October 6, 2026

x02a1 Global Outlook

House Ends DHS Shutdown

pgnewser May 1, 2026 0

The U.S. House has passed partial funding of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), sending the bill to the President for an expected signing. The passage ends the 76 days of DHS shutdown.

Congress ends record-shattering DHS shutdown – Politico

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EXCERPT:

On the 76th day since Department of Homeland Security funding lapsed, Congress passed a bill Thursday restoring the flow of federal dollars to most of its agencies — without solving any of the policy disagreements that led to the record-breaking shutdown.

The House approved by voice vote the partial DHS funding measure the Senate passed more than a month ago. President Donald Trump is expected to swiftly sign the bipartisan legislation, fully funding the Coast Guard, TSA, Secret Service, FEMA and the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency, along with other offices within DHS that don’t deal with immigration enforcement.

Putin Threatens Trump Over Iran

pgnewser April 30, 2026 0

President Vladimir Putin of Russia is claiming he has warned Trump of “extremely harmful consequences” if the U.S renews attacks on Iran. The public declaration puts Russia’s power reputation with its allies on the line should the U.S. attack and not suffer “extremely harmful consequences.”

Putin issues ‘extreme consequences’ warning to Trump on Iran– www.mirror.co.uk
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EXCERPT:

Vladimir Putin has reportedly warned Donald Trump that there will be “extremely harmful consequences” if the US attacks Iran again, as the pair reportedly discussed a potential Ukraine ceasefire in a 90-minute call.

Vladimir Putin has issued a warning to Donald Trump that there will be “extremely harmful consequences” should the US launch further attacks on Iran, according to reports.

It came as the two leaders discussed the Iran conflict and floated a temporary ceasefire in Ukraine during a 90-minute telephone conversation on Wednesday.

Public School Unions Fuel Progressive Power

pgnewser April 30, 2026 0

Public School Teachers Unions have contributed more than $1 billion to progressive organizations, causes, and candidacies in the last 10 years alone. The two heaviest hitters are the American Federation of Teachers (AFT) and the National Education Association (NEA), who combined to account for $669 million alone. This means progressives could count on teachers’ unions to give them $100 million a year for the last 10 years.

Teachers Unions Have Funneled More Than $1 Billion to Left-Wing Causes › American Greatness– amgreatness.com
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EXCERPT:

A report from Defending Education says teachers unions across the nation have quietly spent more than $1 billion in member dues on political activism and left-wing causes over the past decade.

Breitbart reports that two national teachers’ unions, the American Federation of Teachers (AFT) and the National Education Association (NEA), spent a combined $669 million over the past ten years.

The figure skyrockets to over $1 billion in total political spending when state and local affiliates are included, showing a growing emphasis on activism rather than education.

OPEC loses UAE

pgnewser April 30, 2026 1

The United Arab Emirates is officially separating from the OPEC alliance. They declared, “During our time in the organisation, we made significant contributions and even greater sacrifices for the benefit of all. However, the time has come to focus our efforts on what our national interest dictates and our commitment to our investors, customers, partners and global energy markets. This is what we will focus on going forward.”

United Arab Emirates quits OPEC alliance– www.washingtonexaminer.com
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EXCERPT:

The United Arab Emirates on Tuesday said it is exiting OPEC and the broader OPEC+ as of May 1, marking a major loss for the oil producing bloc as global energy markets remain volatile in light of the Iran war.

The UAE said it has participated in the organization for the greater global benefit, but it is leaving the group to focus on internal interests.

As Iran’s Leader Re-Emerges, U.S. Fails to Finish

pgnewser April 30, 2026 0

President Trump has rejected the latest proposal by Iran to continue the ceasefire, which seems to be de facto over. The Supreme Leader has allegedly emerged and promised to free the Strait of Hormuz from U.S. presence. The progressive media is casting doubts on U.S. power while Trump’s base buckles in its support for the war.

