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Tuesday, November 18, 2025

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3 hours ago
News
TECH

Major Internet Outage, Here’s What We Know…

PULSE POINTS

❓WHAT HAPPENED: Cloudflare, a major Internet infrastructure company, experienced a significant outage affecting various websites and services worldwide.

👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: Cloudflare, its customers such as X (formerly Twitter), OpenAI, bet365, and League of Legends, and impacted users globally.

📍WHEN & WHERE: The outage began on the morning of November 18, 2025, and affected websites and services worldwide.

💬KEY QUOTE: “We are seeing services recover, but customers may continue to observe higher-than-normal error rates as we continue remediation efforts,” said Cloudflare in a status update.

🎯IMPACT: Major websites, including X (formerly Twitter), OpenAI’s ChatGPT, and betting site bet365, experienced disruptions, leaving users unable to access services.

IN FULL

Cloudflare, a company that supports much of the Internet’s infrastructure, experienced a major outage on Tuesday morning, causing disruptions to many websites and services globally. As of the time of publication, the company has not provided precise details on the disruption’s cause or a timeline for resolution.

Prominent websites such as X (formerly Twitter), OpenAI’s ChatGPT, and betting platform bet365 were among those affected. Users attempting to access these services encountered error messages, including warnings about potential security threats. Cloudflare attributed these messages to its systems’ malfunctioning rather than any actual security issues.

In a status update, Cloudflare stated, “We are seeing services recover, but customers may continue to observe higher-than-normal error rates as we continue remediation efforts.” Despite these assurances, many users reported ongoing problems with accessing affected websites.

Cloudflare’s tools, such as Access and WARP, were reportedly fixed earlier in the day, but the company acknowledged that other services were still being restored. The outage highlighted the company’s critical role in maintaining Internet functionality, as its systems are typically invisible to end-users.

Tracking website Down Detector continued to show issues with a variety of services, though it appeared that Cloudflare was making progress in mitigating the outage. The full impact of the disruption remains unclear, but it underscores the vulnerabilities inherent in centralized Internet infrastructure.

This story is developing…

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28 minutes ago
William Upton
Politics

Dems Now Try to Dox Epstein Victims, Release Child P*rn.

PULSE POINTS

❓WHAT HAPPENED: House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA) explained Tuesday that there remain significant issues with the Democrat-led discharge petition that would force the release of the Epstein Files held by the federal government.

👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: Speaker Mike Johnson, House Republicans, House Democrats, Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-SD), and files pertaining to deceased pedophile Jeffrey Epstein.

📍WHEN & WHERE: Tuesday, November 18, 2025, in Washington, D.C.

💬KEY QUOTE: “I am very confident that when this moves forward in the process, if and when it is processed in the Senate—which it is no certainty that it will be—that they will take the time, methodically, to do what we have not been allowed to do in the House, to amend this discharge petition and to make sure these protections are there.” — Mike Johnson

🎯IMPACT: The comments indicate the Epstein Files will take some time to be released as the Senate is likely to change the parameters of how the federal government is to go about making the documents public—which will require a second House vote as well.

IN FULL

House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA) explained Tuesday that there remain significant issues with the Democrat-led discharge petition that would force the release of the Epstein Files held by the federal government. While the Republican House leader acknowledged that he lacks the votes to block the measure, he also made clear that Republican efforts to amend the discharge petition to ensure the privacy rights of victims and those with no criminal ties to Epstein were rejected by Democrats. Additionally, Johnson raised concerns that the petition lacks language preventing the release of Child Sex Abuse Material (CSAM) and sealed grand jury testimony—the latter of which has had no adversarial challenge.

“Our side has been insistent that this matter must be handled very carefully,” the Republican Speaker explained before detailing that the language used in the Democrat-led discharge petition is so vague that it provides no protections for Jeffrey Epstein’s victims or even provisions to bar the release of CSAM materials collected from Epstein’s properties. Speaker Johnson continued: “We want maximum transparency,” though he warned that as currently written, the discharge petition is likely to muddy the waters further.

“So what am I to do as a leader in a situation like this?” Johnson posed during his morning press conference on Tuesday, ahead of the vote. He continued: “I called my counterpart in the Senate, Leader Thune, and I talked through this with him and I shared our deep concerns. And of course they share those concerns as well.”

