GET THE APP
Monday, July 13, 2026

WE ARE 100% INDEPENDENT AND READER-FUNDED. FOR A GUARANTEED AD-FREE EXPERIENCE AND TO SUPPORT REAL NEWS, PLEASE SIGN UP HERE, TODAY.

June 18, 2025
News
UK

Islands Reject Secession After 2-Year Study.

PULSE POINTS

❓WHAT HAPPENED: Orkney Islands Council decided to remain part of the United Kingdom after exploring options for greater autonomy, and possibly joining Norway.

👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: Orkney Islands Council, former council leader James Stockan, and current council leader Heather Woodbridge.

📍WHEN & WHERE: Orkney, Scotland, with discussions spanning the last two years.

💬KEY QUOTE: “This is just the start of a more detailed appraisal.” – Council leader Heather Woodbridge.

🎯IMPACT: The council will now focus on reforming public services through a single authority model.

IN FULL

After two years of exploring potential governance changes, Orkney Islands Council has concluded that remaining part of the United Kingdom is the most viable option for the islands. The council had considered alternative governance models, including a self-governing territory status under Norway, which ceded the islands to Scotland in 1472.

A report presented to the council determined that pursuing greater autonomy would be too costly and complex. Instead, members agreed to explore a “single authority model” aimed at reforming how public services are delivered.

Orkney’s former council leader, James Stockan, had initially proposed exploring constitutional changes, including the possibility of rejoining Norway. His frustrations stemmed from perceived insufficient financial support from both Britain’s central government and Scotland’s devolved government—roughly equivalent to a U.S. state government. In 2021, the council voted 15-6 in favor of investigating governance alternatives. Stockan stepped down from his leadership role in January 2022.

Current council leader Heather Woodbridge emphasized during a recent meeting that discussions on the single authority model are still in the early stages. “This is just the start of a more detailed appraisal,” she said, signaling that implementation is not guaranteed.

The Scottish government has expressed interest in applying the single authority model to other council areas, including the Western Isles, where U.S. President Donald J. Trump’s mother, Mary, was born. Details and timelines for implementation are expected to be published before the end of the current parliamentary session.

Scotland has a longstanding separatist movement, but in a 2014 referendum, the Scots voted to remain part of the United Kingdom. The United Kingdom was founded by the Acts of Union in 1707, following the earlier Union of the Crowns in 1603, which saw the King of Scots ascend the English throne and establish a dual monarchy.

Join Pulse+ to comment below, and receive exclusive e-mail analyses.

Image by Dave Sutherland.

By Popular Demand.
The National Pulse Now has an on-site comments section for members. Sign up today and be part of the conversation in our community of almost 15,000.
Pulse Ad
Pulse Ad
More From The Pulse

WE ARE 100% INDEPENDENT AND READER-FUNDED. FOR A GUARANTEED AD-FREE EXPERIENCE AND TO SUPPORT REAL NEWS, PLEASE SIGN UP HERE, TODAY.

5 minutes ago
News
War

Trump Reinstates Iran Blockade, Pitches 20% Toll from Ships Passing Through Strait of Hormuz.

President Donald J. Trump has suggested the U.S. begin charging its own toll on shipping through the vital Strait of Hormuz in exchange for keeping it open.

PULSE POINTS
❓ WHAT HAPPENED: President Donald J. Trump proposed U.S. control over the Strait of Hormuz, suggesting the U.S. act as the “guardian angel” of the waterway and charge a 20 percent fee on all cargo shipped through it. His comments follow heightened tensions with Iran, with strikes against the Islamic Republic resuming after it broke a ceasefire by attacking commerical tankers.
📺 DETAIL: Trump reiterated the proposal on Truth Social, while Iran‘s Khatam al-Anbiya Central Headquarters responded that any U.S. attempt to manage transit through the strait without coordination with Tehran would be met with strong resistance. The comments came as hostilities escalated after the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) claimed attacks on energy and military facilities in Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, and Jordan, while the U.S. military confirmed strikes against Iranian forces following Iranian attacks on commercial vessels last week. Both Washington and Tehran have accused each other of violating a temporary Memorandum of Understanding intended to reduce tensions, with Iran insisting vessels must follow routes designated by Tehran and the United States maintaining that ships should be allowed to transit the waterway freely. Trump also said that Iran held lengthy negotiations on Sunday and that an agreement had been reached, although fighting resumed shortly afterward.
💬 KEY QUOTE: “We’re going to keep the strait, and we’ll probably run it. We’ll become the guardian of the strait… And we should be reimbursed for that.” – Donald J. Trump
🎯 IMPACT: Trump’s proposal further escalates tensions with Iran, which has already stated it will not permit U.S. control of the strait. The suggestion of imposing a shipping fee could also provoke international backlash, given the global reliance on the waterway for energy supplies, but it is consistent with Trump’s belief that allies should not be able to rely on the U.S. to secure their interests for nothing in return.