Iran’s Missing ‘Supreme Leader,’ in Written Message, Vows ‘Future Free of America’ for Strait of Hormuz– www.breitbart.com
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EXCERPT:

The alleged, but missing, “supreme leader” of Iran Mojtaba Khamenei reportedly issued a written message on Thursday declaring that his country will impose a “new legal framework and management system for the Strait of Hormuz” that will result in a future “free of America” in the waterway.

Khamenei’s message declared the Strait, in which Iran has for over a month attempted to endanger commercial traffic, a “divine blessing” for his nation that the Islamist terror regime takes seriously. His statement, issued on the occasion of Iran’s “National Persian Gulf Day,” also contained a commitment to continue the regime’s illicit nuclear development — the main issue that the administration of President Donald Trump is seeking to settle with Iran.

The message follows weeks of attempts to end hostilities between Iran and America that began on February 28, when the Pentagon launched Operation Epic Fury and killed Khamenei’s father, longtime brutal dictator Ali Khamenei. President Trump announced a ceasefire this month that was initially intended to last two weeks, but has since been extended indefinitely. In public statements on his website, Truth Social, President Trump has explained that the extension was necessary given the large number of senior leaders in the Iranian regime that have been killed, resulting in unclear leadership and an intense power struggle within the terror state’s government apparatus. Iranian officials have attempted to deny the discord among their ranks but also have not at press time been able to organize a coherent response to the White House’s attempts to construct a long-lasting peace agreement.

Comey’s 86 47 gets Indicted

pgnewser April 29, 2026 1

The Department of Justice has garnered two new indictments targeting former FBI Director James Comey. The indictments are connected to a social media post by Comey that showed seashells on the beach laid out to signal “86 47.” One charge is “knowingly and willfully making a threat to take the life of — and to inflict bodily harm on — the president.” The second charge is “knowingly and willfully transmitting in interstate commerce a threat to kill the president.”

Comey indicted again on charges stemming from Instagram post– www.cbsnews.com
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EXCERPT:

Washington — A federal grand jury indicted former FBI Director James Comey on Tuesday for allegedly making threats against the president, marking the second time he will be prosecuted by President Trump’s Justice Department.

The indictment charges Comey with two counts: knowingly and willfully making a threat to take the life of — and to inflict bodily harm on — the president, and second, knowingly and willfully transmitting in interstate commerce a threat to kill the president. CBS News reported that Comey was facing charges again hours before the indictment was issued.

Charles Stealth Bombs Trump in Congress

pgnewser April 29, 2026 1

Using extremely veiled language, Charles III, King of Britian, appeared to tell the U.S. congress Trump should end the war in Iran and stop deportations. Progressives tend to agree with this assessment, claiming Charles “owned” Trump in front of congress.

This is our interpretation after reading between the two clear focal points of his speech, diversity and religious tolerance, both target Trump deportations of immigrants and his war on Islamist Iran.

Here are the key passages that we believe reveal this:

“They carried with them and carried forward the great inheritance of the British Enlightenment, as well as the ideals which had an even deeper history in English common law and Magna Carta…

“Distinguished members of the 119th Congress, it is here in these very halls that this spirit of liberty and the promise of America’s founders is present in every session and every vote cast not by the will of one, but by the deliberation of many, representing the living mosaic of the United States in both of our countries.

It is the very fact of our vibrant, diverse and free societies that gives us our collective strength, including to support victims of some of the ills that so tragically exist in both our societies today.”

“And Mr. Speaker, for many here and for myself, the Christian faith is a firm anchor and daily inspiration that guides us not only personally, but together as members of our community. Having devoted a large part of my life to interfaith relationships and greater understanding, it is that faith in the triumph of light over darkness which I have found confirmed countless times.”

“I am mindful that we are still in the season of Easter, the season that most strengthens my hope. It is why I believe with all my heart that the essence of our two nations is a generosity of spirit and a duty to foster compassion, to promote peace, to deepen mutual understanding, and to value all people of all faiths and of none.”

Read the full transcript of King Charles III’s speech to U.S. Congress – National– globalnews.ca
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EXCERPT:

King Charles III addressed a joint session of the U.S. Congress on Tuesday, where he marked the 250th anniversary of American independence and reaffirmed the “special relationship” between the U.K. and U.S. amid bilateral and global tensions.

