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Friday, August 28, 2026
26 minutes ago
Health
News

‘Explosive Diarrhea’ Lettuce Parasite Spreads to Three More States.

A cyclosporiasis outbreak tied to contaminated iceberg lettuce imported from Mexico and supplied to Taco Bell has sickened over 11,000 people across 20 different U.S. states.

PULSE POINTS
❓ WHAT HAPPENED: An outbreak of the cyclospora “explosive diarrhea” parasite, which has been linked to imported lettuce from Mexico, has spread to three more U.S. states.
📺 DETAIL: The parasite has sickened 11,458 people across a total of 20 U.S. states so far. Two people have died from the parasite, and hundreds have been hospitalized, according to the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). The two deaths were reported in Michigan, which is among the most affected states. Both of the deceased had underlying health conditions. Lettuce supplied by Taylor Farms de Mexico has been identified as the source of the outbreak. Specifically, the lettuce was imported from Mexico and supplied to Taco Bell restaurants. First identified in July, the parasite has now spread to Georgia, Tennessee, and Texas. The announcement of the most recent states to be affected by the outbreak came on Thursday. The parasite causes cyclosporiasis, which produces symptoms such as “watery diarrhea, fatigue, and loss of appetite,” according to the Centers for Disease Prevention and Control (CDC). Cyclosporiasis symptoms also include “bloating, cramping, and weight loss,” according to the Centers. “Without treatment, symptoms can last anywhere from a few days to a month or longer,” wrote the CDC on its website. Public health officials have urged consumers to wash fresh produce thoroughly and cook it when possible, as heat can kill the parasite.
🎯 IMPACT: The outbreak is among the largest foodborne outbreaks in recent U.S. history. As a result of the outbreak, sales of leafy greens, such as lettuce, have fallen by as much as 30 percent. Vegetable sales also took a hit, declining roughly 16 to 17 percent. Fruit sales have also reportedly declined since the start of the outbreak.
📺 FLASHBACK: The two deaths from the outbreak were reported back in early August. At the time, 193 hospitalizations had been recorded in the state. Michigan typically has around 50 cases over the course of the year.

Image by Forest & Kim Starr.

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A cyclosporiasis outbreak tied to contaminated iceberg lettuce imported from Mexico and supplied to Taco Bell has sickened over 11,000 people across 20 different U.S. states.

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1 hour ago
News
TECH

Trump Signs Order Establishing U.S. Space Academy.

President Donald J. Trump has signed an executive order formally establishing the United States Space Academy, a federally chartered institution to provide formal education and training to astronauts and related personnel.

PULSE POINTS
❓ WHAT HAPPENED: President Donald J. Trump has signed an executive order establishing a NASA-led Presidential Commission to develop a federally chartered United States Space Academy.
📺 DETAIL: Announced during a speech on Friday at NASA’s Johnson Space Center in Houston, Texas, the proposed U.S. Space Academy will be modeled on institutions such as West Point and the U.S. Air Force Academy. The President declared that the U.S. must prepare “an entire generation of skilled service members, engineers, and civil operators.” The Space Academy will be used to train future leaders in space exploration, defense, and technological advancement. The proposed institution will aim to combine technical education with leadership and public service training. Unlike NASA’s Space Camp, the Space Academy will provide formal education and professional development to astronauts, scientists, and engineers, along with military personnel and government officials. The Commission will be chaired by NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman. The Commission has 120 days to produce recommendations, including governance policies, a training curriculum, service obligations, and a permanent location, among other things. At present, Houston, Texas, Colorado Springs, Colorado, Cape Canaveral, Florida, and Huntsville, Alabama, have been floated as potential sites for the Space Academy. The President’s executive order was signed soon after his speech on Friday.
💬 KEY QUOTE: “I said I’ll do it, but it’s got to be top line, it’s got to be the equivalent of the others,” said President Trump, emphasizing that the Space Academy’s standards would be made to match West Point and the U.S. Air Force Academy.
🎯 IMPACT: This represents the first major step towards establishing a U.S. Space Academy. This policy represents a continuation of space-related policies implemented during President Trump’s first term, such as spearheading the creation of the U.S. Space Force and establishing the Artemis program to return American astronauts to the Moon.
📺 FLASHBACK: In March 2025, U.S. military officials reported that multiple Chinese satellites were performing advanced and unprecedented “dogfighting” maneuvers in orbit.

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President Donald J. Trump has signed an executive order formally establishing the United States Space Academy, a federally chartered institution to provide formal education and training to astronauts and related personnel.

