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Friday, May 22, 2026
38 minutes ago
Corruption
News

Former CDC Official Pleads Guilty to Embezzling Government Funds.

A former CDC supervisor admitted to embezzling over $190,000 in taxpayer money, highlighting vulnerabilities in federal payment systems.

PULSE POINTS
❓ WHAT HAPPENED: A former Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) supervisor has pleaded guilty to embezzling almost $200,000 in government funds.
📺 DETAIL: Between approximately August 2023 and February 2025, Gwendolyn Brandon, a 43-year-old former supervisor at the CDC, created 46 fake invoices ranging from $2,230 to $9,970. Brandon used her position to exploit the CDC’s payment systems and the employees working under her supervision, who unknowingly processed the fake invoices and sent money to an account that Brandon controlled. The fake invoices claimed to come from vendors and contractors seeking payment for previous goods and services. According to federal prosecutors, Brandon managed to embezzle $190,461.50 intended for public health research and operations. The fraud scheme occurred while Brandon was working at the CDC’s headquarters in Atlanta, Georgia. The investigation into Brandon’s fraud scheme was conducted by the Office of Inspector General at the United States Department of Health and Human Services. Marcus L. Sykes, special agent in charge of the Office of Inspector General, called Brandon a “federal employee-turned-fraudster.“
🎯 IMPACT: Brandon’s sentencing is scheduled for September 3. She will be sentenced before U.S. District Judge Steven D. Grimberg in federal court. She is permanently banned from federal employment or contracting with the federal government and its agencies, as part of her plea agreement with the court. The case underscores vulnerabilities in federal payment systems and highlights the need for stricter internal controls to prevent waste, fraud, and abuse.
💬 KEY QUOTE: “This defendant embezzled taxpayer money and brazenly exploited her position of public trust by fabricating invoices… When she is sentenced later this year, she will pay the price for her greed and deception.” – U.S. Attorney Theodore S. Hertzberg.

Image by Raed Mansour.

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A former CDC supervisor admitted to embezzling over $190,000 in taxpayer money, highlighting vulnerabilities in federal payment systems.

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1 hour ago
Health
News

Popular Weight-Loss Drugs May Fight Cancer.

Emerging research suggests that popular GLP-1 drugs, known for mainly weight loss and diabetes management, may also slow the progression of various types of cancer.

PULSE POINTS
❓ WHAT HAPPENED: Weight-loss drugs like Ozempic could slow the progression of cancer in patients, according to recent studies.
📰 DETAIL: According to a new series of studies, GLP-1 weight-loss drugs, such as Novo Nordisk’s Ozempic and Eli Lilly’s Mounjaro, can reduce cancer progression and mortality rates. One study of 10,000 patients, all with different types of cancer, done by the Cleveland Clinic Cancer Institute, observed a significant reduction in cancer progression among the patients. Lung cancer progression was halved in patients who took GLP-1 drugs, while the progression of breast cancer decreased by 43 percent. The studies were observational, meaning they used medical records to establish an association between taking the drugs and reduced cancer progression, rather than conducting controlled medical trials. While the findings have not been published in a peer-reviewed journal, they will be presented to the American Society of Clinical Oncology at the society’s annual meeting next week. At present, GLP-1 drugs are used to manage weight, diabetes, kidney and heart disease, and obstructive sleep apnea.
💬 KEY QUOTE: “It’s really provocative that they showed, in several cancers, that people who took these drugs seem to have a lower risk of their cancer returning.” – Dr. Jennifer Ligibel, breast oncologist at the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute
🎯 IMPACT: While observational, the studies suggest that weight-loss drugs could be used to fight cancer. GLP-1 drugs are normally used to treat diabetes and weight management. The findings could lead to controlled medical trials to establish a more reliable connection between reduced progression and GLP-1 drugs. Further positive findings could heavily influence the pharmaceutical market, given that such drugs are already growing in popularity.

Image by Dennis Sylvester Hurd.

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Emerging research suggests that popular GLP-1 drugs, known for mainly weight loss and diabetes management, may also slow the progression of various types of cancer.

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2 hours ago
News
TECH

Google’s Waymo Robotaxis Pause Services After Struggling to Navigate Puddles.

Self-driving robotaxi company Waymo has paused operations in multiple cities across the U.S. due to difficulties navigating puddles.

