Free Republic

Even as the most stalwart Democrats distance themselves from their legacies, comedian Jim Gaffigan is defending former New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio (D) and New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo (D), claiming that despite their deficiencies during the pandemic, “at least they had good intentions.” In a wide-ranging interview with The Daily Beast, Gaffigan failed to mention the state’s tragic nursing home mandate that fueled the spread of the coronavirus among the elderly population, killing thousands. He also omitted any reference to New York City’s disastrous lockdowns and vaccine mandates, which have damaged the city’s economy. He said the...

STRASBOURG, France (AP) -- The president of the European Union slammed President Barack Obama's plans to have the U.S. spend its way out of recession as "a road to hell," underscoring European differences with Washington ahead of a crucial summit next week on fixing the world economy. Other European politicians kept their distance from the blunt remarks by Czech Prime Minister Mirek Topolanek, with some reproaching the Czech leader for his strong language and others reaffirming their good diplomatic ties with the U.S. Topolanek, whose country currently holds the rotating EU presidency, told the European Parliament on Wednesday that Obama's...

WASHINGTON (AP)-FBI Director Rober Mueller struggled Tuesday to convince skeptical senators that-despite recent abuses-the FBI should retain Patriot Act authority to gather telephone, e-mail and financial records without a judge's approval."The statute did not cause the errors. The FBI's implementation did," the FBI chief told the Senate Judiciary Committee.

COLUMBUS, Ohio - Nevada Bishop Katharine Jefferts Schori became the first woman to lead any church in the global Anglican Communion when she was elected Sunday to be the presiding bishop of the Episcopal Church. The choice of Jefferts Schori may worsen — and could even splinter — the already difficult relations between the American denomination and its fellow Anglicans. Episcopalians have been sparing with many in the other 37 Anglican provinces over homosexuality, but a female leader adds a new layer of complexity to the already troubled relationship. Only two other Anglican provinces — New Zealand and Canada —...

The European Union plans to transfer 100 million euros to the Palestinian Authority while bypassing the PA's terrorist-led government. According to a decision reached by EU leaders on Friday in Brussels, the funds will be earmarked for healthcare, electricity supplies and support for poor families in the PA. A mechanism to transfer the money directly to the targets of the largesse, bypassing the official Hamas-led PA government, is to be in place by early July, according to EU spokeswoman Emma Udwin. The EU has included Hamas on its list of terrorist groups and has frozen funds to the PA since...

British town's pubs scan fingerprints to spot louts Fri Apr 28, 1:42 PM ET LONDON (AFP) - Revellers in a British town are to have their fingerprints scanned when they enter pubs and clubs in a scheme aimed at weeding out drunken troublemakers. The "In Touch" project is the first of its kind in Britain. Biometric finger-scanning machines have been installed at six venues in Yeovil, southwest England. Clubbers will be asked to have their right index finger scanned and show picture identification to register on the system. The data is then stored on a computer network which other pubs...