Free Republic

The military wing of Hamas says it has lost contact with two Israeli hostages held in Gaza City, issuing a call for Israel to pull troops back and suspend air strikes for 24 hours so fighters can retrieve the captives. ...

Russia's Belgorod region is working to restore power and hot water after Ukrainian missile strikes caused significant outages and injured at least three civilians, the area's governor said on Monday. Vyacheslav Gladkov said Ukraine had targeted the region's infrastructure, forcing certain facilities to switch to backup power generators and had twice struck the regional capital - Belgorod - with six warheads in total. Unverified social media footage showed what looked like a powerful missile attack on a power station in Belgorod with a series of loud explosions followed by smoke rising into the sky. Reuters could not verify the footage...

“‘For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life. For God did not send the Son into the world to judge the world, but that the world might be saved through Him’” (John 3:16–17). God’s gracious gift of salvation is freely available to whoever believes in Christ. The free offer of the gospel is broad enough to encompass the vilest sinner (1 Tim. 1:15), yet narrow enough to exclude all who reject Christ (John 3:18). But to those who come to Him on His...

Spanish-language pop star and Trump critic Bad Bunny celebrated his selection as the Super Bowl halftime act by calling it a victory for 'my people, my culture, and our history' amid massive blowback from MAGA world. The NFL surprised many by announcing Sunday night that the Puerto Rican musician was chosen to headline the highly-anticipated Super Bowl halftime show in California next February. Bad Bunny — who sings all his songs in Spanish — has been critical of President Trump's immigration policies and recently admitted he refused to tour in the US over concerns that his fans would be targeted...

A Taliban commander’s nephew granted refugee status in Britain can ​be joined by seven family members currently living in Turkey, an immigration judge has ruled. None of them speak English, and a tribunal accepted they would place 'a significant burden upon the public purse' if they were allowed to move to the UK. But the relatives - the man's parents, three sisters, a niece and nephew - have 'no options' and are unable to return to Afghanistan, a judgement said.

CPH MZLF LF CPM MZB BCR. LM LF CPM BSBC MZB DBALCCLCA PG MZB BCR. DJM LM LF, QBWZVQF, MZB BCR PG MZB DBALCCLCA. — HLCFMPC EZJWEZLNN

Wuthering Heights director Emerald Fennell has claimed that the literary classic is 'full of S&M' after her new film's raunchy first trailer was branded 'erotic softcore porn'. Starring Margot Robbie and Jacob Elordi, this racy new version of Emily Bronte's iconic novel is set to hit cinemas next Valentine's Day. Those expecting a faithful adaptation of the beloved work may be in for a rude awakening as Emerald's upcoming film is said to lean into the 'stylised depravity' she has become known for after directing the 2023 hit Saltburn.

A Florida man has been arrested in connection with a fire last week in a classroom at a Chabad in Florida, days before Rosh Hashanah. Blake Richard Hoover, 31, of Punta Gorda, was arrested by local police Monday and charged with arson and criminal mischief. Those charges were also enhanced with hate crime charges, according to the Punta Gorda Police Department. According to the criminal complaint, Hoover was identified after his mother, Kelly, saw reports of the blaze at the Chabad of Charlotte County in Punta Gorda, Florida, and thought that her son may be responsible. During the incident Friday...

Click on link

If we see Taylor Swift at Super Bowl LX, it won't be onstage. She'll be in a suite, drink in hand, like she usually is. According to multiple reports, the world’s biggest pop star has walked away from an offer to headline the NFL’s biggest game after negotiations with the league broke down. She had some requests, and the NFL reportedly refused to budge. "She wasn’t asking for favors, she was asking for respect," one anonymous music executive told British pop culture journalist Rob Shuter, who first broke the story on his "Naughty But Nice" Substack. "Taylor knows her worth....

The pro-European Union (EU) party Party of Action and Solidarity (PAS) won a parliamentary majority in the Moldovan parliamentary elections watched closely by the Kremlin, securing more than double the vote of the pro-Russian Patriotic Electoral Bloc (BEP).The elections were marred by allegations of Russian interference. The Eastern European state borders Ukraine, where Russia's full-scale invasion is ongoing. Its breakaway eastern region Transnistria hosts Russian troops. Moldova is shifting Westwards, developing closer ties with NATO—though it remains constitutionally neutral—and seeking membership of the EU.With almost all votes counted, preliminary results show the PAS one 50.15 percent of the vote. The...