“So I am very confident that when this moves forward in the process, if and when it is processed in the Senate—which it is no certainty that it will be—that they will take the time, methodically, to do what we have not been allowed to do in the House, to amend this discharge petition and to make sure these protections are there,” Johnson stated.

Overall, House Republicans presented five key objections to the Democrat-led discharge petition as it is written. Namely, that it fails to protect the right to privacy of Epstein’s victims. While a number of the women preyed upon by the deceased pedophile financier have come forward, there are still many who have chosen not to go public with their allegations or horrific experiences. In addition, Speaker Johnson and House Republicans note that the release of sealed grand jury materials—which have not undergone adversarial challenges—risks implicating potentially innocent individuals in Epstein’s crimes, effectively creating a new class of victim.

Thirdly, they note that the petition fails to create adequate guardrails preventing the release of CSAM or child pornography that may be contained within the files, especially from materials seized from Epstein’s properties. Their fourth objection pertains to the impact the petition could have on future investigations, as it provides no protections for the identities of whistleblowers, informants, or undercover law enforcement involved in gathering evidence against Epstein, and who may be involved in current and ongoing investigations.

Lastly, Speaker Johnson notes the language lacks any reference to a proper declassification process. This could result in the unwanted disclosure of information and intelligence gathering practices.

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58 minutes ago
News

Governor Designates Muslim Brotherhood and CAIR as Terrorists and Criminals.

PULSE POINTS

❓WHAT HAPPENED: Texas Governor Greg Abbott (R) designated the Muslim Brotherhood and the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) as foreign terrorist and transnational criminal organizations.

👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: Governor Abbott, the Muslim Brotherhood, and CAIR.

📍WHEN & WHERE: November 18, 2025, in Texas.

💬KEY QUOTE: “This bans them from buying or acquiring land in Texas and authorizes the Attorney General [Ken Paxton] to sue to shut them down.” – Greg Abbott

🎯IMPACT: The organizations are prohibited from purchasing or acquiring land in Texas and face potential legal action.

IN FULL

Texas Governor Greg Abbott (R) has designated the Muslim Brotherhood and the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) as foreign terrorist and transnational criminal organizations. In a proclamation dated November 18, Abbott notes that, “Hassan al-Banna, who founded the Muslim Brotherhood almost 100 years ago, professed that ‘Jihad is an obligation from Allah on every Muslim and cannot be ignored nor evaded’ and that Jihad means ‘the fighting of the unbelievers, and involves all possible efforts that are necessary to dismantle the power of the enemies of Islam including beating them, plundering their wealth, destroying their places of worship and smashing their idols.'”

CAIR is identified in the proclamation as “an Islamist organization that, according to the Federal Bureau of Investigation (‘FBI’), was founded as a ‘front group’ for ‘Hamas and its support network’ in the United States.” Notably, Hamas is already designated as a Foreign Terrorist Organization (FTO) by the U.S. government.

The Governor’s proclamation effectively bans these organizations from acquiring land in Texas and authorizes the state’s Attorney General, Ken Paxton, to pursue legal action to shut them down. Abbott emphasizes that this measure is in response to the organizations’ involvement in terrorism-related activities and their potential threat to the security of Texas and its residents.

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1 hour ago
Immigration

Trump Admin Catches Wanted Terrorist Who Obtained CDL Following Release By Biden Govt.

PULSE POINTS

❓WHAT HAPPENED: A wanted terrorist from Uzbekistan entered the U.S. illegally and was later granted a commercial truck driver’s license (CDL) after being released by the Biden government.

👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: Akhror Bozorov, a 31-year-old terror-tied illegal immigrant, and officials under the Biden government and Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro (D).

📍WHEN & WHERE: Bozorov entered the U.S. in February 2023 and was arrested in Kansas earlier this month. He obtained his commercial license in Pennsylvania.

💬KEY QUOTE: “Not only was Akhror Bozorov—a wanted terrorist—released into the country by the Biden administration, but … he was also given a commercial driver’s license by Governor [Josh] Shapiro’s Pennsylvania,” said DHS assistant secretary Tricia McLaughlin.

