Free Republic

Kyiv has finally turned off Russia’s gas supply to Europe, ending a source of income that helped pay for Moscow’s war against Ukraine. The decades-old deal, which allowed the transit of natural gas produced by Russian energy giant Gazprom through Ukraine, ended at midnight on December 31, shutting down Russia’s last major gas corridor to Europe. Europe’s dependence on Russian energy had already drastically reduced since the invasion in February 2022, so the gesture is mostly symbolic. But it doesn’t make the decision less important or mean there are no consequences for the remaining Gazprom customers in Europe.

A Texas man who admitted he kidnapped, sexually assaulted and fatally shot an 18-year-old woman in 2001 was executed Wednesday evening. Ramiro Gonzales, 41, was pronounced dead at 6:50 p.m. CDT following a chemical injection at the state penitentiary in Huntsville for the January Gonzales was repeatedly apologetic to the victim's relatives in his last statement from the execution chamber. Just before he spoke, a spiritual adviser sang a prayer, resting her left hand on his chest. "I can't put into words the pain I have caused y'all, the hurt, what I took away that I cannot give back. I...

Ukraine has made significant advances close to Kherson to the point of controlling the water supply in Crimea. Professor Michael Clarke, who specialises in defence studies, explained Ukraine is within striking distance of the supply. Speaking to Sky News, he said: "The Ukrainians are conducting quite a big offensive to take back Kherson. "They've opened up a 50-mile front to the northeast of Kherson and there are reports over the last 24 hours that the Ukrainians may have got as far as Kiselivka which is quite close to Kherson. "They may be within striking distance of Nova Kakhovk which is...

"Ok, something I will NEVER understand. When Trump fired the corrupt Comey he replaced him with the even MORE corrupt Wray, he had a chance to put someone in charge who could completely transform the FBI for the good. Instead he picked literally THE WORST person on earth for the job and LEFT HIM THERE despite obvious corruption and incompetence. I would honestly like to hear from President Trump himself as to WHY he did this. It is incomprehensible to me and remains a dark mark on an otherwise stellar presidential record."