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Tuesday, January 13, 2026

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2 hours ago
TECH

AI Data Centers Overwhelm Power Grid, Sparking Supply Crisis and Rate Hikes.

PULSE POINTS

❓WHAT HAPPENED: PJM, the largest power-grid operator in the U.S., is facing a supply crisis due to the rising demand from artificial intelligence (AI) data centers.

👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: PJM, tech companies like Amazon, Alphabet, Microsoft, and state officials.

📍WHEN & WHERE: January 2026, affecting a 13-state region from New Jersey to Illinois.

💬KEY QUOTE: “The reliability risk is across the street.” – Former Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) chairman Mark Christie

🎯IMPACT: Potential for rolling blackouts and increased electricity rates for consumers.

IN FULL

The United States is experiencing a significant strain on its largest power grid operator, PJM, due to the increasing demand from artificial intelligence (AI) data centers. These centers, particularly concentrated in Northern Virginia, are consuming vast amounts of electricity, pushing the grid towards a potential supply crisis.

PJM serves a 13-state region spanning from New Jersey to Illinois, supplying power to approximately 67 million people. However, as older power plants are decommissioned faster than new ones can be built, the grid is quickly nearing its capacity limits, especially during periods of high demand. This situation may force PJM to implement rolling blackouts during extreme weather conditions to protect the grid infrastructure.

Former Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) chairman Mark Christie highlighted the immediacy of the threat, stating, “The reliability risk is across the street.” PJM anticipates a 4.8 percent annual increase in power demand over the next decade, a stark contrast to previous years of stagnant growth.

The increase in electricity rates has angered consumers, while tech giants like Amazon, Alphabet (Google’s parent company), and Microsoft resist proposals requiring data centers to either build their own power sources or reduce operations during demand spikes. It is worth noting that Microsoft has partnered with energy provider Constellation Energy to reopen the functional nuclear reactor at Three Mile Island, which will be used, in part, to power its AI operations. However, the issue of strain on the physical grid infrastructure remains.

Efforts to address the grid’s challenges have stalled due to disagreements among PJM executives, tech companies, and power suppliers. An independent electrical market monitor has called for federal intervention, warning that without sufficient power infrastructure, PJM may have to allocate blackouts instead of ensuring reliability.

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By Popular Demand.
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26 minutes ago
News

Trump Honors Late Cartoonist and Commentator Scott Adams.

PULSE POINTS

❓WHAT HAPPENED: President Donald J. Trump paid tribute to Scott Adams following news of his passing, praising his early support of MAGA and offering condolences to his family.

👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: President Donald Trump and Scott Adams, creator of the Dilbert comic strip and political commentator.

📍WHEN & WHERE: The tribute was shared on Truth Social on Tuesday, following Adams’ death at age 68 from metastatic prostate cancer.

💬KEY QUOTE: “He was a fantastic guy, who liked and respected me when it wasn’t fashionable to do so. He bravely fought a long battle against a terrible disease.” – Donald Trump

🎯IMPACT: Scott Adams’ legacy as a cartoonist and pro-Trump commentator leaves a lasting mark on political and cultural discourse.

IN FULL

President Donald J. Trump offered his condolences and paid tribute to the late conservative commentator Scott Adams, creator of the Dilbert newspaper comic strip, after his death following a battle with metastatic prostate cancer on Tuesday. Adams, who was just 68 when he passed, was an early supporter of President Trump and the MAGA movement.

“Sadly, the Great Influencer, Scott Adams, has passed away. He was a fantastic guy, who liked and respected me when it wasn’t fashionable to do so,” President Trump wrote in a post on Truth Social. He added, “He bravely fought a long battle against a terrible disease. My condolences go out to his family, and all of his many friends and listeners. He will be truly missed. God bless you Scott!”

Adams, best known as the creator of Dilbert, also hosted a livestream Rumble show, Coffee With Scott Adams. His death was announced by his ex-wife, Shelly Adams, who read a statement from the late cartoonist and political commentator in which he embraced Christianity.

