Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy announced Thursday that he was moving a historic painting of Jesus back to a “place of prominence” at the Merchant Marine Academy after the Biden administration relegated it to the basement, he told The Daily Wire.  Duffy said in a video addressed to midshipmen that the World War II-era painting “Christ on the Water,” which depicts Jesus Christ appearing to sailors adrift at sea, would be returning to its original location at the Merchant Marine Academy in Kings Point, New York. The Biden administration moved the painting from its decades-old location to the basement in 2023 after a complaint that its presence violated the Constitution.  “We are moving Jesus out of the basement. To all the great midshipmen at the Merchant Marine Academy, you let me know how important this painting was to all of you,” Duffy said in the video, which was shared with The Daily Wire. “Now, we all know it was taken out of a place of prominence and put in down in the basement.” Duffy, whose Maritime Administration operates the academy, said he was working with leadership at the institution to facilitate the move. “I worked with the Academy, and because this is such a historic painting, I’m announcing that through that work with the academy, this painting is going to go from the basement back to its place of prominence. It will be a moment to celebrate,” the devout Catholic said.  “Christ on the Water” by Lt. Hunter Wood, USMS “Christ on the Water” was completed in 1944 by artist Hunter Wood, who joined the Coast Guard just 10 days after the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor. Wood saw action in North Africa before working on a Coast Guard Combat Artist Unit. In 1947, his painting was installed at the Merchant Marine Academy’s Wiley Hall Elliot See Room. It was displayed at that location for almost 80 years, when the Biden administration moved it because of a complaint from the Military Religious Freedom Foundation.   Duffy said that the painting will be returned to its original location the Elliot See Room. Last month, he received a vigorous round of applause from midshipmen at the Merchant Marine Academy after he called for they painting to be restore to its original location.  “Can we bring Jesus up from the basement?” Duffy said. “Let’s not put Jesus in the basement! Let’s get Him out! Let’s bring Him up!” Mikey Weinstein, of the Military Religious Freedom Foundation, has promised to start “World War Eight” if the painting is moved, calling Duffy a “piece of s***” for advocating for the move. Weinstein claims that displaying the painting violates the Constitution and forces Christianity on students.  Sen. Ted Cruz (R-TX) sent a letter last week to Duffy, praising him for the plans to move the painting and noting that there were no Constitutional reasons to keep the painting out of public view. Cruz said returning the painting would be an important step to protecting America’s religious heritage.

