Elon Musk’s social media platform X is being hailed in Ireland for its defense of the free press after it declined to comply with a demand from Irish authorities for confidential user data from one of the nation’s only independent news outlets. An Irish court order, issued on June 13, 2024, and obtained by The Daily Wire, sought not only private account details, but also a log of IP addresses and messages tied to the Gript Media’s coverage of the April protests against the forced housing of undocumented migrants by the Irish government. The order, granted under Ireland’s Criminal Justice Act 1994 at the request of Garda Síochána, Ireland’s national police, directed X to produce extensive data linked to Gript Media’s official X account, @griptmedia. The court order specifically sought subscriber and registration details, including all logged IP addresses, private messages that would have exposed confidential informants, attachments, and posted videos from April 25-28, 2024. In a February email to Gript, X notified Gript of Ireland’s June request and said it would not comply. “X has not produced information related to your account in response to this legal process,” the email said, according to a copy obtained by The Daily Wire. “One of our core values is to defend and respect the user’s voice. Accordingly, it is our policy to notify users of requests for their account information as soon as the law allows us too, unless we’re generally prohibited from doing so.” In April, Gript extensively covered protests in Newtownmountkennedy, where Irish citizens opposed the establishment of an “asylum seeker” accommodation center. The demonstrations escalated on April 25, with the Garda Public Order Unit using force, including pepper spray, against protesters. Gript’s journalist Fatima Gunning was caught in the clashes, an incident captured on video and widely circulated online. According to court documents obtained by The Daily Wire, it was shortly after the publication of these videos that the Gardaí sought legal authority to access Gript’s X account, a move seen by journalists as an attempt to intimidate those seeking to expose state misconduct. Gary Kavanagh, Gript’s deputy editor, condemned the order calling it a “direct attack on press freedom” designed to deter sources from speaking to journalists. “The role of journalism is to hold power to account, but how can we do that when the state is using secret court orders to access our private communications?” Kavanagh said. “This is not just about Gript; this is about the future of a free press in Ireland.” He also praised X for its “commitment to free speech.” “If this had happened under the previous management of Twitter, we might never have even known about it,” Kavanagh said. “The fact that Musk’s team stood firm is a testament to their commitment to free speech and transparency.” Gunning, the journalist, told The Daily Wire that if X complied with the order, she would have been “powerless” as a reporter. “As a journalist, if I cannot establish trust of confidentiality with sources if needs be, I am in many ways rendered powerless to report on issues of concern to the Irish people,” Gunning said. “I can put my hand on my heart and say that I believe my reporting on the situation in Newtownmountkennedy was fair to both the protestors and the Gardaí,” she said. “Anyone interested doesn’t need to take my word for this: they can simply watch the many videos I posted from the scene which did not give favorable coverage to either side.” “Nothing was concealed from the public on my part, so to have our national police force use laws originally intended to tackle those funding terrorism against my colleagues and it feels like nothing more than a gross abuse of power and Irish law.” Kavanagh says Gript has since instructed legal counsel to challenge the warrant’s legitimacy, suspecting it may have been improperly awarded. “If the Irish state can do this to Gript today, it can do it to any journalist tomorrow,” Kavanagh stated. Reached for comment by The Daily Wire, a Garda Síochána spokesman “declined to comment on ongoing investigations,” but defended the use of court orders, stating that law enforcement has a duty to obtain all available evidence when investigating alleged criminal activity. “We operate within the legal framework set out by the Irish courts and judicial oversight is always applied in such cases,” the spokesman said. The force did not address concerns about press freedoms or the implications of using anti-crime legislation against journalists. This is only the latest of a number of controversies amid growing concerns over state surveillance and media suppression in Ireland and the European Union. Critics argue that granting police unrestricted access to social media accounts could undermine free speech and chill the press, particularly in countries where major social media companies, including X, maintain European headquarters. The incident also ties into a broader debate on Ireland’s housing crisis and immigration policies. Many protesters in Newtownmountkennedy argued that the government’s prioritization of undocumented “asylum seekers” for housing left native Irish citizens waiting years for accommodations. The government’s approach, coupled with its crackdown on journalists covering these protests, has only inflamed public distrust. X’s refusal to comply with the court order, however, underscores the platform’s commitment to free speech. As the Irish government faces mounting international criticism over its treatment of independent journalists, its handling of immigration protests, and the potential misuse of legal mechanisms to silence dissenting voices, Gript Media remains resolute—vowing to challenge the order in court. Ireland’s prime minister Micheál Martin, known as the Taoiseach, will be in Washington, D.C., this week to meet with President Donald Trump at the White House.