Join Pulse+ to comment below, and receive exclusive e-mail analyses.

show less

President Donald J. Trump has suggested the U.S. begin charging its own toll on shipping through the vital Strait of Hormuz in exchange for keeping it open.

show more
By Popular Demand.
The National Pulse Now has an on-site comments section for members. Sign up today and be part of the conversation in our community of almost 15,000.

WE ARE 100% INDEPENDENT AND READER-FUNDED. FOR A GUARANTEED AD-FREE EXPERIENCE AND TO SUPPORT REAL NEWS, PLEASE SIGN UP HERE, TODAY.

45 minutes ago
Bonkers Britain
News

Labour MP Apologizes After Accusing Nigel Farage of ‘Faux Outrage’ Over Murder of Ann Widdecombe.

The Labour Party’s Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Safeguarding and Violence against Women has issued an apology after describing Nigel Farage’s reaction to the murder of Reform UK’s Ann Widdecombe as “faux outrage.”

PULSE POINTS
❓ WHAT HAPPENED: The Labour-controlled British government’s minister for Safeguarding and Violence against Women has apologized after describing anger following Ann Widdecombe’s murder as “faux outrage.”
📺 DETAIL: On Monday, Natalie Fleet, Labour Member of Parliament (MP) for Bolsover and the British government’s Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Safeguarding and Violence against Women posted on X (formerly Twitter): “Nigel Farage & his gang of bin men [garbage men] get the same security as the rest of us. Sick of the faux outrage.” Fleet’s post followed the murder of Ann Widdecombe, former Conservative MP and the Reform UK party’s immigration and justice spokeswoman, and subsequent requests by Reform leader Nigel Farage, along with other Reform British politicians, for increased security. Following online backlash, Fleet deleted the post and issued an apology on X.
💬 KEY QUOTE: “Apologies for offence caused by my earlier tweet, which I’ve now deleted. My thoughts are – as they have always been – with Ann Widdecombe’s loved ones at this awful time,” posted Fleet on X.
🎯 IMPACT: The fact that the flippant tweet was posted by a government minister tasked with Safeguarding and Violence against Women, following the murder of a well-known female politician and spokeswoman for a popular political party, sparked widespread calls for Fleet’s resignation. The initial post also raises concerns about a two-tier attitude from the British government when it comes to tackling violence against women.
📺 FLASHBACK: In a statement to the House of Commons this week, British Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood, roughly equivalent to the U.S. Homeland Security Secretary, offered a security meeting to Nigel Farage, leader of Reform, following the murder of Miss Widdecombe. This followed the arrest of a 28-year-old man suspected of murdering Widdecombe at her home in Devon, south-west England. Police have confirmed that the suspect was arrested on terrorism charges. He was not previously known to Prevent, Britain’s counter-terrorism program, according to the British government.

Image via House of Commons.

Join Pulse+ to comment below, and receive exclusive e-mail analyses.

show less

The Labour Party's Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Safeguarding and Violence against Women has issued an apology after describing Nigel Farage's reaction to the murder of Reform UK's Ann Widdecombe as "faux outrage."

show more
By Popular Demand.
The National Pulse Now has an on-site comments section for members. Sign up today and be part of the conversation in our community of almost 15,000.
Pulse Ad
Pulse Ad

WE ARE 100% INDEPENDENT AND READER-FUNDED. FOR A GUARANTEED AD-FREE EXPERIENCE AND TO SUPPORT REAL NEWS, PLEASE SIGN UP HERE, TODAY.

1 hour ago
Bonkers Britain
Crime
News

Video Released of Ann Widdecombe Murder Suspect’s Arrest by Counter Terror Police.

Counter Terrorism Police escorted the man suspected of murdering Ann Widdecombe, Reform UK’s immigration and justice spokeswoman, from his house in newly released footage of the arrest.

