September 4, 2026

00 First Filter

Trump-China visit live: Xi calls for US and China to be ‘partners not rivals’ as high-stakes summit begins– www.independent.co.uk

pgnewser May 15, 2026 0

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Xi Jinping warned Donald Trump that tensions over Taiwan could push the US and China towards “clashes and even conflicts”, according to Chinese state media reports on their closed-door meeting in Beijing.

According to a readout published by Xinhua, Xi told Trump that if the Taiwan issue is “handled well”, relations between the two countries could maintain “overall stability”.

But he cautioned that mishandling the issue would place the wider US–China relationship in “great jeopardy”.

Stanford Medicine quietly renames DEI offices but keeps diversity programs after DOJ probe– www.thecollegefix.com

pgnewser May 15, 2026 0

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Key Takeaways

  • Stanford School of Medicine has removed diversity, equity, and inclusion language from its website following a DOJ investigation into its admissions practices, prompting concerns about whether the changes are substantive or merely cosmetic.
  • The medical school rebranded its diversity offices but maintained programs aimed at health disparities, leading some experts to criticize these actions as superficial and potentially misleading.
  • Federal pressure has shifted the dynamics around DEI in higher education, pushing institutions to reconsider their diversity policies, which previously relied on government mandates for justification.

Stanford School of Medicine quietly removed diversity, equity, and inclusion langua

China’s Xi warns Trump about “conflicts” if Taiwan isn’t “handled properly”– www.cbsnews.com

pgnewser May 15, 2026 1

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Chinese President Xi Jinping had stern words for President Trump on Taiwan as they met in Beijing on Thursday, warning of potential “clashes and even conflicts” if the issue isn’t “handled properly,” according to Chinese state media.

During their summit, the two leaders are seen as aiming to stabilize their trading relationship after last year’s trade war. They’re also grappling with uncertainty over the United States’ war with Iran. But the issue of Taiwan loomed large.

The closed-door session lasted roughly two hours and 15 minutes. The White House characterized the meeting as “good.”

Purge the Courts, VA Progressives Say – bellwetherintel.com

pgnewser May 13, 2026 0

After the Virginia Supreme Court threw out a new congressional district map that eliminated four GOP seats, progressives want to purge the court and replace it with more loyal progressives. The plan is to lower the mandatory retirement age of judges to below the youngest member of the VA Supreme Court so they can put progressive activists in to take their place.

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ICE might have your personal data soon – americanistpress.com

pgnewser May 13, 2026 0

Immigrations and Customs Enforcement have been using a Palantir tool to track far more than illegal aliens, critics allege. ICE has over 20 million people worldwide in a database that some suspect includes American citizens.

DHS told 404 Media, “U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement is committed to achieving the nation’s mandate to clear the backlog of illegal aliens who pose a threat to the security of our communities. Like other law enforcement agencies, ICE employs various forms of technology while respecting civil liberties and privacy interests.”

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British PM Starmer tells cabinet meeting he intends to remain leader despite calls to resign– www.cbc.ca

pgnewser May 12, 2026 0

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The audio version of this article is generated by AI-based technology. Mispronunciations can occur. We are working with our partners to continually review and improve the results.

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer defied calls to resign on Tuesday, telling ministers he would “get on with governing” despite a “destabilizing” 48 hours of growing calls to set out ​a timetable for his departure after an election drubbing.

At ​a meeting of his cabinet team of ministers, Starmer, in the top job for less than two years, repeated that ​while he took responsibility for one of his Labour Party’s worst ⁠election defeats, there had ⁠been no official move to trigger ‌a leadership contest.

“The past 48 hours have been destabilizing for government and that has a real economic cost for our country and for families,” Starmer told ministers, according to his Downing Street office.

“The country expects us ⁠to get on with governing. That is what I am doing and what we must do as a Cabinet.”

