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Wednesday, March 18, 2026

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2 hours ago
News
War

Trump Warns He ‘Doesn’t Need Congress’ to Leave ‘One-Way’ NATO Alliance.

PULSE POINTS

❓WHAT HAPPENED: President Donald J. Trump criticized NATO allies on Tuesday for their reluctance to support U.S. actions against Iran and questioned the alliance’s reciprocal value.

👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: President Donald J. Trump, NATO allies, and European leaders.

📍WHEN & WHERE: Statements made on Tuesday, including a Truth Social post, amid ongoing tensions over Iran and the Strait of Hormuz.

💬KEY QUOTE: “When they don’t help us, it’s certainly something that we should think about. I don’t need Congress for that decision.” – Donald Trump

🎯IMPACT: Trump’s remarks highlight growing tensions within NATO over burden-sharing and foreign policy priorities.

IN FULL

President Donald J. Trump criticized the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) on March 17, amid growing friction with European allies over the Iran conflict, on what he sees as an unequal commitment to collective defense. Responding to reporters in the Oval Office, Trump expressed frustration with the level of support from the alliance. “When they don’t help us, it’s certainly something that we should think about. I don’t need Congress for that decision,” he said, pointing to the financial burden carried by the United States.

While he added he has “nothing currently in mind” about changing the U.S. relationship with NATO, he noted he is “not exactly thrilled when we help them with Ukraine.”

In a Truth Social post earlier Tuesday, Trump argued NATO has operated as a one-sided arrangement. “I always considered NATO, where we spend Hundreds of Billions of Dollars per year protecting these same Countries, to be a one way street — We will protect them, but they will do nothing for us, in particular, in a time of need,” he wrote.

The comments follow resistance from several European nations to U.S.-led efforts targeting Iran’s Islamist regime, particularly in the Strait of Hormuz, a crucial global oil route. Germany has declined involvement, with Defense Minister Boris Pistorius stating, “This is not our war, we have not started it.” The standoff comes as rising oil prices add to global economic pressure.

The disagreement underscores broader concerns about NATO unity and burden-sharing. NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte has recently credited Trump with pushing member states to increase defense spending and strengthening the alliance, even acknowledging it might falter without such pressure. At the same time, figures within Trump’s circle have raised concerns that political and demographic changes in Europe could make some allies less dependable.

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13 minutes ago
Crime

Transgender Activist Charged with Infant Rape.

PULSE POINTS

❓WHAT HAPPENED: A man identifying as transgender was charged with the rape of an infant girl in Washington.

👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: William Kelso Flournoy IV, also known as “Isabelle” or “Izzy,” and Tacoma Police.

📍WHEN & WHERE: The arrest occurred on March 5, 2026, in Tacoma, Washington.

💬KEY QUOTE: “I spoke with the lead detective, and he is actively investigating this case and continuing to run down all leads.” – Officer Shelbie Boyd

🎯IMPACT: Flournoy’s arrest raises concerns about potential additional victims.

IN FULL

A Washington man who identifies as transgender has been arrested and charged with the rape of an infant girl. William Kelso Flournoy IV, who uses the name “Isabelle” or “Izzy,” was charged last week with first-degree rape of a child and sexual exploitation of a minor.

Tacoma police launched an investigation after receiving a priority CyberTip from Google through a database for Internet crimes against children, according to Reduxx. Detectives identified Flournoy as the suspect using an associated IP address and distinctive physical features visible in video of the rape. The victim was quickly located, and her parents confirmed her identity. They told investigators that in 2023, while living in a motel and working multiple jobs, they had invited Flournoy and his partner to stay with them and assist with childcare.

On social media, Flournoy describes himself as a “youth advocate” and maintains accounts under the name Isabelle. The Tacoma Police Department Incident Report notes that Flournoy was arrested by an FBI task force while residing at an assisted living shelter for transients.

Flournoy previously volunteered with the Youth Action Board, a youth-led group affiliated with the REACH Center in Tacoma that focuses on issues affecting young people experiencing homelessness. Detectives intend to contact the REACH Center due to concerns about potential additional victims.