Charles, who was in the U.S. for a four-day state visit, is just the second British monarch to address Congress after his mother, Queen Elizabeth II, delivered a similar speech in 1991.

Here is a full transcript of the King’s speech:

Mr. Vice President, Mr. Speaker, members of Congress, representatives of the American people across all states, territories, cities and communities.

I would like, if I may, to take this opportunity to express my particular gratitude to you all for the great honour of addressing this joint meeting of Congress, and on behalf of the Queen and myself, to thank the American people for welcoming us to the United States to mark this semi-quincentennial year of the Declaration of Independence.

Shots Ring Out at Trump Dinner

pgnewser April 27, 2026 1

A California teacher and registered Democrat named Cole Allen appears to have attempted to kill members of the Trump administration, including Trump, at a White House Correspondents Dinner. He was injured in the attack, and so were two secret service agents. The fallout from the shooting has only just begun. The shooting happened at the Wahington D.C. Hilton Hotel.

White House Shooter Manifesto: Would-Be Trump Assassin Was a Radical Anti-Christian Leftist– gellerreport.com
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EXCERPT:

Fox News reporter: The shooters manifesto said he wanted to target administration officials.

A bloodbath was averted. The Democrat party should be designated a terrorist organization.

Investigators also found extensive anti-Trump and anti-Christian rhetoric across his social media accounts.

AI Becoming Bigger than Oil

pgnewser April 27, 2026 0

AI is now bigger than oil and gas in terms of capital investment, having topped $400 billion. It is also the largest debt-segment within U.S. investment-grade credit at $1.4 trillion.

Big Tech AI Spending Tops $400B, Now Exceeds Oil And Gas Investment – Yellow.com– news.google.com
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EXCERPT:

Capital spending on AI by five major technology firms has crossed $400 billion, overtaking what the world invests each year in oil and natural gas production.

The shift was flagged by the International Energy Agency in its latest report.

Combined capital expenditure at the five firms topped $400 billion in 2025. The agency expects another 75% jump in 2026.

The numbers reflect a sharp pivot in global capital flows. Data centre development has grown too capital-intensive for corporate balance sheets alone, pulling tech firms deeper into bond markets to fund the buildout.

AI-related debt has now climbed to roughly $1.4 trillion, the largest segment within US investment-grade credit.

 

Iran Ceasefire Totters as Lebanon Ceasefire Extends

pgnewser April 24, 2026 1

President Donald Trump announced there was no hurry to finalize a peace deal with the Iranian regime. He has extended the ceasefire indefinitely. For more news on Iran, read our Deep Dive Report on pg. 2.

The President also announced the Lebanon ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah has been extended for three more weeks.

Middle East crisis live: Trump says Israel-Lebanon ceasefire extended by three weeks but claims he won’t rush Iran deal | US-Israel war on Iran– www.theguardian.com
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EXCERPT:

Here’s a snapshot of the latest Middle East news to bring you up to speed.

  • Donald Trump has announced that a ceasefire between Israel and Lebanon would be extended by three weeks. Trump, speaking to reporters in the Oval Office alongside the participants in the meeting, said he hoped the two countries’ leaders would meet during the additional three-week cessation of hostilities.

  • When he was asked how long he was willing to wait for a long-term peace deal with Iran, he replied: “Don’t rush me”.

  • The US president had earlier ordered the US navy to “shoot and kill” small Iranian boats that deploy mines in the strait of Hormuz and claimed that US minesweepers “are clearing the strait right now” amid the standoff over the key waterway. US special forces earlier boarded a stateless oil tanker in the Indian Ocean which the Pentagon claimed was carrying Iranian crude oil, ratcheting up the standoff with Tehran over the strait.

  • Trump said the US had “hit about 75% of our targets” in Iran and that a deal had not yet been reached because Iran’s leadership was “in turmoil”.

  • Iran’s president, Masoud Pezeshkian, said there were no “hardliners” or “moderates” in Iran, responding to the Trump claim of internal division in Iran’s leadership. Separately, Iran’s foreign minister, Seyed Abbas Araghchi, said Iranian state institutions “continue to act with unity, purpose and discipline”.