Senate Confirms Trump’s Federal Reserve Pick– trendingpoliticsnews.com

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President Donald Trump scored a major win Tuesday after the Senate confirmed Kevin Warsh to the Federal Reserve Board of Governors, clearing the way for the former central banker to potentially become the next face of the Fed.

The Senate voted 51-45 to confirm Warsh to a 14-year term on the Fed’s seven-member board, putting one of Trump’s preferred economic voices in position ahead of a separate vote later this week on whether he will officially replace outgoing Fed Chair Jerome Powell.

The confirmation marks a pivotal moment in Trump’s long-running battle with Powell over interest rates and monetary policy. Trump has repeatedly blasted Powell for refusing to slash rates more aggressively, once calling him a “moron” and a “stubborn mule” as the White House pushed for looser policy to stimulate growth.

Top Aerospace Scientist Executed by Iranian Regime– slaynews.com

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Iran’s regime has executed a renowned 29-year-old aerospace scientist, as Tehran’s increasingly brutal internal crackdown intensifies amid growing fears of infiltration, sabotage, and covert warfare targeting the country’s military and scientific infrastructure.

Erfan Shakourzadeh was accused of spying for the CIA and Israel’s Mossad.

Iranian authorities hanged Shakourzadeh on Monday after convicting him on espionage charges.

However, human rights groups say Shakourzadeh’s conviction was based on forced confessions extracted through torture.

42% of Democrats Think Butler Assassination Attempt on Trump was Staged– legalinsurrection.com

pgnewser May 12, 2026 1

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A newly released NewsGuard/YouGov poll found that nearly one-quarter of respondents believe the assassination attempt targeting President Donald Trump and members of his cabinet at last month’s White House Correspondents’ Association dinner was staged. 45% believed it was real, and 32% were unsure.

Broken down by party affiliation, 34% of Democrats said they believed the incident was staged, compared with 23% of independents and 13% of Republicans.

The national survey of 1,000 Americans was conducted by YouGov from April 28 to May 4. It was commissioned and published by NewsGuard, a company that rates online media outlets for reliability.

BREAKING: Operators of ship that collapsed Baltimore Key Bridge indicted by DOJ | The Post Millennial– thepostmillennial.com

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The two companies have also been charged with misdemeanor violations of the Clean Water Act, Oil Pollution Act, and Refuse Act for the discharge of pollutants into the Patapsco River.

The Department of Justice announced on Tuesday that two overseas corporate entities and a superintendent face federal charges for their role in the deadly collapse of the Francis Scott Key Bridge in Baltimore, Maryland, which occurred after the Dali container vessel collided with the structure.

The Singapore-based Synergy Marine Pte Ltd and India-based Synergy Maritime Pte Ltd, as well as 47-year-old Radhakrishnan Karthik Nair, an Indian national who worked for both companies as the technical superintendent for the Dali, have been charged with “conspiracy, willfully failing to immediately inform the U.S. Coast Guard of a known hazardous condition, obstruction of an agency proceeding, and false statements,” the Department of Justice said.

Iran Launches Surprise Attack On Middle Eastern Country– trendingpoliticsnews.com

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Kuwait accused Iran of attempting a covert strike on a strategically vital island earlier this month, alleging that operatives linked to Tehran’s Revolutionary Guard tried to infiltrate a Chinese-backed port project in a move that threatens to reignite the already volatile Middle East conflict.

The explosive accusation surfaced Tuesday just hours before President Donald Trump was set to depart for Beijing for high-stakes talks with Chinese President Xi Jinping, where the ongoing Iran war and global energy turmoil are expected to dominate discussions.

Iran has not publicly responded to Kuwait’s allegations. But the accusation adds to mounting fears that the fragile ceasefire in the region could collapse at any moment as tensions continue boiling across the Persian Gulf.

Video. Tens of thousands march in Brussels during Belgium national strike– www.euronews.com

pgnewser May 12, 2026 1

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Tens of thousands of workers marched through central Brussels on Tuesday as unions staged a nationwide strike against the Belgian government’s fiscal reform plans.