Flournoy entered a not guilty plea at his arraignment, where bail was set at $1 million. Last July, Flournoy faced separate accusations of possessing and dealing in illicit material.

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53 minutes ago
Immigration
News

School Restricts Lunch for All Students During Ramadan.

PULSE POINTS

❓WHAT HAPPENED: A Canadian school implemented “food-free zones” in its cafeteria to support Muslim students observing Ramadan.

👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: Fairview School in Calgary, Muslim students fasting for Ramadan, and the Calgary Board of Education.

📍WHEN & WHERE: The policy was introduced during Ramadan, which began February 17 and ends March 18, at Fairview School in Calgary, Canada.

💬KEY QUOTE: “To support students who may be fasting, we will be providing designated No Food Spaces during lunch.” – School email to parents.

🎯IMPACT: The decision faced criticism online, with many questioning the practicality and fairness of the policy.

IN FULL

Fairview School in Calgary, Canada, has introduced “food-free zones” in its cafeteria during Ramadan, when many Muslim students fast from dawn until sunset. The policy was shared with parents in an email explaining that it was meant to support those observing the fast.

The email stated: “To support students who may be fasting, we will be providing designated No Food Spaces during lunch.” Under the plan, students in Grades Four to Six cannot eat in the cafeteria during the first half of lunch, while those in Grades Seven to Nine are barred from eating in their lunchroom for the full hour. The policy quickly drew criticism online, with one user writing, “The true common sense solution would have been for the fasting students to avoid the cafeteria area.”

The Calgary Board of Education responded in a statement posted on Instagram, defending the move. It said, “During special cultural and religious observances, schools are able to make accommodations to support students, both in and out of classroom activities. This could include accommodations when students are fasting during Ramadan.” The board also claimed that “no changes have been made to these designated lunch areas,” despite the earlier email outlining the restrictions. Comments on the post were disabled.

In recent years, accommodations for Ramadan in the West have expanded beyond schools; the English soccer Premier League introduced Ramadan breaks, pausing matches to allow Muslim players to eat. The practice has been ongoing since 2021.

In 2024, a British government body even included “Hadiths of the Day” in London’s King’s Cross station during Ramadan. However, backlash led to the Hadiths, the sayings of the Prophet Mohammed, being removed.

Image by AwayWeGo210.

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1 hour ago
Crime
News

Raids on Vape Stores See Four Arrests, Drugs and Millions in Cash Seized.

PULSE POINTS

❓WHAT HAPPENED: Four men were arrested and $2.3 million was seized during raids at vape stores in Kinston, North Carolina.

👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: Fatehi Alshoabi, Khaled Almaqaleh, Ibrahim Nagi, and Emad Ali were arrested.

📍WHEN & WHERE: The raids took place in March 2026 in Kinston, involving 26 businesses and eight homes.

💬KEY QUOTE: “When we’re consistently getting complaints from our community members, specifically parents with children 15, 16, 17 years old going to these shops to buy illegal narcotics, we’re going to take it extremely seriously.” – Chief Keith Goyette

🎯IMPACT: The operation provides more evidence that vape stores are hubs for organized crime and dealing illegal narcotics, on both sides of the Atlantic.

IN FULL

Police in Kinston, North Carolina, conducted a series of raids at vape stores, resulting in the arrest of four men and the seizure of $2.347 million in cash. The operation, known as Operation Wintergreen, involved searches of 26 businesses and eight homes.

The arrested men are Fatehi Alshoabi, Khaled Almaqaleh, Ibrahim Nagi, and Emad Ali, all facing various charges related to drug possession and sales. Police confiscated nearly 110 pounds of THC and almost eight pounds of khat, an illegal stimulant popular in Somalia and the wider Horn of Africa region.

Kinston Police Chief Keith Goyette emphasized the operation’s focus on safeguarding youth from illegal narcotics. He stated, “When we’re consistently getting complaints from our community members, specifically parents with children 15, 16, 17 years old going to these shops to buy illegal narcotics, we’re going to take it extremely seriously.”

