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April 22, 2025
Jack Montgomery
NatSec
World

Terror Attack in India Leaves at Least 20 Dead Amid Vance Visit.

PULSE POINTS:

❓What Happened: Suspected militants fired on a group of tourists in Indian-controlled Kashmir, resulting in multiple fatalities and injuries.

👥 Who’s Involved: At least 20 tourists killed, several more injured. Security officials believe multiple gunmen were involved.

📍 Where & When: The incident occurred on Tuesday in Pahalgam, a popular tourist location in South Kashmir.

💬 Key Quote: “Usha and I extend our condolences to the victims of the devastating terrorist attack in Pahalgam, India.” — Vice President J.D. Vance.

⚠️ Impact: Tourist activity, which had been recovering, is likely to be affected. Security operations are underway to apprehend the militants involved.

IN FULL:

On Tuesday, a lethal attack was carried out by suspected militants targeting tourists in the Pahalgam region of Indian-controlled Kashmir. Between 20 and 24 people were killed, with several others sustaining injuries, according to various reports, although an official death toll had not been released as of the time of publication. Pahalgam, known for its scenic meadows and glaciers, attracts substantial tourist numbers yearly.

Two senior police officials, who wished to remain unnamed, confirmed to the Associated Press that at least 20 deceased have been located and that around three dozen individuals were injured, many critically. The assailants reportedly targeted a gathering of tourists at close proximity, sparking chaos. A joint military, paramilitary, and police search effort is underway to locate those responsible.

U.S. Vice President J.D. Vance, whose in-laws are Indian, is currently in India, laying the groundwork for a trade deal between the United States and the Hindu-majority nation.

“Usha and I extend our condolences to the victims of the devastating terrorist attack in Pahalgam, India,” he said of the attack in a statement on social media. “Over the past few days, we have been overcome with the beauty of this country and its people. Our thoughts and prayers are with them as they mourn this horrific attack.”

“The United States stands strong with India against Terrorism,” said President Donald J. Trump in his own statement. “We pray for the souls of those lost, and for the recovery of the injured. Prime Minister Modi, and the incredible people of India, have our full support and deepest sympathies. Our hearts are with you all!”

Kashmir is divided between India and Pakistan, with Indian Kashmir regularly subjected to terror attacks by Islamist separatists. Nine Hindu pilgrims were killed and over 30 injured when a bus crashed into a gorge in a suspected militant attack in 2024, and at least 44 people were killed when a suicide bomber from a Pakistan-based Islamist group crashed into a bus carrying Indian paramilitary police in 2019, among many other incidents.

Image via Wikimedia Commons.

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12 minutes ago
News
World

‘Path to Civil War’ — Majority of Germans Oppose Banning Populist Opposition.

PULSE POINTS

❓WHAT HAPPENED: A majority of Germans oppose efforts to ban the populist Alternative for Germany (AfD) party, with many viewing it as an attempt by the government to stifle opposition.

👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: The Federal Office for the Protection of the Constitution (BfV), former Interior Minister Nancy Faeser, AfD leadership, and German voters.

📍WHEN & WHERE: The classification of AfD as “right-wing extremist” occurred in May, with recent polling conducted by the Allensbach Institute.

💬KEY QUOTE: Andreas Rödder of Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz called such a ban a “sure path to civil war.”

🎯IMPACT: A ban on the AfD could undermine faith in German democracy, with 54 percent of respondents believing a similar party would emerge if the AfD were disbanded.

IN FULL

A recent poll has revealed that more than half of German voters are against banning the right-wing populist Alternative for Germany (AfD) party, despite its classification as “right-wing extremist” by the country’s domestic intelligence agency. In May, under then-Interior Minister Nancy Faeser, the Federal Office for the Protection of the Constitution (BfV) designated the AfD as an extremist organization. This decision, which could enable increased surveillance and even lead to a formal ban, is currently being challenged in court.

While some members of the Social Democratic Party (SPD) and the Greens have pushed for outlawing the party, the idea is not widely supported among the public. According to a survey of 1,054 voters conducted by the Allensbach Institute, 52 percent of Germans oppose banning the AfD, while only 27 percent are in favor and 21 percent remain undecided.

Although 54 percent of respondents believe the AfD qualifies as a right-wing extremist group, personal views on its supporters are more nuanced. The poll found that many Germans know someone, whether a friend or family member, who backs the party, yet only five percent of respondents described those individuals as extremists.

