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The Print
28-05-2025
- Politics
- The Print
Trump's corruption is eroding America's global power. India can't count on it
America's institutions, the instruments around which the world order has long been built, have begun to be turned into tools to feed the gargantuan appetites of the President, his family, and the oligarchy they represent. Trump has monetised his office for personal gain in ways that would have seemed inconceivable just a decade ago: $320 million in fees from a cryptocurrency project, billions in real estate deals, $500,000 memberships for a club, and a $200 million jet. This week, as Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri and Deputy National Security Adviser Pavan Kapoor head to Washington to repair ties frayed by US President Donald Trump's push to mediate on Kashmir, they'll be discovering an unfamiliar country. Le Roi Soleil, the Sun King, the very centre of the universe, according to courtiers. But t ucked away discreetly in a corner of a London museum is a very different Louis XIV as the great Baroque-era caricaturist Romeyn de Hooghe saw him, squatting on a globe receiving an enema, the royal excrement washing over the nations as chaos reigns all around. Throughout his seven-decade reign, Louis XIV created the Gilded Palace of Versailles, commissioned portraits depicting him as the god Apollo, and led his nation to the brink of ruin in a 14-year war with Spain. This has real-world consequences. The ends India seeks—among them, to push back against an increasingly assertive China, action against jihadists' sanctuaries in Pakistan, the safety of global trade, and energy security—are not things that appear meaningful to Trump. Look long enough at Romeyn de Hooghe's masterpiece, and Trumpworld reveals itself in all its dystopian glory. Trump's rise is a seizure of power by a libertarian elite of tech moguls and crypto-czars, concerned principally with their private wealth rather than questions of State and national power. This is a rupture in America's long-running political institutions with profound consequences. The virtuous republic From its founding moments, law scholar Zephyr Teachout writes, America's founding leaders were terrified that their new republic would become ensnared in the vices of the old world. France, though a revolutionary ally, was seen as 'essentially corrupt, a nation in which there was no true polity, but instead exchanges of luxury for power; a nation populated by weak subjects and flattering courtiers.' For its part, the United Kingdom was 'a place where the premise of government was basically sound but civic virtue—that of the public and public officials—was degenerating.' Then, a strange problem presented itself involving jewelled snuff boxes and a horse. After the Declaration of Independence, the politician and lawyer Silas Deane was sent to France on a covert mission to see whether it might be willing to provide the US with military equipment. The answer was yes, and Deane soon established himself as a legitimate trade agent. But in 1778, Deane was recalled to Congress and charged with fraud. Leaving France, Deane received a jewelled snuff box for his diplomatic service—a standard custom in the court of Louis XVI. This was seized on by his political rival, Arthur Lee, who accused Deane of violating 'one of the fundamental laws of our Union that no person in the service of the United States should accept from any king, prince, or minister any present or gratuity whatsoever.' The trial went nowhere, as the French did not disclose their accounts; however, Deane ended his career in disgrace. The snuff box problem soon reappeared, though—this time, because Lee, in his turn, received one encrusted with diamonds from Louis. Like so many others, Lee had been quick to see corruption in others but was more nuanced in appraising his conduct. To Congress, he argued that refusing the snuff box would be an insult to the French. Later, Congress approved the gift of a horse from Spain to Ambassador John Jay, even as he negotiated navigation rights with Spain. Congress also accepted the gift of yet another jewelled snuff box to founding father Benjamin Franklin. Ten years into its existence as an independent nation, America was confronting its first major corruption scandals. The state of Georgia claimed territorial rights over deserted lands, as well as tracts held by native Americans. Georgia offered small plots of land to tillers, a move to encourage agriculture, but instead handed over millions of acres to politically well-connected companies. Thirty-five million acres were eventually sold for $500,000, with some plots going for less than a cent. Even in the most virtuous polity, it became clear that human nature remained what it was. Also read: Trump's economic coercion to secure US hegemony feels like it's 1940s all over again America's sordid underbelly Like Apple Pie, corruption