Free Republic

A 14-year-old boy is dead and another teen is in critical condition after officials say they fell from the top of a New York City subway train they were riding on as it passed through the Williamsburg Bridge on Friday. The teens were allegedly "subway surfing" on top of the J train as it passed from the bridge into Manhattan when the 14-year-old fell from from the bridge and into a lot near Delancey Street and Lewis Street, according to police. The 18-year-old fell onto the tracks at the location, according to police. They were both transported to Bellevue Hospital...

The Free and Open Indo-Pacific vision, initially articulated by Prime Minister Abe Shinzō in 2016...includes capacity-building assistance aimed at strengthening governance, maritime security, and navigational safety. FOIP represented a major step forward in Japan’s strategic engagement in the Indo-Pacific region, particularly in Southeast Asia. For example, the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force has conducted Indo-Pacific Deployment long-range training missions, mainly in the South China Sea, since 2017. These deployments deliberately incorporate port visits and joint exercises with regional navies, reflecting broader strategic considerations. Over the past decade, China’s maritime law-enforcement capabilities and naval power have expanded significantly, fundamentally transforming the security...

President Trump is putting one of America’s most unforgettable 9/11 heroes back in the national spotlight. President Trump announced that Welles Remy Crowther, the 24-year-old former Boston College lacrosse player who gave his life saving strangers inside the burning South Tower on September 11, 2001, will posthumously receive the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the highest civilian honor in the United States. Crowther is known to history as the Man in the Red Bandana. On that terrible morning, Crowther was working as an equities trader on the 104th floor of the World Trade Center’s South Tower when United Airlines Flight 175...

Fox News has learned the White House is on lockdown after a gunman armed with a pistol opened fire Saturday afternoon near the White House in Washington, D.C., engaging with the U.S. Secret Service. Fox News Chief congressional correspondent Chad Pergram reported that at about 6 p.m. local time, a gunman fired about three shots toward the executive mansion and Secret Service agents returned fire. The shooting unfolded near 17th Street and Pennsylvania Avenue NW, according to the Secret Service. A nearby civilian on the street was shot in the exchange, and their condition is unknown, according to Pergram. As...

South Carolina senators moved a step closer to approving a new congressional redistricting map Saturday, fast-tracking the process to pass the proposal on second reading after days of debate. The unexpected move came late in the afternoon, as lawmakers opted to advance the bill ahead of schedule rather than continue debating through the night and holiday weekend. The decision sets up a final vote early next week, with Tuesday’s third reading expected to be the decisive stage. Along with advancing the new map, the proposal would delay U.S. House primaries to Aug. 18. The South Carolina Election Commission estimates the...

COLUMBIA, S.C. (WRDW/WAGT) - South Carolina senators passed a redrawn congressional map on second reading, fast-tracking the redistricting process and setting up a final vote for Tuesday. The bill also delays U.S. House primaries to August 18. The South Carolina Election Commission says the delay would cost roughly $5 million to carry out. The debate was expected to stretch well into the night or even Sunday morning. But senators fast-tracked a second reading vote late in the afternoon, setting up a final showdown for Tuesday.

Tons (20-30) of shots were heard outside the White House grounds. We ran from our liveshot locations into the briefing room. USSS agents are outside the door and are on the north lawn.

Denmark is one of the rare European countries to publish crime data by country of origin. Somalis top the list when it comes to rapes, fraud, forgeries and grievous assaults. Palestinians lead in burglaries, blackmail and theft. Data: Statistics Denmark (STRAFNA4, FOLK1C), compiled by @jonatanpallesen.

LA moms are DONE. Judgement Day is June 2. Vote Pratt. @spencerpratt #VotePratt #LAmayorsrace 🔥 pic.twitter.com/3Bdo8dgyCN— Lisa Foster (@LisaRFoster) May 22, 2026

[Catholic Caucus] Madrid Replaces Confessionals With “Listening Spaces” for Leo XIV VisitAs Germany pushes female deacons, Albano demands LGBT “recognition,” Tucho maps faith’s collapse, and the Synod drives toward 2028, Madrid supplies the perfect symbol: listening instead of confession.The Sacramental Parable in MadridSometimes the whole revolution appears in one little administrative choice.Hiraeth In Exile is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a paid subscriber.SubscribeDuring Leo XIV’s upcoming trip to Spain, confessionals reportedly will not be set up at the youth prayer vigil or at other major events. Instead, organizers plan to provide “listening...

