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Monday, May 25, 2026
10 hours ago
News

Oil Prices Fall as Trump Signals Progress in Iran Negotiations.

President Trump announced progress in negotiations with Iran to reopen the Strait of Hormuz, easing oil market tensions.

PULSE POINTS
❓ WHAT HAPPENED: Crude oil prices dropped more than 4% on Sunday after President Donald Trump indicated that negotiations with Iran to reopen the Strait of Hormuz are advancing. West Texas Intermediate futures fell nearly 5% to $91.40 per barrel, while Brent futures dropped to $98.20 per barrel.
📺 DETAIL: President Trump announced on social media that discussions with Iran are progressing “in an orderly and constructive manner,” and emphasized that there is no rush to finalize a deal. The negotiations aim to address Iran’s de facto blockade of the Strait of Hormuz, which has severely disrupted global oil supplies since March. The blockade was imposed following U.S. and Israeli airstrikes that killed Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and other top officials.
💬 KEY QUOTE: “The negotiations are proceeding in an orderly and constructive manner, and I have informed my representatives not to rush into a deal in that time is on our side,” President Trump stated on Sunday.
🎯 IMPACT: The potential resolution of the Hormuz blockade could stabilize global oil markets and ease supply concerns, though past negotiations with Iran have seen sudden reversals and escalations. Neoconservatives like Lindsey Graham and Ted Cruz have been quick to attack President Trump for making a deal with Iran, though most of Trump’s MAGA base appears more than willing wrap the Iran conflict up quickly.

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President Trump announced progress in negotiations with Iran to reopen the Strait of Hormuz, easing oil market tensions.

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May 23, 2026
Breaking

BREAKING: Reform Surge Puts PM-Wannabe’s Ambitions At Risk In Knife-Edge Makerfield Race.

Reform UK is closing in on Labour’s Andy Burnham in the Makerfield by-election, potentially disrupting his bid for Prime Minister.

PULSE POINTS
❓ WHAT HAPPENED: Survation polling data for the special Makerfield election in the United Kingdom shows Nigel Farage’s Reform UK nearly matching Labour’s Andy Burnham, with the election set for June 18.
📰 DETAIL: The by-election follows Reform UK’s significant gains in the May 7 UK elections, which have triggered a leadership contest within the Labour Party. Andy Burnham, currently the Mayor of Manchester, is running to replace Sir Keir Starmer as Prime Minister, necessitating a parliamentary colleague to vacate a seat for him.
🎯 IMPACT: Reform UK’s strong showing could thwart Burnham’s parliamentary entry and his Prime Ministerial ambitions. Meanwhile, Restore Britain, led by former Reform MP Rupert Lowe, is polling at 7%, potentially aiding Burnham’s campaign. If Burnham wins, the Labour Party increases its likelihood of governing past 2029, and potentially even until 2034, albeit in a theoretical coalition with the far-left Greens.
📈 DATA: Current polling shows Andy Burnham at 43%, Robert Kenyon of Reform UK at 40%, and Rebecca Shepherd of Restore Britain at 7%, with other candidates trailing behind.
📺 WATCH: The National Pulse’s Editor-in-Chief, Raheem Kassam, went behind the scenes with the Reform UK campaign in the run up to May 7th.

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Reform UK is closing in on Labour's Andy Burnham in the Makerfield by-election, potentially disrupting his bid for Prime Minister.

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May 23, 2026
Immigration
News

One in Three People in France Are Immigrants or Their Descendants.

A major French study finds that one in three people in France are migrants or descended from migrants and that non-Europeans do not assimilate as well as European immigrants.

PULSE POINTS
❓ WHAT HAPPENED: A study by France‘s National Institute of Demographic Studies (INED) found that one-third of the French population is directly connected to immigration, either as immigrants themselves or as descendants of recent immigrants. The research, based on interviews with 27,000 people, provides a detailed picture of France’s demographic composition in a country where racial and ethnic statistics are not officially tracked.
📺 DETAIL: The study revealed that 13 percent of France’s population is foreign-born, 11 percent are children of immigrants, and 10 percent are grandchildren of immigrants. The study reported that immigration to France is now overwhelmingly non-European, with 32 percent of immigrants aged 18 to 59 originating from North Africa, 20 percent from sub-Saharan Africa, 16 percent from Asia, and 28 percent from other European countries. According to the findings, descendants of European immigrants were more likely to assimilate into French society, while many people of non-European background retained stronger ethnic or religious identities across generations. The report said this challenged the traditional French assimilation model and pointed instead to the rise of “hybridized” and “racialized” identities. The findings come amid wider debates in France over immigration, integration, and national identity, with some polling showing growing support among younger French Muslims for religious law over secular republican values. Far-left political figures, including presidential candidate Jean-Luc Mélenchon, have argued that France is evolving into a more multicultural “New France,” while critics warn that the demographic changes are straining social cohesion.
🎯 IMPACT: The findings raise concerns about cultural cohesion and integration in France, as only descendants of European immigrants tend to follow traditional assimilation patterns. These demographic shifts have also sparked political and cultural debates, with some far-left figures celebrating the changes, while others fear the long-term effects on French society.
📺 FLASHBACK: Previous polling has shown that younger Muslims in France are more likely to support Sharia law over French law, with significant backing for radical Islamist groups among the 18-25 age group. This trend has been described as exceeding “the most pessimistic estimates” about integration.

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A major French study finds that one in three people in France are migrants or descended from migrants and that non-Europeans do not assimilate as well as European immigrants.

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May 22, 2026
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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May 22, 2026
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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May 22, 2026
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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May 22, 2026
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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May 22, 2026
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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May 22, 2026
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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May 22, 2026
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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