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Friday, March 6, 2026
6 minutes ago
The National Pulse
News

‘Remember the Alamo!’ — 190 Years Since the Battle That Paved the Way for Texas Independence.

Today marks the 190th anniversary of the fall of the Alamo on March 6, 1836, following an epic 13-day siege. The heroic last stand of the 18th-century Spanish mission’s roughly 200 defenders against the overwhelming forces of Mexican General Antonio López de Santa Anna, which paved the way for Texas becoming independent and later joining the Union, remains an iconic symbol of sacrifice for liberty down to the present day.

The siege began on February 23 when Santa Anna arrived at San Antonio de Béxar. Lieutenant Colonel William Barret Travis, commanding roughly 182 men revolting against Mexican rule, refused to surrender. Late in February, 32 courageous volunteers from Gonzales under Captain George C. Kimbell fought their way through enemy lines to join the garrison, knowing the siege would likely end in their deaths.

On March 2, while the battle raged, Texas declared its independence. Realizing no help would come, Travis gave his men a fateful choice: attempt a desperate breakout, surrender, or remain and defend the Alamo to the last man. They chose to stand their ground, determined to delay the enemy and give the Texas army time to organize.

Two legendary frontiersmen numbered among the defenders: Davy Crockett and James “Jim” Bowie. Crockett was born on August 17, 1786, in Greene County, Tennessee. A famed hunter, soldier in the Creek War, he was also a three-term U.S. Congressman known for his wit and independence. After losing reelection in 1835, Crockett traveled to Texas and reached the Alamo around February 8, 1836. He served as a private in the Tennessee Mounted Volunteers, boosting morale with his marksmanship and storytelling.

Jim Bowie, born around April 10, 1796, in Kentucky, was already a frontier legend for his fighting skills and the famous Bowie knife he helped popularize. He had settled in Texas, become a Mexican citizen, and married into a leading San Antonio family. Bowie fought in key early battles of the Texas Revolution, including Concepción and the Grass Fight. He arrived at the Alamo in January 1836 and, despite falling seriously ill, refused to abandon his post.

On March 6, Santa Anna’s troops finally succeeded in storming the mission. All of its defenders perished. Yet their sacrifice ignited the rallying cry “Remember the Alamo!” Weeks later, Sam Houston’s forces defeated Santa Anna at San Jacinto, winning Texas independence.

One hundred and ninety years later, we still honor the courage of Travis, Crockett, Bowie, and every man who gave his life for freedom. Their stand remains a timeless reminder that liberty often demands the ultimate price—and that true patriots are willing to pay it. Texas—and America—will never forget.


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Today marks the 190th anniversary of the fall of the Alamo on March 6, 1836, following an epic 13-day siege. The heroic last stand of the 18th-century Spanish mission's roughly 200 defenders against the overwhelming forces of Mexican General Antonio López de Santa Anna, which paved the way for Texas becoming independent and later joining the Union, remains an iconic symbol of sacrifice for liberty down to the present day. show more
54 minutes ago
Data
Economy

U.S. Economy Sheds 92,000 Jobs in February Setback.

PULSE POINTS

❓WHAT HAPPENED: The U.S. economy lost 92,000 jobs in February, a concerning miss of economic forecasts which projected a net gain of 60,000 jobs.

👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: The U.S. Department of Labor and sectors such as healthcare, which saw notable job losses.

📍WHEN & WHERE: February 2026, across the United States.

🎯IMPACT: U.S. market futures declined, adding uncertainty to the economic outlook.

IN FULL

The U.S. economy lost 92,000 jobs in February, a significant miss for economic forecasters who projected a net gain of 60,000 jobs. In addition, the unemployment rate rose slightly to 4.4 percent, from January’s 4.3 percent.

Economists surveyed by FactSet had anticipated a payroll increase of 60,000 jobs. February’s report marked the third instance of job losses in the past five months, with U.S. market futures declining in response. The healthcare sector, a recent source of job growth, lost 28,000 positions in February. The U.S. Labor Department attributed this decline to strike activity, including a nurses’ strike in California that concluded late last month.