The international flotilla aiming to breach Israel’s naval blockade of Gaza resumed its voyage Sunday after undergoing repairs in Greek waters, Reuters reported. Organizers of the Global Sumud Flotilla announced that Greek vessels had joined the mission, bringing the total number of civilian boats to 47. “Brothers and sisters in Gaza, we sail with hope in our hearts. Your resilience is our compass, your struggle is our struggle. Together, we will break the silence of the siege,” the group declared on social media. The flotilla includes activists from dozens of countries, among them approximately 40 Italians and Swedish climate activist...

President Donald Trump is sending troops into Portland, Oregon 'effective immediately' as residents mock his efforts to rid the 'war ravaged' city of 'domestic terrorists' with a federal takeover. On Sunday, Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth issued a memorandum ordering 200 members of the Oregon National Guard into federal service. Hegseth said the troops would perform 'federal functions for 60 days, including protecting federal property ''where protests are occurring or likely to occur''.' The deployment is the latest in the US president's campaign to improve crime rates, targeting Democrat-led cities including Washington DC and Los Angeles. But residents have mocked...

In the wake of James Comey’s indictment, Democrats like Richard Blumenthal and Eric Swalwell are issuing dark warnings with a straight face that “what goes around comes around” and that anyone who cooperates with Donald Trump’s “vengeance prosecutions” will face retribution when Dems are back in charge. But their threats fall on deaf ears because they started it. Democrats long ago weaponized the justice system against their political opponents. Let us count the ways. On Joe Biden’s watch, Trump faced four separate indictments with 88 criminal charges; more than 1,500 Trump supporters were arrested and over-prosecuted in the J6 investigation;...

A Republican lawmaker called for the arrest of California Governor Gavin Newsom over an insult that MAGA supporters have also frequently hurled. Newsom’s press office posted “STEPHEN MILLER IS A FASCIST!” on X on Friday. The post has garnered over 24 million views as of Sunday night. Many Republicans were quick to criticize the post, including Rep. Nancy Mace, who labeled the post as “violent rhetoric.” Wisconsin congressman Derrick Francis Van Orden went a step further, labeling the post as “domestic terrorism.” “At this point, this reaches the threshold of domestic terrorism,“ the 56-year-old wrote. ”This is no longer ‘inflammatory’,...

Here's how we feel about all the world "leaders" who support Hamas by unilaterally recognizing Palestine as a state!

Washington authorizes specific instances where Ukraine can carry out long-range strikes within Russia, U.S. Special Envoy to Ukraine Keith Kellogg said on Sept. 28 in an interview with Fox News. "The answer is yes, use the ability to hit deep, there are no such things as sanctuaries," Kellogg replied when asked if it is U.S. President Donald Trump's position that Ukraine can conduct long-range strikes. -snip- The final decision on whether Ukraine may conduct long-range strikes within Russia falls to Trump on a case-by-case basis, Kellogg noted. As Ukraine develops long-range missiles and drones of its own, Kyiv continues to...

Her son believes it was a “tragic accident.”The sudden death of an internationally known vocalist has sparked sadness and questions about her demise. Güllü died on Friday, according to journalist Hakan Kanburoğlu. CNN Türk corroborates, also citing public comments from her son. The 51-year-old singer, whose real name was Gül Tut, fell from the balcony of her residence, said to be on the 6th story, in Çınarcık, Yalova, Turkey. Paramedics declared her dead at the scene. Police are investigating the manner of death, Cumhuriyet reports. Her current cause of death is presently listed only as “fall from a height.” Authorities...

At around 1:45 a.m., the Grand Prairie Police Department responded to a 911 call. But because of a dispatch error, officers went to the wrong house. The homeowner, Thomas Simpson, woke up to his dogs barking, armed himself, and stepped into his garage—only to be met with officers who, according to him, never announced they were police. Within moments, shots were fired, and Simpson was hit in the leg.

O believers! Do not enter the homes of the Prophet without permission ˹and if invited˺ for a meal, do not ˹come too early and˺ linger until the meal is ready. But if you are invited, then enter ˹on time˺. Once you have eaten, then go on your way, and do not stay for casual talk. Such behaviour is truly annoying to the Prophet, yet he is too shy to ask you to leave. But Allah is never shy of the truth. And when you ˹believers˺ ask his wives for something, ask them from behind a barrier. This is purer for...