Viriginia Says Yes to Progressive Gerrymandering

pgnewser April 23, 2026 0

The Progressives won a major battle in the ongoing gerrymandering wars, this time scoring a narrow victory in Virginia. The ballot measure allows the progressives to change U.S. House Districts to effectively take 4 Republican seats away. The now-passed ballot measure faces legal challenges.

Dems Win In Virginia, Could Lose In Court– thefederalist.com
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EXCERPT:

Democrats and their well-heeled funders have won their rigged referendum to rig Virginia’s congressional maps, but the political boundary battle isn’t over yet.

Now come the court challenges, and that’s where the redistricting revisionists could lose their big win thanks to their unabashed manipulation of Virginia law.

“It’s illegal actually for a number of reasons,” Jason Snead, executive director of the Honest Elections Project, told me last week, a few days before Tuesday’s election, on The Dan O’Donnell Show in Milwaukee.

Snead asserts that Virginia Democrats, who hold the commonwealth’s political trifecta, have steamrolled the process while abandoning their plastic principles. His election watchdog organization is involved in one of several lawsuits challenging the maps and the referendum that gave Democrats the shaky imprimatur to implement them.

Starmer Holds on as Epstein Snare Tightens

pgnewser April 23, 2026 0

Kier Starmer is holding on amidst increasing calls for him to resign. Evidence reveals Starmer fully knew the Epstein ties the man he appointed to be Ambassador to the U.S. had before the appointment. Now, it is revealed he willfully lied when confronted before Peter Mandelson was finally appointed.

Kier Starmer: ‘Felt political pressure’: Sacked UK official blames Starmer’s office over Mandelson US appointment– timesofindia.indiatimes.com
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EXCERPT:

The former civil servant who oversaw the approval of Peter Mandelson’s appointment as Britain’s ambassador to Washington has said he felt “political pressure” to fast-track the decision despite “security concerns.”

Olly Robbins, the former head of the Foreign Office was dismissed by Prime Minister Keir Starmer last week amid a widening scandal that has prompted calls for the prime minister’s resignation. Mandelson was removed from his post in September last year, just nine months into the job, after further details emerged about his friendship with Jeffrey Epstein, the convicted US sex offender who died in prison in 2019.

“There was an atmosphere of pressure from the Prime Minister’s office and a very, very strong expectation that Mandelson needed to be in post and in America as quickly as possible,” Robbins told the House of Commons Foreign Affairs Committee on Tuesday, a day after Starmer was questioned by MPs over how the appointment was approved.“There was a generally dismissive attitude toward the security vetting process,” he added.

SPLC Accused of Funding Hate

pgnewser April 23, 2026 1

The FBI has leveled multiple criminal indictments against the Southern Poverty Law Center (SPLC). SPLC is accused of spending millions in dollars to fund numerous far-right hate groups, including the group behind the now-infamous Charlottsville, VA white supremacist rally.

SPLC Says It’s Under Criminal DOJ Investigation Over Its Use of Paid Informants › American Greatness– amgreatness.com
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EXCERPT:

The far-left smear group Southern Poverty Law Center (SPLC) announced Tuesday that it is the subject of a Justice Department criminal investigation and faces possible charges regarding its past use of paid confidential informants to infiltrate alleged “extremist” organizations.

The SPLC labels dozens of conservative and religious organizations and individuals as “extremist” including Focus on the Family, PragerU, MassResistance, Turning Point USA, Gays Against Groomers, Family Research Council, Tucker Carlson, Moms For Liberty, “radical traditional Catholics,” and Chaya Raichik (Libs of TikTok).

In October 2014, the group even labeled conservative pediatric neurosurgeon Dr. Ben Carson as an “extremist” due to his opposition to same-sex marriage. In February 2015, following a sustained outcry, the SPLC removed Carson from the list and issued a public apology, stating that the profile did not “meet its standards.”