Other sectors seeing job losses included information technology and the federal government, which declined by 11,000 and 10,000 positions, respectively, in February. Meanwhile, the Labor Department also issued revised job growth figures for January and December, reducing them by 4,000 and 65,000.

The economic conditions in the United States remain stable, but spiking oil prices due to the ongoing U.S. and Israeli strikes against the Islamic Republic of Iran could put additional pressure on the economy. Notably, the February jobs report, along with rising energy prices, could renew pressure on the Federal Reserve to begin another cycle of interest rate cuts. Shortly after the release of the jobs data, expectations that the Fed will slash rates again in June surged on Wall Street from a 35 percent chance to 49 percent.

Image by Adam Fagen.

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1 hour ago
Media

POLITICO’s German Giant Owner in Stunning $770M Raid of Right-Leaning Telegraph.

PULSE POINTS

❓WHAT HAPPENED: Axel Springer, the German publisher behind U.S. liberal media powerhouse POLITICO, has acquired The Telegraph for £575 million, disrupting a planned takeover by Lord Rothermere, owner of The Daily Mail.

👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: Axel Springer, Mathias Döpfner, The Telegraph, RedBird IMI, Lord Rothermere, and the Barclay family.

📍WHEN & WHERE: The acquisition was announced on March 6, impacting the global media landscape.

💬KEY QUOTE: “Now our dream comes true. To be the owner of this institution of quality British journalism is a privilege and a duty.” – Mathias Döpfner

🎯IMPACT: The acquisition marks Axel Springer’s largest move into the UK market, with potential implications for media plurality and public interest.

IN FULL

Axel Springer, the German publishing giant, has acquired The Telegraph for £575 million ($770M). This move disrupts a previous takeover attempt by Lord Rothermere, the owner of The Daily Mail. Mathias Döpfner, the CEO of Axel Springer, has expressed his long-standing ambition to own The Telegraph, calling it a “dream come true.”

The acquisition was made possible after Axel Springer secured security over The Telegraph from RedBird IMI, a UAE-backed entity that had attempted to take control in 2023. This marks Axel Springer’s largest venture into the UK market, furthering Döpfner’s strategy of expanding in the English-speaking world.

Axel Springer, known for its substantial revenues and profits, has previously attempted to acquire The Telegraph in 2004 and the Financial Times in 2015. The company’s international portfolio includes POLITICO and Business Insider, yet none hold a significant share in the UK news market.

The acquisition might still face scrutiny from the UK Government, which could investigate its impact on the public interest, a process that could take several months. The Telegraph has been in a state of uncertainty since June 2023, following the Barclay family’s loss of control to Lloyds Banking Group.

The move will likely cause concern over the Telegraph’s historically right-leaning editorial positions, with Axel Springer known for its globalist tilt.

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15 hours ago
Crime
Immigration

‘Abdulkarim Farah’ Jailed for Trying to Bribe Juror in Minnesota Fraud Case.

PULSE POINTS

❓WHAT HAPPENED: Abdulkarim Farah of Minneapolis was sentenced to 57 months in prison for attempting to bribe a juror in a high-profile fraud case.

👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: Abdulkarim Farah, his brothers, co-defendant Ladan Ali, and “Juror 52” were key figures in the case.

📍WHEN & WHERE: The bribery attempt occurred during a trial beginning April 22, 2024, in Minnesota.

🎯IMPACT: The case highlights the importance of safeguarding the integrity of the justice system and the role of impartial juries.

IN FULL

Abdulkarim Farah of Minneapolis, Minnesota, has been sentenced to 57 months in federal prison followed by one year of supervised release after attempting to bribe a juror during the first trial connected to the massive Feeding Our Future fraud case. The largely Somali-led nonprofit sat at the center of a pandemic-era scheme that prosecutors say stole more than $250 million in taxpayer funds intended to provide meals to children during the COVID-19 pandemic.