PULSE POINTS
❓ WHAT HAPPENED: Waymo has temporarily halted its robotaxi services in four major cities in the United States due to puddles.
📺 DETAIL: Waymo is the branch of Alphabet, parent company of Google, building self-driving robotaxis. The firm has temporarily halted robotaxi services in Atlanta, Dallas, Houston, and San Antonio due to puddles created by rain and flooding. The weather conditions posed challenges for the vehicles’ navigation systems. The decision to halt robotaxi services follows a nationwide recall of approximately 3,800 Waymo vehicles due to their inability to handle flooded roads. The company issued the recall on Thursday and announced it would review the capabilities and limitations of the technology. The recall coincided with a viral video of a robotaxi failing to navigate a puddle in Austin, Texas, creating traffic problems.
💬 KEY QUOTE: “Safety is Waymo’s top priority, both for our riders and everyone we share the road with… During a period of intense rain… an unoccupied Waymo vehicle encountered a flooded road and stopped.” – Waymo statement.
🎯 IMPACT: Waymo’s recall raises concerns about the readiness of autonomous vehicles to handle certain weather conditions and everyday problems. This setback could decrease public confidence in self-driving technology or slow its broader adoption, especially in rainy climates. Waymo conducted test-runs of robotaxis in London earlier this year, and will compete with similar self-driving cars manufacturers, such as Baidu (a Chinese firm), Wayve (a British start-up), and even Uber. This is not the first time Waymo has faced scrutiny. Back in 2024, the company faced a federal investigation over safety issues posed by its robotaxis. Among other issues, at the time, the investigation cited more than 20 accidents, including incidents involving pedestrians.

Image by Han Zheng.

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Self-driving robotaxi company Waymo has paused operations in multiple cities across the U.S. due to difficulties navigating puddles.

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3 hours ago
News

EXC: Govt-Funded Cafe Owner Who Lashed Out at Farage Linked to Top Labour Figures.

The founder of a publicly subsidized community café who wrote an open letter attacking Reform UK leader Nigel Farage has close ties to senior figures in Britain’s governing Labour Party—including Greater Manchester Mayor and Makerfield by-election (special election) candidate Andy Burnham, who personally amplified her complaint on social media.

PULSE POINTS
❓ WHAT HAPPENED: Gemma Crompton, Founder and Director of The Hamlet Wigan CIC, wrote an open letter to Nigel Farage after the Reform UK leader visited her premises earlier this week. Farage visited the community café while campaigning in Makerfield, a parliamentary seat his party is vying to take from Labour. The Labour candidate, Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham, hopes to use it to launch a bid to replace Sir Keir Starmer as Labour leader and Prime Minister. Burnham and the media amplified Crompton’s letter on Friday—but without mentioning her ties to Labour figures, including Burnham.
🎯 IMPACT: Crompton accused Farage and his team of arriving at the café unannounced while Burnham was there, and creating an atmosphere that staff, trainees, and customers found “intimidating and overwhelming.” The Hamlet Wigan CIC is publicly subsidized, and Crompton—its sole director—received remuneration of £59,021 (~$79,300) in the most recent financial year, according to the organization’s own accounts signed off in December 2025. A typical salary in Wigan is around £34,000 a year.
📰 DETAIL: Crompton also appears to have ties to the Labour Party establishment in Wigan. A post from the Wigan Business account shows Crompton receiving a Gold award from Councillor David Molyneux, a Labour politician and former Council Leader. Crompton’s letter even admitted that the new Labour leader, Nazia Rehman, made her day “even more special” by confirming her cafe had been granted a 25-year lease with the full support of Wigan Council, i.e. local taxpayers. For Crompton to be using publicly subsidized premises for outward partisan campaigning so close to a special (by) election is almost unheard of, yet the corporate media has refused to reveal any of this information, instead portraying her as a small cafe owner who was overwhelmed by Mr. Farage having a cup of tea at her (or, rather, the taxpayers’) business.
💬 KEY QUOTE: “Why didn’t the BBC report that Gemma is close with the outgoing Labour council leader, who is one of Burnham’s bezzie [best] mates?” – Raheem Kassam, Editor-in-Chief of The National Pulse

Image via @WiganBusiness.

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The founder of a publicly subsidized community café who wrote an open letter attacking Reform UK leader Nigel Farage has close ties to senior figures in Britain's governing Labour Party—including Greater Manchester Mayor and Makerfield by-election (special election) candidate Andy Burnham, who personally amplified her complaint on social media.