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3 hours ago
Immigration
News
UK

DHS Confirms Arrest of Milo Yiannopoulos as ‘Illegal Alien from the United Kingdom.’

British political personality Milo Yiannopoulos has been detained by ICE for overstaying his visa in the United States.

PULSE POINTS
❓ WHAT HAPPENED: The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has confirmed the arrest of Milo Yiannopoulos by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) at the Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport for overstaying his visa.
📰 DETAIL: According to DHS, Yiannopoulos entered the United States legally on May 14, 2019, but failed to leave after his visa expired. An immigration judge issued a final order of removal on July 22 after he did not attend his immigration hearing.
💬 KEY QUOTE: “Yiannopoulos legally entered the country on May 14, 2019, through New York City, New York. He chose to overstay his welcome in violation of our nation’s laws. Yiannopoulos was issued a final order of removal by an Immigration Judge on July 22, after failing to show up for his immigration hearing. He will remain in ICE custody pending removal.” – DHS statement
🎯 IMPACT: Independent reporter and commentator Laura Loomer has taken credit for the arrest of Yiannopoulos, posting on X (formerly Twitter) that “When Milo called for me to be assassinated, I reported him to ICE and the FBI.” ICE is encouraging illegal aliens to self-deport using the CBP Home App, offering $3,000 and a free flight for those who comply.

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British political personality Milo Yiannopoulos has been detained by ICE for overstaying his visa in the United States.

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3 hours ago
News
Religion

Historic Grand Rapids Church Destroyed by Fire, Multiple Firefighters Injured.

A historic church in Grand Rapids, Michigan, built in 1894, was consumed by flames on Wednesday night, leaving the local community mourning its loss.

PULSE POINTS
❓ WHAT HAPPENED: A historic church building in Grand Rapids, Michigan, constructed in 1894, was destroyed by a major fire on Wednesday night as authorities continue investigating the cause. The blaze broke out around 11 PM at the former Seventh-day Adventist church, with multiple firefighters reported injured while tackling the blaze.
📺 DETAIL: Crews from across Grand Rapids responded, while additional off-duty firefighters were called in to provide relief during the hours-long operation. Three firefighters were injured during the response, including two who were struck by collapsing bricks, but all three were later released and returned to full duty. The neighboring LaGrave Christian Reformed Church said its main building was not in danger, while urging residents to pray for firefighters battling the blaze. The cause remains under investigation, and there has been no official determination that the fire was deliberately set. The destruction comes amid broader concerns about attacks and threats against Christian churches in the United States, with 436 hostile incidents targeting American churches documented in 2024, including 55 cases of arson. Recent reports have detailed fires at historic churches in Buffalo and Brooklyn that were investigated as possible or confirmed arson attacks.
💬 KEY QUOTE: “A lot of the people that live in this community was out here and they seem kind of sad… It’s a historical church.” – Leonard Brown, Grand Rapids resident
🎯 IMPACT: The destruction of a 132-year-old church building represents a significant loss of local history and raises renewed concerns about the security of historic Christian properties. While investigators have not established that this fire was an arson attack, its occurrence amid a documented rise in hostile incidents against American churches is likely to intensify calls for greater protection of Christian sites.

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A historic church in Grand Rapids, Michigan, built in 1894, was consumed by flames on Wednesday night, leaving the local community mourning its loss.

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4 hours ago
Bonkers Britain
News

Hundreds of Boat Migrants Flood Britain After Pause in Crossings.

Britain has seen its first successful boat migrant crossings in ten days, with nearly 500 arriving.

PULSE POINTS
❓ WHAT HAPPENED: Around 500 boat migrants crossed the English Channel and arrived in Britain in a single day, ending a ten-day pause in small boat arrivals. Seven vessels reached British waters on Thursday, with 494 migrants brought to the Border Security Command compound in Dover, Kent, marking the first crossings since August 17, when approximately 250 migrants arrived.
📺 DETAIL: The latest arrivals come after a series of increasingly large migrant boats have crossed the Channel, including a record-setting “mega-dinghy” carrying 230 people earlier this month. More than 77,000 migrants have crossed the Channel since Labour came to power in July 2024, and crossings have accelerated during Prime Minister Andy Burnham’s first weeks in office. The government’s border control agreements with France have also faced criticism after data showed that France’s interception has dropped despite being paid approximately $900 million by Britain, with smugglers increasingly using larger vessels capable of carrying hundreds of migrants at once.
🎯 IMPACT: The latest arrivals demonstrate that the Channel route remains active and increasingly capable of delivering large numbers of migrants to Britain. The resurgence is likely to increase pressure on the Labour government to demonstrate that its agreements with France and proposed enforcement measures can produce a sustained reduction in crossings rather than temporary pauses. Nigel Farage’s Reform UK party has proposed “Operation Fortress,” a plan involving the Royal Navy intercepting migrant boats before they reach British shores and returning them to France.
📈 DATA: Small boat crossings account for 40 percent of asylum applications in the United Kingdom.

