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January 15, 2025
Politics
TRUMP TRANSITION 2024/5

Marco Rubio Declares Postwar Global Order ‘Obsolete’ in Senate Confirmation Hearing.

President-elect Donald J. Trump’s nominee for Secretary of State, Senator Marco Rubio (R-FL), outlined his vision for an “America First” foreign policy during his Wednesday confirmation hearing before the Senate Committee on Foreign Relations. The Florida Republican declared that the global order that emerged following the Second World War no longer serves American interests and must be remade.

“The postwar global order is not just obsolete; it is now a weapon being used against us,” Rubio told his Senate colleagues. He continued: “We welcomed the Chinese Communist Party into this global order. And they took advantage of all its benefits. But they ignored all its obligations and responsibilities.”

“Instead, they have lied, cheated, hacked, and stolen their way to global superpower status at our expense,” he stated.

“Under President Trump, the top priority of the United States Department of State will be the United States,” Rubio continued, adding: “Every dollar we spend, every program we fund, every policy we pursue, must be justified by the answer to one of three questions: Does it make America safer? Does it make America stronger? Does it make America more prosperous?”

UKRAINE, NATO, & IRAN.

Addressing the ongoing Russian invasion of Ukraine, Rubio argued a resolution to the conflict would require concessions by both nations. Additionally, Trump’s Secretary of State nominee told the committee he would continue the President-elect’s policy of urging European countries to take on a more significant role in their security.

During his first presidential administration and on the 2024 campaign trail, Trump has repeatedly criticized NATO members for not upholding their defense spending commitments. However, Rubio—under questioning by the committee—did reaffirm his support for the defense alliance, pointing to his co-sponsorship of legislation intended to prevent the U.S. from withdrawing from NATO.

Turning to Middle Eastern affairs, Rubio discussed the humanitarian issues in Gaza, asserting that while civilian casualties are tragic, the Hamas terrorist group bears significant responsibility for using human shields. He defended Israel’s conduct, stating it does not deliberately target civilians. He also condemned Iran for its nuclear ambitions and funding of terror groups like Hamas, calling for a restoration of Trump’s maximum pressure campaign against the Islamic Republic.

Image by Gage Skidmore.

By Popular Demand.
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26 minutes ago
News
UK

Incoming UK PM Burnham Plots $51 Billion Tax Raid on Struggling Middle Class.

Incoming British Prime Minister Andy Burnham is reportedly planning significant tax increases, raising concerns about economic impact on the country’s already struggling middle class.

PULSE POINTS
❓ WHAT HAPPENED: Incoming British Prime Minister Andy Burnham is expected to pursue a higher-tax agenda that could add the equivalent of an estimated $51 billion in new taxes, according to an analysis by Nigel Farage’s Reform UK party. Reform warns Burnham’s tax increases would come on top of the estimated $88 billion in tax rises introduced under outgoing Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer, bringing the incumbent Labour Party’s total tax increases to approximately $139 billion.
📰 DETAIL: Reform says Burnham is targeting areas including inheritance taxes, capital gains tax, and National Insurance (Social Security) contributions on landlords’ rental income. Reform Shadow Chancellor (Treasury Secretary) Robert Jenrick has criticized Burnham’s past support for measures such as higher taxes on estates, savings, investment, workplace parking, and travel, and challenged him to publicly rule out additional tax increases. Further tax hikes could worsen capital flight after an estimated 16,500 millionaires reportedly left the United Kingdom in 2025, taking an estimated $92 billion in wealth with them. Burnham has previously expressed support for restoring the top income tax rate to 50 percent, conflicting with Labour’s 2024 election pledge not to raise income tax. Reform argues Burnham lacks a direct electoral mandate for such policies because he is due to become Prime Minister following an internal Labour Party leadership change, rather than after leading the party into a general election win.
💬 KEY QUOTE: “Andy Burnham has spent 20 years reaching for other people’s money—a death tax on family homes, a graduate tax on young people getting their first pay cheque, a £14 billion raid on savings and investment, and new levies on everything from your parking space at work to your weekend away.” – Robert Jenrick
🎯 IMPACT: The proposed tax hikes could exacerbate capital flight, with a record number of millionaires already leaving Britain, potentially taking billions in future tax revenue with them.

