at an educational farm near Marseille. The animals were found tied up and injured, prompting the farm owners to install cameras that captured the acts.
📰 DETAIL: Police from an anti-crime unit arrested the suspect on April 10 after catching him in the act. Authorities said DNA evidence linked him to multiple abused animals. The suspect, who arrived in France in November 2025 and was awaiting residency, denied the allegations through an interpreter.  
🎯 IMPACT: The Afghan appeared in court on April 13 and was ordered held in pre-trial detention ahead of a trial scheduled for June 22. The farm, which houses rescued animals for educational purposes, has launched a fundraiser to cover veterinary and legal costs.
👀 FLASHBACK: The incident comes just weeks after a high-profile case in Italy involving migrants who allegedly sexually abused a kitten in Rome, Italy, sparking major protests

Image via thecasefarm.co.uk.

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An Afghan migrant has been charged with animal cruelty in France after being caught in the act of sexually abusing farm animals.

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By Popular Demand.
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Newsom PAC Spent Over $1.5m Boosting Sales of His Memoir With Donor Cash.

California Governor Gavin Newsom’s political action committee spent over $1.5 million buying up copies of his memoir, artificially boosting its sales figures.

PULSE POINTS
❓ WHAT HAPPENED: California Governor Gavin Newsom’s political action committee, the Campaign for Democracy Committee, spent $1,561,875 to purchase and distribute copies of the 58-year-old Democrat’s book, Young Man in a Hurry: A Memoir of Discovery, to donors who contributed any amount to his PAC.
📰 DETAIL: The book distribution accounted for about two-thirds of the memoir’s total print sales, with approximately 67,000 copies sent to donors. Newsom’s team claims the initiative attracted more contributions than the cost of the books. The book also appeared on The New York Times best-seller list, but marked with a dagger to indicate a mix of organic and bulk sales.
🎯 IMPACT: Governor Newsom’s political action committee issued two payments to Porchlight Book Company that added up to more than $1.5 million, with the stated purpose listed simply as “books at cost.” That outlay easily ranked as the single largest expense for Newsom’s federal PAC during the first three months of 2026.
💬 KEY QUOTE: “When The Times has reason to believe that sales of a book include a mix of organic and bulk sales, the book’s best-seller ranking is accompanied by a dagger. That’s what we did with the Newsom book,” said New York Times spokeswoman Danielle Rhoades Ha.
👀 FLASHBACK: Newsom’s memoir glosses over his controversial relationship with a 19-year-old college student when he was the 39-year-old Mayor of San FranciscoHowever, it acknowledges that he destroyed the marriage of his deputy chief of staff and personal friend, Alex Tourk, by having an affair with his wife, Ruby Rippey-Tourk, who was Newsom’s appointments secretary.

Image by Gage Skidmore.

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California Governor Gavin Newsom's political action committee spent over $1.5 million buying up copies of his memoir, artificially boosting its sales figures.

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Netflix Co-Founder Reed Hastings Stepping Down After Almost Three Decades.

Reed Hastings, who co-founded Netflix in 1997 and served as its CEO or chairman for almost three decades, will leave the company to focus on “philanthropy and other pursuits” following a failed bid to acquire Warner Bros.

PULSE POINTS
❓ WHAT HAPPENED: Netflix co-founder and chairman Reed Hastings announced he will leave the company after nearly 30 years. Hastings, who stepped down as CEO in 2023 to become chairman, will not seek re-election to the board when his current term expires in June 2026.
📺 DETAIL: Hastings co-founded Netflix in 1997 and served as CEO from 1999 until 2023, playing a pivotal role in transforming the company into a global streaming giant. Notably, his exit follows Netflix’s failure to acquire Warner Bros., which would have turned an already dominant market position into a serious antitrust concern. Netflix says Hastings will now focus on “philanthropy and other pursuits”—likely involving political activism, as he is already a major funder of the Defending Democracy Together group and its Republican Accountability PAC, helmed by ‘Never Trump’ ex-Republicans Bill Kristol and Sarah Longwell.
📈 DATA: Netflix reported $12.25 billion in revenue for the first quarter of 2026, a 16.2 percent increase year-over-year, attributed to membership growth, higher pricing, and ad revenue. The company also received a $2.8 billion breakup fee after withdrawing from the $83 billion acquisition deal with Warner Bros. and HBO Max.
🎯 IMPACT: Hastings leaves as Netflix appears to be on course to increase its prices to as much as $40 a month by the 2030s, with writers, actors, and directors facing lower pay and eroding residuals. Against this backdrop, its failure to acquire Warner Bros., which could have left it with a market share of over 45 percent, was widely regarded as an antitrust victory. 