The survey also revealed concerns that targeting the AfD could be perceived as a political maneuver to suppress legitimate opposition. Currently serving as the official opposition in the Bundestag (federal legislature) and ranking as the second-largest party, the AfD’s removal would be undemocratic. Over half of those surveyed, 54 percent, said they believed that banning the party would not significantly change the political landscape, since another group with similar views would likely take its place.

Some political experts have warned of the risks such a move poses to Germany’s democratic stability. Professor Andreas Rödder of Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz cautioned that banning the AfD “would eliminate all votes for the AfD and thus lead to [a left-wing] parliamentary majority,” calling the prospect a “sure path to civil war.”

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58 minutes ago
Lauren Gallagher
Health
News

RFK Jr. Removes Mercury-Based Thimerosal from U.S. Flu Shots.

PULSE POINTS

❓WHAT HAPPENED: The mercury-based preservative thimerosal will be officially removed from all flu shots distributed in the U.S. by the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS).

👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: The Department of Health and Human Services and Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.

📍WHEN & WHERE: United States, July 23, 2025

💬KEY QUOTE: “After more than two decades of delay, this action fulfills a long-overdue promise to protect our most vulnerable populations from unnecessary mercury exposure. Injecting any amount of mercury into children when safe, mercury-free alternatives exist defies common sense and public health responsibility. Today, we put safety first.” — Robert F. Kennedy Jr.

🎯IMPACT: Removing mercury-based additives from vaccines marks a major shift in U.S. vaccine policy and fulfills a bipartisan health promise made over 25 years ago.

IN FULL

The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) will officially remove the mercury-based preservative thimerosal from all flu shots distributed in the U.S. to build safer immunization practices. On Tuesday, Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. signed the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) recommendations to remove mercury-based preservative thimerosal from all influenza vaccines distributed in the United States.

“After more than two decades of delay, this action fulfills a long-overdue promise to protect our most vulnerable populations from unnecessary mercury exposure,” Secretary Kennedy said. “Injecting any amount of mercury into children when safe, mercury-free alternatives exist defies common sense and public health responsibility. Today, we put safety first.”

Secretary Kennedy’s newly appointed ACIP members broke with long-standing inaction by voting to remove mercury entirely from all influenza vaccines. Kennedy recently fired all members of the panel and replaced them.

Vaccine manufacturers have confirmed that they can replace multi-dose vials containing mercury. The Vaccines for Children (VFC) program and adult vaccine supplies will remain uninterrupted.

Efforts to remove mercury from all childhood vaccines began in 1999, when it was agreed that the potential risks from mercury warranted its removal as soon as possible. Kennedy’s action fulfills the 1999 pledge.

Years before he stepped into his current role, Kennedy wrote a book pushing for thimerosal’s removal from vaccines, citing concerns about its connection to developmental issues.

“With the U.S. now removing mercury from all vaccines, we urge global health authorities to follow this prudent example for the protection of children worldwide,” Secretary Kennedy said.

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By Popular Demand.
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1 hour ago
William Upton
News

House GOP Finally Moves to Investigate J6 Feds and J6 Committee.

PULSE POINTS

❓WHAT HAPPENED: Over six months after announcing they would establish their own select subcommittee to investigate allegations surrounding the involvement of federal agents prior to and during the January 6, 2021, House Republicans have finally filed a resolution to create the investigative panel.

👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: Congressman Barry Loudermilk (R-GA), House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA), the House Judiciary Committee, Congressional Republicans, Congressional Democrats, and federal agents.

📍WHEN & WHERE: The select subcommittee was initially announced in January, with the authorizing resolution only being filed on Wednesday, July 23, 2025.

💬KEY QUOTE: “House Republicans are proud of our work so far in exposing the false narratives peddled by the politically motivated January 6 Select Committee during the 117th Congress, but there is clearly more work to be done.” — Speaker Mike Johnson

🎯IMPACT: House committee chairmen have pledged to extend their jurisdictional authority to the select subcommittee, and Loudermilk will have full subpoena power.

IN FULL

House Republicans are finally beginning the process of establishing their own select subcommittee to investigate the involvement of federal agents prior to and during the January 6, 2021, Capitol riots, and alleged malfeasance by the January 6 Committee established by Congressional Democrats. Congressman Barry Loudermilk (R-GA), who has championed the effort, is slated to lead the select subcommittee.

