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Ireland’s Defence Forces have been put “on standby” to assist with clearing blockades outside some of the country’s major fuel depots. With the nationwide fuel protests entering a fourth day on Friday, here is an explanation of some of the key points.

Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick on Wednesday said Texas Republicans are “going to have a tough time” holding onto their majority in the state House this fall, the latest and perhaps most notable sign yet of GOP unease about the midterm elections. Speaking at the Texas Public Policy Foundation’s annual conference in Austin, Patrick said it is imperative for the loser of Republicans’ rancorous Senate primary runoff — whether it’s U.S. Sen. John Cornyn or Attorney General Ken Paxton — to support the winner against Democratic candidate James Talarico. The Austin state representative locked up his party’s nomination in March and...

Pakistan's FM Khawaja Asif: scandals and controversies. -1. Disqualification (UAE work permit case, 2018). Dawn. (2018, April 27). 'Khawaja Asif disqualified under Article 62(1)(f), IHC rules 'with a heavy heart'.' [https://www.dawn.com/news/1403994/khawaja-asif-disqualified-under-article-621f-ihc-rules-with-a-heavy-heart]. Dawn. (2018, June 1). 'SC disqualifies Khawaja Asif for life.' [https://www.dawn.com/news/1411333]. -2. Arrest / assets beyond means case (2020–2021). Dawn. (2020, December 29). 'PML-N leader Khawaja Asif arrested by NAB.' [https://www.dawn.com/news/1598528]. -3. Sexist remarks backlash (2023). BBC. (2023. Aug 1). 'The fury in Pakistan sparked by a misogynist minister.' [https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-66368714]. The Express Tribune. (2023). 'Outrage over Khawaja Asif’s remarks about women.' [https://tribune.com.pk/story/2404826/outrage-over-khawaja-asifs-remarks-about-women] -4. Election rigging allegations (2024). The Economic...

My latest song. Headphones recommended.

Democrat House leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-NY) believes attacking diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives is akin to directly attacking the United States of America, making the remarks during a National Action Network speech this week. “And when you attack diversity, equity, and inclusion, you attack the United States of America,” Jeffries proclaimed, defending DEI initiatives prizing ethnicity and sexual orientation over actual skills or merit. Jeffries claimed that Democrats have the “high ground” on the issue. “I’m so thankful that Reverend Sharpton and the National Action Network continues to lean in,” he said, explaining that he also believes the attacks...

"Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied" (Matt. 5:6). Only Christ can satisfy your deepest needs. Within every man and woman is a hunger and thirst only God can satisfy. That's why Jesus said, "I am the bread of life; he who comes to Me shall not hunger, and he who believes in Me shall never thirst" (John 6:35). Sadly, most people search for happiness in the wrong places. The prodigal son in Luke 15 is one example. He turned from God to pursue sinful pleasures, but soon discovered that sin cannot satisfy...

Daily Readings from the USCCBSimon Peter said to them, “I am going fishing.” They said to him, “We also will come with you.” So they went out and got into the boat, but that night they caught nothing. When it was already dawn, Jesus was standing on the shore; but the disciples did not realize that it was Jesus. Jesus said to them, “Children, have you caught anything to eat?” They answered him, “No.” So he said to them, “Cast the net over the right side of the boat and you will find something.” So they cast it, and were...

Laura Ingraham: This is a HUGE gift to future generations Fox News Clips Apr 8, 2026. [...] So, what we can gather from this report is that almost everything we heard from the other side about how this all went down was a lie. Trump did not simply follow Bibi's recommendations. He was fully briefed from the Pentagon and intel communities. He did have an open and productive dialogue with his entire war cabinet, who each gave informed assessments. And, finally, President Trump, as always, understood leverage—and then, when he made his decision, how to use it. This is how...

A Minnesota children’s hospital plans to resume sex change procedures for minors, flying in the face of President Trump’s executive order banning the practice. Last January, Trump signed the “Protecting Children from Chemical and Surgical Mutilation” Executive Order, which restricts sex-change procedures for minors by cutting federal funding to institutions that practice the satanic procedures. “It is the policy of the United States that it will not fund, sponsor, promote, assist, or support the so-called ‘transition’ of a child from one sex to another, and it will rigorously enforce all laws that prohibit or limit these destructive and life-altering procedures,”...