The SPLC said it believes the Trump administration is preparing legal action against some of its employees and vowed to “vigorously defend” itself, its staff, and its work against the allegations, according to the Associated Press.

“Although we don’t know all the details, the focus appears to be on the SPLC’s prior use of paid confidential informants to gather credible intelligence on extremely violent groups,” CEO Bryan Fair said in a statement.

The DOJ probe follows FBI Director Kash Patel’s decision in October to sever all ties with the SPLC, accusing the group of being a “partisan smear machine” that defames mainstream Americans through its “hate map.”

After Secretary Firing, Navy Gets Shoot-on-Sight Order

pgnewser April 23, 2026 0

After the Secretary of the Navy, John Phelan, was suddenly dismissed by Secretary of War Pete Hegseth, President Donald Trump issued a new shoot-on-sight order to the Navy. The move has man wondering if the now-former Secretary was dismissed for refusing to follow that same order.

Trump Gives Navy a Shoot-on-Sight Order a Day After Firing its Leader– www.westernjournal.com
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EXCERPT:

A day after former Navy Secretary John Phelan was dismissed, President Donald Trump revealed he had given the Navy a major set of new orders.

The White House officially announced Wednesday that Phelan was leaving his post, but Fox News reported that Secretary of War Pete Hegseth had fired Phelan.

It was unclear if there was any connection between Phelan’s departure and Trump’s Thursday post, in which he said he issued an order that could lead to the Navy firing on Iranian vessels.

“I have ordered the United States Navy to shoot and kill any boat, small boats though they may be (Their naval ships are ALL, 159 of them, at the bottom of the sea!), that is putting mines in the waters of the Strait of Hormuz,” Trump posted on Truth Social.

“There is to be no hesitation,” Trump wrote.

“Additionally, our mine ‘sweepers’ are clearing the Strait right now. I am hereby ordering that activity to continue, but at a tripled up level!” Trump added.

Trump Takes Next Step to Legalize Weed

pgnewser April 23, 2026 1

The Trump administration has officially reclassified certain aspects of marijuana as being a Schedule III drug, which removes many federal criminal designations. For now, the designation only applies to state-licensed medical marijuana, though some within the administration hint more is to come.

Trump administration officially reclassifies state-licensed medical marijuana as Schedule III– www.scientificamerican.com
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EXCERPT:

Trump administration officially reclassifies some marijuana products as less dangerous drugs

The Trump administration said this move, which does not legalize marijuana for medical or recreational use under federal law, is just the start of a process to reclassify the drug more broadly

By Jackie Flynn Mogensen edited by Claire Cameron

A bud tender at Private Organic Therapy (P.O.T.), a nonprofit cooperative medical marijuana dispensary, displays various types of marijuana available to patients on October 19, 2009, in Los Angeles.

Updated at 11:40 AM

On Thursday the Trump administration officially reclassified state-licensed medical marijuana products under the Controlled Substances Act (CSA). The move removes these products from the Schedule I category, which includes what the government considers to be high-risk and dangerous drugs such as heroin, LSD and ecstasy, to the lower-risk category of Schedule III. The change applies to state-regulated medical marijuana and does not legalize medical or recreational cannabis products on the federal level.

The State of the State of AI

pgnewser April 23, 2026 0

Originally published April 17, 2026 for our weekly Issue of Mindful Intelligence Advisor.  Subscribe to get weekly issues. Bellwether Deep Dive…

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Nextar Blocked from Tegna

pgnewser April 22, 2026 0

The expected merger of television media companies Nextar and Tegna won’t happen after U.S. District Court Chief Judge Troy Nunley ended the deal, claiming the legal challenges by eight U.S. State Attorney Generals and DirecTV were likely to succeed.

Judge blocks $6.2bn merger of local TV giants Nexstar and Tegna amid fears of monopoly – The Independent
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EXCERPT:

A federal judge has halted the proposed $6.2 billion merger between local television giants Nexstar Media Group and rival Tegna, pending the resolution of an antitrust lawsuit.

U.S. District Court Chief Judge Troy L Nunley issued the ruling late on Friday, concluding that eight attorneys general and DirecTV were likely to succeed in their legal challenge to prevent the deal.