The Republican-led investigation into federal knowledge of and involvement with January 6 was announced by GOP House leadership over six months ago, but was sidelined due to internal disagreements over the scope of its authority. However, Loudermilk’s effort recently received a boost of momentum after President Donald J. Trump began pushing Republican lawmakers to prioritize an investigation.

“House Republicans are proud of our work so far in exposing the false narratives peddled by the politically motivated January 6 Select Committee during the 117th Congress, but there is clearly more work to be done,” House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA) said in a statement. “The resolution introduced today will establish this Select Subcommittee so we can continue our efforts to uncover the full truth that is owed to the American people. House Republicans remain intent on delivering the answers that House Democrats skipped over.”

While the process to establish the committee is now underway, Republican House leaders have indicated that it will still be several months before Loudermilk can officially initiate the January 6 inquiry. A vote on the resolution establishing the select subcommittee—including its investigative authority and scope—is expected to be held in September when Congress returns from the August recess.

Initially, after being announced in January, the select subcommittee was delayed over the issue of whether Chairman Loudermilk would be restricted to just the Congressional jurisdiction of the Judiciary Committee. Speaker Johnson initially backed a narrow investigatory scope over Loudermilk’s objections. However, it appears the Speaker has relented, and other House committee chairmen have pledged to extend their jurisdictional authority to the select subcommittee, and Loudermilk will have full subpoena power.

“It is vital that we continue to uncover the facts and begin the task of making needed reforms to ensure this level of security failure may never happen again,” Loudermilk said in a statement, noting that his prior investigation—while more narrow in scope—”uncovered that what happened at the Capitol that day was the result of a series of intelligence, security, and leadership failures at multiple levels within numerous entities.”

Image by Gage Skidmore.

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By Popular Demand.
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2 hours ago
1A
News

New York Pays Out $225K After Trying to Force Christian Photographer to Shoot Gay Weddings.

PULSE POINTS

❓WHAT HAPPENED: New York agreed to pay $225,000 in legal fees to Christian wedding photographer Emilee Carpenter and promised not to enforce laws that infringed on her First Amendment rights by trying to coerce her into shooting homosexual weddings.

👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: Emilee Carpenter, New York Attorney General Letitia James, U.S. District Judge Frank Geraci, and the Alliance Defending Freedom.

📍WHEN & WHERE: The legal battle concluded with a consent decree following a May ruling in a New York federal court.

💬KEY QUOTE: “New Yorkers can now enjoy the freedom to create and express themselves, a freedom that protects all Americans regardless of their views,” said Bryan Neihart of the Alliance Defending Freedom.

🎯IMPACT: The decision upholds First Amendment protections for creative professionals, potentially setting a significant precedent for similar cases.

IN FULL

After a four-year legal battle, the State of New York has agreed to pay Christian wedding photographer Emilee Carpenter $225,000 in legal fees and to stop enforcing laws that violate her First Amendment rights. The settlement allows Carpenter to decline photographing homosexual weddings without fear of state penalties.

The agreement, detailed in a consent decree between New York Attorney General Letitia James and Carpenter’s legal team at the Alliance Defending Freedom (ADF), follows a ruling in May by U.S. District Judge Frank Geraci, a Barack Obama appointee, who stated it was “beyond debate” that New York cannot use public accommodations laws to “compel speech.”

“New Yorkers can now enjoy the freedom to create and express themselves, a freedom that protects all Americans regardless of their views,” ADF senior counsel Bryan Neihart stated.

The case was returned to the lower court by the 2nd U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals after the U.S. Supreme Court ruled against Colorado’s public accommodations law in the high-profile 303 Creative case, where graphic designer Lorie Smith won the right to refuse homosexual wedding clients. Colorado eventually agreed to pay Smith $1.5 million in legal expenses.

Judge Geraci issued a “narrow” preliminary injunction preventing New York from “peculiarly” targeting Carpenter. Under the consent decree, James’ office committed to refraining from applying New York’s public accommodations, discrimination, and publication laws in ways that would force Carpenter and her company to provide the same wedding and engagement photography services to homosexual couples as they do to heterosexual couples.

The agreement also affirms Carpenter’s right to “adopt their desired Beliefs and Practices policy,” to post and promote that policy publicly, and to ask potential clients “questions sufficient to determine” if they are requesting services for a homosexual wedding.

