Free Republic

The French electoral system’s two-round structure, often criticized for favoring leftist coalitions over clear winners, contrasts with the simpler and more democratic single-round system of the UK, which would have given the National Rally approximately 295 deputies after the first round.

President Joe Biden reportedly skipped a meeting with world leaders — which was intentionally set up “in the early evening” — shortly after the war in Ukraine erupted because he needed to “go to bed.” The startling revelation raises serious concerns about Biden’s ability to manage crises beyond the 6-hour schedule he keeps – 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. — which also includes naps. The Wall Street Journal reported that German officials sought to meet with Biden in June 2022, just a few months after Russia invaded Ukraine, along with other world leaders during the annual G7 Summit. German officials...

9 July 2024 Tuesday of week 14 in Ordinary Time St. Nicholas Basilica, Amsterdam and the relics of the Martyrs of GorkumReadings at MassLiturgical Colour: Green. Year: B(II).First readingHosea 8:4-7,11-13They have sown the wind; they will reap the whirlwindThus says the Lord:They have set up kings, but not with my consent,and appointed princes, but without my knowledge.Out of their own silver and gold they have made idols,which are doomed to destruction.I spurn your calf, Samaria,my anger blazes against it.(How long will it be before they purge themselves of this,the sons of Israel?)A workman made the thing,this cannot be God!Yes,...

CMAX Systems' building-in-a-box before it becomes a building (image widened using AI)CMAX Systems ============================================================== You could view it as a solid-floored uber-tent or an easily relocatable temporary building – but you could also call it a super-minimal tiny home for US$8,000. This remarkable building-in-a-box was designed for housing refugees, but it's now on sale. CMAX Systems' building-in-a-box seems almost too good to be true. It offers a solid-floored, robust, habitable structure, 19 ft long by 7.4 ft wide (5.8 x 2.25 m) with a ceiling height of 7.2 ft (2.2 m), so only a handful of pro basketball players would...

It is thought that Gaiasia jennyae would have been a top predator that would have ambushed their prey. Image Credit: Gabriel Lio ============================================================================ If you go down to the ancient swamp today you’ll be sure of a big surprise. Which is exactly what happened to researchers in Namibia who have discovered a giant salamander-like ancient beastie with huge fanged teeth and a head that was over half a meter long. Found in the Gai-as Formation in the Ugab River valley in Damaraland Namibia, researchers discovered a brand new species they’ve named Gaiasia jennyae, after both the formation and a palaeontologist...

PARIS — The Paris prosecutors’ office opened an investigation into the campaign financing of far-right leader Marine Le Pen’s presidential bid in 2022. The probe, which follows a preliminary inquiry, was opened last week over suspicions of embezzlement, forgery, fraud and a candidate on an election campaign accepting a loan, the Paris prosecutor’s office confirmed to POLITICO. In 2022, Le Pen — then making her third attempt to win the French presidency as National Rally leader — got 41 percent of the vote in the second round, losing to incumbent President Emmanuel Macron.

Conservatives in France suffered defeat in the final round of national elections, despite winning the highest percentage of the popular vote. In last week’s first round of voting, the conservative National Rally party led the far-left New Popular Front and the establishment moderates Ensemble by wide margins, prompting the NFP and Ensemble to form a tacit alliance. On Sunday, that alliance paid off.

Pray For The Peace of Jerusalem (7/9/24)[Prayer]The Names and Titles of God (“The Builder”) Hebrews 3:33 For this man was counted worthy of more glory than Moses, inasmuch as he who hath builded the house hath more honour than the house.King James Version________________________God Bless America.ML/LTOS

They Lied to YouNever forgive, and never forget, what these lying miscreants have done to us—and to the republic.Lying is certainly nothing new in politics. It is said that prostitution is the world’s oldest profession, but politics is assuredly the dirtiest—filthier even than garbageman, mortician or, well, the world’s oldest profession itself.Former President Bill Clinton (while we’re on the topic of sexual promiscuity) perjured himself, leading to his impeachment. Former President Barack Obama, in what PolitiFact called its 2013 “Lie of the Year,” promised that “if you like your health care plan, you can keep it.” And on and on,...

