China Imposes 125% Tariffs, Accuses Trump of ‘Bullying and Coercion.’

PULSE POINTS:

❓What Happened: Zimbabwe’s government has distributed initial compensation payments to white farmers whose land was expropriated under the late dictator Robert Mugabe.

👥 Who’s Involved: The payments are directed to 378 farmers; the Zimbabwean government is undertaking the compensation.

📍 Where & When: The compensation process is part of a 2020 agreement; the payouts occur in Zimbabwe.

💬 Key Quote: “One of our commitments as we try to reform the Zimbabwe economy, to clear our arrears, is really to compensate the former farm owners who lost their farms during the land reform program. We have now begun to honor that agreement.” — Finance Minister Mthuli Ncube.

⚠️ Impact: The payments represent a step toward addressing past grievances but cover only a small fraction of the total compensation agreed upon.

IN FULL:

White farmers in Zimbabwe began receiving initial compensation for the land confiscated from them by the late dictator Robert Mugabe more than two decades ago. The authorities announced an initial disbursement of $2.9 million to cover the first 378 farmers approved for compensation.

This payout is part of a broader effort pledged in 2020 when Zimbabwe committed to compensating farmers with a $3.3 billion package for land taken during the seizures, in which whites were forcibly dispossessed and, in some cases, killed.

This initial allocation represents a modest fraction of the approximately $310 million total earmarked for compensation. Out of 740 eligible former farm owners, the distribution addresses the claims of a portion while others await further processing. Harry Orphanides, a representative for some of these farmers, disclosed that interest has grown among more landholders to participate in the compensation scheme.

The government directed compensation solely towards enhancements made on the expropriated properties, declining to account for the value of the land itself. The justification for this ties the land’s ownership to unjust acquisition by colonial powers.

President Emmerson Mnangagwa, succeeding Mugabe after a coup in 2017, is making this effort to mend relations with Western nations, with diplomatic ties strained by Zimbabwe’s previous land policies. The seizures also resulted in food production collapsing in the country and a significant economic crisis.

The move comes as neighboring South Africa is going in the opposite direction. The country is threatening to seize land from white South Africans without compensation, causing rocky relations between the government and the United States, where President Donald J. Trump has offered a pathway to citizenship for white farmers and their families.

Last month, the South African ambassador was dismissed by the White House after referring to President Trump as a white supremacist.

Image via GCIS.

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❓What Happened: The Kennedy Center set an all-time attendance record with a fireworks show.

👥 Who’s Involved: The Kennedy Center, President Donald J. Trump, Ric Grenell.

📍 Where & When: March 29, the Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C.

💬 Key Quote: “It was wonderful to have so many new visitors at the Kennedy Center for Cai Guo-Qiang’s firework showcase. We look forward to their return for more wonderful programming soon,” said the Kennedy Center’s Vice President of Public Relations Roma Darav.

⚠️ Impact: A shift away from politically charged, leftist programming has broadened The Kennedy Center’s appeal and audience.

IN FULL:

The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, colloquially known as The Kennedy Center, has set an all-time public attendance record under executive director Ric Grenell—appointment by President Donald J. Trump, who also serves as chairman of the center’s board. An estimated 11,000 people attended the March 29 “EARTH to SPACE: Arts Breaking the Sky” fireworks display held on the Kennedy Center grounds.

“It was wonderful to have so many new visitors at the Kennedy Center for Cai Guo-Qiang’s firework showcase. We look forward to their return for more wonderful programming soon,” The Kennedy Center’s Vice President of Public Relations Roma Darav said, adding: “Everyone is welcome here!”

While Hollywood celebrities and New York theater socialites bemoaned Trump’s takeover of the Kennedy Center, the America First leader swiftly depoliticized the arts and entertainment institution. President Trump and his administration contend that the overly leftist and “woke” programming featured at the Kennedy Center in recent years turned off regular tourists and other attendees, reducing the number of guests at concerts, operas, and musical and theater performances.

Notably, the fireworks show saw a crowd of 76 percent first-time attendees, a positive sign of the Kennedy Center, which, like other theater and opera venues, has struggled post-COVID-19 pandemic.