An entitled Oregon shoplifter has sued a grocery store after a clerk beat him up for stealing a cart full of corn dogs and cookies. Joshua Merkel is asking for $10,000 to cover the medical expenses and mental anguish he claims was inflicted during the foiled heist in southwest Portland. Merkel has sued Albertson's grocery store and cashier Matthew Cooper for allegedly attacking him outside the store, leaving him with a black eye and a shattered jaw. The incident happened two years ago, but Merkel filed a civil lawsuit, seen by The Oregonian, last month in Multnomah County Circuit Court....

The Defense Ministry has recognized Israel Air Force navigator Maj. (res.) Asaf Dagan as a fallen soldier, his family announced on Monday. Dagan committed suicide on October 23, 2024, while not serving in active duty, after suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)-related symptoms. Initially, he was not recognized as a fallen soldier or permitted a military funeral. However, a court ruling permitted him a military funeral, but in a civilian cemetery, reports at the time said. The Dagan family continued to fight for his recognition due to evidence linking his PTSD to his military service, particularly after he continued his...

The shooting of Carlos Ivan Mendoza Hernandez by federal immigration agents on Tuesday is a sickening reminder. It is a sign of what’s to come if California doesn’t do more to protect its communities from government agents behaving like a lawless occupying force

A simple experiment in a child’s swimming pool allows you to visualize the angular momentum of rotating waves. Beautifully done.

Join with fellow FREEPERS across the world to pray for AMERICA: For those in Authority in Government, Family, Military, Business, Agri-Business, Healthcare, Education, Churches, Technology, Religious Freedom 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." (1 Timothy 2:1-2) Religion Forum threads labeled [Prayer] are closed to debate of any kind.

Famous space quotes One small step for man , one giant leap for mankind. Neil Armstrong Shitters broke Artemis crew

A new poll indicates that voters in Virginia could approve changes to congressional district maps during the April 21 redistricting referendum. According to a survey conducted by George Mason University in partnership with The Washington Post, a majority of voters say they plan to vote “yes” on the upcoming referendum. The poll also found that more than 60 percent of registered voters in the Commonwealth said they are certain they will participate in the vote. When asked how they plan to vote, 53 percent of respondents said they support changing the current congressional map, while 44 percent said they plan...

In 1938, a statue was discovered at Pompeii, subsequently known as "The Pompeii Lakshmi". It is a sycretistic statue, combining elements of the Roman Venus, and the Hindu Lakshmi, and is our main evidence for aspects of Hinduism, or at least Hindu deities, in the Roman world. Hinduism in the Roman Empire: A Quick Overview | 2:41 The Historian's Craft | 132K subscribers | 10,254 views | April 6, 2026

In the face of increasing tensions worldwide, Pope Leo XIV has called the faithful to join him in a prayer vigil for peace on Saturday, April 11. In his first Easter message - on Easter Sunday, the pontiff linked Jesus’ Resurrection to peace. He noted that Jesus’ conquest of death, darkness and hatred came at the cost of his life. Still, Jesus gave his life freely out of love — the same love the faithful are called to show to neighbor in a “new humanity” in the Risen Christ. “We are growing accustomed to violence, resigning ourselves to it, and...

President Trump has championed the U.S. steel industry, promising to strengthen it and to impose stiff tariffs on foreign metals to shield manufacturers from overseas competitors. Yet the White House has secured tens of millions of dollars worth of donated foreign steel for Mr. Trump’s $400 million ballroom project, according to two people familiar with the plans who spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss sensitive and private conversations. ArcelorMittal, a Luxembourg-based firm that is the world’s second-largest steel maker, is providing steel for the structure of the ballroom project, the people said. They said the steel was produced in...

A local publication has accused Spencer Pratt of being ineligible to run for LA mayor because he is staying at his family’s property near Santa Barbara after his home was destroyed in the Palisades Fire. If Pratt is unable to run for mayor, then I am unable to vote for mayor. We lost our home in the Palisades Fire, along with nearly 7,000 other families. We have been displaced since Jan. 7, 2025. My family has moved three times while we rebuild our home.