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Thursday, July 9, 2026

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1 hour ago
News
World

Pacific Allies Form NATO-Style Pact to Defend Against China.

Australia and Fiji have signed a historic defense pact aimed at countering China’s growing influence in the South Pacific, potentially setting the stage for a broader regional security coalition.

PULSE POINTS
❓ WHAT HAPPENED: Australia and Fiji have signed the Ocean of Peace Alliance, a NATO-style military pact obligating mutual defense in the event of an attack. The agreement, signed by Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and Fijian Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka, is seen as a response to China‘s expanding influence in the South Pacific.
📺 DETAIL: The treaty requires consultations on any security-related development that threatens the sovereignty, peace, or stability of either country and states that both would act to meet a common danger in the event of an armed attack. New Zealand is now considering joining the alliance, with Prime Minister Christopher Luxon saying discussions with Australia and Fiji are underway. The agreement comes as Australia seeks to strengthen regional partnerships amid China’s growing presence across the Pacific through infrastructure projects, security agreements, and investments linked to Beijing’s Belt and Road Initiative. Australia has also pursued security arrangements with Vanuatu and Tuvalu and is exploring treaty talks with the Solomon Islands, whose closer ties with China have raised concerns among Australia and its traditional Pacific partners.
💬 KEY QUOTE: “There’s no higher obligation than to come to each other’s aid at a time of need.” – Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese.
🎯 IMPACT: The pact strengthens regional security ties and could pave the way for a South Pacific defense coalition akin to NATO, and signals a strategic pushback against China’s ambitions in the Pacific.
📺 FLASHBACK: In 2022, China’s secret security agreement with the Solomon Islands raised alarms about the potential for Chinese military operations in the Pacific, prompting Australia and its allies to enhance their regional security efforts. The islands’ new prime minister has begun reviewing the treaty in recent days, with reports that he regards rumored conditions, such as the Chinese Communist Party being allowed to collect islanders’ biometric data, as unacceptable.

Image by Baycrest.

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By Popular Demand.
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55 minutes ago
News
UK

Binface Gets Labour Funding.

Dale Vince, a major donor to Britain’s governing Labour Party, has pledged to back BBC contractor Jonathan David Harvey, a.k.a. “Count Binface,” in a special election campaign against Reform UK party leader Nigel Farage.

PULSE POINTS
❓ WHAT HAPPENED: Labour Party donor Dale Vince has offered financial support to “Count Binface,” the alter ego of BBC contractor Jonathan David Harvey, who plans to contest a parliamentary by-election (special election) against Reform UK party leader Nigel Farage.
💬 KEY QUOTE: “I want Binface to win, and I am prepared to support him—morally, verbally, and financially if that works for him.” – Dale Vince
📰 DETAIL: Farage, who has been facing a sustained, Trump-style campaign to undermine him for alleged financial filing issues in Parliament, recently resigned his seat in the House of Commons in order to stand for it again in a by-election and let his constituents render a verdict on his conduct. However, the ruling Labour Party, the formerly governing Conservatives, and the Elon Musk-backed Restore Britain party have all backed away from challenging Farage at the ballot box, leaving “Count Binface,” known for contesting prominent elections dressed as a character with a trashcan for a head, as his main challenger. However, Jonathan David Harvey, who portrays Count Binface, earns much of his income working for the globalist BBC, has often expressed leftist views out of character, and recently told incoming Labour leader Andy Burnham it was an “honor” to meet him. Dale Vince, who has given £6 million (~$8m) to Labour, offering to bankroll the supposed novelty candidate further suggests that the political establishment intends to weaponize him against Farage.
🎯 IMPACT: Vince could donate as much as £180,050 (~$262,000) to Harvey under Britain’s campaign financing rules, positioning “Count Binface” to run a substantial campaign as a de facto anti-Farage unity candidate, facilitated by the major parties refusing to stand in the by-election and make their own individual pitches to Clacton voters.

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Dale Vince, a major donor to Britain's governing Labour Party, has pledged to back BBC contractor Jonathan David Harvey, a.k.a. "Count Binface," in a special election campaign against Reform UK party leader Nigel Farage.

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By Popular Demand.
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2 hours ago
News

Trump Force One Makes First Landing As Palm Beach Airport Becomes President Donald J. Trump International.

Palm Beach International Airport has been officially renamed to honor President Donald J. Trump, with his personal jet making the inaugural landing.