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PULSE POINTS:

❓What Happened: Charges filed in Florida against Ryan Routh for an alleged assassination attempt on President Donald J. Trump.

👥 Who’s Involved: Ryan Routh, Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier, President Donald J. Trump, U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi.

📍 Where & When: Assassination attempt at West Palm Beach golf course, Florida; charges announced on Thursday.

💬 Key Quote: Uthmeier highlighted Bondi’s role, stating she was “instrumental in preserving Florida’s sovereign authority to do what is right and bring justice where it is due.”

⚠️ Impact: Routh faces serious charges, including first-degree attempted murder and terrorism.

IN FULL:

Florida’s Attorney General, James Uthmeier, announced on Thursday that Ryan Routh is being charged in connection with his alleged assassination attempt on President Donald J. Trump. The charges come after difficulties were noted in prosecuting the case under the former Biden-Harris regime, according to Uthmeier. He acknowledged the efforts of U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi in maintaining Florida’s ability to bring the prosecution, indicating her role as crucial in the proceedings.

Ryan Routh has been charged with first-degree attempted murder and a terrorism offense. Law enforcement alleges that Routh had intentions to target Trump while he was at his golf course in West Palm Beach, Florida, during the 2024 election campaign.

This incident has led to attention on the security measures surrounding the President, especially in relation to his frequent visits to the golf course in West Palm Beach. Following Routh’s arrest, President Trump briefly halted his golfing activities but resumed them following his election victory last November.

Routh is also being charged with similar crimes on the federal level, with his trial yet to begin. Court documents revealed earlier his week showed that he attempted to source anti-aircraft missiles from Ukraine to target President Trump’s private aircraft.

Having served as an attempted recruiter of foreign mercenaries for Ukraine, Routh had deep ties to the Eastern European country and has visited it extensively, also having contacts with the Ukrainian military.

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❓What Happened: A judge allowed a defamation lawsuit against President Donald J. Trump to proceed.

👥 Who’s Involved: President Trump, Yusef Salaam, Raymond Santana, Kevin Richardson, Antron Brown, Korey Wise, and Judge Wendy Beetlestone.

📍 Where & When: Philadelphia, ruling made on Thursday.

💬 Key Quote: “The Plaintiffs seek to correct the record and clear their names once again,” said Shanin Specter, lawyer for the plaintiffs.

⚠️ Impact: The case looks to address Trump’s statements about the plaintiffs during the 2024 presidential election.

IN FULL:

President Donald J. Trump is facing a defamation lawsuit concerning statements about the Central Park Five after a federal judge on Thursday determined the legal action can proceed. Philadelphia-based U.S. District Judge Wendy Beetlestone ruled that the claims presented sufficient evidence to advance.

The lawsuit was initiated in October by five individuals—Yusef Salaam, Raymond Santana, Kevin Richardson, Antron Brown, and Korey Wise—who were convicted in 1989 of brutally attacking and sexually assaulting a female jogger in Central Park. They were exonerated in 2002 after a confession by another man, accompanied by DNA evidence linking him to the victim’s sexual assault—although it remains unclear whether others may have played a role in the attack prior to the sexual assault.

The victim remains convinced that more than one person was involved, and police and prosecutors have defended their case against the Five.

The legal action claims that Trump made false and damaging statements about the group. In the past, Trump had publicly advocated for the death penalty for the men. During the 2024 presidential campaign, he asserted that the Five had confessed to murder—a claim they deny. Trump’s legal defense maintains that his remarks are shielded by First Amendment rights.

The controversy was a focal topic during a presidential debate between Trump and then-Vice President Kamala Harris. Trump insisted that the Central Park Five had admitted guilt, linking them to severe violence against a victim and suggesting contradictions in their pleas.

However, Judge Beetlestone believes that “an objective assessment” would classify Trump’s statement as false. The plaintiffs’ attorney, Shanin Specter, reiterated the group’s efforts to rectify public perception and clear their reputations following the lawsuit’s filing.

