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Tuesday, August 18, 2026
32 minutes ago
Bonkers Britain
News

UK PM Burnham Delays Reopening North Sea Amid Backlash from Net Zero Zealots.

Prime Minister of the United Kingdom Andy Burnham is expected to delay any final decisions on two key North Sea oil and gas projects.

PULSE POINTS
❓ WHAT HAPPENED: British Prime Minister Andy Burnham has delayed making a decision on North Sea oil and gas drilling, citing potential backlash from Labour Members of Parliament (MPs) and supposedly bad “optics” amid wildfires. Notably, President Donald J. Trump has repeatedly urged Burnham and his predecessor, Sir Keir Starmer, to reopen the North Sea, most recently on Monday, saying it would “make the UK rich again” and resolve the country’s issues with fragile energy security and high prices.
📺 DETAIL: The Prime Minister has delayed making a decision on Rosebank and Jackdaw, two North Sea oil and gas projects. Both projects are backed by Adura, the largest independent oil and gas producer in the North Sea. Adura has promised £10.8 billion ($12.6 billion) in investment as well as the creation of 3,500 construction jobs, with 880 permanent roles. The company has estimated that the combined output of Rosebank and Jackdaw could account for 10 percent of Britain’s oil and gas. Rosebank is projected to produce approximately 69,000 barrels of oil per day. Regardless, the projects now face delays following backlash from Labour MPs and green groups. Sources have claimed that the Prime Minister is worried about the “optics” of approving new oil and gas projects due to the wildfires affecting the country, despite the lack of a clear connection between the fires and oil and gas platforms at sea.
🎯 IMPACT: The delay has brought divisions within the governing Labour Party to the fore. If the Prime Minister delays the projects, MPs are likely to take the decision as proof that the Prime Minister can be pressured despite his large majority in the House of Commons. It will also signal to the public that the Prime Minister is more concerned with pressure from backbenchers, environmental groups, and celebrity opinion than with the general public’s concerns about the cost of living, especially the rising cost of energy. Consultations on the North Sea projects have concluded with a final decision to be made by the Prime Minister and his Energy Secretary Miatta Fahnbulleh, a Liberia-born net zero hardliner.

Image by Lauren Hurley / No 10 Downing Street.

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Prime Minister of the United Kingdom Andy Burnham is expected to delay any final decisions on two key North Sea oil and gas projects.

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1 hour ago
News
UK

Trump Trade Chief Confirms 100% Tariff Threat on British Goods is Serious.

The Trump administration is pressuring Britain’s leftist government to eliminate its digital services tax, warning of significant economic consequences for British businesses if it is not removed.

PULSE POINTS
❓ WHAT HAPPENED: President Donald J. Trump has threatened to impose 100 percent tariffs on British goods entering the U.S. in retaliation for its digital services tax, which disproportionately targets American tech companies. The tax, which charges two percent on revenue from major digital platforms, has drawn criticism from both Trump and even former President Joe Biden for unfairly targeting Apple, Alphabet (Google), and Meta (Facebook, Instagram), among other U.S. firms.
📺 DETAIL: The digital services tax applies to companies with global digital revenues exceeding £500 million (~$677 million) and raised £800 million (~$1 billion) for Britain’s Treasury in 2024/25. However, U.S. officials argue that the tax discriminates against American companies and have escalated threats of retaliation as the situation has gone unresolved, including President Trump personally threatening a 100 percent tariff on British imports. The U.S. Trade Representative, Jamieson Greer, has confirmed that Trump’s stance is “not a bluff,” and that the U.S was “not going to tolerate” the British government using American tech firms as “piggy banks.” However, no specific deadline for the tariffs has been set as of the time of publication. Discussions between American and British officials remain ongoing, with the U.S. seeking the complete removal of the tax and the left-wing Labour Party government resisting.
💬 KEY QUOTE: “Please let this statement serve to represent that any Country that imposes such a Tax will immediately be met with a 100 per cent TARIFF on any and all Goods sent to the United States of America.” – President Trump, via Truth Social
🎯 IMPACT: The proposed tariffs could significantly raise costs for British exporters, potentially reducing sales, profits, and jobs. U.S. importers may seek alternative suppliers, with the economic damage to British businesses potentially outweighing the revenue generated by the digital tax. The dispute also adds strain to the British-American trade relationship, already under pressure from other policy disagreements. The two countries are each other’s largest sources of foreign direct investment, as well as major export markets.
📺 FLASHBACK: The digital services tax has been a point of contention since its introduction, with the U.S. previously pressuring other nations, such as Canada, to roll back similar measures.