PULSE POINTS
❓ WHAT HAPPENED: Palm Beach International Airport has been renamed as the President Donald J. Trump International Airport, with President Trump’s personal Boeing 757, dubbed “Trump Force One,” making the first landing under the new name.
📍 WHEN & WHERE: The renaming became official on July 9, 2026, at the airport located about five miles west of Trump’s Mar-a-Lago resort in West Palm Beach, Florida.
💬 KEY QUOTE: “I am deeply honored that at 5:01 AM, Trump Force One will be the first plane to land at the newly renamed Palm Beach International Airport—now and forever President Donald J. Trump International Airport (DJT).” – Eric Trump
🎯 IMPACT: The renaming of the airport, authorized by Florida’s GOP-led legislature and signed into law by Governor Ron DeSantis (R), is a significant honor for Trump, reflecting his influence in Florida. Notably, the President will not receive royalties from merchandise sold at the airport.
📰 DETAIL: The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has begun updating the airport’s code from PBI to DJT. “There is no person who has done more for Florida and our country, and no one more deserving of this incredible honor. As a son, and someone who flies out of this airport nearly every day, I will forever be proud to see the initials ‘DJT’ on my boarding pass,” Eric Trump remarked.

Image by Quintin Soloviev.

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Palm Beach International Airport has been officially renamed to honor President Donald J. Trump, with his personal jet making the inaugural landing.

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By Popular Demand.
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3 hours ago
Economy
News

Vance Initiates Investigation into H-1B Visa Program Fraud.

The Department of Labor, at Vice President J.D. Vance’s direction, has launched a major investigation into abuses of the H-1B visa program, highlighting concerns over job displacement for American workers.

PULSE POINTS
❓ WHAT HAPPENED: Vice President J.D. Vance announced a sweeping investigation into fraud and abuse in the H-1B visa program, with the Department of Labor issuing subpoenas and initiating probes into foreign entities exploiting the system. The investigation aims to address fraudulent practices that displace American workers and undercut wages.
📺 DETAIL: Vance said the investigation is part of a broader initiative targeting fraud across federal programs and will focus on allegations including fraudulent visa applications, wage violations, and labor trafficking schemes. He argued that temporary work visa programs should serve legitimate labor needs rather than enable companies to undercut U.S. wages or replace qualified American employees. The Department of Labor’s Office of Inspector General will work with other federal agencies to identify potential violations and pursue enforcement actions where warranted. Officials said the probe will also examine Green Card sponsorship practices and labor certification applications for signs of misconduct. Vance said the administration intends to ensure employment-based immigration programs operate as Congress intended while preventing exploitation by bad actors. The H-1B visa program allows U.S. employers to hire foreign workers in specialty occupations, though it has long faced criticism from lawmakers and labor advocates over its abuse.
💬 KEY QUOTE: “American jobs ought to go to American workers and not foreign fraudsters, and the Department of Labor is fighting back against it.” – Vice President J.D. Vance
🎯 IMPACT: The crackdown signals a shift toward stricter enforcement of visa program regulations, potentially curbing corporate abuses and restoring job opportunities for American graduates.
📺 FLASHBACK: The H-1B program has faced bipartisan criticism for decades, with reports of wage suppression, fraud, and exploitation of foreign workers emerging as recurring issues. Previous investigations have largely targeted smaller entities, leaving many major corporations untouched.

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The Department of Labor, at Vice President J.D. Vance's direction, has launched a major investigation into abuses of the H-1B visa program, highlighting concerns over job displacement for American workers.

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By Popular Demand.
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4 hours ago
News
War
World

Spain Will Boost NATO Contributions Following Trump Trade Threat.

President Donald J. Trump’s threat to halt trade with Spain has prompted the European Union member state to promise to increase its NATO contributions.

PULSE POINTS
❓ WHAT HAPPENED: President Donald J. Trump announced that Spain has agreed to increase its contributions to NATO after he ordered a halt to U.S. trade with the Socialist-led country due to its refusal to meet NATO’s defense spending targets. Trump revealed the development while speaking to reporters aboard Air Force One, stating that Spain had “come back all the way.”
📺 DETAIL: The dispute stems from Spain’s continued insistence that its planned 2.1 percent defense spending level is sufficient despite failing to meet NATO targets. Trump told reporters Spain honored his request for “lots of payment,” warning that the United States would not have continued talks otherwise, while criticizing the country’s Socialist Party government for poor behavior. Earlier in the day, Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez said he had held an informal and cordial conversation with Trump following the trade halt announcement, describing their discussion as focused on soccer and golf rather than the defense dispute. Sánchez said Spain learned of the trade order through reporters but was responding with “calm and patience,” with a Spanish government spokesman also stressing that trade relations between the two countries remain significant and that the United States runs a trade surplus with Spain.
💬 KEY QUOTE: “They honored a request for lots of payment—and if they didn’t, we wouldn’t even talk to them.” – President Donald J. Trump
🎯 IMPACT: The agreement marks a significant win for Trump, who has consistently pushed NATO allies to increase their defense spending so the burden of upholding the alliance does not fall so disproportionately on American taxpayers. Spain’s decision to comply after the trade-halt threat underscores the leverage the United States holds in negotiating with European allies over shared defense responsibilities.
📺 FLASHBACK: President Trump has long criticized NATO allies for failing to meet their defense spending commitments, frequently singling out “delinquent” countries like Germany and Spain for not contributing their fair share to collective security while relying on the U.S. to protect them.