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PULSE POINTS:

❓What Happened: Republican Rep. Lance Gooden endorsed Ken Paxton in the Texas GOP Senate primary against longtime Sen. John Cornyn.

👥 Who’s Involved: Rep. Lance Gooden, Sen. John Cornyn, Attorney General Ken Paxton, President Donald Trump, Texas Rep. Troy Nehls, Senate Majority Leader John Thune, and Sen. Tim Scott.

📍 Where & When: The endorsement was made in Texas on Thursday.

💬 Key Quote: “Attorney General Paxton is the conservative champion we need in the U.S. Senate,” stated Rep. Lance Gooden.

⚠️ Impact: The endorsement increases pressure in a primary that could turn into a costly and contentious contest. The GOP primary winner will likely be favored in the general election.

IN FULL:

Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton‘s Republican primary bid against U.S. Senator John Cornyn (R-TX) is receiving some early support. Congressman Lance Gooden (R-TX), who represents parts of Eastern Dallas and is known for his MAGA allegiance, announced he is endorsing Paxton for Senate—a sign that populist and Trump-backing Republicans in the state could soon follow suit. The Texas Republican primary for the U.S. Senate is anticipated to be particularly contentious and costly.

Paxton, who has served as Attorney General since 2014, announced his Senate run earlier this week. He cites a need for change and a stronger representation of conservative values. He argues for aligning more closely with President Donald J. Trump’s agenda. Paxton has accused Cornyn of failing to support conservative principles and questions his loyalty to Trump.

Cornyn, a member of the Senate since 2002, has backing from significant Republican figures, including Senate Majority Leader John Thune. The National Republican Senatorial Committee (NRCC) also endorses Cornyn. However, while he claimd that his voting record shows steadfast support for Trump’s policies, he initially opposed his bid to reclaim the presidency in 2024, and argued congressional Republicans should not oppose the lawfare prosecutions of America First leader.

While Trump could weigh in on the race with an endorsement—likely all but deciding the primary’s winner—such an action appears unlikely at the moment. Paxton’s campaign is characterized by his stance as a staunch conservative and ally to Trump, and the Trump-style lawfare against him—including an attempted but failed impeachment pushed by establishment Republicans and Democrats in the Texas legislature.

Despite the attention currently on Paxton and Cornyn, Rep. Wesley Hunt (R-TX) could also enter the race.

Image by Gage Skidmore.

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PULSE POINTS:

❓What Happened: A helicopter crashed into the Hudson River.

👥 Who’s Involved: Six people are dead, per the Associated Press; law enforcement sources and first responders involved.

📍 Where & When: Hudson River near Lower Manhattan, closer to the New Jersey side, on Thursday afternoon, April 10, 2025.

💬 Key Quote: “Fatalities have been reported,” stated by law enforcement sources to ABC News.

⚠️ Impact: The U.S. Coast Guard halted boat traffic around the incident area and is coordinating the response.

IN FULL:

A helicopter crashed into the Hudson River near Lower Manhattan on Thursday afternoon, according to the Fire Department of the City of New York (FDNY). Law enforcement sources have confirmed fatalities following the incident.

The crash site, located closer to the New Jersey shoreline of the river, prompted an immediate response from multiple agencies, including the U.S. Coast Guard. As part of the emergency response efforts, the Coast Guard has temporarily suspended boat traffic around the area.

BREAKING: Six people have died in a helicopter crash in the Hudson River in New York City — AP pic.twitter.com/yIdr9vYVkb

— Insider Paper (@TheInsiderPaper) April 10, 2025

The circumstances leading up to the crash had not been disclosed as of the time of publication, and authorities were still assessing the situation. As a response measure, the Coast Guard has confirmed its presence at the scene, coordinating with other responding agencies to manage the situation and prevent any further risks or incidents.

This accident marks the latest in a series of helicopter-related incidents in the area, raising potential concerns about aerial safety regulations and protocols over this highly traveled urban and waterways corridor.

🚨 #BREAKING: Reports of an AIRCRAFT DOWN in the Hudson River in NYC

FDNY responding. Unknown casualties.

