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Category: News
August 18, 2025
William Upton
Education
Immigration

Thousands of Student Visas Are Being Revoked Under Trump.

PULSE POINTS

âť“WHAT HAPPENED: The U.S. Department of State has revoked an estimated 6,000 student visas under new measures implemented by President Donald J. Trump, increasing the scrutiny of applicants.

👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: President Trump, Secretary of State Marco Rubio, and foreign students.

đź“ŤWHEN & WHERE: The stricter visa reviews were implemented earlier this year, with visa revocations ongoing.

đź’¬KEY QUOTE: “Every time I find one of these lunatics, I take away their visas.” — Marco Rubio

🎯IMPACT: Federal immigration officials and the State Department have increased the scrutiny under which student visa applicants are investigated, including reviewing their past social media posts for anti-American views or support for Foreign Terrorist Organizations (FTOs).

IN FULL

An estimated 6,000 student visas have been revoked by the U.S. Department of State, according to Secretary of State Marco Rubio. Since taking office in January, President Donald J. Trump has enacted a series of measures increasing scrutiny of foreign applicants for student visas, as well as moving to revoke existing visas for foreign students at several elite universities engaging in anti-American activities.

“The State Department has revoked over 6,000 student visas for overstays and law violations, the vast majority being assault, DUI, burglary, and support for terrorism,” a State Department official said. The official noted that an estimated 4,000 visas were revoked directly as a result of the foreign student having violated U.S. laws.

Under Secretary Rubio, the State Department has prioritized reviewing student visas currently held and requested by applicants from the People’s Republic of China. The Chinese Communist Party (CCP) has been accused of utilizing Chinese nationals studying in the United States and Europe to engage in corporate espionage and the surveillance of anti-CCP dissidents.

Federal immigration officials and the State Department have increased the scrutiny under which student visa applicants are investigated, including now reviewing their past social media posts for anti-American views or support for Foreign Terrorist Organizations (FTOs). “Every time I find one of these lunatics, I take away their visas,” Rubio said in March.

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August 18, 2025
Health
News

The Much-Hyped Texas Measles Outbreak Is Over.

PULSE POINTS

âť“WHAT HAPPENED: Texas health officials declared an end to a measles outbreak that was weaponized against Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.

👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: Texas Department of State Health Services, health professionals, and Texans.

đź“ŤWHEN & WHERE: The outbreak began in late January 2025, with the last case reported on July 1, 2025, across multiple Texas counties.

đź’¬KEY QUOTE: “I want to highlight the tireless work of the public health professionals across the state who contributed to the containment of one of the most contagious viruses,” said Texas Department of State Health Services Commissioner Jennifer Shuford.

🎯IMPACT: The outbreak ended with only two recorded deaths.

IN FULL

Texas health officials have officially declared the end of a much-hyped measles outbreak. While the virus did infect 762 people statewide, the situation was ultimately controlled, with the last case reported on July 1. No new infections have emerged in the affected areas for over six weeks, surpassing the standard threshold to declare an outbreak contained.

Initial headlines painted a dire picture, as cases tied to measles outbreaks in Canada and Mexico began to pop up across U.S. states, including Texas. Much of the epidemic was limited to local Mennonite communities in Texas.

The reaction was swift and widespread, with public warnings, emergency measures, and a renewed push for vaccinations. Around 100 hospitalizations were recorded—but only two deaths, for a fatality rate of just 0.26 percent out of the 762 recorded infections.

“I want to highlight the tireless work of the public health professionals across the state who contributed to the containment of one of the most contagious viruses,” commented Jennifer Shuford, Commissioner of the Texas Department of State Health Services.

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August 18, 2025
1A
News

Germany Dismisses U.S. Free Speech Concerns Despite Rising Social Media Arrests.

PULSE POINTS

âť“WHAT HAPPENED: German officials have pushed back at a U.S. State Department human rights report that claims the country is suppressing free speech online.

👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: State Department, German government officials, German federal spokesman Steffen Meyer.

đź“ŤWHEN & WHERE: August 2025, Germany and the United States.

đź’¬KEY QUOTE: “A very high degree of freedom of expression prevails, and we will continue to defend this in every possible way,” claimed German federal spokesman Steffen Meyer.

🎯IMPACT: The pushback comes as German citizens continue to be arrested for social media posts branded hate speech or public insults by German government officials.