According to federal prosecutors, Farah worked with his brothers and other associates to influence the trial’s outcome by offering money to “Juror 52” in exchange for a not-guilty verdict. The bribery attempt occurred during a trial that began April 22, 2024, involving seven defendants, including two of Farah’s brothers, before U.S. District Judge Nancy E. Brasel.

Court filings state that Farah monitored Juror 52 and the juror’s home, shared logistical information with co-conspirators, and coordinated the delivery of the bribe with co-defendant Ladan Ali. On June 2, 2024, Farah drove Ali to the juror’s residence, where she delivered a gift bag containing cash to a relative of the juror and promised additional payments if the juror voted to acquit. Investigators later found that Farah deleted the Signal messaging app from his phone in an effort to destroy evidence.

U.S. District Judge Eric C. Tostrud sentenced Farah to the high end of the federal guidelines. During sentencing, the judge emphasized the importance of juries to the justice system, describing “properly functioning juries” as a cornerstone of criminal courts, and commended Juror 52 for refusing the large cash bribe.

The Feeding Our Future case has become one of the largest fraud scandals in the United States. Payments to the nonprofit surged during the pandemic as it claimed to be distributing millions of meals through dozens of affiliated sites across Minnesota.

Federal investigators have charged 98 people in connection with the scheme. According to congressional oversight findings cited in early 2026, 85 of those defendants are Somali.

The case has also prompted broader scrutiny of organized fraud networks tied to pandemic relief programs in Minnesota. Investigators and lawmakers have raised concerns about underground financial networks moving large sums of money through U.S. airports and allegations that proceeds from fraud operations have been connected to activist movements in Minneapolis.

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15 hours ago
Economy
News

Trump Tariffs Working: China Sets Weakest Economic Growth Target in Decades.

PULSE POINTS

❓WHAT HAPPENED: China announced its 2026 GDP growth target at 4.5-5 percent, the lowest benchmark since 1991, signaling a shift to slower economic growth.

👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: President Donald J. Trump and the Chinese Communist Party (CCP).

📍WHEN & WHERE: Announced at the opening of the National People’s Congress on Thursday in Beijing’s Great Hall of the People.

🎯IMPACT: The lower target is a sign of structural issues in China’s export-heavy economy, which has been hit by President Trump’s efforts to disincentivise cheap imports in favor of products made by American workers.

IN FULL

China has set its lowest economic growth goal in decades, signaling a shift in strategy as the country confronts mounting domestic and international pressures. Speaking at the opening session of the National People’s Congress in Beijing, Chinese Premier Li Qiang announced a GDP growth target of 4.5 percent to five percent for the year. Delivered at the Great Hall of the People, the benchmark marks the first time since 1991 that China has set a national growth target below five percent.

China continues to grapple with a struggling property sector, persistent deflationary pressures, weak domestic consumption, and a cooling labor market. Urban youth unemployment remains elevated at roughly 16.5 percent, reflecting mismatches between job creation and workforce skills.

For decades, China’s rapid expansion was driven by exports and heavy infrastructure investment. That model is increasingly losing momentum. Although the country recorded net exports of about $1.2 trillion in 2025, economists say the returns from export- and investment-led growth are diminishing. Policymakers are now emphasizing longer-term strategies, including boosting household consumption and investing in advanced technologies such as artificial intelligence (AI) and robotics.

Li acknowledged the country faces a “grave and complex landscape” of internal and external challenges, while noting that the government officially met its five percent growth target in 2025. Notably, analysts have questioned the accuracy of those figures, suggesting actual economic expansion may have been closer to under three percent.

Chinese officials have acknowledged that tariffs imposed by U.S. President Donald J. Trump to protect American workers from unfair competition have significantly damaged sectors of the communist country’s export-driven economy. Broader global supply-chain shifts and trade rebalancing have further challenged China’s manufacturing dominance.