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Incoming British Prime Minister Andy Burnham is reportedly planning significant tax increases, raising concerns about economic impact on the country's already struggling middle class.

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By Popular Demand.
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54 minutes ago
News
War

WATCH: U.S. Sea Drones Hit Iranian Port in First-of-a-Kind Strike.

The U.S. military has deployed explosive sea drones for the first time in combat, targeting an Iranian naval base in a significant escalation of tensions in the Strait of Hormuz.

PULSE POINTS
❓ WHAT HAPPENED: The U.S. military used explosive sea drones for the first time in combat, striking an Iranian naval base in Bandar Abbas, a key hub for Iran’s naval operations near the Strait of Hormuz. The attack, involving three Corsair naval drones, reportedly killed three people and significantly damaged Iran’s ability to repair submarines, according to U.S. military officials.
📺 DETAIL: Texas-based manufacturer Saronic said it was proud that its technology supported the mission, marking the first known wartime use of one-way attack naval drones by the U.S. The attack came as the U.S. launched a third consecutive night of strikes against Iranian targets, while Tehran claimed responsibility for missile attacks on two United Arab Emirates (UAE) tankers in Oman’s territorial waters, killing one person and injuring eight. Iran also said it targeted U.S. military facilities in Jordan and Bahrain. The conflict, which began after joint U.S.-Israeli strikes on Iran in late February, has increasingly centered on control of the Strait of Hormuz, through which roughly one-fifth of the world’s oil and gas supplies normally pass. President Donald J. Trump announced the U.S. would reinstate its naval blockade of Iranian ports and impose a 20 percent charge on goods transiting the strait, reversing access granted under a June memorandum of understanding intended to facilitate peace negotiations. An Iranian lawmaker said parliament had introduced legislation to strengthen Iran’s control over the waterway following what he described as the overnight downing of U.S. drones
💬 KEY QUOTE: “Yesterday, using multiple one-way attack surface drones, CENTCOM forces successfully struck a submarine and ship maintenance facility in Iran. Three Corsair unmanned surface vessels hit the port at Bandar Abbas Naval Base, marking the first time American forces have employed sea drones in combat operations. Last night’s strikes degraded Iran’s ability to continue attacking commercial shipping.” – U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM)
🎯 IMPACT: The strikes may hamper Iran’s ability to disrupt shipping in the Strait of Hormuz, through which a fifth of the world’s oil and gas supply passes.
📺 WATCH FOOTAGE OF THE DRONE STRIKES HERE.

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The U.S. military has deployed explosive sea drones for the first time in combat, targeting an Iranian naval base in a significant escalation of tensions in the Strait of Hormuz.

show more
By Popular Demand.
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2 hours ago
Economy
News

FTC Targets Companies Using Misleading ‘Made in USA’ Labels.

The Federal Trade Commission has taken unprecedented steps to crack down on products falsely labeled “Made in the USA” in a bid to protect American consumers from being scammed and American manufacturers from being undercut.

PULSE POINTS
❓ WHAT HAPPENED: The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has intensified its crackdown on companies falsely labeling products as “Made in the USA.”
📺 DETAIL: FTC Chairman Andrew Ferguson said the Trump administration is taking “unprecedentedly aggressive steps” to protect American manufacturers and consumers. “We want our economy to thrive, and not just the consumer part of the economy… We want the manufacturing part of the economy to thrive. And so, if you’re going to try to take advantage of consumer preference for things that are made in America, you have to be honest about it,” said Ferguson. FTC policies require products labeled as “Made in the USA” to be almost entirely produced domestically. Products falsely marketed as being “Made in the USA” can become subject to expensive settlements and civil enforcement actions, potentially costing liable companies hundreds of thousands of dollars. In one case exposed by the FTC, two companies, Americana Liberty LLC and Three Nations LLC, allegedly sold American flags marked “Made in the USA” despite the fact that “significant or essential foreign components” were imported from China, resulting in $167,743 in “consumer redress.”
💬 KEY QUOTE: “President Trump has ordered the federal government to focus on making sure that companies that say that they’re making products in America are actually making products in America, and this is super important because there’s a ton of evidence that the American people are willing to pay a premium to get products that are made in America, for good reason.” – Andrew Ferguson.
🎯 IMPACT: This represents an intensification and continuation of a crackdown by the FTC announced back in April, when the Commission announced a series of enforcement actions against companies falsely advertising their products as “Made in the USA.” In one case, TouchTunes Music Company faced a penalty of $625,000 for falsely claiming that its electronic dartboards were U.S.-made.

