Free Republic

On the eve of critical elections, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan told his supporters that US President Joe Biden has given instructions to topple him. "Biden gave the instructions saying 'we haver to topple Erdogan.' I know this. All my people know this. Tomorrow the ballots will give Biden an answer as well," Erdogan said during an election rally in Istanbul...

Germany on Saturday sent the strongest signal yet of its commitment to backing Ukraine in its battle against Russian occupiers, promising more tanks, armored vehicles and substantial air defense systems in its largest weapons package for Kyiv. The arms package, totaling 2.7 billion euros, or about $2.95 billion, amounted to roughly as much as Germany’s total military aid to Ukraine since the war began in February 2022. The move was part of a budding effort by Chancellor Olaf Scholz and President Volodymyr Zelensky of Ukraine to draw a line under a year of rocky relations over Germany’s hesitancy to provide...

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky announced his arrival in Berlin for an official visit Sunday, having flown out of Rome after meetings with Pope Francis and Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni. "Already in Berlin," he wrote on Twitter. "Weapons. Powerful package. Air defense. Reconstruction. EU. NATO. Security." The German government is preparing a 2.7 billion-euro arms delivery for Ukraine, it announced on Saturday. The package is expected to include 30 Leopard 1 tanks, armoured vehicles, drones, air defence systems, missiles and ammunition.

Michael Jordan's enormous house in Chicago is still on the market after 10 years. Jordan has tried to sweeten the pot by cutting the price nearly in half and throwing in a complete set of Air Jordans with the purchase of the house. And yet, it remains unsold and he pays more than $100,000 in annual property taxes. The house was originally listed for $29 million and has every bell and whistle you can think of. Some "over-improvements" and the house's location are making it hard to sell the property.

Human trafficking becomes normalized in the United States

The Ukrainian city of Khmelnytskyi was rocked by huge explosion after Russia reportedly sent 21 drones to an army silo causing enormous fireball which injured dozens. Vladimir Putin appears to be targeting ammunition storages in west Ukraine as Kyiv's counter-offensive approaches. Overnight on May 12, Russians are said to have attacked Ukraine with Shahed drones. Four drones hit an army facility causing an explosion which damaged nearby residential properties, as well as other buildings. Another 17 drones were shot down by air defense.

Tomorrow there will be elections in Turkey and Thailand. In both countries the U.S. would like to see the current opposition win. Recent pieces in the "New York Times" leave no doubt about that. "A Crucial Question In Thailand's Election: Can You Criticize The King?" "Liberal voters have intensified their scrutiny of the Thai monarchy in recent years. Conservatives have responded with a campaign to defend the institution at all costs" "An Erdogan Loss In Turkey Would Stir Relief In The West And Anxiety In Moscow" "European leaders would be delighted to have 'an easier Turkey' while Russia would lose...

I’ve been watching the Trump vs. DeSantis showdown here and have a few questions. I voted for Trump twice, worked the phones and poll watched for him and am convinced he was the only one for regular Americans. He had the right policies for us. I have two concerns. He is supposedly a germaphobe and I think that influenced his decisions regarding Covid. He also didn’t have a team behind him. Many stabbed him in the back. How would it be different if he was elected for another term? Regarding Desantis, I watched some of his Iowa stuff and he...

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy praised Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni for her financial and military support for Ukraine. Germany has announced billions in new military aid to Ukraine. DW has the latest. Meloni promised Italy's full support to Ukraine in its efforts to repel Russia's "brutal and unjust aggression." Speaking alongside Zelenskyy, she said Italy would continue to supply Ukraine with weapons and back his country for as long as necessary. "We are betting on Ukraine's victory," Meloni added. The Italian prime minister also restated her backing of Ukraine's EU bid.

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan leads Saturday prayers at Istanbul's iconic Hagia Sophia mosque before entering the election battle of his political life against a powerful secular rival. The 69-year-old will be emulating a ritual that Ottoman Sultans performed before they led their men off to war as he braces for Sunday's parliamentary and presidential ballot. Erdogan has never faced a more energised or united opposition than the one spearheaded by retired civil servant Kemal Kilicdaroglu and his disparate alliance of six parties. The Turkish leader excelled at splitting his rivals and forging unlikely unions while winning one national election...

Former President Obama argued in a new interview that gun ownership shouldn’t be a partisan or ideological issue, amid renewed discussions of gun safety legislation in the wake of several recent mass shootings. “I think somehow — and there are a lot of historical reasons for this — gun ownership in this country became an ideological and a partisan issue in ways that it shouldn’t be,” Obama said in an interview with “CBS Mornings” co-host Nate Burleson set to air next Tuesday.