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Reed Hastings, who co-founded Netflix in 1997 and served as its CEO or chairman for almost three decades, will leave the company to focus on "philanthropy and other pursuits" following a failed bid to acquire Warner Bros.

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By Popular Demand.
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Spanish Consulates Flooded by Thousands of Migrants After Socialist Govt Announces Mass Amnesty.

Spain’s Socialist Party government has approved a mass amnesty for at least half a million illegal immigrants, sparking concerns over safety and security, particularly as these migrants could eventually flood other parts of the European Union (EU) under its open borders internal migration regime.

PULSE POINTS
❓ WHAT HAPPENED: Spain‘s government, led by far-left Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez, has approved a decree granting legal status to an estimated 500,000 to 800,000 illegal immigrants. Consequently, thousands of migrants are flooding consulates across the country to secure the necessary documentation, and immigration offices are bracing for an overwhelming influx of applications.
📺 DETAIL: To qualify, applicants must prove they lived in Spain for several months before 2026 and have no criminal record. Large crowds quickly formed at consulates, with many migrants seeking to begin the application process as soon as possible. Reports describe long queues, mostly of men, waiting outside offices for documentation. Critics, including opposition parties, warn that the move will strain public services and encourage more illegal immigration. Some European figures have also raised concerns about the amnesty’s wider impact on the continent, since migrants with legal status in Spain will eventually be able to travel throughout the European Union’s 27 member states.
💬 KEY QUOTE: “The government is once again implementing a new regularization without giving offices enough economic resources to handle it,” complained Cesar Perez, a union leader for Spain’s immigration officers.
🎯 IMPACT: The amnesty has sparked a political firestorm, with conservative and populist parties accusing the government of using it as “electoral engineering” to secure future votes. The right-wing populist VOX party has also vowed to challenge it in the country’s Supreme Court, with party leader Santiago Abascal warning Sanchez, “The Spanish people have not given permission for this… Sooner rather than later you will have to pay for it.”
📺 FLASHBACK: A previous amnesty in 2005 granted residency to 577,000 migrants. Spain’s population has grown by 1.5 million in the past three years alone, driven almost entirely by immigration.

Image © European Union, 1998 – 2026.

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Spain's Socialist Party government has approved a mass amnesty for at least half a million illegal immigrants, sparking concerns over safety and security, particularly as these migrants could eventually flood other parts of the European Union (EU) under its open borders internal migration regime.

show more
By Popular Demand.
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Fauci HATES What This COVID Inquiry Just Uncovered – Thursday 16 April, 2026.

The National Pulse

Nightly.

Thursday, April 16, 2026  •  Nº 6

Where MAGA goes to know.

Presented by  —  Advertise here: media@thenationalpulse.com

Photo of the Day

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Official White House Photo

PHOTO: White House

— From the Editor —

Welcome to the real news. Today we learned that very lefty NPR is receiving $113 million in mega donations — while sites like The National Pulse continue to rely on our loyal readers for support, operating on a budget of roughly 1/150th of that.

What a terrible state right-leaning media finds itself in. No wonder stories like our lead tonight scarcely get covered elsewhere. It is an absolute travesty — one you must read, share, and take seriously — given what we now know about the COVID vaccine regime. If this publication matters to you, please join The National Pulse and help us stay in the fight. Or, if you prefer, you can donate here.