A young Israeli mother of three children was on her way to the hospital on Wednesday to deliver her fourth child with her husband when she was shot and killed by a Palestinian terrorist, leaving her baby boy, delivered by emergency Caesarean section, fighting for his life. TZE'ELA GEZ, a nurse and a nine-month-pregnant mother of three, was murdered in a Jihadist terrorist shooting attack on Wednesday night AS SHE WAS IN LABOR TO DELIVER HER BABY. Pray for her baby, a little boy fighting for his life after being delivered in an emergency C-section.… pic.twitter.com/N3Ovh9yQ1j — Yishai Fleisher يشاي ישי פליישר ? (@YishaiFleisher) May 15, 2025 This is *Tze’ela Gez*, a 30-year-old mother, wife, daughter, friend and therapist. *A Jew*. Last night, Tze’ela went into labor, and on the way to the hospital with her husband, they were shot by Palestinian terrorists. Now, four children are left motherless, one of whom never… pic.twitter.com/oqkYsWNnQj — Matthew Feinberg (@thewebbie) May 15, 2025 Hamas praised the execution of Tzeela Gez – a pregnant Israeli mother gunned down on her way to give birth. Her newborn is clinging to life. This is what “heroism” looks like to Palestinians: murdering mothers and orphaning babies. There are no words. pic.twitter.com/MSaJHrqd75 — raz sauber – רז זאובר (@raz_sauber_) May 15, 2025 Last night, Tze'ela Gez and her husband were on their way to the delivery room when they were shot in a terrorist attack. Their baby was delivered in emergency surgery and is now fighting for his life.⁰Her husband was wounded. The terrorist opened fire on their car, shooting… pic.twitter.com/7VQG2ZpGsV — LTC Nadav Shoshani (@LTC_Shoshani) May 15, 2025 Heartbreaking morning ? Tzeela Gez was on her way to give birth to her fourth child last night when a terrorist opened fire near the community of Pduel, critically injuring her. This morning, she tragically succumbed to her injuries. We pray for her baby, delivered via… pic.twitter.com/8zchYSlZvF — Israel ישראל (@Israel) May 15, 2025 Tzeela Gez z"l, a pregnant mother of three, was murdered in cold blood on the road to the hospital.Her unborn baby was delivered in an emergency surgery — Our prayers are with her baby, still fighting to live.It’s a brutal reminder of the hatred we face — hatred that targets… pic.twitter.com/myq5JR8v66 — J.Majburd (@JonathanMajburd) May 15, 2025 Tze’ela, Gez, 30, a mental health counsellor who treated people suffering from trauma and anxiety, wrote on Facebook two months after the horrific October 7 massacre of more than 1200 Israelis, “Another moment I am grateful that I am breathing, that I am present and that I am here. From here, all I want to do is be active and spread light; even a small smile is spreading light.” There is a video of Tzeela Gez ז״ל circulating on social media. I’ve added captions to it. Tzeela was a mental health counsellor who treated people suffering from trauma and anxiety. Praying for her baby, family and friends May Tzeela’s memory be a blessing ?? https://t.co/2ocgtnwGN1 pic.twitter.com/NR1rOwU71w — Karen Ievers (@karenievers) May 15, 2025 After she was shot by the terrorist, Gez was rushed to Petah Tikva’s Rabin Medical Center, where she later died. Gez’s sister, Shaked Force, said her sister’s pregnancy had been difficult, saying, “She really put in an effort. She was always smiling and gave all her strength, always there for others. I don’t have the words to describe such an amazing character.” Tal Shahar Carmon, Gez’s close friend, told Kan of the “unbearably difficult” moment when Gez’s husband Hananel told his three other children of her murder: “He told them that with Mom they traveled to bring the new baby, and on the way a terrorist shot at Mom, and Dad tried to save her, and they did everything, and they managed to save the baby but not Mom.” “This is a difficult and painful attack in which an Israeli civilian was killed on her way to a delivery room. I share in the deep sorrow of the family. We are engaged in broad fighting against terror in Judea and Samaria (West Bank), and we will continue,” IDF Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Eyal Zamir said. “We will activate all our tools, and we will reach the murderers to bring them to justice,” he added. Limor Son Har-Melech, a member of the Israeli Knesset, was seven months pregnant with her second child in 2003 when she and her husband were shot by five Palestinian terrorists, killing her husband instantly and leaving her in critical condition, while her daughter was delivered in an emergency Caesarean section. Al-Aqsa Martyrs’ Brigades, the military wing of the Fatah party until 2007, headed now by Palestinian Authority president Mahmoud Abbas, claimed responsibility for the attack. Har-Melech reacted to the latest murderous assault by Palestinian terrorists, writing on X: Catching up on the terrible attack last night in Samaria and can’t breathe. Reading about Tsala Gaz, Y.D. — a young, pregnant woman, on her way to the delivery room, for the happiest event of her life, bringing life into the world. Her husband was injured in the attack while they were fighting for the baby’s life — and I can’t help but go back 21 years. I was there too. I was also a pregnant woman traveling with her husband on the roads of Samaria, we also encountered a squad of murderers who fired at our car. Shuli, my beloved husband, was murdered. And I, wounded, was taken to emergency surgery. My daughter Sarah was born then, in the sixth month — three hours after her father was murdered, and even then they fought for her life. Yesterday, just as we were celebrating Sarah’s engagement, the terrible news came. The media called, asking me to be interviewed. I couldn’t. The pain was too great. I imagined Tzala Gaz there, and her husband — that I was praying for his recovery. I imagined how excited they were about the birth, how much they had been waiting for this moment. How they decided that this was the time — now — to get in the car and drive to the hospital. And at that exact moment, a squad of terrorists gathered, who decided that this was the time to murder — to murder them just because they were Jews. We are dealing with a cruel enemy. An enemy who seeks to kill Jews. In the middle of the night. On dark roads. In order to defeat him and to eradicate him — we must first know his cruel and murderous nature and his goals. מתעדכנת על הפיגוע הנורא הלילה בשומרון ולא מצליחה לנשום.קוראת על צאלה גז הי״ד — אישה צעירה, בהריון, בדרכה לחדר לידה, לאירוע המשמח ביותר בחייה, הבאת חיים לעולם. בעלה נפצע בפיגוע שעה שנלחמים על חיי התינוק — ואני לא יכולה שלא לחזור 21 שנה לאחור. גם אני הייתי שם. גם אני הייתי אישה… pic.twitter.com/3Ukm2NPVYP — לימור סון הר מלך (@limor_sonhrmelh) May 15, 2025

