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Category: News
May 9, 2025
Christopher Tomlinson
News
UK

Prosecutors Claim Man ‘Harassed’ Islam by Burning Quran.

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❓What Happened: Prosecutors have charged a man for burning a Quran in England, which critics say could introduce blasphemy laws back to the country.

👥 Who’s Involved: Prosecutors, Shadow Justice Secretary Robert Jenrick, Hamit Coskun.

📍 Where & When: Charges were laid after Coskun burned the Quran as part of a protest earlier this year.

💬 Key Quote: “It is not for the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) or courts to create a blasphemy law in this country by the back door.” — Conservative Member of Parliament (MP) Robert Jenrick.

⚠️ Impact: If the prosecution continues and Coskun is found guilty, it could introduce a new de facto blasphemy law into the British legal system.

IN FULL:

British prosecutors have criminally charged a man under the Public Order Act after setting fire to a copy of the Islamic Quran, claiming that he was “harassing” the religion by doing so. Critics have warned that the case could set a precedent for a quasi-blasphemy law in the United Kingdom if the man is convicted.

Hamit Coskun has been charged with harassing the religion, which the prosecutor claims is an “institution” in Britain. It is the first time anyone has been charged with such an offense, as prior to the case, religions like Islam were not considered “persons.”

Shadow Justice Secretary and former Conservative Party leadership contender Robert Jenrick sharply criticised the move to prosecute Coskun. “Burning the Quran, like any religious text, is something that some people find very offensive and few people would condone, but that’s not the point. There are many things in our society that people find offensive, but that doesn’t make them criminal,” Jenrick said. 

He added that Britain scrapped blasphemy laws nearly two decades prior, saying it was “right to do so.” He insisted: “It is not for the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) or courts to create a blasphemy law in this country by the back door.”

The case came just months after another man in Manchester was admonished by a judge for tearing out a page of a Quran and burning it. According to the judge, the book was “sacred” and such actions were not permissible in a “tolerant” society.

Some Muslim lawmakers in Britain, including members of the ruling Labour Party, have called for blasphemy laws to return to the country. Tahir Ali MP urged the government to ban the desecration of religious texts, something Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer refused to rule out at the time.

Image by Frankie Fouganthin.

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May 8, 2025
Economy
News

Farmers Rally in Support of Trump’s Tariff Strategy.

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❓What Happened: American farmers are showing strong support for President Trump’s trade policies, expecting tariffs to bolster the agricultural sector.

👥 Who’s Involved: President Donald J. Trump, American farmers, Purdue University, and CME Group.

📍 Where & When: United States, April (latest data from Purdue University-CME Group Ag Economy Barometer).

💬 Key Quote: “This month, one out of four respondents said it was a good time to make large investments.” — Perdue University study.

⚠️ Impact: Increased farmer optimism and investment intentions, with expectations of improved financial performance.

IN FULL:

Farmers across America are expressing robust support for President Donald J. Trump‘s trade policies, according to the latest data from the Purdue University-CME Group Ag Economy Barometer. The survey reveals that 70 percent of farmers believe the tariffs imposed under Trump’s administration will ultimately strengthen the agricultural sector. This optimistic outlook is reflected in the significant rise in farmer sentiment observed in April, with both current and future expectations showing marked improvement.

The Farm Capital Investment Index, a key measure of farmers‘ willingness to invest, has reached its highest level since May 2021. This surge in investment sentiment is underscored by the finding that one in four respondents considers it a favorable time to make substantial investments. This figure is nearly twice the percentage recorded in surveys conducted from May to October of the previous year.

Moreover, the Farm Financial Performance Index has remained above 100 for four consecutive months. This indicates that producers anticipate financial performance this year to be on par with, or slightly exceed, the levels seen last year.

The data underscores a growing confidence among American farmers in the Trump administration’s economic strategies. By focusing on restoring fairness in global trade and opening new markets for U.S. producers, the administration has garnered significant support within the agricultural community.

The optimism of farmers matches the similar sentiment expressed by those in the manufacturing industry, who have also praised President Trump’s tariff policies.

President Trump has said his new trade deal with the United Kingdom, announced Thursday, will significantly open the British market to American produce.

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May 8, 2025
William Upton
War
World

Trump Calls for 30-Day Ceasefire Between Russia and Ukraine, Threatens Sanctions on Both if Not Upheld.

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What Happened: President Donald J. Trump is once again pushing for a 30-day ceasefire between Russia and Ukraine, threatening sanctions if either country violates the suspension of hostilities. He hopes a ceasefire can pave the way for a peace deal between the warring nations.