PULSE POINTS
❓ WHAT HAPPENED: Video footage of the man suspected of murdering Ann Widdecombe, the Reform UK party’s immigration and justice spokeswoman, being arrested at his house in Rotherham, northern England, has been released.
📺 DETAIL: Counter Terrorism Police arrested a 28-year-old man on suspicion of murdering Ann Widdecombe, a legendary former Conservative Member of Parliament (MP) and the immigration and justice spokeswoman for Nigel Farage’s Reform UK party. The footage was taken outside the suspect’s house in Rotherham, South Yorkshire. It shows the topless suspect being escorted from his house by Counter Terrorism Police. The footage shows the suspect being handcuffed. The arrest apparently took place on Saturday at approximately 21:00 BST (British Summer Time), days after Widdecombe was found dead at her home in Devon, south-west England. The suspect’s address is more than 200 miles from Widdecombe’s home.
🎯 IMPACT: The footage confirms that the suspect is in police custody. The presence of Counter Terrorism Police at the scene of the arrest reinforces suspicions that Widdecombe’s murder was politically motivated, rather than a simple act of murder. The footage matches similar recordings taken by other outlets at the time and place of the arrest.
📺 FLASHBACK: Last week, an investigation was announced into the death of Miss Widdecombe. The 78-year-old former government minister was a well-known figure in British politics. Initially a member of the Conservative Party, she joined Nigel Farage’s Brexit Party, which eventually became Reform UK. On July 9, she was found dead at her house. Police later confirmed that her death was being treated as a murder case. Leftists mocked and celebrated Widdecombe’s death online, who was known for her staunchly conservative and Christian beliefs. The police later confirmed that the suspect was arrested on terrorism charges. Nigel Farage, Reform’s leader, has since been invited to a security meeting with the Home Secretary, Shabana Mahmood, who is roughly equivalent to the U.S. Homeland Security Secretary, and the chairman of the Home Office’s independent body which handles security for elected officials.

Join Pulse+ to comment below, and receive exclusive e-mail analyses.

show less

Counter Terrorism Police escorted the man suspected of murdering Ann Widdecombe, Reform UK's immigration and justice spokeswoman, from his house in newly released footage of the arrest.

show more
By Popular Demand.
The National Pulse Now has an on-site comments section for members. Sign up today and be part of the conversation in our community of almost 15,000.

WE ARE 100% INDEPENDENT AND READER-FUNDED. FOR A GUARANTEED AD-FREE EXPERIENCE AND TO SUPPORT REAL NEWS, PLEASE SIGN UP HERE, TODAY.

2 hours ago
Crime
News
Religion

Burning of 173-Year Old Brooklyn Church Investigated as Arson Attack.

The 173-year-old South Bushwick Reformed Church in Brooklyn is rallying for restoration after a devastating fire, now under investigation as a potential arson case.

PULSE POINTS
❓ WHAT HAPPENED: A fire on June 19 that severely damaged the South Bushwick Reformed Church in Brooklyn, New York, is being investigated as a possible act of arson after video footage revealed a person fleeing the scene shortly before the blaze began.
📺 DETAIL: The fire required nearly 200 firefighters to battle the flames for more than two hours before bringing it under control. No injuries were reported, but the church’s worship space and ministry center suffered significant damage. Church leaders have launched a GoFundMe campaign to support recovery efforts, raising more than $14,000 as of Saturday, and have asked city officials to delay demolition plans while structural assessments are completed. According to the church, an engineer determined the building remains structurally sound. In a statement, the congregation said its mission will continue despite the loss of its historic building and pledged to work with city agencies, engineers, preservation experts, and community partners on restoration efforts. The church, built in 1853 with congregational roots dating back to the 1600s, is recognized as a historic house of worship and is seeking support to preserve the site for future generations.
💬 KEY QUOTE: “The church is not brick and mortar alone. The church is people. The church is faith. The church is love in action,” reads a message on the church’s website.
🎯 IMPACT: This may be just the latest case of an anti-Christian attack on a church in America, and follows a broader trend across much of the Western world where anti-Christian hate and church attacks have risen significantly.

