1 month ago
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PULSE POINTS:
❓What Happened: There has been a significant rise in sexual violence in Spain, with 5,206 rapes reported in 2024. This comes alongside a rise in illegal immigration, with the country accounting for around a fifth of all asylum claims in the European Union (EU) in 2024, with a large proportion of sexual predators being foreign nationals.
👥 Who’s Involved: The Spanish Ministry of the Interior, law enforcement, migrants, and campaigners like Elena Ramallo.
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📍 Where & When: Spain, with data spanning from 2018 to 2024.
💬 Key Quote: “Not a single reference in the entire article to the identity of the aggressors,” Elena Ramallo criticized, in reference to a report on the figures by El Español which avoided referencing the migrants’ contribution to the rape rise.
⚠️ Impact: Specialized police units are overwhelmed, and there is increasing public pressure on the government for a stronger response.
IN FULL:
Socialist-led Spain is grappling with a surge in sexual violence, as official statistics from the Ministry of the Interior reveal a record 5,206 rapes in 2024. This alarming figure marks nearly a threefold increase from the 1,878 cases reported in 2019, with an average of 14 rapes occurring daily across the nation. The upward trend has persisted since 2018, briefly dipping only in 2020 due to COVID-19 restrictions on people’s movements.
Regions such as Catalonia and Andalusia and the capital of Madrid report the highest numbers, though all areas of Spain have seen increases. Disturbingly, cases involving minors, assaults linked to nightlife, and group attacks are also on the rise. This figures translate to a woman being raped approximately every hour and 45 minutes.
In Catalonia, a significant proportion of those convicted of rape are foreigners, comprising 91 percent of offenders, despite immigrants making up only 17 percent of the population. When considering both sexual assault and rape, 64.2 percent of inmates are foreign nationals. This demographic detail has sparked debate, with campaigners like Elena Ramallo criticizing media reports for not addressing the identity of aggressors.
The rapid increase in sexual violence has stretched the resources of specialized police units, such as the Family and Women’s Care Units (UFAM) of the National Police and the Women-Minor Teams (EMUME) of the Civil Guard. These units report being understaffed and overworked, handling a significantly higher workload than a decade ago without adequate support.
Government officials claim the rise is partly due to more women coming forward, avoiding the role of mass migration in the upward trend. Spain received more asylum claims than any other European Union (EU) member state bar Germany in 2024, although Germany is roughly 60 percent larger than Spain by population. Venezuelans are the leading nationality among Spanish claimants.
Notably, Germany also suffers from an extremely high migrant crime rate.
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) is offering free flights and a $1,000 stipend to illegal aliens who voluntarily leave the U.S. — a self-deportation program the agency says costs far less than traditional deportation.
The details: The program requires illegal aliens to register for self-deportation through the CBP Home App, and they only receive their stipend once it is verified that they have returned to their home country.
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- President Trump told the press: “We’re gonna get them a beautiful flight back to where they came from.”
Cost savings: DHS says it currently costs the American taxpayer over $17,000 to arrest, detain, and deport a single illegal alien. Under this new, self-deportation program, it costs around $4,500—a 70 percent savings.
- White House Deputy Chief of Staff Stephen Miller added on X: “The savings are as much as $1 million per illegal alien family given the long-term costs of free welfare and public support.”
What the left is saying: Pro-illegal groups are denouncing the plan and urging illegals to reject the offer. One activist, Aaron Reichlin, said: “This option might be WORSE… it would abandon clear options for staying.”
Zoom out: The plan is reminiscent of Trump’s effort to reduce the federal workforce by offering buyouts to government workers who voluntarily resigned, ultimately leading to 77,000 resignations. Pay a little up-front for long-term savings.
The last word goes to President Trump, who warned that those who do not take this offer “are going to be taken out of our country… And they will never get a path to come back in.”
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The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) is offering free flights and a $1,000 stipend to illegal aliens who voluntarily leave the U.S. — a self-deportation program the agency says costs far less than traditional deportation. show more
PULSE POINTS:
❓What Happened: U.S. tariffs have led to increased demand for American-made goods as companies bring production back to the U.S. This boost has been felt especially among smaller manufacturers.
👥 Who’s Involved: President Donald J. Trump, U.S. manufacturers like Jergens Inc., Grand River Rubber & Plastics, SafeSource Direct, AccuRounds, Whirlpool, and Excel Dryer.
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📍 Where & When: Various U.S. locations, including Ohio, Illinois, Massachusetts, and Michigan, over recent weeks.
💬 Key Quote: “We are swamped. We are running 24 hours a day, seven days a week in both Chicago and Cleveland,” said Jack Schron, president of Jergens Inc.
⚠️ Impact: Smaller U.S. manufacturers are experiencing increased demand and potential growth, as tariffs level the playing field against foreign competitors.
IN FULL:
President Donald J. Trump‘s administration continues to push for a resurgence in American manufacturing, with recent tariffs boosting demand for American-made goods. This shift particularly benefits smaller domestic manufacturers as more companies decide to onshore production.
“We are swamped. We are running 24 hours a day, seven days a week in both Chicago and Cleveland,” says Jack Schron, president of Jergens Inc. The company is known for producing heavy-duty power and industrial tools, including industrial screwdrivers, clamps, and hoists. Schron added that his facilities are “going like gangbusters” to meet demand.
In Ohio, Donny Chaplin, president of Grand River Rubber & Plastics, has observed a notable increase in inquiries and orders. Some former clients, who had previously switched to Chinese suppliers, are returning to Grand River for rubber gaskets. New business from oil filter manufacturers seeking to move away from China could potentially bring in $5 million annually, driving the need for expansion and additional hires.
The tariffs have become a vital lifeline for companies that emerged during the pandemic to produce personal protective equipment. Alan Rust, chief growth officer for SafeSource Direct, noted a significant rise in inquiries as new tariffs on Chinese rubber gloves have doubled prices, prompting businesses to seek alternative sources.
Massachusetts-based AccuRounds is experiencing a similar uptick, with employees working overtime to fulfill rising orders for steel components. CEO Michael Tamasi revealed a 20 percent increase in first-quarter sales compared to the previous year.
Whirlpool, a Michigan-based appliance manufacturer, is optimistic about the recent tariffs on imported appliances. CEO Marc Bitzer believes these measures will help close the price gap created by Asian competitors who benefit from cheaper components and steel.
Excel Dryer in Massachusetts is also reaping the benefits of the tariffs. Chief Operating Officer William Gagnon credits the import taxes with improving production location decisions and enhancing competitiveness against cheaper foreign copies.
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English (US) ·