embedded itself in American political culture. This was perhaps inevitable, as the work of the sociologist Charles Tilly teaches us. In a famous 1982 paper, Tilly argued that 'banditry, piracy, gangland rivalry, policing, and war-making all belong on the same continuum.' European nation-states in the medieval period, he noted, evolved from the concentration of military power in the hands of warlords. To secure their monopoly of power, though, the new kings had to share power with regional notables, offering them lands or a share of state revenues. The historian Renate Bridenthal notes that American capitalism flourished on a bedrock of legal institution building, which protected property—but at the same time, had an underbelly of enabling the accumulation of wealth in defiance of these very rules. Financial corruption, thus, underpinned the growth of the railways, which laid the foundation for American industry. Large-scale fraud, a study by economist Richard White has shown, led investors from Europe to lose millions of dollars. The construction costs of roads and railways were often manipulated to yield excess profits to small cliques. The bond salesman for the Memphis, El Paso and Pacific Railroad simply lied to French investors, relieving them of $5 million. Even though law enforcement and legislation intervened to end this chaos, corruption continued to remain a critical part of the political fabric. Four of nine past Illinois governors, as Thomas Gradel and Dick Simpson wrote in their 2015 study on corruption in Illinois, were convicted on charges ranging from selling bargain-priced racetrack stock to manipulating savings-and-loan banks, covering up the sale of driver's licenses to unqualified drivers, shaking down contractors for campaign contributions, and attempting to sell a US Senate seat. Thirty-three Chicago aldermen and former aldermen have been convicted and gone to jail since 1973. 'Fewer than two hundred men and women have served in the Chicago city council since the 1970s,' Gradel and Simpson observe wryly, 'so the federal crime rate in the council chamber is higher than in the most dangerous ghetto in the city.' However, throughout the last century, the drive for private wealth and the pursuit of national power have balanced each other, with élites understanding that the pursuit of one needed the other. A coming breakdown? Trump's rise is occurring at a precarious time. For more than a decade, it has been evident that American global power was as much an illusion as reality. True, the end of the Cold War ushered in a period in which the US could exercise unconstrained power, making war and setting norms as it saw fit. This period, however, was a historical accident, as the scholar Andrew Latham has pointed out, brought about by the collapse of the Soviet Union and the anaemia of a China that was just beginning to emerge as a significant industrial power. America remains the world's preeminent power—but it has come to understand the limits of its influence and reach. The country needs to sustain its critical ties with Europe while at once persuading its allies there to spend more resources on their security. It needs to find means to deter China from coercing its Pacific neighbours, while avoiding war and the disruption of global supply chains. Trump, obsessed with using his office to enrich himself and the oligarchy over which he presides, has neither the interest nor the inclination to concern himself with these questions. Alienating partners and allies is of no significance in a worldview that imagines America can wall itself off from the world and yet remain rich. Likely, America's economic élite will push back and restore some order to Trumpworld, if for no other reason than to secure their interests. Till then, India will have to be prepared to negotiate a world filled with bandits and gangsters, and from which the police have mysteriously disappeared. Praveen Swami is contributing editor at ThePrint. His X handle is @praveenswami. Views are personal. (Edited by Ratan Priya)
Yahoo
27-05-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Wins all round for Taunton Deane
It is rare for all five of the Deane Saturday teams to record wins on the same day but, with the unfortunate cry off against Deane Thirds XI included, the records show a perfect five out of five. The theme of the Saturday evening captains' reports was about run scorers. The 5th XI scored a very good win with Jack Monsey scoring his 122 in just 89 balls as, with Ashton Adams, Freddie Jarrett and Harry Matthews all getting into the 40s, Wembdon were asked to chase an improbable 4ths had a much tighter win over Stoke St Gregory with Shivam Shirke once again top scoring with 66. At the Convent Field the Deane Seconds had two centurions as they posted a massive 326-4. Bhuvanesh Jayaraman (122) scored his second hundred in two weeks while Josh Cobb rattled along to score his 105 from just 69 