Big things are happening at the White House right now. The rumors started earlier today, Trump had either reached a deal with Iran or he has rejected a deal and would increase the bombings. Secretary Rubio dropped a hint on Saturday that the next step in the Iran war/conflict/whatever would be decided imminently. And it appears that Trump has gathered his top officials to Washington immediately, reportedly to discuss a draft of a deal proposed by Iran. JD Vance was rushed to the White House, interrupting his Ohio Memorial Day weekend plans. Secretary Hegseth and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs...

In the 25 years since Shrek first lumbered into theaters, the lovable green ogre voiced by Mike Myers has arguably transcended the film franchise that made him famous. So far, his adventures have been adapted into three sequels, two spinoffs, a series of TV specials, multiple video games, and even a Tony-winning Broadway musical. He’s also become one of the most-memed characters of the 21st century, his image serving as a kind of cultural shorthand for millennial and Gen Z fans. The Oscar-winning irreverent fairy-tale — which Entertainment Weekly gave an A– — follows Shrek (Mike Myers) as he attempts...

President Donald Trump said Saturday that a deal with Iran, including opening the Strait of Hormuz, has been “largely negotiated” after calls with Israel and other allies in the region. “Final aspects and details of the Deal are currently being discussed, and will be announced shortly,” Trump said on social media, with no details on timing. He said he had spoken with leaders from Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Pakistan, Turkey, Egypt, Jordan and Bahrain, and separately with Israel. He described it as a “Memorandum of Understanding pertaining to PEACE” that still must be finalized by the United...

Full clip w/ more dancing at the link.Donald J. Trump @realDonaldTrumpMay 23, 2026

President Donald Trump said Saturday that the United States and Iran have "largely negotiated" an agreement tied to reopening the Strait of Hormuz following calls with Middle East leaders and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. In a lengthy Truth Social post, Trump said he spoke from the Oval Office with leaders from Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Pakistan, Turkey, Egypt, Jordan and Bahrain regarding "all things related to a Memorandum of Understanding pertaining to PEACE." "An Agreement has been largely negotiated, subject to finalization between the United States of America, the Islamic Republic of Iran, and the various...

The story of the Protestant Reformation is a complicated and often confusing series of historical events to approach. With the geopolitical and social movements of the time, getting a clear timeline is a difficult task. Along with this, many of the big themes are difficult to comprehend as they deal with medieval metaphysics. For much of Reformation history, this is the hard truth though, in my opinion, we do get to see a plethora of fascinating groups. One of the most intriguing groups to emerge from the Reformation period were the Anabaptists. Why are They Special? Without getting into the...

Kyle Busch died of pneumonia leading to sepsis, according to a statement provided by the Busch family on Saturday morning."The medical evaluation provided to the Busch Family concluded that severe pneumonia progressed into sepsis, resulting in rapid and overwhelming associated complications,” the family said in a statement. "The Family asks for continued understanding and privacy during this difficult time."Busch, 41, died on Thursday after a brief illness. On Wednesday, he began suffering a medical emergency at the General Motors Charlotte Technical Center in Concord, North Carolina. An unidentified male at the scene called 911, according to a recording obtained by...

Secretary of State Marco Rubio delivers virtual address at CIT’s Conference, Endowed by Their Creator: Catholicism, the Declaration of Independence, and the American Experiment at 250On Thursday, April 9th, Catholic Law’s Center for the Constitution and the Catholic Intellectual Tradition, together with Notre Dame’s Center for Citizenship and Constitutional Government and Catholic University’s Carroll Forum for Citizenship and Public Life, co-hosted a symposium celebrating the nation's semiquincentennial. The day brought together leading scholars and public intellectuals from across the country to explore the relationship between the Catholic intellectual tradition and the principles of the Declaration of Independence, and to reflect...

*** Here’s the plan, which isn’t easy, but is doable. First, Thune has to go. Never before in the history of the Senate has a majority leader of the president’s own party kept the Senate in session to prevent recess appointments, and he has refused even to bring the SAVE America Act up for debate. ... *** According to Rule 3 of the Senate Republican Conference, it takes only five senators to force a meeting to call for Thune’s replacement. ... In the privacy of a secret ballot, the “palace coup” needs just 27 votes to finalize the deed. ......

By Dr. John BergsmaPentecost Vigil Readings: Gen. 11:1-9 (Babel); Ex. 19:3-8a; 16-20b (Sinai); Ez. 37:1-14 (dry bones); Joel 3:1-5 (old men will dream, dreams…); Romans 8:22-27 (Spirit prays for us); John 7:37-39 (rivers of living water). The Readings for the Mass of the Pentecost pick up, as it were, where the Readings for the Vigil left off. First Reading: Acts 2:1-111When the time for Pentecost was fulfilled, they were all in one place together. 2And suddenly there came from the sky a noise like a strong driving wind, and it filled the entire house in which they were. 3Then there...