Free Republic

To make fusion reactors, we need materials that can withstand its punishing environment, and a new Chinese-made material can survive reactors’ intense conditions. Here’s what you’ll learn when you read this story: * The central solenoid is the heart of a fusion reactor, and a "jacket" of meticulously crafted stainless steel—capable of withstanding extreme temperatures and magnetic fields—protects it. * Chinese scientists say that a new super steel, called China high-strength low-temperature steel No. 1, (CHSN01), can operate at a maximum of 20 Tesla, which outperforms the steel jacket that will be used by ITER. * China is incorporating CHSN01...

A historic synagogue in Odessa, Ukraine, sustained significant damage following a Russian drone strike this week, one of several Jewish sites caught up in intense bombardments this summer. The Nachlas Eliezer Synagogue in the Peresyp district of Odessa, which was built in 1898 and served the Jewish community until it was closed in the 1920s under Soviet rule, was struck Monday evening by a Russian suicide drone. The strike caused a large fire in the building, which had already partially collapsed in 1992, according to the United Jewish Community of Ukraine. No injuries were reported. “This sacred building, constructed at...

There probably isn't a bright red line or some official metric a city must measure up to — down to? — before being rated as Officially Ungovernable. But, if there is, surely Washington, D.C., crossed soon after the Martyrdom of St. George Floyd of Minneapolis. "This is a safe city, but overhearing and witnessing gang threats and then watching the camera footage of the thuggery is disturbing," one D.C. resident told the Washington Post on Sunday. But — and I'm not making this up, so I'll quote WaPo reporters Olivia George, John D. Harden, and Jenny Gathright precisely — the...

The conference representing the New York Catholic bishops in public policy issues is criticizing Planned Parenthood for reportedly requesting $35 million in emergency state funding amid federal Medicaid freezes. “The abortion industry in New York is looking increasingly like an irresponsible and spoiled adolescent, spending its generous allowance too fast,” Kristen Curran, director of government relations for the New York State Catholic Conference, said in an Aug. 6 statement. “New Yorkers should ask them: What happened to the $35 million you already got?” Curran said. CatholicVote reported in August 2024 that the conference questioned the abortion giant’s use of state...

[Catholic Caucus] Catholic Leader Sees Pluses and Minuses on the Horizon for LGBTQ+ PeopleThe social climate for LGBTQ+ people in Germany (and, indeed, in many countries) is “significantly more hostile than it was a few years ago,” said Hendrik Johannemann, a co-spokesperson for the Catholic LGBT+ Committee, an advisory group to the Catholic bishops in that nation. In an interview with Katholisch.de, Johanneman opined on a number of topics, including offering a mixed reaction to the legacy of Pope Francis.Hendrik JohannemannAs evidence of the growing oppressive social climate, Johannemann pointed to the need for greatly increasing security at light Christopher...

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky accused Moscow of attempting to mislead Washington, a few days before a planned meeting between US President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin in Alaska."We understand Russia's intention to try to deceive America – we will not allow this," Zelensky said in his evening video address on Sunday.The two presidents are set to meet Friday in Alaska to discuss a possible solution to the Ukraine war after more than three years of conflict. Zelensky was not invited.

Caesars Entertainment is, once again, betting on its youngest brand, turning a more than 20-year-old Bay Area casino into a luxury resort.

In another major pro-life victory, Planned Parenthood said it will shut down its clinics in Louisiana Sept. 30 after losing access to federal funding under President Donald Trump’s “Big Beautiful Bill.” While Planned Parenthood is barred from performing abortions in Louisiana, the organization has been a key player in directing patients to receive out-of-state abortions, The Hill reported. Pro-life advocates praised the shutdown as a decisive blow to the abortion industry’s influence in the state. Gov. Jeff Landry, a Republican, said on X that he has “fought hard as Attorney General and now as Governor to rid our state of...

Teen Vogue is sounding the alarm over a growing number of states requiring students to view fetal development videos like “Meet Baby Olivia” in sex education classes — calling the pro-life material “manipulative” and accusing its creators of advancing a political agenda. The animated video, produced by Live Action, shows a child developing in the womb from the moment of conception. It has already been adopted in six states as part of newly passed fetal development education laws. According to Live Action, the goal is to educate students on the science of life in the womb and foster “a reverence...

U.S. President Donald Trump is joining European leaders and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy for an emergency virtual summit on Wednesday organized by German Chancellor Friedrich Merz. -snip- The virtual summit will focus on pressure options against Russia, questions about Ukrainian territories seized by Russia, security guarantees for Kyiv and the sequencing of potential peace talks, a German government spokesperson told POLITICO. Merz and other European leaders demand that Putin first agrees to a ceasefire before any peace talks or land swaps between Moscow and Kyiv can take place. They have also made clear that any potential land swaps must be...