balls. Jack Blackwell's four wickets for just 8 runs were key to Wedmore achieving a final total of just 100. Read more: Taunton Deane all set for the new season Cricket: Taunton Deane's first XI crush Ilminster in season opener Wins for Taunton Deane first elevens cricket The fragile Deane First XI top order batting was on display again at the Parks against a predictably strong Bridgwater side led by the evergreen Chris Skidmore. At 30 for five, it looked like another early finish. Deane supporters had their spirits lifted by a succession of useful partnerships – 84 for the 6th wicket, 63 for the 7th and 73 for the 8th. Ed Mellor, Jim Brehaut and Sunil Lachit all made twenties in support of the one Deane player who made batting look easy. Sam Burgess was out with the score on 250 having scored his first league hundred and counting 26 boundaries in his total of 136. The Deane final score of 290 looked a good but not unachievable target. Sam's innings was, as expected, the difference between the teams and, despite a good start and a late flurry from Seth Locke (56), Bridgwater fell 10 runs short. Just for good measure, Sam also bagged 3 wickets. It was a good day for Sam and, indeed, for all the Deane teams. Next Saturday Deane Fist XI welcome old rivals Wellington as we continue to chase that one precious promotion place. As a rehearsal, we also face Wellington on Thursday in the County Cup.
The Journal
22-05-2025
- The Journal
State won't oppose quashing public order conviction against Jemima Burke, sister of teacher Enoch
THE STATE WILL not oppose the quashing of a public order conviction against Jemima Burke, a sister of teacher Enoch Burke, who today told the High Court her trial was like 'something you would hear in the Middle Ages'. The State argued, however, that the matter should still be sent back to the original court for a new hearing. In November, the High Court permitted Jemima Burke to seek a review of her case after she alleged that her Constitutional rights were breached when she was arrested, charged, and convicted of a public order offence within a matter of hours. Ms Burke also argued that to send her case back to the District Court would be a breach of her Constitutional rights. Judge Vincent Deane at Ballina District Court, Co Mayo, convicted Ms Burke of a public order offence on June 20 last. Ms Burke (30), a management consultant in professional services and a UCG graduate in journalism, said she attended an inquest in Swinford, Co Mayo, on June 20, concerning the death of a sepsis patient at Mayo University Hospital (MUH). She said the man spent 42 hours on a trolley, then went missing while in hospital care, and was later found dead in a river in Castlebar. She said during the inquest lunch break, while outside on the public street, she used her phone to film the coroner and several MUH staff. A Garda arrested her, confiscated her phone and brought her to Ballina Garda Station, where she was detained in a cell for more than two hours. She was then charged with two public order offences relating to a breach of the peace. She said that when she appeared before Judge Deane, she refused to sign a bail bond. Judge Deane, she said, told her it would be unjust to adjourn the matter if she was not going to sign the bond, that there was little chance of her going to prison and that he had 'to protect your interests at some level, too'. Advertisement Ms Burke said a Garda then made a number of allegations in the trial that immediately followed, including that she had obstructed the paths of individuals and shoved her phone into their faces, stating particular words. She said the phone footage would have clearly had probative value but it was in the possession of the gardai at that stage. Judge Deane convicted her of one of the public order offences, under Section 6 of the Public Order Act, with the other taken into consideration, and fined her €350. At the High Court today, Ms Burke argued that she had been the victim of a 'serious' miscarriage of justice in that there was 'excessive haste' in hearing the original case. Ms Burke argued that she received no disclosure and had no legal representation at her trial. She said she had been detained in a cell for two hours and that 55 minutes after leaving the cell, she was on trial in the court. Ms Burke claims she was 'railroaded' into a trial. Kieran Kelly BL, for the DPP, said that it was still in the hands of the hearing judge, Ms Justice Sara Phelan, to exercise her power of discretion in remitting the matter to the District Court for a different judge to hear. Mr Kelly said Ms Burke has complained about a lack of a fair trial. A return to the District Court would remedy matters for Ms Burke and give her the time required to prepare a case, he said. Mr Kelly said the DPP was not opposing the quashing of the original conviction. Ms Burke said that there was no custody record relating to her, no Garda statement made available to her, and she had no access to the 'probative' evidence on her phone. The prosecution, she said, had failed to guarantee a fair trial. 'It's like something you would hear in the Middle Ages,' said Ms Burke. Ms Justice Phelan reserved judgment in the matter. Readers like you are keeping these stories free for everyone... A mix of advertising and supporting contributions helps keep paywalls away from valuable information like this article. Over 5,000 readers like you have already stepped up and support us with a monthly payment or a once-off donation. Learn More Support The Journal
