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Saturday, November 8, 2025

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4 hours ago
Education

Cornell Settles with Trump Administration for Millions.

PULSE POINTS

❓WHAT HAPPENED: Cornell University has agreed to new policies and financial commitments in response to federal funding requirements under the Trump administration.

👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: Cornell University, the Trump administration, and Attorney General Pam Bondi.

📍WHEN & WHERE: The announcement was made on Friday, with changes to be implemented over the next three years at Cornell University.

💬KEY QUOTE: “The months of stop-work orders, grant terminations, and funding freezes have stalled cutting-edge research, upended lives and careers, and threatened the future of academic programs at Cornell.” – Michael Kotlikoff, Cornell University President

🎯IMPACT: The agreement includes financial penalties, policy changes, and new compliance measures, potentially shifting the university’s approach to diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI).

IN FULL

Cornell University has agreed to significant financial commitments and policy changes tied to federal funding under the Trump administration. The university announced on Friday that it will pay $30 million over three years to the federal government for unspecified purposes. Additionally, Cornell will invest another $30 million into programs incorporating artificial intelligence (AI) and robotics, such as Digital Agriculture and Future Farming Technologies.

The agreement also includes measures such as conducting annual surveys to evaluate campus climate for students, specifically those with Jewish ancestry. Furthermore, the university will seek experts on laws and regulations regarding sanctions enforcement, anti-money laundering, and terrorist financing prevention. Cornell has also agreed to provide anonymized undergraduate admissions data directly to the federal government.

U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi’s “Guidance for Recipients of Federal Funding Regarding Unlawful Discrimination” will serve as a framework for Cornell’s compliance. The memo prohibits using race, sex, or other protected characteristics to discriminate in employment, program participation, and resource allocation. It also bans race-based scholarships and certain cultural training programs.

Cornell University President Michael Kotlikoff had expressed concern over the impact of federal funding freezes, stating, “The months of stop-work orders, grant terminations, and funding freezes have stalled cutting-edge research, upended lives and careers, and threatened the future of academic programs at Cornell.”

Image by Claude-Étienne Armingaud.

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1 hour ago
Economy
News

Trump Strikes Nuclear Deal with Orban, Says He May Exempt Hungary From Russian Energy Sanctions.

PULSE POINTS

❓WHAT HAPPENED: President Donald J. Trump said he is considering granting Hungary an exemption from U.S. sanctions on Russian energy during a meeting with Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán.

👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: President Trump, Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán, and Hungarian Foreign Minister Péter Szijjártó.

📍WHEN & WHERE: The discussions took place on November 7 at the White House.

💬KEY QUOTE: “I am simply asking for the realization that the sanctions recently imposed on Russian energy puts certain countries like Hungary, which do not have access to the sea, in an impossible situation.” – Viktor Orban.

🎯IMPACT: The potential exemption could alleviate Hungary’s energy problems, while a newly announced nuclear energy agreement aims to increase Hungary’s use of U.S. technology and fuel over the longer term.

IN FULL

President Donald J. Trump said Friday that he is considering granting Hungary an exemption from U.S. sanctions on Russian energy. The announcement was made during a White House meeting with Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán, who described the matter as “vital” for his country and warned of serious consequences if the restrictions were implemented.

“We’re looking at it because it’s very difficult for him to get the oil and gas from other areas,” President Trump said, adding: “It’s a big country, but they don’t have sea, they don’t have the ports. And so they have a difficult problem.”

Trump also praised Orbán for his strong border and immigration policies, in contrast with the wider European Union’s permissive attitude towards mass migration, while Orbán praised the President’s foreign policy achievements. 

“I’m not asking for some kind of gift from the Americans or some kind of unusual thing,” Orbán, a longtime ally and supporter of the America First leader, explained on Hungarian radio previously. “I am simply asking for the realization that the sanctions recently imposed on Russian energy puts certain countries like Hungary, which do not have access to the sea, in an impossible situation,” adding that he was “going to ask the President to acknowledge that.”

Hungarian Foreign Minister Péter Szijjártó announced during the U.S. trip that Hungary will sign a bilateral nuclear energy cooperation agreement with the United States. The deal, negotiated with U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, will see Hungary purchase American nuclear fuel for the first time, adopt U.S. technology for spent-fuel storage at its Paks nuclear power plant, and collaborate on the development of small modular reactors.