Image by V4711.

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The Federal Trade Commission has taken unprecedented steps to crack down on products falsely labeled "Made in the USA" in a bid to protect American consumers from being scammed and American manufacturers from being undercut.

show more
By Popular Demand.
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3 hours ago
Bonkers Britain
News

Police Say Ann Widdecombe’s Murder ‘Clearly’ a ‘Targeted Attack,’ Political Motive Suspected.

The murder investigation into the death of Reform UK spokeswoman Ann Widdecombe has shifted to counter-terrorism officers following the discovery of far-left political materials at the suspect’s home.

PULSE POINTS
❓ WHAT HAPPENED: Counter-terrorism officers have taken over the investigation into the death of Reform UK immigration and justice spokeswoman Ann Widdecombe, 78, after her body was discovered at her home last week. The initial handling of the case by Devon and Cornwall Police, who suggested there was no evidence of a terror motive, has faced criticism, with reports suggesting more experienced investigators found far-left materials at the suspect’s residence.
📺 DETAIL:  Detectives reportedly found material indicating political ideology may have played a role in the motive. Searches of the 28-year-old suspect’s home and electronic devices allegedly uncovered communist literature, Russian political material, and other ideological content that investigators are examining as part of the case, although police have not confirmed those reports publicly. The suspect, who was arrested in Rotherham on suspicion of murder, has since been re-arrested on suspicion of the commission, preparation, or instigation of acts of terrorism. Jonathan Hall KC, the government’s independent reviewer of terrorism legislation, criticized Devon & Cornwall Police for initially downplaying the possibility of terrorism, saying investigators should have kept a more open mind rather than ruling out a political motive at an early stage. Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood told the House of Commons that the suspect was not previously known to the government’s Prevent counter-extremism program.
💬 KEY QUOTE: Counter Terrorism Policing chief Laurence Taylor has said it is “clear” that Miss Widdecombe’s murder was “a targeted attack.”
🎯 IMPACT: Widdecombe’s death has prompted an outpouring of tributes from colleagues and the public alike, although some on the left celebrated her death and expressed their hope that it was “painful.” She was a fixture in British politics for decades, first as a Conservative Member of Parliament (MP) and government minister and later as a member of Nigel Farage’s Reform UK party.

Image via European Parliament.

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The murder investigation into the death of Reform UK spokeswoman Ann Widdecombe has shifted to counter-terrorism officers following the discovery of far-left political materials at the suspect's home.

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By Popular Demand.
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4 hours ago
News
UK

Reform’s Robert Jenrick Accuses UK Govt of Neglecting Farage’s Security Needs.

Reform UK officials are warning that the British government sought to cut Reform UK leader Nigel Farage’s security as the investigation into the murder of the party’s immigration and justice spokeswoman, Ann Widdecombe, continues.