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5 hours ago
Crime
UK

‘Please Brother, I Can’t Breathe’ – Sikh Accused of Murdering White Teen Claims Self-Defense in Court.

A 23-year-old Sikh man is on trial in Southampton, England, claiming self-defense after fatally stabbing a white 18-year-old with a religious dagger and accusing him of racism when the police arrived.

PULSE POINTS
❓ WHAT HAPPENED: Vickrum Digwa, 23, pleaded not guilty to manslaughter and claimed self-defense in his trial for the fatal stabbing of Henry Nowak, a white 18-year-old, at Southampton Crown Court on Friday. The killing occurred on December 3, 2022, in Southampton, with Digwa using a kirpan, a Sikh dagger carried for religious purposes, to stab the teenager multiple times.
📺 DETAIL: Digwa claimed he was “petrified of Nowak,” stabbing him in “an act of self-defense” as the teenager “pulled out his phone to record his attack on me.” He claims Nowak said, “I’m going to kill you,” and “was punching me and dragging me about from my hair” after knocking off his turban in a racist attack. Prosecutors dispute Digwa’s version of events, noting that a pathologist had found “no evidence Henry had been punching people with his hands.” Digwa confessed in court that he lied to police about stabbing Nowak—who was handcuffed by police instead of being helped when Digwa accused him of racism, despite telling officers he had been stabbed—but insisted he did not realize he had stabbed Nowak in the chest. Jurors heard that the teen’s last words were, “Please, brother, I can’t breathe.”
🎯 IMPACT: The case has raised questions about the authorities’ obsession with racism, as police officers arrested a dying man instead of his alleged murderer on the basis of an unsubstantiated allegation of racism, and ignored his pleas that he had been stabbed. It also raises questions about the special treatment afforded to minorities, with most Britons being barred from carrying knives or even pepper spray for self-defense, while Sikhs enjoy a special exemption for religious reasons. Digwa denies all charges against him. The trial continues.

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A 23-year-old Sikh man is on trial in Southampton, England, claiming self-defense after fatally stabbing a white 18-year-old with a religious dagger and accusing him of racism when the police arrived.

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5 hours ago
News
War

Iran Rebuilding Military Power, Drone Fleet Faster Than Expected: U.S. Intel.

U.S. intelligence assessments suggest Iran is swiftly reconstituting its military capabilities, raising questions about the long-term effectiveness of U.S.-Israeli strikes.

PULSE POINTS
❓ WHAT HAPPENED: U.S. intelligence assessments indicate that Iran has already restarted some drone production during the six-week ceasefire that began in April. The Islamic Republic is believed to be rebuilding military capabilities faster than expected following U.S.-Israeli strikes.
📺 DETAIL: Officials reportedly believe that Iran could restore its drone attack capability within six months, and that it has retained significant ballistic missile, drone, and air defense assets despite the damage inflicted earlier in the conflict. Four sources cited by CNN on Thursday said Iran’s rapid recovery has been aided by the fact that more of its infrastructure has remained intact than anticipated, and the support from Russia and China it has been receiving. Some reports allege China continued supplying missile-related components, an accusation Beijing denied. The assessments also suggest that as many as two-thirds of Iran’s missile launchers survived or were recovered during the ceasefire, while roughly half of the country’s drone inventory remains operational. U.S. officials warn that Iran could quickly resume threatening Israel and U.S.-aligned Gulf nations if hostilities resume, particularly through drone warfare. President Donald J. Trump has repeatedly threatened renewed military action if negotiations fail. The intelligence findings contrast sharply with testimony from United States Central Command (CENTCOM) commander Admiral Brad Cooper, who told Congress that U.S. strikes destroyed 90 percent of Iran’s defense industrial base and would prevent reconstitution for years.
💬 KEY QUOTE: “The Iranians have exceeded all timelines the [Intelligence Community] had for reconstitution.” – U.S. official
🎯 IMPACT: The rapid rebuilding undermines claims that U.S.-Israeli strikes have caused long-term damage to Iran’s military capabilities. If hostilities resume, Iran’s restored drone and missile systems could pose significant threats to Israel and Gulf nations, complicating regional security dynamics.
📺 FLASHBACK: In April, U.S. intelligence initially assessed that half of Iran’s missile launchers had survived strikes, but recent updates suggest two-thirds remain operational, highlighting the challenges in fully neutralizing Iran’s military infrastructure through air power alone.

Image by Tasnim News Agency.