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The Trump administration is pressuring Britain's leftist government to eliminate its digital services tax, warning of significant economic consequences for British businesses if it is not removed.

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2 hours ago
Health
News

Bobby Unleashed: White House Wants RFK ‘Guns Blazing’ on National Tour.

Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. is actively campaigning in Iowa and is set for many more campaign stops, signaling the Trump administration’s focus on promoting its ‘MAHA’ agenda in battleground states.

PULSE POINTS
❓ WHAT HAPPENED: Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. is joining Republican gubernatorial candidate Zach Lahn on the campaign trail in Iowa, as part of a broader effort by the Trump administration to deploy the Make America Health Again (MAHA) frontman to support key candidates in battleground states.
📰 DETAIL: Kennedy’s involvement is part of a White House strategic push, dubbed “Bobby Unleashed,” to energize the MAHA platform and counter Democrat threats in states like Iowa. His tour includes eight stops across Iowa, Minnesota, and Florida, highlighting the administration’s commitment to these regions and faith in the Health Secretary to articulate the MAHA message.
💬 KEY QUOTE: “We want him guns blazing,” a senior White House official told POLITICO.
🎯 IMPACT: The Trump administration’s focus on Iowa underscores the importance of the state in upcoming elections, with Kennedy’s presence aimed at appealing to both conservative and moderate voters by leveraging his reputation for addressing health crises. On Monday, Kennedy announced new initiatives to address Lyme disease, alpha-gal syndrome—noted for causing a “red meat allergy” in sufferers—and other tick-borne illnesses alongside actor Dennis Quaid. He has also been involved in investigating doctors pushing transgenderism on minors for fraud, reforming vaccine guidelines, removing chemicals from the food supply, and promoting improved physical fitness alongside Secretary of War Pete Hegseth, among other MAHA priorities.

Image by Gage Skidmore.

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Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. is actively campaigning in Iowa and is set for many more campaign stops, signaling the Trump administration's focus on promoting its 'MAHA' agenda in battleground states.

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14 hours ago
Immigration
News

‘Pro-Criminal’ Dem Mayor Michelle Wu Threatens Property Owners Leasing to ICE.

Boston Mayor Michelle Wu plans to expose property owners cooperating with ICE, prompting the agency to accuse the Democrat of using her office to intimidate private citizens.

PULSE POINTS
❓ WHAT HAPPENED: Boston Mayor Michelle Wu (D) announced plans to file public records requests to identify property owners leasing parking spaces to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). This comes after ICE issued a request for 249 parking spaces in Boston for its operations, prompting Wu to voice opposition to any expansion of ICE activity in her so-called sanctuary city.
📺 DETAIL: Wu stated that while the city cannot legally block private property owners from leasing to ICE, her administration intends to contact those involved to discourage cooperation. Wu claimed ICE activities jeopardize public safety and accused the agency of conducting “unlawful and dangerous” operations.
🎯 IMPACT: The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) criticized Wu’s actions on Monday, calling her a “pro-criminal mayor” attempting to intimidate private citizens. The agency emphasized that property owners have the right to cooperate with federal law enforcement and accused Wu of overstepping her authority and unfairly targeting ICE agents.
💬 KEY QUOTE: “We strongly oppose any expansion of [ICE] efforts here and would encourage and will be reaching out to property owners to try to make sure that they’re not adding to a surge of unlawful and dangerous activity.” – Mayor Michelle Wu
💬 SECONDARY QUOTE: “Pro-criminal Mayor Wu knows she has ZERO authority to block ICE from utilizing private property — so now she’s trying to intimidate Bostonians. If PRIVATE citizens want to allow federal law enforcement onto their OWN property, they should be allowed to do so. They should not face threats from their radical mayor who shamelessly compared ICE agents to a neo-Nazi group.” – Mayor Michelle Wu
📺 FLASHBACK: Boston has previously enacted measures to block ICE from using public property, aligning with its sanctuary city policies.

