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Thursday, October 9, 2025

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7 hours ago
Crime
News

Texas Arrests Eight Illegal Abortionists, Half Are Foreign Nationals.

PULSE POINTS

❓WHAT HAPPENED: Eight people, including four foreign nationals, were arrested for allegedly collaborating with a Houston-area abortion provider accused of illegal procedures and practicing medicine without a license.

👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton (R), Maria Rojas, and the eight arrested suspects.

📍WHEN & WHERE: The arrests were announced on October 8, 2025, following law enforcement operations across the Houston area.

💬KEY QUOTE: “In Texas, life is sacred. I will always do everything in my power to protect the unborn, defend our state’s pro-life laws, and work to ensure that unlicensed individuals endangering the lives of women by performing illegal abortions are fully prosecuted.” — Ken Paxton.

🎯IMPACT: The arrests highlight Texas’s commitment to enforcing its strict abortion laws and ensuring medical practices operate within legal boundaries.

IN FULL

Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton (R) announced on Wednesday, October 8, the arrests of eight people accused of operating illegal abortion clinics in the Houston area. The arrests are connected to Maria Margarita Rojas, a 49-year-old midwife previously indicted on 15 felony counts, including the unlawful killing of unborn babies and practicing medicine without a license. Rojas allegedly operated unlicensed clinics in northwest Houston, where prosecutors say she and others performed illegal medical procedures, including abortions.

The suspects arrested this week were allegedly working under Rojas, providing unauthorized medical services without proper licensing. Those named by Paxton’s office include Yaimara Hernandez Alvarez, Alina Valeron Leon, Dalia Coromoto Yanez, Yhonder Lebrun Acosta, Liunet Grandales Estrada, Gerardo Otero Aguero, Sabiel Bosch Gongora, and Jose Manuel Cendan Ley. According to a statement from Paxton, these individuals “endangered the very people they pretended to help” by operating outside the law.

“In Texas, life is sacred. I will always do everything in my power to protect the unborn, defend our state’s pro-life laws, and work to ensure that unlicensed individuals endangering the lives of women by performing illegal abortions are fully prosecuted,” Attorney General Paxton said.

These arrests follow the recent closure of a major Planned Parenthood facility in Houston, once one of the largest abortionist clinics in the country. Texas enforces some of the strongest pro-life laws in the United States, banning nearly all abortions except in limited medical emergencies.

Rojas is the first person charged under a new Texas law that heightens penalties for those involved in unlawful abortions.

Image by mykaul.

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55 minutes ago
Breaking

DING DONG, Dominion’s DEAD! – U.S.-Owned ‘Liberty Vote’ Acquires Dominion Voting Systems in Historic Deal.

PULSE POINTS

❓WHAT HAPPENED: Liberty Vote has acquired Dominion Voting Systems, marking a significant shift in election technology ownership.

👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: Liberty Vote, led by Scott Leiendecker, and Dominion Voting Systems.

📍WHEN & WHERE: The acquisition was announced today in St. Louis, MO.

💬KEY QUOTE: “Liberty Vote signals a new chapter for American elections—one where trust is rebuilt from the ground up,” said Scott Leiendecker.

🎯IMPACT: The acquisition aims to enhance election integrity and restore public confidence with a focus on transparent and secure voting systems.

IN FULL

With details revealed exclusively to The National Pulse, Liberty Vote, under the leadership of Missouri-based Scott Leiendecker, has taken full ownership of the controversial, foreign-owned Dominion Voting Systems company. This acquisition marks a historic transformation in the realm of election technology in America, with Dominion effectively being shut down and subsumed into Liberty Vote.

Leiendecker, a prominent figure in election reform, is committed to rebuilding trust in the electoral process through transparent and secure voting systems. His approach includes the use of hand-marked paper ballots, emphasizing simplicity and accuracy.