Image by Matt Cohen.

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By Popular Demand.
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3 hours ago
Immigration
UK

Guests Kicked Out, Staff Fired So Four-Star Hotel Can Be Filled With Migrants.

PULSE POINTS

❓WHAT HAPPENED: Guests with prior bookings at the four-star Britannia Hotel in Canary Wharf, London, were turned away without notice after Britain’s Home Office acquired the property to house asylum seekers. Staff were also reportedly fired.

👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: The Home Office, Tower Hamlets Council, local police, and affected hotel guests.

📍WHEN & WHERE: Tuesday at the Britannia Hotel, located in Canary Wharf, London.

💬KEY QUOTE: “We are aware of the government’s decision to use the Britannia Hotel in Canary Wharf to provide temporary accommodation for asylum seekers.” – Tower Hamlets Council spokesman.

🎯IMPACT: Heightened security presence, booking suspensions, and increased political tension and social unrest over illegal immigrants being lavished with public money.

IN FULL

Visitors with existing reservations at the four-star Britannia Hotel in Canary Wharf, London, were unexpectedly denied entry on July 22 after the British Home Office—roughly equivalent to the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS)—repurposed the property to house asylum seekers. Tourists were captured on video being refused access at the entrance, while security personnel stood behind locked glass doors. Major booking websites have since halted all reservations for the upscale, four-star hotel located in one of London’s most affluent districts. Staff were also reportedly fired.

Tower Hamlets Council has acknowledged the situation, confirming that the facility is being used to provide temporary shelter. A spokesman stated, “We are aware of the government’s decision to use the Britannia Hotel in Canary Wharf to provide temporary accommodation for asylum seekers. It is important that the government ensures that there is a full package of support for those staying at the hotel. We are working with the Home Office and partners to make sure that all necessary safety and safeguarding arrangements are in place.”

The site has seen a noticeable increase in security, including police officers stationed at the entrance. Lee Anderson, a Member of Parliament (MP) for Nigel Farage’s Reform Party, commented on the situation: “It must cost a couple of hundred quid [pounds] a night to stay there. Most normal people in this country would not even be able to afford to come and stay here for a weekend.”

The Home Office has rejected any connection between the decision in Canary Wharf and recent disturbances in Epping, where tensions flared outside another asylum seeker hotel. That unrest followed the arrest of an Ethiopian migrant on multiple sexual assault allegations and led to confrontations between protesting families—branded “far-right” by Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer—and pro-migrant counter-protesters, prompting the deployment of riot police.

Speaking about the Epping protests, Reform leader Nigel Farage voiced his support for residents: “Do I understand how people in Epping feel? You bet your life I do… Don’t underestimate the simmering anger and disgust that there is in this country that we are letting in every week, in fact, some days, many hundreds of undocumented young males, many of whom come from cultures in which women and young girls are not even treated as second-class citizens.”

In response to growing public unease, Prime Minister Starmer has urged immediate measures to prevent further disturbances. However, critics argue that the leftist Labour government has not effectively addressed immigration challenges, pointing to persistent levels of illegal entry and continued high rates of legal migration.

Image by James Petts.

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By Popular Demand.
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3 hours ago
William Upton
Immigration
Politics

WATCH: Senator Facing Paxton Primary Challenge Loves Anti-Borders, Pro-Sanctuary Nonprofit.

PULSE POINTS

❓WHAT HAPPENED: Senator John Cornyn (R-TX) is facing political backlash over resurfaced comments made on the Senate floor praising the far-left League of United Latin American Citizens (LULAC) political group, which advocates for open borders and mass immigration.

👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: Sen. Cornyn, Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton (R), Governor Greg Abbott (R), President Donald J. Trump, the League of United Latin American Citizens (LULAC), and Texas Republican voters.

📍WHEN & WHERE: Cornyn’s remarks came during National Hispanic Heritage Month and resurfaced on social media on July 23, 2025.

💬KEY QUOTE: “There is also the League of United Latin American Citizens, or as we know it, LULAC, that fights to improve opportunities for Hispanic Americans—particularly when it comes to education.” — Sen. John Cornyn

🎯IMPACT: Cornyn is struggling to defend his Senate seat from a primary challenge launched by Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton, a staunch ally of President Trump. The video is likely to cause further problems for Cornyn among Texas Republicans.