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Boston Mayor Michelle Wu plans to expose property owners cooperating with ICE, prompting the agency to accuse the Democrat of using her office to intimidate private citizens.

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15 hours ago
Health
News

RFK Jr and Dennis Quaid Announce Federal Initiative Against Lyme Disease and ‘Red Meat Allergy’ Syndrome.

HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. unveiled efforts to enhance diagnosis, treatment, and research for tick-borne diseases, aiming to reduce cases and improve patient outcomes.

PULSE POINTS
❓ WHAT HAPPENED: Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. announced new initiatives to address Lyme disease, alpha-gal syndrome, and other tick-borne illnesses on Monday, focusing on faster diagnoses, improved treatments, and advanced research. Actor Dennis Quaid joined the announcement as a patient advocate, highlighting the need for accurate diagnoses and his personal story of misdiagnosis.
📺 DETAIL: Kennedy emphasized that nearly 500,000 Americans are diagnosed with Lyme disease annually, and many more are misdiagnosed or untreated. HHS is investing in AI-powered tools to improve care and has worked with LymeX to bring improved Food and Drug Administration (FDA)-cleared diagnostics to market. The announcement builds on earlier initiatives, including U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) tick-control pilots and innovation challenges, with a goal of reducing Lyme cases by 25 percent by 2035. Another targeted tick-borne illness, alpha-gal syndrome, is notable for causing sufferers to develop an allergy to red meat.
💬 KEY QUOTE: “At HHS, we are taking bold new actions against Lyme disease, alpha-gal syndrome, and other tick-borne diseases—accelerating research, improving care, and driving new treatments. Millions of Americans need faster diagnoses, better care, and real answers.” – Robert F. Kennedy Jr., HHS Secretary
🎯 IMPACT: The initiatives aim to provide clinicians with better tools, improve patient outcomes, and reduce the prevalence of tick-borne illnesses. By enhancing diagnostics and treatment options, the measures could alleviate long-term suffering for the 10-20 percent of patients who remain symptomatic despite treatment.
📺 FLASHBACK: In May, Kennedy announced a suite of Lyme disease initiatives, including public-private partnerships and funding for innovation, as part of his broader Make America Healthy Again (MAHA) agenda.

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HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. unveiled efforts to enhance diagnosis, treatment, and research for tick-borne diseases, aiming to reduce cases and improve patient outcomes.

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15 hours ago
Lawfare
News

Judge Stops DHS from Inspecting Migrant Trucker Licenses.

A federal judge has temporarily halted the Department of Homeland Security’s efforts to access state truck driver databases in a bid to remove illegal migrants from the trucking industry.

PULSE POINTS
❓ WHAT HAPPENED: U.S. District Judge Anthony Trenga issued an administrative stay blocking the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) from accessing the records of 17 million commercial truck drivers. The DHS sought these records to identify and remove illegal migrants holding commercial driver’s licenses (CDLs) issued by certain states, after a spate of deadly crashes.
📺 DETAIL: The lawsuit, filed by 21 Democrat-led states, argued that the federal government has no legal right to access the database without individual subpoenas for each record. DHS contended that the records are necessary to ensure road safety and remove illegal migrants from the trucking industry. Judge Trenga, appointed by George W. Bush, also ordered DHS to return any records already obtained and cease further inspection of the data.
💬 KEY QUOTE: “We won’t compromise on road safety. Liberal states are suing [the U.S. Department of Transportation] to stop us from making sure our roads are safe. They are prioritizing illegal immigrant truckers over American citizens. We aren’t backing down.” – Secretary of Transportation Sean Duffy
🎯 IMPACT: The ruling temporarily halts federal efforts to address a critical safety issue on U.S. roadways. The case also highlights ongoing tensions between the Trump administration and Democrat-led state governments seeking to obstruct federal law enforcement initiatives.

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A federal judge has temporarily halted the Department of Homeland Security's efforts to access state truck driver databases in a bid to remove illegal migrants from the trucking industry.

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15 hours ago
Health
News

Biden Financially Incentivized Child Gender Transitions: Report.

A federal report has highlighted how financial incentives drove childhood gender transition procedures under Biden.