The National Pulse spoke with Leiendecker and his team exclusively over the past few days, wherein they explained their acquisition of the company, the recently settled lawsuits with figures such as Rudy Giuliani and Mike Lindell, as well as their vision for the company moving forward. More information will be provided in the days and weeks to come, as Leiendecker and his team get acquainted with Dominion internals.

Leiendecker said in a statement, “Liberty Vote signals a new chapter for American elections—one where trust is rebuilt from the ground up.” The company aims to provide election technology that ensures every ballot is accurately and fairly filled out and counted.

Liberty Vote’s commitment includes 100% American ownership, with a focus on domestic staffing and software development. The company also prioritizes paper ballot systems in alignment with federal standards and incorporates rigorous third-party auditing to verify election integrity.

Founded by Scott Leiendecker, Liberty Vote is dedicated to securing the democratic process through innovation and transparency, ensuring that every American’s vote is protected and accurately counted.

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By Popular Demand.
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1 hour ago
Christopher Tomlinson
Crime
News

Antifa Secret Recording Shows Terror Group Advocating Political Violence.

PULSE POINTS

❓WHAT HAPPENED: An alleged secret recording of Antifa activists in the Netherlands shows the group advocating political violence.

👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: Antifa and Lydia Daniël of the “Let Women Speak NL” campaign group.

📍WHEN & WHERE: The recording was allegedly made during an Antifa workshop on May 19, 2025, with the recordings published in October.

💬KEY QUOTE: “When violence is justified is all up to you as a person, because I can tell you when I would use violence, but that is not the same for everyone.” – Antifa speaker.

🎯IMPACT: The recording further strengthens the case for declaring Antifa a terrorist group in the Netherlands, following President Donald J. Trump in the U.S.

IN FULL

Secretly recorded audio allegedly captured at an Antifa workshop in the Netherlands has sparked renewed calls to classify the group as a terrorist organisation. The recording was released by Lydia Daniël of the “Let Women Speak NL” campaign group, which advocates for the preservation of women’s rights based on biological sex. Daniël claims the workshop was aimed at disrupting her group’s political activity.

The audio includes a speaker discussing the use of violence in political contexts, saying, “When violence is justified is all up to you as a person, because I can tell you when I would use violence, but that is not the same for everyone.”

The speaker also details tactics reportedly used during protests, including a “fingernail tactic” intended to break through police lines. According to the recording, such tactics are said to be effective in the Netherlands because police rarely form more than one line of resistance. The speaker notes that even if participants are arrested for “pushing police away,” they are often released within hours.

The audio supports recent arguments made by Geert Wilders, leader of the populist Party for Freedom (PVV), who has long argued that Antifa poses a threat to public order. In September, the Dutch parliament approved a motion introduced by Wilders urging the government to classify Antifa as a terrorist organization officially. While the motion passed, it is non-binding, and the final decision rests with the Dutch cabinet.

The controversy in the Netherlands comes as other countries across the European Union (EU) weigh similar actions. In Hungary, Prime Minister Viktor Orbán announced in September that his government would follow President Donald J. Trump in designating Antifa a terrorist group. Germany’s right-wing AfD party has made similar calls, saying it will push for such a classification if it gains power.

In the European Parliament, the Patriots for Europe alliance of populist-nationalist parties is also seeking formal recognition of Antifa as a terrorist entity. However, that appears unlikely, given outright support for Antifa in the EU body.

In the United States, Trump announced in September that Antifa would be designated a domestic terrorist organization, calling it a “major threat to law and order.” The executive order directs federal agencies to investigate and dismantle Antifa-affiliated networks.

Image by Tim Sheerman-Chase.

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By Popular Demand.
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2 hours ago
News
War

Israeli President Backs Nobel Peace Prize for Trump.

PULSE POINTS

❓WHAT HAPPENED: Israeli President Isaac Herzog called for President Donald J. Trump to receive the Nobel Peace Prize for his role in negotiating a hostage deal to end the Gaza war.

👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: President Trump, President Herzog, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Hamas, and negotiating teams in Egypt.

