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Wednesday, November 26, 2025

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7 minutes ago
News

Mamdani Taps the Far Left’s Favorite Terror Lawyer to Transition Team.

PULSE POINTS

❓WHAT HAPPENED: Ramzi Kassem, a City University of New York (CUNY) law professor and former Biden White House Senior Policy Advisor, has been named to the Transition Committee on Legal Affairs by New York City Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani. Kassem has ties to radical activist groups and has made controversial remarks about 9/11.

👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: Ramzi Kassem, Zohran Mamdani, activist group Within Our Lifetime (WOL), and figures tied to CAIR and police abolition movements.

📍WHEN & WHERE: New York City; recent announcements surrounding Mamdani’s transition team and related events.

💬KEY QUOTE: “The legacy of 9/11 ought to be recounted primarily through the stories of Muslims.” – Ramzi Kassem

🎯IMPACT: The inclusion of individuals with ties to radical groups raises concerns about the direction of Mamdani’s administration and its policies.

IN FULL

New York City’s socialist Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani (D) has announced his Transition Committee on Legal Affairs, which includes Ramzi Kassem, a City University of New York (CUNY) law professor and former Biden White House Senior Policy Advisor. Kassem is known for his founding of CLEAR (Creating Law Enforcement Accountability & Responsibility)—a CUNY legal project that focuses on providing legal representation to Muslims accused by the federal government of ties to terrorism. Notably, CLEAR provided legal representation to radical pro-Hamas activist Mahmoud Khalil.

Concerningly, Kassem has participated in events with the pro-Hamas group Within Our Lifetime (WOL), where he provided guidance on avoiding legal risks during protests. At one such event, he emphasized the vulnerabilities faced by non-citizen demonstrators and outlined strategies for avoiding identification and arrest. WOL has distributed a toolkit for organizing protests, which includes propaganda templates and slogans such as “Globalize the Intifada,” criticized by many as incitements to violence and genocide.

In past remarks, Kassem controversially stated that the September 11 attacks reflected “the resentment these terrorists felt” and argued that “the legacy of 9/11 ought to be recounted primarily through the stories of Muslims.” He has also been honored by the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR), a group linked to allegations of ties to terror-related investigations, and was a recipient of the Paul & Daisy Soros Fellowship for New Americans in Legal Studies. Last week, Texas Governor Greg Abbott (R) designated the Muslim Brotherhood and CAIR as foreign terrorist and transnational criminal organizations.

Mamdani’s transition team also includes other controversial figures, such as Alex S. Vitale, a police-abolition theorist, and Tamika Mallory, a former Women’s March leader accused of anti-Semitism and financial mismanagement.

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42 minutes ago
News

Blizzards, Wind, Rain, and Winter Storms Set to Cause Travel Chaos for Thanksgiving.

PULSE POINTS

❓WHAT HAPPENED: Severe winter weather and strong winds are sweeping across the U.S., affecting Thanksgiving travel plans for millions.

👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: Millions of travelers, American Airlines, and other airlines preparing for record travel numbers.

📍WHEN & WHERE: Wednesday through Saturday, across the Upper Midwest, Great Lakes region, Appalachians, and other areas of the U.S.

💬KEY QUOTE: “Weather’s coming. Execute the plan. Get customers back on track.” – Mark Ewing, American Airlines Customer Service Director

🎯IMPACT: Travel disruptions, flight delays, and hazardous road conditions are affecting millions during one of the busiest travel periods of the year.

IN FULL

Freezing temperatures and winter weather, along with strong winds, are expected to impact large parts of the U.S. as an estimated one-in-five Americans travel for Thanksgiving. The Upper Midwest could see up to two feet of snow, while 52 million people are under wind alerts stretching from the Plains to the Great Lakes and into the Appalachians. Wind gusts could reach up to 60 mph in affected areas, including major cities like Chicago and Detroit.

Blizzard warnings are in effect for parts of northern Wisconsin and Michigan‘s Upper Peninsula. In areas east of Lakes Erie and Ontario, lake-effect snow warnings are in place, with snowfall rates of up to 2 inches per hour and wind gusts above 30 mph making travel nearly impossible. Up to 3 feet of snow is possible in northern Wisconsin and Michigan, while areas downwind of lakes Erie and Ontario could see up to 20 inches of snow.