PULSE POINTS
❓ WHAT HAPPENED: A Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) report argues that hospitals promoted gender transition procedures for children under Biden-era policies that created financial incentives to promote transgenderism, creating “captive patients” requiring lifelong medical care.
📺 DETAIL: The report published last week, titled ‘Wolves in White Coats,’ noted that hospitals have billed nearly $120 million for childhood gender transition procedures since 2019 and highlighted how the former Biden regime expanded federal nondiscrimination protections to gender identity, while claiming falsely that the effects of puberty blockers and hormone therapy treatments on minors are reversible. The report also cites accounts from detransitioners who said doctors failed to address underlying abuse or mental health issues and instead presented gender transition as their only option. Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has referred more than 200 medical entities to the HHS Inspector General for further investigation.
💬 KEY QUOTE: “Hospitals and providers may have been defrauding Medicaid and private insurers.” – Vice President JD Vance
🎯 IMPACT: The report has prompted Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. to refer more than 200 medical entities to the HHS inspector general for investigation. Additionally, Vice President J.D. Vance has called on the Department of Justice (DOJ) to investigate potential insurance fraud. A new federal rule barring Medicaid and CHIP funds from covering these procedures for children will take effect on October 13.
📺 FLASHBACK: The National Pulse previously reported on the ‘Wolves in White Coats’ report exposing possible fraud by hospitals and physicians profiting from gender transitions. Biden government’s policies expanded Obamacare’s nondiscrimination clause to cover gender identity, paving the way for many more gender transition procedures to be inflicted on minors.

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A federal report has highlighted how financial incentives drove childhood gender transition procedures under Biden.

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16 hours ago
News
World

Trump to Scale Down Future Military Exercises with South Korea, Citing Cost and Failure to Help with Iran.

President Trump has announced plans to reduce U.S.-South Korea military exercises, citing South Korea’s refusal to assist the U.S. in Iran and resistance to helping fund the cost of its defense by U.S. forces, while emphasizing his improved relationship with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un.

PULSE POINTS
❓ WHAT HAPPENED: President Donald J. Trump announced on Sunday that he ordered the Pentagon to substantially reduce upcoming joint military exercises with South Korea, citing its refusal to assist the U.S. with Iran and the cost of the exercises, alongside South Korea’s resistance to covering more of the cost of the U.S. deploying forces to the country. The President also expressed concerns that the exercises might send an “inappropriate and hostile” signal to North Korea, emphasizing his “very good relationship” with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un and saying Pyongyang had been “unthreatening and respectful” toward his administration.
📺 DETAIL: The President criticized South Korea for declining a U.S. request to assist the U.S. with Iran. “When I called recently, the President of South Korea… I said, ‘Would you like to give us a little hand? We don’t need help with Iran, but if you’d like, give us a hand with Iran.’ He said, ‘No, thanks.'” Trump stressed the fact that the U.S. has approximately 39,000 soldiers stationed in South Korea to protect the country from North Korea, emphasizing the lack of reciprocity from many of America’s allies. “Based on my very good relationship with Kim Jong Un of North Korea, I am not happy with the fact that the United States has, long ago, agreed to participate in Joint Military Exercises with South Korea,” said the President. South Korea’s Defense Ministry has since confirmed that the exercises will proceed as planned despite the President’s remarks. North Korea had sharply condemned the exercises, accusing Washington and Seoul of using them as a rehearsal for an “aggressive war” and warning that the drills appeared more offensive than those conducted in recent years.
💬 KEY QUOTE: “We can’t go around and protect all of these countries, especially when they’re not there to help us.” – President Trump
🎯 IMPACT: President Trump’s decision could signal an effort to revive direct diplomacy with Kim, although it remains unclear whether it is primarily aimed at Pyongyang, Seoul, or broader regional concerns. The move also comes as North Korea continues to expand and modernize its nuclear and military capabilities, potentially creating pressure for Washington to pursue renewed engagement with Kim.
📺 FLASHBACK: During his first term, the President made history by meeting directly with Kim on the North Korean side of the Demilitarized Zone (DMZ).

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President Trump has announced plans to reduce U.S.-South Korea military exercises, citing South Korea's refusal to assist the U.S. in Iran and resistance to helping fund the cost of its defense by U.S. forces, while emphasizing his improved relationship with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un.

