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Thursday, December 11, 2025
23 minutes ago
Politics

MyPillow CEO Mike Lindell Launches Bid for Minnesota Governor.

PULSE POINTS

❓WHAT HAPPENED: MyPillow CEO Mike Lindell has announced his candidacy for Minnesota governor in 2026.

👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: Mike Lindell, other Republican candidates, and incumbent Governor Tim Walz (D).

📍WHEN & WHERE: Lindell announced his decision on social media on Thursday, December 11, 2025, in Minnesota.

💬KEY QUOTE: “After prayerful consideration and hearing from so many of you across our great state, I’ve made the decision to enter the 2026 gubernatorial race.” – Mike Lindell

🎯IMPACT: Lindell’s entry adds to an already competitive race for Minnesota’s governorship, with Governor Walz seeking a third term.

IN FULL

Mike Lindell, the founder and CEO of MyPillow, has announced his intention to run for Governor of Minnesota in 2026. This decision was made official on Thursday, December 11, 2025, after he previously filed paperwork but had not confirmed his candidacy.

In his announcement, Lindell stated, “After prayerful consideration and hearing from so many of you across our great state, I’ve made the decision to enter the 2026 gubernatorial race. I’m still standing and I’ll stand for you.”

Lindell will be running as a Republican in what is shaping up to be a competitive race. Governor Tim Walz (D) is seeking a third consecutive term, a feat that has not been achieved in Minnesota’s history. Other Republican candidates include the state House Republican Speaker Lisa Demuth and Scott Jensen, who ran against Walz in 2022.

Notably, Gov. Walz is facing increased scrutiny after state government whistleblowers publicly alleged his administration discovered and then ignored a network of social services fraud schemes connected to the state’s large Somali community. The whistleblowers allege state officials feared being called racist if they stepped in to prevent the theft of an estimated $1 billion in taxpayer dollars.

Image by Gage Skidmore.

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53 minutes ago
News

House Passes Defense Bill: Increased Military Salaries, $800M for Ukraine, $650M for Israel.

PULSE POINTS

❓WHAT HAPPENED: The House of Representatives passed a $900 billion National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) to fund defense initiatives, increase troop pay, and provide aid to Ukraine and Israel.

👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: 197 Republicans and 115 Democrats voted in favor, with House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA) voicing strong support.

📍WHEN & WHERE: The NDAA passed in the House of Representatives on Wednesday.

💬KEY QUOTE: “With the NDAA, President Trump and Congressional Republicans are restoring American strength, defending our homeland, standing with our allies, and ensuring the United States remains the most powerful and capable military force the world has ever known.” – Speaker Johnson

🎯IMPACT: The bill codifies 15 Trump-era executive orders, increases troop pay, funds Ukraine, and repeals outdated war authorizations, but drew criticism from some Republicans for excessive spending and missing provisions.

IN FULL

The House of Representatives passed the $900 billion National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) on Wednesday, allocating funds for troop pay increases, defense infrastructure, $800 million in aid to Ukraine, and $650m in aid to Israel. The 3,000-page bill passed with bipartisan support, as 197 Republicans and 115 Democrats voted in favor.

House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA) praised the legislation, stating, “With the NDAA, President Trump and Congressional Republicans are restoring American strength, defending our homeland, standing with our allies, and ensuring the United States remains the most powerful and capable military force the world has ever known.”

The bill includes provisions to codify 15 Executive Orders from the Trump administration, such as removing diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) mandates from the military, declaring an emergency at the southern border, banning men from competing in women’s sports at military academies, and funding a “Golden Dome” missile defense system. It also repeals the authorizations of force for the 2003 Iraq War and the Persian Gulf War.

Eighteen Republicans, including members of the House Freedom Caucus, opposed the bill. Concerns ranged from the level of spending and foreign aid to the absence of provisions like a ban on central bank digital currencies (CBDCs) . Rep. Keith Self (R-TX) criticized the omission, calling a central bank digital currency “the ultimate tool for government surveillance and control over every American’s finances.”

Rep. Tim Burchett (R-TN) expressed frustration over the rushed timeline, saying, “Over 100 Democrats voted to pass this. That ought to tell you right there what this is about. Got some liberal stuff tucked in there, and it’s over 3,000 pages. We get it on Sunday, and they’re voting on it today. There’s no way we will ever know what was in there.” The bill now heads to the Senate for consideration.

