Free Republic

CHISINAU, Moldova (AP) — Moldova’s electoral commission on Friday barred two pro-Russian parties from participating in this weekend’s tense parliamentary election, which is beleaguered by widespread claims of Russian interference. The outcome of Sunday’s high-stakes vote could determine whether Moldova, a Soviet republic until 1991 and a candidate for European Union membership since 2022, can continue on a path toward the EU or will be brought back under Russia’s orbit. The parties barred Friday, the Heart of Moldova and Moldova Mare, face allegations of illegal financing and voter bribery. The Heart of Moldova was one of four parties in the...

Palestinians pursuing an apology from the UK over colonial-era war crimes allegations have urged the government to respond in light of its recognition this week of a state of Palestine. The group submitted a 400-page legal petition to the Foreign Office earlier this month seeking an official apology and reparations from the UK. They represent 13 families who say they were subjected to violence, exile or repression during the period known as the British Mandate in historical Palestine from 1917 until 1948. Victor Kattan, who speaks for the petitioners, said the government had a responsibility to acknowledge what took place...

Slovakia passed an amendment to its constitution that recognizes only two genders, along with other measures, through its parliament on Friday.Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico at the Gaylord National Resort & Convention Center in Oxon Hill, Md., on Feb. 21, 2025. Jose Luis Magana/AP PhotoThe amendment, drafted by Prime Minister Robert Fico’s government, required a three-fifths majority to pass, and moved through the National Council with 90 of the 150 members backing it.It states that Slovakia only recognizes two genders, male and female, and that Bratislava retains its sovereignty in matters of “national identity,” especially in “fundamental cultural-ethical questions.”It also...

In light of the rapid advancements that AI tools have made since the release of ChatGPT in late 2022, people have been pondering the potential of artificial intelligence to replace certain occupations, trying to figure out if and how the nascent technology will change the way people work.And while the focus of discussions like this is often on the risk of certain jobs being replaced by emerging technologies, these shifts, as well as societal changes, usually offer new employment opportunities as well.Think of the rise of e-commerce for example: while it has led to a decline in retail jobs and...

The Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) has issued an emergency directive asking federal agencies to take immediate action to identify and mitigate system vulnerabilities to protect their devices from a major hacking campaign, the agency said in a Sept. 25 statement.“This widespread campaign poses a significant risk to victims’ networks by exploiting zero-day vulnerabilities that persist through reboots and system upgrades,” CISA said.Zero-day vulnerabilities refer to unknown or unaddressed security flaws in computer hardware, firmware, or software. Such vulnerabilities are called “zero-day” since the software or device with such flaws has zero days to fix the issue, thus enabling...

A controversial bill awaiting California Democratic Gov. Gavin Newsom’s signature would slap steep new penalties on social media platforms that fail to censor content deemed in violation of the state’s civil rights laws. SB 771, which passed both chambers of the state legislature and was sent to Newsom’s desk on Monday, imposes fines of up to $1,000,000 on social media platforms that fail to remove content that violates the state’s civil rights laws. Critics warn the measure will lead to sweeping censorship of lawful speech. Lawmakers defended SB 771 by citing “rising incidents of hate-motivated harm,” including “hate crimes involving...

The Trump Department of War is drawing up plans for kinetic operations against drug traffickers inside Venezuela, according to a thinly sourced NBC News story. Those strikes could begin in a "matter of weeks." The strikes would be primarily carried out by drones and would target drug cartel members and leadership, as well as drug labs.Putting aside the brittleness of the story, there are some considerations that move it from the "totally freakin unlikely" category to "slightly plausible." First, a disclaimer. The U.S. military has plans for just about any contingency. This dates back to at least the 1930s, when...

Postal workers in Canada have gone on strike after the government warned of an “existential crisis” and ordered sweeping changes to the national service – including an end to door-to-door delivery within the decade. The union representing Canada Post employees described the proposed changes as “an attack” on its workers who have struggled to compete with a surge in private courier services. The strike, announced by the union late on Thursday, marks the second time in the last 12 months that the country’s postal services have ground to a halt. Mail and parcels will not be processed or delivered for...

..."Disobey Trump's order"...Colombian President Gustavo Petro...visa revoked by the United States... The FBI has fired as many as 20 agents... Explosions ringing out late tonight in the central Ukrainian... Controversy over the release of the military records of Democrat candidate... Sources tell NBC News that US military officials...possible attacks on sites in Venezuela... A retired investment banker...arrested on federal sex trafficking charges... The US and allied nations vetoing a UN Security Council resolution... The medical charity 'Doctors Without Borders' (MSF) suspending...work in Gaza... Democrats on the US House Oversight Committee releasing Jeffrey Epstein documents... Trump tonight speaking of four days...

Iran has signed a $25 billion agreement with Russia’s state nuclear corporation Rosatom to build four nuclear power plants in Iran, IRNA news agency said on Friday. Rosatom previously said it had signed a memorandum of understanding on Wednesday on the construction of small nuclear power plants in Iran but gave no number.