A Virginia public school system has launched an investigation into allegations that high school officials arranged and paid for two minors to obtain abortions without notifying the girls’ parents, violating Virginia law. Fairfax County Public Schools’ (FCPS) investigation comes after a bombshell Aug. 5 Substack report by Walter Curt that states that a social worker at Centreville High School, Carolina Díaz, was involved in procuring abortions for two students. The first incident allegedly occurred in November 2021, when the student was 17 years old. The girl claims Díaz scheduled the appointment, paid for it, and “kept everything quiet without informing...

A man who assaulted two elderly pro-life men outside a Planned Parenthood in Baltimore in 2023 was sentenced Aug. 7 to one year of home detention and three years of probation. Prosecutors had asked for a sentence of 10 years in prison. In a news release, Tom Brejcha, president and chief counsel of legal nonprofit Thomas More Society, called 28-year-old Patrick Brice’s sentence a “get out of jail free” card and “a slap on the wrist.” “This was not a minor altercation between two parties with differing views on abortion. It was a vicious, targeted assault on two senior citizens...

How asinine. Despite Republicans constituting 38% of the vote in California, Gov. @GavinNewsom recently redistricted to give Democrats 82% of the congressional seats (providing Republicans only 9 out of 52 seats) - a 20% advantage. Now, even though California’s constitution prohibits mid-decade redistricting and is done by an “independent” commission, he wants to gerrymander further. That’s what should be “shocking.” According to the Texas Democrats that fled our state (without calling out what California and other blue states have done), if Republicans do redistricting, it’s a threat to democracy. Yet, if Democrats do redistricting, it’s democracy itself. How disingenuous and...

Daily Readings from the USCCBFrom whom do the kings of the earth take tolls or census tax? From their subjects or from foreigners?” When he said, “From foreigners,” Jesus said to him, “Then the subjects are exempt. But that we may not offend them, go to the sea, drop in a hook, and take the first fish that comes up. Open its mouth and you will find a coin worth twice the temple tax. Give that to them for me and for you.” Matthew 17:25–27Prior to this minor miracle, Jesus had just told His disciples for the second time about...

A Chinese warship ploughed into its own coast guard vessel on Monday while the latter was chasing a Philippine vessel in the South China Sea, Manila said. Philippine coast guard officials were distributing aid to fishermen in the disputed Scarborough Shoal, Commodore Jay Tarriela said, when the Chinese coast guard "performed a risky manoeuvre" which inflicted "substantial damage" on the Chinese warship's forward deck. China confirmed that a confrontation took place and accused the Philippines of "forcibly intruding" into Chinese waters, but did not mention the collision. The South China Sea is at the centre of a territorial dispute between...

All six Cincinnati mob attack suspects were indicted Friday and hit with additional charges, WLWT-TV reported. The station said all six suspects were indicted on eight charges each: three counts of felonious assault, three counts of assault, and two counts of aggravated riot. WLWT said each suspect faces up to 29.5 years in prison if convicted on all eight charges. "What I saw on video is not the Cincinnati I know and love," Hamilton County Prosecutor Connie Pillich said when announcing the indictments, the station reported. "These charges hold those involved in the attack accountable." WLWT said the following five...

Guys, I've got great news ... football is (sort of) back. And with the return of NFL ball we've already got the kick of the year. And all time, for that matter. Yes, that was a SEVENTY yard field goal. He kicked it from his own 40 yard line through the uprights. However... Yes, preseason football is not real football. So the miraculous kick doesn't count, unfortunately. Little is in his second year in the league after being drafted out of Arkansas in the 6th round (insanely high for a kicker) and being the youngest kicker ever selected in the...

Parents in the United States have quite a lot of freedom when it comes to naming their children. However, some names are banned across the country and cannot be used officially. Naming prohibitions aim to stop people from choosing offensive or confusing names. Trademarks are also usually not permitted. Here are some examples of illegal names in the United States: [snip] If you’re considering an alternative name for your baby, it’s best to check a comprehensive list of illegal baby names in the United States. Other restrictions, like banned characters, or length limits, are imposed at a state level.

President Trump is holding a press conference this morning, where he is expected to make a major announcement on his plans to end violent crime and homelessness in Washington, DC. As The Gateway Pundit reported, President Trump announced over the weekend that he will hold a press conference this morning, and it will “essentially, stop violent crime in Washington, D.C.” ”It has become one of the most dangerous cities anywhere in the World. It will soon be one of the safest!!!” the President said. .... Snip.... The President is expected to begin his press conference in the White House briefing...