Raheem J. Kassam

Editor-in-Chief

Tonight’s Briefing

1

Health · UK

Britain’s COVID Inquiry: Vaccine Mandates Were Political, Not Medical

Britain’s official COVID inquiry has confirmed what many suspected — mandatory vaccination policies were driven by politics, not clinical evidence.

■ Pulse Points  /  THE SCIENCE™ WAS POLITICS ALL ALONG

What Happened —  Britain’s official COVID-19 inquiry has reported that the country’s mandatory vaccination policies were “political and not led by clinical advice,” exacerbating distrust of a health care system that nearly collapsed during the pandemic.
The Detail —  The inquiry report warns that rebuilding trust will be critical before any future pandemic, and criticized the system for inadequately compensating people harmed by vaccines — recommending higher payouts and broader eligibility. The British government mandated vaccines for healthcare workers and required vaccination passports to enter certain venues and travel overseas. The findings come as part of a wider investigation into Britain’s pandemic response, which has already warned that the socialized National Health Service (NHS) came close to being overwhelmed.
Key Quote —  “While the majority of people took up the offer of vaccination, there was lower uptake within communities in areas of higher deprivation and in some ethnic minority communities. For many, their concerns centered on the safety of vaccines and possible side effects.” – Inquiry Chairwoman Baroness Heather Hallett
Impact —  Confirmation that the British government prioritized political considerations over science has further eroded public trust in government and the national health care system. Baroness Hallett criticized the decision to restrict compensation to victims deemed at least 60 percent disabled, leaving those with significant but lesser injuries with nothing.

● ● ●

2

Iran War · Energy

Europe Is Perilously Low on Jet Fuel

The IEA is warning that Europe faces mass flight cancellations within weeks as the Iran war chokes off global jet fuel supplies.

■ Pulse Points  /  RUNNING ON EMPTY

What Happened —  IEA Executive Director Fatih Birol has warned that Europe may face jet fuel shortages within weeks if the Strait of Hormuz remains blocked, with global repercussions including widespread flight cancellations.
The Detail —  The crisis is being described as one of the most severe global energy disruptions in history, with ripple effects across economies worldwide. Rising fuel costs are driving inflation in gasoline, natural gas, electricity, and fertilizer prices. European airports and airlines are already expressing concern about shortages ahead of the summer travel season. In response to Iran’s closing of the Strait and a breakdown in peace negotiations, President Trump announced that America would blockade ships leaving Iranian ports.
Key Quote —  “I can tell you soon we will hear the news that some of the flights from city A to city B might be canceled as a result of lack of jet fuel.” – Fatih Birol, IEA Executive Director
Impact —  The knock-on economic impact on countries in Europe that rely heavily on tourism could devastate some areas, with fuel shortages at some airports potentially occurring within weeks if the blockade continues.

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3

Elections · Money

Adelson Hands $40 Million to GOP Midterm Efforts

FEC filings reveal Miriam Adelson as the top Republican super PAC donor heading into the midterms — as polling shows a growing divide between the GOP base and the party’s pro-war donors.

■ Pulse Points  /  FOREIGN AFFAIRS

What Happened —  FEC filings reveal that Miriam Adelson, the Tel Aviv-born widow of Israeli-American billionaire Sheldon Adelson, is the largest donor to Republican super PACs ahead of the 2026 midterms — donating $30 million to the Senate Leadership Fund and $10 million to the Congressional Leadership Fund. Meanwhile, Budapest-born billionaire George Soros is the largest donor to Democrat super PACs.
The Detail —  Adelson is a strong supporter of Israel and its military actions in the Middle East. The two GOP super PACs raised over $110 million combined. On the other side, Soros poured $50 million into his Democracy PAC, which later allocated $9 million to the Senate Majority PAC.
Impact —  Adelson’s donations may influence Republican candidates’ stance on the Iran war at a time when the conflict is dividing the party’s base. Polling by the Democracy Institute shows 52 percent of GOP voters oppose the war, and 51 percent believe Israel has too much influence over U.S. foreign policy.
Flashback —  “I’m gonna get her in trouble with this, but I actually asked her once, ‘So Miriam, I know you love Israel. What do you love more, the United States or Israel?’ She refused to answer. That means, that might mean Israel.” – President Donald J. Trump, speaking in Israel in 2025.

