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Friday, March 13, 2026

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58 minutes ago
William Upton
War

Iran-Backed Iraqi Militia Places Bounties on U.S. Officials.

PULSE POINTS

❓WHAT HAPPENED: The Islamic Resistance in Iraq has announced bounties for information leading to the capture or “neutralization” of high-ranking U.S. military or intelligence officials.

👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: The Islamic Resistance in Iraq, U.S. military officials, and intelligence agencies operating in Iraq.

📍WHEN & WHERE: Announced via Telegram, targeting U.S. personnel in Iraq and the wider region.

💬KEY QUOTE: “This pressure affects personnel across all disciplines—whether within the U.S. military or other intelligence and espionage agencies operating in Iraq and the wider region,” the group stated.

🎯IMPACT: The bounty offer represents a significant escalation in threats against American forces and intelligence operations in the region.

IN FULL

An Iran-backed terror proxy in Iraq is offering a bounty of 150 million Iraqi dinars for information that could lead to the capture or “neutralization” of high-ranking U.S. military officials or senior intelligence leadership. The bounties issued by the Islamic Resistance in Iraq were posted on Telegram.

“In the Name of God, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful: The tightening of the noose around American forces on the ground has led to a curtailment of their security options,” the group stated, before continuing, “This pressure affects personnel across all disciplines—whether within the U.S. military or other intelligence and espionage agencies operating in Iraq and the wider region—compelling them to relocate to alternative (civilian) sites that they perceive as more secure.”

“Accordingly, we hereby announce the allocation of a ‘substantial financial reward’ in exchange for providing information regarding these targets,” the Islamic Resistance in Iraq added.

Iranian-backed terror proxies have long targeted U.S. military and intelligence officials across the Middle East. One of the most horrifying examples of this practice was the 1985 abduction, interrogation, torture, and murder of the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) station chief in Beirut, William Francis Buckley, by Hezbollah and its Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) handlers.

Buckley was abducted by the Shia militia called Islamic Jihad—the predecessor to Hezbollah—in March 1984. He was held for an estimated 19 months before his execution. During that time, Buckley was subjected to gruesome torture, including what appears to have been the flaying of his skin while he was still alive. His body was later dumped along a road near the Beirut airport, covered in bandages and blood, while a catheter was also left embedded inside him.

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8 minutes ago
Crime
News

Soros-Backed DA Blames ‘Pro-Gun Lobby’ for ISIS Supporter’s Shooting Attack.

PULSE POINTS

❓WHAT HAPPENED: A mass shooting at Old Dominion University (ODU) in Virginia left two people dead, including the gunman, and two others injured. The attack is being investigated as an act of terrorism.

👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: Shooter Mohamed Bailor Jalloh, a former National Guardsman convicted in 2015 for supporting the Islamic State (ISIS), and Reserve Officers’ Training Corps (ROTC) students who subdued him. Victim Lieutenant Colonel Brandon Shah, a veteran Army helicopter pilot, was killed in the attack.

📍WHEN & WHERE: The shooting occurred on Thursday at Old Dominion University in Norfolk, Virginia.

💬KEY QUOTE: “This is not an ODU problem. This is a national sickness. We live in a country where people care more about guns than they care about six-year-old children.” – Norfolk Commonwealth’s Attorney Ramin Fatehi

🎯IMPACT: Norfolk Commonwealth’s Attorney Ramin Fatehi is blaming pro-gun advocates for the shooting, deflecting from the likely Islamist motivations of the shooter.

IN FULL

Norfolk Commonwealth’s Attorney Ramin Fatehi, a George Soros-backed prosecutor, is facing backlash after attributing a deadly shooting at Old Dominion University (ODU) to pro-gun advocacy rather than the attacker’s background as an Islamic State (ISIS) supporter. Speaking at a press conference, Fatehi framed the incident as part of a broader national issue. “This is not an ODU problem. This is a national sickness. We live in a country where people care more about guns than they care about six-year-old children,” he said. He also criticized lawmakers and the courts, condemning what he called “the cult of gun absolutism.”