Protesters carried banners opposing pension reforms, rising fuel prices and austerity measures while chanting and making noise through the city centre.

Demonstrators were also seen holding signs criticising Prime Minister Bart De Wever and other government figures.

The strike disrupted public transport and air travel across Belgium as unions called for pressure on the government over planned economic measures.

Agiators Track Kash Patel to Funeral, Protest at Hotel– www.dailysignal.com

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Agitators shouted “fascist” and obscenities over the weekend outside a Portland, Oregon, hotel where they believed FBI Director Kash Patel was staying, according to Fox 12 Oregon and several posts on social media. Patel was reportedly attending a friend’s funeral.

The agitators gathered outside the Sentinel Hotel in downtown Portland. Some of the videos were posted on social media on Saturday; others were posted on Sunday.

His Girlfriend Refused Abortion. So He Bought Abortion Drugs, Held Her Down and Forced Them Into Her– www.lifenews.com

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Hassan Abbas could face up to five years in prison after “pleading no contest to four felonies: disrupting public services, unlawful distribution of an abortion-inducing drug, identity fraud, and deception to obtain a dangerous drug,” according to Lucas County Prosecuting Attorney Julia R. Bates.

Bates “announced that Hassan-James Abbas, 32, reached a plea agreement May 6, 2026, before Judge Joseph McNamara.”

According to the Ohio Bar Association, “By entering a no contest plea, he does not accept guilt but acknowledges that facts laid out by prosecution in charging documents are true,” Samira Asma-Sadeque reported for People Magazine.

Iran says ready to ‘teach a lesson’ if attacked after Trump called Tehran’s latest peace proposal ‘piece of garbage’– timesofindia.indiatimes.com

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Iran warned on Monday that its armed forces were prepared to “teach a lesson” to any aggressor after US President Donald Trump rejected Tehran’s latest counterproposal aimed at preserving the fragile Middle East ceasefire.The sharp exchange further raised tensions in the region and rattled global energy markets already strained by disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz, one of the world’s most critical oil shipping routes.Trump, speaking to reporters in Washington, said the ceasefire was on “massive life support” after dismissing Iran’s response to a US-backed proposal as “TOTALLY UNACCEPTABLE”.

The View Puts Targets on VA Supreme Court’s Back With Fact-Free Meltdowns – RedState– redstate.com

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Even if it wasn’t obvious before, it’s certainly been abundantly clear since the start of President Trump’s second term in office that Democrats have no qualms whatsoever about fanning the flames using outright lies and purposeful deception to the point it spurs their outrage mobs to take violent action in the name of  “democracy” and “social justice.”

 

Israeli soldiers jailed for desecrating Virgin Mary statue — RT World News– www.rt.com

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Two Israeli soldiers were sentenced to several weeks in military prison for desecrating a statue of the Virgin Mary in southern Lebanon, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) has said.

Last week, a photo surfaced showing a service member hugging the statue in the predominantly Christian village of Debel, near the Israeli border, and placing a cigarette in the statue’s mouth. The image sparked outrage on social media and prompted an official investigation.

On Monday, IDF spokeswoman Ariella Mazor said the soldier posing with the statue and the soldier filming him were sentenced to 21 and 14 days behind bars, respectively.

“The IDF views the incident with great severity and respects freedom of religion and worship, as well as holy sites and religious symbols of all religions and communities,” Mazor wrote on X.

Trump to Confront Chinese Leader Over Support for Iranian Regime– slaynews.com

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The White House is escalating pressure on China over what U.S. officials describe as Beijing’s economic and material support for Iran and Russia ahead of President Donald Trump’s upcoming summit with Chinese President Xi Jinping.

Senior administration officials said President Trump has already confronted Xi multiple times over China’s role in helping sustain adversarial regimes through oil purchases, dual-use exports, and sensitive technologies tied to military programs.