● ● ●

4

Lawfare

Pro-Life Activist Wins $1 Million Settlement Over Biden DOJ Raid

Mark Houck, raided by 25 FBI agents in front of his children, has secured a seven-figure payout from the Biden-era Department of Justice.

■ Pulse Points  /  SWAT THAT SETTLEMENT

What Happened —  Pro-life activist Mark Houck has reached a settlement exceeding $1 million with the Department of Justice after suing over his 2022 FBI arrest. Houck had been accused of violating the FACE Act following a 2021 altercation outside a Planned Parenthood clinic, but was acquitted by a jury in 2023.
The Detail —  In 2022, a SWAT team of approximately 25 agents arrested Houck at his home in front of his children. His lawsuit accused the DOJ of conducting a “faulty investigation” and using “excessive force.” A recent DOJ report revealed evidence of selective prosecution against pro-life activists, including coordination with pro-abortion groups and withholding of evidence.
Key Quote —  “This Department will not tolerate a two-tiered system of justice… The weaponization that happened under the Biden Administration will not happen again.” – DOJ Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche
Flashback —  Emails from the DOJ’s internal investigation reveal Biden officials referring to Christian pro-lifers as “culty” and working to exclude them from jury pools. Pro-life defendants faced more than double the average prison terms sought for pro-abortion defendants in FACE Act cases.

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5

Crime · J6

J6 Pipe Bomber Hit with Additional Charges

Brian Cole Jr. now faces weapons of mass destruction and terrorism charges for planting functional pipe bombs outside DNC and RNC headquarters the night before January 6.

■ Pulse Points  /  BOOM GOES THE INDICTMENT

What Happened —  Brian Cole Jr., 30, of Virginia, has been indicted on new felony charges for allegedly planting pipe bombs near the DNC and RNC headquarters the night before January 6, 2021. The updated indictment includes charges of attempting to use weapons of mass destruction and committing an act of terrorism while armed.
The Detail —  Cole had previously been arrested in December on charges of transporting and placing the devices, which the FBI confirmed were functional, though they did not detonate. Court filings reveal Cole admitted to constructing and planting the bombs, citing frustration over the 2020 election and dissatisfaction with both parties. He reportedly told investigators “something just snapped.”
Impact —  Cole remains in pre-trial detention after a judge ruled he poses a significant danger to the community, rejecting defense proposals for monitored release.
Flashback —  The pipe bomb investigation remained unsolved for years, with Trump making it a priority after returning to office. FBI Director Kash Patel stressed that Cole was snared after a thorough reexamination of existing evidence, branding the former Biden regime “negligent” and “incompetent” for failing to identify a suspect.

● ● ●

6

Crime

Democrat With Sex Assault Allegations Found Dead in Murder-Suicide

Former Virginia Lieutenant Governor Justin Fairfax fatally shot his estranged wife before turning the gun on himself — their teenage children were home at the time.

■ Pulse Points  /  DEMOCRATIC VALUES

What Happened —  Former Virginia Lieutenant Governor Justin Fairfax (D) fatally shot his estranged wife, Cerina, and then turned the gun on himself in their Annandale, Virginia home early Thursday morning. Their teenage children, aged 14 and 16, were present in the house but unharmed.
The Detail —  The couple, though separated, had been living under the same roof using separate bedrooms. Cerina had filed for divorce last year, with a hearing scheduled for next week. Police believe recent court paperwork served to Fairfax may have triggered the attack. Officers had been called to the home in January over an alleged domestic dispute, determined at the time to be unfounded.
Impact —  The murder-suicide leaves the couple’s two teenagers orphaned and raises serious questions about whether authorities failed to act on previous warning signs of domestic violence.
Flashback —  Fairfax’s political career was overshadowed by allegations of sexual assault in 2019 and again during his 2021 gubernatorial campaign. His wife, Cerina, supported him publicly during that period, though their relationship later deteriorated.

