Free Republic

Yesterday, we were all sort of stunned to find that Chinese dictator Xi Jinping had summarily dismissed and had placed under investigation General Zhang Youxia, the now-former vice chairman of China's Central Military Commission; see New Round of Purges Wrack the Chinese People's Liberation Army and Defense Establishment – RedState. The removal of Zhang meant 37 of the 81 generals appointed since October 2022 were either under arrest or had simply disappeared. The initial reports said Zhang was removed because he “undermined Xi’s authority, abetted political and corruption problems that impaired the party’s leadership over the armed forces, and damaged...

Keir Starmer faced a furious backlash on Thursday over 'dystopian' plans to force millions of adults to sign up for a digital ID card. Government sources said the Prime Minister will use a speech on Friday to claim the controversial plan could help stop the boats after his failed attempt to 'smash the gangs' led to a surge in crossings. Civil liberties groups on Thursday branded the introduction of a 'papers please' society 'un-British' - and warned that older and vulnerable people could be 'locked out' from essential services. And critics warned the proposal, pushed by Tony Blair and Emmanuel...

In response to withering criticism over his questionable handling of the Wuhan coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, the World Health Organization (WHO) head lashed out at Taiwan for "racist attacks" and accused Taiwan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) of being complicit. During a press conference on Wednesday (April 8), a reporter asked WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom whether it was more difficult to operate during the pandemic with his moral authority eroded by criticism from world leaders such as President Donald Trump. Tedros responded by claiming that he had been assailed by racist attacks and death threats over the past three months. He...