Goyette mentioned that more than 34 search warrants have been issued during the three-month operation, which is set to conclude next Tuesday. However, efforts to combat illegal drug activity will persist beyond the operation’s end.

Despite the raids, the targeted vape stores reportedly remain open, with Chief Goyette clarifying that the police aim to stop crime rather than closing businesses. However, vape stores on both sides of the Atlantic are frequently linked to organized crime, human trafficking, and illegal immigration. They are also frequently hazardous to their neighborhoods, with an unregistered vape store in Glasgow, Scotland, recently causing a fire that burned down a 175-year-old city landmark and caused Scotland’s largest railway station to close.

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By Popular Demand.
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3 hours ago
News

Chief Justice Roberts Condemns Personal Attacks on Judges as ‘Dangerous.’

PULSE POINTS

❓WHAT HAPPENED: Chief Justice John Roberts warned against personal attacks on judges, calling them “dangerous” and urging that such hostility “has got to stop.”

👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: Chief Justice John Roberts, U.S. District Judge Lee Rosenthal, and unnamed critics of the judiciary.

📍WHEN & WHERE: Roberts made the remarks at Rice University’s Baker Institute for Public Policy in Houston on Tuesday.

💬KEY QUOTE: “Judges around the country work very hard to get it right, and if they don’t, their opinions are subject to criticism. But personally directed hostility is dangerous and it’s got to stop.” – Chief Justice John Roberts

🎯IMPACT: Roberts’ comments highlight growing concerns over threats and personal attacks aimed at federal judges, including Supreme Court justices.

IN FULL

U.S. Supreme Court Chief Justice John Roberts on Tuesday warned against personal attacks on judges, describing such hostility as “dangerous” during a public event at Rice University’s Baker Institute for Public Policy in Houston. Roberts complained that while judicial opinions are open to scrutiny, focusing criticism on the judges behind the rulings rather than their legal reasoning is inappropriate.

“Judges around the country work very hard to get it right, and if they don’t, their opinions are subject to criticism,” Roberts stated. “But personally directed hostility is dangerous and it’s got to stop.” The chief justice made these remarks in response to a question from U.S. District Court Judge Lee Rosenthal—appointed by former President George H.W. Bush—who thanked him for defending lower court judges and acknowledged the importance of his support.

Roberts acknowledged that criticism of the Supreme Court‘s decisions is expected and even welcomed, noting, “We don’t believe we’re flawless in any way, and it’s important that our decisions are subjected to scrutiny, and they are.” However, he expressed concern about criticism shifting from legal analysis to personal attacks, which he described as “actually quite dangerous.”

Many are interpreting Roberts’s comments as directed at President Donald J. Trump, who has been vocally critical of several recent Supreme Court rulings. However, it should be noted that some of the most partisan and vitriolic criticism of the Roberts Court has come from Democrat lawmakers who continually condemn any pro-Trump ruling as the high court enabling “authoritarianism.”

Nicholas Roske, a transgender leftist who pleaded guilty last year to attempting to assassinate Justice Brett Kavanaugh, was sentenced to eight years in prison. He was arrested in June 2022 near Justice Kavanaugh’s home, armed with weapons and reportedly planning to kill him due to his views on abortion. Court documents also revealed that Roske had considered targeting other Supreme Court justices.

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3 hours ago
Politics

House Oversight Subpoenas AG Bondi in Epstein Mismanagement Probe.

PULSE POINTS

❓WHAT HAPPENED: The House Oversight Committee issued a subpoena to Attorney General Pam Bondi to testify on the Department of Justice’s (DOJ) handling of the Jeffrey Epstein case.

👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: Attorney General Pam Bondi, Chairman James Comer (R-KY), and Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche.

📍WHEN & WHERE: Bondi is scheduled to appear for a deposition on April 14, with a private briefing for committee members on Wednesday.

💬KEY QUOTE: “The Committee has questions regarding the Department of Justice’s handling of the investigation into Jeffrey Epstein and his associates and its compliance with the Epstein Files Transparency Act,” wrote Chairman James Comer.

🎯IMPACT: Last May, the Attorney General denied allegations leveled by Rep. Comer that some of the federal government’s Epstein files had been deleted or destroyed.