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U.S. intelligence assessments suggest Iran is swiftly reconstituting its military capabilities, raising questions about the long-term effectiveness of U.S.-Israeli strikes.

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6 hours ago
News

BREAKING: Tulsi Gabbard Resigning as DNI to Support Husband’s Cancer Battle.

Tulsi Gabbard is stepping down as Director of National Intelligence to care for her husband, who is battling a rare form of bone cancer.

PULSE POINTS
❓ WHAT HAPPENED: Tulsi Gabbard has announced her resignation as Director of National Intelligence, effective June 30, 2026, to support her husband, Abraham, who is battling a rare form of bone cancer. “Unfortunately, I must submit my resignation, effective June 30, 2026,” she wrote in a resignation letter to President Donald J. Trump, adding that her spouse “faces major challenges in the coming weeks and months” and that she “must step away from public service to be by his side and fully support him through this battle.”
💬 KEY QUOTE: “I cannot in good conscience ask him to face this fight alone while I continue in this demanding and time-consuming position.” – Tulsi Gabbard
💬 SECONDARY QUOTE: “Unfortunately, after having done a great job, Tulsi Gabbard will be leaving the Administration on June 30th. Her wonderful husband, Abraham, has been recently diagnosed with a rare form of bone cancer, and she, rightfully, wants to be with him, bringing him back to good health as they currently fight a tough battle together. I have no doubt he will soon be better than ever. Tulsi has done an incredible job, and we will miss her. Her highly respected Principal Deputy Director of National Intelligence, Aaron Lukas, will serve as Acting Director of National Intelligence.” – President Trump
🎯 IMPACT: Gabbard’s departure marks the end of her efforts to significantly reform the Office of the Director of National Intelligence (ODNI), including efforts to increase transparency, reduce agency size, and save taxpayers over $700 million annually. She wrote in her letter to President Trump that she is “fully committed to ensuring a smooth and thorough transition over the coming weeks so that you and your team experience no disruption in leadership or momentum.”
📰 DETAIL: During her tenure, Gabbard declassified over half a million pages of government records, including those related to the Trump-Russia investigation, and established the “Weaponization Working Group” to address government misuse under the Biden government. Earlier this month, she announced that she was investigating over 120 U.S.-funded biolabs worldwide to halt risky gain-of-function research

This story is developing…

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Tulsi Gabbard is stepping down as Director of National Intelligence to care for her husband, who is battling a rare form of bone cancer.

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7 hours ago
Immigration
News

Migrants Will No Longer Be Able to Wait in America for Green Cards.

The Trump administration has issued new guidance mandating that most Green Card applicants complete the process from outside the United States, closing a long-standing legal loophole.

PULSE POINTS
❓ WHAT HAPPENED: Migrants will no longer be able to wait in the United States for Green Cards under new guidance issued by the Trump administration.
📺 DETAIL: On Friday, the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) announced that it would close a loophole allowing migrants applying for Green Cards to wait in the U.S. Instead, the agency will align its rules with the original intent behind Section 245(a) of the Immigration and Nationality Act, which allows adjustments from temporary to permanent status on the basis of being “inspected and admitted or paroled” into the U.S. As such, those applying for a Green Card, which allows non-citizens to live and work permanently in the U.S., will need to apply outside the U.S. Domestic adjustments to status will be granted under “extraordinary circumstances” but will still require vetting from agency officials. The administration argues that the new rules will prevent overstays and re-establish the distinction between temporary and permanent status. “Under President Trump, USCIS is returning to the original intent of the law and reinforcing the proper distinction between temporary admission and permanent residence. Aliens who come to the United States temporarily and later seek permanent residency should pursue an immigrant visa through the proper channels in their home countries before being admitted as immigrants,” explained USCIS Director Joseph Edlow.
💬 KEY QUOTE: “We’re returning to the original intent of the law to ensure aliens navigate our nation’s immigration system properly. This policy allows our immigration system to function as the law intended instead of incentivizing loopholes.” – USCIS spokesman Zach Kahler.
🎯 IMPACT: As a result of the new guidance, most people seeking permanent residency will be required to return to their home countries to complete the process. This is not the first time USCIS has tightened immigration rules at the President’s behest. In December, the agency implemented a new requirement for photographs to be provided with immigration documents. The policy was implemented to modernize vetting and screening processes for new arrivals, including those holding and applying for Green Cards.

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The Trump administration has issued new guidance mandating that most Green Card applicants complete the process from outside the United States, closing a long-standing legal loophole.