🎯IMPACT: The incident highlights concerns over national security and the mishandling of immigration by the Democrats.

IN FULL

An illegal immigrant and wanted terrorist from Uzbekistan was able to illegally enter the United States and was granted a work permit under the former Biden government, allowing him to obtain a commercial driver’s license (CDL). Akhror Bozorov, according to the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), was successfully arrested in Kansas earlier this month while working as a commercial truck driver.

“Not only was Akhror Bozorov—a wanted terrorist—released into the country by the Biden administration, but … he was also given a commercial driver’s license by Governor [Josh] Shapiro’s Pennsylvania,” said DHS Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin. She added, “This should go without saying, but terrorist illegal aliens should not be operating 18-wheelers on America’s highways.”

Bozorov had an active warrant for his arrest in Uzbekistan for being a member of a terrorist organization. He was accused of recruiting terrorists and distributing propaganda calling for jihad online. Despite these accusations, he was granted work authorization in the U.S. in February 2023 under the former Biden government.

The illegal immigrant later obtained a commercial driver’s license in Pennsylvania, under Governor Josh Shapiro (D), according to DHS. The case has raised significant concerns about the Democrats’ mishandling of national security and immigration policies.

McLaughlin criticized former President Joe Biden and his Homeland Security Secretary, Alejandro Mayorkas, for their roles in allowing such people to enter and remain in the country. “Biden and Mayorkas allowed countless terrorists to come into our country. President Trump and Secretary Noem unleashed ICE to target these national security threats,” she said.

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2 hours ago
Economy

Crypto Crash Wipes Out $1 Trillion as AI Bubble Fears Escalate.

PULSE POINTS

❓WHAT HAPPENED: The cryptocurrency market has lost over $1 trillion in value in six weeks amid concerns over a tech bubble and diminishing hopes for a U.S. interest rate cut.

👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: Investors, cryptocurrency holders, and financial leaders such as Sundar Pichai of Alphabet and Sebastian Siemiatkowski of Klarna.

📍WHEN & WHERE: The market decline began in early October, with global effects seen in the US, UK, Europe, and Asia.

💬KEY QUOTE: “No company is going to be immune, including us.” – Sundar Pichai

🎯IMPACT: The downturn has affected global markets, raised concerns about AI-related investments, and caused unease among financial analysts.

IN FULL

Over $1 trillion has been wiped from the cryptocurrency market in just six weeks, with the total value of over 18,500 coins dropping by a quarter since early October, according to CoinGecko. Bitcoin alone has seen a 27 percent decline, hitting $91,212, the lowest level since April.

This sharp decline is part of wider market concerns about a potential artificial intelligence (AI) bubble. Sundar Pichai, CEO of Alphabet, warned in an interview that “no company is going to be immune” if the bubble bursts. Similarly, Klarna CEO Sebastian Siemiatkowski expressed apprehension over the massive investments being funneled into computing infrastructure, stating, “That makes me nervous, because of the amount of wealth that is currently automatically allocated into this trend.”

Global markets have also reflected these anxieties. The FTSE 100 index in the United Kingdom fell 1.2 percent on Tuesday, marking its fourth consecutive day of losses. European markets followed suit, with the Stoxx Europe 600 also down 1.2 percent. In Asia, Japan’s Nikkei 225 dropped 3.2 percent, while Hong Kong’s Hang Seng index fell 1.7 percent.

Concerns are further compounded by falling expectations of a U.S. Federal Reserve interest rate cut next month. Gold, often viewed as a safe haven, has also experienced a price drop, with the spot price falling 0.3 percent to $4,033.29 per ounce. UBS analyst Giovanni Staunovo predicted a short-term decline in gold prices but remained optimistic about recovery, citing central banks’ continued diversification into gold.

A Bank of America survey found that 45 percent of fund managers view an AI bubble as the most significant risk to the stock market. Siemiatkowski added that the rising valuations of AI companies, such as Nvidia, which reached a $4 trillion market value this year, are concerning, particularly for pension funds tied to index investments.