The Pacific Northwest is also experiencing wet and snowy weather, while showers and storms are affecting cities along the Interstate 95 corridor. In New York City, wind gusts of up to 35 mph could cause balloons in the Macy’s Thanksgiving Parade to fly lower than usual. Early travel disruptions include semi-trucks rolling off roads in Minnesota and icy conditions causing vehicles to slide in North Dakota.

Flight delays are also climbing, with over 630 flights within the U.S. delayed as of early Wednesday, according to FlightAware. Tuesday saw significant disruptions, including an air traffic control tower evacuation in Atlanta due to tornado concerns. American Airlines, which has been preparing for months, expects Wednesday to be its busiest travel day, with 81,000 flights scheduled over the Thanksgiving weekend. “Weather’s coming. Execute the plan. Get customers back on track,” said Mark Ewing, the airline’s customer service director.

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1 hour ago
Economy

Jobless Claims Hit Seven-Month Low.

PULSE POINTS

❓WHAT HAPPENED: The number of Americans filing for jobless benefits for the first time dropped to 216,000 last week, marking the lowest level since April.

👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: American workers and the U.S. Department of Labor, which tracks jobless claims data.

📍WHEN & WHERE: The report was released last week and reflects national data following the recent resolution of the Senate Democrats-caused government shutdown.

🎯IMPACT: While initial claims have dropped, continuing jobless claims remain above 1.9 million, near their highest level since November 2021, raising questions about the broader labor market.

IN FULL

The latest data from the U.S. Department of Labor reveals that initial jobless claims fell to 216,000 last week, the lowest level since April. This comes after the resolution of the recent Senate Democrats-caused government shutdown, which had temporarily disrupted economic reporting.

Notably, jobless claims among workers in the “Deep Tristate” region—Maryland, Virginia, and the District of Columbia—have significantly decreased since the shutdown ended. However, the broader labor market remains soft as continuing claims—those filed by individuals who have already received unemployment benefits—remain above 1.9 million.

This level of continuing claims is near its highest point since November 2021, suggesting that while fewer Americans are filing for benefits for the first time, many remain dependent on unemployment assistance. The data raises questions about the overall strength of the labor market and its recovery trajectory.

The National Pulse reported on Tuesday that core producer prices had edged up slightly. However, broader inflationary pressure remains under control. The jump appears mostly the result of increasing energy costs.

American retailers, surprisingly, also reported a slight increase in sales, suggesting consumer strength continues to be strong even if consumer confidence is softening.

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2 hours ago
News
Politics

Federal Court to Review California’s New Congressional Maps by This Date.

PULSE POINTS

❓WHAT HAPPENED: A federal court in California has set December 15 as the date to hear arguments about the state’s new congressional maps, which have been redrawn to favor the Democrats.

👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: California Republicans, voters, members of the Trump administration, Democrat Governor Gavin Newsom, Secretary of State Shirley Weber, and Attorney General Rob Bonta.

📍WHEN & WHERE: December 15, 2023, at a Los Angeles court, overseen by a three-judge panel.

💬KEY QUOTE: Democrats have called the allegations “meritless.”

🎯IMPACT: The case could determine the legality of congressional maps, potentially impacting the makeup of the House of Representatives after the 2026 midterms.

IN FULL

A federal court in California has set oral arguments for December 15 on the state’s newly approved congressional maps, which were passed via Proposition 50 earlier this month and are widely seen as boosting Democrats’ chances of winning the House in the 2026 midterms.

The California Republican Party, joined by voters and Trump administration officials, has filed suit against Democrat Governor Gavin Newsom and Secretary of State Shirley Weber, claiming the maps unconstitutionally prioritize Democrat-leaning Latino voters at the expense of other racial groups. Democrats have called the lawsuit “meritless.”

The U.S. District Court for the Central District of California had originally scheduled a hearing for next week, but agreed to Attorney General Rob Bonta’s request to push it to December 15. Bonta, defending Newsom and Weber, had first asked to delay until January 2026, per court filings.

