Free Republic

Aga Khan Studs' Calandagan, Europe's newly minted Horse of the Year and world's top-rated racehorse, became the first foreign-based runner in 20 years to win the Japan Cup (G1) Sunday at Tokyo Racecourse and did so in record time. Ridden by Mickael Barzalona for trainer Francis-Henri Graffard, the 4-year-old Gleneagles gelding unleashed a stout late rally and outbattled favorite Masquerade Ball by a head. In the process, he set course record of 2:20.3 for the 2,400 meters (about 1 1/2 miles), eclipsing the former record 2:20.6 set by Almond Eye in the 2018 Japan Cup. His victory is the first...

A bill to end federal benefits including Medicaid, housing assistance, student financial aid, and food stamps for noncitizens has been introduced by Sen. Tom Cotton (R-AR) in an effort to “put American citizens first,” Breitbart News has learned. The proposal was released on Wednesday morning, with the third-ranking Senate Republican writing in an authorization to denaturalize naturalized citizens who “undermine domestic tranquility” by participating in unlawful protests involving violence or property destruction, and to “expand expedited removal authority.” Cotton’s bill also addresses concerns regarding Afghan nationals living in the U.S. after it was determined that the suspected shooter who attacked...

A worship center for evangelical churches has commenced construction in Qatar, marking a significant spiritual milestone in the history of evangelicals in the country. The project, costing $33.35 million, is expected to be completed in April 2028. Evangelical Churches Alliance Qatar (ECAQ) made this announcement at the General Assembly of the World Evangelical Alliance (WEA) held at the end of October in Seoul... The ECAQ stated that the worship center is not merely a building but a base for spreading Christ's message in the Middle East. It will serve as a place for spiritual formation, denominational unity, and worship, testifying...

Sen. Mark Warner: "I think, in many ways, the uniformed military may help save us from this President." They're now just openly calling for military coups against President Trump.

High-profile conversions from figures like Shia LeBeouf, Ayaan Hirsi Ali and Russell Brand followed by findings--church attendance picking up has led to stunned reaction from the commentariat press. In Britain, for example, Pentecostalism and Catholicism have been found to have reversed decades of decline and grown remarkably from 2018 to 2025 – drawing intrigue from the likes of the Guardian and Reuters. In France, since 2020, the bishops’ conference (typically assiduous in collecting and releasing data) have confirmed consistently remarkable and accelerating year-on-year increases in the number of adult converts they are drawing in and baptising – many from irreligion...

The special election in Tennessee’s 7th Congressional District, decided last night, offered a telling look at where voters stand, what they fear, and what they expect from those who claim to fight for them. Matt Van Epps’s victory was proof that, even in a season of economic worry, GOP strength still holds when the candidate matches the moment. And when national leadership delivers enough progress for voters to feel momentum. Van Epps began this race under a cloud of doubt. His service record was unimpeachable, with nine combat tours in Iraq and Afghanistan and a reputation for disciplined leadership. However,...

A military plane believed to be an F-16C Fighting Falcon from the U.S. Air Force crashed near Trona Airport in San Bernardino County Wednesday morning. A massive plume of black smoke can be seen in a video posted to X by DisasterAlert, followed by at least one person careening toward the ground with a parachute. The plane was part of the U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds, the military’s official aerial demonstration team, the social media post said. A witness called the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Office at 10:28 a.m. reporting that at least one pilot had ejected and was being transported...

Meanwhile, I’m still banned from entering Britain solely because I dare to criticize Islam. Britain has chosen its fate, and that fate will surely come: conquest, Islamization, and the subjugation of the native community. “Migrant responsible for killing 269 people in deadly bombings wins appeal after being refused asylum,” by Richard Jeffries, GB News, December 1, 2025: A Sri Lankan national who faced arrest in connection with the devastating 2019 Easter bombings has succeeded in his appeal against the Home Office’s rejection of his asylum claim. The man, identified solely as ‘YA’, secured victory at the immigration Upper Tribunal in...

Explanation: Put on your red/blue glasses and float next to asteroid 101955 Bennu. Shaped like a spinning toy top with boulders littering its rough surface, the tiny Solar System world is about one Empire State Building (less than 500 meters) across. Frames used to construct this 3D anaglyph were taken by PolyCam on the OSIRIS_REx spacecraft on December 3, 2018 from a distance of about 80 kilometers. With a sample from the asteroid's rocky surface on board, OSIRIS_REx departed Bennu's vicinity in May of 2021. The robotic spacecraft successfully returned the sample to its home world in September of 2023.

The story of the Egyptian Copts is a haunting chronicle of endurance in the face of historical upheaval, systemic marginalization, and cultural erasure. Once the majority population under Byzantine rule, the Copts now constitute a vulnerable Christian minority in a predominantly Muslim Egypt. Their long and painful journey—from spiritual pre-eminence in ancient Alexandria to their present status as a marginalized community—reveals both the tragic consequences of Islamic conquest and remarkable resilience of Christian communities under duress. In antiquity, Alexandria stood out as an academic powerhouse of early Christianity—arguably one of the most influential intellectual capitals of the Christian world. Founded...