The acquisition, initially announced in 2025 and approved by the Federal Communications Commission in February, would have resulted in a single company owning 265 television stations across 44 states and the District of Columbia.

Transgender Care for Kids, Says District Judge

pgnewser April 21, 2026 2

United States District Judge Mustafa Kasubhai has ruled that the HHS’s declaration that gender-affirming care for children is unsafe and ineffective is unconstitutional. The judge sided with the 22 progressive-led states, who argued the federal government did not have the legal authority to make such a determination.

Judge rules in favor of Oregon, 21 states challenging Kennedy order blocking gender affirming care for youth – KPTV
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EXCERPT:

A federal judge blocked an effort by the Trump administration to limit access to gender affirming care for young people with gender dysphoria on Saturday.

United States District Judge Mustafa Kasubhai issued a summary judgment, saying the law was clear in favor of 22 states that challenged a December declaration from Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.

That Dec. 18, 2025, declaration claimed that certain gender-affirming care for minors was unsafe and ineffective, and warned providers that they could lose Medicare and Medicaid funding.

The lawsuit, led by Oregon Attorney General Dan Rayfield, argued that the federal government did not have the legal authority to make that threat, and they failed to follow required procedures.

Meta’s Downsizing Continues

pgnewser April 21, 2026 1

The parent company of Facebook, Meta, has announced plans to lay off nearly 10% of its total workforce, 8,000 positions, starting in early May 2026. These layoffs may not be the only layoffs, as more might be announced after May of this year.

Meta Reportedly to Cut 8,000 Jobs in Upcoming Layoffs Amid AI Cost Pressures – MLQ.ai– news.google.com
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EXCERPT:

Key Points

  • Meta to eliminate about 8,000 positions, roughly 10% of its global workforce of nearly 79,000, starting May 20.1
  • Cuts aim to offset costs of AI infrastructure investments and streamline operations with AI-assisted workers.1
  • Additional layoffs expected in second half of 2026, though details on scale and timing unclear.1
  • Follows earlier reports of potential cuts up to 20% of staff.1
  • Meta declined to comment on the reports.1

 

Trump Down Bigly

pgnewser April 21, 2026 0

President Trump’s approval ratings have fallen to 37% according to an NBC News poll. This is the lowest rating the poll has recorded during the President’s second term. His disapproval rating has hit 62%, with 50% now strongly disapproving.

Trump’s Approval Rating Sinks to Lowest Point of His Second Term – Mother Jones– www.motherjones.com
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EXCERPT:

U.S. President Donald Trump gestures while speaking during an executive order signing event in the Oval Office of the White House on March 31, 2025 in Washington, DC.Andrew Harnik/Getty

Get your news from a source that’s not owned and controlled by oligarchs. Sign up for the free Mother Jones Daily.

President Donald Trump’s approval ratings have dropped to their lowest level since the start of his second term.

According to the NBC News Decision Desk Poll released on Sunday, only 37 percent of adults approve of Trump’s work as president. Meanwhile, 63 percent disapprove, including 50 percent who disapprove strongly. Some of that strong disapproval comes from Trump’s handling of skyrocketing costs for most households: Among the over 32,000 American adults that NBC News surveyed over two weeks in March and April, 52 percent said they “strongly disapprove” and 16 percent “somewhat disapprove” of Trump’s handling of inflation and the cost of living.

Situation Report: Jan-Mar Q1 2026

pgnewser April 16, 2026 0

Originally published April 10, 2026 for our weekly Issue of Mindful Intelligence Advisor.  Subscribe to get weekly issues. Dates: 26-01-01 to…

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Iran Galvanizes Anti-American European Movement

pgnewser April 16, 2026 1

As 10,000 more U.S. troops head to the Persian Gulf, Trump promises the war will soon be over. The Senate failed again to check the President’s military actions. China looks to pry America’s allies loose, accusing the U.S. of destabilizing the world. Macron and Starmer followed China’s lead, holding a joint conference on the Strait of Hormuz.