Join Pulse+ to comment below, and receive exclusive e-mail analyses.

show less

The 173-year-old South Bushwick Reformed Church in Brooklyn is rallying for restoration after a devastating fire, now under investigation as a potential arson case.

show more
By Popular Demand.
The National Pulse Now has an on-site comments section for members. Sign up today and be part of the conversation in our community of almost 15,000.
Pulse Ad
Pulse Ad

WE ARE 100% INDEPENDENT AND READER-FUNDED. FOR A GUARANTEED AD-FREE EXPERIENCE AND TO SUPPORT REAL NEWS, PLEASE SIGN UP HERE, TODAY.

3 hours ago
Crime
News
UK

Farage Offered Security Briefing as UK Govt Admits Ann Widdecombe Murder Suspect Was Not on Counter-Terror Radar.

British Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood has extended a security meeting offer to Reform UK party leader Nigel Farage following revelations about the suspect in Ann Widdecombe’s murder case.

PULSE POINTS
❓ WHAT HAPPENED: The British Home Secretary has offered a security meeting to Nigel Farage, leader of Reform UK, following new details regarding the suspect in the murder of Reform UK immigration and justice spokeswoman Ann Widdecombe. Notably, the Home Office previously cut Farage’s security, forcing him to find private funding.
📰 DETAIL: On Monday, in a statement to the House of Commons, British Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood, roughly equivalent to the U.S. Homeland Security Secretary, offered a security meeting to Nigel Farage, leader of the Reform UK party. The offer coincided with new information about the 28-year-old suspect arrested on suspicion of murdering Ann Widdecombe, a long-time, prominent figure in British politics. “Today is a dark day in our political life, but we must also use it as an opportunity to celebrate Ann Widdecombe’s memory. She was a unique figure in our politics, a distinctive and devoted public servant, the likes of whom you will rarely, if ever, see again,” said the Home Secretary on Monday. The suspect was not previously known to Prevent, Britain’s counter-terrorism program. Soon after, Farage accepted Mahmood’s offer for a security meeting on X (formerly Twitter). The meeting will be co-hosted by the chair of Ravec (Royal and VIP Executive Committee), the Home Office’s independent body which handles security for officials.
💬 KEY QUOTE: “Thank you for this offer [Shabana Mahmood]. I will meet with the Chair of Ravec and discuss the security of all Reform politicians, including those who are not MPs,” replied Farage on X.
🎯 IMPACT: The offer of a security meeting underscores the heightened concern for the safety of public figures following the murder of Widdecombe, especially Reform UK politicians. The offer of a security meeting to Farage specifically is likely to reinforce the growing suspicion among members of the public, especially supporters of Reform UK, that Widdecombe’s murder was politically motivated.
👀 FLASHBACK: Last week, an investigation was announced into the death of Ann Widdecombe. The 78-year-old former Conservative MP and government minister turned Brexit and Reform UK party figure was found dead at her home. The same day, it was confirmed that Widdecombe’s death was being treated as a murder by the police. In reaction to news of the legendary and devoutly Christian politician’s death, leftists celebrated online. This week, a suspect was arrested on terrorism charges.

Join Pulse+ to comment below, and receive exclusive e-mail analyses.

show less

British Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood has extended a security meeting offer to Reform UK party leader Nigel Farage following revelations about the suspect in Ann Widdecombe's murder case.

show more
By Popular Demand.
The National Pulse Now has an on-site comments section for members. Sign up today and be part of the conversation in our community of almost 15,000.

WE ARE 100% INDEPENDENT AND READER-FUNDED. FOR A GUARANTEED AD-FREE EXPERIENCE AND TO SUPPORT REAL NEWS, PLEASE SIGN UP HERE, TODAY.

4 hours ago
Lawfare
News

Obama Judge Halts Trump’s Restrictions on Federal Grants Funding DEI.

A California federal judge has issued a preliminary injunction, halting the Trump administration’s attempt to tie anti-DEI conditions to federal grant funding.