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1 hour ago
Politics

Trump Backs ‘Fantastic’ Noem Amid Replacement Rumors.

PULSE POINTS

❓WHAT HAPPENED: President Donald J. Trump dismissed rumors that he is considering replacing Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary Kristi Noem.

👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: President Trump, Secretary Noem, White House Deputy Chief of Staff Stephen Miller, and White House Deputy Press Secretary Abigail Jackson.

📍WHEN & WHERE: Wednesday, during a roundtable with business leaders.

💬KEY QUOTE: “I read a story recently that I’m unhappy with Kristi—I’m so happy with her… She’s fantastic, actually,” said President Trump.

🎯IMPACT: The White House firmly denied the report, calling it “total Fake News” and praising Noem’s performance.

IN FULL

President Donald J. Trump threw cold water on corporate media speculation that he is looking to replace Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary Kristi Noem, calling her performance “fantastic” during a roundtable with business leaders late on Wednesday. “I read a story recently that I’m unhappy with Kristi—I’m so happy with her… We have a border that’s the best border in the history of our country. Why would I be unhappy? She’s fantastic, actually,” Trump told reporters.

The pushback comes following a report from MS NOW (formerly MSNBC), which claimed that Noem was on “very thin ice” and that White House Deputy Chief of Staff Stephen Miller was leading an effort to replace her. The report alleged dissatisfaction with Noem’s pace in building new detention centers and handling of Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and disaster relief funds. However, the Trump White House dismissed the claims as “total Fake News.”

White House Deputy Press Secretary Abigail Jackson said of the report, “Everything about this is total Fake News. Secretary Noem is doing a great job implementing the President’s agenda and making America safe again. MS Now continues to beclown themselves by inventing narratives that simply are not true.”

DHS Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin also criticized the report, saying, “I can’t speak for the President, but I’ve seen more credible reporting on Bigfoot.”

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2 hours ago
Economy

Mixed Signals as U.S. Jobless Claims Rise But Continuing Claims Fall to Seven-Month Low.

PULSE POINTS

❓WHAT HAPPENED: Jobless claims in the U.S. increased by 44,000 to 236,000 for the week ending December 6, surpassing analyst predictions of 213,000. However, continuing claims have reached their lowest level since mid-April.

👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: The U.S. Labor Department reported the data, which reflects national trends in employment and layoffs.

📍WHEN & WHERE: The data covers the week ending December 6.

💬KEY QUOTE: “Applications for unemployment aid are viewed as a proxy for layoffs and are close to a real-time indicator of the health of the job market.” – Labor Department report

🎯IMPACT: The rise in claims contrasts with a drop in continuing claims, which fell by 99,000 to 1.84 million, suggesting a mixed picture for the labor market.

IN FULL

U.S. jobless claims jumped by 44,000 to 236,000 in the week ending December 6, according to the Labor Department—well above economists’ forecasts of 213,000 and a sharp increase from the prior week’s 192,000. However, the number of people receiving ongoing unemployment benefits dropped 99,000 to 1.84 million for the week ending November 29—the lowest level since mid-April.

The four-week moving average of new claims, which accounts for short-term volatility, edged up 2,000 to 216,750. Unemployment claims are widely regarded as a timely indicator of layoffs and overall labor market conditions. The latest figures paint a mixed picture: some industries appear to be cutting jobs, while others are retaining workers or rehiring them.

The data underscore the ongoing fluctuations in the U.S. job market, highlighting the need for policymakers to monitor employment indicators in the weeks ahead closely. On Wednesday, the Federal Reserve cut interest rates for a third time, tacitly acknowledging the Trump administration’s longstanding position that excessive borrowing costs for businesses and consumers have held down hiring.

Image by Adam Fagen.

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2 hours ago
Sports

Soccer Fans Celebrate Removal of LGBT Flag, But…

PULSE POINTS

❓WHAT HAPPENED: An LGBTQ+ flag that flew at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in England was taken down during the team’s Champions League match against rival soccer club Slavia Prague. The flag’s removal came at the request of the Czech team.

👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: Tottenham, Slavia Prague, and soccer fans.

