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March 19, 2026
War

Japan and Some European Allies Now Say They Will Help Reopen Strait of Hormuz.

ULSE POINTS

❓WHAT HAPPENED: Five European nations and Japan have expressed readiness to assist in reopening the Strait of Hormuz amid the Iran war.

👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: The United Kingdom, France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Japan, and Iran, following calls for support from President Donald J. Trump.

📍WHEN & WHERE: The statement was issued on Thursday, addressing the closure of the Strait of Hormuz and attacks in the Persian Gulf region.

💬KEY QUOTE: “We condemn in the strongest terms recent attacks by Iran on unarmed commercial vessels in the Gulf,” the nations said in a joint statement. “We express our readiness to contribute to appropriate efforts to ensure safe passage through the Strait.”

🎯IMPACT: The Strait of Hormuz remains a critical chokepoint for global oil and fertilizer supplies, with disruptions threatening energy and food security worldwide.

IN FULL

The United Kingdom, France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, and Japan released a joint statement on Thursday expressing their willingness to support initiatives aimed at reopening the Strait of Hormuz, as the Iran war continues to escalate. “We condemn in the strongest terms recent attacks by Iran on unarmed commercial vessels in the Gulf, attacks on civilian infrastructure, including oil and gas installations, and the de facto closure of the Strait of Hormuz by Iranian forces,” the statement said.

The countries voiced deep concern about the war and urged Iran “to cease immediately its threats, laying of mines, drone and missile attacks, and other attempts to block the Strait to commercial shipping.” They also indicated their preparedness to participate in measures to guarantee secure navigation through the strait.

The Strait of Hormuz is a vital global oil and fertilizer transit route and has experienced significant interruptions after U.S. and Israeli military strikes against Iran prompted the Islamic Republic to target shipping in the waterway. Earlier this week, President Donald J. Trump urged nations that depend heavily on Middle Eastern oil—including China, Japan, South Korea, Britain, and France—to provide naval assistance in safeguarding the strait.

“We strongly encourage other nations whose economies depend on the strait far more than ours,” Trump stated. “We want them to come and help us.” Trump also cautioned NATO members about potential repercussions if they do not contribute to protecting this essential maritime passage, arguing that the alliance cannot be a “one-way” street in which America provides support but receives none in return.

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By Popular Demand.
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22 minutes ago
News

Musk-Backed ‘Restore Britain’ Slams Trumpism, Props Up UK Left in Critical Election.

The Elon Musk-supported “Restore Britain” party’s spokesman has blasted Trumpism, declaring MAGA populism “defeated.”

PULSE POINTS
❓ WHAT HAPPENED: Charlie Downes, the chief spokesman for Elon Musk’s “Restore Britain” party in the United Kingdom, has declared his party an “enemy” of Trump-style populism, criticizing the 47th President, as well as his friend and long-time ally, Reform UK leader Nigel Farage. The statement comes as Restore Britain polls at 7% in the Makerfield by election (special election) scheduled for June 18, which has major ramifications for who the next Prime Minister of the United Kingdom is, and how long the destructive Labour Party get to govern for.
💬 KEY QUOTE: “Restore Britain is the enemy of populism. Yes. 2010s populism, as embodied in the figure of Trump and his friends like Farage, has been utterly defeated as a radical force. It now belongs to the establishment and has no teeth.” – Charlie Downes, Restore Britain spokesman, May 25, 2026.
🎯 IMPACT: The party’s paltry 7% may not sound like much, but just like Elon Musk’s aborted “America Party” idea, it could end up splitting the vote in the Makerfield election just enough to aid the Labour Party’s Andy Burnham in his bid to become Prime Minister.
📰 DETAIL: Restore Britain, led by former Reform UK MP Rupert Lowe, emerged after Lowe’s ousting from Reform UK following an attempted internal coup against Farage, which was also backed by the CCP-linked Musk, who remains a questionable figure in Trumpworld after the failure of his DOGE project, and his demands for more H1B migration into the United States. Musk’s support for Lowe came after a fallout with Farage, whom Musk had previously met at Mar a Lago. After Farage refused to cave to Musk’s political demands, the X CEO began attacking the Reform UK leader, much to the delight of the UK political establishment.

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The Elon Musk-supported "Restore Britain" party's spokesman has blasted Trumpism, declaring MAGA populism "defeated."

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Editor’s Notes

Behind-the-scenes political intrigue exclusively for Pulse+ subscribers.

RAHEEM J. KASSAM Editor-in-Chief
Restore Britain supporters overwhemlingly identify as ethnonationalists, a position even abandoned by the country’s now-defunct neofascist “British National Party,” in the late 2000s
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Restore Britain supporters overwhemlingly identify as ethnonationalists, a position even abandoned by the country’s now-defunct neofascist “British National Party,” in the late 2000s show more
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By Popular Demand.
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2 hours ago
News

U.S. Military Strikes Targets in Iran.

The U.S. military launched strikes on Iranian targets near the Strait of Hormuz, citing self-defense, as tensions persist despite a temporary ceasefire.

PULSE POINTS
❓ WHAT HAPPENED: The U.S. military has conducted “self-defense strikes” on Iranian missile launch sites and boats near Bandar Abbas, close to the Strait of Hormuz. Navy Capt. Tim Hawkins of U.S. Central Command said these actions were taken to protect American forces, even as a temporary ceasefire between the U.S. and Iran remains in place.
📍 WHEN & WHERE: The strikes occurred in Bandar Abbas, a southern Iranian city near the strategically critical Strait of Hormuz, which has been a focal point of regional tensions.
💬 KEY QUOTE: “U.S. Central Command continues to defend our forces while using restraint during the ongoing ceasefire.” – Navy Capt. Tim Hawkins
🎯 IMPACT: The strikes highlight the fragile nature of the ceasefire and ongoing U.S.-Iran tensions, as well as the potential for further escalation in the region. The disruption of maritime traffic through the Strait of Hormuz has already contributed to rising global fuel prices, amplifying economic concerns, though prices dipped slightly on Sunday afternoon.
📺 DETAIL: Iranian media reported explosions in Bandar Abbas and told citizens that the situation was under control. President Trump reiterated his demand for Iran’s uranium to be either destroyed or transferred under international oversight, emphasizing this as a non-negotiable issue in any peace deal.
📺 FLASHBACK: The conflict escalated in February with U.S. and Israeli strikes on Iranian targets, leading to a temporary ceasefire in April. The Strait of Hormuz, a chokepoint for global oil shipments, has been a recurring flashpoint in U.S.-Iran relations.

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The U.S. military launched strikes on Iranian targets near the Strait of Hormuz, citing self-defense, as tensions persist despite a temporary ceasefire.

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May 24, 2026
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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By Popular Demand.
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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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By Popular Demand.
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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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By Popular Demand.
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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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By Popular Demand.
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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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By Popular Demand.
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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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By Popular Demand.
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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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By Popular Demand.
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