Free Republic

President Trump is spending Labor Day flooding his Truth Social account with AI-generated images about conquering both the Earth and outer space alike. Trump on Monday posted a map of North America, where both Canada and Mexico are annexed to the United States — and shaded in stars and stripes.He dropped several posts suggesting the state of New Mexico be renamed “New America.” The posts carried various maps bearing the new name. In another, Trump claimed the moon for the United States. The president dropped about 40 posts over a 10-hour period on Sunday before taking it up again on...

The MONTHLY Victory Garden Thread is a gathering of folks that love soil, seeds and plants of all kinds. From complete newbies that are looking to start that first potted plant, to gardeners with some acreage, to Master Gardener level and beyond, we would love to hear from you. If you have specific question about a plant/problem you are having, please remember to state the Growing Zone where you are located. This thread is a non-political respite. No matter what, you won’t be flamed, and the only dumb question is the one that isn’t asked. It is impossible to hijack...

The MONTHLY Victory Garden Thread is a gathering of folks that love soil, seeds and plants of all kinds. From complete newbies that are looking to start that first potted plant, to gardeners with some acreage, to Master Gardener level and beyond, we would love to hear from you. If you have specific question about a plant/problem you are having, please remember to state the Growing Zone where you are located. This thread is a non-political respite. No matter what, you won’t be flamed, and the only dumb question is the one that isn’t asked. It is impossible to hijack...

The MONTHLY Victory Garden Thread is a gathering of folks that love soil, seeds and plants of all kinds. From complete newbies that are looking to start that first potted plant, to gardeners with some acreage, to Master Gardener level and beyond, we would love to hear from you. If you have specific question about a plant/problem you are having, please remember to state the Growing Zone where you are located. This thread is a non-political respite. No matter what, you won’t be flamed, and the only dumb question is the one that isn’t asked. It is impossible to hijack...

We updated this list as part of the the Best of the Best Books Reading Challenge! Join the challenge now! Very short novels have a special magic—not least because, not to be morbid, you can simply read more of them before the inevitable heat death of the planet (or similar). I previously wrote about great contemporary novels under 200 pages, but now it is time to turn my attention to my favorite short classics—which represent the quickest and cheapest way, I can tell you in my salesman voice, to become “well-read.” A few notes: Because the “contemporary” list surveyed novels...

The MONTHLY Victory Garden Thread is a gathering of folks that love soil, seeds and plants of all kinds. From complete newbies that are looking to start that first potted plant, to gardeners with some acreage, to Master Gardener level and beyond, we would love to hear from you. If you have specific question about a plant/problem you are having, please remember to state the Growing Zone where you are located. This thread is a non-political respite. No matter what, you won’t be flamed, and the only dumb question is the one that isn’t asked. It is impossible to hijack...

Circuit: Suzuka International Racing Circuit First race: 1987 Length: 3.608 miles (5.807 metres) Race distance: 53 laps (191.054 miles / 307.471 km) Lap record: 1:26.983, Max Verstappen, 2025 Qualifying (Q3) Race lap record: 1:30.965, Kimi Antonelli, Lap 50, 2025 race

Why are men breaking up with—and abandoning—their girlfriends mid-hike? Breakups tend to follow a few predictable scripts, whether it’s an ominous “we need to talk” in the living room, a tense phone call, or, if someone’s particularly terrible, a text. But apparently, some men take them to new heights (literally), ending relationships mid-hike on mountaintops, which reads like the plot to a true-crime series. Yes, this is happening in real life, and often enough to earn its own name: alpine divorce. Despite the tongue-in-cheek branding, an “alpine divorce” is anything but playful. The name nods to a 19th-century short story...

Circuit: Shanghai International, First Grand Prix: 2004, Number of Laps: 56, Circuit Length: 5.451 km, Race Distance: 305.066 km, Lap Record: 1:32.238, Michael Schumacher (2004) Track.