It’s clear by now that Chappell Roan has taken the music industry by storm. Her music has captured the attention of folks from all walks of life and of ages — that includes babies! But did you know that humans are the only ones who love hits like Pink Pony Club? That’s right, Chappell Roan isn’t just your favorite artist’s favorite artist… even our pets adore her music! This has been proven in a number of adorable videos online. One of these videos features a sweet pup named Coors. He’s a Frenchie, and he is far cuter than words could ever describe. One day, his owner, Lex Raynak, wondered how he would react to her playing Pink Pony Club. And we’re so glad she did! Check out how this puppy reacts to Chappell Roan in the viral video below! @lexrayn Baby Coors loves Pink Pony Club #fyp #foryou #trending #puppy #frenchie #Lifestyle #homefinds #homeaesthetic #dailyvlog #chappellroan ♬ Pink Pony Club – Chappell Roan “It was at the moment [he] realized [he] is indeed a pink pony girl,” someone writes in reply to Lex’s viral video, with another person adding, “Chappell Roan is the only thing that calms my reactive dog so now when she’s having a barking fit my entire family starts singing PPC [Pink Pony Club].” Not Even a Puppy Can Resist the Magic of Pink Pony Club by Chappell Roan “We have a Frenchie puppy too and named him Pete and have made this his song!!” a third person shares. “We say ‘Pete pony club.'” @juliholmes Big Chappell guy @chappell roan ♬ original sound – juliholmes While Chappell Roan seems to calm some pets, for others, it’s more of a hype song. In other words, even dogs like to sing along! Juli Holmes’ dog did just that in the above video. And, you know what? He did a pretty darn good job despite it only being his first time hearing it! With more new music on the way, it’s only a matter of time before Chappell Roan’s fan base of four-legged fans grows even more. And, really, who could ask for better fans? You can find the source of this story’s featured image here! The post Newest Four-Legged Fan? “A Puppy Living Life Hearing Chappell Roan For The First Time” appeared first on InspireMore.