IN FULL

German authorities have dismissed accusations in a recent U.S. State Department human rights report that alleges the country is suppressing free expression, particularly on social media. The U.S. report expressed concern that German authorities are restricting public discourse in the name of combating hate speech.

“There is no censorship here in Germany,” said government spokesman Steffen Meyer, representing Chancellor Friedrich Merz’s cabinet. “A very high degree of freedom of expression prevails, and we will continue to defend this in every possible way,” Meyer claimed.

However, so-called hate speech against immigrants and other groups is indeed an arrestable offense in Germany, as are public insults, particularly against politicians and other officials. In one instance, a 64-year-old man was fined €825 (around $962) and police raided his home after he shared a meme that labeled former Economy Minister Robert Habeck a “professional idiot.”

In one particularly egregious case, a German woman was imprisoned for defamation after she called an immigrant gang rapist a “disgraceful rapist pig” and “disgusting freak”—getting a harsher punishment than the rapist himself, who received only a suspended sentence.

Vice President J.D. Vance has sharply criticized Europe’s handling of free speech, including in Germany. During a speech at the Munich Security Conference in February, he asserted, “Across Europe, free speech, I fear, is in retreat.” He blamed European governments for using “ugly, Soviet‑era words like misinformation and disinformation” to suppress dissenting viewpoints, arguing that such practices protect entrenched interests, not democracy.

“The threat that I worry the most about vis‑à‑vis Europe is not Russia… It’s the threat from within. The retreat of Europe from some of its most fundamental values,” he said. He emphasized that “democracy rests on the sacred principle that the voice of the people matters.”

Vance later questioned whether the U.S. taxpayer should continue defending Germany if “you get thrown in jail in Germany for posting a mean tweet.”

Image by Michael Lucan.

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August 18, 2025
Culture
News

Lit Prize Scrapped Because Author Defended JK Rowling on Transgenderism.

PULSE POINTS

❓WHAT HAPPENED: The Polari Prize, an LGBT literature award, has been paused after pro-trans backlash against author John Boyne—who has supported J.K. Rowling—being included on the longlist.

👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: Author John Boyne, other longlisted authors, the Polari Prize’s organizers, and pro-trans ideologues.

đź“ŤWHEN & WHERE: The controversy began after the longlist announcement on August 1, culminating in the prize’s cancellation.

đź’¬KEY QUOTE: “[J.K.] Rowling’s critics claim she is transphobic, the greatest sin of our time, and use the usual tedious hyperbole to demonise her.” – John Boyne

🎯IMPACT: The Polari Prize will not be awarded this year, and organizers plan to increase trans and gender non-conforming representation on future judging panels.

IN FULL

The Polari Prize, a prominent LGBT literary award in Britain, has been cancelled for 2025 amid pro-trans backlash over author John Boyne’s inclusion on its longlist. Boyne, best known for The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas, drew criticism in July for writing a newspaper article supporting Harry Potter author J.K. Rowling’s views in favor of women’s rights over transgender ideology.

In the article, Boyne, who is openly gay, referred to himself as a “fellow Terf” (trans-exclusionary radical feminist) and defended Rowling. “Rowling’s critics claim she is transphobic, the greatest sin of our time, and use the usual tedious hyperbole to demonise her,” he said. Boyne also defended Rowling’s stance on women having access to safe, male-free spaces, accusing some of her critics of being “astonishingly complicit in their own erasure.”

After the longlist was made public on August 1, multiple authors withdrew their names in protest, describing Boyne’s statements as “disgusting” and “abhorrent.” One of the prize’s judges, Nicola Dinan, also stepped down, citing alleged concerns about inclusion and representation.

Boyne has maintained his position, stating clearly that his “views on trans rights have never changed” despite “endless harassment at the hands of both strangers and fellow writers.” Rowling, for her part, has said she is “Thinking of setting up an annual prize to celebrate the most craven, bootlicking capitulation to the Gender Taliban by a supposedly liberal organisation,” adding that the Polari Prize is a “strong contender for 2025,” with the Edinburgh Fringe and National Library “running them close.”

The Edinburgh Fringe recently stirred controversy after inviting males and females to use whatever public restrooms they preferred at events. The National Library of Scotland removed a book critical of gender ideology featuring essays from writers including Rowling, following pressure from the institution’s internal “LGBTQ+ network.”