IN FULL

U.S. Senator John Cornyn (R-TX) is drawing backlash from Texas conservatives after a video surfaced of him praising the far-left League of United Latin American Citizens (LULAC) political group, which advocates for open borders and mass immigration. Notably, LULAC sued Texas in 2017 over legislation signed into law by Governor Greg Abbott (R-TX) ending sanctuary cities in the state.

Sen. Cornyn’s praise for LULAC is part of the Congressional Record. The Texas Republican highlighted the group on the Senate floor during National Hispanic Heritage Month, which runs from September 15 to October 15 every year.

“There is also the League of United Latin American Citizens, or as we know it, LULAC, that fights to improve opportunities for Hispanic Americans—particularly when it comes to education,” Cornyn stated during his floor speech praising numerous Hispanic and immigrant advocacy groups.


Notably, in recent months, Cornyn has tried to reposition himself as being opposed to mass immigration while claiming to be an ally of President Donald J. Trump‘s America First agenda. Polling has shown Cornyn consistently trailing his Republican primary challenger, Trump ally and Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton (R), by a significant margin in the 2026 Senate race.

LULAC presents itself as a Hispanic and Latin-American civil rights organization; however, the group has consistently pushed a far-left political agenda, including educating illegal immigrants on legal maneuvers to frustrate federal immigration enforcement actions. Additionally, LULAC has joined campaigns in defense of abortion, far-left DEI programs, and Affirmative Action.

Concerningly, LULAC has joined other far-left groups in promoting anti-U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) propaganda. LULAC has accused ICE of utilizing so-called “terror strikes” and “lightning attacks” to create an environment of “fear and anxiety” in the Hispanic community.

The group has received significant funding from the Tides Foundation, as well as the National Education Association (NEA) and American Federation of Teachers (AFT). Its current president, Domingo Garcia, is a long-time Texas Democrat politician and served as a member of the Democratic National Committee (DNC) for over a decade.

Cornyn actively opposed Trump’s 2024 bid to retake the White House until well after polling showed the America First leader was the only GOP candidate positioned to defeat the Democrats. The National Pulse reported in November 2023 that Cornyn admitted, “I was wrong,” regarding his opposition to Trump’s candidacy.

The resurfaced LULAC video is likely to cause further problems for Cornyn in Texas. Already, the Senator has seen defections, with Congressman Lance Gooden (R-TX) endorsing Paxton.

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4 hours ago
News

Bryan Kohberger Receives Four Life Sentences for Idaho Murders.

PULSE POINTS

❓WHAT HAPPENED: Bryan Kohberger was sentenced to four life sentences without parole after pleading guilty to the 2022 murders of four University of Idaho students.

👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: Bryan Kohberger, the families of victims Ethan Chapin, Xana Kernodle, Madison Mogen, and Kaylee Goncalves, and Judge Steven Hippler.

📍WHEN & WHERE: The sentencing took place on Wednesday, July 23, 2025, in Boise, Idaho, following the November 2022 killings in Moscow, Idaho.

💬KEY QUOTE: “If it were up to the President, he would have forced this monster to publicly explain why he chose to steal these innocent souls.” — White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt

🎯IMPACT: Kohberger will serve four life sentences without parole, with victims’ families expressing mixed emotions over the plea deal.

IN FULL

Bryan Kohberger pleaded guilty to the murders of Ethan Chapin, Xana Kernodle, Madison Mogen, and Kaylee Goncalves as part of a plea deal that spared him the death penalty. He was sentenced to four life terms without parole and an additional 10 years for a burglary charge. The sentencing hearing, held in Boise, Idaho, included emotional victim impact statements from the families of the deceased.

The murders occurred in the early hours of November 13, 2022, at a residence in Moscow, Idaho. Kohberger was arrested six weeks later at his parents’ home in Pennsylvania. Prosecutors revealed that DNA evidence, surveillance footage, online purchase history, and cellphone data connected him to the crime. During the hearing, Kohberger declined to make any statement, prompting murmurs from the victims’ families.

Judge Steven Hippler, before issuing the sentence, described Kohberger as a “faceless coward” and expressed admiration for the victims’ families. He emphasized that no rational explanation could justify the crimes, stating, “The time has now come to end Mr. Kohberger’s 15 minutes of fame.” Kohberger showed no visible reaction as the sentence was delivered.