ISAF photo by U.S. Air Force TSgt Laura K. Smith.

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President Donald J. Trump’s threat to halt trade with Spain has prompted the European Union member state to promise to increase its NATO contributions.

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By Popular Demand.
The National Pulse Now has an on-site comments section for members. Sign up today and be part of the conversation in our community of almost 15,000.
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4 hours ago
News
UK

WATCH: Kassam Explains How Farage Turned ‘Weaponized’ Probe Into Election Showdown.

The National Pulse Editor-in-Chief Raheem Kassam explained Nigel Farage’s decision to resign his seat in Parliament and run again in an interview with former Congressman Matt Gaetz.

PULSE POINTS
❓ WHAT HAPPENED: Raheem Kassam, Editor-in-Chief of The National Pulse, explained why Reform UK party leader Nigel Farage has announced his resignation and intention to run again for his parliamentary seat in an interview with Matt Gaetz on Wednesday evening.
💬 KEY QUOTE: “There have been months and months now of spurious allegations being made that he’s in the pocket of some crypto billionaire or that he’s accepted gifts that he shouldn’t have… And finally, yesterday, Farage said, enough is enough. If you’re going to keep saying these things about me… I’m going to resign and I’m going to run again, and let’s see what the people want.” – Raheem Kassam
🎯 IMPACT: Kassam described how Britain’s ruling Labour Party, the notionally center-right Conservative (Tory) Party, and all the other major parties, including the Elon Musk-backed Restore Britain party, have backed off from facing Farage in the by-election (special election), instead allowing BBC contractor, campaigning under the alias “Count Binface,” to serve as the Reform leader’s main opponent. “[W]hat [this] effectively means is that he will win back his seat. What will then happen is that the Parliamentary Standards Commissioner will say, ‘Oh, but you did forget to tick this box incorrectly on this bit of paperwork, so we want you to do it again,’ and we’ll probably see another special election later on this year in the same seat, asking the same question,” Kassam explained, adding, “But how do you think the voters of Clacton-on-Sea are going to respond to having to do that all over again because some faceless bureaucrat?”
📰 DETAIL: Allegations against Farage include claims he improperly declared financial contributions before he became a Member of Parliament (MP), which he and his supporters argue are politically motivated attempts to exclude him from electoral politics. Kassam and Gaetz discussed how similar tactics have been used against President Donald J. Trump and French populist leader Marine Le Pen in recent years.
👀 WATCH THE INTERVIEW HERE.

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The National Pulse Editor-in-Chief Raheem Kassam explained Nigel Farage's decision to resign his seat in Parliament and run again in an interview with former Congressman Matt Gaetz.

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By Popular Demand.
The National Pulse Now has an on-site comments section for members. Sign up today and be part of the conversation in our community of almost 15,000.

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5 hours ago
Crime
News

Kirk Family Demands Full Disclosure of Lance Twiggs Interviews.

The family of assassinated Turning Point USA founder Charlie Kirk is urging the court to release unredacted interviews with the transgender lover of Kirk’s accused murderer, Tyler Robinson.

