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  • [Catholic Caucus Devotional] My Catholic Life! Catholic Daily Reflections: Faith and Reason - Monday, April 13, 2026

    04/12/2026 10:52:00 PM PDT · by fidelis · 8 replies
    My Catholic Life! (YouTube) ^ | Monday, April 13, 2026 | My Catholic Life!
    Daily Readings from the USCCB“Do not be amazed that I told you, ‘You must be born from above.’ The wind blows where it wills, and you can hear the sound it makes, but you do not know where it comes from or where it goes; so it is with everyone who is born of the Spirit.” John 3:6–8Today’s Gospel offers us an opportunity to ponder the relationship between faith and reason. Is it good to live our lives according to human reason? Certainly! The natural virtue of prudence is the ability to use our human reason to discern the right...
  • India gifts Swami Vivekananda statue to Seattle, honoring Vedanta and yoga bridge to West

    04/12/2026 10:35:18 PM PDT · by yesthatjallen · 2 replies
    KOMO News ^ | 04 11 2026 | Staff
    A monument honoring Indian spiritual leader Swami Vivekananda was unveiled Saturday at Westlake Park in downtown Seattle, marking a milestone event for the city and its growing Indian American community. The ceremony took place Saturday afternoon at the park along 1900 Westlake Ave., across from the Westin Seattle. The statue is a gift from the Government of India to the City of Seattle. Swami Vivekananda, who lived from 1863 to 1902, is widely recognized for introducing the philosophies of Vedanta and Yoga to Western audiences. His address at the 1893 Parliament of Religions in Chicago, where he spoke on universal...
  • Things Are Picking Up In The Space Industry - Weekly Spaceflight Update [11:28]

    04/12/2026 10:26:36 PM PDT · by SunkenCiv · 2 replies
    YouTube ^ | April 12, 2026 | Avid Space
    This week at Starbase Ship 39 heads to the Massey Outpost ahead of static fire testing, testing continues at Pad 2 ahead of Booster 19's static fire test, and construction continues at the build site and air separation plant. In other space news, Blue Origin has another energetic testing failure in their 2CAT building, ULA launches their next Amazon Leo mission and the Artemis II astronauts return home after their historic flight around the moon. Things Are Picking Up In The Space Industry - Weekly Spaceflight Update | 11:28 Avid Space | 249K subscribers | 3,839 views | April 12,...
  • Video shows implosion of Mandarin Oriental, Miami hotel on Brickell Key

    04/12/2026 10:03:38 PM PDT · by SunkenCiv · 11 replies
    YouTube ^ | April 12, 2026 | NBC 6 South Florida
    After 26 years, residents and locals are saying goodbye to one of Miami's hottest spots.Video shows implosion of Mandarin Oriental,Miami hotel on Brickell Key | 3:54NBC 6 South Florida | 603K subscribers | 55,780 views | April 12, 2026
  • Being Filled with Mercy - evangelical Caucus/Devotional

    04/12/2026 9:29:27 PM PDT · by metmom · 1 replies
    Gracetoyou.org ^ | John MacArthur, Grace Community Church
    "Blessed are the merciful, for they shall receive mercy" (Matt. 5:7). Mercy is a characteristic of true believers. Like the other beatitudes, Matthew 5:7 contains a twofold message: to enter the kingdom you must seek mercy. Once there, you must show mercy to others. The thought of showing mercy probably surprised Christ's audience because both the Jews and the Romans tended to be merciless. The Romans exalted justice, courage, discipline, and power. To them mercy was a sign of weakness. For example, if a Roman father wanted his newborn child to live, he simply held his thumb up; if he...
  • Impeachment Bombshell: Secret memos expose Ukraine accuser’s bias, hearsay, and false claim

    04/12/2026 8:48:54 PM PDT · by CFW · 11 replies
    Just the News ^ | 4/12/26 | John Solomon and Jerry Dunleavy
    The U.S. intelligence watchdog developed derogatory evidence about the CIA analyst who prompted the 2019 Ukraine-focused impeachment against Donald Trump, including that he submitted false information in his whistleblower complaint, offered hearsay to support his allegations and had the "potential for bias," according to newly declassified memos that were kept from Americans during the failed bid by Democrats to remove the president from office six years ago. The documents declassified by Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard at the request of Just the News provide a starkly different portrait of the alleged whistleblower whose name and face were never shown...
  • CNN poll shows that JD Vance has become the most unpopular Vice President in the history of the United States (tr) (Video at URL)