The hearing featured over two hours of victim impact statements. Family members shared memories of the victims and expressed the profound impact of their loss. Some directed their remarks at Kohberger, with Kaylee Goncalves’ father calling him a “complete joke” and her sister labeling him a sociopath. Other family members, such as Xana Kernodle’s aunt and mother, expressed forgiveness, citing personal healing.

White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt weighed in on the sentencing at the start of Wednesday’s press briefing. “If it were up to the President, he would have forced this monster to publicly explain why he chose to steal these innocent souls,” Leavitt stated, telling the press that it was a message directly from the White House.

Prosecutor Bill Thompson detailed the reasoning behind the plea deal, which required Kohberger to plead guilty on all counts and waive his right to appeal. While some families supported the deal as a path to closure, others criticized it for allowing Kohberger to avoid the death penalty.

Thompson concluded by urging the court to impose the agreed-upon sentence, which the judge ultimately upheld.

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5 hours ago
William Upton
NatSec

U.S. Embassy Guard Charged with Spying for Russia, Iran.

PULSE POINTS

❓WHAT HAPPENED: A 27-year-old Norwegian man employed as a security guard at the U.S. Embassy in Oslo has been charged with spying on behalf of Russia and Iran, according to documents filed by prosecutors in the country.

👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: Norwegian prosecutors, a 27-year-old spy, the U.S. Embassy in Oslo, and Russian and Iranian intelligence.

📍WHEN & WHERE: The espionage activities are alleged to have occurred between March 2024 and November 20, 2024, with an indictment filed on July 22, 2025.

💬KEY QUOTE: In the indictment, filed on July 22, Norwegian prosecutors stress the gravity of the espionage, “because the aim was to reveal information to a foreign state.”

🎯IMPACT: The indictment marks the latest concerning incident of espionage being carried out against the United States.

IN FULL

A Norwegian man employed as a security guard at the U.S. Embassy in Oslo has been charged with spying on behalf of Russia and Iran, according to documents filed by prosecutors in the NATO country. Norwegian officials allege the 27-year-old man engaged in espionage, supplying Russian and Iranian intelligence agents with embassy security plans, a list of couriers used by Norwegian intelligence, and the personal contact information for diplomats, staff, and their families. He also allegedly supplied foreign intelligence with a list of license plates associated with U.S. embassy vehicles.

These espionage activities are alleged to have occurred between March 2024 and November 20, 2024—the latter being the date of his initial arrest. In the indictment, filed on July 22, Norwegian prosecutors stress the gravity of the espionage, “notably because the aim was to reveal information to a foreign state.”

The indictment states that the man received payments—which he attempted to conceal—in Bitcoin and euros. Prosecutors state that the estimated €17,000 in payments was deposited in various sums in the accounts of associates.

The accused spy, while acknowledging his actions, rejects the charges against him, according to his lawyer, Inger Zadig.

This marks the latest concerning incident of espionage against the United States and its allies. The National Pulse reported earlier this month that two Chinese nationals were arrested for spying on the U.S. Navy. They face charges of allegedly acting as agents for the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) regime to collect intelligence from U.S. Navy service members and bases and attempt to recruit military members to carry out tasks for the Ministry of State Security (MSS), China’s main intelligence force.

Image via Wikimedia Commons.

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6 hours ago
NatSec

Chinese National Stole U.S. Missile Tech: Report.

PULSE POINTS

❓WHAT HAPPENED: A dual national engineer pleaded guilty to stealing military trade secrets from a Southern California defense contractor.

👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: Chenguang Gong, a 59-year-old citizen of China and the United States, and the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Central District of California.

📍WHEN & WHERE: The unauthorized transfers occurred between March 30 and April 26, 2023, at a Southern California defense contractor. Chenguang Gong pleaded guilty to stealing military trade secrets on Monday, July 21, 2025.

💬KEY QUOTE: “These files describe the methods, designs, techniques, processes, specifications, testing, and manufacture of these technologies and would be extremely damaging economically if obtained by the victim company’s competitors, and would be dangerous to U.S. national security if obtained by international actors.” – U.S. District Court for the Central District of California

🎯IMPACT: The theft highlights ongoing concerns about China’s military-civil fusion policy and its implications for U.S. national security.

