https://freerepublic.com/tag/news-forum/ en-us Mon, 18 May 2026 04:36:58 GMT Focus Forum 15 https://freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/4379771/posts A senior citizens group has forecast that the cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) for Social Security payments will increase by 3.9 percent next year, more than 1 percentage point higher than last month’s prediction.The Senior Citizens League, which issues monthly projections on the COLA for Social Security, said in a statement Tuesday the 3.9 percent for 2027 is already higher than the 2.8 percent increase that went into effect in 2026. The group in April had forecast a 2.8 percent increase for next year’s payments.“Fast-rising oil prices could have downstream effects on the economy and push inflation even higher,” potentially leading to... Epoch Times https://freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/4379771/posts#comment Mon, 18 May 2026 04:36:58 GMT https://freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/4379768/posts A deceptive PAC is playing dirty tricks to promote “MAGA” Republican Steve Hilton for California governor. The people behind this PAC are either Democrats or the Hilton campaign. Let me explain. California has a “top two” electoral system. Every candidate, from every party, runs in a “free for all” June primary; the “top two” face off in the November general election. About 45% of California voters are registered as Democratic vs. 25% Republican, 23% Independent, and 7% some third party. This means the “top two” candidates in November are often both Democrats. But this year so many Democrats are running... Enter Stage Right https://freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/4379768/posts#comment Mon, 18 May 2026 04:28:52 GMT https://freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/4379763/posts The closure of the Strait of Hormuz means virtually no gas has left Qatar’s shore for more than two months. The nation is also cut off from the sea routes through which it imports everything from vehicles to produce. Fears of regional instability have hurt tourism and eroded business sentiment. Ras Laffan, Qatar’s industrial center for gas production, is shuttered, and roads are blocked. At the vast Hamad port south of Doha, loading cranes stand paralyzed. Throughout the capital, hotels and boutiques sit in noticeable silence. Qatar’s growth forecasts have been slashed amid the cessation of L.N.G. trade. For Qatar,... New York times https://freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/4379763/posts#comment Mon, 18 May 2026 03:55:24 GMT https://freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/4379762/posts Turkey’s total fertility rate — or the average number of children a woman is expected to have — has been declining for more than a decade. It now sits significantly below the 2.1 needed to keep the population stable without migration, much less to increase it. Demographers attribute the decline to factors common in countries around the world: urbanization, changing lifestyles and the spread of higher education, especially among women. They also blame the economy shaped by Mr. Erdogan’s economic policies. Persistently high inflation and low wages have left many families struggling to afford housing, child care and other necessities.... New York times https://freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/4379762/posts#comment Mon, 18 May 2026 03:50:59 GMT https://freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/4379761/posts President Donald Trump is back from China with a very clear message to the Iranian regime. “For Iran, the Clock is Ticking, and they better get moving, FAST, or there won’t be anything left of them. TIME IS OF THE ESSENCE!” - President Donald J. Trump pic.twitter.com/33gyF0c0O5 — The White House (@WhiteHouse) May 17, 2026 “For Iran, the Clock is Ticking, and they better get moving, FAST, or there won’t be anything left of them. TIME IS OF THE ESSENCE!” Before Trump left for China, it was clear that his patience with the Iranian regime was wearing thin. So if... RedState https://freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/4379761/posts#comment Mon, 18 May 2026 03:34:54 GMT https://freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/4379760/posts The Ministry of the Interior and Administration said the planned changes would end what it called “automatism” in granting Polish citizenship and replace it with a model based on a foreigner’s real connection to Polish society, culture and the state. Under the proposal, foreigners seeking Polish citizenship would have to meet stricter conditions. The ministry said the aim was to avoid “the mistakes made in the past by other countries handing out citizenships.” One of the main changes would extend the required period of legal residence to eight years. This would include three years of temporary residence followed by five... Polskie radio https://freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/4379760/posts#comment