IN FULL

U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi will testify before the House Oversight Committee on April 14, on “possible mismanagement of the federal government’s investigation of Mr. Jeffrey Epstein and Ms. Ghislaine Maxwell.” Oversight Chairman James Comer (R-KY) issued a subpoena, compelling Bondi’s appearance, on Tuesday, despite both the Attorney General and her deputy, Todd Blanche, being scheduled to provide committee members with a private briefing on Wednesday.

“The Committee has questions regarding the Department of Justice’s handling of the investigation into Jeffrey Epstein and his associates and its compliance with the Epstein Files Transparency Act,” the committee’s letter to Bondi states, continuing, “As Attorney General, you are directly responsible for overseeing the Department’s collection, review, and determinations regarding the release of files pursuant to the Epstein Files Transparency Act, and the Committee therefore believes that you possess valuable insight into these efforts.”

While both are Republicans, Comer and Bondi have had a strained relationship in public. The National Pulse reported last May that the Attorney General denied allegations leveled by Rep. Comer that some of the federal government’s Epstein files had been deleted or destroyed. Notably, Chairman Comer has shown a degree of impatience with the Department of Justice’s (DOJ) pace in releasing the Epstein materials and its apparent lack of candor at times.

Earlier this month, the Oversight Committee voted along bipartisan lines to issue the subpoena. Late last week, the committee issued an interview request with Tova Noel, one of the prison guards on duty at the Metropolitan Correctional Center, New York (MCC New York), on the night convicted pedophile and financier Jeffrey Epstein allegedly committed suicide. Noel is slated to speak with the committee on March 26.

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By Popular Demand.
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4 hours ago
Crime
News

Austin Terror Suspect Was Previously Let Off With a Plea Deal for Hit-and-Run.

PULSE POINTS

❓WHAT HAPPENED: Ndiaga Diagne—the 53-year-old naturalized U.S. citizen originally from Senegal who was fatally shot by police after attacking Buford’s Backyard Beer Garden in Austin, Texas, on March 1 in what is a suspected act of terrorism—previously faced a felony charge that was later reduced to a misdemeanor and then ultimately dismissed.

👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: Ndiaga Diagne, a 53-year-old naturalized U.S. citizen born in Senegal, was identified as the suspect. Victims include Savitha Shan, Ryder Harrington, and Jorge Pederson.

📍WHEN & WHERE: The attack occurred on March 1 outside Buford’s Backyard Beer Garden in Austin, Texas, shortly before 2 AM. Diagne’s prior arrest occurred in 2022, with his probation ending in 2024.

🎯IMPACT: Austin Police Chief Lisa Davis confirmed that Diagne legally acquired the firearms used in the attack in San Antonio several years ago, something he may not have been able to do if the felony charge against him had been pursued.

IN FULL

Ndiaga Diagne—the 53-year-old naturalized U.S. citizen originally from Senegal who was fatally shot by police after attacking  Buford’s Backyard Beer Garden in Austin, Texas, on March 1 in what is a suspected act of terrorism—previously faced a felony charge that was later reduced to a misdemeanor and then ultimately dismissed. The March 1 terrorist attack resulted in three fatalities, with 14 others injured.

According to court documents, Diagne had previously faced a felony charge related to a December 2022 hit-and-run, but pleaded guilty to a reduced misdemeanor charge. He completed probation in July 2024, and the case was dismissed. The records state witnesses saw Diagne, who was driving a Black Cadillac Escalade at the time, erratically changing highway lanes before he collided with another vehicle, pushing the victim into the cable barriers in the median of the highway.

Diagne allegedly fled the scene and was later tracked down by law enforcement after witnesses provided his license plate number. When confronted by a Texas Highway Patrol officer, Diagne denied that he had caused the crash or fled the scene, instead claiming he had been traveling to Houston at the time. The incident report notes that the Black Cadillac Escalade present in Diagne’s driveway at the time had damage consistent with a hit-and-run.