Authorities identified the gunman as 36-year-old Mohamed Bailor Jalloh, a former Virginia National Guardsman and naturalized immigrant originally from Sierra Leone. Jalloh had previously been convicted in 2016 for attempting to provide material support to ISIS and received an 11-year federal prison sentence. However, he was released in 2024 after serving nine years.

Investigators say Jalloh opened fire during an ROTC class inside Constant Hall on ODU’s Norfolk campus. The attack left Lieutenant Colonel Brandon Shah dead. Shah, a decorated Army helicopter pilot who served in Iraq, Afghanistan, and Eastern Europe, returned to ODU in 2022 to lead the school’s military science program.

Several ROTC cadets intervened and subdued the gunman during the attack, preventing further casualties. FBI Director Kash Patel confirmed the bureau is investigating the shooting as an act of terrorism and praised the “extreme bravery and courage” of the cadets who confronted the attacker. FBI spokesman Dominique Evans also commended the students, stating, “They rendered him no longer alive. I don’t know how else to say it.”

Fatehi defended his comments, saying, “I absolutely stand by what I said. It is the truth, no matter how much the gun lobby wants to deny it.” Addressing the suspect’s extremist ties, he added that “no matter the ideology of an attacker, that attacker is more dangerous with a gun than without one.”

Fatehi’s campaign has received substantial backing from political action committees (PACs) linked to far-left billionaire George Soros, totaling more than $650,000 in support between 2021 and 2025. Soros-backed prosecutors across the United States have drawn scrutiny from critics who argue their policies prioritize progressive criminal-justice reforms over traditional prosecution.

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By Popular Demand.
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1 hour ago
Immigration
News

Armed Man Arrested at Elementary School in Tactical Gear Identified as Iraqi Immigrant.

PULSE POINTS

❓WHAT HAPPENED: An armed man who entered Zwink Elementary School in Klein, Texas, in tactical gear has been identified as a naturalized immigrant from Iraq.

👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: Kyle Najm Chris, born Muhi Mohanad Najm, a 39-year-old resident of Klein, Texas.

📍WHEN & WHERE: The incident occurred on Tuesday at Zwink Elementary School, with Najm taken into custody on Wednesday at 6:30 PM.

💬KEY QUOTE: “From the moment the individual left the front office, we were actively working with multiple law enforcement agencies to identify and apprehend this individual,” the school wrote in a message to parents.

🎯IMPACT: No students or staff were harmed. The suspect was identified using security footage and databases before being arrested.

IN FULL

An armed man who entered Zwink Elementary School in Klein, Texas, earlier this week in full tactical gear has been positively identified as Kyle Najm Chris, previously known as Muhi Mohanad Najm, an Iraqi immigrant naturalized as a U.S. citizen under the Joe Biden regime in 2022. He now faces a third-degree felony charge of possession of a prohibited weapon for carrying a firearm onto school property.

The 39-year-old allegedly walked into the school’s main office wearing a load-bearing vest with a holstered handgun and a taser. When school personnel questioned him about how he had gotten past security and asked for identification, he stated that the front door had been left unlatched. He refused to provide any personal details or justification for his presence, then left the building, entered a dark blue Dodge Charger, and drove away.

In a message to families, the district explained why no immediate public alert was issued: “Sending a public notification during that window could have… tipped off the suspect, and delayed the arrest.”

The suspect was identified through a combination of school surveillance video, facial recognition technology, and vehicle license plate records. He was arrested at his residence on Wednesday at approximately 6:30 PM. Investigators have confirmed he has no connection to Klein ISD, the school, or any students or staff. Records show he holds a Texas Concealed Handgun License and a private investigator license.

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2 hours ago
News

POTUS Thanks ‘Outstanding’ Grenell as He Exits Trump-Kennedy Center Leadership Role.