The French president wrote on X that the gathering would include “non-belligerent countries ready to contribute, alongside us, to a multilateral and purely defensive mission aimed at restoring freedom of navigation in the strait when security conditions allow.”

Iran war ‘close to over’, says Trump. Sends 10k new troops– timesofindia.indiatimes.com
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EXCERPT:

US President Donald Trump said on Wednesday that the war he launched with Israel on Iran was “close to over”, even as 10,000 additional US troops move into West Asia, and Pakistan army chief Asim Munir arrived in Tehran with a mediation team to try to prevent a renewal of the conflict. Quoting current and former US officials, The Washington Post reported that the US was sending the additional troops before the end of April as Washington tries to increase pressure on Tehran.

These include forces aboard the USS George H W Bush and the Boxer Amphibious Ready Group. It was previously announced that roughly 50,000 troops had been involved in operations in the war on Iran.The build-up comes amid efforts to extend the two-week ceasefire between US and Iran. A senior Iranian source told Reuters that Munir, who mediated the last round of talks, was in Iran “to narrow gaps” between the two sides. “I think you’re going to be watching an amazing two days ahead,” Trump told ABC News reporter Jonathan Karl, according to a post by the reporter on X, adding he did not think it would be necessary to extend the ceasefire. “I think it’s close to over, yeah. I mean I view it as very close to over,” Trump said in an interview on Fox Business Network conducted Tuesday and broadcast Wednesday. “We’ll see what happens. I think they want to make a deal very badly.”

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EXCERPT:

China’s Xi says rule of law must be upheld for Middle East peace – channelnewsasia.com

The international rule of law must be upheld for peace and stability to prevail in the Middle East, China’s President Xi Jinping said on Tuesday (Apr 14), in a rebuke of the US-Israeli war on Iran.

While Beijing has repeatedly criticised the US-Israeli campaign as illegal, Xi has made few public comments about the conflict. He will hold talks with US President Donald Trump in an expected meeting in Beijing next month.

The rule of law cannot be “used when convenient and discarded when not”, Xi told Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, the visiting crown prince of Abu Dhabi, according to the official Xinhua news agency.

Xi vowed that China would play a “constructive role” in promoting peace talks in the Middle East, according to Xinhua.

His comments were part of four proposals he had put forth as a way to encourage peace in the region, according to state broadcaster CCTV.

“The sovereignty, security and territorial integrity of the Gulf countries in the Middle East should be sincerely respected,” Xi said.

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EXCERPT:

Trump snubbed from Macron’s Iran talks as Europe plans Strait of Hormuz mission – mirror.co.uk

US President Trump risks being sidelined by an angry Europe tomorrow over his “belligerent” Iran position.

French President Emmanuel Macron revealed that France will host a diplomatic summit with the UK in Paris on Friday to tackle the Strait of Hormuz crisis.

This summit will exclude Trump. Macron wrote on X, calling for the strait to be opened ‘as soon as possible.’

After speaking with Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian, Macron announced the gathering would include ‘non-belligerent countries ready to contribute, alongside us, to a multilateral and purely defensive mission aimed at restoring freedom of navigation in the strait when security conditions allow.’, reports the Express.

The summit arrives as Trump begins to be shut out by multiple European nations from post-war Middle East discussions.

White House spokesperson Olivia Wales stated: “The United States doesn’t need help from any other country – the blockade is working perfectly, implemented by the greatest Navy in the world, while Iran’s navy is at the bottom of the ocean.”

As Iran War Winds Down, Lebanon Heats Up

pgnewser April 16, 2026 0

Israel is accelerating its war in Lebanon even as talks continue between the two countries. Israel wants a disarmed Hezbollah while Lebanon may not have the capacity to do the job.

IDF Launches Massive Coordinated Strike Across Lebanon– trendingpoliticsnews.com
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EXCERPT:

Israel dramatically escalated its campaign in Lebanon this week, carrying out one of the largest coordinated strikes of the ongoing regional conflict, as the fragile ceasefire continues to teeter on the edge of collapse.