Image by Ross Burgess.

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August 18, 2025
News

Congress Receives Its First Batch of Epstein Files This Week.

PULSE POINTS

âť“WHAT HAPPENED: The Department of Justice (DOJ) is set to begin releasing Jeffrey Epstein-related materials to Congress.

👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: House Oversight Committee Chairman James Comer, the DOJ, and former Attorney General Bill Barr.

đź“ŤWHEN & WHERE: The release is expected to begin on Friday, following a subpoena issued less than two weeks ago.

💬KEY QUOTE: “The Department will begin to provide Epstein-related records to the Oversight Committee this week on Friday.” – James Comer

🎯IMPACT: The release could increase transparency around Epstein and his activities as Congress reconvenes.

IN FULL

Congress is slated to receive its initial set of Jeffrey Epstein-related documents from the Department of Justice (DOJ), with the transfer scheduled to start this Friday. This follows a subpoena from House Oversight Committee Chairman James Comer, who shared the update on Monday.

Comer explained that while the handover is underway, it may take time to receive all documents, as the DOJ must redact victim identities and sensitive information to ensure proper disclosure. Comer described negotiations with the DOJ as “constructive” and “productive,” with the committee’s August 19 deadline in focus.

The release of these documents arrives at a critical moment, with Democrats—who showed no interest in disclosing more information on Epstein and his child sex trafficking activities under the Biden-Harris government—leveraging public disquiet over the situation to pressure Republicans.

The issue has also sparked some tensions within the GOP, with Attorney General Pam Bondi initially stating an Epstein “client list” was “on [her] desk” only to insist later that no such list exists. America First stalwarts such as WarRoom host and former White House Chief Strategist Stephen K. Bannon have urged President Donald J. Trump to appoint a special counsel reporting directly to the White House to take control of the situation.

Also on Monday, former Attorney General Bill Barr testified before Comer’s committee, stating he has seen no evidence implicating President Trump in any wrongdoing related to Epstein.

Image by Gage Skidmore.

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August 18, 2025
Election Integrity
Politics

Court Blocks GOP Redistricting Reforms to Preserve Black ‘Voting Power.’

PULSE POINTS

âť“WHAT HAPPENED: Judges for the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals ruled against Louisiana’s request to enforce a congressional redistricting map, alleging it is an unconstitutional racial gerrymander.

👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: The Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals, Louisiana’s Republican-majority legislature, the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU), and other plaintiffs.

đź“ŤWHEN & WHERE: The ruling was issued recently, and the case centers on Louisiana’s congressional map drawn after the 2020 census.

đź’¬KEY QUOTE: “There is no legal basis for this proposition, and the state offers no evidence that conditions in Louisiana have changed,” the court stated.

🎯IMPACT: The ruling is a temporary win for the ACLU and plaintiffs, with the Supreme Court expected to issue the final decision.

IN FULL

The Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals has denied Louisiana‘s request to enforce its congressional redistricting map, initially passed by the Republican-majority legislature in 2022. Judges ruled the map violated Section 2 of the Voting Rights Act by diluting the votes of black residents through practices described as “packing” and “cracking” black voters, undermining their voting power.

Notably, 83 percent of black voters nationwide backed Democrat candidate Kamala Harris in the 2024 presidential election.

The court rejected Louisiana’s argument that race-based remedies are no longer necessary, stating, “There is no legal basis for this proposition, and the state offers no evidence that conditions in Louisiana have changed.” One judge issued a stay before the decision could take effect, though the Supreme Court had already stayed the map earlier in the year.

The Supreme Court is also currently reviewing the case in Louisiana v. Callais and has requested additional arguments from both sides. The focus remains on whether Louisiana’s redistricting efforts were narrowly tailored to meet constitutional requirements. Justices are expected to weigh in further during the fall term.

The litigation comes amid broader redistricting battles across the country, with both Republican- and Democrat-led states revising their maps ahead of the 2026 midterm elections. States like Texas and California are engaged in legal and political fights over their congressional maps, and the outcomes of these disputes could significantly impact the balance of power in Congress during the next election cycle.

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August 18, 2025
SCOTUS

Hillary: SCOTUS Is Coming for Gay Marriage.