PULSE POINTS

❓WHAT HAPPENED: Ambassador Richard Grenell is expected to move on from his role as head of the Kennedy Center, as the organization moves into a two-year reconstruction period.

👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: President Donald Trump, Richard Grenell, and the Kennedy Center leadership.

📍WHEN & WHERE: The announcement could come as soon as today, with Grenell having served as president since February 2025.

🎯IMPACT: The move signals a shift in leadership as the Kennedy Center prepares for a two-year renovation.

IN FULL

Ambassador Richard Grenell is believed to be leaving as head of the Kennedy Center, according to sources familiar with the matter. The National Pulse has independently confirmed the reporting, which first appeared in CNN and Axios on Friday afternoon.

At the time of publication, President Trump had just issued the following Truth Social message: “Ric Grenell has done an excellent job in helping to coordinate various elements of the Center during the transition period, and I want to thank him for the outstanding work he has done.”

The move comes as the arts and culture institution, which now bears Trump’s name on its façade, is expected to close for two years for renovations. Grenell’s replacement is long-standing D.C.-area facilities manager Matt Floca. Floca has worked on D.C. area buildings projects for years, and holds a bachelor of science in construction management from Louisiana State University. He was recently appointed to the Kennedy Center management team.

Grenell will remain involved with the center in an advisory role.

Trump said of Floca, on Friday afternoon: “I am pleased to announce that Matt Floca, subject to the approval of the Board of Directors, will be named the Chief Operating Officer and Executive Director, of THE TRUMP KENNEDY CENTER where, as Vice President of Operations, Matt has helped us achieve tremendous progress in bringing the Center to the highest level of Excellence! A Complete Reconstruction of THE TRUMP KENNEDY CENTER will begin after the July 4th Celebration, with a scheduled Grand ReOpening in approximately two years.”

President Trump is believed to be a long-standing admirer of Ambassador Grenell, despite numerous establishment operations to drive a wedge between them. Grenell has recently been the target of leaked media hit pieces, believed to have come from within the RINO faction of the GOP, designed to keep him out of a new potential role. Some have suggested that Amb. Grenell would be an ideal fit to help lead the Olympic Games in Los Angeles this summer.

While leading the Kennedy Center, Grenell often bucked the trends of the far-left arts world, and helped produce some of the highlights of the last year, including the spellbinding Les Miserables run, as well as The Trump-Kennedy Center Honors.

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By Popular Demand.
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2 hours ago
Lawfare

Anti-Trump Judge Boasberg Blocks Grand Jury Subpoenas in Jerome Powell Investigation.

PULSE POINTS

❓WHAT HAPPENED: An anti-Trump federal judge quashed grand jury subpoenas sent to the Federal Reserve Board, citing them as a pretext to pressure Chairman Jerome Powell to lower interest rates or resign.

👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell, U.S. Attorney Jeanine Pirro, and U.S. District Court Judge James Boasberg.

📍WHEN & WHERE: The ruling was dated March 11 and unsealed on Friday in the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia.

💬KEY QUOTE: “The Court must thus conclude that the asserted justifications for these subpoenas are mere pretexts,” wrote Chief Judge James Boasberg.

🎯IMPACT: The move by Judge Boasberg is relatively unprecedented, and U.S. Attorney for the District of Columbia Jeanine Pirro says her office will appeal the decision.

IN FULL

Anti-Trump federal judge James Boasberg has quashed grand jury subpoenas issued to the Federal Reserve Board, claiming it is his belief they were intended to pressure the central bank’s chairman, Jerome Powell, into either cutting interest rates or resigning. The move is relatively unprecedented, especially as Judge Boasberg appears to be implying the government and the grand jury itself must have probable cause to issue subpoenas. Notably, the U.S. Supreme Court has long upheld grand juries’ far-reaching investigatory powers, going so far as to hold that subpoenas can be issued even on the mere rumor of a crime.