👥 Who’s Involved: President Donald J. Trump, Russian President Vladimir Putin, and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky.

📍 Where & When: President Trump called for a ceasefire in a post on Truth Social on Thursday, May 8, 2025.

💬 Key Quote: “If the ceasefire is not respected, the U.S. and its partners will impose further sanctions,” President Trump warned.

⚠️ Impact: With the Russian economy beginning to show signs of strain under current U.S. sanctions, and Putin even expressing a desire to re-establish access to Western markets, the 30-day ceasefire demand may be too much for him to pass up. The Russian leader has already signalled he is open to a shorter-term cessation of hostilities. However, this may be the final efforts of the Trump White House to broker an end to the conflict before washing their hands of the issue.

IN FULL:

President Donald J. Trump is calling for an unconditional 30-day ceasefire between Russia and Ukraine, threating that the United States and its partners will impose crippling sanctions on whichever of the two nations either refuse the agreement or violate it. The America First leader outlined the ceasefire proposal in a post on Truth Social late Thursday, May 8, 2025.

“The U.S. calls for, ideally, a 30-day unconditional ceasefire. Hopefully, an acceptable ceasefire will be observed, and both Countries will be held accountable for respecting the sanctity of these direct negotiations,” Trump wrote, continuing: “If the ceasefire is not respected, the U.S. and its partners will impose further sanctions.”

He added: “Thousands of young soldiers are dying on a weekly basis, and everybody should want it to STOP. I do, and the United States of America does, also. As President, I will stay committed to securing Peace between Russia and Ukraine, together with the Europeans, and a Lasting Peace it will be!”

Trump emphasized that the ceasefire demand is intended to “ultimately build toward a Peace Agreement” and that it must be done “quickly.” Additionally, President Trump offered to be “available on a moment’s notice” to help broker a peace deal between Russia and Ukraine.

Earlier in the week, Trump expressed his disgust and anger with the intransigence shown by both the Russian and Ukrainian governments toward a peace deal. Meanwhile, Vice President J.D. Vance, speaking at the Munich Leaders Meeting in Washington, D.C., said that Russia is “asking for too much” in return for ending its war against neighboring Ukraine, highlighting the Trump White House’s continued frustration with reaching an elusive peace settlement.

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May 8, 2025
Economy
News

EU Takes Trump to WTO, Plans 95 Billion Euro Retaliation Against U.S. Tariffs.

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❓What Happened: The European Union (EU) announced plans to challenge U.S. “reciprocal” tariffs at the World Trade Organization (WTO) and launched a public consultation on countermeasures.

👥 Who’s Involved: European Commissioner Maros Sefcovic, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, U.S. President Donald J. Trump, John Plueger of Air Lease Corp.

📍 Where & When: Luxembourg, May 7, 2025.

💬 Key Quote: “The EU’s objective is thus to reaffirm that internationally agreed rules matter, and these cannot be unilaterally disregarded by any WTO member, including the US,” stated the European Commission.

⚠️ Impact: Further trade tensions with tariffs affecting industries such as automotive, aerospace, and spirits, with a possible shift in production strategies for EU manufacturers.

IN FULL:

The European Union (EU) has declared its intention to contest the United States’ reciprocal tariff policy at the World Trade Organization (WTO). This announcement was made during a press conference held by EU Commissioner Maros Sefcovic at the EU Council building on May 7, 2025.

The European Commission has initiated a public consultation on possible countermeasures targeting U.S. imports valued at $107.4 billion, should negotiations with Washington falter. The proposed list includes a wide array of agricultural and industrial goods, notably bourbon and tequila, which have been contentious points between the transatlantic partners. President Donald J. Trump had previously threatened to impose a 200 percent tariff on EU alcohol imports, escalating tensions.

The EU’s dispute will formally begin with a consultation request, as the Commission asserts that the U.S. tariffs contravene fundamental WTO rules. “The EU’s objective is thus to reaffirm that internationally agreed rules matter and these cannot be unilaterally disregarded by any WTO member, including the US,” the Commission emphasized in its statement.

European Trade Commissioner Maroš Sefcovic highlighted the EU’s aim to negotiate a resolution to avoid Trump’s proposed 20 percent reciprocal tariffs on all U.S. imports from the EU. Despite ongoing talks, Sefcovic noted that the EU is preparing for all outcomes. The U.S. has already imposed a 25 percent tariff on imported vehicles, impacting European car manufacturers.

In a statement, EC President Ursula von der Leyen expressed commitment to finding negotiated solutions, stating, “We believe there are good deals to be made for the benefit of consumers and businesses on both sides of the Atlantic.”

