Free Republic

The White House announced on Jan. 16 the names of members appointed to the Gaza Board of Peace, which President Donald Trump created as part of phase two of a U.S.-backed plan to end the war in Gaza. Among the “founding executive board” members are U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, presidential special envoy Steve Witkoff, Trump’s son-in-law Jared Kushner, and former British Prime Minister Tony Blair. The board also includes private equity executive Marc Rowan, World Bank President Ajay Banga, and U.S. national security adviser Robert Gabriel, according to a White House statement. The board, to be chaired by...

President Trump is, Joe Manchin believes, the “most charming person in the world”. “I wish that people could see that part of him,” the former Democratic senator told The Times. “And I wish he could show more of that compassion. He’s a tremendous host and he talks to you and he listens to you and he engages with you. “He might do whatever he wants, but he still engages. We had a good rapport.” Manchin’s praise for Trump is in many ways remarkable, coming from a man who was once one of Joe Biden’s most important allies — if also,...

Democratic Minnesota state Rep. Brad Tabke posted over 20 updates to his X account Thursday documenting ICE agent sightings across Shakopee, Prior Lake, and Savage — suburbs about 25 miles southwest of Minneapolis. Throughout the day, Tabke shared the real-time locations of ICE agents and vehicles, including sightings near gas stations, a Panera, and shopping centers in the Southbridge area. Tabke also described how to identify unmarked ICE vehicles. “Every other car on Marschall and 101 today is ICE if you know what to look for: Missing front or front & back plate … Out of state plates … Tinted...

MINNEAPOLIS, MN — Following recent developments stemming from political protests and clashes with the federal government across the state, Minnesota announced that it had changed the official state bird to a screaming lesbian. After the recent spate of screaming lesbians, state officials agreed that a change was needed to modernize the official state bird and make it more fitting and identifiable as embodying what everyone thinks of when they think of Minnesota. "It's much more of a natural fit," Governor Tim Walz said in a statement to reporters. "Yes, we've had the loon as our state bird for many years,...

17 January 2026Saint Antony, Abbot on Saturday of week 1 in Ordinary Time St. Anthony the Abbot Catholic Church, Brooksville FL Readings at MassLiturgical Colour: White. Year: A(II).Readings for the feriaReadings for the memorialThese are the readings for the feriaFirst reading1 Samuel 9:1-4,17-19,10:1The Lord chooses Saul as king; Samuel anoints himAmong the men of Benjamin there was a man named Kish son of Abiel, son of Zeror, son of Becorath, son of Aphiah; a Benjaminite and a man of rank. He had a son named Saul, a handsome man in the prime of life. Of all the Israelites there...

Donald Trump has announced that he will impose increasing tariffs on eight European countries unless they agree to let the US take over Greenland. Britain, France, Germany, Denmark, Norway, Sweden, Finland and the Netherlands will be hit by a 10 percent levy on 'any and all goods' entering the US from February 1, the president announced on Truth Social on Saturday. Trump said that if no deal was reached by June 1, the tariff will increase to 25 percent. The president, who referred to himself as 'the tariff king,' called on Denmark to relinquish the mineral-rich territory by claiming world...

A total of 18 House races have shifted toward the Democrats ahead of the crucial 2026 midterms, according to The Cook Political Report. Newsweek contacted the White House and the Democratic National Committee for comment via email. Why It Matters The Cook Political Report’s recent shift in ratings for 18 U.S. House races towards Democrats indicates momentum ahead of the 2026 midterm elections. These changes could influence party control of the House, with Democrats needing just three more seats to secure a majority, according to the new analysis.

The next generation of Fords could be powered in part by high-voltage batteries made by BYD, with the US and Chinese car giants reportedly in talks for a supply deal. According to the Wall Street Journal, insiders claim Ford is discussing with BYD the prospect of buying batteries for its hybrid models, though a formal deal is yet to be reached. The report alleges the batteries would be used on Ford products not made in the US – likely due to high tariffs on Chinese products – and instead power hybrids made in other Ford factories around the world. It...

When we were kids, birthdays always felt like a big deal. We thought about it for months, right? There would be a special meal, a delicious cake, and maybe even a party with a few friends and balloons. Of course, we also had that very special birthday wish, and when our loved ones made that come true, we felt like the most special person on earth. As the years go by and life changes, birthdays become less about material things and more about gratitude for living another year. Then it seems that if we live for a very long...

Fading tyranny's losing game plan is no match for the anger of the recently released oppressed. The Iranian people have embraced the concept we only stick on our car bumpers. They are facing death daily to live free. The Iranian People have already won.