DEVELOPING…
pic.twitter.com/HUqkSd8usu

— Nick Sortor (@nicksortor) April 10, 2025

This story is developing…

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PULSE POINTS:

❓What Happened: The U.S. government is reviewing plans for a space-based missile defense system, known as the “Golden Dome.”

👥 Who’s Involved: President Donald J. Trump, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, General Stephen Whiting, and U.S. Space Command.

📍 Where & When: The plan was initiated in Washington, D.C., during Trump’s first week in office. The review process continues with involvement from the Department of Defense and Space Command.

💬 Key Quote: “The United States will provide for the common defense of its citizens and the Nation by deploying and maintaining a next-generation missile defense shield,” stated Trump in an executive order.

⚠️ Impact: If implemented, this would mark the first deployment of a space-based weapons system to destroy ground-launched missiles, enhancing U.S. defense capabilities against a variety of threats.

IN FULL:

Plans initiated by President Donald J. Trump for a comprehensive missile defense shield have reached the review stage under Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth. The proposed “Golden Dome,” a next-generation missile defense system situated in space, aims to secure the United States from ballistic, hypersonic, and other advanced missile threats.

An Executive Order signed by Trump outlined the necessity for a robust defense shield employing space-based interceptors. The directive mandated the Department of Defense to propose recommendations within 60 days. General Stephen Whiting of the U.S. Space Command underscored the urgency for space-oriented defense measures at a recent event in Colorado, advocating for orbital interceptors to deter potential space conflicts.

Trump’s vision for an advanced missile defense system parallels Israel’s “Iron Dome,” albeit with capabilities extended to intercept targets from ground-based launch sites. The system’s integration with existing missile technologies and novel space capabilities characterizes its innovative design. This marks a move towards broadening U.S. defense strategies, potentially elevating the nation’s response options in light of modern aerial threats.

Development specifics, including potential costs and technical configurations, remain undisclosed. However, the initiative highlights a strategic pivot towards incorporating outer space as a tactical theater for national defense, as indicated by discussions from top officials involved in the project.

The establishment of such a defense system would represent a significant milestone in U.S. military strategy, emphasizing protection against peer, near-peer, and rogue threats.

Upon formal recommendations and if forthcoming implementation proceeds, the United States’s “Golden Dome” would become the first missile defense shield to deploy space-based interceptors, marking a pivotal expansion in missile defense capabilities.

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PULSE POINTS:

❓What Happened: Dr. Tom Shimabukuro, of the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), is accused of mishandling and possibly deleting important records related to COVID-19 vaccine safety.

👥 Who’s Involved: Dr. Tom Shimabukuro, Sen. Ron Johnson (R-WI), Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) officials, Attorney General Pam Bondi, Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) Director Kash Patel, acting HHS watchdog Juliet Hodgkins.

📍 Where & When: The issue is taking place in the United States, and recent developments were addressed in a letter sent on a Wednesday in October 2023.

💬 Key Quote: “HHS officials recently informed me that Dr. Shimabukuro’s records remain lost and, potentially, removed from HHS’s email system altogether,” Johnson stated in his letter.

⚠️ Impact: This has led to calls for an investigation by various federal entities, with potential legal implications for obstruction or interference with Congressional oversight.

IN FULL:

Senator Ron Johnson (R-WI) has raised concerns over the potential mishandling and even deletion of significant records by Dr. Tom Shimabukuro, a U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) official responsible for overseeing COVID-19 vaccine safety. The allegations surfaced when the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) encountered challenges retrieving records linked to Shimabukuro, as mandated by a subpoena from Johnson addressing vaccine safety communications.

Johnson, chairing the Senate’s Permanent Subcommittee on Investigations, issued the subpoena in January to investigate the federal handling of vaccine safety. The investigation revealed that HHS struggled to locate documents under Shimabukuro’s purview, casting doubt on proper record maintenance per the Federal Records Act, which requires government records to be preserved for public business transactions.

“HHS officials recently informed me that Dr. Shimabukuro’s records remain lost and, potentially, removed from HHS’s email system altogether,” Johnson revealed in letters to Attorney General Pam Bondi, Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) Director Kash Patel, and acting HHS Inspector General Juliet Hodgkins, calling the CDC official’s “potential mishandling of his official records… highly concerning.”