📍WHEN & WHERE: The announcement was made October 9, following negotiations in Egypt, with Herzog posting his statement on X.

💬KEY QUOTE: “I wish to extend my deepest thanks to President Donald Trump for his incredible leadership toward securing the release of the hostages, bringing an end to the war, and creating hope for a new reality in the Middle East. There is no doubt that he deserves the Nobel Peace Prize for this.” – Isaac Herzog

🎯IMPACT: The ceasefire agreement is expected to bring relief to those affected by the conflict and marks a chance for regional healing.

IN FULL

Israeli President Isaac Herzog has praised President Donald J. Trump for his key role in negotiating a deal that is expected to end the war in Gaza and secure the release of hostages. In a statement posted on X, Herzog described the agreement as “historic and momentous,” and singled out Trump for his leadership during the negotiation process.

“I wish to extend my deepest thanks to President Donald Trump for his incredible leadership toward securing the release of the hostages, bringing an end to the war, and creating hope for a new reality in the Middle East,” Herzog said. “There is no doubt that he deserves the Nobel Peace Prize for this.”

Herzog also acknowledged the efforts of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, the Israeli negotiating team, and international mediators. However, he offered special praise for Trump, noting the emotional weight of the agreement for families who have endured more than two years of uncertainty. “It offers a chance to mend, to heal, and to open a new horizon of hope for our region,” Herzog said.

Trump’s involvement in the deal follows weeks of escalating diplomacy. On October 3, Hamas publicly responded to Trump’s ceasefire proposal, signaling a willingness to release remaining hostages under certain conditions. The group said it was open to discussions on Gaza’s postwar governance within a broader Palestinian national framework. Trump’s plan included a full ceasefire, the return of hostages, including those who had died in captivity, and the release of around 2,000 Palestinian prisoners.

Herzog’s remarks follow growing international recognition of Trump’s role in the process. On October 8 and 9, Hamas itself issued statements praising Trump for his efforts, saying he had played a significant role in pushing toward an end to the war and a full Israeli withdrawal from Gaza.

The agreement marks the latest chapter in Trump’s Middle East diplomacy, building on the Abraham Accords signed in 2020 during his presidency, which normalized relations between Israel and several Arab states. Netanyahu previously nominated Trump for the Nobel Peace Prize for that initiative.

Concluding his statement, Herzog quoted from the Book of Jeremiah: “And they shall return from the land of the enemy… and children shall return to their own border.”

He added: “Should [Trump] visit us in the coming days, he will be received with immense respect, affection, and gratitude by the people of Israel.”

Image by Haim Zach / Government Press Office of Israel.

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By Popular Demand.
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3 hours ago
News

The DOJ Is Investigating Ex-FBI Director Wray Alongside Brennan, Bolton, and Letitia James.

PULSE POINTS

❓WHAT HAPPENED: Department of Justice (DOJ) prosecutors are investigating former Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) Director Christopher Wray, former Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) Director John Brennan, and others.

👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: John Brennan, Christopher Wray, neoconservative former National Security Advisor John Bolton, New York Attorney General Letitia James, and DOJ officials.

📍WHEN & WHERE: Investigations are ongoing across multiple U.S. jurisdictions.

💬KEY QUOTE: “Trump hasn’t changed. What’s different is the people he appointed.” – Former DOJ spokeswoman Sarah Isgur

🎯IMPACT: The ongoing investigations, with charges expected in several cases, indicate President Donald J. Trump is successfully pressuring the DOJ into taking action against bad actors, although he is reportedly unhappy with the speed at which Attorney General Pam Bondi is moving.

IN FULL

The Department of Justice (DOJ) is investigating former Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) Director Christopher Wray alongside former Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) Director John Brennan, according to reports. Wray has long faced backlash from conservatives who believe he abused his power while he led the FBI, with current director Kash Patel saying he lied to Congress about the FBI’s presence among January 6 protesters.