Earlier this week, China called on the United States and Israel to halt military strikes on Iran, highlighting concerns about regional instability and its potential impact on global trade and energy markets. China imports a significant amount of oil and oil-related products from Iran.

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16 hours ago
News
War

War Sec Hegseth Tells The National Pulse the Iran War is ‘Simplifying,’ Not ‘Expanding,’ as Tehran Alienates Neighbors.

PULSE POINTS

❓WHAT HAPPENED: War Secretary Pete Hegseth asserted that the United States has ample munitions for operations against Iran, and said the war is “simplifying” rather than “expanding” as the Islamic Republic continues to strike its neighbors.

👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: War Secretary Pete Hegseth and CENTCOM commander Admiral Bradley Cooper.

📍WHEN & WHERE: March 5, 2026, at the Central Command (CENTCOM) headquarters in Tampa, Florida.

💬KEY QUOTE: “o this idea that it’s expanding, no, it’s actually simplifying in a number of ways, exactly what we need to achieve.” – Pete Hegseth

🎯IMPACT: The Iran war may be aligning the region more with the U.S. than previously, due to Iran’s erratic retaliatory strikes encompassing previously neutral states.

IN FULL

War Secretary Pete Hegseth addressed concerns about U.S. military stockpiles and the expansion of the Iran war on Thursday, stating unequivocally that the United States has “got no shortage of munitions” and that the war is actually “simplifying” rather than “expanding.”

Speaking at a press conference at Central Command (CENTCOM) headquarters in Tampa, Florida, Hegseth said, “Our stockpiles of defensive and offensive weapons allow us to sustain this campaign as long as we need,” appearing to contradict claims by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky that the U.S. military needs Ukrainian interceptor drones, and that he is pressuring Washington to give him more Patriot missiles in exchange.

Questioned by The National Pulse’s Pentagon correspondent, Will Upton, about potentially coordinating attacks with Azerbaijan, a neighbor of Iran planning to join the war after a drone strike on one of its airports, Hegseth argued that Iran’s often erratic retaliatory actions across the region are inadvertently drawing more countries into alignment with the U.S.

“What Iran is doing by attacking allied countries that would otherwise want to stay out of this” is pulling them “into the American orbit,” Hegseth said. “So, now you’ve got UAE and Qatar and Bahrain and Saudi and Kuwait and others saying, ‘Hey, we’re with you, we’ll shoot with you, we’ll fly with you, we’ll defend you,” he explained, saying Iran’s actions were “actually firming up the unity of the resistance” to its regime.

“So this idea that [the war is] expanding, no, it’s actually simplifying in a number of ways, exactly what we need to achieve,” the War Secretary added.

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17 hours ago
News
World

Trump Says ‘Cuba’s Going to Fall,’ Mulls ‘Friendly Takeover.’

PULSE POINTS

❓WHAT HAPPENED: President Trump predicted the imminent collapse of Cuba’s communist regime.

👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: Donald Trump, Cuban government, U.S. military, former Venezuelan leader Nicolas Maduro.

📍WHEN & WHERE: March 2026, interview with Politico, Cuba, Venezuela, U.S.

💬KEY QUOTE: “Cuba’s going to fall too.” – Donald Trump

🎯IMPACT: U.S. actions in Venezuela have intensified pressure on Cuba, leading to severe economic instability.

IN FULL

President Donald J. Trump has expressed strong confidence that Cuba’s communist regime is approaching its end. He tied this prediction to recent U.S. military action in Iran and the forcible removal of Venezuela’s now-former president.

“People are loving what’s happening,” he insisted with respect to Operation Epic Fury in Iran, adding: “Cuba’s going to fall too.”

“We cut off all oil, all money or we cut off everything coming in from Venezuela, which was the sole source. And they want to make a deal,” he said, adding when asked if his administration was intentionally accelerating the Cuban regime’s demise, “Well, what do you think?”