A senior administration official told reporters Sunday that Trump has discussed with Xi “the revenue that China provides to both those regimes and therefore as well as dual use goods, components and parts, not to mention the potential of weapons exports.”

“I expect that conversation to continue,” the official added during a White House briefing previewing Trump’s trip to Beijing.

Israeli military kills six in Lebanon, issues more displacement threats | Israel attacks Lebanon News– www.aljazeera.com

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Israel’s military has killed six people in an air raid on a house in southern Lebanon, the latest violation of a United States-brokered truce that has only ever existed on paper.

The Israeli attack on Monday night targeted a house in the Kfar Dounin municipality, some 100km (60 miles) south of Beirut, Lebanon’s National News Agency (NNA) said.

US issues new sanctions over Iran’s oil shipments to China– www.channelnewsasia.com

pgnewser May 12, 2026 1

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WASHINGTON: The United States government on Monday (May 11) announced sanctions against three people and nine companies, including four based in Hong Kong and four in the United Arab Emirates, for aiding Iran’s shipment of oil to China.

The ninth company is based in Oman.

The Treasury move follows sanctions announced on Friday on individuals and companies aiding Iranian purchases of weapons and components used to make drones and ballistic missiles.

It comes days before US President Donald Trump’s planned meeting with Xi Jinping, where he is expected to press the Chinese leader to help resolve the standoff with Iran and reopen the critical Strait of Hormuz.

Michigan Democrats Push to Legalize Euthanasia Under New ‘Assisted Suicide’ Bills– slaynews.com

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Michigan Democrats are pushing a controversial new legislative package to begin euthanizing members of the public under radical “assisted suicide” laws.

The bills would legalize medically assisted suicide for certain terminally ill adults, adding the state to a growing list of jurisdictions embracing the slippery slope of so-called “death with dignity” laws.

The proposed legislation would create a “Death with Dignity Act” allowing adults diagnosed with terminal illnesses and given six months or less to live to request life-ending drugs from doctors.

Supporters frame the measure as compassionate end-of-life care.

Bishop Schneider: Synod report on homosexuality ‘crossed the line from orthodoxy into heresy’– www.lifesitenews.com

pgnewser May 12, 2026 0

Bishop Schneider: Synod report on homosexuality ‘crossed the line from orthodoxy into heresy’– www.lifesitenews.com
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Bishop Athanasius Schneider has said that a Vatican Synod on Synodality report suggesting homosexual “relationships” may not be sinful echoes the serpent in the Garden of Eden and has “crossed the line from orthodoxy into heresy.”

In an interview with Vatican journalist Diane Montagna, Schneider commented on the final report of Study Group 9, published May 5 by the Holy See’s General Secretariat of the Synod. The document was put together by one of the ten study groups established by Pope Francis in February 2024 in the context of the Synod on Synodality. The report from Study Group 9, titled “Theological criteria and synodal methodologies for shared discernment of emerging doctrinal, pastoral, and ethical issues,” suggested that homosexual “relationships” may not be sinful in themselves.

“In issuing the Final Report of Study Group No. 9, the Secretariat of the Synod of Bishops has stooped to promoting the propaganda of a global sexual ideology that is being aggressively pushed in politics and the media worldwide,” Schneider told Montagna.

Law school ‘democracy’ scholar: Remove Virginia judges who voted down redistricting– www.thecollegefix.com

pgnewser May 12, 2026 0

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Idea criticized by legal scholars

Democrats should push through legislation to lower the mandatory retirement age of Virginia Supreme Court in order to remove justices who ruled a gerrymandered map unconstitutional, a “democracy” scholar argued.

Quinn Yeargain, who uses “they/them/theirs” pronouns and whose real name is Tyler, made the argument on Saturday. Yeargain is the “1855 Professor of Law of Democracy” at Michigan State University, according to the scholar’s faculty website.

Writing at Downballot, Yeargain said Democrats should lower the retirement age to 54, outwardly saying the goal would be to remove the youngest justice who made what the professor considers the wrong decision.