The Epstein files cover-up: Botched or calculated? | The Listening Post

This video from Al Jazeera's The Listening Post covers three main topics: the Epstein files, the internet crackdown in Iran, and the militarization of American football through the Super Bowl.

The first segment focuses on the Epstein files (0:43) and the alleged cover-up by the US Department of Justice.

The video highlights the disorderly release of over 3 million documents, 180,000 images, and 2,000 videos (0:43-0:52).

It discusses the failed redaction of names of high-profile suspects and the accidental exposure of victims' identities (1:02-1:06).

The segment emphasizes the lack of accountability in the US, particularly concerning Donald Trump's name appearing frequently in the files (1:31-1:38).

 Accountability in the U.S. fails due to several factors:

Lack of Action Despite Evidence: Despite the release of the Epstein files and awareness of what happened, no one is facing accountability (2:47-2:51).

Media Complicity: The media is seen as complicit because it is not asking key questions about the unredacted parts of the files (2:52-2:57).

Politicization of Justice: The Department of Justice (DOJ) is described as essentially serving as "Trump's personal law firm" rather than representing the American people's interests (4:06-4:14). This suggests a breakdown in the impartiality of the justice system.

Calculated Strategy: The release of the files is seen by some as a "calculated move" to "muddy the waters" and solely blame the deceased Jeffrey Epstein and his accomplice Ghislaine Maxwell, rather than the wider network (3:00-3:08, 4:37-4:55).

Political Party Loyalty: Unlike in the past (e.g., Watergate), Republicans are no longer willing to stand up to a Republican president, backing "every move that he does" regardless of scandal (8:09-8:31). This prevents accountability from within the political system.

Gaslighting through Media Apparatus: The video claims a "media apparatus" is dedicated to "gaslighting millions of people each and every day to believe that he did absolutely nothing wrong" (8:41-8:50), making it difficult for the public to demand accountability.

Deep Societal Rot: The speaker expresses concern that "pedophilia is no longer a bipartisan issue" and that the "rot inside of this country is so incredibly deep," making it difficult to mend the "deep fracture" in the justice system (9:04-9:18:49).

Unwillingness of US Government to Pursue Justice: It is stated that the U.S. will most definitely not get accountability, and other governments abroad are encouraged to pursue it instead (9:52-9:55).

Experts in the video suggest the release was a calculated move to muddy the waters and pin the syndicate on Epstein alone (3:00-3:08, 4:37-4:55).

The role of social media and crowd-sourcing in scrutinizing the files is also discussed (10:10-10:26).

The second segment covers the internet blackout in Iran (11:31) and the repression of journalists.

Iranian authorities imposed a total internet blackout during anti-government protests, leading to a renewed wave of repression against journalists and political figures (11:31-11:47).

The video notes the difficulties journalists face in reporting and the punitive measures taken against them (11:53-12:23).

It suggests that Chinese technology from companies like Huawei and Hikvision may be aiding Iran in its internet filtering and surveillance capabilities (13:05-13:34).

The final segment examines the militarization of American football and the Super Bowl (14:12).

The Super Bowl is presented as a spectacle where militarism is aggressively marketed, from choreographed flyovers to flags (14:15-14:23).

The deep-rooted relationship between the NFL and the military is explored, with football's language often mirroring war analogies (15:58-16:13).

The segment highlights the mutual benefits of this relationship, allowing the military to showcase hardware, recruit soldiers, and reinforce narratives (16:49-16:57).

The "paid patriotism" scandal of 2015 is mentioned, where taxpayer funds were used to stage military displays during games (19:07-19:22).

The segment concludes by asserting that these events present a sanitized version of military service, allowing Americans to feel patriotic without confronting the harsh realities of war (22:46-23:07).

Maktoums - Trillionaire Family That Built Dubai | 2025 Documentary

The video presents a detailed history of Dubai and the Al Maktoum family, tracing their journey from a small fishing village to a global metropolis. 

It emphasizes that Dubai's success is not primarily due to oil, but rather a combination of strategic leadership, ambition, and entrepreneurial spirit (0:01).

