Free Republic

US-based COMSPOC and Swiss firm s2a systems tracked close proximity maneuvers between Shijian-21 and Shijian-25 from June to early July. ============================================================= China has reportedly performed a historic refueling mission in Earth’s orbit. During the mission, two Chinese satellites appear to have docked in geostationary orbit, a report from the South China Morning Post reveals. One then refueled the other, marking an impressive milestone that no other nation has achieved. While China’s space administration has not officially confirmed the operation was a success, a US space observation company observed the two satellites coming together. Refueling technologies are a key evolution for...

Russia is staring down a long-term economic threat that could outlast both the war in Ukraine and Western sanctions: a deepening demographic crisis. On Tuesday, Labor Minister Anton Kotyakov underscored the scale of the problem during a meeting with President Vladimir Putin. "Today, according to our estimates, by 2030 we need to involve 10.9 million people in the economy," Kotyakov told Putin, according to a post from the Kremlin. Kotyakov said the number is required to replace 10.1 million people who will reach retirement age, and 800,000 new jobs. Kotyakov warned that if productivity growth falls short of the assumptions...

Former President Joe Biden's U.S. Secret Service received a credible threat on President Donald Trump's life 10 days before last July 13's Butler, Pennsylvania rally, but chose to leave the assigned details for Trump and the rally in the dark. "This past weekend, the Government Accountability Office produced [to] me its report on the July 13 assassination attempt," Grassley told the Senate in a floor speech Monday night. "The Government Accountability Office's report starts by stating, 'The U.S. Secret Service failed to implement security measures that could've prevented the assassination attempt on then-former President Donald J. Trump during a July...

Democrat Rep. Maxwell Frost has accused President Trump of working to “ethnically cleanse” America of non-Europeans. The Florida Congressman made the remarks during an interview with MSNBC’s Rachel Maddow when he was asked about his recent visit to the Everglades detention center, which has been dubbed as “Alligator Alcatraz.” He explained: When I went in and we were standing at that door looking at the cages, looking at the hundreds of men in there, I saw myself in those cages. I saw people who were my age, people who looked exactly like me. I thought when we were walking out...

Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov on Tuesday downplayed US President Donald Trump's threat to impose 100 per cent tariffs on Russia and its trading partners, asserting that Moscow is well equipped to withstand additional sanctions. -snip- "We would like to understand what is behind this statement after about 50 days. Earlier, there were also deadlines of 24 hours and 100 days; we’ve seen it all and really would like to understand the motivation of the US president," he said. Lavrov also said the SCO countries have reiterated their commitment to Iran’s legitimate right to peaceful uses of nuclear energy. "We...

Lab Study Raises Concerns That Sugar Substitute Erythritol May Raise Risk Of Stroke In a Nutshell Erythritol, found in many sugar-free drinks, was tested on human brain blood vessel cells in the lab. The sweetener increased cellular stress and disrupted key protective pathways. These changes are known risk factors for stroke — but the study was short-term and done in cells only. Researchers say more human research is needed to understand real-world health effects. ============================================================================== BOULDER, Colo. — That zero-calorie sweetener making your morning coffee taste just right might be quietly interfering with the tiny blood vessels in your brain...

VIDEODid you know the Liberal Pink Hat Lady is also a New Age theologian? Here she is in her official Witch shirt hyping Magic Stones as a way to counter the evil Trumpocalypse. And since we are at almost the six month mark of President Donald Trump's presidency that means we are only 1/8 of the way into his Golden Age return which means we still have 7/8 remaining.Moral of the story. If you are a liberal suffering from extreme TDS and can't tolerate political diversity you can take solace in magic stones, Tarot cards, and burning incense in special...

Russian President Vladimir Putin intends to keep fighting in Ukraine until the West engages on his terms for peace, unfazed by U.S. President Donald Trump's threats of tougher sanctions, and his territorial demands may widen as Russian forces advance, three sources close to the Kremlin said. -snip- "Putin thinks no one has seriously engaged with him on the details of peace in Ukraine — including the Americans — so he will continue until he gets what he wants," one of the sources said on condition of anonymity due to the sensitivity of the situation. -snip- a second source familiar with...

Russian President Vladimir Putin has yet to publicly respond to the 50-day ultimatum President Donald Trump issued him, though one top official on Tuesday suggested that Moscow "didn’t care." Deputy Chair of Russia’s security council and former Russian President Dmitry Medvedev took to X to express the Kremlin’s first reaction to the joint announcement by Trump and NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte that Putin has 50 days to end its war in Ukraine or face 100% tariffs.

US President Donald Trump’s fresh tariff threat for Russia’s allies has not gone down well with China, with the latter hitting out at America’s ‘coercion’ tactics. China has expressed strong disapproval on Tuesday regarding the United States' pressure tactics, following President Donald Trump's warning of "very severe" tariffs against Russia's remaining trade partners if the Ukraine conflict remains unresolved within 50 days. "China firmly opposes all illegal unilateral sanctions and long-arm jurisdiction. There are no winners in a tariff war, and coercion and pressure will not solve problems," Chinese foreign ministry spokesman Lin Jian has said according to an AFP...

