The Epstein Files Are Set To Be Released

 

After protests and political contention, the Epstein files are going to be released. The motivation for keeping the files hidden relates to who was complicit or guilty of crimes. Various political figures, celebrities, academicians, and other public figures made contact with Jeffery Epstein. Members of  both the Republican and Democratic Party were known to be associated with the disgraced financier. Even as the files are being prepared for release, redactions will be made. This means certain individuals part of the Epstein network will never be arrested or stand trial. After must research, it has been found that Jeffery Epstein was involved with intelligence. Epstein's connections to the Mossad are gradually being uncovered. The Justice Department has a month to make the documents public. President Trump's vacillation related to the release of the files cause a rift amongst the conservative movement. Previously, President Trump refused to push for release of the documents. The reversal of the past position was either out of pressure or the hope the documents would contain damaging information related to his political opponents. The speculation was that President Donald Trump was involved in the abuses on Epstein's estates or was helping him with criminal activities. Another possible explanation is the White House wanted to use the Epstein files as method of extortion against members of  the US Congress. So far these speculations have not been proven. What is known is that criminality and corruption are operating at the highest levels of society.      

Former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina Sentenced To Death

 

Three judges on the International Crimes Tribunal issued a verdict related to the former prime minister. Sheikh Hasina is to be sentenced to death. The problem with this is that there was no trial and Hasina has been in exile in India. She does not have legal defense organized or representation. The charges assert that Sheikh Hasina was responsible for murders by law enforcement  during the 2024 protests. The demonstrations became so intense that her government collapsed. The Awami League Party was forced from power. Demands are growing for her extradition. India has not plans to send her back to Bangladesh. Accusations of extrajudicial killings, use of drones, and massacres have been made. Indications are present that there is a political motivation for the verdict. The Awami League is prohibited from participating in next year's elections. Capital punishment can polarize the public. The 1975 military coup resulted in her fathers assassination. This resulted in her first exile. The first exile was a political motivation and the government criminalizing political opponents. Sheikh Hasina's experiences molded her politics and ideology. A strong government would have to come at the expense of  democratic institutions. This was for the unity of the country, but was undermined by nepotism. Sheikh Hasina may never be able to return to Bangladesh. Complicating relations with India over the matter of extradition need to be considered. More violence could breakout if the former prime minister is executed. 

Edward Said on The Claims To Palestine (2003)

 

As Israel continues to violate the ceasefire and colonize land, history must be revisited to understand the violence. Edward Said (1935-2003) was a literary critic and activist who provided insight into Israel's abuses.  The basis of Zionist colonization is that they are the only people who claim to that land. The Israelites based on history and archeological examination, had dominance for only two centuries. Edward Said explained that was only 250 years. The ancient Israelites are not the Zionist settlers of the present. Palestine was inhabited by Canaanites, Philistines, Jebusites, Moabites, and many other people as Said explained. The Arabs have a greater claim to the land than the European Jews who came after 1947. The only way Zionist colonization can justify violence is to say God mandates it. Edward Said expresses this is not a rational argument. Now that Israel is expanding influence into Syria, it becomes a weaker claim. The Jewish settlers are from Poland, Russia, UK, US, and other nations of Europe. They identify more with the West, than with the Middle East. This is explains why a number of Israelis returned to Europe when the Israel-Gaza War broke out. Zionist settlers are being used to impose an imperial design on the entire region. Europe's support is not out of concern for Jewish security, but to ensure a subordinate Middle East. Said's analysis contributed to the development of post-colonial studies. Israel  is an example of the abuses of neocolonial imperialism and the mechanisms of an oppressive system . 

Pennies Are Ending Production

 

Pennies are no longer going to be produced. The United States has produced the penny since 1793. The reason for this decision was that pennies were getting too expensive to produce. This is according to the US Department of  Treasury. If legal tender is getting expensive to produce, then it indicates concerns about the economy. Increasing national debt means the ability to perform certain domestic tasks are limited. Currency production should not be a challenge for a high income country. Ending penny production is not going to save large amounts for the US. Pennies can still be used and will remain in circulation. An estimated billions of pennies still remain in stores, banks, and among the population. It will take time for pennies to become rare. Coin collectors might see an increase in acquisition as the supply becomes smaller. Retailers are trying to navigate the end of penny production. Making change could be an issue. One solution is to round down prices or ask customers to exchange pennies for rewards. Those who own large amounts of pennies should not dispose of them. The coins can still be used and as time passes more valuable. What would be helpful to consumers is to exchange pennies at your bank. Taking time to count the value, the banks will give cash for large amounts of pennies. The 230 year history of the penny will be of interest to numismatics and economics. The last penny was the Lincoln cent . Introduced in 1909 to commemorate  President Abraham Lincoln's birth, the currency itself became an icon.    