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By Popular Demand.
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3 hours ago
Economy
TECH

AI Fears Drive Pullback in Dow, S&P 500, Nasdaq Futures.

PULSE POINTS

❓WHAT HAPPENED: U.S. stock futures dropped on Tuesday amid concerns over an artificial intelligence (AI) bubble, with Nvidia earnings and delayed jobs data in focus.

👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: Dow Jones, Nasdaq, S&P 500, Nvidia, Bitcoin, and major retailers like Home Depot, Walmart, and Target.

📍WHEN & WHERE: Tuesday, across U.S. and Asian financial markets.

💬KEY QUOTE: “Bitcoin’s extended selloff has definitely amplified the market’s risk alarm, reinforcing the sense that something deeper may be shifting under the surface.” – Hebe Chen, Vantage Markets Analyst

🎯IMPACT: Stock market losses, a Bitcoin slump, and shifts in investor sentiment ahead of critical economic data and earnings reports.

IN FULL

American markets were roiled on Tuesday as stock futures plunged over fears of an artificial intelligence (AI) bubble and a continued slide in the value of Bitcoin. Futures for the Dow Jones Industrial Average fell 0.7 percent, while the tech-heavy Nasdaq 100 slid 0.8 percent, and the S&P 500 fell 0.6 percent. The falling futures marks the worst three-day run for the Dow since April.

Bitcoin also experienced a sharp decline, briefly falling below $90,000 for the first time in seven months. The cryptocurrency‘s slump erased all its gains for the year and triggered alarm in Asian markets, where Japanese stocks logged their worst loss since April. The MSCI Asia Pacific Index fell more than two percent, with nearly all regional markets in the red.

Investors are closely watching Nvidia‘s upcoming earnings report on Wednesday, as it could provide insight into the sustainability of this year’s AI-driven market rally. Additionally, the delayed September jobs report, set to release on Thursday, is expected to shape expectations for the Federal Reserve’s next moves and whether an additional rate cut could be enacted at the central bank’s December Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC) meeting.

Retailers are also in focus, with Home Depot cutting its full-year profit guidance after missing earnings estimates, causing its shares to drop nearly four percent. Results from Walmart and Target are expected later this week, providing further insights into consumer strength ahead of the holiday season. Notably, a substantial decline in consumption—signaling a demand collapse—could be a key indicator of a deflationary cycle and an economic recession.

Meanwhile, analyst Hebe Chen from Vantage Markets commented on Bitcoin’s selloff, stating, “Bitcoin’s extended selloff has definitely amplified the market’s risk alarm, reinforcing the sense that something deeper may be shifting under the surface.” The cryptocurrency’s decline contributed to pressure on risk-sensitive assets and currencies, while haven assets like the yen and Swiss franc strengthened.

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4 hours ago
News
War

Orban: Risking ‘World War III’ to Support Ukraine When It Has ‘No Chance’ to Win Is ‘Crazy.’

PULSE POINTS

❓WHAT HAPPENED: Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán stated that Ukraine has “no chance” of defeating Russia and called Europe’s financial support for the Ukrainian war effort “crazy,” warning of the risk of escalation toward “World War Three.”

👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: Viktor Orbán, other European Union (EU) leaders, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, Russian President Vladimir Putin, and U.S. officials.

📍WHEN & WHERE: Comments made during an interview with Mathias Döpfner, CEO of Axel Springer, published on November 17, 2025.

💬KEY QUOTE: “We have burned already €185 billion, and… our intention is to burn even more. So we finance a country which has no chance to win the war.” – Viktor Orbán

🎯IMPACT: Orbán’s remarks highlight divisions within the EU over continuing financial and military support for Ukraine, as well as concerns about escalating global tensions.

IN FULL

Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán has asserted that Ukraine has “no chance” of defeating Russia, denouncing Europe’s financial support for Kiev, given the circumstances, as “just crazy” and cautioning that continued escalation only risks triggering “World War Three.” Speaking in an interview with Mathias Döpfner, CEO of the German media group Axel Springer, Orbán said the European Union (EU) is undermining its own economic stability by pouring billions into the conflict. “We have burned already €185 billion, and… our intention is to burn even more. So we finance a country which has no chance to win the war,” he said.