Hungary imports more than 80 percent of its natural gas and a majority of its oil from Russia. Despite EU efforts to phase out Russian fossil fuels, Budapest has repeatedly fought exemptions, arguing that its landlocked geography on the border of Ukraine leaves it few alternatives.

Notably, relations between Hungary and Ukraine are tense following Kiev’s claim earlier this year that it uncovered a Hungarian spy network operating in western Ukraine, an accusation Hungary denies. Ukraine hosts a large Hungarian ethnic minority in its Transcarpathia border region, with Budapest often complaining that Kiev mistreats them.

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2 hours ago
Health
News

Florida Sues Planned Parenthood, Invoking Mafia Law.

PULSE POINTS

❓WHAT HAPPENED: Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier filed a multimillion-dollar lawsuit against Planned Parenthood, alleging false claims about the safety of the abortion-inducing drug mifepristone and citing anti-mafia statutes.

👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier, Planned Parenthood, and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

📍WHEN & WHERE: The lawsuit was announced on Friday, with claims targeting Planned Parenthood’s activities in Florida.

💬KEY QUOTE: “Planned Parenthood sells profitable abortions to vulnerable women by lying to them about abortion pills being safer than Tylenol,” wrote Uthmeier in the filing.

🎯IMPACT: The lawsuit seeks $350 million in damages and accuses Planned Parenthood of misleading women and violating RICO statutes.

IN FULL

Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier has filed a major lawsuit against Planned Parenthood, accusing the organization of misleading women about the safety of the abortion-inducing drug mifepristone. The complaint, filed under the federal Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations (RICO) Act, alleges that Planned Parenthood falsely advertises mifepristone as being “safer than Tylenol,” a claim Uthmeier describes as “manifestly false.”

Mifepristone, approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in 2000, is typically taken with misoprostol to induce a “chemical abortion.” According to the lawsuit, the drug carries significant risks, with roughly 10 percent of users experiencing serious complications within 45 days. Uthmeier’s filing also cites research indicating that, on average, more than one death per year has been linked to mifepristone since its approval. “Planned Parenthood sells profitable abortions to vulnerable women by lying to them about abortion pills being safer than Tylenol,” Uthmeier wrote in his court submission.

The state is seeking $350 million in damages, based on a calculation of $10,000 per affected individual in Florida, and argues that Planned Parenthood promotes chemical abortions over surgical ones because they are more profitable. The lawsuit claims the organization engaged in a “pattern of racketeering activity” through misleading advertising and marketing materials.

Planned Parenthood representatives have forcefully denied the allegations, with Susan Baker Manning, a national spokeswoman, responding bluntly: “See you in court.”

The legal battle comes amid broader political and legal fights surrounding Planned Parenthood. The organization, which operates more than 600 health centers nationwide, has faced scrutiny over its political involvement and funding. Earlier this year, a Florida chapter was accused in an Internal Revenue Service (IRS) complaint of offering resources to former Vice President Kamala Harris’s campaign, a move critics say may violate nonprofit rules.

Image by Robin Marty.

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2 hours ago
News
War

US Army Purchasing One Million Drones to Catch Up to Russia, Ukraine.

PULSE POINTS

❓WHAT HAPPENED: The U.S. Army announced plans to purchase at least one million drones within the next two to three years, with an emphasis on increasing domestic production capabilities.

👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: U.S. Army Secretary Daniel Driscoll, Major General John Reim, and other military officials, alongside drone manufacturers and lawmakers.

📍WHEN & WHERE: Announcement made during a visit to Picatinny Arsenal, with plans to implement over the next two to three years.

💬KEY QUOTE: “We expect to purchase at least a million drones within the next two to three years.” – Daniel Driscoll

🎯IMPACT: The initiative aims to strengthen U.S. military readiness, reduce reliance on foreign manufacturers, and modernize the Army’s approach to drone warfare.

IN FULL

The U.S. Army has announced an ambitious plan to purchase at least one million drones within the next two to three years, marking a dramatic expansion of its unmanned systems program. Army Secretary Daniel Driscoll confirmed the initiative during a visit to Picatinny Arsenal, highlighting the service’s efforts to modernize drone warfare and strengthen domestic production. “We expect to purchase at least a million drones within the next two to three years,” Driscoll said.

