Free Republic

Modern smart watches can measure an array of health indicators. Step counts and heart rates sit at the simpler end, while VO2 max and blood-oxygen levels are mainly of interest to committed health nuts. The newest addition to the category is heart-rate variability (HRV).As its name suggests, HRV measures not how quickly the heart beats, but how regularly spaced those beats are. With heart rate a lower score is usually better, other things being equal, since it suggests a high level of cardiovascular fitness. When it comes to HRV, though, a higher number—that is, a more irregular pattern—is generally what...

In preparation for the massive snowstorm that hit much of the country in the past few days, many people made runs to their local grocery stores to stock up on basic essentials like canned food and bottled water. But during that shopping blitz, some social media users noticed that though every other water brand sold out, one remained nearly untouched. Based off its reputation, I bet a few of you know exactly which one it is. According to photos posted to Reddit, Dasani, the bottled water everyone loves to hate, seems to have never left many store shelves. (Aquafina is...

This week in France the justice system cracking down following the killing of a Nationalist on the Right during a fight with Leftists in Lyon on February 12th. Quentin Deranque's murder triggering a cataclysm with massive media attention devoted to the case. The first round of municipal elections is just 22 days away a delicate political balance... By Thursday the Public Prosecution Service had seven suspects they wanted to charge in the death of Quentin Deranque including Jacques-Elie Favro. Favro worked as an aide to... President Emmanuel Macron critical of Italy's Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni after she denounced the killing...

All nine bodies of those killed in California's deadliest known avalanche have been recovered, according to officials with the Nevada County Sheriff's Office. In a press conference, Dennis Haack, a lieutenant at the Nevada County Sheriff's Office, confirmed that the deceased victims were removed from the area via helicopter over two days. Haack also gave more information about what occurred during the avalanche. "My understanding is that there was initially two individuals that were towards the rear that were not initially swept away in the avalanche," he said. "Everybody that was located at the bottom of the fall was in...

The United States will mark the Semiquincentennial—250 years since the adoption of the Declaration of Independence—on July 4, 2026, with a year-long series of ceremonies, cultural programs, and national celebrations. Planning for this historic milestone, known as America250, involves bipartisan partnerships among federal, state, and local agencies and organizations, culminating in major events in America’s most historic cities and beyond.

Can we deport mayors? Apparently we can. And the more, the better. Police officers who were actually illegal aliens have been caught and prepped for deportation. The campaign manager of a California mayor turned out to be a Chinese spy. And now a Florida ex-mayor is being prepped for denaturalization and deportation after allegations of immigration fraud and bigamy. Exciting times. Federal prosecutors are seeking to revoke the U.S. citizenship of former North Miami Mayor Philippe Bien-Aime, alleging he concealed key facts about his identity and immigration history to obtain naturalization. Prosecutors allege Bien-Aime used the name “Jean Philippe...

Join with fellow FREEPERS to pray for AMERICA: For those in Authority in Government, Family, Military, Business, Healthcare, Education, Churches, and the Media. I urge, then, first of all, that requests, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for everyone: for kings and all those in authority that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness. For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior who desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth. For there is one God and one Mediator between God and men,...

A video about the Air India fuel switches has been circulating online — and a lot of people are drawing big conclusions from it. But what do airline pilots actually think when they watch it? Captain Steeeve reacts to the viral clip and explains how fuel control switches really work in the cockpit, why they’re designed the way they are, and what many viewers may be misunderstanding. Using real-world airline experience, he breaks down the aviation context behind the headlines while respecting the ongoing investigation.

CIA Director John Ratcliffe has ordered the retraction or “substantive revision” of 19 of the agency’s intelligence products after a review determined they failed to meet standards for analytic tradecraft and political independence, the Central Intelligence Agency said on Friday. The spy agency released unredacted versions of three of the retracted or revised intelligence reports. The reports covered topics related to LGBT activists in the Middle East, women and White violent extremism, and contraception during the COVID-19 pandemic. One report was issued under the Biden administration, one under the first Trump administration and one under the Obama administration. Friday’s declassification...

YOU WILL NEVER BE SORRY FOR: ...thinking before speaking, ...hearing before judging, ...forgiving your enemies, ...being candid and frank, ...helping a fallen friend, ...being honest in your work, ...standing by your principles, ...blocking your ears to gossip, ...being courteous and kind. Unknown

[Catholic Caucus] Ivory Coast bishop transferred by Pope Leo after asking laity to report unchaste priestsSome may see the apparent demotion as punishment of a bishop who merely wanted to ensure priests are not falling into sin.In an apparent attempt to prevent “polarization,” Pope Leo XIV has transferred a diocesan bishop in West Africa to a nearby archdiocese to serve as an auxiliary bishop after the bishop had sought to ensure priests under his care were living holy and chaste lives.In what has been called an “unusual but not unprecedented move,” Leo named Bishop Gaspard Béby Gnéba the auxiliary bishop...