The EU has temporarily halted retaliatory measures against U.S. tariffs on steel and aluminum, which could affect $24.1 billion worth of U.S. goods with a 25 percent tariff rate if implemented. Its combative approach with the Trump administration at the WTO contrasts with the approach of the United Kingdom, a former EU member state now able to control its own trade policy, which struck an ambitious free trade agreement with the U.S. on Thursday.

Image: European Union 2023– Source: EP.

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May 8, 2025
William Upton
Politics
Religion

Pope Leo XIV Is a Registered Republican and Cast Ballots in Past GOP Primaries.

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❓What Happened: U.S. voting data shows that the newly-elected Pope Leo XIV—formerly known as Cardinal Robert Prevost of Chicago, Illinois—is a registered Republican and has voted in a number of Republican primary elections in the past. Additionally, voter modeling suggests he is a conservative Republican voter.

👥 Who’s Involved: Pope Leo XIV.

📍 Where & When: May 8, 2025, the Vatican in Rome, Italy.

💬 Key Quote: Our Turning Point Action team pulled the voting history for Pope Leo XIV. He’s a registered Republican who has voted in Republican primaries when not living abroad,” Turning Point Action’s Charlie Kirk wrote in a post on X (formerly Twitter). He added: “Our data shows he’s a strong Republican, and he’s pro-life.”

⚠️ Impact: While not conclusive as to what the theological and ideological temperament of Pope Leo XIV might be, the data suggests that the new pontiff does represent a break from the more progressive excesses of his predecessor, the late Pope Francis.

IN FULL:

With the election of Chicago-born American Cardinal Robert Prevost to the papacy, taking the name Pope Leo XIV, we can, for the first time, actually know—to an extent—the political voting history of a pontiff in American elections. An American citizen, Pope Leo XIV is a registered member of the Republican Party and cast Republican primary ballots in 2012, 2014, and 2016.

“Our Turning Point Action team pulled the voting history for Pope Leo XIV. He’s a registered Republican who has voted in Republican primaries when not living abroad,” Turning Point Action’s Charlie Kirk wrote in a post on X (formerly Twitter). “Our data shows he’s a strong Republican, and he’s pro-life.”

Notably, the new pontiff has also cast ballots in a number of general elections in the United States in both presidential and midterm cycles. Pope Leo XIV voted in all U.S. general elections between 2000 and 2008, casting a ballot again in 2012 and 2014, and in 2018 and 2024. Additionally, according to voter modeling by Turning Point Action, Pope Leo XIV is categorized as having a generally conservative political ideology and a strong Republican partisanship rating.

The election and modeling data may provide hope for some of the more traditionalist factions in the Catholic Church, who want the new pontiff to provide a reprieve from the late Pope Francis‘s more “progressive” papacy. However, it is important to note that outside the modeling, it is unknown which candidates for public office were actually supported by Pope Leo XIV, with more moderate Republicans being just as likely as more conservative candidates.

Throwing some cold water on the idea that Pope Leo XIV may in some ways embody a more American conservative style of Catholicism is his history of criticism of President Donald J. Trump and Vice President J.D. Vance over their immigration policy on social media. The National Pulse reported earlier on Thursday that then-Cardinal Robert Prevost had shared several articles on X attacking both Trump and Vance over their deportation and immigration restriction policies.

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May 8, 2025
Jack Montgomery
Immigration
Religion

New Pope Criticized Trump, Vance, on Immigration.

PULSE POINTS:

❓What Happened: Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost, now Pope Leo XIV, elected as the first American pope, previously criticized President Donald J. Trump and Vice President J.D. Vance’s stance on immigration.

👥 Who’s Involved: Pope Leo XIV, President Trump, Vice President Vance, and the late Pope Francis.

📍 Where & When: Vatican City, with the election confirmed on May 8, 2025.

⚠️ Impact: Pope Leo XIV’s election is a point of national pride for the U.S., but, despite President Trump’s gracious response to his election, the pontiff’s past critiques of America First policies suggest he may attempt to undermine the Trump administration.

IN FULL:

Chicago-born Pope Leo XIV previously criticized President Donald J. Trump and Vice President J.D. Vance on immigration, sharing articles on X (formerly Twitter) calling the America First leader’s “rhetoric” on immigration “problematic” and criticizing his vice president’s stance on a Christian’s ties of obligation to his country and family.

The newly elected pontiff, formerly Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost, has a repost of an X user criticizing President Trump and Salvadoran President Nayib Bukele for the deportation of alleged gang member, domestic abuser, and human trafficker Kilmar Abrego Garcia at the top of his timeline.