He emphasized that the Army aims to reduce its dependence on foreign manufacturers, particularly China, which currently dominates the global drone market. Driscoll said the military must view drones not as expensive assets but as expendable tools comparable to ammunition—cheap, replaceable, and used in large quantities.

The plan follows the Pentagon’s broader push to increase its drone capabilities. In 2023, the Department of Defense, now the Department of War, launched the Replicator initiative, designed to deploy thousands of autonomous drones by 2025. Although updates on that effort have been limited, U.S. lawmakers have since proposed building a massive drone production facility in Texas that could produce up to one million units annually.

Rather than rely solely on major defense contractors, Driscoll said the Army will prioritize partnerships with smaller, commercially oriented drone makers. “We want to partner with other drone manufacturers who are using them for Amazon deliveries and all the different use cases,” he explained. The approach is intended to expand innovation while diversifying the industrial base for military drone production.

The move also reflects lessons learned from recent conflicts. Drones have proven decisive in the Russia-Ukraine war, where both sides now produce millions of low-cost systems each year. Notably, Ukraine previously turned to purchasing Chinese-made drones after struggling with reliability issues in American models.

Meanwhile, Poland recently shot down a large number of alleged Russian drones that violated its airspace, demonstrating how cheap unmanned aircraft are reshaping modern warfare.

Drone proliferation has also become a concern at home. Reports indicate that Mexican cartels are operating thousands of drones along the U.S. southern border for smuggling and surveillance, highlighting the growing domestic security implications of low-cost aerial technology.

Driscoll said the Army’s push is designed to ensure the United States can compete with adversaries already producing drones on a massive scale. “Drones are the future of warfare, and we’ve got to invest in both the offensive and defense capabilities against them,” he said.

Image by Matt Christenson/BLM/2017.

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3 hours ago
Crime
Immigration

Over 300 Pounds of Meth Confiscated in Raid, DOJ Says.

PULSE POINTS

❓WHAT HAPPENED: Over 300 pounds of methamphetamine were seized from a storage facility in Norcross, Georgia.

👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: Marco Cueto-Rosales, 47, and federal agents from the DEA, along with a Gwinnett County police K-9 unit.

📍WHEN & WHERE: October 10, 2025, at a storage unit in Norcross, Georgia.

💬KEY QUOTE: “Although the Mexican cartels stockpile and peddle their poison in our community, the quick actions of law enforcement thankfully took these deadly drugs off the streets,” said U.S. Attorney Theodore S. Hertzberg.

🎯IMPACT: Federal agents removed over 325 pounds of methamphetamine from circulation, and Cueto-Rosales faces federal drug charges.

IN FULL

The U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) has announced that a federal operation successfully seized 300 pounds of methamphetamine at a storage facility in Norcross, Georgia—a suburb of Atlanta—last month. According to U.S. Attorney Theodore S. Hertzberg, Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) agents were monitoring the storage facility when they observed Marco Cueto-Rosales, 47, entering one of the units in early October.

Subsequently, a Gwinnett County police K-9 unit was used to search the facility and “alerted to the odor of narcotics emanating” from the unit Cueto-Rosales was observed entering. The unit was searched by federal agents, and upon entering, they uncovered over 325 pounds of methamphetamine.

Cueto-Rosales was subsequently arrested and charged with conspiracy to possess with the intent to distribute methamphetamine and possession with the intent to distribute methamphetamine.

Hertzberg also revealed that Cueto-Rosales was unlawfully present in the United States. He remarked, “Although the Mexican cartels stockpile and peddle their poison in our community, the quick actions of law enforcement thankfully took these deadly drugs off the streets.”

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3 hours ago
News
Science

Nobel Laureate James Watson, DNA Pioneer, Dies at 97.

PULSE POINTS

❓WHAT HAPPENED: James D. Watson, co-discoverer of the DNA double helix structure, has died at the age of 97.

👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: James D. Watson, Francis Crick, and Maurice Wilkins were key figures in the discovery of DNA’s structure.

📍WHEN & WHERE: Watson passed away in hospice care on November 6, 2025, following a brief illness.

💬KEY QUOTE: “Francis Crick and I made the discovery of the century, that was pretty clear,” Watson once said.

🎯IMPACT: Watson’s work revolutionized science, medicine, and genetics, but he became an early victim of “cancel culture” after making comments on race and IQ.

