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In a significant development, former US President Donald Trump announced on Wednesday night via Truth Social that he had signed the Epstein Files Transparency Act. This legislation mandates the Department of Justice (DOJ) to disclose all unclassified records, documents, and investigative materials related to the late financier Jeffrey Epstein and his associates, including Ghislaine Maxwell. The bill, which had been stalled for months, gained momentum after bipartisan efforts led by Democratic Representative Ro Khanna and Republican Representative Thomas Massie secured the necessary signatures for a discharge petition. The House and Senate swiftly approved the bill earlier this week, marking a pivotal moment in the ongoing Epstein saga. Epstein, who had ties to numerous high-profile figures, died in prison in 2019 under controversial circumstances. Trump’s decision to sign the bill follows his 2024 campaign promise to release Epstein-related documents, despite earlier DOJ assertions that no incriminating client list or evidence of foul play existed. The move has sparked political tensions, with Democrats accusing Trump of attempting to deflect attention from his own connections to Epstein, while Republicans have countered by releasing a larger volume of Epstein-related files implicating prominent Democrats. Senate Democratic leader Chuck Schumer criticized Trump, emphasizing the need for transparency and accountability for all individuals involved in Epstein’s crimes. The release of these files is expected to shed light on one of the most scandalous chapters in recent US history.

The United States has greenlit two significant arms sales to India, totaling $92.8 million, as announced by the US State Department. The deals include the provision of Javelin anti-tank missiles and Excalibur precision artillery projectiles. This decision follows a meeting nine months prior between Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and former US President Donald Trump in Washington, where both leaders pledged to enhance defense collaboration. In October, this commitment culminated in the signing of a 10-year framework agreement aimed at bolstering defense cooperation. The move aligns with India’s strategy to diversify its arms procurement away from Russia, spurred by reports that Trump encouraged India to increase its purchases of US-manufactured weaponry. While Russia has historically been India’s primary arms supplier, its market share has significantly decreased from 62% in 2017 to 34% in 2023. Conversely, India’s defense trade with the US has skyrocketed from nearly zero to $20 billion, positioning the US as India’s third-largest arms supplier, trailing only Russia and France. The Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA) emphasized that these arms sales would enhance India’s ability to address current and future security threats. The $45.7 million Javelin Missile System package includes 100 FGM-148 Javelin rounds, one ‘fly-to-buy’ missile, and 25 lightweight command launch units, along with simulation rounds, trainers, spare parts, and technical support. A separate $47.1 million deal covers up to 216 M982A1 Excalibur tactical projectiles, fire-control systems, primers, propellant charges, technical data, and repair services. The DSCA highlighted that these sales would bolster the US’s foreign policy and national security objectives by strengthening its strategic alliance with India, which it described as a pivotal force for political stability, peace, and economic progress in the Indo-Pacific and South Asia. The DSCA also noted that India would seamlessly integrate the new equipment into its armed forces. This development occurs as the US and India work to finalize a trade agreement and mitigate tensions following Trump’s imposition of 50% tariffs on Indian imports, including a 25% levy on purchases of Russian oil and arms. However, these tensions appear to be easing after months of uncertainty.

China has firmly opposed Japan’s bid for a permanent seat on the United Nations Security Council, citing Japan’s recent comments on Taiwan as evidence of its disqualification. During the UN General Assembly’s annual debate on Security Council reform, Fu Cong, China’s permanent representative to the UN, stated that Japan is ‘totally unqualified’ for such a position. Fu highlighted Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi’s ‘brazen and provocative’ remarks on Taiwan, where she suggested that a ‘Taiwan contingency’ could threaten Japan’s survival and hinted at potential military intervention in the Taiwan Strait under the guise of collective self-defense. Fu condemned these statements as a severe violation of the one-China principle and a gross interference in China’s internal affairs. He warned that Japan’s actions undermine the postwar international order and its commitment to peaceful development. Fu questioned Japan’s intentions, asking whether it seeks to revive militarism and whether it can be trusted to uphold international peace and justice. He urged Japan to cease its interference in China’s affairs and retract its provocative statements. Fu also emphasized that any military intervention by Japan in the Taiwan Strait would be met with a firm response from China, including the exercise of its right to self-defense under international law. The Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK) also voiced opposition to Japan’s bid, citing Japan’s failure to address its past crimes and its ongoing efforts to revise its Peace Constitution. The DPRK’s representative, Kim Song, argued that allowing Japan a permanent seat would insult the UN Charter and international justice. Japan, which has served 12 times as a non-permanent member of the Security Council, has long sought a permanent seat, but its recent actions have drawn significant criticism from key UN members.

In a rare display of bipartisan unity, the United States Congress has taken decisive action to compel the release of Justice Department files related to the late financier and convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. The House of Representatives passed the resolution with an overwhelming vote of 427-1, swiftly followed by approval from the Republican-majority Senate. The bill is now poised for President Donald Trump’s signature, which could occur as early as Wednesday. This move marks a significant shift in Trump’s stance, as he had previously opposed the release of these documents for months. The Epstein scandal has been a persistent source of political friction for Trump, with many of his supporters believing that his administration has obscured Epstein’s connections to influential figures and the circumstances surrounding his 2019 death, which was officially ruled a suicide. The pressure for transparency intensified when approximately two dozen survivors of Epstein’s alleged abuse joined lawmakers outside the Capitol to advocate for the release of the records. These women, holding photographs of their younger selves, shared their harrowing experiences and urged accountability. Following the vote, survivors and advocates applauded lawmakers from the public gallery, some visibly emotional. Despite his eventual support for the bill, Trump expressed frustration over the ongoing attention to the Epstein matter, lashing out at a reporter during a press briefing and denying any personal involvement with Epstein. The White House was reportedly surprised by the speed at which the measure passed through Congress, anticipating a lengthier deliberation in the Senate. The controversy has impacted Trump’s public approval, with a recent Reuters/Ipsos poll revealing his lowest approval rating this year, particularly regarding his handling of the Epstein case. Only 20% of voters overall and 44% of Republicans expressed satisfaction with his approach to the matter.