Nubian Artifacts Are Under Threat In Sudan

 

The civil war in Sudan has brought Nubian artifacts under threat. Thefts, looting, and damage to historical objects is becoming widespread. The criminal activity mostly comes from the Rapid Support Forces. The reasons have ethnic overtones. The RSF was formed from the Janjaweed militia, which were mostly Arabs. The Janjaweed were fighting to end rebellion in Darfur. The RSF has been reported to have assistance from the United Arab Emirates. Throughout history there have been Arab attempts to wide out African history. West Asian invasion has ancient roots in Nile Valley civilization. The RSF has a goal of establishing an Arab state and part of this involves the destruction of  Sudan's ancient  treasures. Sudanese Arabs, Nubians, Zaghawa, Beja, and Nubians form the population of the country. Sudan as a rich and unique history, which needs to be preserved. The attacks on the Sudan National Museum are a major concern. The Sudan National Museum was established in 1959 for preserving antiquities. At the time, flooding from Egypt's Aswan Dam put artifacts and monuments  at risk. The Sudan National Museum became a sanctuary for cherished relics. The Sudan National Museum has an estimated 100,000 artifacts. Now, the collection is at risk of becoming prizes of war or being sold by the RSF. The Sudanese Armed Forces are not focused on securing artifacts. Their primary objective is to take back the areas  that the RSF is in control of. Sudan cannot allow the history of Kerma, Kush, and Meroe to be erased. Sudan should consider shipping artifacts to other African nations. Securing museums and the artifacts needs to be part of  the strategy the Sudanese Armed Forces. Archeologists, historians, and academics need to document all the information they can to prevent it from becoming lost.  

Nancy Pelosi's Visit To China (1991)

 

Nancy Pelosi announced she will not seek reelection. She was first elected to the U.S. House of Representatives in 1987. Her visit to China in 1991 became performative politics. The Democratic representative made decided to stop by Tiananmen Square and make statements about the protests in 1989. What attracted attention from authorities  was holding up a memorial banner. This was more than just a visit and paying respects to victim of police brutality. A choreographed ceremony was being done so she could boost her political profile. Pelosi was not concerned about the welfare of the Chinese people. Rather as a US leader there was a growing disdain for China's economic rise. Nancy Pelosi would disparage trade and tariffs with China in the US House of Representatives in 1996. As Speaker of the House she would visit Taiwan in 2022. Nancy Pelosi had a consistent anti-Chinese political position for the sake of US dominance in Asia. Human rights was being used as a mask to disguise an ulterior geopolitical objective. Foreign interference into  protests in other nations is way to manipulate them. A faction of Tiananmen Square demonstrators wanted to use perestroika as a political model. Chinese were not demonstrating for a western liberal democracy. The demand was for reforms. Pelosi's 1991 comment on free speech in China was contradictory. Just a decade later, free press and speech were under attack in the US due to anti-terrorism laws.    

Richard Cheney Discusses The Gulf War (1994)

 

Richard Cheney ( 1941-2025) was a prominent neoconservative who served as Vice President under George W. Bush. Cheney was considered the architect of the the 2003 Iraq War.  As Secretary of Defense under George H.W. Bush, his attitude differed in regards to policy. Speaking to C-Span in 1994, Cheney insisted that Removal of Saddam Hussein would have been an error. Syria and Iran would become more powerful. More conflict would emerge for the demand for Kurdish national self-determination. What change Richard Cheney's mind was his connection to Haliburton. Cheney was CEO of the oil service company from 1995 to 2000. The reason he left was to be on the Republican ticket as Vice President. The invasion of Iraq was not only to have more control of West Asia, but to make the region more favorable to US energy corporations. Haliburton benefited financially from the invasion of Iraq. Vice President Cheney promoted aggressive war to ensure profits for oil corporations. His war crimes and links to torture will never br prosecuted. During the 2010s, Cheney was still seen as respectable in political circles. Violence and corruption can no longer be sanitized with Iraq becoming a failed state.  

Japan Comes Under The Leadership of Sanae Takaichi

 

Japan elected its first female prime minister. Sanae Takaichi now is Japan's head of state. The election of a female prime minister does not mean women's rights will be a priority. Japan is a conservative leaning country. Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi has expressed her admiration  for Margret Thatcher. Japan could see Thatcherism being applied to Japan with reduction in regulation and monetarist economic policy. The foreign affairs of Japan are going to more hostile to China and North Korea. This explains plans to increase spending on defense.  The push for dismantling the pacifist constitution continues. Japan, like other countries is seeing a wave of anti-immigrant sentiment. Sanar Takaichi is most likely going to crackdown on foreigners working in Japan. The complication is that Japan is seeing decline in population and a growing number of senior citizens. Labor shortages are going to increase, if immigrant labor is curtailed. The work visa program was created to compensate for empty job positions. The Liberal Democratic Party is struggling to hold  political power. The LDP needs to maintain a coalition with the Japanese Innovation Party. Divisions in the political coalition are present over the debate on spending. Sanae Takaichi might not have a long premiership based on the degree of political factionalism. Japan was going through a number of prime ministers until the election of Shinzo Abe. Only illness forced him to resign. Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi might have intentions on being head of state for a number of years. Much of this is dependent on how inflation and domestic affairs are handled.