PULSE POINTS
❓ WHAT HAPPENED: The Kirk family, represented by attorney Jeffrey Neiman, has called for the full release of unredacted interviews with Lance Twiggs, the transgender lover of Tyler Robinson, who is accused of murdering Turning Point USA (TPUSA) founder Charlie Kirk. Twiggs, granted “use immunity,” is said to be cooperating with prosecutors and is a key witness in the case.
📺 DETAIL: Prosecutors allege that Robinson admitted to the murder in text messages to Twiggs and left a handwritten note expressing his intent to kill Kirk. DNA evidence links both Robinson and Twiggs to the weapon and other items recovered at the scene. Despite the Kirk family’s push for transparency, Judge Tony Graf Jr. ruled that portions of Twiggs’s interviews will remain redacted during the preliminary hearing, though he will personally review the unredacted interviews to determine probable cause.
💬 KEY QUOTE: “To not be transparent here, to not be open, to not let the world see what happened, will create doubt and distrust in the judicial system,” said Jeffrey Neiman, attorney for Kirk’s widow, Erika Kirk.
🎯 IMPACT: The court’s decision to redact portions of Twiggs’ interviews has raised concerns about transparency and public trust in the judicial process. Notably, the ruling only applies to the preliminary hearing and does not determine what evidence will be presented at trial, where Twiggs may also testify in person.
📈 DATA: DNA evidence presented in court showed that Robinson’s DNA made up 95 percent of the material on the murder weapon’s towel, while Twiggs’s DNA accounted for five percent. Similarly, on a screwdriver recovered at the scene, Robinson’s DNA was 89 percent and Twiggs’s DNA was 11 percent, according to a Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) analyst.

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The family of assassinated Turning Point USA founder Charlie Kirk is urging the court to release unredacted interviews with the transgender lover of Kirk's accused murderer, Tyler Robinson.

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By Popular Demand.
The National Pulse Now has an on-site comments section for members. Sign up today and be part of the conversation in our community of almost 15,000.
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6 hours ago
News
War

U.S. and Iran Exchange Further Heavy Strikes After Trump Declares Ceasefire ‘Over.’

The U.S. launched further airstrikes against Iranian military targets overnight, with the Islamic Republic carrying out retaliatory attacks against U.S. forces and allies in the region.

PULSE POINTS
❓ WHAT HAPPENED: The U.S. military conducted further military strikes overnight after President Donald J. Trump declared the U.S.-Iran ceasefire was “over” at the NATO summit in Turkey, in response to earlier Iranian attacks on commercial shipping in the Strait of Hormuz. This followed a previous night of U.S. strikes and prompted retaliatory attacks by Iran targeting U.S. assets and allies in the Middle East.
📍 WHEN & WHERE: Attacks were exchanged overnight on Wednesday and Thursday, with strikes reported across the Middle East, including Kuwait, Bahrain, Jordan, and southern Iran.
📺 DETAIL: U.S. strikes targeted Iranian military infrastructure near the Strait of Hormuz, a critical global energy chokepoint, destroying missile storage sites, air defense systems, and drones at 90 sites in an effort to degrade its ability to disrupt shipping. Iran retaliated with missile strikes targeting U.S. bases and regional allies of the U.S., including Jordan, where all Iranian missiles were reportedly intercepted. Explosions were also reported in several Gulf nations, with Iran claiming damage to U.S. bases and infrastructure.
💬 KEY QUOTE: “We’re gonna hit ’em hard tonight. They violate the agreement every day,” – President Donald J. Trump at the NATO summit in Ankara, Turkey, on Wednesday.
💬 SECONDARY QUOTE: “At the direction of the Commander in Chief, U.S. Central Command forces have started conducting additional strikes against Iran to further degrade their ability to threaten freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz. The United States is holding Iran accountable for recent unjustified aggression against commercial shipping and civilian crews freely navigating a vital international waterway.” – U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM)
🎯 IMPACT: The renewed hostilities risk destabilizing the region again, threatening global oil and fertilizer supplies. U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) has stated that U.S. forces remain ready for further operations as directed by President Trump.

Image via Wikimedia Commons.

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The U.S. launched further airstrikes against Iranian military targets overnight, with the Islamic Republic carrying out retaliatory attacks against U.S. forces and allies in the region.

show more
By Popular Demand.
The National Pulse Now has an on-site comments section for members. Sign up today and be part of the conversation in our community of almost 15,000.

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7 hours ago
Bonkers Britain
News

City Run by Likely Next UK PM Saw Steepest Decline in Living Standards in England.

A new report reveals Manchester’s real disposable income has dropped sharply, raising questions about Andy Burnham’s leadership of the city and his capability as the likely next British Prime Minister.

PULSE POINTS
❓ WHAT HAPPENED: Manchester, under former mayor and likely next British Prime Minister Andy Burnham, experienced the steepest decline in living standards of any major English city between 2021 and 2023, with residents’ purchasing power falling by seven percent, according to a Resolution Foundation report. This decline was significantly higher than the national average of 4.7 percent across England.
📺 DETAIL: The report found that real disposable income per person in Manchester was lower in 2023 than when Andy Burnham became Mayor of Greater Manchester in 2017, despite his focus on the region’s economic record. Researchers said the decline was driven by inflation outpacing income growth, weaker productivity, and the unwinding of post-pandemic government support such as the furlough scheme. The Resolution Foundation also concluded that former Conservative Prime Minister Boris Johnson‘s so-called “leveling-up” agenda failed to significantly narrow regional income gaps.
💬 KEY QUOTE: “This big thing that was going on here was price inflation exceeding income growth… it wiped out a few years of income growth.” – Sophie Hale, research director at the Resolution Foundation.
🎯 IMPACT: The findings raise concerns about Burnham’s ability to lead Britain out of its dire economic circumstances following years of mismanagement by both the formerly governing Conservative (Tory) Party and the incumbent Labor government. Notably, Burnham was a Cabinet secretary under the failed Labour government that preceded the Tories’ 14 years in office from 2010 to 2024.