In 2015, he shared an article by Cardinal Timothy Dolan, Archbishop of New York, titled ‘Why Donald Trump’s anti-immigrant rhetoric is so problematic.’

More recently, he used the @drprevost account to amplify criticism of Vice President J.D. Vance. He shared two articles attacking Vance, who was responding to the late Pope Francis’s thinly veiled criticism of Trump’s mass deportation policy, for saying that it is in line with Church teaching that “you love your family and then you love your neighbor, and then you love your community, and then you love your fellow citizens, and then after that, prioritize the rest of the world.”

Vance, a Catholic convert, cited the doctrine of ordo amoris, Latin for “order of love,” first outlined by the great 4th–5th-century theologian St. Augustine, angering liberal clergy—apparently including the future Pope Leo XIV—who were pushing the line that illegal immigrants should be given the same consideration as relatives and fellow citizens.

Nevertheless, President Trump has welcomed the new pontiff’s election, writing on his Truth Social platform, writing, “Congratulations to Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost, who was just named Pope. It is such an honor to realize that he is the first American Pope. What excitement, and what a Great Honor for our Country. I look forward to meeting Pope Leo XIV. It will be a very meaningful moment!”

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May 8, 2025
News
SCOTUS

Chief Justice Roberts, 70, Dismisses Retirement Speculation.

PULSE POINTS:

❓What Happened: Chief Justice John Roberts announced he is not planning to retire as he feels healthy.

👥 Who’s Involved: Supreme Court Chief Justice John Roberts.

📍 Where & When: Comments made in Buffalo, N.Y., during the 125th anniversary of the U.S. District Court for the Western District of New York.

💬 Key Quote: “I’m going out feet first,” Roberts joked when asked about retirement.

⚠️ Impact: Roberts emphasized the importance of judicial independence amidst calls for impeachment of a federal judge by President Donald J. Trump.

IN FULL:

Supreme Court Chief Justice John Roberts says he has no immediate plans to step down from the bench, citing good health as the primary reason. The 70-year-old Justice shared this during a public event in Buffalo, New York, marking the 125th anniversary of the U.S. District Court for the Western District of New York.

“I’ve sat down with them and said, ‘I want at the appropriate time’—because you don’t always notice that you’re slipping—‘I want the two of you to tell me if it’s time to go,” Roberts recounted, describing a conversation with two friends regarding retirement. He continued: “It was a long pause, and at once, the two of them said, ‘It’s time to go.’ So I said, ‘Alright, never mind.”

When asked whether his retirement could be imminent, the Chief Justice joked, “I’m going out feet first.”

However, the top jurist in the United States did not rule out a departure from the high court entirely. “I say that now. I mean, I’m sure if your health declines, and if you recognize that you’re a burden to the court rather than part of an asset to everybody, then, it’ll be time to go,” Roberts said, although he emphasized that he himself feels “pretty healthy.”

Despite the bravado expressed against retirement, Roberts conceded that there have been a few instances where age hampered the court’s function, but he insisted the justices were able to handle the problems internally without issue. “There have been times when somebody has stayed a little longer than they should, then the other colleagues come, and it’s always really worked out, so I don’t think that’s going to be a problem,” the Chief Justice said.

Notably, the Supreme Court—and Chief Justice Roberts specifically—has been criticized in recent weeks for its hesitancy to stop the ongoing Democratic lawfare efforts against the Trump White House. This has led to allegations that the high court and Roberts have allowed the federal court system to dramatically overreach and assume executive branch powers in contravention of the U.S. Constitution.

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May 8, 2025
William Upton
Breaking
Religion

BREAKING: White Smoke Over the Vatican, New Pope Selected.

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❓What Happened: White smoke has issued from the Sistine Chapel in Vatican City, signaling that the College of Cardinals has chosen a new pontiff to succeed the late Pope Francis.

👥 Who’s Involved: The electing cardinals, the senior cardinal, and the yet-to-be-named new pontiff.

📍Where & When: Vatican City, St. Peter’s Square and the Sistine Chapel, May 8.

⚠️ Impact: The election of a new pope marks a pivotal moment for the Catholic Church, with global attention on the incoming pontiff’s identity and vision, to be revealed shortly.

IN FULL:

The chimney above the Sistine Chapel in the Vatican has emitted “white smoke,” meaning the conclave of cardinals has selected a new pope following the death of Pope Francis. Notably, the pontiff and leader of the Catholic Church was selected on what is believed to be just the fourth ballot cast by the over 130 cardinals gathered in Rome. The speed at which the new pope was chosen likely signals that the successor of Saint Peter is among the more prominent names believed to be in contention at the start of the conclave earlier this week.