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Britain has seen its first successful boat migrant crossings in ten days, with nearly 500 arriving.

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6 hours ago
Crime
Immigration

DACA Illegal Sentenced for Gun Trafficking in Oregon.

A Mexican national and DACA recipient has been sentenced to federal prison for illegally acquiring and trafficking over 120 firearms in Oregon, raising concerns about loopholes in firearm purchase regulations and immigration policies.

PULSE POINTS
❓ WHAT HAPPENED: A Mexican national and Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) recipient has been sentenced to 18 months in federal prison after prosecutors said he falsely claimed to be a U.S. citizen while acquiring more than 120 firearms in Oregon. Vincente Cortes Quiroz, 37, will also serve three years of supervised release following his prison term, according to federal prosecutors.
📺 DETAIL: Investigators said Quiroz purchased the firearms from federally licensed dealers beginning in 2014 and later seized more than 70 guns and hundreds of rounds of ammunition from his home. Authorities also seized two vehicles they said were used in the firearms-trafficking operation. U.S. Attorney Scott E. Bradford said removing illegal firearms from the streets remains a priority and credited cooperation among law enforcement agencies for disrupting the operation. Quiroz received protection from deportation through the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program, which allows qualifying individuals brought to the United States as children to defer removal but does not provide lawful immigration status or citizenship. Federal law imposes firearm restrictions on certain noncitizens, and prosecutors alleged Quiroz bypassed firearm-purchase requirements by falsely identifying himself as a U.S. citizen on multiple forms. The case follows another federal prosecution involving a DACA recipient, Rodolfo Benitez-Garza, who was sentenced in Texas in 2025 to 18 months in prison for participating in a straw-purchasing scheme involving firearms intended for Mexico.
🎯 IMPACT: The case is likely to fuel renewed scrutiny of DACA and immigration enforcement, particularly over whether recipients who commit serious federal crimes should continue receiving protection from deportation. It also highlights concerns about illegal firearms trafficking and the ability of federal authorities to prevent prohibited or fraudulent purchases from licensed gun dealers.
💬 KEY QUOTE: “Getting illegal firearms off the streets is a top priority.” – U.S. Attorney Scott E. Bradford

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A Mexican national and DACA recipient has been sentenced to federal prison for illegally acquiring and trafficking over 120 firearms in Oregon, raising concerns about loopholes in firearm purchase regulations and immigration policies.

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6 hours ago
Education
News
World

U.S. Scholar Suspended After Exposing Jason Arday Cleared to Resume Duties.

Nathan Cofnas, the academic who exposed the Jason Arday scandal, has been allowed to resume academic work following an intervention by the U.S. Mission to Belgium after he was suspended by Ghent University.

PULSE POINTS
❓ WHAT HAPPENED: Nathan Cofnas, the American academic who broke the Jason Arday scandal, has been permitted to resume remote academic work at Ghent University in Belgium.
📺 DETAIL: Cofnas has been allowed to resume some of his work while he faces a disciplinary investigation. The announcement was made on Friday by Ghent University. “I am grateful to Rector Petra De Sutter for allowing me to stay at Ghent University… I wish to personally thank Ambassador [Bill White]. It was beyond my imagination that such a person would take an interest in the fate of a postdoc. The Ambassador responded with great support which helped to bring about a just outcome. Thank you, @USAmbToBelgium and @StateDept for defending American values. I am proud of my country,” posted Cofnas on X (formerly Twitter). “Ghent University confirms that it has been in contact with the U.S. Ambassador,” the university stated, acknowledging U.S. Ambassador Bill White’s involvement in the matter.
💬 KEY QUOTE: “After speaking with all parties, I am pleased to see that Ghent University and Nathan Cofnas have amicably reached an agreement to lift Mr. Cofnas’ suspension, which will enable him to complete his one-year postdoctoral appointment. I look forward to working with Ghent University rector Petra De Sutter to continue the relationship between the university and the United States. I am grateful for her willingness to listen to voices calling for protecting academic freedom.” — U.S. Ambassador Bill White on X.
🎯 IMPACT: This announcement has underscored the international ramifications of the Jason Arday scandal. He was the youngest black professor at the University of Cambridge in the United Kingdom. Earlier this month, it was alleged by Cofnas that Arday had plagiarized and fabricated much of his academic work and personal biography. The allegations were further substantiated by investigations by the British press. Specifically, it was alleged that Arday used more than 100 verbatim passages in his PhD thesis, falsely claimed to hold honorary positions at other universities, and lied about various personal achievements, such as raising over £5 million (~$6.7mn) for charity. Following the allegations, the University of Cambridge announced an investigation into Arday, who stood down from his post almost immediately after the investigation was announced. The 41-year-old Arday was later found dead in his London home. In response to the news, Ghent University suspended Cofnas, sparking criticism from the U.S. Mission to Belgium, which vowed to review and reassess U.S. ties to the institution. “The ultimate purpose of freedom of speech is to overturn lies, fraud, and false ideologies. This is precisely what Cofnas was doing, and precisely the reason his home institution wants to silence him,” declared U.S. Ambassador Bill White last week. This demonstrates the strength of American diplomacy in protecting the freedoms of its citizens.