 Here's a breakdown of the key periods and transformations: 

 Humble Beginnings and Early Leadership (0:43-6:12): The family's connection to Dubai began in 1833 when two cousins, Obed bin Sed and Maktum Bimbuti, led their people north after a massacre and settled by a small creek, a place that soon became known as Dubai (3:16 - 4:03). The video describes them as a family "defined by ruthless ambition and surgical efficiency" (0:27). 

Throughout history, their leaders, such as Shikh Maktoum bin Hasher al-Maktum (6:21), Shikh Rashid bin Sahed al-Maktum (16:32), and Shikh Muhammad bin Rashid al-Maktum (28:40), have been instrumental in transforming Dubai from a humble fishing village into a global force (0:09 - 0:14). The video emphasizes that their leadership, characterized by "discipline and bold risk-taking," has been the secret to Dubai's enduring success (37:40 - 38:07). 

Dubai started as a nameless fishing village (0:48) settled by the Al Bu Falasa branch of the Bani Yas tribe after a massacre in Leewa in 1833 (2:47-3:06). Under the early Maktum rulers, the settlement gained security through the General Maritime Treaty with Britain in 1820 (5:26). 

The Freeport Revolution (6:16-9:07): Shikh Maktoum bin Hasher al-Maktoum (6:21) implemented a bold policy in 1894, abolishing customs duties (7:41), which attracted traders and migrants, especially from Persia (8:40), turning Dubai into a magnet for commerce (7:58). 

Pearling Boom and Collapse (9:10-12:15): The pearl industry became the backbone of Dubai's economy in the early 1900s (10:17). However, the introduction of cultured pearls from Japan by Koki Mikimoto (10:49) caused the natural pearl market to collapse (11:32), devastating Dubai's economy. Stagnation and the Search for Oil (12:24-16:27): The collapse of pearling led to economic ruin and political unrest, including a second massacre in 1939 (14:14). Despite the discovery of oil in neighboring regions (15:04), Dubai's early oil exploration attempts failed (15:53). 

Rashid's Vision and Infrastructure Development (16:32-26:58): Shikh Rashid bin Sahed al-Maktoum (16:32) took power in 1958 and initiated the dredging of the Dubai Creek (18:05), revitalizing trade. The discovery of offshore oil in 1966 (24:19) provided the necessary funds for massive infrastructure projects like Port Rashid (25:35), the World Trade Center (25:54), and Jebel Ali Port (26:27), transforming Dubai into a major shipping center.

 Formation of the UAE and the Gold Trade (19:10-23:02): The video highlights Dubai's role in the formation of the United Arab Emirates in 1971 (23:02) following Britain's withdrawal from the region (21:33). During this period, Dubai also became a secret hub for gold smuggling to India (19:57), earning it the moniker "City of Gold" (27:00). 

Diversification and Global Ambition (28:35-31:14): With flattening oil revenues, Shikh Muhammad bin Rashid al-Maktoum (28:40) spearheaded the creation of the Jebel Ali Free Zone in 1985 (29:11), attracting foreign investment by offering tax-free operations and full ownership. 

The Boom and Financial Crisis (31:23-35:54): Under Shikh Muhammad, Dubai embarked on ambitious projects like Burj al Arab (32:10), Palm Jumeirah (32:25), and the Burj Khalifa (32:42), fueled by massive debt (33:01). The 2008 global financial crisis (33:50) hit Dubai hard, leading to a debt crisis for Dubai World (34:00) that was eventually resolved by a $10 billion bailout from Abu Dhabi (35:05). Recovery and Future Plans (35:59-38:07): After the crisis, Dubai initiated the Dubai 2040 urban master plan (36:25) to further global relevance. The video concludes by emphasizing that Dubai's enduring success is attributed to its strategic leadership and continuous reinvention, with oil now contributing less than 1% of its GDP (37:17).

The Olympics Make Billions…But The Athletes Are Broke

The video explains the complex financial model of the Olympics, highlighting how the International Olympic Committee (IOC) generates billions in revenue while host cities often face bankruptcy and most athletes struggle financially (0:00).