WASHINGTON–When Stanford epidemiologist Jay Bhattacharya challenged COVID-19 lockdown orthodoxy in 2020, critics glued posters of his face across the campus–which he saw as an incitement to violence–and colleagues tried to marginalize him for spreading misinformation. It didn’t matter that he was right. But it matters now. President Donald Trump chose Bhattacharya to head the National Institutes of Health. Wednesday, Bhattacharya spoke at his Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee confirmation hearing. I was there to watch a man who had become a friend finally get the recognition he deserved. As Democrats and some Republicans tried to get Bhattacharya to renounce Trump’s budget and personnel cuts, Bhattacharya stayed focused on his goal of not suppressing research that questions orthodoxies. When Chairman Bill Cassidy of Louisiana pushed him to declare categorically that there is no link between vaccines and autism, Bhattacharya called for more research and letting “good data” speak for itself. (Maybe because such absolutist pronouncements often beget skepticism.) Bhattacharya and I first spoke in March 2020, when COVID-19 entered the political scene and Trump had to steer the public through a great unknown threat. Prompted by a mutual friend, I called Bhattacharya to get his take on a phenomenon I never imagined covering. As Beltway insiders panicked and hid in their basements, Jay had an informed, commonsense view of the way forward. He thought about not only the death toll from COVID-19 but also the negative, and often severe, health consequences of shutdowns. “There’s mortality on both sides of this,” he told me at the time. There was no need for all Americans to isolate; he advocated “a focused strategy” to protect the elderly and other vulnerable populations. Months later, Bhattacharya and two fellow epidemiologists from top universities–Harvard’s Martin Kulldorff and Oxford’s Sunetra Gupta–released the Great Barrington Declaration, which was co-signed by thousands of doctors and health scientists. The one-page document noted, “Current lockdown policies are producing devastating effects on short and long-term public health. The results (to name a few) include lower childhood vaccination rates, worsening cardiovascular disease outcomes, fewer cancer screenings and deteriorating mental health–leading to greater excess mortality in years to come, with the working class and younger members of society carrying the heaviest burden. Keeping students out of school is a grave injustice.” The fallout of school lockdowns will be felt for decades. But the Beltway establishment, in a frenzy, wanted to keep America at home. Then-NIH Director Francis S. Collins dismissed the declaration’s authors as “fringe epidemiologists” deserving of a “quick and devastating published takedown.” News organizations got the signal and branded Jay as “polarizing” and a spreader of dangerous disinformation. Bhattacharya has a more humble approach, because he knows the medical establishment’s arrogance has real consequences. Health care workers, police, firefighters, the military, grocery store workers, pharmacists, delivery truck drivers, bus drivers and food processors who did not bow to vaccine mandates lost their jobs, even after many had worked at great personal risk before the COVID-19 vaccine was available. Bhattacharya told the committee that he is vaccinated but he does not believe the government should coerce those who do not want to take the jab. Smart. It was the misplaced certainty and zeal to excoriate skeptics that soured many on the medical establishment’s edicts. I am not the only one who believes that COVID-19 hurt Trump’s re-election bid in 2020. But it is a huge reason he won in 2024. President Joe Biden’s America gave in to fear. School shutdowns shortchanged America’s children. Work-from-home policies proved poisonous for downtowns, restaurants and the hospitality industry. Las Vegas lost an estimated 26,000 jobs. Sure, the laptop class could work from home, but many essential workers could not. Trump wanted America to get back to work. Politico dismissed Bhattacharya as a “health-care disruptor” who airs “pandemic grievances.” He’s right, but many in the media want to brand him as a crank. Which shows how desperate they are, because, as anyone who has met Jay knows, he’s very likable. As the hearing went on, Democrats seemed to let up because they couldn’t crack him. Maybe a couple will vote with Republicans for him on March 13. Of course, it shouldn’t matter that Bhattacharya is highly likable. What matters is that he was right about COVID-19. And that when the Beltway health care establishment went after him, he didn’t buckle. COPYRIGHT 2025 CREATORS.COM We publish a variety of perspectives. Nothing written here is to be construed as representing the views of The Daily Signal. The post Trump’s Pick to Head NIH Did Not Follow the COVID-19 Herd appeared first on The Daily Signal.