PULSE POINTS
❓ WHAT HAPPENED: A Barack Obama-appointed federal judge in California has blocked the Trump administration from attaching anti-DEI (Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion) conditions to federal grant funding. The preliminary injunction, issued by U.S. District Judge William Orrick, prevents enforcement of new certification requirements against 11 municipal governments, citing constitutional and legal overreach.
📺 DETAIL: The lawsuit was brought by several California and Oregon cities and counties, which argued the administration had imposed ideological conditions on grants that Congress had already approved for programs including public safety, disaster preparedness, law enforcement, water conservation, and crime victim services. Orrick agreed, writing that the challenged conditions were unrelated to the purposes of the grant programs and lacked statutory authorization. The disputed requirements directed recipients to certify they were not operating DEI programs that violate federal anti-discrimination law and included provisions encouraging cooperation with federal immigration enforcement and compliance with related executive orders. The administration has defended the policy as a lawful effort to ensure federal funds are not used to support discriminatory practices and is expected to appeal the ruling. Orrick claimed that allowing the conditions to remain in place during the litigation could disrupt funding for anti-terrorism efforts, wildfire preparedness, flood mitigation, forensic science, law enforcement training, and services for crime victims and human trafficking survivors. The preliminary injunction will remain in effect while the lawsuit proceeds.
💬 KEY QUOTE: “What defendants seek to do likely violates the Constitution (separation of powers and Spending Clause) and the Administrative Procedures Act.” – Judge William Orrick
🎯 IMPACT: The ruling temporarily halts the administration’s broader strategy to ensure federal dollars are not used for DEI-related programs, leaving the policy in legal limbo pending an expected appeal.

Join Pulse+ to comment below, and receive exclusive e-mail analyses.

show less

A California federal judge has issued a preliminary injunction, halting the Trump administration's attempt to tie anti-DEI conditions to federal grant funding.

show more
By Popular Demand.
The National Pulse Now has an on-site comments section for members. Sign up today and be part of the conversation in our community of almost 15,000.
Pulse Ad
Pulse Ad

WE ARE 100% INDEPENDENT AND READER-FUNDED. FOR A GUARANTEED AD-FREE EXPERIENCE AND TO SUPPORT REAL NEWS, PLEASE SIGN UP HERE, TODAY.

5 hours ago
Data
News
World

Le Pen Leads All Rivals in Latest French Election Polls.

A recent poll has revealed that National Rally leader Marine Le Pen would decisively defeat any opponent in next year’s French presidential election, despite her three-year sentence for alleged misuse of European Union funds.

PULSE POINTS
❓ WHAT HAPPENED: A new poll has revealed that France’s Marine Le Pen is on track to win the country’s presidential election next year, despite a controversial lawfare campaign aimed at preventing her from running.
📺 DETAIL: Earlier this week, a new survey by the French Institute of Public Opinion (IFOP) revealed that Marine Le Pen, leader of the National Rally party, is leading in both rounds of next year’s French presidential election. French presidential elections use a two-round system, in which all candidates are permitted to run in the first round, but only the two most popular candidates in the first round advance to the second round. The winner of the second round of voting becomes President. IFOP’s poll showed that Le Pen would beat all her major opponents in the second round of voting, including establishment-backed centrists Gabriel Attal (54 percent vs 46 percent) and Édouard Philippe (55 percent vs 45 percent), and the far-left Jean-Luc Mélenchon (70 percent vs 30 percent). In the first round, Le Pen would receive roughly a third of the vote (36 percent). If she faces off against a centrist in the second round, Le Pen is expected to consolidate approximately 50 percent of the right-leaning vote. If she faces off against Mélenchon in the second round, she is expected to consolidate 90 percent of the right-leaning vote. IFOP’s survey follows a ruling by the Court of Appeals in Paris allowing Le Pen to run for the presidency after she was given a three-year sentence for allegedly misusing funds from the European Parliament. The court shortened Le Pen’s ban from running in European elections, allowing her to stand. Two of the three years in Le Pen’s sentence are suspended, with the remaining year being under house arrest with an electronic bracelet. As the ruling allowed Le Pen to appeal further to the Court of Cassation, the highest court in the French judicial system, her innocence is still presumed and will not have to serve any part of her sentence, including wearing a tag on the campaign trail, until her appeal is resolved.
💬 KEY QUOTE: “From now on, I am campaigning to convince the French, to talk to them about their lives, their security, their purchasing power, the rebirth of the country. My opponents would like this campaign to be judicial. I want it to be democratic, and I will not let anyone confiscate this presidential election from the French.” – Marine Le Pen, leader of the National Rally party.
🎯 IMPACT: France’s two-round voting system has typically favored establishment-backed centrist candidates, as left-leaning and right-leaning voters tend to vote for the centrist candidate to block out the further right-leaning or left-leaning candidate who gets through to the second round. If elected, Le Pen would be the first National Rally candidate to win the French presidency. The survey suggests that the lawfare campaign against Le Pen may have backfired, strengthening her anti-establishment credentials.
📺 FLASHBACK: Last week, Le Pen vowed that she would run in the next French presidential election, despite her conviction. The first round is scheduled for April 2027.