While the Catholic faithful celebrate the selection of a new leader for the Church, the pope’s identity is not yet known. The new pontiff will appear and address the crowd gathered at the Vatican in the next hour.

The National Pulse previously reported that a number of cardinals were in contention for the papacy, including Hungarian Cardinal Peter Erdo, the Democratic Republic of the Congo’s Cardinal Fridolin Ambongo, Cardinal Mario Grech from Malta, the Vatican’s Secretary of State Cardinal Pietro Parolin, Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa of Jerusalem, Cardinal Luis Tagle of the Philippines, Cardinal Matteo Zuppi from Italy, Sweden’s Cardinal Anders Arborelius of Stockholm, and Cardinal Robert Sarah of Guinea.

This story is developing…

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May 8, 2025
Jack Montgomery
Economy
News

Trump Economy Gains Strength as Unemployment Claims Fall Even More Than Expected.

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❓What Happened: New applications for unemployment benefits in the U.S. fell by 13,000 to 228,000 last week—2,000 more than projected.

👥 Who’s Involved: The U.S. Labor Department, President Donald J. Trump.

📍 Where & When: United States, week ending May 3.

⚠️ Impact: President Trump’s detractors have been attempting to stoke a frenzy over his America First tariff agenda, but, so far, the American economy remains fundamentally strong.

IN FULL:

The U.S. labor market showed resilience as initial claims for unemployment benefits fell more than anticipated last week, according to data released by the Labor Department. For the week ending May 3, claims dropped by 13,000 to a seasonally adjusted 228,000, surpassing economists’ expectations of 230,000. This decline reverses the previous rise attributed to school spring breaks in New York, temporarily pushing claims to a two-month high.

The economic good news comes despite globalist criticism of President Donald J. Trump’s America First tariffs, particularly the significant increase on Chinese imports to 145 percent. Anti-tariff economists have been persistently warning that negative sentiments observed in surveys—likely driven by the media clamoring over a hypothetical tariff-driven downturn—could be set to translate into negative employment data. Still, the above-expectations fall in new unemployment claims suggest market jitters are yet to translate into meaningful job losses.

The Trump White House, which imposed tariffs to level the playing field for American producers and workers competing against sweatshop economies where governments use currency manipulation and state subsidies to gain an unfair advantage, says they are already reaping dividends. They cite significant investments in American manufacturing by tech giant Nvidia and retail giant Walmart, among others, as evidence that the import levies are encouraging businesses to reshore production.

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May 8, 2025
Christopher Tomlinson
Immigration
UK

Counter-Terror Police Raid Migrant Hotels Amid Terror Plot.

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❓What Happened: British counter-terrorism police arrested five Iranian nationals living in migrant hotels connected to an alleged terrorist plot.

👥 Who’s Involved: British Counter-Terrorism Police, five Iranian suspects.

📍 Where & When: Arrests took place on May 3 across England, reported on May 7.

💬 Key Quote: “The investigation is still in its early stages and we are exploring various lines of enquiry to establish any potential motivation.” — Cdr Dominic Murphy, head of the Metropolitan Police Counter Terrorism Command.

⚠️ Impact: The report comes as many are also concerned about the staggering costs of housing asylum seekers in hotels across the country.

IN FULL:

Counter-terrorism police in Britain raided hotels housing asylum seekers last weekend, arresting five Iranian nationals over alleged terror plot fears. The arrests took place in London, Manchester, Swindon, Rochdale, and Stockport in the early hours of May 3.

The five men are reported to be aged 24 to 46, with one being released on bail, while the remaining four suspects are still in police custody as of May 7. Some of those arrested are believed to have entered the United Kingdom illegally, but reports did not specify if they came via boat across the English Channel, like many illegal immigrants in recent years.

“The investigation is still in its early stages and we are exploring various lines of enquiry to establish any potential motivation as well as to identify whether there may be any further risk to the public linked to this matter,” Cdr Dominic Murphy, head of the Metropolitan Police Counter Terrorism Command, said.

While not all asylum seekers in Britain are housed in hotels up and down the country, the sums the government pays for migrant hotels are enormous. A report from March of last year suggested that taxpayers foot the bill to the tune of £15 million (~$20 million) per day to cover the costs.

The residents of the hotels have seen their share of criminal behaviour in recent months, including the murder of a woman working at an asylum hotel in Walsall, England, last October. A migrant from South Sudan was accused of killing 27-year-old Rhiannon Skye White at a railway station, stabbing her to death.

Image by Tony Hisgett.

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