Mon, 18 May 2026 03:25:00 GMT https://freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/4379758/posts Sen. John Fetterman, D-Pa., said Democrats alienated young male voters by increasingly portraying men as "part of the problem" during a wide-ranging discussion with Rep. Dan Crenshaw, R-Texas, and Donna Brazile about masculinity, parenting and the Democratic Party's struggles with working-class men. "Well, without a doubt, though you know there's part of the Democratic Party became more and more anti-men or describing that they were part of the problem, or they have toxic traits," Fetterman said during the discussion on "Real Time with Bill Maher." "And that's why there's been such a big, big migration away from the Democratic Party... Yahoo https://freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/4379758/posts#comment Mon, 18 May 2026 03:02:12 GMT https://freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/4379756/posts Undeterred by the shocking, last-minute cancellation of the city’s annual Pride Festival, Long Beach’s Pride Parade roared forward Sunday. New York Post https://freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/4379756/posts#comment Mon, 18 May 2026 02:31:18 GMT https://freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/4379749/posts Andy Burnham faces a perilous race to win the Makerfield seat, his allies have said, as he gears up to fight a byelection that could decide the long-term future of Labour and the country. The Greater Manchester mayor is likely to be confirmed as Labour’s candidate for the north-west constituency later this week, but those close to him say he faces an uphill battle to beat Reform UK. Nigel Farage’s party won more than 50% of the vote at the local elections and polling suggests Burnham is only marginally ahead. Reform is likely to focus heavily on immigration and Brexit... The Guardian https://freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/4379749/posts#comment Mon, 18 May 2026 01:04:44 GMT https://freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/4379748/posts Our Troops Rock! Thank you for all you do! For the freedom you enjoyed yesterday... Thank the Veterans who served in The United States Armed Forces. Looking forward to tomorrow's freedom? Support The United States Armed Forces Today! ~ Hall of Heroes ~Hershel W. Williams Info from here. Hershel Woodrow "Woody" Williams (born October 2, 1923 - died June 29, 2022) is a retired United States Marine who received the Medal of Honor for his actions in the Battle of Iwo Jima during World War II. Born in Fairmont, West Virginia, on October 2, 1923, Williams grew up on a... Serving The Best Troops and Veterans In The World !! https://freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/4379748/posts#comment Mon, 18 May 2026 01:02:28 GMT https://freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/4379746/posts In the Comey household, taking on the Trump administration in court is a family affair.A federal judge in New York recently gave Maurene Comey the green light to proceed with her lawsuit against the Justice Department over what she has called her “unlawful” firing from her job as a federal prosecutor.Hours later that same day, prosecutors in North Carolina secured an indictment against her father, former FBI Director James Comey, over an Instagram post featuring seashells that a grand jury agreed constituted a threat to kill or injure the president.The seesawing Comey family fortunes that day represent a snapshot of... Politico https://freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/4379746/posts#comment Mon, 18 May 2026 00:50:02 GMT https://freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/4379745/posts The owner of the Japan nightclub in Mexico City has imposed a nearly $300 cover charge on Americans to protest President Trump’s policies and threats. The surcharge triggered criticism but also won applause from those who see it as legitimate protest against gentrification and American cultural influence in the Mexican capital. ‘Gringo go home.’ The uproar reflects escalating tensions in Mexico City, the site of anti-tourism protests and a growing resentment about American ‘digital nomads’ reshaping the city. MEXICO CITY — Federico Crespo was tired of President Trump’s bullying. Of his punishing tariffs, his threat to bomb cartels in Mexico... Los Angeles Times https://freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/4379745/posts#comment Mon, 18 May 2026 00:29:23 GMT https://freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/4379741/posts Government-made prescription drugs. $20,000 for first-time home buyers. Capped child care costs. These are among the proposals that a cohort of left-leaning congressional Democrats argue will help their party win back working-class voters in the midterm elections and set the stage for success in the 2028 presidential election. The suite of affordability proposals from the Congressional Progressive Caucus is the group’s opening bid in a debate within the party