A three-judge panel in Los Angeles will hear the case, and the ruling could shape how far California can go in drawing maps that appear to favor particular demographic groups in future elections.

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15 hours ago
Crime
News

CBP Seizes Massive Meth Shipment at Border.

PULSE POINTS

❓WHAT HAPPENED: U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) uncovered over $10.3 million worth of suspected methamphetamine hidden in a shipment of lettuce at the Pharr International Bridge in South Texas.

👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: CBP officers, the truck driver, and Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), which is conducting a criminal inquiry.

📍WHEN & WHERE: The discovery was made on November 21 at the Pharr International Bridge cargo facility in South Texas.

💬KEY QUOTE: “Within a shipment of salad greens, our frontline officers discovered contraband that does not belong on any holiday table,” said Port Director Carlos Rodriguez.

🎯IMPACT: The bust, one of the largest methamphetamine seizures at the South Texas port this year, highlights the critical role of inspection technology and CBP efforts in combating drug smuggling.

IN FULL

U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officers seized more than $10.3 million worth of suspected methamphetamine at the Pharr International Bridge in South Texas on November 21. The drugs, weighing approximately 1,153 pounds, were hidden inside a commercial shipment of lettuce arriving from Mexico. CBP officers first detected anomalies using non-intrusive inspection technology. A physical search then uncovered 500 packages of the suspected narcotic concealed in boxes designed to blend with ordinary produce crates.

“Within a shipment of salad greens, our frontline officers discovered contraband that does not belong on any holiday table,” said Carlos Rodriguez, Port Director for the Hidalgo/Pharr/Anzalduas Port of Entry. “As this seizure aptly illustrates, our officers’ use of tools and technology were instrumental in this massive takedown of hard narcotics.”

CBP seized the narcotics and the tractor-trailer. Homeland Security Investigations has opened a criminal investigation, but no information about the driver or possible arrests has been released.

The bust, occurring just days before Thanksgiving, ranks among the largest methamphetamine seizures this year at the South Texas port.

Methamphetamine is a powerful synthetic stimulant that produces intense euphoria but carries severe health risks, including rapid heart rate, high blood pressure, paranoia, organ damage, psychosis, and fatal overdose. Large-scale production is dominated by Mexican cartels, which smuggle multi-ton shipments into the United States.

Recent related enforcement actions highlight the ongoing challenge. In February 2025, Mexican authorities, acting under increased U.S. pressure on drug trafficking, seized roughly 440 pounds of finished methamphetamine and more than 3,170 gallons of chemical precursors worth an estimated $40 million in Sinaloa state. In October 2025, federal agents in Georgia confiscated over 325 pounds of meth from a storage unit, resulting in charges against a suspected distributor.

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16 hours ago
Politics

D.C. Mayor Bowser Won’t Run for Fourth Term.

PULSE POINTS

❓WHAT HAPPENED: Washington D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser announced she will not seek re-election in 2026, citing the challenges of federal intervention in the city under President Donald J. Trump.

👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: Muriel Bowser, President Donald J. Trump, D.C. Council members, and federal agencies, including the National Guard.

📍WHEN & WHERE: Bowser made her announcement via social media on Tuesday, as federal involvement in D.C. remains a contentious issue.

🎯IMPACT: Bowser’s decision not to run opens the door for new candidates.

IN FULL

Muriel Bowser, the three-term Democrat mayor of Washington, D.C., announced on Tuesday that she will not seek re-election next year. The decision comes as Bowser has found herself increasingly at odds with both the far-left Washington, D.C. City Council and President Donald J. Trump, the latter having federalized law enforcement and deployed National Guard troops in the capital city to address rampant violent crime.

Bowser made the announcement in a video posted to X (formerly Twitter), where she reflected on her tenure and urged residents to “summon our collective strength to stand tall against bullies who threaten our very autonomy while preserving Home Rule.” She did not directly mention Trump in her address but highlighted the supposed importance of local governance.

During her leadership, Bowser often cooperated with federal initiatives, such as clearing homeless encampments and working with federal immigration agents, while also criticizing the deployment of National Guard troops. She acknowledged that federal intervention had contributed to a significant reduction in crime, raising the ire of the progressive-dominated D.C. City Council.