PULSE POINTS

âť“WHAT HAPPENED: Failed Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton predicted that the U.S. Supreme Court would overturn same-sex marriage and urged homosexual couples to get married while they still can.

👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: Hillary Clinton, the U.S. Supreme Court, and homosexuals.

đź“ŤWHEN & WHERE: Clinton shared her prediction during an interview with Jessica Tarlov.

đź’¬KEY QUOTE: “My prediction is they will do to gay marriage what they did to abortion. They will send it back to the states.” – Hillary Clinton

🎯IMPACT: If the Obergefell v. Hodges ruling on same-sex marriage is overturned, state bans on same-sex marriage could be reinstated, similar to the aftermath of Roe v. Wade‘s reversal.

IN FULL

Hillary Clinton has expressed fear that the U.S. Supreme Court could overturn same-sex marriage, encouraging homosexual couples to marry while the opportunity remains. Speaking with Jessica Tarlov in an interview, she raised the high court’s recent decision to overturn the Roe v. Wade decision on abortion.

“It took 50 years to overturn Roe v. Wade,” Clinton noted, adding: “The Supreme Court will hear a case about gay marriage. My prediction is they will do to gay marriage what they did to abortion. They will send it back to the states.”

Should the court reverse the Obergefell v. Hodges ruling on same-sex marriage, the Respect for Marriage Act, signed into law by President Joe Biden in 2022, ensures federal recognition of same-sex marriages and requires states to recognize marriages performed in other states. However, the law does not mandate that states allow same-sex marriages, potentially allowing state bans to return.

Clinton further noted, “Anybody in a committed relationship out there in the LGBTQ community, you ought to consider getting married. ’Cause I don’t think they’ll undo existing marriages, but I fear that they will undo the national right.”

The Supreme Court has not indicated plans to revisit same-sex marriage. Still, some justices, including Clarence Thomas, questioned the Obergefell ruling in a concurring opinion following the Roe reversal, suggesting it merits reconsideration.

Notably, Kim Davis, the former Kentucky clerk who became widely known in 2015 after refusing to issue same-sex marriage licenses due to her Christian faith, has already filed a petition arguing that the First Amendment’s protection of religious freedom should have shielded her from personal liability in denying the licenses.

Image by Gage Skidmore.

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August 18, 2025
News
War

Germany Doesn’t Want to Send Troops to Ukraine.

PULSE POINTS

âť“WHAT HAPPENED: German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul expressed doubts about sending German soldiers to Ukraine as part of Western security guarantees against possible future Russian aggression.

👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul and Chancellor Friedrich Merz.

đź“ŤWHEN & WHERE: Comments made during the Table.Today podcast ahead of a White House summit involving Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelensky and European leaders.

đź’¬KEY QUOTE: “That does not mean we cannot support Ukraine in other military and technical ways,” Wadephul said.

🎯IMPACT: Germany, the largest, wealthiest European NATO member, still appears reluctant to help guarantee European security, after decades of relying on the American military while acting as one of Russia’s largest energy customers.

IN FULL

German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul cast doubt on the notion of sending German soldiers to Ukraine as part of Western security guarantees intended to secure a potential peace deal with Russia, calling the idea a “remote question” and warning it would “most likely overwhelm Germany.” Security guarantees are a key topic at the White House summit between President Donald J. Trump, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, and European leaders today, as the American president seeks to mediate a deal that will encourage Ukraine to agree to a ceasefire or broader peace deal with Russia, which may involve some “territorial changes.”

Ahead of the White House summit,  Wadephul said Germany not sending troops “does not mean we cannot support Ukraine in other military and technical ways.” However, Europe’s largest and wealthiest NATO member still appears unwilling to help actively guarantee European security, after relying on the U.S. to perform this role while enriching Russia through extensive energy purchases for decades.

On possible territorial changes in Ukraine, Wadephul said decisions over the country’s borders must rest with Kiev, with concessions only made if credible anti‑aggression guarantees accompany them—despite his own government’s reluctance to provide troops. He described Germany’s role as providing so-called political leadership, claiming: “Chancellor [Friedrich] Merz has succeeded in uniting European nations behind Ukraine, even when their interests differed.”

Germany is pursuing significant budget increases and structural reforms to bolster its military capabilities. In his first major parliamentary speech as Chancellor, Merz declared: “The government will provide all the financial resources that the [German military] needs in order to become the strongest conventional army in Europe.”