NZ Herald
21-05-2025
- Business
- NZ Herald
Norsewear secures NZ Defence Force sock deal over international competitors
These machines, worth about $70,000 each, are a key reason Norsewear 's won a contract to supply socks to the New Zealand Defence Force (NZDF). 'It's the way of the future. If you don't invest in the plant well, then you end up going backwards,' sock technician Terence Ahern said. 'To be honest, we wouldn't have kept up with demand with the Army, and that if we hadn't invested.' He's worked at Norsewear for 47 years and has been through its many ups and downs, including two receiverships. But from this month, the factory will make thousands of socks for the New Zealand Defence Force, Navy and Air Force, increasing manufacturing output by up to 10%. Ahern told RNZ that securing this deal was a real highlight, as the socks were put to the test by hundreds of soldiers. 'They've been through rigorous testing, and to win that over a few other companies is quite a feather in our cap here for Norsewear and the Norsewood village,' he said. 'We can go out and boast a bit that we achieved that.' Norsewear has been operating for over 60 years and employs about 20 locals, which means a team member from about two-thirds of local families. 'It's security for everyone here when you pick up a contract like that,' Ahern said. 'It's great work going forward and knowing the knitting machines will be running.' The factory is one of the larger employers in the rural area and has hired two more locals to keep up with the workload, which site lead Sarena Montgomery is thrilled about. 'It is a very big deal to win something like this; it just gives us the confidence that we are heading in the right direction,' she said. 'Talking to people outside the factory, there is that sense of pride that Norsewear is doing well, and it's really good for the community.' The NZDF socks had previously been supplied by the US, but by using the Lonati machines, local manufacturing expertise and high-quality New Zealand merino wool, Norsewear outperformed every other company bidding for the contract. 'We've competed with what's arguably the best US sock manufacturer in the world, for arguably the most technically demanding socks that you ever have to make, and we beat them based on performance,' Norsewear owner Tim Deane said. 'So that's been a huge confidence boost for the team and it proves you can be a world beater as a small NZ manufacturing company in the middle of regional NZ ... we can take on the world and win.' The NZDF socks cost less than those previously bought from the US and the wool they are using can be traced back to the New Zealand farm it came from. 'That means the Kiwi military gets great socks, NZDF gets more flexibility on supply, along with clarity of the whole supply chain, and we buy more wool from New Zealand farmers to fulfil the contract,' Deane said. A variety of socks are being made for the NZDF to suit different climates, but Deane said they have similar features in that they can help with temperature control, to ward off bacteria and are odour-resistant. One of Norsewear's new hires, as a result of the deal, is Jack Martin from Ormondville. 'It's good, good fun, good community. Everyone is friendly and super happy, very welcoming and a lot of fun,' he said. 'Generally, the main job I have is making sure there are no faults in the socks, as it's quite often you can have a bit of simple error in the machines.' Over 60 machines line the factory floor making socks, hats and gloves, from the latest Italian Lonatis to the lovingly-kept hat machine that's been in action at Norsewear since 1970. 'This machine will keep ticking those over for hopefully the next 50 years,' Ahern said. 'There are no electronics, completely mechanical, it's just got a motor, a couple of chains and a drum. 'It was here well and truly before I got here and was making hats, basically the same as what it's making today.' But it's the sock sector that Norsewear specialises in, churning out up to 10,000 pairs of socks every week, from bed socks to dress socks, work socks and farm socks. 'So there's variety right through the factory,' Montgomery said. 'They design the socks on programmes on the computers and bring [that] in here, download it all and set it all up. 'Every sock has different feeders that give it its shape and pattern.'