    04/12/2026 7:53:03 PM PDT · by Its All Over Except ... · 68 replies
    X.com ^ | 4/12/2026 | Megatron
    ... Vance's popularity has dropped by 21% since the start of the term in 2025. Compared to other Vice Presidents in recent history, he holds the worst rating at this stage of a term, with a score of -18.
  • Breakdown of the adverse effects of Iran's economy after the implementation of the blockade of the Strait of Hormuz. (My Title)

    04/12/2026 7:52:20 PM PDT · by Enterprise · 26 replies
    https://threadreaderapp.com ^ | 4/12/26 | Miad Maleki
    1/10 The U.S. naval blockade of the Strait of Hormuz would cost Iran approximately $276M/day in lost exports and disrupt $159M/day in imports, a combined economic damage of ~$435M/day, or $13B/month.Over 90% of Iran's $109.7B in annual trade transits the Persian Gulf. Oil/gas accounts for 80% of government export earnings and 23.7% of GDP. Kharg Island alone generates ~$53B/year, or as I noted to @TIME, "$78 billion a year in energy
  • Trump Slams Weak On Crime Pope Leo

    04/12/2026 7:49:38 PM PDT · by doc maverick · 88 replies
    Daily Mail ^ | 04/12/26 | Staff
    “ 'I don't think he's doing a very good job. He likes crime I guess,' Trump said. 'We don't like a pope who says it's ok to have a nuclear weapon. We don't want a pope that says crime is ok. I am not a fan of Pope Leo.' Trump's comments came after Pope Leo met with former Barack Obama's former campaign manager David Axelrod, who was also slammed by Trump.” The President then referenced Leo's brother Louis, who has said he's a supporter of Trump and was feted at the White House last year. 'I like his brother Louis...
  • RepSwalwell America is BETTER because of our Muslim community.

    04/12/2026 7:29:08 PM PDT · by Milagros · 27 replies
    X ^ | Feb 16, 2026 | Eric Swalwell
    ep. Eric Swalwell @RepSwalwell America is BETTER because of our Muslim community. *And we are WORSE when assholes like this guy spout hate. Every Republican who fails to call out this vitriol only gives it more oxygen.
  • Fairfield: Viral video shows homeowner fighting off home invasion

    04/12/2026 7:14:39 PM PDT · by KingofZion · 22 replies
    East Bay Times ^ | April 11, 2026 | Bay Cities News Service
    A video showing a Fairfield homeowner fighting off a home invader may cause “concern” as it circulates on social media, police said Saturday. The video depicts a resident of the 1700 block of Burbank Court using a shovel to battle the intruder on Tuesday before police arrived. Police praised “the actions of the homeowner, who worked to protect his family while officers were responding to the scene.” A man later identified as 30-year-old Jason Nichols attempted to break into the residence occupied by a woman and child by kicking the front door, police said. When that failed, he gained entry...
  • AMERICA Prayer Vigil 4/13/26 {Prayer}

    04/12/2026 7:11:37 PM PDT · by Kitty Mittens · 5 replies
    4/12/26 | Kitty Mittens
    Join together with Fellow FREEPERS to Pray for AMERICA: For those in Authority in Government, Family, Military, Business, Healthcare, Education, Churches, and the Media.'And this is the Confidence that we have in Him, that, if we Ask Anything According to His Will, He Heareth us.' 1 John 5:14Religion Forum Threads Labeled [Prayer] are Closed to Debate of Any Kind.Psalm 70:4Let those who Love Your Salvation Exclaim,"What a Wonderful God He is!"
  • US military says it will blockade Iranian ports after ceasefire talks ended without agreement

    04/12/2026 7:02:50 PM PDT · by henbane · 15 replies
    Associated Press ^ | Updated 7:56 PM EDT, April 12, 2026 | Munir Ahmed, Josh Boak and Sam Metz
    U.S. Central Command announced the blockade would involve all Iranian ports, beginning on Monday at 10 a.m. EDT, or 5:30 p.m. in Iran, to be “enforced impartially against vessels of all nations.” Inside Iran, there was new exhaustion and anger after months of unrest that began with nationwide protests against economic issues and then political ones, followed by weeks of sheltering from U.S. and Israeli bombardment.“We have never sought war. But if they try to win what they failed to win on the battlefield through talks, that’s absolutely unacceptable,” Mohammad Bagher Karami said in Tehran.els of all nations.”
  • I am suspending my campaign for Governor. (Swalwell drops out)

    04/12/2026 6:26:04 PM PDT · by Drew68 · 113 replies
    X ^ | Eric Swalwell
    I am suspending my campaign for Governor. To my family, staff, friends, and supporters, I am deeply sorry for mistakes in judgment I’ve made in my past. I will fight the serious, false allegations that have been made — but that’s my fight, not a campaign’s.
  • FReeper Canteen ~ Hall of Heroes: Gordon Douglas Yntema ~ 13 April 26