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17 hours ago
Data
Health
News

Trump Achieves Historic 60-Year Low in Prescription Drug Prices.

The costs of prescription drugs, non-prescription drugs, and medical equipment and supplies have declined significantly under President Donald J. Trump.

PULSE POINTS
❓ WHAT HAPPENED: Prescription drug prices in the United States have recorded their largest annual decline in over 60 years.
📺 DETAIL: Last week, it was revealed that prescription drugs in the U.S. have declined by 3.9 percent since President Donald J. Trump took office. This is the largest annual drop in prescription drug prices since 1963. The price reduction has been attributed to the Trump administration’s Most Favored Nation policy, which mandates that U.S. drug prices align with the lowest prices paid by comparable developed nations. This includes 17 of the largest branded drugmakers in the world, covering 86 percent of the market. The TrumpRx initiative has also been credited for the sharp decline in prices, especially among GLP-1 drugs, such as Ozempic and Wegovy. The price of various other medical resources, such as cholesterol treatments, fertility drugs, inhalers, and insulin, has declined by 50 to 90 percent. According to White House estimates, the decline in drug prices has saved Americans approximately $700 million. Prescription drug prices have fallen every month this year, with non-prescription drugs declining by 2.4 percent. The cost of medical equipment and supplies has also declined by 2.7 percent.
🎯 IMPACT: The newly released highlights the success of the Trump administration on health policy. This data is especially important as Americans rank the affordability of essential goods, such as prescription drugs and medical equipment, as one of their top priorities. As such, the administration’s record-breaking achievement is likely to influence voting behavior ahead of the midterm elections in November. The new figures build on previous reports showing a decline in drug prices. In November 2025, the Trump administration secured a deal to lower the price of GLP-1 anti-obesity drugs. As a result, the drugs, which originally cost over $1000 a month, subsequently cost as low as $149 a month. These stats are also likely to bolster the reputation of Secretary for Health and Human Services Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and the Make America Healthy Again (MAHA) movement.

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The costs of prescription drugs, non-prescription drugs, and medical equipment and supplies have declined significantly under President Donald J. Trump.

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19 hours ago
Crime
Immigration
News

ICE Captured Wanted Murderer Right Before State Dems Passed Law Restricting Immigration Enforcement.

An illegal alien convicted of aggravated murder in Brazil was arrested in Massachusetts just two days before the state’s Democrat governor signed a law restricting ICE operations.

PULSE POINTS
❓ WHAT HAPPENED: Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) arrested Maycon Souto Dos Reis, a Brazilian national convicted of aggravated murder, in Massachusetts on August 3. Dos Reis had fled Brazil after being sentenced to over 14 years in prison and entered the U.S. illegally in June 2024, where he was initially apprehended but released under Biden government policies.
📍 WHEN & WHERE: The arrest occurred in Massachusetts on August 3, 2024, just two days before Governor Maura Healey signed the PROTECT Act, which imposes new restrictions on ICE operations in the Bay State.
💬 KEY QUOTE: “This is yet another example of what the media often characterizes as a non-criminal, when in reality, many of these individuals are murderers, sexual predators, gang members, and more: They simply do not have a criminal record in the United States.” – David Wesling, Acting ICE ERO Boston Field Office Director
🎯 IMPACT: The arrest highlights ongoing tensions between federal immigration enforcement and state policies, particularly in so-called “sanctuary” jurisdictions like Massachusetts. Conservatives argue that laws restricting ICE operations, such as the PROTECT Act, hinder efforts to remove dangerous migrants from American communities and make communities less safe.
📺 DETAIL: Dos Reis came to ICE’s attention after a May 29 arrest for unlicensed operation of a motor vehicle in Southborough, Massachusetts. He was later apprehended during a targeted operation at a local courthouse. The timing of his arrest coincided with Governor Healey’s signing of the PROTECT Act, which restricts ICE access to locations like schools, hospitals, and courthouses, while also allowing civil rights claims against government officials, including ICE agents, among other measures.

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An illegal alien convicted of aggravated murder in Brazil was arrested in Massachusetts just two days before the state's Democrat governor signed a law restricting ICE operations.

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