NAIROBI, Kenya (Morning Star News) – A Christian college student was killed in northern Uganda on April 14 for sharing about Christ with Muslims, a fellow student said. Jeremiah Mwanga, a second-year student at the Uganda Christian School of Professionals in Lira, Northern Region, was killed in his room at the school in Gwangabara cell, Boroboro ward, East Division in Lira. He was 24. Mwanga was a native of Kapchorwa District, in eastern Uganda, where the Muslim student at the school charged with killing him also lived. “Jeremiah complained about messages from one of the students threatening to kill him...

A Florida couple has had their wedding upended after an Orange County hotel — set to take in migrants from New York City — abruptly canceled the rooms she booked for her guests, she told The Post. “We felt discarded, disappointed and angry that they just tossed us aside to make an extra dollar for the hotel. It’s just not right,” Deanna Mifsud, 35, fumed.

Sen. J.D. Vance (R-OH) told SiriusXM’s Breitbart News Saturday former President Donald Trump’s town hall on CNN was a “home run” for him and “solidified” him being the GOP frontrunner.“The town hall itself… was just a home run for Trump,” the Trump-endorsed Buckeye State Republican told the host, Breitbart News Washington Bureau Chief Matthew Boyle.“He was funny. He was substantive on the issues. He sort of showed why he’s not like other politicians, you know, he’s willing to sort of poke fun at the political system,” Vance added. “It’s shaping up to where this primary looks like a runaway for...

In a first, the world’s two most prominent religious leaders are expected to deliver a joint speech on peace at the UN Security Council at a time when wars and conflicts are raging across the world.CAIRO — The head of the Roman Catholic Church, Pope Francis, and the Grand Imam of Al-Azhar, Ahmed el-Tayeb, have received an official invitation from the United Nations Security Council to each deliver a historic speech during its meeting in June in New York, Al-Monitor has learned. An Egyptian clerical source told Al-Monitor that the ‎speeches of the prominent religious leaders will be delivered before...

Doctors have reported the first U.S. cases of ringworm caused by an emerging and highly drug-resistant fungus. Super-ringworm is on the loose in New York City. In a report this week, doctors and health officials have detailed the first known U.S. cases of the itchy infection caused by a contagious and emerging fungal germ—one highly resistant to many existing drugs. The fungus was first identified in South Asia, but it’s possible that it’s now circulating locally in the area.… … while ringworm can be very contagious through direct contact, it’s usually mild and treatable with over-the-counter antifungals. But a newly...

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has reportedly been denied the opportunity to address audiences at the highly touted Eurovision Contest Finale this weekend. Organizers have rejected a request from Zelensky's office to make a video address to the audiences as it would breach the "non-political" nature of the event. The decision was taken by the European Broadcasting Union, a grouping of national public broadcasters that runs the Eurovision. Later, a spokesperson from the Ukrainian president's office claimed that Kyiv made no such request.

Join with fellow FREEPERS to pray for AMERICA: For those in Authority in Government, Family, Military, Business, Healthcare, Education, Churches, and the Media. I urge, then, first of all, that requests, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for everyone: for kings and all those in authority that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness. ~ 1 Timothy 2:1-2 Religion Forum Threads labeled [Prayer] are closed to debate of any kind.

Same-sex 'married' chief minister punishes facility for refusing abortionCANBERRA, Australia (ChurchMilitant.com) - The archbishop of Canberra is fighting back after the government of the Australian Capital Territory announced measures to seize the Calvary Public Hospital run by the Sisters of the Little Company of Mary. "I am deeply troubled about the situation and its implications," Abp. Christopher Prowse wrote on Thursday in a letter to the faithful of the archdiocese of Canberra and Goulburn, slamming the "shocking news" of the state's decision to "compulsorily acquire" the hospital. Prowse warned that "this extraordinary and completely unnecessary government intervention could set the...

Explanation: Our fair planet sports a curved, sunlit crescent against the black backdrop of space in this stunning photograph. From the unfamiliar perspective, the Earth is small and, like a telescopic image of a distant planet, the entire horizon is completely within the field of view. Enjoyed by crews on board the International Space Station, only much closer views of the planet are possible from low Earth orbit. Orbiting the planet once every 90 minutes, a spectacle of clouds, oceans, and continents scrolls beneath them with the partial arc of the planet's edge in the distance. But this digitally restored...