Free Republic

The chancellor seems to have collided with reality during the summer break. Friedrich Merz sees the German social system in deep crisis. Meanwhile, his political allies in Brussels are calling for an increase in the very dose of poison that is making Europe sick. Let’s be blunt: Large parts of the political elite have a fractured relationship with reality. This applies equally to the economic decay of Germany and the EU, as well as to the public communication of strategic political goals, which are systematically obscured. Open criticism of the course could cause the political fairy tale to collapse faster...

President Donald Trump's administration is considering imposing sanctions on European Union or member state officials responsible for implementing the bloc's landmark Digital Services Act, two sources familiar with the matter said, over U.S. complaints that the law censors Americans and imposes costs on U.S. tech companies. Such a move would be an unprecedented action that would escalate the Trump administration's fight against what it sees as Europe's attempt to suppress conservative voices. Senior State Department officials have yet to make a final decision on whether to go ahead with the punitive measures that would likely come in the form of...

A groundbreaking study reveals racial bias in jury convictions, “When we break down this study we find that - Black juries have a 12% conviction rate against black defendants, vs a 59% against whites. So that indicates that there is a 47% interracial bias when you have black jurors - White juries have a 33% conviction rate against white defendants, vs a 26% against blacks, which actually demonstrates a negative 7% interracial bias Meaning whites are more likely to convict their co-racial group than they are to convict somebody across racial lines Whereas black juries have a 12% conviction rate...

A Texas-based wealth management firm has apologised for a clerical error that gave the appearance it took a massive short position on shares in Donald Trump’s social media company just before Saturday’s assassination attempt. The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) filing by Austin Private Wealth dated July 12 showed the firm had shorted 12 million shares in Trump Media & Technology Group Corp (DJT) via a put option, sparking frenzied conspiracy theories after the unusual trade was highlighted by a number of social media users.

TLDR: The American Bar Association has spent decades pushing sweeping gun control—from penalties on victims who don’t report stolen guns, to redefining the Second Amendment as “militia-only,” to backing bans, mandates, and red flag laws—despite no evidence these measures reduce crime.Punishing victims: ABA wants criminal/civil penalties if gun owners don’t “promptly” report lost or stolen guns, despite no evidence that it reduces crime.Rewriting the Second Amendment: In 1994, ABA pushed the “militia only” interpretation to justify more restrictions on private ownership.Decades of bans and mandates: From “assault weapons” to .50 cal rifles, red flags, permits, microstamping, and doctor questioning—ABA has...

Burning Man’s infamous Orgy Dome — one of the festival’s most notorious attractions — was blown away and wrecked over the weekend after a massive windstorm swept through the Nevada campsite. The sex haven — a sprawling, air-conditioned private tent outfitted with beds and mood lighting where consensual Burners can freely get it on — was left ravaged by the high winds during the fierce storm in Black Rock City on Saturday, organizers shared on social media Monday.

We are living in what can be called the Third Arc of American history, a period as consequential as the American Revolution and the U.S. Civil War. The threats we face today are not only abroad but also here at home: infiltration, radical ideologies, and forces working to dismantle the very foundation of our Constitutional Republic. The most significant battle is not fought overseas with weapons, but here with courage, conviction, and truth. This is not just President Trump's fight, nor the fight of those who have worn the uniform. It is the responsibility of every American. Each of us...

27 August 2025 Saint Monica on Wednesday of week 21 in Ordinary Time St. Monica Church, New York CityReadings at MassLiturgical Colour: White. Year: C(I).Readings for the feriaReadings for the memorialThese are the readings for the feriaFirst reading1 Thessalonians 2:9-13We slaved night and day so as not to be a burden on any one of youLet me remind you, brothers, how hard we used to work, slaving night and day so as not to be a burden on any one of you while we were proclaiming God’s Good News to you. You are witnesses, and so is God, that...

Cracker Barrel said Tuesday that after listening to its customers, it will scrap its new logo and keep the "Old Timer" in place. "We thank your guests for sharing your voices and love for Cracker Barrel," the restaurant chain said in a statement to FOX Business. "We said we would listen, and we have. Our new logo is going away and our ‘Old Timer’ will remain. At Cracker Barrel, it’s always been – and always will be – about serving up delicious food, warm welcomes, and the kind of country hospitality that feels like family." "As a proud American institution,...

