Free Republic

The Russian economy has officially entered stagnation mode, reports Foreign Intelligence Service. The Kremlin can no longer hide the systemic crisis behind optimistic statements. The figures show a collapse in the aggressor country's economic performance. After 4.5% GDP growth in the fourth quarter of 2024, a sharp slowdown began: the indicator fell to 1.4% in the first quarter of 2025, then to 1.1% in the second quarter, and in the third quarter it was only 0.6%.

Dan Rather is a free man. After an appropriately acrimonious final round of legal wrangling, his 44 years with CBS News came to an end yesterday -- or will come to an end today. Or will end Friday. There's a bit of confusion on that point. Those who have followed the awkward exit of Rather from his position first as anchor of the "CBS Evening News" last year, then as a CBS News employee this year, often ask a simple question: How could a network for which Rather has done so much and served so loyally treat him so shabbily...