Newsweek
19-05-2025
- General
- Newsweek
Antiquer Finds Century-Old Coca-Cola Bottle—Then Discovers Its Worth
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. An antiques collector made an extraordinary discovery when he came across a sealed Coca-Cola bottle believed to date back to the early 1900s. At the time, he couldn't afford the $100 price tag, so instead, he took a photograph and moved on. Two years later, while on a tour of the World of Coca-Cola museum in Atlanta, he showed the photo to a guide who was immediately impressed. The guide noted that the museum's oldest sealed bottle dated back only to the 1940s, suggesting that the photographed bottle could be of significant historical value. Several years after his initial find, the Reddit user u/partyjam3—who prefers to remain anonymous—returned to the same shop in remote upstate Florida. Incredibly, the bottle was still there. This time, he negotiated the price down to $75 and made the purchase. He later shared the story in the "Antiques" subreddit, where the post received 3,100 upvotes. "I happily made that purchase and it is now one of my most prized possessions although fully knowing it really belongs on display in the museum," he told Newsweek. Eager to learn more about the bottle's value, he brought it to Antiques Roadshow at the Georgia State Raceway Museum on April 29. However, valuing the item proved difficult. "My appraiser was baffled when he found nothing on his computer with which to compare my bottle. He could only 'guesstimate' a value saying he had never before seen a sealed early 1900's bottle. He was quite sure it had never been opened. He thought the historical value could range from $1,000 to way more at an auction," he explained. A photo showing a Coca-Cola bottle dating back to the early 1900s. A photo showing a Coca-Cola bottle dating back to the early 1900s. partyjam3/partyjam3 Expert Insight Dan Deane, vice president of the Coca-Cola Collectors Club, shed light on the bottle's potential origins and historical importance. According to Deane, Coca-Cola was initially bottled using Hutchinson bottles, characterized by their "blob top" design and reusable wire-and-rubber stoppers. These were replaced around the turn of the century by straight-sided bottles sealed with metal caps crimped around the bottle opening—a far more sanitary method. "The early bottles were straight sided, like the one in your photo," he explained. These straight-sided bottles were made by different manufacturers contracted by individual bottlers, resulting in wide inconsistencies in design. Some bottles even featured the city of origin cast directly into the glass. "These bottles are rarer, since the usage of them was stopped within a couple of years of the introduction of the famous Coke bottle shape known as the Hobble Skirt Bottle," said Deane. Deane estimates that "this bottle may bring somewhere around $500 under the right circumstances." The fact that the bottle is still sealed—and may contain over 100-year-old product—could significantly increase its value, particularly among niche collectors. Reddit Reacts Fellow Redditors were quick to celebrate the find, praising both the rarity and condition of the bottle. "Right, it's a unique item and anything is only worth what's somebody else's willing to pay for. This is definitely something that requires niche marketing and research," shared one user. "It would be a great museum piece. Can't be very many this old still sealed," said another. "So cool you got to go to the Roadshow! A 100+-year-old sealed bottle is amazing, congratulations on your find," another added. "Someone is going to pay you a fortune for that," said another user. Now, the Redditor is in contact with someone from the World of Coca-Cola awaiting a more official appraisal. Do you have any amazing thrifting finds that you want to share? We want to see the best ones! Send them in to life@ and they could appear on our site.