“Next, many of my Christian friends have asked me to find Jesus before I go. I’m not a believer, but I have to admit the risk-reward calculation for doing so looks so attractive to me, so here I go,” Adams wrote, continuing: ” I accept Jesus Christ as my Lord and Savior and look forward to spending an eternity with him. The part about me not being a believer should be quickly resolved if I wake up in heaven. I won’t need any more convincing than that. I hope I’m still qualified for entry.”

The cartoonist had been battling prostate cancer, which spread to his bones last year, resulting in paralysis from the waist down, with Shelly Adams, her sister, and his stepdaughter helping to care for him. In November, Adams publicly appealed to Trump to intervene and help him access an experimental cancer treatment. Trump responded, and Adams later confirmed he had received the medication, though it was sadly unsuccessful.

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1 hour ago
NatSec

Trump’s Arctic Policy Chief Suggests Next Move on Greenland Coming in ‘Weeks or Months.’

PULSE POINTS

❓WHAT HAPPENED: The Trump administration is considering action on acquiring Greenland, with potential developments in “weeks or months.”

👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: President Donald J. Trump, U.S. Arctic Research Commission (USARC) Commissioner Thomas Dans, Vice President J.D. Vance, and U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio.

📍WHEN & WHERE: Developments anticipated within “weeks or months,” with Danish and Greenlandic officials meeting with Trump at the White House on January 14.

💬KEY QUOTE: “Things could move on an express basis, skip the local stops, and go direct to the main station.” – Thomas Dans

🎯IMPACT: The U.S. aims to secure strategic advantages in the Arctic, potentially altering diplomatic relations with Denmark and Greenland.

IN FULL

President Donald J. Trump is continuing to push forward with plans to acquire Greenland, a move which could take shape in the coming “weeks or months.” The potential for imminent action on the acquisition of the minerals-rich island—currently under Danish sovereignty—has been confirmed by a senior administration official.

Thomas Dans, who serves as the commissioner for the U.S. Arctic Research Commission (USARC), has been leading efforts on this front since 2020. Dans, an advocate for Trump’s Greenland ambitions, suggested that progress could occur swiftly, noting that President Trump, himself, seeks to expedite the process.

“This is a train route with multiple stops,” Dans said in a media interview on Tuesday. He continued, “Things could move on an express basis, skip the local stops and go direct to the main station. That’s where President Trump wants to move it—at high speed.”

Dans stressed the importance of winning over locals on the island, stating, “We need to get the people of Greenland on board.” However, he emphasized that “things can happen quickly from a transactional standpoint,” while more time can be allocated to “a process to gain trust and support of the Greenlandic people and this will require time and effort from the U.S. side.”

Notably, Denmark and Greenland have repeatedly stated the island is not for sale. However, the Trump administration has given no signal that it intends to back down from its Arctic ambitions. The National Pulse reported last week that during remarks at the White House, President Trump stated that the United States will acquire the island of Greenland, whether its current sovereign—the Kingdom of Denmark—”likes it or not.”

“I’d like to make a deal, the easy way,” Trump said, adding, “But if we don’t do it the easy way, we’re going to do it the hard way.”

On Wednesday, Vice President J.D. Vance and U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio will meet with Danish and Greenlandic officials at the White House, possibly signaling a thawing in considerations over the American acquisition of the island. Notably, the Danes requested the meeting.

Image by NordForsk/Terje Heiestad.

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2 hours ago
William Upton
Politics

New Congressional Minibus Contains Millions in Anti-Trump Deep State Funding.

PULSE POINTS

❓WHAT HAPPENED: The United States Congress has released its Financial Services and General Government and National Security and State “minibus”—with mirror drafts authored by the House and Senate Appropriations Committees.

👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: The U.S. Congress, the National Endowment for Democracy (NED), the Helsinki Commission, and Belize.

📍WHEN & WHERE: The minibus legislation was released on Sunday, January 11, 2026, with funding provisions being exposed over subsequent days.

🎯IMPACT: The legislation includes significant funding for globalist deep state entities like the National Endowment for Democracy and the Helsinki Commission, along with several million dollars for infrastructure projects in Belize.