IOC Revenue Streams

• The IOC made $7.7 billion from 2021 to 2024 (0:36).
• Broadcast rights account for 55% of revenue, with NBC in the Americas being a major contributor (1:13).
• Sponsorships through the Olympic Partners (TOP) Program make up 36% of revenue (2:51). However, some long-term sponsors, like Toyota, have withdrawn due to concerns about the IOC's political stance and its distribution of funds (2:25).
• The remaining 9% comes from other activities like licensing deals (3:03).

Host Cities and Financial Struggles

• Host cities are primarily responsible for the non-OCOG budget, which covers construction and capital investments, leading to significant cost overruns (6:41).
• Since 1960, every Olympic Games has gone over budget, with an average overrun of 150% to 175% (7:14). Montreal in 1976 was 720% over budget, taking 30 years to pay off its debt (7:36).
• Host cities often incur massive expenses for "white elephant" structures like stadiums and train lines that are rarely used after the games (9:41).
• The financial burden largely falls on taxpayers (10:10).
• In 2019, the IOC changed its bidding process due to fewer cities wanting to host, aiming for a more financially stable approach (5:18). Paris 2024 aimed to mitigate costs by using 95% pre-existing or temporary venues and had established transportation (14:53).

Athlete Financial Instability

• Despite the billions in revenue, less than 6% of the IOC's revenue goes directly to athletes (10:50).
• The average US Olympian earns around $20,000 per year, often requiring them to work part-time jobs (10:55).

• Olympic athletes primarily fund their participation through a combination of sources, as the International Olympic Committee (IOC) does not directly pay them for competing (12:21-12:24, https://www.olympics.com/ioc/finance. The funding typically covers their extensive training, equipment, coaching, travel, and living expenses.

  Here's how athletes typically secure funding:

  • Stipends from Sporting Bodies Athletes may receive monthly payments from their sport's governing body, such as USA Track and Field. These stipends vary significantly by sport and are often based on an athlete's experience, past performance, and potential to win medals. For example, athletes in popular sports like gymnastics, swimming, or track might receive a few thousand dollars per month, while those in less prominent sports like fencing or rowing might only get a couple of hundred dollars (11:49-12:13).
  • Prize Money from Home Countries The IOC does not offer prize money for winning medals (12:21-12:24). Instead, any monetary reward for medals comes from the athlete's home country. The amount varies widely; for instance, Singapore and Hong Kong might pay over $700,000 for a gold medal, while the US pays $38,000, and Great Britain offers no prize money (12:27-12:38).
  • Sponsorships and Endorsements This is a significant source of income for many athletes, particularly those with high visibility. Major stars like Simone Biles, Michael Phelps, and Usain Bolt can earn millions annually through sponsorships (12:44-12:59). However, sponsorship deals depend on an athlete's popularity, performance, and ability to generate a return on investment for brands. Less famous athletes, even if they are top in their field, often struggle to find sponsorships (13:00-13:23, https://www.investopedia.com/news/how-athletes-get-funding-olympics/.
  • Personal Contributions and Fundraising Because the funding from other sources is often insufficient, many Olympians hold one or two part-time jobs while training (11:11-11:17, https://www.si.com/winter-olympics/what-do-olympic-medalists-get-medals-money-rewards. The video highlights that many athletes even have to fundraise within their communities to cover the cost of traveling to the Olympics (13:31-13:35).
  • Olympic Solidarity Grants The IOC redistributes a portion of its revenue to National Olympic Committees (NOCs) to support athlete development, training grants, and travel subsidies, especially for athletes from developing nations.
  • Private Donations In recent developments, private donations have begun to offer more direct financial stability to athletes. For example, a recent $100 million donation is set to provide Team USA athletes with $200,000 each starting in 2026, regardless of medal wins.

  Overall, while the Olympic movement generates billions, a very small percentage of the IOC's revenue (less than 6%) directly reaches the athletes (10:50-10:55), making financial stability a significant challenge for most Olympians.

• Only major stars like Simone Biles and Michael Phelps secure lucrative sponsorship deals (12:52). Most athletes struggle to find sponsorships and often have to fundraise to cover travel expenses (13:31).