'Please just go'

'It could change'

'I’m dead set against DEI'

DHS SEC. NOEM CALLS OUT DEM LAWMAKERS FOR ALLEGEDLY 'ASSAULTING LAW ENFORCEMENT' ... .@Sec_Noem says it perfectly: “I hope that those members of Congress will so passionately protest on behalf of the American victims that they were elected to represent — and not just violent criminals who are in this country illegally.” (VIDEO)

'Where will the funding come next year?'

News star trek: strange new worlds Star Trek: Strange New Worlds’ Weekly Space Adventures Return in July Get ready for this season’s plethora of genres. By Molly Templeton | Published on May 15, 2025 Image: Marni Grossman/Paramount+ Comment 0 Share New Share Image: Marni Grossman/Paramount+ Captain Space Daddy is almost back in your living room: Paramount+ announced today that Star Trek: Strange New Worlds will return for its third season beginning July 17th. Tragically, this announcement did not come with a new trailer; the last one, back in April, was delightful, but that just means we need more. We did get a colorful new poster, though! They are all walking purposefully, no? I wonder where they’re going. Here’s the synopsis for the upcoming season: In season three, when we reconnect with the crew of the U.S.S. Enterprise, still under the command of Captain Pike, they face the conclusion of season two’s harrowing encounter with the Gorn. But new life and civilizations await, including a villain that will test our characters’ grit and resolve. An exciting twist on classic Star Trek, season three takes characters both new and beloved to new heights, and dives into thrilling adventures of faith, duty, romance, comedy, and mystery, with varying genres never before seen on any other Star Trek. Does it seem a little bit like saying “still under the command of Captain Pike” implies that it won’t stay that way for much longer? We all know who becomes captain of this ship eventually, but personally I’m in no hurry to send Pike off into the space sunset. Strange New Worlds stars Anson Mount, Rebecca Romijn, Ethan Peck, Jess Bush, Christina Chong, Celia Rose Gooding, Melissa Navia, Babs Olusanmokun, and Martin Quinn; special guest star Paul Wesley; and guest stars Rhys Darby, Patton Oswalt, Cillian O’Sullivan, Melanie Scrofano and Carol Kane. Akiva Goldsman and Henry Alonso Myers share showrunner duties. The July 17th premiere will give us two episodes; the rest of the season will run weekly on Thursdays through the finale on September 11th. You can watch the first two seasons now on Paramount+.[end-mark] The post <i>Star Trek: Strange New Worlds</i>’ Weekly Space Adventures Return in July appeared first on Reactor.