IN FULL

The United States Congress has released its Financial Services and General Government and National Security and State “minibus”—with mirror drafts authored by the House and Senate Appropriations Committees. Concerningly, the legislation includes significant funding for globalist deep state entities like the National Endowment for Democracy (NED) and the Helsinki Commission, along with several million dollars for infrastructure projects in Belize.

A congressional minibus is essentially smaller omnibus legislation that includes funding for several government departments and agencies, and is often prone to being filled with unpopular spending that would otherwise not pass as a standalone bill. In this case, the latest minibus contains $315 million for the NED, a quasi-autonomous non-governmental organization (NGO) with a long history of targeting conservative journalists and media outlets.

In February last year, anti-Trump neoconservatives were up in arms over the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) moving to freeze funds for NED. The National Pulse reported at the time that many conservative leaders in the United States and around the world contended that NED squanders funds on undermining right-leaning governments in allied nations, such as Hungary, while boosting leftist media and politicians.

The minibus bill also provides reauthorization for the Helsinki Commission—an independent government agency created in 1975 and tasked with monitoring compliance with the Helsinki Accords. However, the agency has morphed over the years into an entity that promotes color revolutions and unauthorized election interference operations in foreign nations. Additionally, the Helsinki Commission has become a key roost for a number of anti-Trump Russia hoax conspiracy theorists, including former John Brennan aide Andrea Kendall-Taylor, Sir William Browder KCMG, and the leftist Organized Crime and Corruption Reporting Project’s (OCCRP) Drew Sullivan.

Notably, Browder is a staunch proponent of seizing Russian assets outside of normal government procedures—which could trigger significant backlash—and has routinely accused figures like Donald Trump Jr. and Vice President J.D. Vance of parroting Kremlin talk points. Further, the Helsinki Commission maintains ties to Ukrainian propagandist Illia Ponomarenko and former U.S. Congressman Adam Kinzinger, who has become one of the top Russia conspiracy theorists on social media.

Aside from the direct funding and authorization of NGOs that aim to undermine President Donald J. Trump‘s agenda, the minibus also contains, inexplicably, $5.7 million in funds—ostensibly through the now-defunct USAID—for infrastructure projects in Belize. This funding was likely inserted as an earmark request by lawmakers after USAID itself was dissolved, with its key functions being absorbed by the U.S. Department of State.

Image by Gage Skidmore.

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By Popular Demand.
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3 hours ago
Lawfare
World

Le Pen Appeals Ban on Running for Presidency.

PULSE POINTS

❓WHAT HAPPENED: French populist leader Marine Le Pen has begun a high-stakes appeal in Paris against a ruling banning her from running for public office for five years, due to a controversial conviction for embezzling European Union (EU) funds.

👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: Marine Le Pen, her National Rally (RN) party, and Court of Appeal judges.

📍WHEN & WHERE: The appeal began in Paris and will last until February 12, with a ruling expected by the summer.

💬KEY QUOTE: Barring Le Pen from the presidential election would be “deeply worrying for democracy,” said Jordan Bardella, president of the National Rally party.

🎯IMPACT: The outcome of the appeal will determine whether Le Pen can run in the 2027 French presidential election.

IN FULL

Marine Le Pen has launched an appeal in Paris against a conviction that bars her from holding public office for five years, a ruling that could end her hopes of running in France’s 2027 presidential election. The case stems from a 2022 judgment in which Le Pen, leader of the populist National Rally (RN), was found guilty of embezzling approximately $3.2 million in European Union (EU) funds. The court ruled that parliamentary assistants paid by the European Parliament had, in fact, worked for her party rather than on EU legislative duties.

Le Pen, 57, received a four-year prison sentence, with two years suspended, a fine of about $110,000, and an immediate ban from standing for public office. It was a highly controversial ruling, with the line between parliamentary and party work being ill-defined, and even anti-Le Pen journalists conceded that the prosecution appeared selective.