📍WHEN & WHERE: Earlier this week in England.

💬KEY QUOTE: “As a Tottenham supporter was nice to see our stadium without the rainbow flags.” — Tottenham fan on Instagram

🎯IMPACT: While only temporary, the move was largely celebrated by fans.

IN FULL

An LGBTQ+ flag that flew at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium was taken down during the team’s Champions League match against rival soccer club Slavia Prague. The flag’s removal on “security” grounds came at the request of the Czech team, which was concerned that supporters could “damage the flag and cause disorder.”

On social media, fans of Tottenham celebrated the temporary reprieve, with one user writing, “As a Tottenham supporter was nice to see our stadium without the rainbow flags.” Another declared, “Game has never been more back.”

However, some liberal supporters complained, with one user on Instagram writing, “Bowing to a bunch of foreign guests who leave again after the game? [F]or the weak honestly. You stand for something you stand for something, whatever it is.”

Overall, the response to Tottenham’s removal of the LGBTQ+ flag appears positive. Most fans have expressed a desire to merely enjoy the game without politics being injected into it. “Good, keep political statements out of football,” one Instagram user wrote, while another said, “Why these are even allowed in football is beyond me, it’s a political cult flag.”

Notably, the escape from gender and sexual politics for these fans will be brief, with the flags likely to return after the Slavia Prague match.

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3 hours ago
Immigration
News

ICE Accuses Dem Rep of Joining Rioters, Lying About Being Pepper-Sprayed.

PULSE POINTS

❓WHAT HAPPENED: U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) accused Representative Adelita Grijalva (D-AZ) of joining a violent mob during a bust of a transnational criminal ring and lying about being pepper-sprayed.

👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: U.S. Representative Adelita Grijalva, ICE agents, and over 100 leftist agitators.

📍WHEN & WHERE: December 2025, in Tucson, Arizona, and surrounding areas.

💬KEY QUOTE: “These enforcement actions have unequivocally disrupted this criminal organization’s ability to exploit our lawful labor and system of commerce.” – Acting Special Agent in Charge Ray Rede

🎯IMPACT: The operation led to the arrest of 46 individuals and highlighted tensions between activists and law enforcement.

IN FULL

U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) has accused Representative Adelita Grijalva (D-AZ) of taking part in a violent protest against federal agents during a large-scale enforcement action in Tucson, Arizona, that targeted a transnational criminal group and led to 46 arrests, among them a convicted sex offender.

The operation, carried out by the Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) Arizona unit with support from multiple federal, state, and local agencies, was intended to break up a network engaged in human smuggling, labor trafficking, and related offenses. More than 100 demonstrators reportedly interfered with the raid, assaulting officers and vandalizing property.

According to ICE, Rep. Grijalva joined the demonstrators and wrongly claimed that law enforcement had pepper-sprayed her. In recorded footage, she referred to the targeted restaurant as a community favorite and condemned ICE as a “lawless agency.”

Tensions rose further when protesters chained a gate shut in an attempt to confine agents inside the restaurant’s perimeter, prompting the deployment of an HSI Special Response Team. The operation nonetheless succeeded in disrupting the criminal network.

Acting Special Agent in Charge Ray Rede said, “These enforcement actions have unequivocally disrupted this criminal organization’s ability to exploit our lawful labor and system of commerce,” and affirmed that similar operations will continue.

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6 hours ago
UK
War

Boots on the Ground: Britain Confirms Death of Paratrooper Assisting Ukrainian Forces.

PULSE POINTS

❓WHAT HAPPENED: Lance Corporal George Hooley, a British paratrooper, died in Ukraine while assisting Ukrainian forces.

👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: Lance Corporal George Hooley of the Parachute Regiment and Ukrainian forces.

📍WHEN & WHERE: December 2025, in Ukraine, away from the front lines.

💬KEY QUOTE: “He served our country with honour and distinction around the world in the cause of freedom and democracy, including as part of the small number of British personnel in Ukraine.” – Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer

🎯IMPACT: The death of the elite paratrooper underlines the fact that Britain, a NATO power, has military personnel on the ground in Ukraine, actively aiding Ukrainian forces against Russia.