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7

Politics · NYC

Mamdani’s Wife Apologizes for Posts Praising Terrorists and Using Slurs

Rama Duwaji has apologized for celebrating a PFLP terrorist and using racial slurs — but the scrutiny of New York City’s mayor only deepens.

■ Pulse Points  /  SORRY, NOT SORRY

What Happened —  Rama Duwaji, wife of New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani (D), issued a public apology for old social media posts where she praised Palestinian terrorists and used offensive language, including racial slurs.
The Detail —  Posts exposed in March included one celebrating Shadia Abu Ghazaleh, an aircraft hijacker and member of the U.S.-designated terrorist group Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine (PFLP). Other posts included a racial slur for black people. Her X and Tumblr accounts were deleted following the exposé. Duwaji has also faced scrutiny for providing art for an essay by an author who praised October 7 and referred to “Jewish supremacist vampires,” and her Instagram has been observed liking posts celebrating the October 7 attacks.
Key Quote —  “When a tabloid recently published old tweets I wrote as a teenager, I felt a lot of shame being confronted with language I used that is so harmful to others; being 15 doesn’t excuse it.” – Rama Duwaji
Impact —  Duwaji’s apology has reignited scrutiny of her and Mayor Mamdani regarding their views on Israel and the Middle East, raising concerns for Jewish residents of New York City and the influence the couple may have on city policy.

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8

Europe · Immigration

New Hungarian PM: Stronger Borders, No EU Migration Pact

Hungary’s incoming prime minister, Péter Magyar, is defying EU expectations by pledging to reinforce border fences and reject the bloc’s Migration Pact entirely.

■ Pulse Points  /  SURPRISE! HE’S BASICALLY ORBÁN

What Happened —  Hungary’s incoming Prime Minister Péter Magyar has announced that his government will not participate in the EU Migration Pact, and pledged to reinforce Hungary’s border “even more.” Magyar also appears set to cut legal immigration by eliminating non-EU guest worker programs.
The Detail —  Magyar’s stance comes after his election defeat of outgoing PM Viktor Orbán. EU officials openly celebrated the result — but while Magyar has signaled greater cooperation with Brussels on some issues (such as not blocking a €90 billion loan to Ukraine), he will remain firmly opposed to EU migration policies.
Key Quote —  “Hungary will not accept any pact. In fact, I’m going to reinforce the border fence even more.” – Péter Magyar
Impact —  Magyar’s rejection of the Migration Pact signals Hungary will remain a key opponent of EU open border policies despite the establishment’s celebration. Notably, Magyar was until 2024 a member of Orbán’s own party — suggesting his government may not be the sharp break from Orbánism that globalists have been hoping for.

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On This Day in History

1. In 1789, George Washington departed Mount Vernon for New York City to be inaugurated as the first President of the United States.
2. In 1862, President Lincoln signed the District of Columbia Compensated Emancipation Act, abolishing slavery in Washington, D.C. — nine months before the Emancipation Proclamation.
3. In 1912, aviator Harriet Quimby became the first woman to fly solo across the English Channel, crossing from Dover to Hardelot, France, in just over an hour.
4. In 1943, Swiss chemist Albert Hofmann accidentally discovered the psychedelic effects of LSD after absorbing a small quantity through his fingertips in his laboratory in Basel.
5. In 1947, the Texas City Disaster struck when a French cargo ship loaded with ammonium nitrate exploded in port, triggering a chain of blasts that killed nearly 600 people and injured thousands — the deadliest industrial accident in U.S. history.
6. In 1963, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. wrote his celebrated “Letter from Birmingham Jail” while imprisoned for civil rights protests, making the moral case for nonviolent direct action against unjust laws.
7. In 1972, Apollo 16 launched from Cape Canaveral, carrying astronauts John Young, Charles Duke, and Ken Mattingly toward the lunar highlands of Descartes.
8. In 2007, a gunman killed 32 people at Virginia Tech in Blacksburg, Virginia — at the time the deadliest mass shooting in U.S. history.
9. In 2013, authorities identified brothers Dzhokhar and Tamerlan Tsarnaev as the suspects behind the Boston Marathon bombing, three days after the attack killed three and wounded hundreds.