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Nathan Cofnas, the academic who exposed the Jason Arday scandal, has been allowed to resume academic work following an intervention by the U.S. Mission to Belgium after he was suspended by Ghent University.

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7 hours ago
Data
News
UK

Farage’s Reform Party on Track to Become Largest Party in Parliament.

New polling has revealed that Nigel Farage’s Reform UK party is on track to become the largest party in Britain’s Parliament.

PULSE POINTS
❓ WHAT HAPPENED: Nigel Farage’s Reform UK party would become the largest party in Parliament if an election were held today, according to a new poll.
📺 DETAIL: According to a major poll commissioned by far-left activist group HOPE Not Hate and conducted by research agency Survation, Reform would secure 227 out of the 650 seats in the House of Commons if a general election were held today. A party requires 326 seats to form a majority, meaning that Reform would be the largest party in a hung parliament; that is, one in which no party has enough seats to govern alone. The poll showed the governing Labour Party on 197 seats, a significant drop from the 411 seats it secured in the previous election in 2024. The Liberal Democrats, a party that wants Britain to rejoin the European Union, and Olukemi “Kemi” Badenoch’s nominally center-right Conservative Party are projected to secure 72 seats and 71 seats, respectively. The poll also put the left-wing separatist Scottish National Party (SNP) on 46 seats. Meanwhile, Zack Polanski’s far-left Green Party was projected as earning four seats, representing a drop from their current five seats. The median majority in a seat was 7.6 percent, with 170 seats decided by five percent or less. The poll surveyed 10,014 British adults and was conducted between July 22 and July 27.
🎯 IMPACT: The poll shows that Reform is leading Labour despite the so-called “Burnham Bounce,” an uptick in support for the Labour Party following the recent departure of unpopular former Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer and his replacement with incumbent Prime Minister Andy Burnham. The fact that the Liberal Democrats have parity with the Conservatives, despite the latter regularly polling several percentage points higher, is a feature of the country’s First-Past-The-Post (FPTP) system, which is also used in the United States for congressional elections. FPTP rewards concentrated support in individual seats rather than proportionally distributing seats according to vote share. This poll not only shows a collapse in support for the establishment Labour and Conservative parties but declining support for Zack Polanski’s Green Party. In the event of a hung Parliament, parties may attempt to govern alone, although this is practically difficult, as the opposition parties can combine to defeat a minority government’s legislative agenda. A coalition government resulting from deals between multiple parties would be more likely, or a so-called “confidence and supply” agreement in which a smaller party agrees to lend support to a larger party in key votes without officially forming a coalition.
📺 FLASHBACK: This adds to several polling leads secured by Reform since Prime Minister Burnham entered office. In early August, a poll gave Reform a lead of one percentage point over Labour. Later that same month, another poll gave Reform a narrow lead over Labour. Less than a week later, Reform’s lead increased to two percent.

Image by Gage Skidmore.

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New polling has revealed that Nigel Farage's Reform UK party is on track to become the largest party in Britain's Parliament.

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9 hours ago
Crime
Immigration
News

DATA: Illegals Are Behind 80% of Portland Fentanyl Trafficking.

New data has revealed that the vast majority of fentanyl trafficking into Portland, Oregon, is conducted by illegal aliens from Honduras.