IN FULL

The man who co-discovered the double-helix structure of DNA has died at the age of 97. James D. Watson, who won the Nobel Prize with fellow scientists Francis Crick and Maurice Wilkins in 1962, was widely known as one of the founding fathers of modern genetics.

Watson’s discovery opened the door to advancements in genetics, including DNA-based crime-solving, genealogy, and medical treatments. He later became a prominent figure in the Human Genome Project, which aimed to map the complete human DNA sequence. Watson’s scientific career included teaching at Harvard and directing the Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory, where he transformed it into a leading research institution.

However, he became an early victim of “cancel culture” later in his career. In 2007, aged 79, he faced backlash for comments about race and intelligence, saying he was “inherently gloomy about the prospect of Africa” because “all our social policies are based on the fact that their intelligence is the same as ours, whereas all the testing says not really.”

This led to his suspension and eventual “retirement” from Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory. Despite initially apologizing, in a 2019 interview, aged 90, Watson reaffirmed his views on race, reiterating that “there’s a difference on the average between blacks and whites on IQ tests. I would say the difference is, it’s genetic.” This prompted the lab to revoke his honorary titles and denounce his statements as “reprehensible.”

Despite this controversy, Watson’s scientific achievements remain significant. “Francis Crick and I made the discovery of the century, that was pretty clear,” Watson once remarked of their work on DNA.

Watson’s son, Duncan Watson, said his father “never stopped fighting for people who were suffering from disease.” Watson’s initial motivation for supporting genetic research was personal, as he hoped it would help his son Rufus, who had been diagnosed with schizophrenia. Watson passed away on November 6, 2025, in hospice care after a brief illness.

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5 hours ago
Immigration
World

Trump Praises Hungary, Warns Migrants Are ‘Flooding Europe’ and Driving Crime Waves.

PULSE POINTS

❓WHAT HAPPENED: President Donald J. Trump met Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán at the White House and praised his immigration policies.

👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: Donald Trump, Viktor Orbán, and European Union leaders.

📍WHEN & WHERE: The meeting took place at the White House on Friday.

💬KEY QUOTE: “Look what’s happened to Europe with the immigration. They have people flooding Europe all over the place. And it’s hurting it. The crime rates are way up,” said Trump.

🎯IMPACT: Hungary faces European Union (EU) sanctions for its strict immigration policies, while Trump reiterated his support for Orbán.

IN FULL

President Donald J. Trump praised the immigration restrictions imposed by Hungary during a meeting with the country’s prime minister, Viktor Orbán, at the White House on Friday. The America First leader argued that the European Union (EU) should respect the measures taken by Orbán “very strongly, because he’s been right on immigration.” Trump emphasized, “Look what’s happened to Europe with the immigration. They have people flooding Europe all over the place. And it’s hurting it. The crime rates are way up. A lot of bad things are happening. His crime rates are very low. They’re the same as they always were, which is very little crime. Because he’s kept it the way it should be.”

During the meeting, Trump added, “He was right on immigration. They were wrong. They are flooding Europe with people from all over the world. And Europe is becoming a different place. And I tell the leaders all the time, ‘You better stop or you’re not going to have Europe anymore.’ It’s a very dangerous thing they’re doing.”

Prime Minister Orbán provided further details on his country’s policy, stating, “On migration… just for clarification, in Hungary, the number of illegal migration is like that—zero, zero because we have a crystal-clear system. If somebody would like to come to Hungary, first he should ask for that. If he [gets] permission, they can step in. Nobody can step on the territory of Hungary without having permission from the Hungarian authorities. This is the regulation.”

Orbán also highlighted the consequences Hungary faces for its stance, saying, “What is the consequence of that? We are under sanctions, financial sanctions of [the] European Union, because we don’t let the illegal [immigrants] come to Hungary and to the European Union as well. So we have to pay, just to inform you, we have to pay every day €1 million as a punishment… this is the absurd world we are living now in Europe.”

Notably, the European Union’s top court ordered Hungary to pay a $223 million fine in June 2024 for depriving migrants of their right to apply for asylum, alongside an additional fine of 1 million euros per day for non-compliance. Trump continued his praise for Orbán, stating, “Viktor’s had a very hard stance on more than anything else, immigration or even illegal immigration. He literally has accepted no one over the years. Think of how much greater these countries would be if they didn’t have the tremendous crime that has come in with the immigration, people just flowing into Europe. They’ve got to stop it and not only stop it, they have to reverse it. They have to get them out.”