PULSE POINTS
❓ WHAT HAPPENED: Robert Jenrick, the Reform UK party’s Shadow Chancellor (Treasury Secretary), has criticized the British government for downgrading Reform leader Nigel Farage’s security.
📺 DETAIL: On Monday, Robert Jenrick criticized the British government for not taking Nigel Farage’s security seriously. Jenrick described Farage’s lack of security as a “dereliction of duty” and a government security package previously offered to Farage as “downgraded.” Farage reportedly declined a government security package in September last year, not because he did not believe he needed it, but because it amounted to a 75 percent cut. Party donors stepped in to fund his protection. “Frankly, I find it astonishing that, just a short period after he was elected to Parliament, the authorities, the government, chose to massively downgrade his security,” said Jenrick. “I do question whether this would have happened to someone with different political views,” the Reform Shadow Chancellor added. The criticism follows the murder of former Conservative Member of Parliament (MP) and minister turned Reform UK immigration and justice spokeswoman Ann Widdecombe. 
💬 KEY QUOTE: “It shouldn’t have taken the death of Ann Widdecombe for Nigel Farage to be given a meeting with the relevant Home Office committee—that really is a dereliction of duty.” – Robert Jenrick
🎯 IMPACT: The controversy highlights ongoing concerns about the safety of political figures, particularly those with anti-establishment views, such as Farage. The claim that the Reform leader was given a diminished security package is likely to raise questions about the impartiality and adequacy of security decisions. The Home Office, roughly equivalent to the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, has denied accusations of ministerial involvement in security downgrades.
📺 FLASHBACK: Earlier this week, the British Home Secretary offered a security meeting to Farage. Farage has accepted the offer, which coincided with the revelation that the suspect arrested in connection with Widdecombe’s murder was not known to Prevent, the United Kingdom’s counter-extremism initiative. The Labour-controlled government’s minister for Safeguarding and Violence against Women described the reaction to Ann Widdecombe’s murder, specifically Reform requests for enhanced security, as “faux outrage” before retracting and apologizing to Farage.

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Reform UK officials are warning that the British government sought to cut Reform UK leader Nigel Farage's security as the investigation into the murder of the party's immigration and justice spokeswoman, Ann Widdecombe, continues.

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By Popular Demand.
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5 hours ago
Economy
News

Inflation Eases More Than Expected with Significant Drop in Gas Prices.

The latest inflation report shows a significant slowdown, driven by a sharp decline in energy costs, though broader price pressures remain a concern.

PULSE POINTS
❓ WHAT HAPPENED: Inflation slowed significantly in June, with the Consumer Price Index (CPI) falling 0.4 percent, its sharpest monthly decline since April 2020, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). This was driven largely by a 5.7 percent drop in energy costs, including a 9.7 percent decrease in gasoline prices.
📺 DETAIL: Despite the monthly decline, energy prices remain 15.7 percent higher than a year ago, while other categories such as food and shelter have also seen annual increases of 3.0 percent and 3.3 percent, respectively. Core inflation, which excludes food and energy, remained flat for the month and rose 2.6 percent over the past year, down slightly from May’s 2.9 percent. Analysts had anticipated a higher headline inflation rate of 3.8 percent for the year, but it came in at 3.5 percent.
💬 KEY QUOTE: “A softer-than-expected reading could help reassure investors that the recent jump in oil has yet to feed through meaningfully into broader price pressures,” commented Daniela Hathorn, senior market analyst at Capital.com.
🎯 IMPACT: The report offers temporary relief to households struggling with high costs, but persistent price increases in key categories like shelter and food indicate ongoing challenges. Additionally, the Federal Reserve may still face pressure to raise interest rates depending on future inflation trends and the conflict in Iran, which has intensified in recent days after the Iranians attacked commercial shipping in the Strait of Hormuz and President Donald J. Trump responded by declaring a ceasefire with the country “over” and launching dozens of strikes.
📺 FLASHBACK: The last time inflation dropped this sharply was in April 2020, during the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, when the CPI fell by 0.8 percent amid economic shutdowns and plummeting demand.

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The latest inflation report shows a significant slowdown, driven by a sharp decline in energy costs, though broader price pressures remain a concern.

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.
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5 hours ago
News
UK

Heatwaves Linked to Over 2,700 Deaths in England and Wales Amid AC Debate.

A new study has suggested over 2,500 people across England and Wales died during unprecedented heatwaves throughout May and June, underscoring the risks posed by extreme heat and the need for air conditioning.