over what Democrats should offer voters frustrated with the current economic picture. House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-New York) has directed the chamber’s Democratic policy committee to host listening sessions with... The Washington Post https://freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/4379741/posts#comment Mon, 18 May 2026 00:04:59 GMT https://freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/4379739/posts Virginia Governor Abigail Spanberger has chosen not to pursue a solution that could save the congressional district maps approved by voters, despite a potential legal option available to her. The Virginia state Supreme Court's decision to throw out the amended congressional district maps has left Democrats facing a dilemma in upholding the will of the voters before the November elections. Democrats are grappling with the need to adopt more aggressive political tactics in response to the GOP's rapid redistricting efforts and potential threats to majority-minority districts in blue states. Last week, I wrote about how the far right’s capture of... The New Republic via Yahoo! News https://freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/4379739/posts#comment Sun, 17 May 2026 23:45:18 GMT https://freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/4379738/posts The U.S.-brokered alliance designed to counter Iran in the Middle East is showing signs of strain amid tensions between Israel and the United Arab Emirates, an analyst says, as the possibility of a broader conflict with Tehran intensified Sunday. The friction first surfaced May 13 after Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office said he held a "historic breakthrough" meeting with UAE President Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan during a "secret visit" to Al Ain near the Oman border. The UAE’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs issued a swift denial following the announcement. Sachs, a senior fellow at the institute, said... Fox News https://freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/4379738/posts#comment Sun, 17 May 2026 23:42:52 GMT https://freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/4379734/posts The mainstream media’s outrage over religious expressions by government institutions and politicians is highly selective. At bottom, it the event is Christian, they attack. If it’s any other religion, they applaud. Did the mainstream media publish indignant diatribes when leftist NYC Mayor Zohran Mamdani held Muslim dinners at City Hall and Gracie Manor for Ramadan? The answer is no, of course they didn’t. Because Islam is celebrated by modern liberal movements and Christianity is despised. And, it’s important to take note of what leftists hate, because if they hate it, it’s probably good. [snip] Progressive outlets are in an uproar... Liberty Daily https://freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/4379734/posts#comment Sun, 17 May 2026 22:54:56 GMT https://freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/4379733/posts BOISE, Idaho — All four crew members ejected safely after two Navy jets collided and crashed on Sunday during an air show at the Mountain Home Air Force Base in western Idaho, officials said. The collision involved two U.S. Navy EA18-G Growlers from the Electronic Attack Squadron 129 in Whidbey Island, Washington, said Cmdr. Amelia Umayam, spokesperson for Naval Air Forces, U.S. Pacific Fleet. The aircraft were performing an aerial demonstration when the crash happened, Umayam said in a statement. The four crew members from both jets safely ejected and the crash was under investigation, she said. The crew members... Triblive.com https://freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/4379733/posts#comment Sun, 17 May 2026 22:49:43 GMT https://freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/4379730/posts "They will be the ones suffering the so-called consequences," the Oscar-winner said. "This is a major change"Javier Bardem believes the tide is turning for actors speaking up for Palestine, and has said that “everyone is beginning to realise” that Hollywood blacklisting was “unacceptable”. The Oscar-winner is at Cannes for his latest film, The Beloved, and was asked today (May 17) if he ever feared the consequences of denouncing the war in Gaza. Bardem has long been a vocal supporter of Palestine, most recently using his platform at the Oscars to declare “no to war and free Palestine”. “The fear... NME https://freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/4379730/posts#comment Sun, 17 May 2026 21:06:19 GMT https://freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/4379729/posts A shelter-in-place has been issued for a wide swath of South Austin, bordered by south Slaughter Lane, east McKinney Falls Parkway, north Ben White Boulevard and west Escarpment Boulevard. This comes as Austin police are searching for a person who is believed to be responsible for multiple shootings since Saturday. At least two people have been