Democratic New Jersey gubernatorial hopeful Mikie Sherrill’s husband was also caught up in the Naval Academy cheating scandal that has rocked her campaign, court documents exclusively obtained by The Post show. Jason Hedberg was one of about four dozen midshipmen who sued top officials at the Naval Academy, Navy and Pentagon in 1994 in a desperate bid to block an Honor Board at Annapolis from deciding whether they should be dismissed from the school. “In compliance with the orders of their superior military officers, each named plaintiff was compelled to make inculpatory statements to Navy Inspector General investigators,” read the...

Jinseioshi, a 5-foot-long, 32-pound pet alligator living in Washington County, gets to go to a lot of different places. According to her owner, Wesley Silva, 60, she’s been to Denny’s and a Bob Evans restaurant. And until recently, she made regular appearances at a West Brownville Walmart. Sadly, Jinseioshi won’t be allowed in Walmart any longer, as she’s been banned from the store. The ban came after some customers spotted the alligator in the store being pushed around in a shopping cart while she was wearing a dress. “We have been going to that Walmart for about 3½ years, and...

Join with fellow FREEPERS to pray for AMERICA: For those in Authority in Government, Family, Military, Business, Agri-Business; End to Sex Slavery; Healthcare, Education, Churches, and the Media. Forum threads labeled [Prayer] are closed to debate of any kind.

A multi-agency immigration enforcement operation in Central Florida resulted in the detention of 354 illegal aliens, state officials announced Friday during a press conference in Brevard County. The operation, dubbed “Operation One Way Ticket,” involved the Florida Highway Patrol, the Brevard County Sheriff’s Office, U.S. Border Patrol, and Immigration and Customs Enforcement, as well as other partners. “We are a nation of law and order,” Brevard County Sheriff Wayne Ivey said. “If you come into our country without permission, if you come into our country illegally, you broke the law.” Officials said the targeted enforcement focused on individuals subject to...

The United States is planning military strikes in Venezuela against drug cartels in the coming weeks. Donald Trump is yet to approve the actions which are in response to President Nicolas Maduro, whom the U.S. sees as illegitimate, not doing enough to stop illegal drugs from getting out of Venezuela. It would largely consist of drone strikes against leaders and members of gangs, as well as drug labs, NBC News reports. They follow a recent lethal strike on a vessel allegedly affiliated with a terrorist organization 'trafficking illicit narcotics'. The attack killed 'three male narcoterrorists' took place in the US...

America seems more scary and violent than ever these days. The news is filled with weirdness. Ice Cube is on tour and rolled into Portland, Oregon, and parked at the corner of SW Oak and Broadway was Cube performed Monday night (September 22) at the Moda Center. It appears that someone firebombed the bus. There was extensive damage, but no one was injured. Did someone get confused about the “ice” in “Ice Cube?” Was the bus confused with an ICE detention bus? Who knows?

U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy urged European nations not to unilaterally restrict transatlantic travel, warning the United States is willing to take action to enforce agreements. "We're seeing more airports get in the game of trying to restrict air traffic, which is contrary to the agreements that we have with them," Duffy told Reuters from Montreal where he is attending an international aviation meeting, citing concerns about Amsterdam, Lisbon and Dublin.

Joby Aviation, a company developing air taxis for commercial passenger service, announced it will be at the California International Airshow in Salinas in October. On Oct. 4 and 5, attendees will be able to step inside the Joby aircraft, see the cabin, and meet the design team behind its design. “Bringing our aircraft to Salinas feels like a homecoming. We’re honored to share a front-row seat to the future of flight with our neighbors, just miles from where Joby was founded," said JoeBen Bevirt, founder and CEO of Joby. Last month, the company completed its first flight between the airports...

The vast majority of Japan’s centenarians are women. Japan has hit a record high in the number of people aged 100 or older, according to new data. It’s the 55th year in a row that Japan, renowned for its longevity, has reached this milestone. As of 1 September, the country had 99,763 centenarians, up 4,644 from the previous year, Japanese media reported. The vast majority – about 88 per cent – of them are women. Japan’s oldest woman is 114-year-old Kagawa Shigeko, and its oldest man is 111-year-old Mizuno Kiyotaka, national media said. The government began recording the number of...

In a surprise move aimed at easing everyday expenses and promoting well-being, Andalusia’s regional government has introduced two attractive and innovative tax deductions for anyone who has a pet or goes to a gym as part of its seventh package of fiscal reductions. Announced recently by regional President Juanma Moreno and Economy Minister Carolina España, the tax discounts offer deductions for veterinary costs, and gym membership fees, which will potentially benefit over a million residents and cost the regional budget around €48 million annually. The initiatives, which will take effect from January 1, 2026, and be applicable in the 2026...