The National Pulse

Where MAGA Goes to Know.

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By Popular Demand.
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PULSE POINTS
❓ WHAT HAPPENED: President Donald J. Trump insisted that gas prices are “not very high” during a press briefing on Thursday, despite fuel costs surging since the onset of the Iran war and the closure of the Strait of Hormuz, a key supply route for energy and fertilizer. Overall, gas prices are up 49 percent since the start of 2026, largely due to the Iran conflict.
📺 DETAIL: Gas prices, which were $2.75 per gallon at the beginning of 2026, have risen to an average of $4.093 per gallon, with diesel prices climbing to $5.65 per gallon. A recent two-week ceasefire in the Iran war has led to a minor decrease of seven cents per gallon. Notably, a recent Quinnipiac poll reveals that 65 percent of voters attribute the rise in gas prices to President Trump.
💬 KEY QUOTE: “[Gas prices are] not very high, if you look at what they were supposed to be in order to get rid of a nuclear weapon… The stock market’s up, everything’s doing really well, and the big thing we had to do is make sure that Iran does not have a nuclear weapon.” – President Donald J. Trump
🎯 IMPACT: The spike in gas prices has put financial pressure on many Americans, with many voters expressing dissatisfaction with the administration’s economic performance. Last month, polling found 66 percent of independents—arguably the most critical voting bloc in the U.S.—believe the Trump administration is “focused too little” on domestic matters relative to foreign policy, which could harm the GOP in the upcoming midterm elections.

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President Trump has insisted that gas prices are "not very high," despite an apparent surge in fuel costs since the onset of the Iran war.

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By Popular Demand.
The National Pulse Now has an on-site comments section for members. Sign up today and be part of the conversation in our community of almost 15,000.

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Lefty NPR Gets $113 Million in Mega-Donations. Meanwhile, On The Right…

National Public Radio (NPR) has received two massive donations from an Obama Foundation board member and an anonymous donor totaling over $100 million dollars, following cuts to the broadcaster’s federal funding by Congress. Meanwhile, real news sites like The National Pulse require your support.

PULSE POINTS
❓ WHAT HAPPENED: NPR has received two mega-donations totaling $113 million after the broadcaster lost all of its federal funding. While the federal funding cut amounted to only around two percent of NPR’s annual budget, it still proved to be a significant blow to local stations.
👤 WHO WAS INVOLVED: Obama Foundation board member Connie Ballmer, the wife of former Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer, contributed $80 million, while an anonymous donor provided $33 million. Ballmer is also a former NPR Foundation board member.
💬 KEY QUOTE: “I support NPR because an informed public is the bedrock of our society, and democracy requires strong, independent journalism,” said Ballmer.
📺 DETAIL:  The funding comes at a critical time after Congress eliminated about $1.1 billion in federal support for public media, putting financial strain on NPR and local stations. The money is intended to strengthen collaboration across stations, improve how NPR delivers content, and adapt to how audiences consume news across platforms. Despite the scale of the gifts, NPR executives emphasized they cannot fully replace the loss of federal funding, which has already led to layoffs and financial pressure across the system. Local public radio stations have been hit particularly hard, with many losing around 10 percent of their budgets. NPR says the donations are meant as long-term “catalytic investments” to help ensure the network’s viability and evolution over the next several decades.
🎯 IMPACT: These donations aim to fill the financial gap left by Congress’s decision to eliminate $1.1 billion in federal funding for partisan public media, which caused budget cuts and layoffs across the system.

Image by Alyson Hurt.

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National Public Radio (NPR) has received two massive donations from an Obama Foundation board member and an anonymous donor totaling over $100 million dollars, following cuts to the broadcaster's federal funding by Congress. Meanwhile, real news sites like The National Pulse require your support.

show more
By Popular Demand.
The National Pulse Now has an on-site comments section for members. Sign up today and be part of the conversation in our community of almost 15,000.