PULSE POINTS
❓ WHAT HAPPENED: Approximately 80 percent of people arrested for fentanyl trafficking in Portland, Oregon, are illegal aliens from Honduras.
📺 DETAIL: According to the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Oregon, roughly 80 of the 100 drug traffickers arrested in Portland since 2023 are Honduran illegals. This follows a federal crackdown on the open-air drug markets in Portland’s downtown area, which resulted in 100 kilograms (~220 pounds) of fentanyl, 40 firearms, and $1.3 million in cash being seized by the authorities. “That is enough fentanyl to kill 50 million people, or Oregon’s population, 11 times,” stated a federal press release. This follows a sharp rise in crime and overdoses, attributed largely to armed fentanyl dealers. “Three years ago, downtown Portland had notorious open-air drug markets and was in the news for all the wrong reasons. Downtown fentanyl dealers, many of whom were armed, were contributing to higher crime rates and overdoses… To many people, downtown Portland simply felt unsafe—and it was. As a result of these joint efforts, we are changing that,” said Oregon U.S. Attorney Scott Bradford. The sharp rise in crime has also been attributed to cuts to the city’s police force. At present, there are 1.2 officers for every 1,000 Portland residents, half the national average.
🎯 IMPACT: The recent data shows how the issues of illegal immigration and drug trafficking are deeply intertwined problems. This is part of President Donald J. Trump’s federal crackdown on drug trafficking. According to recently published data, fentanyl deaths have fallen 22 percent since the crackdown started. The vast overrepresentation of foreigners among fentanyl traffickers provides further context to the Trump administration’s decision to crack down on the visas of the traffickers’ families, which was announced last year.
📺 FLASHBACK: Drug-related crime is not the only issue facing Portland. Earlier this week, it was revealed that a memo from the Department of State had identified Rose City Antifa, a far-left Portland-based political organization, as a U.S.-based group that allegedly shares information with the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine (PFLP), Hamas, Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), and Hezbollah via Autistici/Inventati, also known as the A/I Collective. The Italy-based technology collective has since been designated as a global terrorist organization.

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New data has revealed that the vast majority of fentanyl trafficking into Portland, Oregon, is conducted by illegal aliens from Honduras.

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9 hours ago
Economy
News

Florida Restricts Welfare Spending on Porn, Cigarettes, Vapes, and Other Non-Essential Purchases.

Florida sets a national precedent by restricting taxpayer-funded welfare benefits from being used on luxury and non-essential items, aiming to ensure accountability and proper support for low-income families.

PULSE POINTS
❓ WHAT HAPPENED:  Florida has become the first state in America to restrict Temporary Cash Assistance (TCA) benefits from being used to purchase tattoos, vaping products, pornography, and other non-essential goods and services. Governor Ron DeSantis (R) announced on August 24 that the state will amend its Temporary Assistance for Needy Families plan governing cash aid distributed through EBT cards.
📺 DETAIL: Under the new rules, recipients will be prohibited from using TCA funds for tobacco, nicotine products, vaping products, drugs, pornography, video games, entertainment tickets, theme park admissions, tattoos, spa services, tanning, and psychic services. Florida already prohibits EBT cards from being used to purchase alcohol or make payments at adult-entertainment venues, casinos, and commercial bingo halls. DeSantis said taxpayer-funded assistance should help families afford necessities such as food, utilities, and clothing while helping recipients move toward independence. The changes will align TCA restrictions with Florida’s recent SNAP limits on soda, energy drinks, candy, and ultra-processed desserts. The state will implement the new restrictions in phases, beginning with SNAP-authorized retailers before expanding transaction-level controls. Federal officials said they hope other states will follow Florida’s example, with Administration for Children and Families Assistant Secretary Alex Adams calling the approach a potential “best practice.”
💬 KEY QUOTE: “Taxpayer-funded assistance should help families put food on the table, keep the lights on, purchase clothing, provide for their children, and overcome barriers on the path toward independence.” – Ron DeSantis
🎯 IMPACT: The policy could strengthen Florida’s push to increase oversight of taxpayer-funded assistance while sparking a broader national debate over how welfare benefits should be regulated. If other states adopt similar restrictions, the move could reshape welfare policy by placing greater emphasis on directing public assistance toward basic necessities and away from discretionary spending on luxuries.

Image by Matt Johnson.

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Florida sets a national precedent by restricting taxpayer-funded welfare benefits from being used on luxury and non-essential items, aiming to ensure accountability and proper support for low-income families.

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