IN FULL

A British soldier who died while deployed in Ukraine has been formally identified as Lance Corporal George Hooley, 28, of the Parachute Regiment. The British Ministry of Defence (MoD) said he was killed in a “tragic accident” on Tuesday morning while watching Ukrainian troops test a new defensive system.

During Prime Minister’s Question Time in the House of Commons, Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer paid tribute to him, saying: “Lance Corporal Hooley was injured in a tragic accident away from the front lines while observing Ukrainian forces testing a new defensive capability. His life was full of courage and determination. He served our country with honour and distinction around the world in the cause of freedom and democracy, including as part of the small number of British personnel in Ukraine.”

The MoD later issued its own statement confirming his identity and offering condolences: “It is with sadness that we must confirm that the member of the UK Armed Forces who died in Ukraine on Tuesday 9th December is Lance Corporal George Hooley of the Parachute Regiment. He was 28 years old. Our thoughts are with Lance Corporal Hooley’s family and friends at this incredibly difficult time.”

The Parachute Regiment, based mainly at Merville Barracks in Colchester, is one of the British Army’s elite airborne units. The government has previously acknowledged that a “small number” of British personnel are present in Ukraine, supposedly in roles supporting diplomatic security and assisting Ukrainian forces in certain training missions. The Kremlin has long claimed that British troops are actively assisting Ukrainian offensive operations.

Thousands of volunteers from the United States, Europe, and elsewhere have joined Ukrainian formations, such as the International Legion, in a more informal capacity. Several reports have highlighted allegations by foreign volunteers that non-Ukrainian fighters were discouraged or prevented from leaving Ukraine after signing on, and that casualty rates among foreign recruits have been high.

Image by Simon Dawson / No 10 Downing Street.

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18 hours ago
Health
News

FDA Probing Deaths Possibly Tied to COVID Vaccine.

PULSE POINTS

❓WHAT HAPPENED: The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is investigating deaths potentially linked to COVID-19 vaccines.

👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: The FDA, Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) spokesman Andrew Nixon, and FDA Commissioner Dr. Marty Makary.

📍WHEN & WHERE: Investigation ongoing in the United States.

💬KEY QUOTE: “FDA is doing a thorough investigation, across multiple age groups, of deaths potentially related to COVID vaccines.” – Andrew Nixon

🎯IMPACT: The investigation raises further concerns about vaccine safety and transparency in FDA processes.

IN FULL

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) says the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is investigating reports of deaths linked to COVID-19 vaccinations. HHS spokesman Andrew Nixon said the agency “is doing a thorough investigation, across multiple age groups, of deaths potentially related to COVID vaccines.”

The inquiry initially centered on possible fatalities among children, a review launched in September by Commissioner Marty Makary. That effort expanded after a leaked memo from a senior FDA official claimed the vaccines had been associated with “at least 10 infant deaths,” although the document reportedly did not include evidence to substantiate the allegation. The investigation has since broadened to examine reports involving other age groups as well.

Most COVID vaccine side effects are relatively mild and temporary, such as fatigue, fever, or arm soreness. However, serious reactions—including myocarditis, pericarditis, or severe allergic responses—have also been observed.

In 2025, the FDA required manufacturers of the mRNA vaccines used in the United States to update their product labeling with refined risk estimates for myocarditis and pericarditis. The updated data indicated that these conditions occur in only a small number of vaccinated individuals, with higher rates among adolescent and young adult males. According to the agency, these safety updates do not alter their overall assessment that the benefits of vaccination outweigh the risks for most people.

At this stage, the FDA has not confirmed any causal connection between COVID-19 vaccines and the deaths under review. Officials say they will assess all available evidence before drawing conclusions and will release findings once the investigation is complete.

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18 hours ago
News
World

EU Accuses U.S. of Undermining European ‘Unity.’

PULSE POINTS

❓WHAT HAPPENED: European Union (EU) officials are upset that the U.S. National Security Strategy views the EU as in decline and opposed to U.S. interests.

👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: European Union (EU) Defense Commissioner Andrius Kubilius, U.S. Deputy Secretary of State Christopher Landau, and the broader Trump administration.

📍WHEN & WHERE: The National Security Strategy was released last week; Kubilius commented on it on December 10.