Johnson is calling for an investigation to determine whether records were intentionally erased to hinder Congressional oversight or Freedom of Information Act requests.

Dr. David Morens of the National Institutes of Health (NIH) similarly exhibited gaps in record-keeping related to the government’s pandemic response. Morens reportedly retained few documents and guided queries through personal email, possibly to sidestep formal records requests.

Image by Raed Mansour.

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PULSE POINTS:

❓What Happened: The Trump Administration has initiated measures to cut down on federal regulations, projecting substantial cost savings for American families.

👥 Who’s Involved: President Donald J. Trump and various federal agencies are involved in deregulatory actions.

📍 Where & When: Actions have been implemented across the United States since the beginning of President Trump’s second term.

💬 Key Quote: “The administration expects major cost savings from the President’s aggressive deregulatory agenda as firms respond to the improved business environment over the next several years.” — Council of Economic Advisers (CEA).

⚠️ Impact: The deregulatory measures could result in a total saving of approximately $935 billion, aiding both households and businesses.

IN FULL:

The Trump Administration’s actions to reduce the administrative state could translate into nearly $11,000 in savings for a family of four. One significant aspect of this effort involved President Donald J. Trump immediately halting all unfinalized rules from the Joe Biden era upon taking office, which saved Americans over $180 billion, or around $2,100 per family of four.

Significant savings are also projected from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) rollback of tailpipe emission regulations for light- and medium-duty vehicles and modifications and the Department of Transportation rollback of Corporate Average Fuel Economy (CAFE) standards. These actions are expected to account for $755 billion in total savings, equating to approximately $8,800 per family of four.

In addition to these steps, the administration is employing a “10-to-1” deregulatory initiative. This policy mandates that each new proposed rule requires eliminating ten existing ones, amplifying the deregulatory momentum established in the president’s first term. During that period, a “two-for-one” minimum rule led to the removal of 5.5 existing regulations for each significant new one enacted.

President Trump has also managed to save Americans money by crushing inflation, with the Consumer Price Index (CPI) showing the biggest drop in prices in half a decade in March.

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PULSE POINTS:

❓What Happened: Police in the United Kingdom are actively discriminating against white candidates in a bid to improve diversity.

👥 Who’s Involved: West Yorkshire Police, white police candidates, ethnic minority police candidates.

📍 Where & When: West Yorkshire, England, documents alleged the practice has been ongoing since at least last year.

💬 Key Quote: “The use of hidden vacancies marked on the internal computer systems was intended to ensure nonwhite people apply. You can’t see these jobs online.” — West Yorkshire Police whistleblower.

⚠️ Impact: The case highlights yet another example of a public institution actively discriminating against white men in Britain.

IN FULL:

British police are actively preventing white men from joining in the name of diversity. West Yorkshire Police, one of the largest police forces in England, claims it felt that not enough Asians and black people were “represented” in the force.

“This feeds into a general theme where the pipeline for anyone white British is strangled, whilst anyone not white British is ushered through onto the next available stage,” a police whistleblower reported. West Yorkshire police have 19 dedicated staff dedicated to diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI), costing taxpayers the equivalent of over $1.29 million annually.

A police document from last year also reveals how white candidates were held back in the recruitment process until minority candidates were able to apply for the same roles. Some allege minority candidates were coached through the application process to make it more likely they would become officers.

Internally, West Yorkshire Police allegedly hide entry-level vacancies for new constables. This means that the jobs are only open to ethnic minorities initially and can only become available to white people later in the hiring process.

“The use of hidden vacancies marked on the internal computer systems was intended to ensure nonwhite people apply. You can’t see these jobs online. You can only know about them after you’ve been emailed by the Positive Action Team,” a former officer said.

White people not being wanted has become an increasingly common theme among British state institutions in recent years. The Royal Air Force (RAF) also discriminated against white men in its recruitment process, with leaked messages showing “useless white male pilots” were being denigrated.

Image by Simon Dawson/No 10 Downing Street.

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