In his ruling, Boasberg specifically argued that subpoenas were a political “pretext” to engineer an outcome desired by President Donald J. Trump and claimed there is a lack of evidence of malfeasance on Powell’s part. In January, U.S. Attorney Jeanine Pirro launched a criminal investigation into Powell, serving subpoenas related to testimony he gave to a Senate committee about renovations to the central bank’s offices. These renovations have seen cost overruns well over a billion dollars.

Boasberg wrote, “There is abundant evidence that the subpoenas’ dominant (if not sole) purpose is to harass and pressure Powell either to yield to the President or to resign and make way for a Fed Chair who will.” He added, “The Court must thus conclude that the asserted justifications for these subpoenas are mere pretexts.”

The chief judge for the United States District Court for the District of Columbia also cited President Trump’s public criticisms of Powell, including a social media post in which Trump referred to Powell as “TOO LATE, and actually, TOO ANGRY, TOO STUPID, & TOO POLITICAL, to have the job of Fed Chair.” The judge noted that such comments formed part of a pattern of pressure on Powell to lower interest rates.

Appointed to the bench by former President Barack Obama, Boasberg has drawn an unusually high number of key cases involving the Trump administration, ruling against the President every time.

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By Popular Demand.
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3 hours ago
Immigration
News

UN Accuses Trump of Human Rights Violations Over Immigration Policies.

PULSE POINTS

❓WHAT HAPPENED: A United Nations (UN) watchdog criticized the United States for alleged “grave human rights violations” tied to immigration enforcement.

👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: The UN Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination (CERD), President Donald J. Trump, and the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU).

📍WHEN & WHERE: The decision was issued this week; incidents cited occurred in the United States, particularly Minnesota.

💬KEY QUOTE: “This United Nations assessment is just as useless as their broken escalator, and their extreme bias continues to prove why no one takes them seriously,” said White House spokeswoman Olivia Wales.

🎯IMPACT: The UN panel’s report reignites debate over the funding of partisan international bodies unaccountable to the public.

IN FULL

The United Nations Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination (CERD) has issued a decision accusing the United States of “grave human rights violations” linked to immigration policies and rhetoric under President Donald J. Trump. The panel, composed of 18 supposed independent experts, said it was concerned about what it described as “derogatory and dehumanizing language” directed at migrants.

The report highlighted statements by President Trump and other senior officials, warning that portraying migrants as “criminals or as a burden”—which is very often true—could fuel discrimination. According to the panel, such rhetoric from high-ranking officials “may incite racial discrimination and hate crimes.”

CERD also raised concerns about enforcement practices by the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and border agents, alleging the “systematic use of racial profiling.” It further cited reports describing “inhumane conditions” inside migrant detention facilities.

The committee focused in part on enforcement activity in Minnesota, where federal immigration agents were operating. The report referenced the deaths of anti-ICE agitators Alex Pretti and Renee Good, suggesting the incidents could amount to “gross violations of international human rights law.”

The panel also pointed to a rise in migrant detentions, noting the number in custody increased from nearly 40,000 in late 2024 to about 73,000 by early 2026. It is estimated that at least 675,000 deportations have occurred since Trump returned to office in January 2025.

The White House rejected the findings. Spokeswoman Olivia Wales said: “This United Nations assessment is just as useless as their broken escalator, and their extreme bias continues to prove why no one takes them seriously.” She added that Americans are living in a “safer, stronger country than ever before” under Trump’s leadership.

The UN has faced other controversies in recent years. The organization acknowledged that at least nine staff members of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) participated in the October 7 terrorist attacks carried out by Hamas. Separately, critics have accused the UN of defending criminals linked to narco-terrorist drug trafficking.

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By Popular Demand.
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4 hours ago
NatSec
News

Cuba Enters Talks with Trump Amid Oil Crisis.

PULSE POINTS

❓WHAT HAPPENED: Cuba’s President announced talks with the Trump administration amid a fuel crisis.

👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: President Miguel Díaz-Canel of Cuba and the Trump administration.

📍WHEN & WHERE: Announcement made on Friday, March 13, 2026, in Cuba.

💬KEY QUOTE: “These talks have been aimed at finding solutions, through dialogue, to the bilateral differences between our two nations.” – Miguel Díaz-Canel

🎯IMPACT: The Cuban government faces mounting pressure as its oil supply dwindles, risking a collapse.

IN FULL

Cuban President Miguel Díaz-Canel announced Friday that his government is in discussions with the administration of President Donald J. Trump, marking the first public confirmation from Havana that talks are underway. Díaz-Canel said the dialogue seeks to address “bilateral differences” and identify “concrete actions for the benefit of the people of both countries,” but cautioned that negotiations remain in the early stages and may take time to produce results.

The talks come as Cuba faces a deepening economic and energy crisis. The island has been hit by severe fuel shortages and widespread blackouts after losing oil shipments from Venezuela, its long-time primary supplier. U.S. actions against the Venezuelan government, including the arrest of President Nicolás Maduro and restrictions on fuel shipments, effectively cut off the oil lifeline that had sustained Cuba’s power grid and transportation systems.

Without Venezuelan crude, the country has struggled to keep electricity flowing and maintain normal operations across key sectors. The shortages have disrupted public services, strained hospitals, and even affected aviation, with reports indicating the country has had difficulty securing enough fuel to refuel aircraft.

The crisis has intensified pressure on the Cuban government and sparked discussion in Washington about potential political change on the island. Some U.S. policymakers believe the loss of Venezuelan support could accelerate instability within the communist regime. President Trump has publicly suggested that the economic situation could force Havana to negotiate, saying at a recent White House event, “Cuba’s at the end of the line. They have no money. They have no oil.” He added that Cuban leaders appear eager to reach a deal.

Trump has also speculated about the long-term future of the Cuban government, recently remarking that “Cuba’s going to fall” and suggesting the United States might consider a “friendly takeover” if the regime collapses.

Analysts say any meaningful agreement between Washington and Havana would likely require significant political reforms. Among the steps often cited are the release of political prisoners, expanded civil liberties, and broader economic liberalization.

Cuban authorities have indicated they may release 51 prisoners in the near future, a move that some observers interpret as a possible goodwill gesture as the talks begin. Even so, the outcome of the negotiations remains uncertain as both governments weigh their options amid Cuba’s most severe economic crisis in decades.

Image by Damiano Cecchelin.

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5 hours ago
William Upton
Media

BuzzFeed Lost $57 Million in 2025, May Not Survive 2026.

PULSE POINTS

❓WHAT HAPPENED: Entertainment and media company BuzzFeed—once well-known for publishing the fake Russiagate dossier on President Donald J. Trump but refocusing in recent years on online quizzes, listicles, and AI-generated pop culture content—announced late Thursday that it is facing significant debts after registering a $57 million revenue loss in 2025.

👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: BuzzFeed, CFO Matt Omer, HuffPost, Tasty, and investors like Vivek Ramaswamy.

📍WHEN & WHERE: The earnings report was released on Thursday, March 12, 2026.

💬KEY QUOTE: BuzzFeed executives have “substantial doubts” as to whether the company can continue to operate—at least as it exists now.

🎯IMPACT: The company has indicated it does not currently have sufficient assets to fund its 2026 cash obligations.

IN FULL

The entertainment and media company BuzzFeed—once well-known for publishing the fake Russiagate dossier on President Donald J. Trump but refocusing in recent years on online quizzes, listicles, and AI-generated pop culture content—announced late Thursday that it is facing significant debts after registering a $57 million revenue loss in 2025. As a result of its deteriorating financial situation, BuzzFeed executives have “substantial doubts” as to whether the company can continue to operate—at least as it exists now.

