Free Republic

Dozens of Texas Democrats plan to flee the state amid a special session Sunday afternoon, making a last-ditch effort to disrupt a mid-decade redistricting attempt forced by President Donald Trump, according to two people briefed on the matter. It marks their second act of breaking quorum — when the state House will lack the minimum number of lawmakers needed to conduct business — since 2021. And it comes as the party scrambles to counter the aggressive action in Texas, intended to keep Republicans in power in Congress next year by creating five GOP-friendly seats in the state. Four years ago,...

A woman who was severely beaten following a street brawl in Cincinnati is suffering from a 'very bad' brain trauma after the horrific attack. The woman, known only as Holly, was attacked in the downtown area of Ohio city alongside an unidentified man - and the shocking attack was captured on camera.In her first remarks since the assault, Holly, who is still severely bruised, said it has left her with trauma to the brain. In an emotional message, she said: 'I want to say thank you to everyone for all of the love and support. 'It's definitely what's keeping me...

Scientists have achieved a breakthrough in sepsis research. In a study on mice, the researchers demonstrated that vitamin B1 (thiamine pyrophosphate, TPP) restores mitochondrial energy metabolism, drastically reduces lactate production, and increases survival rates in sepsis. Sepsis is the body's runaway reaction to an infection. Instead of only attacking the pathogen, the immune system goes into overdrive and also attacks the body itself, while patients experience an excessive buildup of lactic acid in the blood. In the study, the research team has discovered a simple yet powerful therapeutic approach: a combination of vitamin B1 and glucose. In 2021, the same...

Goldfish have long been a staple in American homes, providing both beauty and tranquility to countless fish tanks across the nation. With their vibrant colors and flowing fins, they have captured the hearts of many enthusiasts. In the USA, some goldfish varieties have become particularly beloved due to their unique characteristics and adaptability. Whether you’re a seasoned aquarium owner or a curious newcomer, understanding these popular goldfish types can enrich your fishkeeping experience. Let’s dive into the captivating world of goldfish and explore the 15 most popular varieties in the USA

Over the past couple of years, I’ve explored dozens of AI video creation websites, and while the results are often impressive, they’re unmistakably AI-generated—especially when it comes to hands. Why do AI videos love giving characters six fingers? It’s frustrating and a dead giveaway!That said, AI video technology has come a long way. The progress is incredible, and it’s only going to get better. But not everyone is thrilled. Some people leave negative comments on my posts, worrying that AI videos will “destroy humanity.” Could they? Well, a well-crafted hoax could certainly stir panic—think of the War of the Worlds...

Sen. Ron Johnson, R-Wis., is pressing the Pentagon on its efforts to reinstate military troops fired by the Biden administration for forgoing the Covid shot, the senator revealed Thursday. In his Tuesday letter, the Wisconsin Republican asked Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth to provide an update on what the Defense Department is doing to return service members booted for not getting the experimental jab under President Biden. As The Federalist previously reported, the mandate was announced by then-Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin in August 2021, and — while ultimately repealed by Congress — resulted in the dismissal of roughly 8,700 troops from...

A study has found that drinking just one can of artificially-sweetened soft drink a day may increase the risk of developing type 2 diabetes by 38%. Surprisingly, that risk for artificially sweetened soft drink is even higher than for those who consume sugar-sweetened beverages, such as regular soft drinks, where the risk was found to be 23% higher. The research followed more than 36,000 Australian adults over nearly 14 years. The study—led by Professor Barbora de Courten, Associate Professor Allison Hodge, and Ph.D. student Robel Hussen Kabthymer—adds to growing global concern about the health effects of both sugary and artificially...

Obesity elevates the risk of cancer. But it has long been unclear whether these effects stem from the fat in people or from dietary fats they consume. Now, Lydia Lynch has provided a compelling answer. "Our study reveals that the source of dietary fat, not adiposity itself, is the primary factor that influences tumor growth in obese mice," said Lynch. "We found that high-fat diets derived from lard, beef tallow or butter compromise anti-tumor immunity and accelerate tumor growth in several tumor models of obese mice. Diets based on coconut oil, palm oil or olive oil, meanwhile, do not have...

Everyone has an opinion on tipping. Whether you add a standard 20% across the board or hate a tipping screen “on principle,” you might’ve noticed those opportunities popping up more frequently these days. Nearly nine in 10 Americans think tipping culture has gone too far — a sharp increase from the around 75% who thought the same last year. That’s according to a new report from personal finance company WalletHub, which examined Americans’ current attitudes toward gratuity. Survey respondents shared their views on this tricky subject, and it shows just how annoyed (and ultimately confused) Americans might feel about adding...

VIDEOYes, it was truly a magical place. Sintra. Our next stop after Lisbon. Just seeing the photos or videos of Sintra doesn't do it justice. One must visit Sintra to feel its magical effects on the spirit. No wonder the royal family of Portugal chose to stay in the magic mountains of Sintra at the Palacio de Pena during the summers.