“Agents were sent into a crowd control mission after the riot was declared by Metro Police, something that goes against FBI standards,” Patel recently told the media, emphasizing: “This was the failure of a corrupt leadership that lied to Congress and to the American people about what really happened.”

Subpoenas have been issued to former officials as part of the Wray investigation in recent days, according to The Wall Street Journal.

Meanwhile, in Maryland, prosecutors are expected to charge John Bolton, the war hawk former National Security Advisor, with mishandling classified information, while in Virginia, an indictment is anticipated against New York Attorney General Letitia James on charges of mortgage fraud.

Sarah Isgur, a former DOJ spokesman, said of the situation, “Trump hasn’t changed [since the first Trump administration]. What’s different is the people he appointed.”

Addressing Isgur’s claims that the second Trump administration is abusing DOJ powers, a current DOJ spokesman responded: “This is an observation from an alternate reality because Democrats have in fact abused their power to target President Trump and Republicans.”

Attorney General Pam Bondi has been actively visiting the White House, reportedly around once or twice a week, but President Trump is said to be dissatisfied with the pace of the cases, telling aides, “She’s moving too slow.”

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By Popular Demand.
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3 hours ago
Immigration

Another Far-Left Mayor Signs Likely Illegal Order Hindering Federal Immigration Efforts.

PULSE POINTS

❓WHAT HAPPENED: Seattle Mayor Bruce Harrell (D) signed two executive orders aimed at opposing federal actions and bolstering protections for illegal immigrants.

👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: Seattle Mayor Bruce Harrell, Seattle Police Department (SPD) Chief Shon Barnes, and the Trump administration.

📍WHEN & WHERE: The orders were signed on Tuesday in Seattle, Washington.

💬KEY QUOTE: “We do not need federal troops in Seattle. This dangerous strategy will only sow fear, distrust, and confusion in our communities.” – Bruce Harrell

🎯IMPACT: The orders aim to counter federal actions, strengthen protections for immigrants, and maintain local control over law enforcement.

IN FULL

Seattle’s far-left mayor, Bruce Harrell (D), has joined Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson in implementing likely illegal orders aimed at hindering federal immigration enforcement actions in order to protect illegal immigrants in their cities. Harrell’s first order establishes a task force to prepare for potential federalized National Guard deployments in Seattle and coordinates responses with the governor, state attorney general, and community organizations. Harrell stated the move was necessary due to President Donald J. Trump’s rhetoric about using cities as “training grounds” for the military.

“We do not need federal troops in Seattle,” Harrell said in a statement, adding: “This dangerous strategy will only sow fear, distrust, and confusion in our communities. We cannot be under-prepared at this critical moment.” Critics argue the move reflects Harrell’s soft-on-crime approach, which has been a feature of his tenure since running for re-election.

The second order prohibits federal law enforcement from conducting immigration raids on city property and bans the use of masks by officers, except in limited circumstances. It also mandates visible identification for all officers operating within Seattle. The city plans to draft legislation to enforce these measures while providing funding for legal aid, workforce development, and “Know Your Rights” training for illegal immigrants.

Seattle Police Department (SPD) Chief Shon Barnes supported the mayor’s stance, stating, “Decisions about Seattle’s safety should be based on facts and community feedback, not political talking points from people who do not live here.” The orders follow multiple lawsuits filed by Seattle against the Trump administration, including challenges to sanctuary city funding cuts and executive orders targeting diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) policies. In addition, the city’s 2026 budget proposal allocates $27.6 million to sustain services threatened by potential federal cuts and increases funding for immigrant and refugee programs by 70 percent.

Image via Seattle City Council.

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By Popular Demand.
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4 hours ago
William Upton
War
World

Hamas Praises Trump for Israeli Ceasefire Deal.

PULSE POINTS

❓WHAT HAPPENED: Hamas is praising President Donald J. Trump for brokering a ceasefire with Israel.

👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: President Trump, leaders of Hamas, and Israeli leaders.

📍WHEN & WHERE: Thursday, October 9, 2025, with the ceasefire announced late Wednesday, October 8.