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8 hours ago
News

Fresh Police Probe for ‘Prince Andrew’ Over Epstein Sex Crimes.

British authorities are broadening their probe into Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor, formerly Prince Andrew, focusing on potential sex crimes tied to his association with deceased pedophile Jeffrey Epstein.

PULSE POINTS
❓ WHAT HAPPENED: British police have expanded their investigation into Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor, formerly Prince Andrew, to include potential sex crimes linked to deceased child sex trafficker Jeffrey Epstein. Detectives are seeking testimony from a woman who alleges she was brought to the former prince’s Windsor residence “for sexual purposes” in 2010.
📺 DETAIL: The investigation into Mountbatten-Windsor intensified after U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) files tied to Epstein were released earlier this year. The second son of the late Queen Elizabeth II, who was arrested three months ago on his 66th birthday, was initially questioned regarding allegations of misconduct in public office, including sharing sensitive information with Epstein during his time as a British trade envoy. British authorities are seeking access to unredacted U.S. files on Epstein to further their inquiry.
🎯 IMPACT: This investigation marks a significant escalation in the ongoing scrutiny of Andrew’s relationship with Epstein, being centered on possible sexual misconduct most associated with Epstein rather than his business dealings. The case also underscores the international scope of Epstein-related investigations, which have also ensnared former British ambassador to the U.S. Peter Mandelson and former Norwegian Prime Minister, head of the Norwegian Nobel Committee, and Secretary General of the Council of Europe Thorbjørn Jagland, who attempted suicide after facing Epstein-related corruption charges.
📺 FLASHBACK: Mountbatten-Windsor was stripped of his royal title in 2025 by his brother, King Charles III, after U.S. disclosures revealed more about his already controversial association with Epstein.

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British authorities are broadening their probe into Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor, formerly Prince Andrew, focusing on potential sex crimes tied to his association with deceased pedophile Jeffrey Epstein.

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8 hours ago
News

Trump Declassifies More UFO Files.

The Trump Administration has unveiled a significant release of UFO-related files, offering unprecedented transparency and fueling public curiosity about Unidentified Aerial Phenomena (UAP).

PULSE POINTS
❓ WHAT HAPPENED: The Trump administration released a new batch of declassified Unidentified Flying Object (UFO) and Unidentified Aerial Phenomena (UAP) files on Friday, containing photos, intelligence reports, new Apollo 12 audio recordings, and 46 previously unseen military videos after pressure from lawmakers seeking greater transparency.
📺 DETAIL: The materials, published by the Department of War, include footage and reports of Tic Tac-shaped objects tracked by the U.S. Coast Guard, glowing spheres over Afghanistan, unidentified submerged objects emerging from the ocean, and fast-moving aerial phenomena near military aircraft in the Persian Gulf, East China Sea, and restricted U.S. airspace. Among the most notable claims is an alleged February 2023 incident in which a U.S. Air Force F-16 reportedly shot down a UAP over Lake Huron using an AIM-9X missile, along with multiple encounters involving orb-like objects near fighter jets in the Middle East. The files also describe incidents tied to MQ-9 Reaper drones, infrared targeting systems on F-18s and fifth-generation aircraft, and repeated “Hackney 6” and “Toxic 6” operations in the Gulf region where military crews allegedly observed coordinated UFO formations and erratic movements. Newly unsealed documents also included a 1969 Apollo 12 debrief in which astronauts Pete Conrad, Richard Gordon, and Alan Bean described seeing mysterious flashes of light during the mission, although NASA later attributed the phenomenon to internal visual effects rather than external objects.
💬 KEY QUOTE: “These files, hidden behind classifications, have long fueled justified speculation, and it’s time the American people see it for themselves. This release of declassified documents demonstrates the Trump Administration’s earnest commitment to unprecedented transparency.” – Secretary of War Pete Hegseth.
🎯 IMPACT: The release is likely to intensify public interest and debate surrounding UAPs, as well as pressure on government agencies to disclose more information.
📺 FLASHBACK: Calls for greater transparency on UAPs have grown in recent years, with lawmakers such as Rep. Anna Paulina Luna (R-FL) demanding the release of classified materials. Previous administrations were often criticized for their lack of openness on the subject.

Image by Jirka Matousek.

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The Trump Administration has unveiled a significant release of UFO-related files, offering unprecedented transparency and fueling public curiosity about Unidentified Aerial Phenomena (UAP).

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