From the beaches of Galápagos to the forests of Cameroon. In the Congo Basin, two groups of wild western lowland gorillas encounter photographer Hugo Hebbe. One group is familiar with humans, reacting with indifference to the attention. The other remains cautious, scamping off when humans approach. The images captured during the encounter (seen below) document “an evolving story of fear, patience and trust,” the photographer explains. The images, part of a series called “Guardians of the Jungle,” were honored at the 2026 Sony World Photography Awards, Professional division.

Circuit: Albert Park First Grand Prix: 1996, Number of Laps: 58, Circuit Length: 3.295 km, Race Distance: 306.124 km, Lap Record: 1:19.813 Charles Leclerc (2024)

The MONTHLY Gardening Thread is a gathering of folks that love soil, seeds and plants of all kinds. From complete newbies that are looking to start that first potted plant, to gardeners with some acreage, to Master Gardener level and beyond, we would love to hear from you. If you have specific question about a plant/problem you are having, please remember to state the Growing Zone where you are located. This thread is a non-political respite. No matter what, you won’t be flamed, and the only dumb question is the one that isn’t asked. It is impossible to hijack the...

The MONTHLY Gardening Thread is a gathering of folks that love soil, seeds and plants of all kinds. From complete newbies that are looking to start that first potted plant, to gardeners with some acreage, to Master Gardener level and beyond, we would love to hear from you. If you have specific question about a plant/problem you are having, please remember to state the Growing Zone where you are located. This thread is a non-political respite. No matter what, you won’t be flamed, and the only dumb question is the one that isn’t asked. It is impossible to hijack the...

The MONTHLY Gardening Thread is a gathering of folks that love soil, seeds and plants of all kinds. From complete newbies that are looking to start that first potted plant, to gardeners with some acreage, to Master Gardener level and beyond, we would love to hear from you. If you have specific question about a plant/problem you are having, please remember to state the Growing Zone where you are located. This thread is a non-political respite. No matter what, you won’t be flamed, and the only dumb question is the one that isn’t asked. It is impossible to hijack the...

2025 FORMULA 1 ETIHAD AIRWAYS ABU DHABI GRAND PRIX Live Thread Circuit: Yas Marina Circuit, Yas Island First Grand Prix: 2009, Number of Laps: 58, Circuit Length: 5.281 km, Race Distance: 306.183 km, Lap Record: 1:25.637 Kevin Magnussen (2024)

The MONTHLY Gardening Thread is a gathering of folks that love soil, seeds and plants of all kinds. From complete newbies that are looking to start that first potted plant, to gardeners with some acreage, to Master Gardener level and beyond, we would love to hear from you. If you have specific question about a plant/problem you are having, please remember to state the Growing Zone where you are located. This thread is a non-political respite. No matter what, you won’t be flamed, and the only dumb question is the one that isn’t asked. It is impossible to hijack the...

2025 FORMULA 1 QATAR AIRWAYS QATAR GRAND PRIX - Live Thread. Circuit: Lusail International Circuit First Grand Prix: 2021, Number of Laps: 57, Circuit Length: 5.419 km, Race Distance: 308.611 km, Lap Record: 1:24.319 Max Verstappen (2023)

Circuit: Las Vegas Strip Circuit First Grand Prix: 2023, Number of Laps: 50, Circuit Length: 6.201 km, Race Distance: 309.958km, Lap Record: 1:35.490 Oscar Piastri (2023)

2025 FORMULA 1 MSC CRUISES GRANDE PRÊMIO DE SÃO PAULO, BRAZIL Circuit: Autódromo José Carlos Pace, São Paulo First Grand Prix: 1963, Number of Laps: 71, Circuit Length: 4.304 km, Race Distance: 305.354 km, Lap Record: 1:10.540 Valtteri Bottas (2021)

The MONTHLY Gardening Thread is a gathering of folks that love soil, seeds and plants of all kinds. From complete newbies that are looking to start that first potted plant, to gardeners with some acreage, to Master Gardener level and beyond, we would love to hear from you. If you have specific question about a plant/problem you are having, please remember to state the Growing Zone where you are located. This thread is a non-political respite. No matter what, you won’t be flamed, and the only dumb question is the one that isn’t asked. It is impossible to hijack the...