Friday, April 3, 2026

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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.

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By Popular Demand.
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Top ‘Conservative’ Says Muslims Should Be Able to Pray at Historic Landmarks.

PULSE POINTS

WHAT HAPPENED: Lord Daniel Hannan of Britain’s Conservative Party defended mass Muslim prayer in London’s iconic Trafalgar Square, calling it “inclusive.”

👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: Lord Hannan, the Conservative (Tory) Party, and Muslims in Britain.

💬KEY QUOTE: “Some people maintain that Islam is uniquely incompatible with Western values… There are nearly 4 million Muslims in the United Kingdom. If you insist on seeing them all as dangerous, then, in the absence of mass conversions, you are led by your own logic to demand ethnic cleansing.” – Lord Hannan

🎯IMPACT: Hannan’s party presided over unprecedented mass migration during its time in office from 2010 to 2024, much of it from the Islamic world. His defense of Muslims asserting their religion in public spaces is sparking debate about the impact on British culture and society of passively accepting Islamization.

IN FULL

Daniel Hannan, a member of the House of Lords for Britain’s Conservative (Tory) Party, has penned a bizarre defense of mass Muslim prayer in public spaces, such as London‘s iconic Trafalgar Square, describing it as “inclusive.”

Lord Hannan waded into a public debate on Islamization ignited by Member of Parliament (MP) Nick Timothy, who had previously written that “mass ritual prayer in public places is an act of domination,” and that the Islamic call to prayer “which declares there is no god but allah and Muhammad is his messenger… is, when called in a public place, a declaration of domination.”

Contrasting Christianity’s official status in Britain with America’s official secularism, Hannan praises America’s religious “level playing field.” He argues that “Choosing to celebrate important events in Trafalgar Square is a British tradition,” including Islamic rituals and suggests that opposition to mass Muslim prayer equates to supporting purges, claiming: “There are nearly 4 million Muslims in the United Kingdom. If you insist on seeing them all as dangerous, then, in the absence of mass conversions, you are led by your own logic to demand ethnic cleansing.”

Hannan goes on to defend declarations of Allah’s superiority and sex-segregation at these prayers, and asserts that many Muslims “detest extremism.” He claims that those opposing mass Muslim prayer in public assists extremists, arguing, “They… vindicate the central claim that jihadi recruiters make to young Western Muslims: ‘Whatever you do, your neighbors will never accept you.'”

Hannan concludes by criticizing British Christians who oppose Islamization as “consciously mimicking American conservatives,” suggesting they wear their faith as a “tribal badge.”

Notably, Islamists account for around 39,000 out of 43,000 people on the Security Service (MI5) watch list, and around three-quarters of the agency’s counter-terrorism workload. Since 9/11 in the U.S., radical Islamic terrorists have killed over 100 people in Britain, compared to fewer than ten killed by far-right terrorists.

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EXC: A Bill to Block Illegal Immigrants from U.S. Banking Gets the Nod from Trump’s Treasury.

PULSE POINTS

WHAT HAPPENED: Senator Tom Cotton introduced the Know Your American Customer Act to ban illegal migrants from accessing the U.S. banking system, and a statement from the Treasury to The National Pulse appears to embrace it.

👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: Senator Tom Cotton (R-AR), U.S. financial institutions, and illegal migrants.

📍WHEN & WHERE: March 2026, Washington, DC.

💬KEY QUOTE: “U.S. Treasury remains committed to supporting the President’s agenda with all available tools, including the targeted use of anti-money laundering capabilities.” – Treasury spokesman.

🎯IMPACT: The bill aims to ensure that U.S. financial institutions comply with immigration laws and prevent illegal migrants from using banking services.

fast

IN FULL

Senator Tom Cotton (R-AR) has introduced the Know Your American Customer Act, a bill designed to restrict illegal migrants from accessing the American banking system. The legislation mandates that U.S. financial institutions verify the legal status of new customers to ensure compliance with immigration laws. A statement from the Treasury to The National Pulse appears to be broadly supportive of the move.

The bill would require banks and credit unions insured by the FDIC or NCUA to confirm that individuals opening new accounts are U.S. citizens, permanent residents, or legally present on a valid visa. Customers would need to present identification, such as a driver’s license or passport, along with proof of legal status.

Existing customers would be grandfathered into the system, allowing them to maintain or open new accounts at their current institutions. However, it would become a federal crime for illegal migrants to open or maintain accounts at covered institutions under the proposed law.

In 2025, Senator Cotton sent a letter to Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, urging a review of current rules regarding illegal immigrant access to the U.S. banking system. Cotton emphasized the importance of upholding sovereignty and ensuring that financial institutions do not inadvertently assist in breaking immigration laws.