When it comes to Marv Levy, Father Time is far from an over-officious jerk. Levy turns 100 today. A Pro Football Hall of Famer, Levy’s coaching career began 74 years ago, at St. Louis Country Day School in 1951. He landed in the college ranks with Coe in 1953. He was then hired as an assistant at New Mexico in 1954. Four years later, he became the head coach. After two years, he landed as the head coach at Cal. Four years later, he became the head coach at William & Mary. He arrived in the NFL as the Eagles’...

“ Chinese researchers are exploring radical methods to undermine Elon Musk’s Starlink satellite network, viewing the sprawling constellation as both a security threat and a strategic challenge. -Shadow satellites to trail Starlink craft and deploy interference measures. -Targeted sabotage aimed at weaknesses in the supply chain of more than 140 primary suppliers. -Directed-energy attacks using high-powered lasers to disable or destroy -equipment. -Orbital interference involving corrosive materials or kinetic strikes on ion thrusters and solar panels.“

The US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) crackdown has been very noticeable under Donald Trump’s second term. Naturally with an immigrant population of 15.8% of the total population there has been massive pushback in the US against the deportations. One such person in this crusade has been Angelica Vargas. Not only does she track ICE movementsin her area, but has also set up a GoFundMe page seeking help…

A new study reveals that fragmented sleep causes cellular damage to the brain's blood vessels, providing further evidence to suggest that sleep disruption predisposes the brain to dementia. The research is the first to offer cellular and molecular evidence that sleep disruption directly causes damage to brain blood vessels and blood flow. "We found that individuals who had more fragmented sleep, such as sleeping restlessly and waking up a lot at night, had a change in their balance of pericytes—a brain blood vessel cell that plays an important role in regulating brain blood flow and the entry and exit of...

NEW DELHI, Aug 2 (Reuters) - India will keep purchasing oil from Russia despite U.S. President Donald Trump's threats of penalties, two Indian government sources told Reuters on Saturday, not wishing to be identified due to the sensitivity of the matter. On top of a new 25% tariff on India's exports to the U.S., Trump indicated in a Truth Social post last month that India would face additional penalties for purchases of Russian arms and oil. On Friday, Trump told reporters he had heard that India would no longer be buying oil from Russia.But the sources said there would be...

President Trump plans to build a $200 million ballroom off the East Wing “long before” the end of his term in 2029.Experts on historic preservation are raising concerns over the feasibility of President Trump’s plans to complete large-scale renovations to the White House by the end of his term, and whether the project can be done while respecting the historic nature of the building.Mr. Trump unveiled plans on Thursday to construct a $200 million, 90,000-square-foot state ballroom off the East Wing to be completed “long before” the end of his term in 2029. The project would be one of the...

This was written in October of 2015. I met the Messiah in 1983, and since then, my life has never been the same. It hasn’t been all wonderful. There were hurts and pain, but the difference was that I knew that the Lord was with me through everything. He became my life, and His Word, my sustenance. I had been taught in synagogue to be very proud of my heritage as a Jew, but it meant nothing to me back then. Actually, the constant anti-Semitic remarks by kids in my neighborhood and school, fist fights in the street over being...

With the second Trump term, reestablishing the rule of law is underway, but its universal realization is uncertain. Federal anti-discrimination law is clear enough, but hasn’t been enforced, or has been bizarrely interpreted to not only allow men pretending to be women to participate in women’s sports, but to suggest that was the intention of those writing such laws. Other laws have been warped not only to allow the surgical mutilation of gender confused children, but to force taxpayers to pay for the procedures and to entirely abrogate parent’s rights to direct the upbringing of their children. Kamala Harris ran...

We are living in amazing times. A great day is coming, and it looks like we can see it approaching. Jesus talked about it. He said there hasn’t been anything like it since the beginning of the world, no, nor ever shall be (Matt. 24:21). The prophet Jeremiah talked about it. He said, “Alas! For the day is great, so that none is like it: it is even the time of Jacob’s trouble: but he shall be saved out of it” (Jer. 30:7). The prophet Zephaniah saw it. He said, “The great day of the Lord is near, it is...

KYIV, Ukraine (AP) — Ukraine’s anti-corruption agencies said they had uncovered a major graft scheme involving inflated military procurement contracts, just two days after Ukraine’s parliament voted to restore the agencies’ independence.In a joint statement published Saturday on social media, the National Anti-Corruption Bureau (NABU) and the Specialized Anti-Corruption Prosecutor’s Office (SAPO) said the suspects had taken bribes in a scheme that used state funds to buy drones and other military equipment at inflated prices.“The essence of the scheme was to conclude state contracts with supplier companies at deliberately inflated prices,” the statement said, adding that offenders had received kickbacks...