The federal government’s involvement in D.C. escalated in August when President J. Trump issued an emergency order federalizing the city’s police force. This move, which included National Guard deployments, sparked legal challenges from the district. A federal judge recently ruled in favor of the city, ordering an end to the deployment, though the decision is expected to be appealed.

Bowser’s decision not to run has already prompted speculation about potential candidates. D.C. Council members Robert White Jr. and Brooke Pinto have declared their candidacies for the district’s U.S. House delegate seat, while Janesse Lewis George is considered a possible contender.

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16 hours ago
Immigration
News

Trump Admin Reassessing Refugees Admitted by Biden.

PULSE POINTS

❓WHAT HAPPENED: Green card approvals for refugees admitted under the former Biden regime have been suspended, as per a government memo.

👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: Refugees admitted between January 20, 2021, and February 20, 2025, the former Biden regime, and the Trump administration.

📍WHEN & WHERE: The memo impacts refugees admitted to the United States during Biden’s term, with reviews ongoing under the Trump administration.

💬KEY QUOTE: “USCIS [U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services] is ready to uphold the law and ensure the refugee program is not abused.” – Joseph Edlow, director of United States Citizenship and Immigration Services

🎯IMPACT: The review raises uncertainty about the status of Biden-era refugees and highlights the shift in U.S. refugee policy under the Trump administration.

IN FULL

The Trump administration has suspended all green card approvals for refugees who entered the United States between January 20, 2021, and February 20, 2025, according to a report based on an internal government memo. The directive orders an immediate halt to processing permanent residency applications for refugees admitted during the former Biden regime. It extends to a review of refugees who have already received green cards.

The memo states that those found to have been improperly admitted “have no right to appeal” the determination, though anyone placed in removal proceedings may present their case before an immigration judge.

Joseph Edlow, director of United States Citizenship and Immigration Services, said, “USCIS is ready to uphold the law and ensure the refugee program is not abused.” Department of Homeland Security Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin stated: “For four straight years, the Biden administration accelerated refugee admissions from terror and gang-prone countries, prioritizing sheer numbers over rigorous vetting and strict adherence to legal requirements. This reckless approach undermined the integrity of our immigration system and jeopardized the safety and security of the American people. Corrective action is now being taken to ensure those who are present in the United States deserve to be here.”

The move is part of a broader crackdown on the issuance of green cards. In February 2025, President Donald J. Trump announced the termination of the EB-5 investor visa program, which he called a fraudulent “cheap way to buy a green card,” replacing it with a new $5 million “Trump Gold Card” that requires direct payment to the Treasury and job-creation commitments.

In July, the administration began revoking green cards from permanent residents with criminal records, including those supporting terrorist organizations, and intensified deportations at ports of entry. The following month, the House passed, and the Senate advanced the Protect Our Communities from DUIs Act, which would make any DUI conviction, past or present, grounds for deportation of non-citizens, including green card holders. The White House has endorsed the legislation.

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17 hours ago
Lawfare

Swalwell Files Lawsuit Against Housing Official Over Criminal Referrals for Fraud.

PULSE POINTS

❓WHAT HAPPENED: Representative Eric Swalwell (D-CA) has filed a federal lawsuit against President Donald J. Trump’s Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA) director Bill Pulte, alleging violations of privacy and political retribution.

👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: Rep. Eric Swalwell, Bill Pulte, and other Democrat figures such as Senator Adam Schiff (D-CA), New York Attorney General Letitia James (D), and Federal Reserve governor Lisa Cook.

📍WHEN & WHERE: The lawsuit was filed in the U.S. Court for the District of Columbia on November 25, 2025.

💬KEY QUOTE: “Pulte’s brazen practice of obtaining confidential mortgage records… is unprecedented and unlawful,” the lawsuit alleges.

🎯IMPACT: Swalwell’s lawsuit comes in response to a criminal referral made by Pulte to the Department of Justice (DOJ) alleging the California Democrat engaged in mortgage fraud, and Swalwell’s announcement that he is running for California governor.