Despite initially lying to law enforcement about his involvement in the crash, Diagne entered into a plea agreement to a lesser misdemeanor charge. A Texas judge also agreed to place Diagne on probation under deferred adjudication, meaning that if he completed his probationary terms, the finding of guilt would not be entered into his record. After successfully completing his probationary program in July 2024, the misdemeanor charge against Diagne was dismissed.

Following the March 1 terrorist attack, photos of Diagne’s corpse circulated on social media, revealing he was wearing a “Property of Allah” hooded sweatshirt and an Iranian flag t-shirt underneath. The attack left three people dead—Savitha Shan, 21, Ryder Harrington, 19, and Jorge Pedersen, 30—and injured over a dozen others. Meanwhile, Austin Police Chief Lisa Davis confirmed that Diagne legally acquired the firearms used in the attack in San Antonio several years ago, something he may not have been able to do if the felony charge against him had been pursued.

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5 hours ago
Corruption
Crime

Newsom’s Former Chief of Staff Collected $62,000 in Taxpayer Dollars While Under FBI Investigation.

PULSE POINTS

❓WHAT HAPPENED: Former Chief of Staff to California Governor Gavin Newsom (D), Dana Williamson, continued receiving taxpayer-funded payouts while on leave during an investigation into alleged corruption.

👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: Dana Williamson, Gov. Gavin Newsom, Democratic lobbyist Greg Campbell, and Deputy Attorney General Sean McCluskie.

📍WHEN & WHERE: The taxpayer-funded payments occurred in 2025; Williamson was placed on leave in December 2024. Indictments were announced in California in November 2025.

🎯IMPACT: Raises concerns over California’s financial policies amid a $17.7 billion budget shortfall and ongoing corruption investigations.

IN FULL

Governor Gavin Newsom‘s (D-CA) former chief of staff, Dana Williamson, received over $62,000 in taxpayer dollars in 2025 despite being on leave as part of an ongoing criminal corruption investigation. This included $30,000 for unused vacation time and $22,000 for remaining time off, as allowed under California’s policy for cashing out unused vacation time.

The National Pulse reported last November that Williamson, who served as Newsom’s top aide until 2024, was arrested by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and charged with public corruption. The charges, part of a federal indictment, accuse Williamson and her co-conspirators of engaging in a scheme involving wire and bank fraud.

The indictment names Greg Campbell, Sean McCluskie, and two others alongside Williamson, and alleges a conspiracy to divert funds from the dormant political campaign of former Biden Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary and California Attorney General Xavier Becerra for personal use. The indictment outlines 23 counts, each carrying significant penalties. Federal attorneys contend that Williamson conspired to divert approximately $225,000 in campaign funds between 2022 and 2024. Investigators reportedly recorded a 2024 high-level meeting with Williamson and two co-conspirators in which they discussed the scheme.

Notably, California’s fund for paying out unused vacation time is unfunded and owes workers $5.6 billion. This comes amid an estimated $17.7 billion budget shortfall, according to the Legislative Analyst’s Office.

Both Campbell and McCluskie have pleaded guilty to the charges. Meanwhile, Williamson is also accused of falsifying COVID Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loans and filing fraudulent tax forms to claim over $1 million in business deductions, which were allegedly used for personal expenses and vacations. Williamson has pleaded not guilty and is awaiting her next court date, expected in April.

Image by Gage Skidmore.

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6 hours ago
World

Russia Warns Against Trump’s Plans to ‘Take’ Cuba.

PULSE POINTS

❓WHAT HAPPENED: Russia has responded strongly to U.S. President Donald J. Trump’s remarks about “taking” Cuba, condemning U.S. interference.

👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: President Trump, Russia’s foreign ministry, and Cuban President Miguel Díaz-Canel.

📍WHEN & WHERE: Statements were made in March 2026, with tensions centered on Cuba and its relations with the U.S. and Russia.

💬KEY QUOTE: “I do believe I’ll be having the honor of taking Cuba. That’s a big honor… Taking Cuba in some form.” – Donald Trump.

🎯IMPACT: Russia reaffirmed its support for Cuba, condemning U.S. sanctions and interference, while the island faces worsening economic conditions and protests.