Orbán argued that some European leaders are supporting the continuation of the conflict in hopes of strengthening their negotiating position in future peace talks, a strategy he condemned as “totally wrong.” He predicted that any meaningful peace agreement will ultimately be negotiated between the United States and Russia, covering not only the war itself but broader issues such as global trade and energy. He said Europe should open its own communication line with Moscow, insisting, “Let the Americans negotiate with the Russians, and then the Europeans should also negotiate with the Russians, and then see whether we can unify the position of the Americans and Europeans.”

He dismissed claims that Russia might attack other European or NATO countries, calling such concerns “ridiculous” and asserting that “they are not strong enough. We are far stronger.”

Looking ahead, Orbán said he expects Russia to retain control over parts of eastern Ukraine, including Donetsk, unless “a miracle” occurs, and advocated for a postwar settlement that stabilizes borders and establishes a demilitarized zone to ensure long-term security. He warned that the nuclear threat increases if a nuclear-armed state, like Russia, faces defeat in a conventional war, saying, “I’m absolutely sure the nuclear risk is on the table immediately.”

Orbán’s comments come at a moment of political and military strain for Ukraine. The country has been shaken by a major corruption scandal involving roughly $100 million in the energy sector, prompting resignations among senior officials and the flight of Timur Mindich, a close ally of President Volodymyr Zelensky, amid police raids. Militarily, Russian forces have advanced in eastern Ukraine and have almost entirely occupied the strategic city of Pokrovsk, raising fears of a significant Ukrainian setback, with Ukrainian troops reportedly being encircled in neighboring Myrnohrad.

Relations between Hungary and Ukraine have also deteriorated. Ukrainian authorities recently claimed to have uncovered a Hungarian intelligence operation in the Zakarpattia (Transcarpathia) region, which led to diplomatic expulsions on both sides and the suspension of talks on minority rights. Notably, Transcarpathia borders Hungary and is home to a large Hungarian minority, which Ukrainian governments have often mistreated, causing friction with Orban’s government.

Orbán has been one of the European Union’s strongest skeptics of Ukraine’s EU accession bid, arguing that membership would bring only bring economic burdens and security risks to Hungary.

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5 hours ago
News
UK

‘Tourist Tax’ Set to Make Visiting Khan’s London Even More Expensive.

PULSE POINTS

❓WHAT HAPPENED: A “tourist tax” is set to be introduced in London, England, allowing the mayor to impose a levy on overnight stays in hotels and short-term accommodations.

👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: Chancellor (Treasury Secretary) Rachel Reeves, Mayor Sir Sadiq Khan, UKHospitality, and other business groups.

📍WHEN & WHERE: The powers could be introduced through the English Devolution and Community Empowerment Bill currently before Parliament; Chancellor Reeves is expected to announce this in her Budget on November 26.

💬KEY QUOTE: “[M]any of us visit [European Union cities] and don’t really mind paying the extra few euros, in relation to a tourism levy.” – Mayor Khan on other cities that have implemented tourist taxes.

🎯IMPACT: The proposed levy could raise £250 million (~$342m) annually, but industry groups warn it could drive up prices, potentially impacting tourism and local businesses.

IN FULL

London, England, is preparing for a major policy change, as Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer’s Chancellor of the Exchequer (Treasury Secretary) Rachel Reeves is expected to unveil a new tourist tax during the November 26 Budget. The plan would allow the Mayor of London, Labour’s Sir Sadiq Khan, and other local officials to impose charges on overnight stays in hotels, Airbnbs, and other short-term rentals. The measure is likely to be delivered through the English Devolution and Community Empowerment Bill, which is currently before Parliament.

Mayor Khan has been a strong supporter of the idea, noting that cities such as Paris, New York, and Tokyo already impose similar fees. “The thing about those cities is, many of us visit them, and don’t really mind paying the extra few euros, in relation to a tourism levy,” he claimed earlier this year.

Supporters say the levy could generate roughly £250 million (~$342m) a year. Industry groups, however, warn that it could push up prices for travelers, who are already contributing to the local economy by spending money there, and discourage them from visiting. UKHospitality called the proposal “shocking.”