IN FULL

Representative Eric Swalwell (D-CA) has filed a federal civil lawsuit against President Donald J. Trump’s Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA) director Bill Pulte, accusing him of violating privacy laws by accessing his confidential mortgage records. Swalwell claims these records were improperly used to refer him to the Department of Justice (DOJ) for an investigation into mortgage and tax fraud allegations.

The lawsuit, filed in the U.S. Court for the District of Columbia, alleges that Pulte engaged in “unprecedented and unlawful” practices by obtaining mortgage records through Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac. Swalwell, who recently announced his candidacy for Governor of California, stated that the disclosure of these records damaged his reputation at a critical political moment.

Pulte has also referred other prominent Democrats, including Senator Adam Schiff (D-CA), New York Attorney General Letitia James (D), and Federal Reserve Board member Lisa Cook, to the DOJ for investigation. Schiff and James have denied wrongdoing, while Cook is challenging her removal from the Federal Reserve Board by the Trump administration in a case the Supreme Court will hear in January.

Swalwell’s lawsuit also accuses the Trump administration of using federal agencies for political retribution, despite Democrats having undertaken a far more aggressive lawfare campaign against Trump and his allies after the 2020 election. The allegations against Swalwell are linked to his Washington, D.C., property, likely related to the issue of whether his permanent residence is in the capital or in California.

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17 hours ago
Crime
News

Trump Slams Chicago Crime and Liberal Judges After Career Criminal Sets Woman on Fire.

PULSE POINTS

❓WHAT HAPPENED: President Donald J. Trump criticized Chicago crime and “liberal judges” after a woman was set on fire on a train, allegedly by a man with 72 prior arrests who was out on bond.

👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: President Trump, Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker (D), Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson (D), victim Bethany MaGee, and alleged attacker Lawrence Reed.

📍WHEN & WHERE: The attack occurred in Chicago, Illinois, on November 17; Trump spoke during the annual Thanksgiving turkey pardon at the White House.

💬KEY QUOTE: “They burned this beautiful woman riding in a train. A man was arrested 72 times. Think of that. And they’ll let him out again, the liberal judges will let him out again.” – Donald Trump

🎯IMPACT: Trump renewed calls to deploy the National Guard to Chicago to address violent crime; critics are pointing to progressive criminal policies as enabling repeat offenders.

IN FULL

President Donald J. Trump highlighted Chicago crime and lambasted “liberal judges” after Bethany MaGee was set on fire on a subway train, allegedly by Lawrence Reed, a man with 72 prior arrests who had been released on bond despite prosecutors seeking detention.

The attack happened on November 17. Trump raised the case during the annual Thanksgiving turkey pardon at the White House and again called for National Guard troops to be sent to the city.

Trump said: “This is a very serious thing. They burned this beautiful woman riding in a train. A man was arrested 72 times. Think of that. And they’ll let him out again, the liberal judges will let him out again.”He added: “We’re going to lose a great city if we don’t do it quickly.”

Trump has repeatedly offered federal troops to Chicago, pointing to past deployments in other cities to fight violent crime. Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker (D) and Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson (D) have rejected the idea, calling it unconstitutional and denying there is a crime crisis.

Critics of Illinois’ progressive criminal justice policies pointed to the MaGee case as an example of repeat offenders committing serious crimes while on release. Reed had been placed on electronic monitoring in August but reportedly violated curfew and movement restrictions before the alleged attack. Cook County Judge Teresa Molina-Gonzalez had denied prosecutors’ request to detain him, saying: “I can’t keep everybody in jail because the State’s Attorney wants me to.”

The White House posted on X: “Liberal soft-on-crime policies are FAILING American communities and endangering law-abiding citizens. A career criminal with 72 arrests should have never been free to roam the streets. Pray for Bethany.”

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18 hours ago
Economy
News

U.S. Retail Sales Continued Upward Trend in September.

PULSE POINTS

❓WHAT HAPPENED: U.S. retail and restaurant sales increased in September, showing resilient consumer spending despite high prices and economic challenges.

👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: The U.S. Commerce Department, consumers, and retailers such as Walmart and others.

📍WHEN & WHERE: September 2025, with the report released Tuesday after a delay caused by the Senate Democrat-caused government shutdown.