PULSE POINTS
❓ WHAT HAPPENED: A new study has suggested that almost 3,000 people have died in England and Wales due to recent heatwaves.
📺 DETAIL: According to a new study conducted by Imperial College London, the Met Office, and the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, approximately 2,700 people may have died from heat-related causes during the heatwaves in England and Wales throughout May and June. Statistics for the United Kingdom’s other Home Nations, Scotland and Northern Ireland, would likely drive the estimate higher, but they are collected separately. The heatwave in June accounted for approximately 2,200 of these deaths. The elderly, infants, and those with pre-existing medical conditions were most at risk, although experts have warned that even healthy individuals face risks. The study also indicated that roughly 550 people died from heat-related causes in the last week of May alone. The study follows reports that June 2026 was England’s hottest month on record. According to scientists, extreme heat places strain on the body’s cardiovascular system, causing potentially fatal emergencies, such as heat strokes and heart attacks.
💬 KEY QUOTE: “Don’t underestimate the risks. Just because you’re fit and healthy, you’re not safe.” – Professor Fredi Otto, climate scientist at Imperial College London.
🎯 IMPACT: The study underscores the threat posed by extreme heat, especially to countries that lack widespread installation of air conditioning. The researchers behind the study acknowledge their estimates are based on historical mortality data and involve assumptions that may not be entirely precise. The study follows similar figures from other European countries. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), recent heatwaves have resulted in over 1,000 excess deaths in Paris, the capital of France.
📺 FLASHBACK: Last month, the far-left Deputy Mayor of Paris blamed the United States for the heatwave affecting Europe and criticized American recommendations to install air conditioning (AC). “Dear American journalists and social media ‘influencers’: for days, some of you have been criticizing and making fun of Paris because the city does not have A/C in every room…OMG, this is so rich,” said Audrey Pulvar. According to the International Energy Agency, only around 20 percent of European households have AC, partly as a result of “green” and net zero mandates discouraging or conditionally banning units. Around 90 percent of U.S. households have AC.

Image by Dinkun Chen.

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A new study has suggested over 2,500 people across England and Wales died during unprecedented heatwaves throughout May and June, underscoring the risks posed by extreme heat and the need for air conditioning.

show more
By Popular Demand.
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6 hours ago
Immigration
News
UK

UK Govt Claims It May Restrict Visas for Pakistan Over Refusal to Take Back Grooming Gang Leader.

The British government claims to be considering visa restrictions on the Islamic Republic of Pakistan if it refuses to take back Shabir Ahmed, a convicted grooming gang leader, following his release from prison earlier this month.

PULSE POINTS
❓ WHAT HAPPENED: The British government is supposedly considering visa restrictions on Pakistan after the country refused to take back the Pakistan-born ringleader of a major grooming gang.
📺 DETAIL: Earlier this month, it was reported that Shabir Ahmed, the Pakistani ringleader of the Rochdale grooming gang, was released from prison. According to the Immigration Act of 1971, immigrants from Commonwealth countries such as Pakistan who arrived in Britain over 50 years ago and have lived in the country for more than five years cannot be deported. Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood, who is of Pakistani heritage, is set to propose amendments to the Immigration Act in order to legally deport Ahmed, but Pakistan has since declared that it will not take the pedophile back. In response, the British government is reportedly floating visa restrictions on Pakistan unless it agrees to take him.
💬 KEY QUOTE: “The country of origin must agree to take these vile criminals back and that’s why we’re working across government to explore every option in this case… I think we’ve been clear that all options remain on the table where countries don’t co-operate on the return of their nationals ” – British government spokesman
🎯 IMPACT: If Pakistan continues to refuse Ahmed’s deportation, the British government may impose visa restrictions, potentially preventing Pakistani nationals from traveling to the United Kingdom. Similar measures have been threatened against other countries in the past, such as Angola, the Democratic Republic of Congo, and Namibia in Africa. Notably, Pakistanis are one of the least productive ethnic groups in Britain, with around three times the unemployment rate of the White British population.
📺 FLASHBACK: Ahmed is a ringleader in one of many gangs involved in the broader grooming gangs scandal across the United Kingdom, which involves mostly Muslim, South Asian men targeting mostly white working-class girls for sexual abuse. Ahmed served just 14 years of an initial 19-year sentence. Ahmed was convicted alongside eight other men for rape, aiding and abetting rape and trafficking for sexual exploitation back in 2012. Ahmed was stripped of his British citizenship the same year as his conviction. Some of Ahmed’s victims were as young as 12-years-old.

Image by Susmanhamza.

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The British government claims to be considering visa restrictions on the Islamic Republic of Pakistan if it refuses to take back Shabir Ahmed, a convicted grooming gang leader, following his release from prison earlier this month.

