Free Republic

In light of the former president’s “longstanding history” of harassing witnesses involved in his legal cases, a US judge recently issued a protective order following a meeting between Trump’s lawyers and prosecutors during which routine evidence was shared. Former US President Donald Trump was ordered on Thursday to appear for a legal lesson later this month to ensure he understands the full risks of misusing evidence against witnesses. The order – tied to his April 4 indictment – was issued by Judge Juan Manuel Merchan, who will specifically inform Trump he will be held in contempt if he violates regulations...

Lets go straight to the insanity out there. My Fantasy World Of Using Media And Government Power To Drive My Infatuation With A Woman 40 Plus Years Ago Has Become The Reality Of Today... I was high on myself back then and there's plenty of high in today's world legal and illegal. Let's go to the Marijuana Update... Mel Tillis and the kind of music I listened to when I was a teenager I was country back then... Trained In Journalism I Ended Up In Urinalism "Nextrush For President"... Time for an update on Turkey or as President Erdogan would...

Since the 1980s, the economy has changed in ways that are simply difficult to describe. The real impact of inflation and wage stagnation isn’t apparent unless you dig deeper into the numbers. That’s precisely what a recent college grad did when her mother commented on the idea that young workers “expect too much.” “I think boomers can’t conceptualize this [struggle] because they never had to fight for jobs,” said Cat, a 21-year-old college student. She recently took to TikTok to explain why older workers might find it difficult to empathize with the economic struggles of younger people after a discussion...

With just two words, the top uniformed officer in the Customs and Border Protection agency sent shockwaves across official Washington two months ago when asked whether his agency has operational control of the southern U.S. border. "No, sir," Border Patrol Chief Raul Ortiz told Congress in a shocking admission that exposed just how badly border security has deteriorated under President Joe Biden. At the time, illegal crossings at the border in March were averaging 5,000 a day, far more than the historical average of 2,000 daily at the end of the Trump administration. By last week, those crossing had exploded...

When the COVID-19 vaccines emerged, the narrative started out as a suggestion that people get should the vaccines (and what would apparently become endless boosters) .... It didn’t take long for the narrative to turn to “get the shot — or else” for far too many people. Vaccine mandates hurt employees across many sectors of the economy, but those vaunted “essential workers” often bore the brunt of them. First responders lost their jobs, and when teachers weren’t having to educate kids remotely, many of them faced unfair mandates. Now, three Rhode Island teachers who lost their jobs under a vaccine...

I believe we must not forget that: "Men, women and children need to live with love; this is an indispensable foundation of human society." Today, the 14th of May, is now Mother’s Day in Australia and the 54th birthday of mother-of-four, and dual Oscar winning Australian born actress Cate Blanchett. Here are some of her thoughts on being a mum: “Children are spirited, passionate, political, demanding. They are also heartbreaking. They constantly extend parents and so parents are constantly confronted with their failures, don’t you think? I’d rather presently live life this way than not.” “My husband and I worry...

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.