Curious about natural mosquito repellent plants? Satisfy your curiosity and find out if indeed these mosquito repellent plants are a match against these pesky blood-thirsty, disease-spreading, ear buzzers! Mosquito Repellent Plants For Mosquito-Proof Gardens Mosquito repellent plants sure got me going gaga with all these alarming news of Zika and West Nile virus among other mosquito-borne diseases. I went on self-help mode and went online to find out more about natural mosquito repellent plants. While there are effective ways to mosquito-proof our home, the outdoors is a different story. Luckily, some of our favorite herbs and plants are either studied or commonly known as mosquito repellants. Grow a garden with these natural mosquito repellent plants as your first line of defense against mosquitoes!   1. Citronella Or Lemongrass “Cymbopogon citratus” Perhaps, one of the most notable mosquito repellent plants is the lemongrass. Citronella oil, which is commonly used for making insect repellent spray, soaps, and candles can be extracted from the plant. Aside from this purpose, Oriental dish recipes are never complete without lemongrass. 2. Basil Or Saint-Joseph's-wort  “Ocimum Basilicum” Growing basil in your garden isn't only great news for your pasta recipes. Among its many uses is to ward off insects including mosquitos by their scent. One of its many health-boosting properties is to strengthen our immune system, which is our body's first line of defense against diseases. Including, heaven forbid, mosquito-borne diseases. 3. Rosemary “Rosmarinus Officinalis” You can never go wrong with rosemaries both indoors and outdoors in your garden. With this drought-resistant plant, you can grow rosemary in a waterless landscape which deprives mosquitoes of their habitat. Rosemaries in a dry landscape practically equals to zero mosquitoes. 4. Catnip Or Catmint “Nepeta Cataria“ Catnip has been recognized as one of the strongest natural insect repellents. In fact, catnip is 10 times stronger than DEET, the commonly used ingredient in insect repellent. Grow lots of catmint bushes in your garden to ward off pests or grab an essential oil and use the aroma to repel mosquitoes. Your cats will certainly love this idea. 5. Lavender “Lavandula“ Lavender's agreeable aroma is wonderful for humans but not for mosquitoes. Try lavender candles or burning lavender incense to drive away mosquitoes and enjoy the relaxing scent, bug-free. Plant lavender around your home or yard or use essential oils for alternative repellents! 6. Marigold “Tagetes“ If you're having some major mosquito issues, have you considered planting some marigolds in your garden? Marigold is a natural mosquito repellent. No need to rub on oils or creams with this plant. Just grow it in your garden, and let the marigolds do the work. 7. Floss Flowers Or Whiteweed “Ageratum“ Mosquitoes seem to find the smell of floss flowers offensive, probably due to coumarin, a fragrant organic compound secreted by the plant. This compound is widely used in manufacturing mosquito repellent products. Grow these flowers in your garden to repel mosquitoes but avoid rubbing the leaves on your skin. 8. Camphor Tree Or Camphor Laurel “Cinnamomum Camphora“ While camphor trees are considered invasive, its pest and mosquito repelling properties are highly appreciated. You can find from the first-hand experience of camphor tree growers how they are effective in keeping mosquitoes at bay. With its strong aroma, it seems to work amazingly round the clock. 9. Cedar Tree “Cedrus“ Some growers may not agree to this entry with mosquitoes sometimes swarming cedar trees or hedges. It is not the cedar but the cool moist shade that cedar provides which actually draws mosquitoes. In fact, cedar is also used to make mosquito repellent sprays. Its aroma and essential oils are offensive and even destructive to mosquitoes. 10. Chamomile Aside from its popular use as an ingredient for making tea, essential oils from chamomile are also used to drive insects including mosquitoes away. You can either use fresh or dried chamomile flowers to make a homemade mosquito repellent spray. 11. Chrysanthemums Besides their beauty, chrysanthemums are known for its insecticidal properties. With Pyrethrum, a compound which attacks the nervous system of insects and disrupts female mosquitoes, they make very effective mosquito repellant. Adding to that, they make great indoor plants which help purify the air, according to NASA. 12. Citronella Geranium “Citrosa Geranium“ Perhaps, owing to its popularity and for the high expectation as a ‘mosquito plant', citronella geranium's capacity has been questioned. It also smells quite like citronella, so for what it's worth, you have the dainty flowers and the lovely scent to make up for what it probably lacks. 13. Horsemint Or Bee Balm “Monarda“ Like many of its relative from the mint family, bee balm is also known to repel insects including mosquitoes. They can effectively function as mosquito repellents when the leaves are crushed to release essential oils. Horsemint is beneficial to the garden for attracting hummingbirds and bees, which is a plus. 14. White Sage Or Tickberry “Lantana Camara“ With attractive flowers blooming all summer long, you can grow low-lying lantanas in your garden to help repel mosquitoes. Its smell is offensive to insects and some critters including deer. Make sure to grow them in your garden conservatively as they can be invasive. 15. Lemon Verbena “Aloysia citrodora“ This is another herb with an aroma which is strongly reminiscent of lemon especially when crushed. Its ability to repel mosquitoes is probably credited to this fact. You can add lemon verbena to your mosquito repellent garden for variety.   Watch this video to make a homemade mosquito repellent from plants' essential oils: There's definitely no one ultimate mosquito repellent plant which completely drives mosquitoes away. Unfortunately, this is one on going battle with these blood-thirsty pesky critters. Along with keeping your environment unlivable for mosquitoes, growing mosquito repellent plants could be one way to reduce mosquitoes in your yard! Which of these plants is your tried and tested mosquito-repellent plant? We'd love to hear all about your experience in the comments!  UP NEXT: How To Get Rid Of Flies | 12 Natural And Homemade Fly Repellents Follow us on Instagram, Twitter, Pinterest, and Facebook!   This post was originally published in January 2016 and has been updated for quality and relevancy.

Freezing Out the Deep State

Just look at them go!

"I have a foreboding of an America in my children’s or grandchildren’s time," Sagan wrote in 1995.

There's a reason why a dachshund will never outgrow a diplodocus.

Jurassic Park meets real life. But Dr Malcolm had a good point.