IN FULL

Long-time Cuban ally Russia is condemning U.S. President Donald J. Trump’s comments suggesting he believes he will have the “honor of taking Cuba” as the island nation faces worsening economic conditions, blackouts, and a U.S. oil blockade. Speaking in the Oval Office late Monday, Trump suggested, “Whether I free it, take it, I think I could do anything I want with it, if you want to know the truth. They are a very weakened nation right now.”

The Russian foreign ministry responded early Tuesday, stating, “Russia reaffirms its unwavering solidarity with ​the government and fraternal people of Cuba. We strongly ​condemn attempts of gross interference in the internal affairs of a ⁠sovereign state, intimidation, and the use of illegal unilateral restrictive measures.” The ministry also claimed the challenges Cuba faces are the result of U.S. policy, attributing the economic and energy grid collapse to American sanctions and embargoes.

In mid-February, The National Pulse reported that Russia announced it intended to defy the U.S. oil blockade of Cuba, though it appears promised petroleum shipments never materialized—at least on a scale that would provide any significant relief for the island’s communist regime. Notably, Cuba hosts several critical Russian and Chinese intelligence installations used to monitor American military activity, especially at U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM)—at MacDill Air Force Base in Tampa, Florida—and at U.S. Southern Command (SOUTHCOM)—in Doral, Florida.

Further, Cuba remains one of the last vestiges of Russian and Chinese influence in the Western Hemisphere—Cuba long relied on subsidies from the Soviet Union to keep its economy afloat. The collapse of the Caribbean island’s communist regime would likely send a profound message to the Global South that neither Russia nor China is capable of protecting their client states nor projecting power in any meaningful way into the United States’s backyard.

Over the weekend, anti-regime protestors in Moron, central Cuba, stormed the local communist party headquarters, destroying part of the building and setting it ablaze. The act was just one of the latest signs that Cuba’s communist leader, Miguel Díaz-Canel, is quickly losing his grip on power as he is reportedly negotiating with the U.S. State Department toward some form of transition of governance.

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7 hours ago
News

Trump Delivers Ultimatum to Opponents of SAVE America Act.

PULSE POINTS

❓WHAT HAPPENED: President Donald Trump J. declared he will never endorse any legislator opposing the Safeguard American Voter Eligibility (SAVE America) Act.

👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: President Trump, Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY), Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-SD), Senator John Cornyn (R-TX), and Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton.

📍WHEN & WHERE: Trump made his statement on Truth Social on Tuesday. SAVE is currently before the U.S. Senate.

💬KEY QUOTE: “I WILL NEVER (EVER!) ENDORSE ANYONE WHO VOTES AGAINST ‘SAVE AMERICA!!!'” – Donald Trump

🎯IMPACT: The bill, which Thune has put before the Senate without removing the filibuster or attempting a talking filibuster, is almost certainly doomed, heightening tensions within the GOP.

IN FULL

President Donald J. Trump has issued an ultimatum on the Safeguard American Voter Eligibility (SAVE America) Act, declaring he will never endorse any lawmaker who votes against the legislation. In a Truth Social post on Tuesday, Trump described the bill as one of the most significant pieces of legislation in congressional history. He positioned it as a critical safeguard against “RIGGED ELECTIONS” and made clear that opposition would cost his political backing.

He framed support for the measure as a test of sanity in Congress, stating: “The Save America Act is one of the most IMPORTANT & CONSEQUENTIAL pieces of legislation in the history of Congress, and America itself. NO MORE RIGGED ELECTIONS! Voter I.D., Proof of Citizenship, No Rigged Mail-In Voting (We are the only Country in the World that allows this!), No Men in Women’s Sports, No Transgender MUTILIZATION of our Children. 90% to 99% ISSUES ALL! Only sick, demented, or deranged people in the House or Senate could vote against THE SAVE AMERICA ACT. If they do, each one of these points, separately, will be used against the user in his/her political campaign for office – A guaranteed loss! Get your Senators, REPUBLICAN OR DEMOCRAT, to VOTE ‘YES’ ON ‘THE SAVE AMERICA ACT.’ I WILL NEVER (EVER!) ENDORSE ANYONE WHO VOTES AGAINST ‘SAVE AMERICA!!!'”