IN FULL

Chenguang Gong, a dual citizen of the United States and China, pleaded guilty on Monday to stealing over 3,600 files containing military trade secrets from a Southern California defense contractor. These files included blueprints for advanced sensors used to detect and monitor hypersonic, ballistic, and nuclear missiles, as well as sensors designed to warn U.S. warplanes of incoming heat-seeking missiles and jam their infrared tracking systems.

The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Central District of California revealed that Gong was employed as an application-specific integrated circuit design manager at the contractor in January 2023. The unauthorized transfers occurred between March 30 and April 26, 2023, and included files marked “proprietary” and “for official use only.” Gong transferred over 1,800 files after accepting a position with a competitor of the company.

Prosecutors also noted Gong’s previous efforts to apply for Chinese government “Talent Programs,” which aim to recruit overseas scientists and engineers to transfer expertise and technology to China. In one instance, while working for a U.S. technology firm in Dallas in 2015, Gong proposed developing sensors and analog-to-digital converters for a high-tech Chinese organization, emphasizing their military applications. He traveled to China multiple times to secure funding for these projects.

The U.S. District Court for the Central District of California, in its February 2024 complaint, stated: “These files describe the methods, designs, techniques, processes, specifications, testing, and manufacture of these technologies and would be extremely damaging economically if obtained by the victim company’s competitors, and would be dangerous to U.S. national security if obtained by international actors.”

Gong is currently free on a $1.75 million bond and is awaiting sentencing, scheduled for September 29. He faces a maximum sentence of 10 years in prison.

Image by Doug Harvey via U.S. Naval Forces Central Command/U.S. Fifth Fleet.

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7 hours ago
News

Former Epstein Attorney Dead at 80.

PULSE POINTS

❓WHAT HAPPENED: Prominent criminal defense attorney Roy Black, known for his role in Jeffrey Epstein’s 2008 plea deal, has passed away at the age of 80.

👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: Roy Black, his wife Lea Black, and notable figures such as Jeffrey Epstein and William Kennedy Smith.

📍WHEN & WHERE: Black passed away on Monday at his home in Coral Gables, Florida, following an illness.

💬KEY QUOTE: “Roy Black was the greatest criminal lawyer of our generation, perhaps in American history,” said Howard Srebnick, his partner of three decades.

🎯IMPACT: Black’s death comes as Epstein’s criminal activities have been thrust to the forefront of public attention once again, as the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) has backtracked on claims it would release a “client list” of high-profile individuals tied to the pedophile financier’s sex trafficking activities.

IN FULL

Roy Black, a criminal defense attorney known for his role in securing Jeffrey Epstein’s 2008 plea deal, has died at the age of 80 following an illness. Lea Black, his wife and former Real Housewives of Miami star, shared the news on Instagram, stating, “Thank you for all your blessings.”

“Roy Black was the greatest criminal lawyer of our generation, perhaps in American history,” said Howard Srebnick, his partner of three decades.

Black first rose to national prominence in 1991 when he successfully defended William Kennedy Smith, the nephew of former President John F. Kennedy, in a high-profile rape trial. The televised proceedings marked a turning point in criminal defense law, showcasing Black’s skills to a nationwide audience. He later played a significant role in Jeffrey Epstein’s legal defense, negotiating a controversial non-prosecution agreement with federal prosecutors in 2007, finalized the following year.

Under the deal, Epstein pleaded guilty to state charges of soliciting prostitution and soliciting prostitution with a minor, receiving a 13-month jail sentence and registering as a sex offender. He was allowed to leave the jail 12 hours a day, six days a week, supposedly to work at a job one of his own nonprofits created for him, during this sentence, and his cell was often left unlocked. He spent hours at a time at his Palm Beach estate during some of these “work-release” shifts.

Epstein’s criminal activities have been thrust to the forefront of public attention once again as the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) has backtracked on claims it would release a “client list” of high-profile individuals tied to the pedophile financier’s sex trafficking activities. While U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi initially indicated that a client list existed and was “on [her] desk,” she has subsequently stated a client list does not exist.

The National Pulse reported on Tuesday that Bondi is preparing to meet with Epstein associate and convicted sex trafficker Ghislaine Maxwell in the near future, following new developments suggesting she may be willing to testify before Congress about Jeffrey Epstein’s network of associates.

High-profile America First voices, including WarRoom host and former White House Chief Strategist Stephen K. Bannon, have called on President Donald J. Trump to appoint a special prosecutor to examine the case in light of what is being seen as an attempted DOJ cover-up.

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