Speaking exclusively to The National Pulse, a Treasury spokesman said: “President Trump has taken a stronger stance against illegal immigration than any president in history, securing our border on day one and leading a government-wide effort to stop the flow of criminals and deadly fentanyl into our country. U.S. Treasury remains committed to supporting the President’s agenda with all available tools, including the targeted use of anti-money laundering capabilities, to protect American citizens from illegal aliens and cartels.”

“Access to the American banking system is a privilege that should only be reserved for those who respect our laws and sovereignty,” Senator Cotton stated.

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REPORT: Second Air Force Plane Lost in Middle East, Pilot Rescued.

PULSE POINTS

WHAT HAPPENED: A second Air Force combat plane crashed in the Persian Gulf region, according to reports.

👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: The lone pilot of the A-10 Warthog attack plane, U.S. officials.

📍WHEN & WHERE: Friday, near the Strait of Hormuz in the Persian Gulf region.

🎯IMPACT: Search-and-rescue operations are reportedly ongoing following a separate incident involving the downing of another plane by Iran.

IN FULL

According to two U.S. officials speaking on condition of anonymity, a second Air Force combat plane crashed in the Persian Gulf region on Friday. The officials said the A-10 Warthog attack plane’s lone pilot was safely rescued.

The crash is said to have happened near the Strait of Hormuz at roughly the same time an Air Force F-15E was reportedly shot down over Iran. Media reports claim that one crew member has been rescued in that incident, while search-and-rescue operations continue for a second airman, but these details are not officially confirmed.

Information on the A-10 crash, including its precise location and cause, is still limited, because officials have not formally confirmed the loss.

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Top House Democrat Says Trump Will Be Impeached After Midterms.

PULSE POINTS

WHAT HAPPENED: Representative Ro Khanna (D-CA) called for the impeachment of President Donald J. Trump after the midterms, citing alleged war crimes and other actions.

👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: Rep. Ro Khanna, President Trump, House Republicans, House Democrats, Senate Republicans, and Senate Democrats.

📍WHEN & WHERE: The comments were made on Thursday evening, April 2, 2026.

💬KEY QUOTE: “The Democrats will impeach him once we take back the House, and should impeach him for all the things he’s done.” — Rep. Ro Khanna

🎯IMPACT: Khanna’s comments confirm that Democrats intend to use their potential House majority to again move to impeach President Trump and hamstring his political agenda for his remaining two years in office.

IN FULL

Congressman Ro Khanna (D-CA)—a top progressive lawmaker in the House of Representatives—confirmed Thursday evening that impeaching President Donald J. Trump will be a top priority for Democrats should they retake the lower legislative chamber in the 2026 midterm elections in November. The California Democrat said he believes the ongoing war with the Islamic Republic of Iran will, at least in part, be used as justification for impeachment.

“He should be impeached now. He’s taken us into a disastrous war, threatening war crimes in Iran, in terms of knocking out plants, and knocking out electricity,” Khanna said in a television interview. He continued, “And the Democrats will impeach him once we take back the House, and should impeach him for all the things he’s done.”

“And, depending on the Senate, he may face conviction if we get to 60, especially if the—his numbers keep going down, and the Epstein issue continues to be a vulnerability,” the House Democrat lawmaker added.

Democrats have long insinuated that they will move to impeach Trump—who was also impeached twice by the House during his first term in office—should they regain the majority in the November elections. However, Khanna’s proposition that his party could take enough seats in the Senate to secure a conviction and removal of the President is fairly far-fetched.

The National Pulse reported at the end of March that a record number of Republicans are retiring from Congress ahead of the midterms. While there are paths for Republicans to retain control of the lower chamber, the number of House retirements—especially committee chairmen—suggests a Democrat takeover is expected. However, the Democrat path to taking the Senate majority is far more difficult, with the open seat in North Carolina being among the more competitive races. Republicans must also defend Senator Susan Collins (R-ME) in Maine—though the 73-year-old lawmaker has consistently defeated Democrat challengers that the corporate media and political establishment expected to unseat her.

Image by Paul Morigi.

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New Data Shows U.S. Economy Added Far Fewer Jobs in February Than Previously Stated.

PULSE POINTS

WHAT HAPPENED: The federal government’s Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) has revised downward February’s already troubling job numbers, with employment losses now topping 133,000 for the month instead of the initially reported loss of 92,000.

👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: The Trump administration, the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), and American workers.

📍WHEN & WHERE: The revision was announced on Friday, April 3, 2026.

🎯IMPACT: The revision continues to suggest weakness in the U.S. labor market—despite far stronger job numbers in March.

IN FULL

The federal government’s Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) has revised downward February’s already troubling job numbers, with losses now topping 133,000 for the month instead of the initially reported loss of 92,000. Importantly, the revision continues to suggest weakness in the U.S. labor market—despite far stronger jobs numbers in March.