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A new report reveals Manchester's real disposable income has dropped sharply, raising questions about Andy Burnham's leadership of the city and his capability as the likely next British Prime Minister.

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By Popular Demand.
The National Pulse Now has an on-site comments section for members. Sign up today and be part of the conversation in our community of almost 15,000.
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8 hours ago
Bonkers Britain
Crime

Eighth Afghan Refugee Charged in Child Rape Case.

An Afghan asylum seeker has been charged with multiple counts of child sexual exploitation, adding to an ongoing investigation involving seven others already facing similar charges.

PULSE POINTS
❓ WHAT HAPPENED: Bilal Shinwari, a 20-year-old Afghan asylum seeker, has been charged with two counts of raping a girl under 16, one count of conspiring to rape a girl under 16, and one count of conspiring to rape a woman over 16. He appeared at Norwich Magistrates’ Court in England after being arrested in Ireland in May and extradited to Britain.
📺 DETAIL: He faces two counts of raping a girl under 16 and one count of conspiring to rape a girl under 16 between August and October 2023, plus one count of conspiring to rape a woman aged 16 or over between August 2023 and May 2025. Shinwari was remanded in custody until a plea hearing at Norwich Crown Court on July 31. Seven other Afghans, who had been granted asylum in the United Kingdom, were previously charged with 38 sexual offenses against two girls in their early to mid-teens, with three also accused of facilitating human trafficking. The seven Afghans pleaded not guilty last month and remain in custody. None of the eight suspects lived in Norfolk asylum hotels, and none of the alleged offending took place there.
🎯 IMPACT: The case highlights ongoing concerns about asylum policies and the vetting of migrants entering Britain. The trial, set for January 2027, may be delayed due to the complexity and volume of evidence, raising further questions about the justice system’s ability to process such cases efficiently.

Image by David Pearson.

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An Afghan asylum seeker has been charged with multiple counts of child sexual exploitation, adding to an ongoing investigation involving seven others already facing similar charges.

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By Popular Demand.
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19 hours ago
News
UK

Vape Batteries Are Causing Hundreds of Fires in Garbage Trucks and Dumps.

A leading waste management company has called on the government to address the growing fire risks posed by improperly disposed vapes, which have caused hundreds of fires and significant public safety concerns.

PULSE POINTS
❓ WHAT HAPPENED: SUEZ Recycling and Recovery UK has reported over 500 suspected vape-related fires in the past year, citing the improper disposal of lithium-ion batteries in vapes as a major safety hazard. Fires have occurred in garbage trucks and waste processing centers, with some incidents requiring extensive fire and rescue responses.
📺 DETAIL: The company said lithium-ion batteries inside vapes are increasingly igniting, accounting for around 80 percent of its reported fires, with 144 battery and vape-related incidents recorded in the first half of 2026. SUEZ warned that fires have forced waste crews to dump burning loads onto public roads and caused major blazes at recycling sites, including a recent incident involving hundreds of tons of cardboard. The company estimates that around 6.3 million vapes and pods are still discarded every week across the United Kingdom and argues rechargeable devices pose an even greater fire risk because of their larger batteries. SUEZ has urged the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) to launch a nationwide public awareness campaign, introduce a deposit return scheme for vapes, and step up enforcement against retailers selling illegal products. South Yorkshire Fire and Rescue backed the proposals, warning that lithium-ion batteries have become one of the leading causes of fires in the region and pose a significant risk to public safety and essential services.
💬 KEY QUOTE: “Vapes pose a ludicrous level of risk to human life, to very expensive facilities and the communities that sit around them.” – Dr. Adam Read, Chief Sustainability Officer at SUEZ

Image by Renz Macorol.

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A leading waste management company has called on the government to address the growing fire risks posed by improperly disposed vapes, which have caused hundreds of fires and significant public safety concerns.

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By Popular Demand.
The National Pulse Now has an on-site comments section for members. Sign up today and be part of the conversation in our community of almost 15,000.
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