Image by Rémi Noyon.

Join Pulse+ to comment below, and receive exclusive e-mail analyses.

show less

A recent poll has revealed that National Rally leader Marine Le Pen would decisively defeat any opponent in next year's French presidential election, despite her three-year sentence for alleged misuse of European Union funds.

show more
By Popular Demand.
The National Pulse Now has an on-site comments section for members. Sign up today and be part of the conversation in our community of almost 15,000.

WE ARE 100% INDEPENDENT AND READER-FUNDED. FOR A GUARANTEED AD-FREE EXPERIENCE AND TO SUPPORT REAL NEWS, PLEASE SIGN UP HERE, TODAY.

5 hours ago
News
UK
War

Britain Finally Bans Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps.

The British government has officially designated Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) as a national security threat, introducing new powers to prosecute individuals supporting the group and other foreign-linked operatives.

PULSE POINTS
❓ WHAT HAPPENED: British Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood announced that Iran‘s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) has been designated a national security threat, with new laws making support for the group a criminal offense punishable by up to 14 years in prison. The measures also target two other groups, the Islamic Movement of Companions of the Right (IMCR) and the volunteer corps of Russia‘s GRU, to address espionage, sabotage, and foreign interference.
📺 DETAIL: Outgoing Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer said the changes would ensure Britain is no longer “a playground for states who want to spread fear, division and violence,” adding that those carrying out hostile acts on behalf of foreign governments in Britain would face tougher prosecutions. If approved by Parliament, individuals convicted of sabotage, including arson, could face life imprisonment. The government said the IRGC has been linked to seven attacks targeting Jewish and Israeli-related sites in the United Kingdom, and MI5 has identified at least 20 potentially lethal Iranian-backed plots against people in Britain over the past year. Mahmood accused Iran and Russia of using proxies and criminal networks to carry out hostile activities on British soil and pledged to track down those working on their behalf. Notably, the United States, Canada, Australia, and the European Union have already designated the IRGC as a terrorist organization or equivalent security threat.
💬 KEY QUOTE: “We will never let Britain be a playground for states who want to spread fear, division and violence on our streets.” – Sir Keir Starmer
🎯 IMPACT: If approved by Parliament, the legislation will make it easier to prosecute those linked to the IRGC and other foreign-linked operatives, removing the need to establish direct foreign power connections in every case.
📺 FLASHBACK: The IRGC has long been accused by Western nations of sponsoring terrorism and orchestrating crackdowns on dissent, both within Iran and abroad. The group has been on the U.S. terror list since 2019, and its belated designation by the British government comes after years of criticism for lagging behind its allies in addressing the threat.

Image via Wikimedia Commons.

Join Pulse+ to comment below, and receive exclusive e-mail analyses.

show less

The British government has officially designated Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) as a national security threat, introducing new powers to prosecute individuals supporting the group and other foreign-linked operatives.

show more
By Popular Demand.
The National Pulse Now has an on-site comments section for members. Sign up today and be part of the conversation in our community of almost 15,000.
Pulse Ad
Pulse Ad

WE ARE 100% INDEPENDENT AND READER-FUNDED. FOR A GUARANTEED AD-FREE EXPERIENCE AND TO SUPPORT REAL NEWS, PLEASE SIGN UP HERE, TODAY.

6 hours ago
Crime
Immigration
News

Driver Shot Dead While ‘Trying to Hit ICE Officer’ with Car.

A fatal shooting involving an ICE officer occurred in Biddeford, Maine, after an alleged attempt to strike the officer with a vehicle.