The February revision is especially concerning, as economic forecasters had initially projected a jobs gain of around 60,000. While the initial report showed a net swing of 152,000 jobs between the forecast and actual numbers, the revision reveals an even more troubling gape of 193,000.

Still, March’s job report shows a significant rebound. The National Pulse reported earlier on Friday that the BLS revealed the U.S. added 178,000 jobs in March. Barring future revisions, this indicates the employment market recovered from February and gained a net 45,000 jobs over the last month.

Despite the positive March numbers, what appears to be a systemic problem in how the government calculates its jobs data has resulted in numerous downward revisions for prior months’ data, dating back several years. In 2025, the BLS’s annual benchmark jobs report revision showed there were nearly one million fewer jobs added to the economy during the final year of the former Biden government than initially reported.

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Cuba to Release Over 2,000 Political Prisoners Amid Trump Admin Pressure.

PULSE POINTS

WHAT HAPPENED: Cuba announced the release of 2,010 political prisoners as a “humanitarian and sovereign gesture” during Holy Week.

👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: The Cuban communist government, political prisoners in Cuba, and U.S. President Donald J. Trump.

📍WHEN & WHERE: The announcement was made on Thursday by the Cuban embassy in the U.S., with the release coinciding with Holy Week.

🎯IMPACT: The announcement comes amid U.S. political pressure, fuel shortages, and ongoing blackouts in Cuba.

IN FULL

Cuba has announced the release of 2,010 political prisoners as a “humanitarian and sovereign gesture,” according to a statement issued Thursday by the Cuban embassy in the United States. Among those being released are a number of foreign nationals, young people, women, and people aged over 60.

The embassy noted that the decision was made “in the context of the religious celebrations of Holy Week,” which it described as a customary practice in the nation’s criminal justice system. Eligibility for release was determined through “a careful analysis” of offenses, good conduct in prison, time served, and prisoners’ health conditions.

This marks the second such announcement this year. In March, 51 prisoners were freed following talks with the Vatican. Notably, the release comes as Cuba faces mounting political and economic challenges, including U.S. sanctions implemented by President Donald J. Trump. These sanctions have blocked oil shipments to the island, resulting in severe fuel shortages and widespread blackouts.

Cuba’s Communist government, led by Miguel Díaz-Canel, has engaged in talks with the Trump administration to find a resolution to the ongoing tensions. The National Pulse reported last month that President Trump predicts he will have “the honor” of “taking Cuba,” and has posited that the U.S. will lead a “friendly takeover” of the Caribbean island after over 67 years of communist rule.

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ICE Detains Islamic Society President Over Alleged Terror Links.

PULSE POINTS

WHAT HAPPENED: U.S. federal immigration agents arrested Salah Sarsour, a Palestinian immigrant suspected of funding terror groups.

👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: Salah Sarsour, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), and Sarsour’s attorneys.

📍WHEN & WHERE: April 2026, Milwaukee, Wisconsin.

💬KEY QUOTE: The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) says Sarsour was previously “convicted for throwing Molotov cocktails at the homes of Israeli armed forces.”

🎯IMPACT: Sarsour’s arrest has sparked allegations that the U.S. is “doing the bidding” of Israel by silencing pro-Palestinian voices, but U.S. officials say he lied on his immigration forms and has links to fundraising for terror groups.

IN FULL

Salah Sarsour, president of the Islamic Society of Milwaukee and Wisconsin’s largest mosque, has been detained by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). U.S. officials say he is suspected of funding terrorist organizations.

Sarsour has lived in the United States as a legal permanent resident for more than 30 years. His supporters are demanding his release, arguing that he has been singled out because of his criticism of Israel. One of his attorneys, Munjed Ahmad, said, “Our government should not be doing the bidding of a foreign government,” adding that the arrest is intended to suppress pro-Palestinian voices.

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) says Sarsour was previously “convicted for throwing Molotov cocktails at the homes of Israeli armed forces,” although his attorneys claim a conviction related to this incident was known to U.S. authorities when he arrived in 1993.

DHS insists that Sarsour “lied on his immigration application,” adding: “This terrorist will remain in ICE custody pending removal proceedings.”

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Trump Proposes $1.5 TRILLION Military Budget.

PULSE POINTS

WHAT HAPPENED: President Donald J. Trump rolled out his new federal budget proposal on Friday, which includes a record $1.5 trillion Department of War budget for the fiscal year 2027. This marks a nearly 40 percent increase over the fiscal year 2026 military spending.

👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: President Trump, the Department of War, and the U.S. Congress.

📍WHEN & WHERE: The fiscal year 2027 budget was released on Friday, April 3, 2026.

🎯IMPACT: The increase in military spending is likely to include $185 billion for President Trump’s Golden Dome missile defense system, as well as significant allocations of money for replenishing munition stockpiles that have been nearly depleted through the former Biden government’s transfer of weapons to Ukraine and the ongoing war with the Islamic Republic of Iran.