The video concludes by questioning where the money goes, suggesting that the IOC takes no risk while cities and taxpayers bear the financial burden, and the athletes, who make the show possible, receive very little (13:53). The directors of the IOC, however, take home a combined $50 million (14:35). A long-term solution proposed by some analysts is to have permanent host cities for the Summer and Winter Games (15:23).

50 Geography Facts So Crazy They’ll Change How You See the World

This video presents 50 incredible geography facts that challenge common perceptions about our planet (0:32).

Some of the highlights include:

• The River of Death (1:00): Located in Peru's Amazon rainforest, the Shennai Tempishka is a thermal river so hot (120°F to 200°F) it can cook animals alive, despite being 400 meters from the nearest volcano.
• Earth's Lost Continent — Zealandia (1:35): A continent twice the size of India, Zealandia is 94% submerged beneath the Pacific Ocean, with only New Zealand and New Caledonia visible. It was officially recognized as a continent in 2017.
• The Impossible Island (3:19): The Philippines hosts a unique geographical Russian nesting doll: Vulcan Point, an island within a lake (Crater Lake) on an island (Taal Volcano Island) within a lake (Tal Lake) on another island (Luzon Island).
• The Entire Town Under One Roof (3:55): In Whittier, Alaska, almost all 200 residents live in a single 14-story building that contains a post office, grocery store, school, and medical clinic.
• Russia Versus an Entire Planet (4:26): Russia is so vast it covers 17 million square kilometers, making it larger than Pluto's entire surface area (16.6 million square kilometers).
• The Dead Sea That Isn't (5:01): The Dead Sea is not a sea but a hypersaline lake, 10 times saltier than the ocean, allowing people to float effortlessly due to its extreme density.
• The Flattest Country on Earth (5:36): The Maldives has a highest natural point of just 2.44 meters above sea level, making it extremely vulnerable to rising sea levels.
• The Secret Underwater River (6:09): Beneath the Black Sea flows an underwater river with waterfalls and rapids, which, if on land, would be the world's sixth-largest river by volume.
• The Growing Mountain (6:37): Mount Everest grows approximately 4 mm taller each year due to the continuous collision of the Indian and Eurasian tectonic plates.
• The Lake That Holds One-Fifth of Earth's Water (7:53): Lake Baikal in Russia contains nearly 20% of the world's total freshwater supply and is the deepest (1,642 meters) and oldest (25 million years) lake on Earth.
• The Pyramid Champion (11:43): Sudan boasts over 200 ancient pyramids, exceeding Egypt's 118 structures.
• The World's Largest Living Thing (12:25): The Great Barrier Reef stretches over 2,300 kilometers and is the largest living structure on Earth, visible from space.
• The Non-Rectangular Flag (13:11): Nepal is the only country with a non-rectangular national flag, featuring a unique double-triangle design.
• The Disappearing Country (14:40): The Maldives could be the first country to completely disappear due to climate change and rising sea levels within 50 to 100 years.
• The Door to Hell (18:03): Turkmenistan's Darvaza gas crater has been burning continuously since 1971 after Soviet engineers accidentally ignited the leaking gas.

Why the US is almost always at war | DW Documentary

The video, "Why the US is almost always at war," explores the historical role of warfare in shaping American identity and political decisions throughout its 250-year existence (1:27). The United States has been almost constantly at war since its foundation (1:06-1:09).

Key aspects of the video include:

• Military Presence and Identity (0:38-1:10): The US military showcases its power globally, with hundreds of thousands of troops on continuous deployment. War has played a central role in shaping the nation's political course, and battle reenactments, memorials, museums, and uniformed ceremonies contribute to making war a key pillar of national identity.
• The Influence of War Movies (5:35-8:35): Hollywood war movies have been an effective method for anchoring military might in the population's hearts and minds. During World War II, dedicated motion picture units collaborated with the military, and prominent directors like George Stevens and John Ford participated in making films that showcased US dominance. These films encouraged patriotism and portrayed the US fighting for the "greater good."
• World Wars and Global Superpower Status (10:40-11:21): The World Wars transformed the United States from a regional power into a global superpower, dictating the new world order. World War II is particularly remembered as a war the US can "still get behind" due to the direct attack on the United States.
• US Military Infrastructure and Global Commitment (18:31-19:15): The US maintains a significant global military presence, with over 200,000 personnel stationed abroad at hundreds of bases. It possesses the most aircraft carriers and military aircraft globally, along with thousands of nuclear warheads.
• Historical Expansion and "Manifest Destiny" (51:49-56:00): The video highlights early US expansion, including the Louisiana Purchase and the acquisition of Florida and Oregon. The conquest of the West, particularly the Texas Revolution and the Battle of the Alamo, is presented as a key phase, though the narrative often overlooks the motivations of settlers to reintroduce slavery. The concept of "manifest destiny" was invented by media and politicians to justify the nation's expansion, using religion to frame it as a divine mission.
• The Impact of the Vietnam War (1:09:54-1:13:00): The Vietnam War marked a turning point, making the public question the US role as the "good guys." It was the first war shown on TV nightly, leading to a mass cultural counter-movement and the end of conscription, breaking the link between the military, politics, and society.
• "Endless Wars" and Foreign Policy Shifts (1:14:14-1:21:20): Interventions in Afghanistan and Iraq are described as "endless wars," difficult to win and end, suggesting the nation hadn't learned from past mistakes. The video discusses the current pendulum swing in US foreign policy, between isolationism and global interventionism.
• Donald Trump's Vision (1:21:39-1:24:20): Donald Trump's approach, similar to President McKinley, emphasizes American supremacy, primarily for economic interests. He aims to replace the old world order with a new system of American power, focusing on defeating enemies and ending wars.

Wildlife in the city - How animals adapt to humans | DW Documentary

This documentary explores how wildlife adapts to urban environments as cities expand globally (0:07). It highlights how animals transform cities into their own habitats for living, hunting, and breeding (0:34).

Key points covered in the video include:

• Urban Ecology (3:53): A new field of study dedicated to understanding how animals adapt to urban ecosystems.
• Animal Adaptability (4:02): Animals exhibit remarkable adaptability, with some species even undergoing genetic changes to thrive in city life (27:31).
• Challenges of Coexistence (10:33): The video discusses the difficulties in managing urban animal populations, particularly regarding food sources like trash, and the negative perception of some species (11:04).
• Human Impact (5:52): Human actions, such as waste disposal and construction, significantly influence urban wildlife behavior and survival.
• Noise Pollution (24:14): Research in the Netherlands shows how urban noise, especially underwater, negatively impacts aquatic life by interfering with their ability to find food, avoid predators, and communicate (26:38).
• Successful Urban Adaptations (31:56): Examples include peregrine falcons nesting on tall buildings and gray squirrels thriving in urban parks due to their social tolerance (33:00).
• The Future of Urban Wildlife (34:05): The documentary suggests that some animal populations may become so specialized in urban life that they can no longer survive in rural environments.
• Human Responsibility (37:18): The film emphasizes the importance of designing cities with wildlife in mind and recognizing animals' right to coexist with humans. The reintroduction of beavers in London (38:00) is presented as an example of efforts to bring nature back into cities.

• The video states that human waste, particularly trash and leftovers, significantly impacts urban animals by becoming a readily available food source (11:04-11:13).

  Specific examples include:

  • Crows in Paris learn to associate fast-food packaging with reliable food, often consuming processed, fried, and salty human leftovers, which is not good for their health but is abundant (9:27-10:04).
  • Gulls are drawn in thousands to landfill sites, becoming heavily reliant on the vast amount of waste (11:16-11:25, 13:40-13:44). The video notes that it's ecologically problematic for a wild species to depend entirely on human waste (11:59-12:04).
  • Red foxes in urban England also rely heavily on human food (17:07-17:10), adapting to find food sources like stealing bread from cafes (19:42-19:52).

  The video also mentions that animals making nests from discarded items like glass bottles and cans demonstrates how human waste becomes "homes for the creatures around us" (5:58-6:04).

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