It turns out that Carbajal may be so emotionally connected to illegal immigrants because he likely entered the US illegally himself. The Santa Barbara Current reported on Carbajal’s immigration history in February this year. The Current shared the following: In a previous article titled Consequences, Congressman Salud Carbajal’s inspiring immigrant story was briefly mentioned. However, his office strongly objected to the following statement: “Salud Carbajal, who immigrated illegally with his family at age five (first to Arizona and then) to Oxnard, where his father worked on a farm. Salud eventually became a U.S. citizen, served in the military, and was...

Tucson icon Linda Ronstadt lost her capacity to speak and hear after a second bout of COVID earlier this year. With the help of therapy and attentive, around-the-clock care, the legendary songstress has regained her speech, she recently told a high school classmate who checked in with her ahead of their 60th reunion at Catalina High School. Though Ronstadt has regained her speech, she said her hearing loss may be permanent.

Daily Readings from the USCCB“Woe to you, Chorazin! Woe to you, Bethsaida! For if the mighty deeds done in your midst had been done in Tyre and Sidon, they would long ago have repented in sackcloth and ashes. But I tell you, it will be more tolerable for Tyre and Sidon on the day of judgment than for you.” Matthew 11:21–22Chorazin and Bethsaida were Jewish towns that Jesus visited frequently to preach and to perform many “mighty deeds.” They were located just north of His city of residence, Capernaum. Tyre and Sidon were pagan coastal cities northeast of Chorazin and...

"I have always suspected Shifty Adam Schiff was a scam artist," he said. President Donald Trump on Tuesday urged "justice" for Sen. Adam Schiff, D-Calif., after Fannie Mae's Financial Crimes Division concluded that he engaged in a sustained pattern of possible mortgage fraud. "I have always suspected Shifty Adam Schiff was a scam artist. And now I learn that Fannie Mae’s Financial Crimes Division have concluded that Adam Schiff has engaged in a sustained pattern of possible Mortgage Fraud," Trump posted on Truth Social. "Adam Schiff said that his primary residence was in MARYLAND to get a cheaper mortgage and...

President Trump announced on Tuesday that loathsome Senator Adam Schiff (D-CA) has been caught allegedly committing mortgage fraud by Fannie Mae’s Financial Crimes Division. “I have always suspected Shifty Adam Schiff was a scam artist,” Trump wrote on Truth Social. “And now I learn that Fannie Mae’s Financial Crimes Division have concluded that Adam Schiff has engaged in a sustained pattern of possible Mortgage Fraud.” “Adam Schiff said that his primary residence was in MARYLAND to get a cheaper mortgage and rip off America, when he must LIVE in CALIFORNIA because he was a Congressman from CALIFORNIA,” Trump added.” I...

The future of air combat lies not in singular “game-changing” technologies like drones or AI, but in integrated, multi-domain systems like the Global Combat Air Programme (GCAP). This sixth-generation fighter, a tripartite venture between the UK, Italy, and Japan, emphasizes networked warfare, advanced sensors, and adaptable design to counter peer adversaries. However, its success is far from guaranteed. The program must overcome the defense industry’s historical challenges with procurement, cost overruns, and delays to deliver a truly revolutionary capability by its 2035 target, ensuring it doesn’t become another high-tech, low-impact “battleship” of the skies.

Thousands of Afghans, including many who worked with British forces, have been secretly resettled in the U.K. after a leak of data on their identities raised fears that they could be targeted by the Taliban, the British government revealed Tuesday. The government now plans to close the route, which the media had been barred by a court order from disclosing. The then-Conservative government sought a court order barring disclosure of the leak, in an attempt to prevent the personal information being made public. The High Court issued a strict order known as a super injunction that barred anyone from revealing...

SALT LAKE CITY — The Wasatch Food Co-op will be opening its doors later this year, and it will be the first food co-op store in northern Utah. FOX 13 met up with board members of the co-op to discuss what they're hoping to accomplish in the valley. "Local, local, local," said board member Evan Sugden. Sugden is a Salt Lake native, an environmentalist, and has been passionate about the co-op since the beginning. Salt Lake City's small group formed back in 2009. "It’s a member-owned, community-focused enterprise. We are big on local — it’s probably the most wanted feature...

Jim Harbaugh’s Legacy Tainted by Mounting NCAA Violations. ‘How Many Level 1 Violations at 1 School Do You Need?’ NCAA President Charlie Baker said, according to an article from ESPN, “At the end of the day, no one believes at this point that Michigan didn't win the national title fair and square.”

A new group of Camp Pendleton Marines are working alongside U.S. Customs and Border Protection and U.S. Border Patrol at the southern border. The group, which includes 500 Marines and sailors, is part of the Combat Logistics Battalion 15, 1st Marine Logistics, and has assumed “operational responsibilities” as Task Force Forge under Joint Task Force–Southern Border, Marine officials said on Monday, July 14. That means they will provide critical engineering and logistical support under the presidential executive order issued Jan. 20, when President Donald Trump declared a national emergency at the southern border, directing the Department of Defense to help...