💬KEY QUOTE: Hamas praised “the efforts of U.S. President Donald Trump aimed at definitively stopping the war and the complete withdrawal of the occupation from the Gaza Strip.”

🎯IMPACT: As of Thursday morning, Israel had begun the process of pulling back its military forces to a withdrawal line. Once complete, Hamas is expected to release the 48 remaining hostages, both alive and deceased, in its possession—with the transfer expected to take place on Monday.

IN FULL

President Donald J. Trump‘s brokering of a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas is receiving rare praise from the latter. This follows the announcement Wednesday night that the Israeli government and the Hamas terror group—which controls the Gaza Strip—had reached a deal on a ceasefire and release of Israeli hostages held by Hamas.

Hamas on Thursday praised “the efforts of U.S. President Donald Trump aimed at definitively stopping the war and the complete withdrawal of the occupation from the Gaza Strip.” Notably, President Trump is under consideration for the Nobel Peace Prize, which is set to be announced on Friday, October 10.

As of Thursday morning, Israel had begun the process of pulling back its military forces to a withdrawal line. Once complete, Hamas is expected to release the 48 remaining hostages, both alive and deceased, in its possession—with the transfer expected to take place on Monday.

These steps only mark phase one of a broader peace plan proposed by President Trump. The next steps, which include the disarmament of Hamas and an international governing body charged with rebuilding Gaza, are still being discussed and could face more resistance.

“I am very proud to announce that Israel and Hamas have both signed off on the first Phase of our Peace Plan. This means that ALL of the Hostages will be released very soon, and Israel will withdraw their Troops to an agreed-upon line as the first steps toward a Strong, Durable, and Everlasting Peace,” President Trump wrote in a post on Truth Social late Wednesday, announcing the success of phase one of the peace accords.

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By Popular Demand.
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5 hours ago
Politics

California Democrat Katie Porter Embroiled in Third Bullying Scandal.

PULSE POINTS

❓WHAT HAPPENED: Aspiring Democratic California governor Katie Porter has faced backlash after multiple videos surfaced of her berating staff and clashing with a journalist.

👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: Katie Porter, her staff, CBS News reporter Julie Watts, and political figures like Xavier Becerra and Steve Hilton.

📍WHEN & WHERE: Videos from 2021 and recent interviews in California have gone viral in October 2025.

💬KEY QUOTE: “Get out of my f**king shot!” Porter was heard yelling at a staffer in one of the resurfaced videos.

🎯IMPACT: The incidents have led to criticism from both sides of the political aisle and raised questions about Porter’s leadership style and temperament.

IN FULL

Former Representative Katie Porter (D-CA), currently the Democratic Party frontrunner for California governor, is under fire after multiple videos of her berating staff and clashing with a journalist have gone viral. In one resurfaced clip from 2021, Porter was seen angrily demanding her staff to adjust the lighting during a Zoom meeting, saying, “I need the lights off… the bright lights,” before cutting her camera and sound in frustration.

Another video from the same year shows Porter yelling at a staffer to “get out of my f**king shot!” during a conversation with then-Energy Secretary Jennifer Granholm. The staffer had entered the frame to correct a statement Porter made about electric vehicles. Porter’s irritated response continued, “You also were in my shot before that. Stay out of my shot.”

The National Pulse reported on Wednesday that a leaked CBS interview from last month shows Porter rudely berating reporter Julie Watts, who pressed her on the need to win over Trump voters in California’s gubernatorial race. Porter became visibly angry when Watts did not immediately accept that she did not need Trump voters’ support, questioning her line of inquiry and accusing the journalist of being “unnecessarily argumentative.”

The videos and leaked interview have sparked bipartisan criticism. Fellow California Democrat Xavier Becerra, and potential gubernatorial candidate, said of Porter’s dismissal of Trump voters, “I’m not interested in excluding any vote. Every Californian deserves affordable health care, safe streets, a roof over their head, and a living wage.” Republican Steve Hilton, also running for governor, observed, “Fifteen years of one-party rule. This is what you get. It’s time for change in California.”