Despite these initiatives, public enthusiasm for military engagement remains limited. A poll released earlier this month indicates that over half of Germans would not be willing to fight for their country. Similar sentiments have been reported in other European countries, such as Italy and Britain.

Image by w?odi.

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August 18, 2025
Jack Montgomery
News
War

European Leaders Praise Trump for Breaking ‘Deadlock’ With Russia.

PULSE POINTS

âť“WHAT HAPPENED: NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte expressed optimism about ending the war in Ukraine, praising President Donald J. Trump for breaking the “deadlock” with Russia alongside other European leaders.

👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte, President Donald J. Trump, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, and other European leaders at a White House summit.

đź“ŤWHEN & WHERE: August 18, 2025, at the White House.

đź’¬KEY QUOTE: “The fact that you have said I’m willing to participate in security guarantees is a big step, is really a breakthrough, and it makes all the difference.” – Mark Rutte

🎯IMPACT: The discussions focused on security guarantees and the potential for ending the war, with positive remarks from all leaders involved.

IN FULL

NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte expressed optimism about ending the ongoing war in Ukraine during a meeting of European leaders at the White House. The former Dutch prime minister emphasized the importance of making the most out of the current situation, stating, “Let’s make the best out of today and make sure that from today onwards, we get this thing to an end as soon as possible.”

Rutte, speaking alongside Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and various European NATO leaders, thanked President Donald J. Trump for breaking the “deadlock” with Russia by “starting the dialogue” with President Vladimir Putin in Alaska last week.

He highlighted the significance of President Trump’s willingness to participate in security guarantees for Ukraine as part of a peace deal, calling it “a big step” and “really a breakthrough.”

Despite previous friction with Zelensky, Trump described their discussion ahead of the wider meeting with European leaders as “very good.” Zelensky, too, said their meeting “really was the best one, or sorry, maybe the best one will be in the future,” adding that they would “speak more about security guarantees.”

Finnish President Alexander Stubb was among the European leaders to praise President Trump’s efforts, noting that more progress had been made towards peace in the past two weeks “than we have in the past three and a half years.”

Stubb referenced his own country’s clashes with the Soviet Union during the Winter War and Continuation War, which took place amid the Second World War, saying, “We found a solution in 1944, and I’m sure that we’ll be able to find a solution in 2025, too.”

Notably, Finland brought its conflict with the Soviets to an end by making territorial concessions.

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August 18, 2025
News
War

Hamas, Israel Reach Deal on Ceasefire & Hostages Pioneered by Trump Envoy.

PULSE POINTS

âť“WHAT HAPPENED: Hamas has agreed to a ceasefire-hostage deal with Israel, according to a Hamas official.

👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: Hamas, Israeli officials, Egyptian and Qatari mediators, and President Donald J. Trump’s U.S. Middle East envoy, Steve Witkoff.

đź“ŤWHEN & WHERE: Discussions have been ongoing in the Middle East.

đź’¬KEY QUOTE: “The movement has handed over its approval to the new proposal presented by the mediators.” – Senior Hamas official Basem Naim

🎯IMPACT: The deal could pave the way for a temporary cessation of violence and the release of detainees, though Israel has yet to respond.

IN FULL

Hamas has consented to a ceasefire and hostage release agreement with Israel, according to a senior Hamas official. The deal closely follows a 60-day ceasefire plan originally put forward by President Donald J. Trump’s Middle East envoy, Steve Witkoff.

According to an Egyptian official source, the current deal entails a 60-day ceasefire and the return of half the hostages Hamas holds in Gaza, alongside Israel’s release of a number of Palestinian prisoners. Mediators from Egypt and Qatar have been key in facilitating talks with Hamas to secure this arrangement.

Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty stated that mediators had been “exerting extensive efforts” to bring the U.S. proposal back to life, with the goal of achieving a temporary halt to hostilities and freeing hostages. Senior Hamas official Basem Naim announced on Facebook, “The movement has handed over its approval to the new proposal presented by the mediators.”

Reports from Arab media suggest Hamas has accepted the proposal with minimal changes. Israeli officials have yet to comment publicly on the agreement. Previous efforts to reach similar deals have often collapsed due to disputes over the terror group’s proposed revisions.

Image by WAFA / APAimages.

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