💬KEY QUOTE: The agenda of the EU is “utterly adverse to the U.S.” – Christopher Landau

🎯IMPACT: The U.S. strategy could lead to fewer U.S. troops in Europe and a shift in relations with the EU.

IN FULL

In a blog post on December 10, Andrius Kubilius, the European Union (EU) Commissioner for Defense and Space, complained that the new 2025 United States National Security Strategy (NSS) is a “direct challenge to European unity.” The NSS, signed by President Donald J. Trump, portrays Europe as a continent in decline, warning that it faces “civilisational erasure” if migration, demographic change, and excessive regulation and censorship continue. It argues that Europe’s economic slump and internal policies weaken the continent’s reliability as an ally and predicts that parts of Europe could be “unrecognizable” within two decades.

The strategy implicitly supports nationalist and populist political movements in some EU countries. According to media reports, an unpublished version of the document singled out nations such as Austria, Hungary, Italy, and Poland as potential partners for America to draw away from the EU.

In response, Kubilius said the strategy clearly signals U.S. intent to “fight against European unity.” He warned that the document frames EU institutions, migration policies, and Europe’s evolving identity as threats to U.S. strategic interests.

U.S. Deputy Secretary of State Christopher Landau has reportedly said the EU’s agenda is “utterly adverse to the U.S.” and does not align with the Trump administration on China. The NSS also includes a Global Posture Review, which will determine U.S. troop deployments worldwide, including in Europe, under the reshaped strategic priorities.

Image by dimitrisvetsikas1969.

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19 hours ago
News

War Sec Hegseth Hails Court Victory Upholding Transgender Military Ban.

PULSE POINTS

❓WHAT HAPPENED: A federal appeals court has allowed the Pentagon’s restrictions on military service by transgenders to remain in effect while litigation continues.

👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: War Secretary Pete Hegseth, the Department of War, plaintiffs challenging the policy, and the U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit.

📍WHEN & WHERE: The ruling was issued Tuesday by the D.C. Circuit Court of Appeals, as litigation continues in the Talbott v. United States case.

💬KEY QUOTE: “American Greatness. Military Lethality. Common Sense. And THE LAW.” – Pete Hegseth.

🎯IMPACT: The ruling allows the Pentagon to enforce the transgender ban immediately, affecting thousands of service members and setting the stage for further legal battles.

IN FULL

The U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit has granted the Pentagon’s request for its restrictions on transgender military service to remain in effect while a lawsuit continues. Judges Gregory Katsas and Neomi Rao authored the majority opinion, concluding that the Department of War is likely to succeed on the merits and that the lower court failed to provide appropriate deference to military judgment. War Secretary Pete Hegseth praised the ruling on X, writing, “American Greatness. Military Lethality. Common Sense. And THE LAW.”

He called the decision a “major legal victory” and argued that maintaining strict medical and readiness standards is essential for the armed forces. Hegseth has frequently criticized policies he views as driven by ideology, saying, “No more pronouns. No more climate change obsession. No more dudes in dresses – we’re done with that s**t.”

The decision ensures that the Pentagon will continue enforcing its restrictions while the case, Talbott v. United States, moves forward. The policy aligns with Executive Order 14183, issued in January 2025, which directs the military to bar individuals who identify with a gender different from their biological sex from serving. Following that order, the Pentagon suspended new enlistments for people diagnosed with gender dysphoria and limited access to mutilating “gender-affirming” medical care within the ranks.

Pentagon data from late 2024 indicated that roughly 4,240 active-duty, reserve, and National Guard personnel had been diagnosed with gender dysphoria. About 1,000 have already begun voluntary separation, and officials plan to review medical files to identify others for involuntary discharge once the voluntary window closes. The department has cited studies, including the AMSARA analysis and a 2022 review, reporting higher nondeployability rates and elevated risks of depression, PTSD, and suicidal ideation among transgender service members compared with normal troops.

District Court Judge Ana Reyes previously blocked the restrictions, stating they appeared motivated by disapproval of transgender identity rather than operational necessity. Judge Cornelia Pillard, dissenting in the appeals court decision, similarly claimed that the policy was not supported by evidence and could abruptly end longstanding military careers.

The plaintiffs in Talbott v. United States are evaluating their next steps as the case proceeds in the D.C. Circuit, with the possibility of ultimately going to the Supreme Court.

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