PULSE POINTS
❓ WHAT HAPPENED: A person was fatally shot in Biddeford, Maine, during an encounter with a U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officer. Witnesses report that the individual who was shot appeared to be attempting to run over the ICE officer before the officer discharged his weapon.
📍 WHEN & WHERE: The incident occurred on Monday morning near Pool Street in Biddeford, Maine.
📺 DETAIL: Witness Lucas Scott described seeing the ICE officer exit an unmarked vehicle, order the driver to get out of his vehicle, and then open fire as the driver “was trying to hit the ICE officer” with his car. Witnesses also described a white vehicle having collided with a law enforcement vehicle at the scene, with gunshots were heard by nearby residents.
💬 KEY QUOTE: “This morning a shooting occurred in Biddeford. A person was killed. ICE was involved. State Police and the Department of Public Safety are now on scene to gather details and would expect the FBI to investigate as well. These are the details that I have at this time.” – Maine House Speaker Ryan Fecteau (D)
🎯 IMPACT: State police, the Department of Public Safety, and potentially the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) are expected to be involved in investigating the shooting. Anti-ICE activists quickly organized a demonstration following the incident.
📺 FLASHBACK: The shooting in Maine follows another deadly shooting involving ICE in Houston, Texas, last week. Mexican national Lorenzo Salgado Araujo is also accused of having “rammed an ICE law enforcement vehicle, refused to follow multiple verbal commands, and weaponized his vehicle in an attempt to run over an ICE law enforcement officer,” although this is disputed by passengers presented in the vehicle at the time. Mexico is attempting to sue the U.S. over the incident. 

Join Pulse+ to comment below, and receive exclusive e-mail analyses.

show less

A fatal shooting involving an ICE officer occurred in Biddeford, Maine, after an alleged attempt to strike the officer with a vehicle.

show more
By Popular Demand.
The National Pulse Now has an on-site comments section for members. Sign up today and be part of the conversation in our community of almost 15,000.

WE ARE 100% INDEPENDENT AND READER-FUNDED. FOR A GUARANTEED AD-FREE EXPERIENCE AND TO SUPPORT REAL NEWS, PLEASE SIGN UP HERE, TODAY.

7 hours ago
News
War

Trump Vows U.S. Will Take Control of Strait of Hormuz and Get Paid ‘A Lot of Money’ for Guarding It.

President Donald J. Trump has vowed that the U.S. will take control of the Strait of Hormuz and get paid “a lot of money” for guarding it, as Iran is once again declaring that the key energy export route is closed.

PULSE POINTS
❓ WHAT HAPPENED: President Donald J. Trump announced on Monday that the U.S. intends to take control of the Strait of Hormuz, a critical global shipping lane for oil, natural gas, and fertilizer exports, and suggested that the U.S.-aligned exporting countries will pay the U.S. “a lot of money” for protecting the strait and keeping it open. This comes follows futher U.S. strikes on Iran, which has declared that the waterway is closed, on Sunday, followed by Iranian retaliatory strikes targeting U.S. bases in the region.
📺 DETAIL: Trump emphasized during an interview that the U.S. has guarded the strait for decades without compensation, stating, “We should be reimbursed for that… The other nations are very wealthy, and we can’t be expected to do that for nothing.”
💬 KEY QUOTE: “We’ll become the guardian of the Strait. Maybe we’ll call it the ‘Guardian Angel of the Strait,’ and we should be reimbursed for that.” – President Donald Trump
🎯 IMPACT: The proposal underscores the U.S.’s strategic interest in ensuring free navigation through the Strait of Hormuz, which accounts for a significant share of global oil shipments. However, it also signals a shift toward demanding financial contributions from allies for continued U.S. intervention in the region, potentially reshaping bilateral relations.
📈 DATA: Oil prices surged nearly five percent on Monday, with benchmark crude nearing $80 a barrel, reflecting market concerns over the escalating conflict and its impact on energy supplies.
📺 FLASHBACK: The Strait of Hormuz has been a flashpoint in U.S.-Iran relations for decades, with Iranian threats to close or substantially disrupt traffic through the strait frequently deterring outside intervention against the regime in Tehran. A memorandum of understanding between the U.S. and Iran was supposed to keep the waterway open, but collapsed earlier in July after continued Iranian attacks on commercial shipping, which prompted dozens of American retaliatory strikes.

Join Pulse+ to comment below, and receive exclusive e-mail analyses.

show less

President Donald J. Trump has vowed that the U.S. will take control of the Strait of Hormuz and get paid "a lot of money" for guarding it, as Iran is once again declaring that the key energy export route is closed.

show more
By Popular Demand.
The National Pulse Now has an on-site comments section for members. Sign up today and be part of the conversation in our community of almost 15,000.
Pulse Ad
Pulse Ad