Donald Trump has imposed a hefty 50% tariff on Indian goods, a move prompted by India's continued purchase of Russian oil. This action endangers over half of India's exports to its biggest market. According to New Delhi, the tariffs that come into effect today (Wednesday, August 27) will impact £35.8billion ($48.2bn) worth of exports. Initially, the US President announced a 25% tariff on Indian goods. However, earlier this month, he signed an executive order for an additional 25% tariff in response to India's purchases of Russian oil. This brings the total tariffs levied by the United States on its ally...

Jesus told us to “store up for yourselves treasures in heaven” (Matthew 6:20). He linked this command to the desire of our hearts: “Where your treasure is, there your heart will be also” (Matthew 6:21; see also verses 10–20). ...

Denmark’s foreign minister had the top U.S. diplomat in the country summoned for talks after the main national broadcaster reported Wednesday that at least three people with connections to President Donald Trump have been carrying out covert influence operations in Greenland. Trump has repeatedly said he seeks U.S. jurisdiction over Greenland, a vast, semi-autonomous territory of Denmark. He has not ruled out military force to take control of the mineral-rich, strategically located Arctic island. Denmark, a NATO ally of the U.S., and Greenland have said the island is not for sale and condemned reports of the U.S. gathering intelligence there.

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In a video posted by the Department of Homeland Security on Monday, Kilmar Abrego Garcia can be heard saying the words "gobierno corrupto," which is Spanish for "corrupt government." In the footage, the Salvadoran man is seen bound by restraints while being escorted by an individual wearing a vest that reads, "POLICE ICE." The DHS post on X containing the video declares, "He doesn’t belong here. He won’t be staying here. America is a safer nation without this MS-13 Gangbanger in it. Good riddance." The footage appears to be from when ICE arrested Abrego Garcia on Monday. "On Monday, U.S....

Monkeys in trunks. Uncle Benny in tanks. Pinky slinging pure fire ink. Welcome to PV Tattoo Supply Co. — where chaos meets craft and every story leaves a mark.

Nigel Farage has said he would take the UK out of the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR) if Reform win the next election. The party's leader also reaffirmed his pledge to repeal the Human Rights Act and disapply three other international treaties acting as "roadblocks" to deporting anyone entering the UK illegally. In a speech about tackling illegal migration, he said a Reform government would detain and deport any migrants arriving illegally, including women and children, and they would "never, ever be allowed to stay". What is the ECHR?On 4 November 1950, the 12 member states of the newly...

It’s the end of the Southampton girls weekend. Tony Southampton has banned short-term home rentals after crabby locals complained that weekend warriors’ all-night “ragers” were keeping them up too late and making the ritzy beachside village unbearable. The measure — passed 4-1 by the village board of trustees on Aug. 19 — sets a new two-week minimum for home rentals across the ritzy beachside locale, effectively banning weekend trips for anyone who can’t shell out for a hotel or fork over thousands of dollars typically required to hold a house for 14 days. That means Hamptons trips — which already...

A new poll on Tuesday shows Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton with a slight lead over Texas Senator John Cornyn, who currently holds the seat, in the primary race for Senate. "The recent poll indicating Paxton leading Cornyn by five points in the Texas GOP Senate primary reflects Paxton's strong appeal among Trump loyalists, bolstered by his 2023 impeachment acquittal and alignment with MAGA priorities," political analyst Craig Agranoff told Newsweek via text message on Tuesday, in part.

A Chinese doctor was busted at a Texas airport for allegedly attempting to smuggle US-funded cancer research back to his home country – and could face federal charges for the brazen theft. Yunhai Li, 35, was nabbed at George Bush Intercontinental Airport in Houston on July 9 after border patrol discovered the sensitive confidential medical records on his laptop during an inspection ahead of his flight to China, the Harris County District Attorney’s Office announced Monday. The Chinese national, who was employed as a researcher at MD Anderson Cancer Center since 2022, was reportedly working on a vaccine to prevent...

Passengers aboard an American Airlines flight were left scrambling to get off the plane as a man and a woman began brawling after it touched down. Footage of the violent incident showed the unidentified pair standing in the aisle of the aircraft after it landed in Miami on Monday. The woman appeared to make a comment to the man, who retaliated by grabbing her by the neck and pushing her back into a row of seats.