Join us countdown to launch coverage of the first ever launch of ESA's Ariane 6 launch vehicle! Pad: ELA-4 Location : Guiana Space Center, French Guiana, France Rocket: Ariane 6

Hot ‘Lanta! Or perhaps COLD ‘Lanta! And despite what Biden says, thiere isn’t an economic revival. Yes. everyone can see the mental decline in President Biden and he should be in a nursing home. While he vows to run for President against Donald Trump, can you imagine what he will be like in 2 years? Let alone another 4 years?? Speaking of decline, GDP growth estimates are plummeting: The most recent Atlanta Fed estimate for real US GDP quarterly growth in Q2 2024 is down to 1.7%. This estimate is down from 4.2% seen in mid-May and from 2.2% seen...

The latest official employment report finds once again that the federal government and state-local hiring spree is still in full gear. Over the past year, health care and government hiring has outpaced every private sector industry. It isn’t just the IRS bringing on thousands of new workers. The bloat is everywhere. So even though there are a lot more government workers, good luck finding them or getting them on the phone. This is because so few of them are actually physically on the job. What’s happening in the federal government (“Club Fed”) these days borders on the absurd – or...

Researchers have pioneered a method to grow diamonds under low pressure and temperature, revolutionizing the traditional synthetic diamond production process and expanding possibilities for scientific and technological advancements. ==================================================================== Scientists have created a new liquid metal alloy system for producing diamonds under moderate conditions. Did you know that 99% of synthetic diamonds are produced using high-pressure and high-temperature (HPHT) methods? The common belief is that diamonds can only be grown with liquid metal catalysts at pressures of 5-6 gigapascals (about 50,000-60,000 atmospheres) and temperatures between 1300-1600 °C. However, the size of diamonds produced through HPHT is typically limited to about...

Many readers are interested in how various handgun calibers have performed in defense against bears. This is a complicated subject. Sometimes, any caliber will do. Sometimes, a level of power may be required. Sometimes, a level of accuracy or speed may be required. Many permutations exist. The most important aspect, if a confrontation occurs, is to have a firearm available, easily and quickly accessible. The specific caliber is less important. These updates include all the incidents we have been able to document to the date of the update, after several years of intense searches. We have always asked for examples...

A United Airlines jet lost a landing-gear wheel during take off from Los Angeles, but was able to land safely in Denver, its planned destination, with no injuries, the airline said. “The wheel has been recovered in Los Angeles, and we are investigating what caused this event,” United said in a statement on Monday. It was the second such incident for the airline this year.

All charges have been dismissed against a 33-year-old South Carolina woman who was arrested last year for using the abortion pill when she was 25 weeks pregnant, reports the Post & Courier. The 13th Circuit Solicitor’s Office said it decided not to prosecute the woman due to “insufficient evidence or another legal issue.” The woman was arrested in September 2022 for self-administering an abortion. According to reports, in October 2021 she was taken to the hospital with labor pains. She then gave birth to a stillborn baby in a hospital bathroom and told medical personnel she had taken the abortion...

“These things I have written to you who believe in the name of the Son of God, in order that you may know that you have eternal life” (1 John 5:13). The apostle John presents eleven objective and subjective tests for assurance of salvation. The New Testament epistles are filled with enough material on assurance to fill volumes of commentaries. Yet there is one small epistle, 1 John, that was written to deal exclusively with the issue of assurance. The apostle John states his reason for writing this letter in our verse for today: “These things I have written to...

“… [W]e’re done accommodating you lunatics. it’s time for actual adults to return to the room and supplant the squalling squalor you have inflicted upon us, our economies, our cultures, and our institutions.” — El Gato Malo on Substack. Imagine: President “Joe Biden,” on the deck behind his Rehoboth Beach house Sunday evening before a most consequential week. He just declared to the nation that only an “act of God” will prevent him from running for re-election. Dr. Jill has gone inside for another martini, extra-dry, no vermouth, no ice, no olive. . . no glass. Chief advisor, Hunter Biden,...

A woman in Texas has been arrested after she physically forced abortion pills into her teenage daughter’s mouth in an attempt to abort her own grandchild. Police were called to a Laredo home, where a 16-year-old girl identified her mother, Juana Idalia Sanchez, as the assailant in a violent altercation. According to the Laredo Morning Times, the girl told Sanchez on March 30 that she was pregnant. Her mother demanded that she get an abortion, and began chasing her around the apartment, intentionally making her fall onto her stomach. Sanchez eventually was able to pin her daughter onto the ground...

@SkyNews Reform UK's MPs have arrived at parliament. The new MPs will take up their seats in the House of Commons after being sworn in.