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5 hours ago
News

Crew Rescued After Somali Pirates Hijack Oil Tanker.

PULSE POINTS

❓WHAT HAPPENED: Somali pirates attacked the Malta-flagged tanker Hellas Aphrodite, which was later rescued by European naval forces.

👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: The crew of the Hellas Aphrodite, Somali pirates, and a European Union (EU) naval force under Operation Atalanta.

📍WHEN & WHERE: The attack occurred on Thursday off the coast of Somalia, with the rescue concluding on Friday.

🎯IMPACT: The incident highlights a resurgence in Somali piracy, partly driven by regional instability from Houthi rebel activity.

IN FULL

The crew of an oil tanker hijacked by Somali pirates was successfully rescued by European Union (EU) naval forces. On Thursday, pirates—using machine guns and rocket-propelled grenades—attacked the Malta-flagged tanker Hellas Aphrodite off the Somali coast, seizing partial control of the vessel with the crew locking themselves in the ship’s citadel.

A rescue operation, led by the ESPS Victoria, a Spanish frigate under the EU’s Operation Atalanta, reached the Hellas Aphrodite on Friday and was able to board the vessel. According to officials, the crew was recovered safely.

This attack marks the first commercial ship seizure off Somalia since May 2024, raising renewed fears about piracy in the region. Previously, a decline in such incidents had been observed. The attack could mark the return of Somali attacks in the region, which recently saw an explosion and subsequent decline in Houthi rebel attacks from Yemen on shipping in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden. 

Image by EUNAVFOR.

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6 hours ago
Sports
UK

Anti-Semitic Agitators Overshadow Aston Villa’s Victory Over Maccabi Tel Aviv.

PULSE POINTS

❓WHAT HAPPENED: English professional soccer team Aston Villa secured a Europa League victory over Israeli team Maccabi Tel Aviv amidst anti-Semitic demonstrations outside the former’s Villa Park stadium.

👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: Aston Villa, Maccabi Tel Aviv, pro-Israel and anti-Israel demonstrators, and local officials, including Member of Parliament (MP) Ayoub Khan.

📍WHEN & WHERE: November 2025, Villa Park in Birmingham, England.

🎯IMPACT: Police herded protestors against a ban on Maccabi fans attending the game into a fenced basketball court, dubbed a “Jew cage” by observers.

IN FULL

English professional soccer team Aston Villa’s 2-0 Europa League victory over Israeli team Maccabi Tel Aviv was overshadowed by protests and heightened security outside the former’s Villa Park stadium. The match took place amid growing tensions linked to the Israel-Gaza conflict, with some pro-Israel and many predominantly Muslim anti-Israel demonstrators gathering near the stadium. Law enforcement deployed around 700 officers from ten police forces to prevent unrest.

Maccabi Tel Aviv fans were barred from attending after Birmingham’s Safety Advisory Group ruled that their presence could pose security risks. The decision drew sharp criticism from across the political spectrum, with even Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer saying it sent the wrong message about the ability of police to protect all supporters. Notably, Birmingham is a major Muslim population center, with Pakistani-heritage residents being prone to rioting.

Outside the stadium, predominantly Muslim anti-Israel protesters chanted and waved Palestinian flags, with pro-Palestine demonstrators displaying banners reading “Boycott Israel” and accusing Israelis of shooting babies. Independent Muslim Member of Parliament (MP) Ayoub Khan addressed the crowd, arguing that Israeli clubs should face general suspensions similar to those imposed on Russian teams, drawing loud cheers.

Counter-demonstrators against Maccabi Tel Aviv fans being banned from the match were herded by the police into a fenced basketball court, dubbed a “Jew cage” by observers. Inside the stadium, the stands were noticeably empty, with many home fans staying away amid warnings of potential trouble.

The events around the match came against a backdrop of growing concern over anti-Semitism in Britain. Jewish community groups and security organizations have warned that anti-Semitic incidents have surged since the October 7 attacks in 2023. Last month, a terrorist attack on a synagogue in Manchester, carried out by a man pledging allegiance to the Islamic State, left two people dead and several others injured. The attack renewed fears about the safety of Britain’s Jewish population and prompted calls for greater protection of places of worship.