The SAVE America Act would require proof of U.S. citizenship for voter registration and also includes provisions addressing the participation of males in women’s sports and the mutilation of children in transgender surgeries and drug “treatments.”

However, Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) has rejected the bill, and Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-SD)—while officially promoting it—has declined to abolish the filibuster or attempt a talking filibuster to pass it, making its failure all but certain. Republicans do not currently have the 60 votes needed to invoke cloture and advance the measure.

In recent years, the Senate has operated under a “silent filibuster,” allowing bills to stall without extended floor debate. Shifting to a traditional “talking filibuster” would force Democrats to deliver prolonged speeches on the floor. Thune has resisted this approach because it would require Republicans to maintain a continuous 51-vote quorum to avoid adjournment.

The standoff is already influencing key political races. In Texas, the contentious Republican Senate primary runoff between anti-Trump incumbent Sen. John Cornyn and America First state Attorney General Ken Paxton has centered heavily on the issue. Cornyn, long a staunch defender of the 60-vote threshold, recently wrote in a New York Post op-ed claiming that he is now open to altering Senate rules to help pass the SAVE America Act. Paxton, a longtime supporter of the SAVE Act, has dismissed this shift as a last-minute, pressure-driven change to secure Trump’s backing.

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8 hours ago
War

The Iran War is Wreaking Havoc on Asian Energy Markets.

PULSE POINTS

❓WHAT HAPPENED: Energy shortages are escalating across Asia and other regions due to disruptions caused by the ongoing conflict between the United States and Iran, which has impacted oil and gas supplies through the Strait of Hormuz.

👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: Governments in Asia, including Japan, South Korea, Vietnam, the Philippines, China, India, and Thailand.

📍WHEN & WHERE: The crisis has been unfolding since February 28, 2026, with significant impacts in Asia, particularly in nations reliant on energy imports through the Strait of Hormuz.

🎯IMPACT: Countries are rationing energy, releasing reserves, and grappling with rising costs, which are impacting households, businesses, and industrial production.

IN FULL

Asian nations are implementing extraordinary measures as the ongoing U.S.-Israeli military strikes against the Islamic Republic of Iran have disrupted global energy supply chains. Iranian attacks on oil and gas tanker vessels in the Persian Gulf and Strait of Hormuz have put a significant chokehold on an estimated 20 percent of worldwide petroleum shipments, with Asian markets being a primary destination for the tankers.

Over the last half-century, a number of Asian nations have built their economies on high-end, energy-intensive exports, especially in the technology sector. Countries like Vietnam, China, Taiwan, Japan, and South Korea are being hit especially hard by disruptions to oil tankers passing through the strait. In response to the energy supply crunch, these countries are implementing strict rationing measures.

In the Philippines, government officials have imposed a four-day workweek to cut electricity use and fuel consumption. Additionally, companies have been told their employees should shut off computers when not in use and keep the work area air conditioning set at 75 degrees Fahrenheit. Vietnam, meanwhile, is pressing refiners to work in overdrive to keep up supply, while Thailand is attempting to stretch its two-month fuel reserve well past its anticipated depletion date. Both Thailand and Vietnam have implemented emergency subsidies to shield most households from spiking energy costs in the short term.

East Asian nations like Japan and South Korea are steadily releasing emergency fuel reserves, with oil and gas being critical to their manufacturing and technology sectors. Notably, Japan appears inclined to shift away from reliance on Middle East natural gas, with the country’s Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi slated to meet with U.S. President Donald J. Trump later this month to discuss increasing Japan’s purchase of American liquefied natural gas (LNG). Japan is also moving to restart several of its nuclear reactors.

Asia’s two most populous nations, China and India, are being especially hit hard. India is focusing on keeping prices down for residential consumers, mainly through subsidies. China, however, which accounted for 80 to 90 percent of Iran’s oil sales, has been forced to increase its price cap on gasoline and diesel. The new cap marks the highest increase since 2022.

Image by Tasnim News Agency.

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