Other parts of Britain are already moving ahead with similar measures. Edinburgh and Glasgow, in Scotland, are planning a five percent tax on short stays beginning next year. Wales has approved a national tourist levy, set to take effect in 2027.

Reeves, who had previously voiced doubts about tourist taxes, now appears convinced they could provide a valuable new revenue stream. Her upcoming budget is expected to include several other tax changes, including a gambling tax and a new road fee for electric vehicles.

The debate over London’s visitor economy comes at a moment when the city is facing broader concerns about migration and pressure on hotels. Recent controversies include hotels removing guests or firing staff so they can house newly arrived boat migrants, some of whom have become embroiled in high-profile criminal cases.

Image by Steve Eason.

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17 hours ago
News

Court Bans Mom from Taking Her Daughter to Church or Teaching Her the Bible.

PULSE POINTS

❓WHAT HAPPENED: The Maine Supreme Judicial Court is reviewing a case involving a custody order that barred a mother from taking her daughter to church or exposing her to Bible teachings, raising constitutional questions about parental rights and religious freedom.

👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: Emily Bickford, the mother, and Matthew Bradeen, the father, are at the center of the case, with attorneys Mathew Staver and Michelle King representing them, respectively.

📍WHEN & WHERE: The custody order was issued on December 13, 2024, by the Portland District Court; oral arguments before the Maine Supreme Judicial Court occurred on November 13, 2025.

💬KEY QUOTE: “I’ve never seen in the history of my career an order as hostile as this one… that order reeks with that kind of hostility.” – Mathew Staver

🎯IMPACT: The decision could set a national precedent on how courts balance parental rights, religious freedom, and claims of psychological harm in custody disputes.

IN FULL

The Maine Supreme Judicial Court is considering whether a Portland District Court judge violated constitutional limits by preventing a mother, Emily Bickford, from taking her 12-year-old daughter to church or introducing her to Bible teachings. The dispute, Bickford v. Bradeen, has drawn national attention because it touches on the intersection of parental rights, religious liberty, and judicial power in family law cases.

The lower court’s December 13, 2024, order gave the child’s father, Matthew Bradeen, exclusive authority over all religious decisions. The judge relied on testimony that the child experienced emotional turmoil connected to material presented at Calvary Chapel, the church Bickford attends. Expert witnesses described the church’s imagery, such as depictions of “fallen angels” and messages about “eternal suffering,” as sources of anxiety and confusion for the child. The judge concluded that exposure to these Christian teachings risked “psychological harm.”

During oral arguments on November 13, 2025, Bickford’s attorney, Mathew Staver, said the restrictions were unconstitutional and imposed a “total veto” on the mother’s ability to share her faith with her daughter. Staver argued that the court failed to meet the constitutional threshold required to restrict a parent’s religious expression, emphasizing, “There is no finding of abuse or neglect.” He warned that the order granted the father sweeping, unchecked control over any religious activity involving the child. “I’ve never seen in the history of my career an order as hostile as this one… that order reeks with that kind of hostility,” Staver said.

Representing Bradeen, attorney Michelle King defended the order as a narrowly tailored measure intended to protect the child’s well-being. She said the court relied on “expert” testimony showing a direct link between the child’s distress and the specific content of the church’s teachings. King argued that the judge acted within the broad discretion traditionally afforded to family courts.

The justices questioned attorneys on both sides about where courts should draw the line when ruling on parents’ religious practices. They examined whether the “best interest of the child” standard can justify significant restrictions on constitutionally protected religious activity and how much evidence of harm is required before the state may intervene.

The case comes amid broader national debates over government involvement in religious matters. In recent years, lawmakers in several states advanced proposals intruding on core religious practices, including attempts to compel Catholic and Orthodox priests to report information heard during confession. Such efforts prompted federal lawsuits, Justice Department interventions, and, in some cases, states backing down after courts or religious leaders challenged the measures.

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18 hours ago
Education
News

College Student Reprimanded for Honoring Charlie Kirk with TPUSA Hat.

PULSE POINTS

❓WHAT HAPPENED: A student at Oklahoma State University (OSU) was reprimanded for wearing a Turning Point USA (TPUSA) hat during a student government meeting.

👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: OSU junior John Wilson and a coordinator of the Student Government Association program.

📍WHEN & WHERE: September 10, 2025, at an Oklahoma State University Student Government Association meeting.

💬KEY QUOTE: “Idea and conversation is what built this country, and it’s what should maintain it. And that’s what the hat was there for.” – John Wilson

🎯IMPACT: The incident raises questions about free speech and political expression on college campuses.

IN FULL

A student leader at Oklahoma State University (OSU) says he was reprimanded by a staff member after wearing a Turning Point USA (TPUSA) hat while delivering a tribute to Charlie Kirk during a Student Government Association (SGA) meeting on September 10, 2025. John Wilson, president of the OSU Debate Society and a member of the student government, wore the hat, a gift from Kirk, as he addressed fellow students following the conservative commentator’s assassination earlier that day.

Wilson described Kirk as “a father, a husband, a devout Christian, and a shining light for so many,” and condemned the killing as “horrendous and vile, just as political violence of any kind is.” He urged students to engage in open dialogue, saying such conversations were essential to the country’s foundation.

Although the remarks reportedly received applause, Wilson says he was later confronted by the SGA program coordinator, who objected to the hat. According to a recording provided to the Oklahoma Council of Public Affairs, she told him that her family, who “don’t look like you,” were upset by what the hat represented. Wilson replied that his intention was to highlight the value of open discussion, saying, “Idea and conversation is what built this country, and it’s what should maintain it. And that’s what the hat was there for.”

When the coordinator raised her identity, he noted his own Native American ancestry. He says he was warned that his stance could make the year “difficult” for him, which he interpreted as a threat. OSU later stated that while student government is traditionally nonpartisan, no campus rules prohibit partisan expression. Civil liberties advocates expressed concern that the reprimand could chill student speech.

The dispute unfolded amid intense national reaction to Kirk’s murder, with many leftists attacking him. Author Stephen King issued a limited apology after falsely claiming Kirk had supported executing gay people, acknowledging he had misinterpreted remarks about biblical law.

In Britain, the Oxford Union’s president-elect was voted out of his position after messages surfaced showing him celebrating the assassination. Comedian Trevor Noah also faced criticism after joking that it was “funny” that Kirk was shot while defending gun rights.

In Congress, Representative Ilhan Omar (D-MN) claimed she felt for Kirk’s family but asserted that he had “no legacy to honor,” labeling him a promoter of hate. A subsequent Republican attempt to censure her failed.

Image by Gage Skidmore.

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18 hours ago
Economy
World

Trump Tariffs Pressure India Into Agreeing to Source Gas from U.S.

PULSE POINTS

❓WHAT HAPPENED: India signed a deal with the U.S. covering nearly 10 percent of its liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) imports.

👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: India, the United States, President Donald J. Trump, and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

📍WHEN & WHERE: Announced on November 17, 2025, with the LPG sourced from the U.S. Gulf Coast.

🎯IMPACT: The deal represents a significant win for the Trump administration, with India previously taking advantage of Western sanctions on Russia to source energy from the Kremlin at a discount.

IN FULL

On Monday, India‘s government announced a “significant” agreement with the Trump administration to source nearly 10 percent of its liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) imports from the United States. The move comes as India seeks to diversify its energy imports away from Russia in the face of U.S. tariffs and threatened sanctions.

Relations between India and the U.S. have been fraught since August, when President Donald J. Trump announced he would impose tariffs of up to 50 percent on Indian goods, as the country had rejected American demands that it stop taking advantage of the Western sanctions war with Russia to purchase cut-price Russian energy. U.S. officials have consistently accused India of clandestinely supporting Russia’s war efforts in Ukraine economically through these purchases.

Hardeep Singh Puri, India’s Minister for Petroleum and Natural Gas, stated that India signed a one-year deal for 2.2 million tonnes per annum of LPG from the U.S. Gulf Coast. This contract marks “the first structured contract of U.S. LPG for the Indian market.”

The Indian economy, the fifth-largest globally, has shown growth, but U.S. tariffs pose a potential risk. Experts have warned U.S. tariffs could reduce Indian GDP growth by 60 to 80 basis points.

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