Trump highlighted the U.S.’s previous intervention in Venezuela, where American forces captured the now-former Marxist narco-dictator, Nicolás Maduro. That move has cut off a major lifeline for Cuba, which has long depended heavily on Venezuelan oil and financial support.

Cuba is now facing serious fuel shortages and widespread power outages, made much worse by the sudden end of Venezuelan assistance. Trump noted that U.S. officials are currently in discussions with the Cuban leadership as the island nation seeks help.

President Trump suggested a peaceful path forward might still be possible, stating, “Maybe we’ll have a friendly takeover of Cuba.”

Image by Pierre Marshall. 

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18 hours ago
News
Politics

Congressman Confirms Affair With Staffer Who Later Burned Herself to Death.

PULSE POINTS

❓WHAT HAPPENED: Texas Congressman Tony Gonzales (R) admitted to having an affair with a staffer who committed suicide last year.

👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: Congressman Tony Gonzales, deceased staffer Regina Santos-Aviles, and the House Ethics Committee.

📍WHEN & WHERE: The admission was made during an interview released on March 4, 2026, on The Joe Pags Show.

💬KEY QUOTE: “There was a lack of faith, and I take full responsibility for those actions.” – Tony Gonzales

🎯IMPACT: Gonzales is under investigation by the House Ethics Committee and faces calls to step down, while continuing his campaign for re-election.

IN FULL

U.S. Rep. Tony Gonzales (R-TX) has admitted to having an affair with former congressional staffer Regina Santos-Aviles, who died by suicide in 2025. Gonzales made the admission during an interview on The Joe Pags Show, which aired on Wednesday. During the interview, Gonzales acknowledged the relationship and accepted responsibility for his actions, which could violate House rules prohibiting sexual relationships between members of Congress and staff under their supervision. Reflecting on the situation, he said, “There was a lack of faith, and I take full responsibility for those actions.”

Gonzales also said he has reconciled with his wife, Angel Gonzales, with whom he shares six children. He added that he believes God has forgiven him. The House Committee on Ethics is reviewing whether Gonzales violated the House Code of Official Conduct or other congressional standards.

Santos-Aviles, who served as a district director in Gonzales’s office, reportedly told another staffer in text messages that “I had affair with our boss.” Screenshots later published and additional messages released by her widower appeared to support the claim. In one exchange, Gonzales allegedly asked her for a “sexy pic,” which she declined. Ultimately, she attempted suicide by setting herself on fire, and died from her injuries.

Gonzales initially denied the accusations, describing the claims as “completely untruthful.” However, after the messages surfaced and scrutiny intensified, he publicly acknowledged the affair.

The controversy has emerged during a difficult reelection campaign. Gonzales is currently facing a Republican primary runoff against Brandon Herrera, scheduled for May 26. Despite calls from some lawmakers, including members of his own party, to resign, Gonzales has vowed to remain in the race.

The situation has also drawn comparisons to other recent controversies involving alleged workplace relationships in government. One example involves Democrat prosecutor Fani Willis, who faced scrutiny after allegations surfaced that she had an undisclosed relationship with special prosecutor Nathan Wade.

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19 hours ago
NatSec
UK

Left Politician RESIGNS After Husband’s China Links Exposed.

PULSE POINTS

❓WHAT HAPPENED: Joani Reid, a Member of Parliament (MP) for British Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer’s Labour Party, resigned the Labour whip after her husband was arrested on suspicion of spying for China.

👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: Joani Reid, husband David Taylor, fellow accused Labour spies Matthew Aplin and Steve Jones, the Metropolitan Police, and China.

📍WHEN & WHERE: March 5, 2026, in London and Wales.

💬KEY QUOTE: “This week has been the worst of my life.” – Joani Reid

🎯IMPACT: Reid will not sit as a Labour MP until investigations are concluded.

