In a recent interview with The i Paper, Congressman Ro Khanna stated the Royal Family should be ashamed and provide financial reparations to the victims of Jeffrey Epstein. This follows the release of new materials from the Epstein files, including a photo of Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor and an email allegedly from him. The Congressman highlighted that many of Epstein’s victims were considered poor and vulnerable. While Mountbatten-Windsor has denied any wrongdoing and reached an out-of-court settlement with Virginia Giuffre, these revelations have led to increased scrutiny of the Royal Family.
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Japan’s Cabinet has approved a record defense budget exceeding 9 trillion yen for the coming year, marking a 9.4% increase and the fourth year of a program to double annual arms spending. This allocation aims to bolster the nation’s strike-back capabilities and coastal defense through the acquisition of cruise missiles and unmanned systems, driven by rising regional tensions. The budget, which includes plans for joint development of fighter jets with Britain and Italy, along with the purchase of upgraded missiles, reflects a strategic shift towards a more offensive military posture. This military buildup has raised concerns from China, while Japan plans to fund its military spending by increasing corporate and tobacco taxes.
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The latest Gallup poll reveals that former President Donald Trump’s job approval rating has reached a joint-worst of 36 percent at the end of his first year back in office, matching his own score from the end of his first term. This decline follows a high of 50 percent at the start of his second term, with Silver Bulletin’s data showing a steady downturn beginning in June, resulting in negative ratings across key performance areas like immigration, trade, the economy, and inflation. Despite strong support from Republicans, independent voters’ approval of Trump has nearly halved, indicating potential challenges for the GOP in the upcoming midterm elections, further evidenced by a Quinnipiac University poll showing a majority of voters believe Trump has overstepped his authority.
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India’s top refiner quietly returns to Russian oil with shadowed supply route despite US sanctions. It’s almost comical, isn’t it? The narrative is that India’s top refiner is supposedly “quietly” slipping back into the arms of Russian oil, all while the US is throwing around sanctions. The reality? Not so subtle. We’re talking about supertankers, massive vessels that can’t exactly sneak around undetected. The “quietly” part feels more like a carefully chosen word to create the illusion of some clandestine operation, when in reality, it’s just business as usual, or at least, a return to it. It’s like a wink and a nod, with everyone pretending to be surprised.… Continue reading
Representative Jamie Raskin criticized the redactions in the recently released Epstein files, suggesting they are illogical and potentially part of a cover-up. Raskin argued the redactions don’t align with the permissible reasons outlined in the statute, citing a lack of ongoing investigations and national security concerns. He further speculated that the actions of the Justice Department are designed to protect Donald Trump and his associates, possibly related to their connections with Jeffrey Epstein. Raskin stated that Democrats are considering litigation and other potential actions, acknowledging that solutions would require a majority in Congress.
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In a Christmas Day rant, Donald Trump targeted individuals connected to Jeffrey Epstein, accusing them of abandoning Epstein when the situation became unfavorable. He claimed these “sleazebags” would face scrutiny in the ongoing investigations. Trump also criticized The New York Times, suggesting their reporting on the Epstein files would harm their associates, and signed off with a foreboding holiday message. This follows previous online criticisms directed at political opponents. Furthermore, Trump has notably distanced himself from Epstein amidst the Justice Department’s handling of related files.
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Nobel Peace Prize laureate Narges Mohammadi was arrested by Iranian security forces on Friday at a memorial ceremony for a lawyer, Khosrow Alikordi, who recently died. Mohammadi, along with other activists including Sepideh Gholian, was detained in Mashhad after attending the ceremony, where attendees chanted anti-government slogans. Alikordi, who had defended clients in sensitive cases, was found dead on December 5th, with rights groups raising concerns about his death. Mohammadi, currently on temporary leave from prison, has been a vocal critic of the Iranian government and has been imprisoned for much of the past decade.
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Moscow sentences Russian diplomat to 12 years for passing secrets to U.S. intelligence – that’s the headline, and it’s a stark reminder of the dangerous game played in the shadows of international diplomacy. Twelve years… it feels like a long time, especially when you consider the potential consequences within the Russian system. There’s a general sense that the sentence is, perhaps, a paper formality, especially considering the conditions within Russian penal institutions. Some worry about windows, and perhaps for good reason.
The immediate reaction is a mix of intrigue and cynicism. There’s the obvious question: what exactly did this diplomat know, and what secrets did they betray?… Continue reading
In a recent ruling, a federal judge blocked the Trump administration’s attempt to withhold federal Homeland Security funding from states that did not comply with federal immigration enforcement. The judge sided with a coalition of 12 attorneys general, who sued after the administration announced significant grant reductions to “sanctuary” jurisdictions, totaling over $233 million across multiple states. The judge determined the funding cuts were arbitrary, ordering the Department of Homeland Security to restore the previously allocated funds, emphasizing the importance of these funds for counterterrorism and law enforcement programs, citing the recent Brown University attack as an example. While the DHS plans to challenge the ruling, the attorneys general who sued the administration have praised the court’s decision, emphasizing it prevents the punishment of states refusing to carry out the administration’s immigration agenda.
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On Christmas night, Donald Trump posted on Truth Social, defending himself against accusations of ties to Jeffrey Epstein. Trump claimed he dropped Epstein before it was popular, while also calling out the “sleazebags” who associated with Epstein. Trump’s post criticized Democrats and alluded to the unreleased Epstein files, which contain names of individuals. The former president’s statement came despite past comments praising Epstein, with the DOJ still in the process of releasing Epstein-related documents, and the legal deadline already passed.
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John Q. Hosedrinker 
Matt Underwood