Critics of the decision to ban Maccabi supporters argued that it highlighted the severity of the problem. Commentators argued that the move effectively told Jewish and Israeli fans they could not be kept safe, rather than addressing the threat posed by potential aggressors. Starmer condemned the decision, saying, “We will not tolerate anti-Semitism on our streets. The role of the police is to ensure all football fans can enjoy the game, without fear of violence or intimidation.”

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7 hours ago
Immigration

Countries Like This Tiny African Kingdom Are Key to Trump’s Deportation Strategy, Here’s Why:

PULSE POINTS

❓WHAT HAPPENED: The Trump administration has ramped up deportations of illegal immigrants, including leveraging agreements with third-party countries like Eswatini (Swaziland) to bypass legal hurdles.

👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: President Donald J. Trump’s administration, Simon Hankinson of the Heritage Foundation, and illegal immigrants like Kilmar Abrego Garcia.

📍WHEN & WHERE: Ongoing deportation efforts under the Trump administration, with countries like Eswatini, Rwanda, and Panama involved in third-party agreements.

💬KEY QUOTE: “If an alien has a veto on being sent home, then it’s a one-way street. It’s just a ratchet and never goes back down again.” – Simon Hankinson

🎯IMPACT: The agreements help the U.S. maintain national security by ensuring deportations proceed even when home-country returns are blocked.

IN FULL

As the Trump administration continues its efforts to curb illegal immigration, the use of third-party countries like Eswatini, commonly known as Swaziland, has become a key strategy in deportation cases. These agreements allow the U.S. to send deportees to nations other than their home country, addressing claims of torture or harm.

Simon Hankinson, a senior research fellow at the Heritage Foundation, highlighted the importance of these agreements in a recent media appearance, stating, “Our law allows us, if we can’t send someone back to their home country, we can send them back to a country in which they resided for some time, or in which they have gotten protection before or in a pinch to another country that will accept them and will not torture them or otherwise abuse them.”

One high-profile case involves Kilmar Abrego Garcia, an alleged MS-13 gang member from El Salvador, who has delayed deportation by claiming fear of persecution in over 22 countries. Recently, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) notified his legal team that he would be deported to Eswatini, a small African kingdom.

Hankinson emphasized that these third-party country agreements are vital to national security, as they prevent illegal immigrants from having a “veto” on their deportation. “There are a lot of people who were let in under the Biden administration, thousands of people, who have criminal records back home that we know nothing about, and they’re sooner or later going to victimize American citizens,” he said.

While the numbers sent to third-party countries are relatively small for now, Hankinson believes these operations can expand significantly. “I would think that the Trump administration would want to have as many of these deals as possible,” he said, stressing that such agreements ensure deportations proceed despite legal challenges.

Image by Darron Raw.

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7 hours ago
Crime

Transgender Lawmaker Stacie Laughton Pleads Guilty to Child Exploitation.

PULSE POINTS

❓WHAT HAPPENED: A transgender lawmaker admitted to child sex offences after receiving explicit photos of children from a daycare where his partner worked.

👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: New Hampshire state Rep. Stacie Laughton and his partner Lindsay Groves.

📍WHEN & WHERE: The plea occurred in November 2025 in Boston. The offences took place between May 2022 and June 2023.

🎯IMPACT: Both Laughton and Groves face up to 30 years in prison, with sentencing scheduled for February.

IN FULL

Stacie Laughton, a former New Hampshire Democrat state representative, pleaded guilty in federal court this week to charges of sexual exploitation of children. The charges were brought after Laughton—who is transgender and a biological man—requested his partner, Lindsay Groves, to send explicit photos of children from the daycare where Groves worked.

Groves, who was employed at Creative Minds daycare in Tyngsborough, Massachusetts, took the photos of children during routine activities, such as bathroom breaks and nap time, and sent them to Laughton. The images were taken between May 2022 and June 2023 and included at least four sexually explicit photos of children aged three to five.

The Nashua Police Department launched an investigation after receiving a tip, leading to Laughton’s arrest in June 2023. Groves had already confessed to taking and sending the images to Laughton, who was serving as the first transgender elected to a state legislature at the time.

Laughton has a history of legal issues, including arrests for domestic violence, sexual assault, making bomb threats, and misusing emergency services. Despite this, he was elected for a second term in 2022, but unable to serve due to being jailed on stalking charges.

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