    04/12/2026 6:04:49 PM PDT · by Kathy in Alaska · 29 replies
    Serving the Best Troops and Veterans In The World !! | The Canteen Crew
    Our Troops Rock! Thank you for all you do! For the freedom you enjoyed yesterday... Thank the Veterans who served in The United States Armed Forces. Looking forward to tomorrow's freedom? Support The United States Armed Forces Today! ~ Hall of Heroes ~Gordon Douglas YntemaInformation from here. Gordon Douglas Yntema (June 26, 1945 - January 18, 1968) was a United States Army soldier and a recipient of the United States military's highest decoration, the Medal of Honor, for his actions in the Vietnam War.Yntema joined the Army from Detroit, Michigan in 1964, and by January 16, 1968 was serving as...
  • Cuba president talks tough about Trump as nation braces for US attack: ‘If we need to die, we’ll die’

    04/12/2026 5:19:47 PM PDT · by Libloather · 58 replies
    NY Post ^ | 4/12/26 | Ryan King
    WASHINGTON — Cuban President Miguel Díaz-Canel revealed that his island nation is bracing for an attack from the US and declared that he is willing to die resisting President Trump. Since last December, the US has imposed a blockade around Venezuela as part of its Operation Southern Spear effort, and used that to cut off oil supplies to Cuba, which has since plunged further into an energy crisis. “I don’t think there would be any justification for the United States to launch a military aggression against Cuba, or for the US to undertake a surgical operation or the kidnapping of...
  • 5 charged in Williamson County theft ring after 70 head of cattle stolen, slaughtered

    04/12/2026 5:13:40 PM PDT · by Baladas · 38 replies
    FOX4 ^ | April 12, 2026 | Amber Kite
    Five men were arrested Friday for allegedly stealing and slaughtering roughly 70 head of cattle across Williamson County over several months. Detectives found evidence of a sophisticated operation, including cut fences, animal processing tools, and photos of slaughtered cattle on suspects' phones. While the five suspects face third-degree felony charges, authorities are seeking more information from the public regarding the organized agricultural theft ring. WILLIAMSON COUNTY, Texas - A months-long investigation into a sophisticated livestock theft operation has resulted in the arrest of five men accused of stealing and slaughtering approximately 70 head of cattle across Williamson County, authorities announced...
  • How the US will clear Iran’s mines in the Strait of Hormuz

    04/12/2026 5:12:26 PM PDT · by Libloather · 31 replies
    NY Post ^ | 4/12/26 | Ronny Reyes
    As peace talks between America and Iran fell apart over the weekend, President Trump has called for the US military to take control of the Strait of Hormuz and clear the water of Tehran’s mines. The strait, which oversees 20% of the world’s oil transports, has remained closed since the war began on Feb. 28, with Iran filling the passage with deadly, underwater mines. To clear the waters, the US will tap its own navy and that of allied nations to deploy minesweepers and clear the Strait of Hormuz to resume global trade, Trump said Sunday. “We have minesweepers there...
  • NYC’s first city-owned grocery store under lefty Mayor Mamdani to open in East Harlem: report

    04/12/2026 4:48:08 PM PDT · by Libloather · 61 replies
    NY Post ^ | 4/12/26 | Alex Oliveira
    Mayor Zohran Mamdani’s first city-owned grocery store will be in East Harlem and cost about $30 million, a report said Sunday. The store will be in La Marqueta, a marketplace under the train tracks running over Park Avenue, and be up and running for business by the end of his first term in 2029, according to the New York Times. La Marqueta is already owned by the city. Mamdani was expected to announce the Manhattan market plan at the party he was throwing at a Queens concert hall Sunday to celebrate his first 100 days in office, a milestone that...
  • U.S. to Blockade Ships Entering or Exiting Iranian Ports

    04/12/2026 4:32:54 PM PDT · by hotsteppa · 65 replies
    TAMPA, Fla. — U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) forces will begin implementing a blockade of all maritime traffic entering and exiting Iranian ports on April 13 at 10 a.m. ET, in accordance with the President’s proclamation. The blockade will be enforced impartially against vessels of all nations entering or departing Iranian ports and coastal areas, including all Iranian ports on the Arabian Gulf and Gulf of Oman. CENTCOM forces will not impede freedom of navigation for vessels transiting the Strait of Hormuz to and from non-Iranian ports. Additional information will be provided to commercial mariners through a formal notice prior to...