TALLAHASSEE, FLA. (WSVN) - A Florida woman who lives with a disability said a new law that allows pregnant women to apply for temporary disabled parking permits threatens her ability to live independently, according to a lawsuit. “I just feel very strongly that pregnancy is not a disability, I just want to be able to park up front,” said State Rep. Fiona McFarland in 2025. That moment from a State House committee meeting in March helped lay the foundation for a new law that allows expecting mothers to apply for temporary disabled parking permits for a $15 fee. The permits...

President Donald Trump has announced the United States would impose 10% tariffs on multiple European countries unless Denmark agrees to the "complete and total purchase of Greenland," warning that global security and U.S. national defense were at stake.

President Donald Trump’s second term has been a debacle, according to a damning new CNN poll released Friday. A majority of Americans polled in the survey -- 58% -- characterized Trump’s first year of his second term as a “failure,” according to the poll. Just 42% of respondents said Trump’s second term has been a success. There were virtually no silver linings for the president in the survey. A plurality of respondents said Trump “made things worse” on several issues he outlined in his inauguration speech, while a lion’s share of those polled said the president has “gone too far”...

WASHINGTON, D.C — According to sources, President Donald Trump met with a prominent Muslim leader in the Oval Office on Friday to discuss the ongoing protests and unrest in Iran. Tucker Carlson, one of the world's most well-known and outspoken proponents of Islam, arrived at the White House for an important meeting with President Trump, as rumors persisted that the U.S. was on the verge of launching strikes against the Ayatollah's Iranian regime. "It's important for the president to consider several different perspectives, including from Muslims, before condoning a course of action that could lead our country to war," said...

Tucker Carlson met with Donald Trump at the White House - and his appearance in the Oval Office has sparked another chapter in the growing MAGA civil war. The former Fox News anchor was seen beaming in images shared by his Tucker Carlson Network to social media on Friday, including engaging in a friendly conversation with Secretary of State Marco Rubio. White House Chief of Staff Susie Wiles was also seen at the meeting. The Anti-Defamation League, a nonprofit organization with a mission to combat antisemitism, issued a scathing response to the meeting on X, writing: 'Tucker Carlson should have...

Here are some practical steps immigrants can take to stay safe and understand their rights.As ICE raids continue escalating throughout the country, Texas has long been a hotspot for large-scale immigration operations and arrests. Although overall immigration growth has slowed in Austin, its welcoming culture and longtime status as a so-called sanctuary city have historically attracted immigrants. In 2025 alone, the Lone Star State saw tens of thousands of immigrants without legal status arrested, according to federal data and media reports. While the Trump administration has shown no indication of slowing down these anti-immigrant procedures, here's what experts recommend for...

A BBC News anchor set off an online firestorm after she apparently “hissed” at a young musician who named Jesus Christ as one of his heroes. Geeta Guru-Murthy let loose with the unfiltered reaction Saturday while interviewing up and coming musician DC3, whose given name is Daniel Chenjerai. “Santan Dave, Kendrick Lamar, most of all, Jesus Christ,” the 18-year-old replied on air when Guru-Murthy asked him to list those he admired. Guru-Murthy, 58, sharply and audibly winced right after hearing “Jesus Christ,” sparking memes and backlash on social media with X users slamming the host and the network, claiming they...

Another remarkable story has emerged about a supernatural encounter during a near-death experience. In a powerful new episode of the No Longer Nomads podcast, Billy and Isabella Garaffa shared their incredible story. Billy went into cardiac arrest in the middle of a hockey game and was dead for 16 minutes on the ice. But while he was physically dead, he was never more spiritually alive. A Prayer Before the Game Before he stepped onto the ice that day, Billy prayed for protection. What he didn't know was that prayer would set the stage for one of the most profound events...

About 27 councils representing more than five million people are controversially expected to postpone local elections due to be held in May. Most of the authorities are Labour controlled, prompting accusations that Sir Keir Starmer is “running scared of voters” as his party faces dismal poll ratings. Ministers asked 63 councils if they would like to delay polls to free up time and save cash for an overhaul of local government structures. Some of the town halls due to hold elections in 2026 will be merged into new unitary councils next year or in 2028, so councillors elected in May...

Lefty “Squad” Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez is using her powerful fundraising muscle to back a moderate, pro-gun, drill-baby-drill Democrat. “I’m reaching out to ask if you can split a $5 donation between Mary Peltola’s campaign for US Senate and our movement for progress?” the Democratic Socialist from Queens blasted out Tuesday in an email appeal. “Mary is running on a platform of systemic change — she’ll fight in the Senate to lower grocery costs and build new housing Alaskans can afford.” What the socialist rep didn’t mention to her progressive supporters is that Peltola lists her campaign priorities as “fish, family,...