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By Popular Demand.
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7 hours ago
Culture
News
UK

UK Govt Wants to Force Streaming Service Subscribers to Fund the BBC.

Britain’s government is considering revamping the country’s compulsory television license fee that funds the BBC by extending it to include households using paid streaming services like Netflix and Disney+.

PULSE POINTS
❓ WHAT HAPPENED: British Culture, Media, and Sport Secretary Lisa Nandy has proposed expanding the compulsory TV License that funds the BBC to include households that use streaming services such as Netflix, Disney+, and Prime Video. At present, Britons who watch live programs on television, their computer, or another device—even if none of it is BBC content—must purchase a license to fund the broadcaster, on pain of criminal fines backed by the threat of imprisonment, but people have increasingly been avoiding this by subscribing to on-demand services instead.
📺 DETAIL: Nandy suggested that viewers who watch both the BBC and streamers could pay the full license fee, while those who use streaming platforms exclusively might pay a lower charge. The BBC claims that 94 percent of British households use its services monthly, but under 80 percent pay the £180 ($240) annual fee, resulting in revenue losses. Talks are ongoing with streaming platforms, but the government has ruled out imposing a direct levy on streaming companies.
💬 KEY QUOTE: “We are having an open conversation with the public, Parliament, and the BBC about this.” – Lisa Nandy
🎯 IMPACT: If implemented, the expanded license fee would force many more people to fund the public broadcaster, which is constitutionally impartial but widely accepted as having a strong institutional bias towards the political left. Streaming companies have expressed concerns about imposing additional financial burdens on subscribers or their businesses, which could deter investment in the United Kingdom.

Image by Paul Harrop.

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Britain's government is considering revamping the country's compulsory television license fee that funds the BBC by extending it to include households using paid streaming services like Netflix and Disney+.

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By Popular Demand.
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8 hours ago
Bonkers Britain
Crime
News

Revealed: Henry Nowak’s Last Words to Killer Were ‘I’m Not a Racist.’

New court documents have revealed that murdered and wrongfully arrested white British teenager Henry Nowak’s last words to his killer before being stabbed were a denial of racism.

PULSE POINTS
❓ WHAT HAPPENED: The final words of white student Henry Nowak to his Sikh killer, Vickrum Digwa, were “I’m not a racist,” according to new court documents.
📺 DETAIL: Nowak, an 18-year-old white student, was fatally stabbed by 23-year-old Vickrum Digwa with an eight-inch Sikh religious dagger in Southampton, England, in December 2025. Digwa falsely accused Nowak of racism when the police arrived. Digwa’s family also falsely accused Nowak of racial abuse in their call to the police. As a result, when the police arrived, Nowak was handcuffed as he bled to death. The officers ignored Nowak’s pleas for assistance, refusing to believe he had been stabbed. According to newly obtained court documents, witnesses at the scene of his murder and wrongful arrest said Nowak’s final words to his killer were “I’m not a racist.” It was also confirmed that Digwa was not handcuffed when he was finally arrested for attempted murder and taken to the police station for questioning following Nowak’s death. Digwa was subsequently sentenced to a minimum of just 20 years in prison, which is in the process of being re-examined and potentially lengthened.
🎯 IMPACT: The revelation that Nowak felt compelled to deny a false racism accusation from his killer and his killer’s family in some of his final moments has reignited public outrage over two-tier policing in the United Kingdom. The police have faced sustained criticism for prioritizing an accusation of racism over an accusation of murder in Nowak’s case.
📺 FLASHBACK: Earlier this month, it was reported that two police officers involved in Nowak’s wrongful arrest and murder were being investigated by the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) for potential gross misconduct. This followed a report from the month prior that officers involved in the case had tried to frame Nowak as guilty, despite knowing that his killer had lied. In reaction to previously released bodycam footage of Nowak’s wrongful arrest and murder, Nigel Farage, leader of Reform UK, said the incident was “proof… that we’re living in a two-tier culture in this country, where the rights and privileges of white people matter less than those of ethnic minorities.”

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New court documents have revealed that murdered and wrongfully arrested white British teenager Henry Nowak's last words to his killer before being stabbed were a denial of racism.

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By Popular Demand.
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