The Paris Court of Appeal will re-examine the case in full, reviewing both factual findings and legal arguments. Hearings are scheduled to run until February 12, with a decision expected by the summer. The timing is crucial, as candidates must register for the 2027 presidential race by March of that year. If the ban is upheld, Le Pen would be unable to stand.

Le Pen has long denied wrongdoing and argues that the case represents politically motivated “lawfare” aimed at removing her from public life. She has been a central figure in French politics for well over a decade, reshaping the party founded by her late father into the National Rally and leading it to achieve record electoral performances. She has run for president three times and was widely seen as a leading contender for 2027 before the conviction.

RN president Jordan Bardella warned that preventing Le Pen from competing would be “deeply worrying for democracy.” Bardella has ruled out running for president himself, instead positioning himself as a future candidate for prime minister. However, recent opinion polls suggest he may outperform Le Pen in some hypothetical presidential matchups, highlighting his growing prominence within the party.

International figures have also weighed in. President Donald J. Trump criticized the prosecution against Le Pen last year, calling it politically driven and urging authorities to “FREE MARINE LE PEN!”

Image by Vox España.

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3 hours ago
William Upton
Politics

Clintons Defy Congressional Subpoena for Testimony on Epstein.

PULSE POINTS

❓WHAT HAPPENED: Former President Bill Clinton and his wife, Hillary Clinton, have both refused to comply with a congressional subpoena compelling their testimony before the House Oversight Committee’s inquiry into the activities of deceased pedophile financier Jeffrey Epstein.

👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: Bill Clinton, Hillary Clinton, attorneys for the Clintons, the House Oversight Committee, Chairman James Comer (R-KY), Congressman Tim Burchett (R-TN), deceased pedophile and financier Jeffrey Epstein, the Department of Justice (DOJ), and the Supreme Court.

📍WHEN & WHERE: The Clintons were scheduled to testify on Tuesday and Wednesday.

💬KEY QUOTE: “I hope there might be some charges over at [the Department of Justice].” — Rep. Tim Burchett

🎯IMPACT: The rejection of the congressional subpoena is likely to be the subject of a DOJ criminal referral and extensive litigation regarding the Supreme Court’s decisions in Watkins v. United States and Trump v. United States.

IN FULL

Former President Bill Clinton and his wife, Hillary Clinton, have both refused to comply with a congressional subpoena compelling their testimony before the House Oversight Committee’s inquiry into the activities of deceased pedophile and financier Jeffrey Epstein. The testimony was slated for Tuesday and Wednesday; however, an attorney representing the Clintons stated that neither would appear before the House panel and argued that the congressional subpoena is “legally unenforceable.”

The refusal to testify and rejection of the congressional subpoena could set up a contempt of Congress showdown between House Republicans and the Clintons, with a possible criminal referral to the Department of Justice (DOJ). “President and Secretary Clinton have already provided the limited information they possess about Jeffrey Epstein and Ghislaine Maxwell to the Committee,” the Clinton attorneys’ letter to Oversight Committee Chairman James Comer (R-KY) reads. “They did so proactively and voluntarily, and despite the fact that the Subpoenas are invalid and legally unenforceable, untethered to a valid legislative purpose, unwarranted because they do not seek pertinent information, and an unprecedented infringement on the separation of powers.”

“Your continued insistence that the former President and Secretary of State can be compelled to appear before the Committee under these circumstances, however, brings us toward a protracted and unnecessary legal confrontation that distracts from the principal work of the Congress with respect to this matter, which, if conducted sincerely, could help ensure the victims of Mr. Epstein and Ms. Maxwell are afforded some measure of justice for the crimes perpetrated against them, however late,” the letter adds.

The Clintons’ attorney cites the Supreme Court‘s Watkins decision, which states, “These are functions of the executive and judicial departments of government. No inquiry is an end in itself; it must be related to, and in furtherance of, a legitimate task of the Congress.” The attorneys contend that the House inquiry is not related to legislative business and, therefore, the subpoenas are unenforceable.