Troops chanted “U.S.A.” at the largest U.S. military base in the Middle East as President Donald Trump took the podium before them on Thursday.   The president touted the changes his administration has already made to the U.S. military, such as reinstating service members expelled under the Biden administration for not taking the COVID-19 vaccine and ending “training sessions on political correctness.”   “We don’t care if you’re politically correct,” Trump told the troops at Al Udeid Air Base in Doha, Qatar.  Trump celebrated the increase in men and women joining the armed forces, telling troops, “Six months ago we couldn’t get people to join the military. Nobody wanted your job, now everybody wants your job.” In April, Military.com reported that the Army had reached 85% of its target recruiting numbers for fiscal 2025. By the same time last year, the Army had only reached 63% of its recruiting goal.   Trump attributed the increase in men and women joining the military to “a whole new spirit” in America.   “Under the Trump administration, America is back and America’s military is back bigger, better, and stronger than ever before,” the president said.   Trump delivered the address to the U.S. troops in Qatar just before leaving for the United Arab Emirates, the final stop on the president’s four-day trip to the Middle East.  The president’s trip has been marked by major economic deals according to the White House, from “an agreement with Qatar to generate an economic exchange worth at least $1.2 trillion,” to a $600 billion commitment from Saudi Arabia to invest in the U.S.  The president also met with Syrian President Ahmed al-Shara in Saudi Arabia on Wednesday after announcing the lifting of U.S. sanctions on the Middle Eastern nation. Trump encouraged Syria to join the Abraham Accords and normalize relations with Israel.   Trump’s actions demonstrate a willingness to make economic deals with Middle Eastern nations in the interest of stability in the region.   “As president, my priority is to end conflicts, not start them,” Trump said during his speech to U.S. troops. “But I will never hesitate to wield American power if it’s necessary to defend the United States of America or our partners.”   “We have overwhelming strength and devastating force,” Trump continued during the 47-minute speech. Upon arriving in Abu Dhabi Thursday, Trump toured the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque and is slated to participate in bilateral meetings at the UAE presidential palace later in the day.  The post Trump Speaks to US Troops in Middle East: ‘We Don’t Care If You’re Politically Correct’ appeared first on The Daily Signal.

If you're tired of censorship and dystopian threats against civil liberties, subscribe to Reclaim The Net. California is accelerating its push into digital identity, with officials launching new pilot programs designed to streamline how residents access public services. But while the state promotes the convenience and efficiency of these efforts, the broader implications for privacy and data control remain a growing concern among advocates for digital rights. Jonathan Porat, California’s chief technology officer, said the state’s Department of Technology is moving ahead with new collaborations following initial efforts that included the mobile driver’s license launched last fall and a single sign-on pilot through Login.gov tied to transportation benefits. That project, run through the Cal-ITP platform, lets eligible residents access transit discounts using a contactless payment system linked to their identity. Seniors, veterans, and others were able to verify eligibility for reduced fares without presenting physical documentation. According to Porat, the project’s success in Monterey County and Santa Barbara led the state to explore expanding the system to more than a dozen other local transit agencies. But while the state touts these pilots as progress toward modernizing access to benefits, the increasing reliance on digital credentials has sparked important questions about surveillance, data sharing, and long-term risks. California’s approach differs from other states that have focused on digital IDs primarily for age or identity verification. Porat explained that the state wants to use these tools to confirm eligibility across a range of public services. “We’re proud as a state to have [a mobile driver’s license] as well, but we’re really thinking about, how can we digitize the way that we validate residents’ identities and eligibility for different programs,” he said. That vision includes broader partnerships, including with federal agencies like the VA and CMS. “What we’re doing now is trying to expand the breadth of those different benefits programs,” Porat said. “So we started by looking at a couple of simple things, like age-related discounts, and now we’re going so far as to have agreements with the federal VA and CMS, the group that manages Medicare and Medicaid, so that if you receive disability, if you are above a certain age, if you have a certain status, you can get those discounts automatically, just by paying with your wireless payment.” Such integrations may offer smoother access to services, but they also carry a potential cost: a growing infrastructure that links personal data across multiple agencies and systems. Even with safeguards, the more centralized and digitized identity becomes, the greater the potential for misuse, breaches, or overreach, particularly if future administrations or private vendors push for expanded uses. Digital identity systems often come with promises of user control and minimal data collection. The real test will be how these assurances hold up over time, especially as new uses emerge and public agencies rely more heavily on third-party vendors. Privacy advocates have long warned that once identity systems are in place, they tend to expand in scope, often in ways that individuals cannot easily opt out of. If you're tired of censorship and dystopian threats against civil liberties, subscribe to Reclaim The Net. The post California Expands Digital ID Programs for Public Services, Despite Privacy Concerns appeared first on Reclaim The Net.