IN FULL

President Donald J. Trump rolled out his new federal budget proposal on Friday, which includes a record $1.5 trillion Department of War budget for the fiscal year 2027. This marks a nearly 40 percent increase over the fiscal year 2026 military spending.

Last year, the U.S. military and defense budget topped $1 trillion for the first time ever, after Congress adopted a $150 billion supplemental funding bill that added the initial $892.6 billion appropriation they had previously approved. The budget revealed by the Trump White House on Friday only includes top line number, with the Pentagon expected to provide a more detailed breakdown on April 21.

Still, the increase in military spending is likely to include $185 billion for President Trump’s Golden Dome missile defense system, as well as significant allocations of money for replenishing munition stockpiles that have been nearly depleted through the former Biden government’s transfer of weapons to Ukraine and the ongoing war with the Islamic Republic of Iran. In addition, the budget is expected to include significant appropriations for new warship construction, including the Trump-class battleship—a U.S. Navy guided-missile vessel.

The Trump White House is pushing Republican lawmakers on Capitol Hill to adopt around $350 to $500 billion of the $1.5 trillion proposal through the use of the budget reconciliation process. This likely means that the current plan to fund detention and deportation operations by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and Customs and Border Protection (CBP) through reconciliation will be folded into the military reconciliation plan.

Congressional rules prohibit the use of reconciliation more than twice per Congress, though some experts contend there are mechanisms that allow it to be used a third time.

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REPORT: U.S. Jet Shot Down Over Iran.

PULSE POINTS

WHAT HAPPENED: Iran has reportedly shot down a U.S. fighter jet, according to Iranian media and a source familiar with the incident.

👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: The incident involves the Iranian military and the U.S. military, with a search and rescue effort underway for two crew members.

📍WHEN & WHERE: The event was reported on Friday, with Iranian state media releasing images and videos allegedly showing parts of the downed plane.

🎯IMPACT: This incident marks the first time a U.S. jet has been downed by enemy fire since the start of the war.

IN FULL

Iran has reportedly shot down a U.S. fighter jet, with Iranian media and a source familiar with the incident confirming the event. A search and rescue operation is underway to locate the two crew members.

This marks the first instance since the beginning of the war that a U.S. jet has been downed by enemy fire. The U.S. military and the White House have not yet responded to requests for comment.

Iranian state media released images and videos on Friday, allegedly displaying parts of the downed aircraft and one of the ejection seats.

The visuals suggest that the aircraft in question is an F-15 fighter jet, although this has not been officially confirmed by U.S. authorities.

The situation remains tense as efforts continue to recover the crew and ascertain the full details of the incident.

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Trump Economy: Jobs Rebound With 178,000 Positions Added.

PULSE POINTS

WHAT HAPPENED: The U.S. job market added 178,000 jobs in March, rebounding from February’s loss of 133,000 jobs, while the unemployment rate dipped to 4.3 percent.

👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: The Labor Department, health care companies, construction companies, and factories contributed to the job growth.

📍WHEN & WHERE: The report was released on Friday, detailing job gains in March across the United States.

💬KEY QUOTE: “The trend reflects an aging U.S. population,” said Vanguard economist Adam Schickling in commentary on the report.

🎯IMPACT: Despite the rebound, concerns remain over high interest rates, artificial intelligence (AI), and geopolitical uncertainty surrounding the Iran war and other flashpoints.

IN FULL

The U.S. job market rebounded in March, adding 178,000 jobs according to the Labor Department—a sharp turnaround from February’s loss of 133,000 jobs. The unemployment rate fell to 4.3 percent, from 4.4 percent the month before.

Health care led the gains with 76,400 new positions, including the return of 31,000 Kaiser Permanente workers who had been on strike in February. Construction added 26,000 jobs and factories gained 15,000, both helped by milder weather.

The March figures came in much stronger than economists had predicted. However, the labor force shrank by 396,000 people, which partly accounts for the lower unemployment rate. Average hourly wages rose 0.2 percent from February and 3.5 percent from March 2025, staying in line with the Federal Reserve’s inflation target.

Even with the improvement, the job market has faced headwinds over the past year. Businesses have been reluctant to hire amid high interest rates and uncertainty over President Donald J. Trump’s trade policies, which have been disrupted by lawfare campaigns. Worries about artificial intelligence (AI) displacing entry-level roles and the ongoing war in Iran have added to the cautious outlook.

Most new jobs continue to come from health care and social assistance sectors, a trend driven by the country’s aging population. Vanguard economist Adam Schickling argues that “the trend reflects an aging U.S. population,” noting similarities with Japan’s experience in the early 2010s.

Image by Tony Webster.

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