However, not all members of the House Oversight Committee agree with the legal analysis provided by the attorneys for the Clintons. Congressman Tim Burchett (R-TN) stated, “I hope there might be some charges over at [DOJ].”

Further, the Supreme Court has been clear that former presidents do not enjoy blanket immunity for their actions, and the Watkins decision on its face appears intended to apply to Congressional subpoenas involving current and not former members of the executive and judicial branches, suggesting the argument of the attorneys for Bill and Hillary Clinton—neither of whom currently holds office—is a stretch at best.

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By Popular Demand.
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4 hours ago
Media

BBC Seeks Dismissal of Trump’s $5 Billion Defamation Claim.

PULSE POINTS

❓WHAT HAPPENED: The British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) has filed a motion to dismiss President Donald J. Trump’s lawsuit over how his January 6, 2021, speech was manipulated in a Panorama documentary.

👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: President Trump and the BBC, including its Panorama documentary team.

📍WHEN & WHERE: The lawsuit was filed in a Florida court last month, and the motion to dismiss was filed on Monday.

💬KEY QUOTE: “As we have made clear previously, we will be defending this case. We are not going to make further comment on ongoing legal proceedings.” – BBC spokesman

🎯IMPACT: The case has raised questions about media accountability and the legal jurisdiction of international broadcasters.

IN FULL

The British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) has filed a motion to dismiss President Donald J. Trump’s multi-billion dollar lawsuit over the deceptive editing of his January 6, 2021, aired during a Panorama documentary ahead of the 2024 presidential election. The lawsuit, filed in a Florida court last month, accuses the BBC of defamation and violating trade practices law.

Court documents filed on Monday reveal that the BBC contends the Florida court lacks “personal jurisdiction” over the broadcaster, that the venue is “improper,” and that President Trump has “failed to state a claim.” The BBC previously apologized for the edit but rejected Trump’s demands for compensation, maintaining there is no basis for a defamation claim.

The broadcaster will also contend that the Panorama program was not aired in the United States and therefore did not defame Trump in the jurisdiction in which he seeks relief. It further argues that Trump has not demonstrated actual damage caused by the documentary, noting that he was re-elected and carried Florida with a commanding majority after the Panorama program aired. Trump claims the documentary was available on the Britbox service and accessible to American viewers, which the BBC disputes.

Additionally, the BBC asserts that Trump cannot plausibly allege “actual malice” in the documentary’s publication. The doctored clip, which is approximately 15 seconds long, was part of an hour-long television program that, according to the broadcaster, offered a balanced portrayal of his 2024 re-election campaign. An internal BBC memo leaked in November criticized the editing of the speech, and the scandal surrounding it has led to the resignations of senior BBC officials, including Director General Tim Davie and Head of News Deborah Turness.

In its motion, the BBC has also requested the court to “stay all other discovery” pending a decision on its motion to dismiss. A proposed trial date in 2027 has been indicated if the case proceeds. A BBC spokesman stated, “As we have made clear previously, we will be defending this case. We are not going to make further comment on ongoing legal proceedings.”

Image by Paul Harrop.

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5 hours ago
News

Scott Adams Passes Away, Embraces Jesus Christ in Final Message.

PULSE POINTS

❓WHAT HAPPENED: Cartoonist and commentator Scott Adams has passed away aged 68.

👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: Scott Adams, Shelly Adams, her sister, and Adams’s stepdaughter.

📍WHEN & WHERE: January 13, 2025, California.

💬KEY QUOTE: “I’m not a believer, but I have to admit the risk-reward calculation for doing so looks so attractive to me, so here I go: I accept Jesus Christ as my Lord and Savior and look forward to spending an eternity with him.” – Scott Adams

IN FULL

Scott Adams, the creator of the popular comic strip Dilbert turned political commentator, has passed away aged 68. His ex-wife, Shelly Adams, announced his passing alongside other close associates on his social media channels, where he hosted his “Coffee With Scott Adams” show.

Shelly read a final message from Adams, beginning, “If you are reading this, things did not go well for me. I have a few things to say before I go. My body failed before my brain. I am of sound mind as I write this on January 1, 2026. If you wonder about any of my choices for my estate, or anything else, please know I’m free of any coercion or inappropriate influence of any sort, I promise.”