IN FULL

Joani Reid, a Member of Parliament (MP) for British Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer‘s Labour Party, has resigned the Labour whip following the arrest of her husband, David Taylor, on suspicion of spying for the Chinese Communist Party (CCP). Taylor, along with fellow alleged Labour spies Matthew Aplin and Steve Jones, has been accused of assisting a foreign intelligence service.

Reid stated, “This week has been the worst of my life. The shock of recent days has been difficult for me and my family.” She insisted she is “not under investigation by the police” personally, adding: “I have done nothing wrong.”

“I understand that speculation and gossip is fevered at a time like this. I do not want the circumstances that I and my family find ourselves in to be a distraction for this government, of which I am proud and in whom I believe,” Reid said, claiming she has suspended herself from the Labour whip “voluntarily.”

Taylor, a former adviser to Welsh Labour politicians, was arrested in London. Aplin and Jones were arrested in Pontyclun and Powys in Wales. All three have been released on bail until May, with ongoing enquiries by the Metropolitan Police, supported by counter-terror police in Wales and Scotland.

Notably, Prime Minister Starmer has himself recently returned from a controversial trip to China, insisting it is important to build ties with the communist dictatorship. He is also in the process of attempting to surrender sovereignty over the Chagos Islands, which include the strategic British-American Diego Garcia military base, to China-allied Mauritius.

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19 hours ago
News
War

Zelensky Threatens to Give Orban’s Address to Ukrainian Military.

PULSE POINTS

❓WHAT HAPPENED: Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky issued a thinly veiled threat to Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban, saying he will give the populist leader’s address to the Ukrainian military if he blocks European Union (EU) funding for Ukraine.

👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban.

📍WHEN & WHERE: March 5, 2026; Kiev, Ukraine.

💬KEY QUOTE: “[W]e will simply give the address of that person to our Armed Forces—our guys can call him and speak to him in their own language.” – Volodymyr Zelensky

🎯IMPACT: The incident highlights the escalating tensions between Ukraine and Hungary, with Zelensky accused of imposing an “oil blockade” on Hungary and Orban threatening to block tens of billions of dollars in EU aid for Ukraine in return.

IN FULL

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has issued a veiled threat to Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban over a stalled European Union (EU) aid package worth tens of billions of dollars, suggesting Ukraine’s military will be given his address if he blocks the funds. This comes as Zelensky is accused of imposing an “oil blockade” on Hungary and Slovakia, landlocked countries that depend on supply routes passing from Russia through Ukraine for crude oil.

The dispute centers on a proposed €90 billion (~$105bn) EU loan intended to help fund Ukraine’s military and economic needs as the war with Russia continues. Zelensky underscored the urgency of approving the aid, saying: “We hope that one person in the EU [Orban] will not block the 90 billion euros—or at least the first tranche of it —so that Ukrainian soldiers receive the weapons they need. Otherwise, we will give the address of this person to our Armed Forces, to our guys. Let them call him and speak with him in their own language.”

Ukraine and Hungary are already at odds over the Druzhba pipeline, a major route carrying Russian oil to Hungary and Slovakia. The pipeline has been shut by the Ukrainians, and Orbán has warned that Hungary will end the blockade “by force.”

Orbán has also expressed skepticism about continuing large-scale financial and military support for Ukraine. In one interview, he criticized Western spending on the war, stating: “We have burned already €185 billion, and… our intention is to burn even more. So we finance a country which has no chance to win the war.”

Budapest has also opposed Kiev’s bid to join the European Union. Orbán has argued that admitting Ukraine while it remains at war would risk drawing the EU directly into the conflict, warning: “The problem is the war; if we were to integrate Ukraine into the EU, we would integrate the war.”

Security tensions have added to the strain. Ukrainian authorities recently accused Hungary of running a spy network in the Transcarpathia region of western Ukraine, which has a sizable ethnic Hungarian minority. Hungary has rejected the allegations, while accusing the Ukrainian government of repressing the Hungarian minority and language.

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