Since the media company went public via an initial public offering (IPO) in 2021, BuzzFeed has struggled, like most legacy corporate media outlets, with declining readership and a lack of ad revenue. While BuzzFeed’s debt situation has improved compared to its position just three years ago—when it was $165 million in debt—the company remains in costly ownership entanglements with the far-left blog HuffPost and the social media-based food network Tasty.

“We’re exploring strategic options to complete the work we started years ago and position the Company to operate profitably on a sustainable basis,” Matt Omer, BuzzFeed’s CFO, said on its earnings statement, seemingly suggesting that the company may yet again restructure and either spin off or shutter some of its acquired properties like Huffpost. Still, such measures may not be enough, as the company has indicated it does not currently have sufficient assets to fund its 2026 cash obligations.

Notably, former Republican presidential candidate and current Ohio Republican gubernatorial candidate Vivek Ramaswamy took a 7.7 percent stake in BuzzFeed valued at approximately $6.81 million in 2024. At the time, the stock purchase made Ramaswamy the fourth-largest shareholder in BuzzFeed, behind major investors such as Comcast, NEA Management, and Hearst Communications. In a filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), Ramaswamy indicated his intent to “engage in a dialogue with board or management about numerous operational and strategic opportunities to maximize shareholder value, including a shift in the company’s strategy.”

Despite an initial push for changes in BuzzFeed’s business model, it is unclear what interest or role Ramaswamy now has with the company.

Image by Katy Blackwood.

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5 hours ago
Jack Montgomery
News

Kyrsten Sinema Admits Affair with Bodyguard.

PULSE POINTS

❓WHAT HAPPENED: Former Senator Kyrsten Sinema (I-AZ) admitted to having an affair with her bodyguard while he was still married.

👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: Kyrsten Sinema, her bodyguard Matthew Ammel, and his estranged wife Heather Ammel.

📍WHEN & WHERE: The affair began in late May 2024, with encounters in Sonoma, California, and other locations.

💬KEY QUOTE: Sinema argues the affair’s locations matter legally, as none occurred in North Carolina. – Kyrsten Sinema

🎯IMPACT: Sinema seeks dismissal of the lawsuit in North Carolina, claiming lack of jurisdiction.

IN FULL

Former Arizona Senator Kyrsten Sinema (I) has admitted in court filings to having an adulterous affair with her former bodyguard, Matthew Ammel, while he remained married. The admission is tied to a lawsuit brought by his estranged wife, Heather Ammel, in North Carolina, under the state’s alienation of affection law.

Sinema states that the affair started around five months before Matthew separated from Heather. According to her declaration, the two became romantically involved in late May 2024, with their first physical encounter occurring on May 27 in Sonoma, California. The relationship involved additional intimate encounters in places including New York City, Washington, D.C., Aspen, and Phoenix.

Sinema’s legal argument centers on jurisdiction: she asserts that none of the conduct related to the adulterous affair took place in North Carolina. Her team maintains that because the relevant sexual activities occurred outside the state, North Carolina courts lack personal jurisdiction over her, and the case should be dismissed on due process grounds.

Heather Ammel initiated the suit in September 2025, claiming Sinema sent romantic messages to Matthew even when he was in North Carolina—including an alleged photo of Sinema in a towel. Sinema has denied sending any such photo and says she had no knowledge of Matthew being in North Carolina during the relevant period.

Image by Gage Skidmore.

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6 hours ago
Breaking
News

BREAKING: 2,200+ Marines, 3 Warships Directed to Middle East, Says Report.

PULSE POINTS

❓WHAT HAPPENED: A U.S. Marine expeditionary unit with 2,200+ Marines aboard three U.S. Navy ships is being sent to the Middle East, according to reports in the Wall Street Journal and ABC News.

👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: The 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit and three U.S. Navy amphibious ships.

📍WHEN & WHERE: The unit, usually based in Japan, is now ordered to the Middle East.