The message continued, “Next, many of my Christian friends have asked me to find Jesus before I go. I’m not a believer, but I have to admit the risk-reward calculation for doing so looks so attractive to me, so here I go. I accept Jesus Christ as my Lord and Savior and look forward to spending an eternity with him. The part about me not being a believer should be quickly resolved if I wake up in heaven. I won’t need any more convincing than that. I hope I’m still qualified for entry.”

The cartoonist had been battling prostate cancer, which spread to his bones last year, resulting in paralysis from the waist down, with Shelly Adams, her sister, and his stepdaughter helping to care for him.

Adams aligned himself with President Donald J. Trump ahead of the 2016 election, at considerable risk to his career in corporate media, and President Trump, Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., and other figures close to the administration personally intervened to get him the best possible care towards the end of his life.

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5 hours ago
War
World

Americans Urged to ‘Leave Iran Now’ as Death Toll Among Protesters, Security Forces Hits 2,000.

PULSE POINTS

❓WHAT HAPPENED: Iran has acknowledged a death toll of approximately 2,000 people following two weeks of nationwide unrest, reportedly including security personnel. The Trump administration is urging U.S. citizens in the country to “Leave Iran now.”

👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: Iranian protesters, regime forces, U.S. President Donald J. Trump, European Union (EU) leaders, and U.S. citizens in Iran.

📍WHEN & WHERE: Protests began in late December 2025 across Iran, with significant unrest reported in Tehran and over 100 cities nationwide.

💬KEY QUOTE: “We are now witnessing the final days and weeks of this regime,” predicted German Chancellor (Prime Minister) Friedrich Merz.

🎯IMPACT: The unrest has drawn international condemnation, sanctions proposals, and heightened tensions between Iran and Western nations, including the United States.

IN FULL

The Iranian regime has acknowledged for the first time that approximately 2,000 people have died in its crackdown on more than two weeks of nationwide protests, including security personnel. The collapse of the national currency, the rial, initially triggered the demonstrations. Notably, opposition sources and activists say the true death toll is significantly higher.

The U.S. Virtual Embassy in Tehran has instructed Americans in no uncertain terms to “Leave Iran now,” stressing that “U.S. citizens should expect continued internet outages, plan alternative means of communication, and, if safe to do so, consider departing Iran by land to Armenia or [Turkey].”

U.S. President Donald J. Trump, who has said that Iran’s Supreme Leader, Grand Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, may be planning to flee the country, has imposed a 25 percent tariff on countries still trading with Iran. He is also said to be considering military strikes against the regime, having previously warned he would take action if it started killing demonstrators.

Iran’s Foreign Minister, Abbas Araghchi, claims the Islamic Republic is “prepared for any action” but is willing to engage in talks. Human rights organizations report thousands of detentions, with the group HRANA estimating more than 10,700 arrests. Footage from the demonstrations depicts intense confrontations on the streets, torched cars, and damaged structures.

German Chancellor (Prime Minister) Friedrich Merz has predicted that Iran’s leadership is facing its “final days.” The European Union (EU) is weighing additional sanctions against Iranian figures involved in the harsh suppression of the unrest. The bloc has previously imposed measures on over 230 people and organizations, including elements of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC).

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6 hours ago
Crime
Immigration
News

Noem Just Told Somalis to Leave the U.S. by This Date.

PULSE POINTS

❓WHAT HAPPENED: The Trump administration is ending Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for Somali nationals, with a deadline set for March 17 for them to leave the country.

👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem and Somali nationals.

📍WHEN & WHERE: Announced on January 13, with a deadline of March 17.

💬KEY QUOTE: “Temporary means temporary,” said Secretary Noem.

🎯IMPACT: The decision affects 2,471 Somali nationals with TPS and an additional 1,383 with pending applications.

IN FULL

Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem has announced the termination of Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for Somali nationals, setting a deadline of March 17 for them to exit the United States. This decision comes during heightened scrutiny of the Somali community following major fraud scandals in Minnesota.

