Free Republic

President Biden wrapped a two-hour video call with Russian President Vladimir Putin on Tuesday during which the U.S. president was expected to warn Moscow against invading Ukraine. Biden held the call with Putin as a Russian troop buildup on the border with Ukraine has exacerbated fears about a potential Russian military invasion of its neighbor. Biden and Putin connected over a secure video call just after 10 a.m. Tuesday morning, according to the White House, and the call concluded at 12:08 p.m.

TEL AVIV – A Florida teenager lying in a coma here after being critically injured last week in a suicide bombing opened his eyes for the first time since the attack yesterday just as his rabbi donned him with teffillin, or Jewish prayer phylacteries. Daniel Wultz, 16, was one of over 60 people injured in last Monday's attack in which a Palestinian suicide bomber blew himself up in a crowded section of Tel Aviv as Israelis celebrated the fifth day of the Passover holiday. The blast ripped through a falafel restaurant just outside the city's old central bus station, killing...

ABOARD USS NASSAU, AT SEA, April 9, 2006 – Expeditionary Strike Group 8 transited through the Suez Canal April 7, marking the end of more than four months of maritime security operations in the 5th Fleet area of operations. Maritime security operations help set the conditions for maritime security and stability while complementing regional nations' counter-terrorism and security efforts. The goal is to deny international terrorists use of the maritime environment as a venue for attack or to transport personnel, weapons or other material. ESG-8, combining the five ships and one submarine in the Nassau Strike Group with the 22nd...

ABOARD USS CAPE ST. GEORGE (NNS) -- The British staff of Combined Task Force (CTF) 58 debarked USS Cape St. George (CG 71) March 1 after commanding 72 days of successful maritime security operations (MSO) in the North Persian Gulf from aboard the Norfolk-based cruiser. Royal Navy Commodore Bruce Williams, commander, CTF 58 and his staff lead maritime security operations and the protection of two Iraqi oil terminals responsible for more than 90 percent of Iraq’s exported oil. For more than two months, Williams led the task force from aboard his flagship – Cape St. George. “It is with great...

Private attorneys for former Mayor Dick Murphy and four City Council members have adamantly opposed releasing their legal bills from the ongoing pension investigation and have threatened to take the city to court to keep the information from getting out. So far, the lawyers have charged more than $1.5 million, but no details from the invoices have been disclosed. Documents released last night to The San Diego Union-Tribune show the extent to which the politicians' attorneys are fighting to keep the billings secret. The request for the billings, made by the Union-Tribune under the state Public Records Act, has led...

FORWARD OPERATING BASE HIT, Iraq (Dec. 30, 2005) -- The Maritime Special Purpose Force (MSPF) of the 22nd Marine Expeditionary Unit (Special Operations Capable) sharpened their marksmanship, tactical driving, and close quarters combat skills during recent training on the Udari Range aboard Camp Buehring, Kuwait. The MSPF is made up of the MEU’s Force and Battalion Reconnaissance, and Surveillance Platoons, and is a sub-unit within the MEU trained to execute a host of specialized combat missions. Such tasking could include; deep reconnaissance, demolition operations, direct action, close quarters battle, and maritime interdiction. The MSPF Marines and sailors participated in live-fire...

First Iraqi Cadet Class Wraps Up Officer Training The group is the first class to complete the basic officer training course under the new Iraqi army. By U.S. Air Force Senior Airman Mark Woodbury Multinational Security Transition Command-Iraq BAGHDAD, Iraq, Dec. 12, 2005 — The Iraqi army will mark another first this week with the expected graduation of 77 cadets at the Iraqi Military Academy at Ar Rustamiyah. The group is the first class to complete the basic officer training course under the new Iraqi army. The 42-week course focuses on developing leaders of soldiers from all backgrounds and...