According to a statement from the Israel Defense Forces, more than 180 Hezbollah operatives were killed in a rapid, large-scale operation targeting multiple targets across Lebanon. The strikes were executed “within a minute,” hitting roughly 100 targets simultaneously in Beirut, the Beqaa Valley, and southern Lebanon.

The IDF said the operation relied on “precise and high-quality intelligence” and focused on key Hezbollah infrastructure, including command centers, military compounds, and facilities used by senior operatives. Israeli officials described the targets as central to Hezbollah’s operational capabilities in the region.

Swalwell Implosion Craters Congress

pgnewser April 16, 2026 0

The Democrat congressman turned California Senate candidate is now former in both categories. Eric Swalwell is now out of the Senate race and congress after more women have come forward, accusing him of sexual assault and harassment. The fallout could affect other members of congress on both sides of the aisle, who may have similar credible accusations against them.

Swalwell Ousted as Media Move to Ensure Democrat Power– www.dailysignal.com
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EXCERPT:

An inconvenient Democrat has had his career torpedoed by an avalanche of allegations, and the media want to give themselves a big pat on the back for their heroic “investigative journalism.”

They deserve no applause from the American people. In fact, the whole episode is a masterclass in media bias. More on that in a bit.

Rep. Eric Swalwell, D-Calif., announced Monday that he was not only bowing out of the California governor’s race to replace outgoing Gov. Gavin Newsom, but that he would be leaving Congress entirely.

Swalwell, in just a few days, was hit with an avalanche of accusations that he had inappropriate relationships and engaged in sexual misconduct with a series of women, including a staffer. Swalwell is married.

As I write this, another accuser has come forward saying that Swalwell drugged and raped her in 2018.

More Signs Point to 2026 Blue Wave

pgnewser April 16, 2026 0

New polls have come out that show four key Senate Races are shifting from toss-up to leans Democrat. This reflects other polls that show similar rises in Democrat numbers, along with rises in funding.

Four Key Senate Races Shift Toward Democrats › American Greatness– amgreatness.com
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EXCERPT:

An independent, nonpartisan newsletter that analyzes state, federal, and presidential elections says four key U.S. Senate races has shifted toward the Democrats in the upcoming November midterm elections.

According to The Hill, The Cook Political Report shifted the ratings to the left on Monday for the North Carolina, Georgia, Ohio, and Nebraska senate races but says the GOP is still favored to maintain its majority in the upper chamber.

Jessica Taylor, the senate and governors editor for the report, said the economy is creating an increasingly sour national environment for Republicans and moving a handful of states toward the Democrats.

EU Wins in Hungary?

pgnewser April 16, 2026 0

After Victor Orban’s ouster in Hungary’s elections, his replacement, Péter Magyar, a former member of the Orban government, might not be on the EU’s side after all. The election was characterized as the EU versus national sovereignty movements, with Magyar representing the EU. But soon after winning, Magyar announced plans to double down on blocking immigration to the country.

EU must demand change under Péter Magyar before releasing billions in frozen funds– rmx.news
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EXCERPT:

During a briefing on Hungary’s frozen EU funds, left-wing Dutch MEP Tineke Strik indicated that Brussels would not be in any rush to lift the punitive measures. The new Hungarian government, led by Tisza’s Péter Magyar, must first take concrete measures to restore what she claims are democracy, fundamental rights, freedom of speech, and legal certainty.

Strik’s comments were affirmed by German MEP Daniel Freund, also a member of the Greens, who was famously a vocal critic of the Hungarian government under Fidesz. At stake are Hungary’s voting rights, €35 billion, and millions in fines.

To unlock this money, the EU has already issued a 27 demands that Hungary must meet to receive its frozen funds, however, many of these demands already contradict campaign promises made by Magyar during his campaign, including his vow to restrict immigration.

At the press conference, Strik emphasized that it is not yet time to withdraw the punitive measures against Hungary, and she believes that the ongoing Article 7 procedure against Hungary should also not be withdrawn, meaning Hungary’s voting rights in the EU could still be withdrawn.

“We didn’t launch Article 7 because of Orbán, but because of the shortcomings of the system,” she told press.