The move aligns with President Donald J. Trump’s previous remarks expressing disapproval of Somali immigration, with Somalis being associated disproportionately with crime and welfare dependency across the West. Noem emphasized that “Country conditions in Somalia have improved to the point that it no longer meets the law’s requirement for Temporary Protected Status.”

“Further, allowing Somali nationals to remain temporarily in the United States is contrary to our national interests. We are putting Americans first,” she added. Attorney General Pam Bondi has previously confirmed 85 fraud-related charges against Somalis and 60 convictions in Minnesota alone, with further large-scale investigations ongoing into Somali-run daycares in the state.

U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) sources indicate that there are currently 2,471 Somali nationals residing in the United States under TPS, with another 1,383 applications pending review.

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7 hours ago
Bonkers Britain
Health

White House Criticizes UK Govt for Supporting Cousin Marriage.

PULSE POINTS

❓WHAT HAPPENED: The White House criticized Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer for not supporting a ban on first-cousin marriages.

👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: Under Secretary of State for Public Diplomacy Sarah Rogers and Prime Minister Starmer.

📍WHEN & WHERE: Rogers criticized the British government on X over the weekend.

💬KEY QUOTE: “I’ve received some questions about what we mean, in our National Security Strategy, when we invoke ‘civilizational’ concerns. So I’m tweeting a relevant news item,” Rogers posted, sharing footage from Britain’s House of Commons showing Starmer declining to support a ban on first-cousin marriage.

🎯IMPACT: The debate highlights national and international tensions over minority cultural practices and public health in the United Kingdom.

IN FULL

The Trump administration has criticized Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer and his Labour Party government in Britain for declining to support legislation that would have banned marriage between first cousins, calling the issue a matter of “civilisational” importance.

Sarah Rogers, Under Secretary of State for Public Diplomacy at the U.S. State Department, described President Donald J. Trump’s free speech tsar, posted a video on X highlighting Starmer’s refusal last year to back a bill that sought to outlaw cousin marriage, which is extremely common among certain minority groups in the country, such as Pakistanis. Rogers framed Labour’s stance as a “civilizational” issue, of the type recently highlighted in a national security report.

Rogers also tied the issue to moves by the British government to ban X, supposedly because its Grok AI has been used to alter images of people to show them wearing bikinis—characterized as image-based sexual abuse. “Since we know the British Government wants to make sure women are safe both online and offline (thus contemplating a Russia-style X ban, to protect them from bikini images), here’s more from Wikipedia on cousin marriage – and its connection to honour killing,” she posted, alongside a screenshot from the left-leaning online encyclopedia highlighting the way women in first cousin marriages can be subject to violence by their families.

The debate over cousin marriage in Britain has intensified in recent months. It remains legal across the United Kingdom despite well-documented health risks: children born to closely related parents have a higher likelihood of inheriting recessive genetic conditions compared with the general population, and such unions are also associated with lower IQ and psychosis.

While there are some historic examples, such as the marriage of Queen Victoria and Prince Albert, first-cousin marriage is extremely uncommon among the White British population, and is even rarer in Catholic Europe, due to the Church banning the practice in the Middle Ages. Instead, its growth in the modern era is due almost entirely to immigrants from Africa and Asia, as well as their descendants.

The controversy has also engulfed Britain’s socialized National Health Service (NHS). NHS England’s Genomics Education Programme published guidance last autumn that sparked intense backlash for suggesting first-cousin marriages can offer benefits such as “stronger extended family support systems and economic advantages” while downplaying the increased risks of congenital anomalies.

Public opinion surveys conducted in recent years show significant opposition among Britons to keeping cousin marriage legal, with broad majorities across the political spectrum saying the law should be changed. It is regulated at the state level in the U.S., with most states either prohibiting it or restricting it only to elderly or infertile couples. However, it is unrestricted in Alabama, Alaska California, Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Vermont, Virginia, and Washington, D.C., with North Carolina also permitting it except for “double first cousins” who share two sets of grandparents.

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