injured. It is not clear what the motive of the shootings are. The shootings have taken place in various locations, including at two fire stations, and appear to be random. As of 2:15 p.m., police believe the suspect to be a male in his... KutNews https://freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/4379729/posts#comment Sun, 17 May 2026 21:05:58 GMT https://freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/4379728/posts A teenage stabbing victim bled to death on the street in Southampton after British police arrested and cuffed him rather than his alleged Sikh attacker, after the suspect claimed he’d been racially abused, according to court testimony. Henry Nowak, 18, a finance student at the University of Southampton, was walking home from a night out in December 2025, chatting with some friends on Snapchat, when he was encountered by Vickrum Digwa, 23. After a brief exchange, Digwa stabbed Nowak with an eight-inch Sikh ceremonial shastar blade, according to court testimony reported by BBC. A post-mortem examination showed Nowak had four... Daily Signal https://freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/4379728/posts#comment Sun, 17 May 2026 21:03:36 GMT https://freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/4379721/posts A teenage stabbing victim bled to death on the street in Southampton after British police arrested and cuffed him rather than his alleged Sikh attacker, after the suspect claimed he’d been racially abused, according to court testimony. Henry Nowak, 18, a finance student at the University of Southampton, was walking home from a night out in December 2025, chatting with some friends on Snapchat, when he was encountered by Vickrum Digwa, 23. After a brief exchange, Digwa stabbed Nowak with an eight-inch Sikh ceremonial shastar blade, according to court testimony reported by BBC. A post-mortem examination showed Nowak had four... Daily Signal https://freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/4379721/posts#comment Sun, 17 May 2026 19:43:56 GMT https://freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/4379715/posts Two planes collide midair at Gunfighter Skies air show being hosted at Mountain Home Air Force Base in Idaho, an announcer informed attendees that four crew members were able to eject Rumble https://freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/4379715/posts#comment Sun, 17 May 2026 19:22:45 GMT https://freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/4379706/posts May 15 (Reuters) - A longstanding diversity and inclusion requirement for U.S. law schools is teetering amid mounting pressure from the Trump administration and Republican states. The American Bar Association council that oversees law school accreditation voted on Friday to eliminate a ​rule that requires law schools to demonstrate their commitment to diversity in recruitment, admissions, and student programming. The ‌rule has been suspended since February 2025, after Republican President Donald Trump returned to the White House and began cracking down on diversity, equity and inclusion efforts. "Even though I personally agree with [the diversity and inclusion standard] and what... Reuters on their own site https://freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/4379706/posts#comment Sun, 17 May 2026 18:12:42 GMT https://freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/4379704/posts The pro-Israel lobby that’s pumped millions into Democratic primaries this year is facing the next test of its political power on the right in ruby-red Kentucky. [AIPAC] and other pro-Israel interest groups have uncorked over $9 million in a bid to unseat Republican Rep. Thomas Massie on Tuesday in a competitive primary that has shattered spending records. Prominent pro-Israel GOP donors have funneled millions more into a super PAC stood up by President Donald Trump’s political operation that has spent nearly $7 million on the race. Overall ad spending has topped $32 million, making it the most expensive House primary... Politico https://freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/4379704/posts#comment Sun, 17 May 2026 17:42:22 GMT https://freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/4379687/posts President Trump took a victory lap late Saturday after a prominent international climate change panel backed off using some of the most aggressive doomsday estimates after determining that they were not the most plausible outcomes. The United Nations-backed Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) had quietly adjusted its modeling framework of a 4–5°C warming by 2100 last month. That framework had underpinned a myriad of other analyses predicting terrifying consequences for greenhouse gas emissions. “GOOD RIDDANCE! After 15 years of Dumocrats promising that ‘Climate Change’ is going to destroy the Planet, the United Nations TOP Climate Committee just admitted that... NY Post https://freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/4379687/posts#comment Sun, 17 May 2026 15:36:48 GMT