In response to the backlash, Porter told the media, “It’s no secret I hold myself and my staff to a higher standard and that was especially true as a member of Congress. I have sought to be more intentional in showing gratitude to my staff for their important work.”

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By Popular Demand.
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5 hours ago
World

Could Trump Really Win the Nobel Peace Prize Tomorrow?

PULSE POINTS

❓WHAT HAPPENED: President Donald J. Trump successfully brokered a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas, catapulting him into discussions for receiving the Nobel Peace Prize just a day before the committee announces a winner.

👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: President Trump, the Nobel Peace Prize committee, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, and other global leaders.

📍WHEN & WHERE: The Gaza ceasefire was announced on October 8, 2025, with the Nobel Peace Prize decision set to be revealed in Oslo, Norway, on October 10.

💬KEY QUOTE: “Everyone says that I should get the Nobel Peace Prize.” – Donald Trump

🎯IMPACT: The ceasefire has drawn significant international praise, with public endorsements for Trump’s Nobel nomination.

IN FULL

U.S. President Donald J. Trump has successfully secured a ceasefire and implemented phase one of his peace plan between Israel and Hamas, with chants of “Nobel prize to Trump” reportedly heard in Tel Aviv. The announcement comes just ahead of the Nobel Peace Prize decision, which will be revealed tomorrow in Oslo, Norway.

The ceasefire announcement late Wednesday could catapult President Trump to the top of the list of potential Nobel Peace Prize recipients, especially in light of his efforts in other global conflicts. Trump asserts that he has “ended seven un-endable wars,” a boast actually borne out by facts—he played a leading role in ending conflicts between India and Pakistan, Azerbaijan and Armenia, Israel and Iran, and Rwanda and Congo, among others.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and other leaders have supported Trump’s nomination for the prestigious award, with the former having nominated Trump in July over ending the Israel-Iran conflict. Recepients of the prize receive an 18-carat gold medal, a diploma, and a check for 11 million Swedish kronor, which comes to almost $1.2 million. For his part, President Trump believes he should win the award, recently telling the United Nations (UN), “Everyone says that I should get the Nobel Peace Prize.”

The Nobel Peace Prize, established by Swedish dynamite inventor Alfred Nobel, is awarded to those who have made significant contributions to peace. Past controversies surrounding arguably undeserving recipients, including Barack Obama and Henry Kissinger, have fueled debates about the committee’s decision-making process. This year, there are 338 nominees.

Image by ProtoplasmaKid.

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By Popular Demand.
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6 hours ago
War
World

China Constructs Mock Taipei for Invasion Drills, Satellite Images Reveal.

PULSE POINTS

❓WHAT HAPPENED: Satellite images reveal China has expanded a mock-up “city” of Taiwanese administrative buildings at a military training base in Inner Mongolia, tripling the site’s size since 2020.

👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: The People’s Liberation Army (PLA), Taiwan’s leadership, and analysts from the Japan Institute for National Fundamentals (JINF).

📍WHEN & WHERE: The Zhurihe Combined Tactics Training Base in Inner Mongolia, with expansions noted between 2020 and 2023.

💬KEY QUOTE: “By adding a ‘mock Judicial Yuan’ and even building an underground tunnel, the PLA is sending a message to Taiwan—that even if you build escape routes, there will be no way out.” – JINF researcher Maki Nakagawa

🎯IMPACT: Analysts suggest the site is used for realistic invasion training and psychological warfare, increasing tensions between China and Taiwan.

IN FULL

New satellite photos suggest China is significantly expanding a mock city modeled on the administrative center of Taiwan‘s capital, Taipei. The site, located at the Zhurihe Combined Tactics Training Base in Inner Mongolia, now includes structures resembling Taiwan’s Presidential Office and Judicial Yuan, and has tripled in size since 2020.