🎯IMPACT: Consumer spending remains crucial for economic growth, but unemployment and inflation could pose challenges ahead of the holiday season.

IN FULL

U.S. retail and restaurant sales edged up 0.2 percent in September from August, the Commerce Department reported Tuesday in a release delayed by the Senate Democrat-caused government shutdown. The modest gain came despite stubbornly high prices for groceries and housing. Economists say steady consumer spending is on track to push third-quarter economic growth to an annualized rate of three percent or higher, a notable acceleration from the 1.6 percent pace recorded in the first half of the year.

Challenges are mounting, however. The unemployment rate rose to 4.4 percent in September, the highest in nearly four years, and hiring has cooled sharply. A sustained labor market slowdown could eventually crimp household budgets and broader economic growth.

The spending resilience is being led by higher-income households, while lower- and middle-income shoppers increasingly stick to essentials and hunt for discounts. Recent Bank of America data—and comments from retailers such as Walmart—highlight the growing divide as the crucial holiday shopping season begins.

The National Retail Federation predicts holiday sales will top $1 trillion for the first time, though the projected increase over last year remains modest. The current performance echoes patterns seen earlier under President Donald J. Trump’s economic policies. In June 2025, retail sales jumped a stronger-than-expected 0.6 percent, defying forecasts of only 0.2 percent growth and ending a three-month slide. The surge spanned clothing, restaurants, and online purchases, even as new tariffs began raising some costs.

“June’s retail sales were resilient and they show that the consumer is still willing and able to spend,” said Neil Saunders, managing director at GlobalData.

On the inflation front, wholesale prices remained contained in September. Core producer prices, excluding food and energy, rose just 0.1 percent for the month, while the overall index increased 0.3 percent, driven by a 3.5 percent jump in energy and a 1.1 percent rise in food costs. Year-over-year core inflation stood at a moderate 2.6 percent, suggesting price pressures are easing enough to support continued consumer spending through year-end.

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18 hours ago
Crime
News

California Man Convicted of Killing His Wife, Burying and Violating Her Corpse.

PULSE POINTS

❓WHAT HAPPENED: A California man who admitted to killing his estranged wife, burying her body, and then exhuming it to commit sexual acts was convicted of murder in late November.

👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: Zarbab Ali, 28, and Rachel Castillo, 25.

📍WHEN & WHERE: The murder occurred in November 2022, in Simi Valley, California.

💬KEY QUOTE: “Just to confirm that I am a monster, I raped her,” Ali confessed.

🎯IMPACT: Ali was convicted of first-degree murder and faces life imprisonment, with sentencing scheduled for January 12, 2026.

IN FULL

Zarbab Ali, 28, has been convicted of murdering his estranged wife, Rachel Castillo, 25, in California’s Simi Valley in November 2022. The crime occurred just as the couple was finalizing their divorce. Ali confessed to the heinous act, which included stabbing Castillo to death, burying her in a shallow grave, and later exhuming her body to commit sexual acts on her corpse.

Ali admitted to hiding inside Castillo’s darkened apartment before ambushing her and stabbing her repeatedly in the chest. He then wrapped her lifeless body in a blanket, attempted to clean up the scene, and buried her remains in a remote desert location. Disturbingly, Ali returned in the middle of the night to dig up her body and commit further crimes. In a police interview, he confessed, “Just to confirm that I am a monster, I raped her.”

During the trial, Ali attempted to justify his actions by claiming he was driven by anger over his wife’s alleged infidelity and her refusal to let him move on. “This is the only way I could escape,” he stated, adding, “I wanted her dead. I was angry that she just wouldn’t let me move on.”

However, prosecutors revealed that Castillo was on the verge of finalizing her divorce when she was brutally attacked. Ventura County District Attorney David Russell commended law enforcement for their efforts in securing the conviction, stating, “Our thoughts are with Rachel’s family, who have endured unimaginable pain since the day she was taken from them. While nothing can restore what her loved ones have lost, this conviction ensures the defendant will spend the rest of his life in prison and that the community will be protected from him forever.”

Zarbab Ali was found guilty of first-degree murder by a jury and is scheduled to be sentenced on January 12. He faces life imprisonment for his crimes.

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