Disney is facing intense criticism for introducing a new cartoon superhero named “Captain Durag” on its Disney Jr. show “Hey AJ! The character, who debuted in the middle of Black History Month, has been slammed by leftists as tone-deaf, stereotypical, and disrespectful to black culture. Captain Durag is depicted as a black superhero fighting “grime” in Slime City, with his durag serving as both his cape and a mask that covers the upper part of his face. The concept of Captain Durag is wildly tone deaf. A black superhero with a durag as both his cape and mask, with a...

Team Canada women's hockey team handed stuffed animals while on the ice after losing to Team USA in overtime.The women didn't seem too thrilled as they were handed a stuffed animal named Tina, who is the official mascot of the 2026 Winter Olympics.

An upstate New York high school teacher was allegedly sidelined after she agreed to advise a Turning Point USA chapter on campus. Jennifer Fasulo, a Spanish teacher at Charles W. Baker High School in Baldwinsville, a Syracuse suburb, was placed on a paid leave of absence on Jan. 30, just weeks after she offered to help students establish a Club America, the high school division of the Charlie Kirk co-founded conservative group, her supporters say. “The district can confirm that a staff member has been placed on paid administrative leave while a matter is under review. We are following established...

[Catholic Caucus] Five Wounds and One Hope: Msgr. Schneider Reveals Details of His Audience with Leo XIVBishop Athanasius Schneider, auxiliary bishop of Astana (Kazakhstan), has made public new details of the private audience he held with Leo XIV on December 18th last, in an interview with Robert Moynihan broadcast by Urbi et Orbi Communications. On this occasion, he delved into the diagnosis he presented to the Pope about the current situation of the Church, resuming some points he had already pointed out in January, when he alluded to the need for an Apostolic Constitution to guarantee liturgical peace.As he explained,...

The United States Marine Corps has decided to retain the M27 Infantry Automatic Rifle for its close combat formations rather than adopt the Army’s M7 Next Generation Squad Weapon rifle, a Marine Corps spokesperson confirmed to Task & Purpose. “The Marine Corps will retain the M27 for our close combat formations as it best aligns with our unique service requirements, amphibious doctrinal employment of weapons, and distinct modernization priorities, while ensuring seamless interoperability across the Joint force and with coalition partners,” the spokesperson said in an email to the publication. *** The M27 Infantry Automatic Rifle, based on a Heckler...

Leo XIV: Schismatic "Churches" Form a Wonderful MosaicOn February 5, Leo XIV received priests and monks representing the Armenian, Coptic, Ethiopian, Eritrean, Malankara, and Syriac schismatic groups, which he referred to as "churches."Catholics believe that Jesus Christ founded one church.Pope Leo XIV said: "Dear friends, the historic and cultural differences among our churches represent a wonderful mosaic of our shared Christian heritage, which we can all appreciate."He wants "to support each other so that we may grow in our shared faith in Christ." "When we remove the prejudices within ourselves and open our hearts, we grow in charity, work more...

Trump’s response to the Supreme Court tariff ruling points beyond China to “foreign interests” tied to the British Empire's Adam Smith free-trade ideology, defended by the US Chamber of Commerce and Cato Institute. She cites Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent and Ambassador Jamieson Greer framing the administration’s approach as Hamiltonian economic sovereignty, and says tariffs will continue under other laws, including a new 10% global tariff. She contrasts this with Thursday’s Board of Peace meeting, where 60 nations backed “peace through construction,” funding housing, security, and development, rejecting Kissinger-style managed conflict. She warns midterm demoralization risks ending Trump’s agenda. RT 14...

All truckers and bus drivers will have to take their commercial driver’s license tests in English as the Trump administration expands its aggressive campaign to improve safety in the industry and get unqualified drivers off the road.

<p>DALEVILLE, Ala. (WTVY/Gray News) - An Alabama teenager was killed late Thursday after he was attacked by a pack of dogs, according to authorities.</p><p>Dale County Coroner John Cawley said 16-year-old Gabriel Damien Barron was fishing in his private pond on his Daleville-area property when dogs described as pit bull mixes mauled the teen.</p>