The Zhurihe base, the largest training site for the People’s Liberation Army (PLA), spans an area nearly the size of Los Angeles. It is designed to simulate realistic battlefield conditions, with analysts suggesting the replicas are used to train for a potential “decapitation operation” targeting Taiwan’s leadership.

Analysis by the Japan Institute for National Fundamentals (JINF), published on October 1, highlighted the addition of a 280-meter underground tunnel connecting the mock Judicial Yuan to the Presidential Office. Satellite imagery also shows a red-roofed building resembling Taiwan’s National Defense Reserve Command Headquarters. The think tank noted frequent PLA training exercises at the site, simulating attacks on these structures.

Maki Nakagawa, a researcher at Japan‘s National Institute for Information Research, stated in the Japanese press: “Under the Xi Jinping administration, the Zhurihe training base has been rapidly expanded for realistic combat preparation. By adding a ‘mock Judicial Yuan’ and even building an underground tunnel, the PLA is sending a message to Taiwan—that even if you build escape routes, there will be no way out.”

China’s Communist Party claims Taiwan as its territory, despite never having ruled the island. President Xi Jinping has called unification “inevitable,” while Taiwan’s president, Lai Ching-te, responded in a recent speech: “Unity ensures victory, while aggression inevitably fails.”

Image by Steve Webel.

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By Popular Demand.
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6 hours ago
Economy
NatSec

China Places New Restrictions on Rare Earth Exports, Breaking U.S. Trade Deal.

PULSE POINTS

❓WHAT HAPPENED: China has announced new export controls on rare earth minerals and equipment, targeting industries reliant on these resources.

👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: China’s Commerce Ministry, President Donald J. Trump, U.S. defense contractors, and global industries dependent on rare earths.

📍WHEN & WHERE: Export restrictions take effect immediately domestically, with extraterritorial rules beginning December 1, ahead of the APEC summit in South Korea.

💬KEY QUOTE: “Rare earth-related items have dual-use characteristics. It is common international practice to impose export controls on them.” – Chinese Commerce Ministry spokesman

🎯IMPACT: The measures could disrupt global supply chains, particularly for U.S. defense contractors and industries reliant on rare earths.

IN FULL

China has imposed new restrictions on exporting rare earth minerals and other critical materials, likely impacting U.S. and. European manufacturers and defense industries. The new export controls were detailed in two notices from China‘s Commerce Ministry on Thursday.

China, which dominates the global supply of rare earths, stated that the measures are necessary to “safeguard national security and interests.” Under the new rules, foreign exporters of products containing rare earths sourced from China must obtain licenses from Beijing’s commerce ministry. Licenses for products with “military use” will largely be denied, according to Chinese authorities.

The rules also bar Chinese firms from cooperating in specified fields and deny export licenses to foreign entities classified as dual-use or military end users. These restrictions could directly affect American companies that supply the U.S. Department of War. Export applications for advanced semiconductor-related items will now be reviewed on a case-by-case basis.

A Chinese Commerce Ministry spokesman stated, “For some time now, some foreign organizations and individuals have been transferring or supplying controlled rare earth items originating in China, either directly or after processing, to organizations and individuals concerned for direct or indirect use in sensitive areas such as the military, causing significant harm or posing a potential threat to China’s national security and interests.”

The new rules are seen as a strategic move by Beijing ahead of a planned meeting between President Donald J. Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping at the APEC summit in South Korea. Beijing controls 60 percent of global production and an estimated 90 percent of processing, giving it significant leverage in negotiations with the United States.

The National Pulse reported earlier this year that President Trump had loosened some tariffs on China on the understanding that Beijing would reciprocate by removing certain controls on rare earth minerals. However, in June, U.S. trade negotiators in Geneva, Switzerland, accused China of having failed to lift export restrictions, citing that U.S. manufacturers who have reported significant delays in securing rare earth shipments, with some suppliers demanding sensitive information, such as photos of end-user facilities, to complete applications.

Image via China News Service.

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