EAGAN, MN — In a move intended to better reflect the state's modern demographics and generate more interest in the team from the populace, the Minnesota Vikings announced that they were changing their name to the Minnesota Somali Pirates. Though the franchise had built a proud tradition since joining the NFL in 1961, team ownership reportedly decided that updating the team's name, logo, and mascot could lead to an increase in fan interest among Minnesota's growing Somali migrant population. "This could be a huge boost in interest and revenue," said Steve Poppen, the team's Executive Vice President and Chief Business...

gThe small town of Colmenar, in the Axarquia region, just 35 minutes from Rincon de la Victoria, probably holds the crown for the most enchanting Christmas towns in Spain. Every December, the Circo Escuela Fantasia of Colmenar trades its year-round circus workshops for a full-fledged “Santa Claus Factory” – a sprawling outdoor Christmas village where children are officially recruited as Santa’s elf assistants for the day. Opened on November 15 and running every weekend and public holiday until December 23, the village turns the school’s grounds into a winter wonderland of wooden cabins, fairy-tale decorations, twinkling lights, and the unmistakable...

University of Delaware student arrested with car full of guns, plans to carry out mass shooting — and chilling note about ‘martyrdom’ A University of Delaware student was arrested with a car full of guns, body armor, and a manifesto that declared he wanted to “kill all” in a mass shooting on the Wilmington campus to achieve “martyrdom.” Luqmaan Khan, 25, was arrested on Nov. 24 after cops found the high-powered cache in his car where he was parked in a public park after class hours.

BREAKING: TWICE convicted r*pist Abdimahat Bille Mohamed, who served NO JAIL TIME for either r*pe including on a minor victim, was just arrested for kidnapping a woman, holding her hostage for days, and r*ping her. Wtf is going on in Minnesota?! WE DON’T HAVE TO LIVE LIKE THIS

n September the U.S. Justice Department Civil Rights Division filed federal lawsuits against six states for failure to produce their statewide voter registration lists upon request: — California, Michigan, Minnesota, New York, New Hampshire, and Pennsylvania. As the Globe said at the time, “That the DOJ is hauling California, Michigan, Minnesota, New York, New Hampshire, and Pennsylvania into court for hiding their voter rolls is monumental, and specifically the accountability Americans have been clamoring for.” Today, the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division did it again, but filed federal lawsuits against six additional states — Delaware, Maryland, New Mexico, Rhode Island,...

WASHINGTON (AP) — President Donald Trump is expected to announce a proposal Wednesday to weaken vehicle mileage rules for the auto industry, loosening regulatory pressure on automakers to control pollution from gasoline-powered cars and trucks, according to several people familiar with the White House plans. The move would be the latest action by the Trump administration to reverse Biden-era policies that encouraged cleaner-running cars and trucks, including electric vehicles. Burning gasoline for vehicles is a major contributor to planet-warming greenhouse gas emissions. The Republican administration says the new rules would increase Americans’ access to the full range of gasoline vehicles...

US (Catholic) parish places 'ICE was here' sign in cribSt Susanna Parish in Denham, Massachusetts, USA is an active Pax Christi parish. For this year's outdoor Nativity scene, the figurines of the Holy Family are not displayed - instead, the parish placed a sign: "ICE was here."When contacted by a Boston Globe reporter who asked if the photo was authentic and if ICE actually had visited the church, St Susanna's pastor Fr Steve Josomo confirmed the veracity of the image and wrote the following response:"Each year our Peace and Justice group (Pax Christi) tries to hold a mirror up to...

With accusations flying of war crimes on the high seas, you may find yourself asking: what really constitutes a war crime? Let us help unpack this complex issue and break down what does and doesn't make someone a war criminal: A soldier using more than one bullet: WAR CRIME. Shooting a gun a second time is why the Geneva Convention had to happen 'Wonderful Christmastime' by Paul McCartney: WAR CRIME. Straight to gulag. Bioengineering a virus in a Chinese lab that kills millions and shuts down the entire world: Nah, it's cool. Microwaving fish in the office break room: WAR...

“Nostra Aetate, 60 Years On: Perspectives on Catholic–Muslim Dialogue”Meeting of the Section for Interreligious Dialogue of the CCEE Commission for Evangelisation and CultureOver thirty participants, representatives of European Bishops Conferences, theologians and witnesses, from 20 European countries gathered in Augsburg, the historic city of peace, for a meeting of the CCEE Section for Interreligious Dialogue from 26 to 28 November. The theme of the meeting was: “Nostra Aetate, 60 Years On: Perspectives on Catholic-Muslim Dialogue”. In welcoming those gathered, H.E. Msgr. Bertram MEIER, Bishop of Augsburg quoted Nostra Aetate, n. 5: “We cannot truly call on God, the Father of...

A contentious budget resolution the Austin City Council passed last month has changed how city veterinarians spay pregnant cats and dogs, allowing the city to perform abortions without a waiting period. The resolution from Council Member Krista Laine replaced a 2019 rule that required the Austin Animal Center to hold visibly pregnant animals for two business days before conducting surgery to ensure rescue groups had time to pick them up. That hold-and-notify requirement no longer applies after the passage of Laine’s resolution on Aug. 13, meaning the decision of when to operate is left up to animal center veterinarians. “We...