Free Republic

New FBI data confirms previous indications that crime in the U.S. declined significantly in 2023, continuing a post-pandemic trend and belying widespread perceptions that crime is rising. The new fourth-quarter numbers showed a 13% decline in murder in 2023 from 2022, a 6% decline in reported violent crime and a 4% decline in reported property crime. That’s based on data from around 13,000 law enforcement agencies, policing about 82% of the U.S. population, that provided the FBI with quarterly data through December. “It suggests that when we get the final data in October, we will have seen likely the largest...

Mother’s Day has shaped up to have the lowest reported number of new coronavirus-related deaths in the United States since March 31 and the fewest new cases since March 30. There were 793 new deaths reported as of Sunday evening and 20,693 new cases, according to The Washington Post’s tracking of numbers from state and county health departments. Numbers have typically dipped on weekends. But the latest totals still stand out as leaders look for positive trends and turn toward reopening a devastated economy, amid worries that the virus could resurge. Last Sunday had a reported 25,429 new cases and...

......there are two problems with the administration’s report. First,there’s the question of what figure to use to calculate employment levels because there are two data sets available. One is the establishment survey, which is based on payrolls and puts the jobs gained at 114,000–an unusually low number for this time of year. The second is the household survey, which is based on what people say they are doing at the moment. The household survey puts the jobs gained at 873,000–an unusually high number for this time of year. In fact, the household figure is so high that it’s likely that...

President Obama on Friday kept up the pressure on Republicans to agree to revenue increases in a deal to raise the debt ceiling, claiming 80 percent of the public supports Democrats' demand for tax increases. "The American people are sold," Obama said. "The problem is members of Congress are dug in ideologically." Throughout the press conference, Obama blasted Republicans for ignoring what he said is the will of the American people by rejecting tax increases that would balance out spending cuts in a debt package. "This is not an issue of salesmanship to the American people," Obama said. "I hope...

London - An estimated two billion people worldwide have watched the Live Earth concerts on the television. The shows designed to highlight climate change were organised in Australia, Asia, Europe, South Africa and the United States. Dozens of stars such as Crowded House, Madonna and The Red Hot Chili Peppers performed in cities which included Sydney, New York and London. The global series of concerts kicked off in Sydney Australia where the show started with a traditional welcome dance by members of the Aboriginal community. Live Earth is the brainchild of former US presidential candidate Al Gore. He opened the...