💬KEY QUOTE: Deployment offers “land, amphibious, and aviation assets” for military commanders if needed.

🎯IMPACT: This move enhances military readiness and flexibility in the Middle East region.

IN FULL

A Marine expeditionary unit, consisting of 2,200+ Marines aboard three U.S. Navy amphibious ships, is being directed to the Middle East, as confirmed by two U.S. officials, says ABC News.

The Wall Street Journal also claimed to have sources on Friday, stating: “The Pentagon is moving additional Marines and warships to the Middle East as Iran steps up its attacks on the Strait of Hormuz, according to three U.S. officials. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has approved a request from U.S. Central Command, responsible for American forces in the Middle East, for an element of an amphibious ready group and attached Marine expeditionary unit, typically consisting of several warships and 5,000 Marines, the officials said.”

The 31st MEU, which is typically stationed in Japan and operates within the INDO-PACOM region, is now being tasked to the Middle East. A Pentagon source told The National Pulse that the Department of War does not comment on troop deployments for the purposes of operational security, though did not outright deny the story, when asked.

While the deployment does not indicate an immediate ground force operation in Iran, it provides commanders with land, amphibious, and aviation assets that can be utilized if necessary.

The unit is equipped with a squadron of F-35 fighter jets and a squadron of MV-22 tilt rotor Osprey aircraft, enhancing its operational capabilities.

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6 hours ago
Immigration
News

Michigan Synagogue Attacker Was Lebanese, Reportedly Lost Family in Recent Israeli Airstrike.

PULSE POINTS

❓WHAT HAPPENED: The man who rammed his vehicle into the Temple Israel synagogue in West Bloomfield, Michigan, causing injuries and a fire, did so because he had lost several family members in a recent Israeli airstrike on Lebanon, his neighbors say.

👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: Ayman Mohamad Ghazali, a 41-year-old naturalized U.S. citizen originally from Lebanon, was identified as the attacker.

📍WHEN & WHERE: The attack occurred at Temple Israel in West Bloomfield, Michigan, on Thursday, March 12, 2026.

💬KEY QUOTE: The FBI classified the incident as a “targeted act of violence against the Jewish community.”

🎯IMPACT: A security guard was injured after exchanging gunfire with and killing Ghazali. A fire partially burned the temple, but no children or staff from the early childhood center were harmed.

IN FULL

Ayman Mohamad Ghazali, a 41-year-old naturalized U.S. citizen originally from Lebanon, drove his vehicle into Temple Israel synagogue in West Bloomfield, Michigan, on Thursday in an apparent ramming attack. Neighbors of Ghazali alluded to a possible motivation for the attack, claiming he had lost several family members, including a niece and nephew, in a recent Israeli airstrike on Lebanon. The act of terrorism resulted in the death of Ghazali, injuries to a security guard, and a fire that partially burned the temple.

The Federal Bureau of Investigation’s (FBI) Detroit field office, which is leading the investigation, is calling the attack a “targeted act of violence against the Jewish community.” However, the bureau has yet to issue any official confirmation of Ghazali’s motive.

Ghazali—a Lebanese national—entered the United States in May of 2010 on an IR1 (Immediate Relative) immigrant visa after filing fiancé petitions in 2009. The IR1 visa allows the foreign-born spouse of a U.S. citizen, married for at least 2 years, to obtain legal permanent residency upon entering the U.S. Notably, Ghazali applied for naturalization in 2015 and was granted citizenship in February 2016.

According to neighbors in the Dearborn Heights neighborhood where Ghazali lived, his brother, a niece, and a nephew were believed to have been killed during an Israeli airstrike. At least one neighbor indicated the deaths of Ghazali’s family members may have occurred just days prior to his ramming attack on the Temple Israel synagogue. Dearborn Heights Mayor Mo Baydoun has subsequently confirmed that Ghazali “lost several members of his own family, including his niece and nephew, in an Israeli attack on their home in Lebanon.”

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