Latest news with #Theban
Arabian Post
07-07-2025
- Business
- Arabian Post
Musk's America Party Backs Bitcoin, Declares Fiat 'Hopeless'
Elon Musk stated that his newly formed America Party will officially support Bitcoin, branding traditional fiat currency as 'hopeless.' He responded succinctly on X to a user asking whether his party would embrace the flagship cryptocurrency: 'Fiat is hopeless, so yes.' Musk's announcement aligns with the party's broader platform of fiscal conservatism, deficit reduction and modernisation of government, which is packaged alongside calls for balanced budgets and strategic investment in technology and national security. He introduced the party on July 5, following a public poll on X in which around two‑thirds of his 1.2 million followers endorsed the move. The billionaire's embrace of Bitcoin reflects his long-standing support for cryptocurrencies. Tesla purchased approximately $1.5 billion in Bitcoin in early 2021 and still holds around 11,509 BTC—though prior plans to accept the currency for vehicle purchases were suspended over environmental concerns. ADVERTISEMENT Encouragement from crypto leaders followed, with some describing Musk's statement as a historic moment for the digital‑asset space. Analysts at Coinpedia noted that the alignment between a political movement and the digital economy could mark a turning point. Market response was immediate: Bitcoin briefly rallied to near US $110,000 before stabilising. Musk is positioning the America Party not merely as a crypto‑friendly political entity, but as a force targeting legislative chokepoints. He has outlined plans to field candidates in a limited number of competitive Senate and House races—'two or three Senate seats and eight to ten House districts'—with the aim of becoming a decisive swing vote in Congress. The strategy draws inspiration from military tactics: Musk compared it to how ancient Theban general Epaminondas concentrated forces at critical points to win battles. The America Party's ideological core emphasises financial prudence, reduced regulation, and public-sector innovation. The move marks a further escalation in Musk's dispute with Donald Trump, which began after Musk criticised Trump's 'One Big Beautiful Bill' for adding trillions to the national debt. Trump has derided the America Party as a 'train wreck' and 'ridiculous,' warning it will fracture conservative support and sow chaos in the US political system. Washington insiders caution that third-party efforts in the United States face steep hurdles. These include challenging ballot access laws, entrenched political loyalties, and the structural bias of the winner‑take‑all electoral process. Experts say that while Musk's finances and profile offer resources, success remains far from certain. Despite scepticism, the emergence of a crypto‑friendly political platform led by a high‑profile figure may signal broader shifts in US political and fiscal dialogue. If the America Party proceeds with its plan to integrate Bitcoin and digital asset advocacy into its legislative agenda, it could set precedents in campaign finance and monetary policy discussions.
Time of India
06-07-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
From Tesla to Thebes: How Elon Musk channels Epaminondas to challenge Trump's modern-day Sparta
Elon Musk wants the old rules gone. Early this morning, he posted: 'By a factor of 2 to 1, you want a new political party and you shall have it! Today, the America Party is formed to give you back your freedom.' The catalyst? Donald Trump 's so-called 'big, beautiful' tax-cut and spending plan, which Musk brands a fiscal nightmare. They were once allies Musk even ran Trump's Department of Government Efficiency, trimming spending and staff. That bromance is dead. Independence Day poll Musk's breakaway move wasn't exactly subtle. On Independence Day, he asked his followers on X: 'Independence Day is the perfect time to ask if you want independence from the two-party (some would say uniparty) system!' The answer came back clear. His new party was born by popular vote at least online. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like 2 Kapseln pro Tag! Am 3. Tag passt die Hose nicht mehr! Apotheke Regional Undo 'When it comes to bankrupting our country with waste and graft, we live in a one-party system, not a democracy,' Musk wrote. To him, America's two parties merge into one when it comes to reckless spending. Also Read: Elon Musk can't run for US Presidency, so who will? Inside the mystery of the America Party's future leader Live Events How Greece comes in This is where Epaminondas enters. The Theban general turned Greek politics upside down in 371 BC when he smashed the Spartans at Leuctra. Sparta was Europe's boogeyman then disciplined, ruthless, unbeatable. Until it wasn't. Epaminondas used a radical formation, hammering the Spartan right wing with concentrated force at one point instead of spreading his troops thin. The mighty Spartan shield wall cracked. Musk thinks US politics can crack the same way. 'The way we're going to crack the uniparty system is by using a variant of how Epaminondas shattered the myth of Spartan invincibility at Leuctra: Extremely concentrated force at a precise location on the battlefield,' he wrote. What this really means Forget sweeping presidential campaigns for now. Musk's strategy is small, sharp, surgical. He wants to target 6–8 House seats and 4 Senate seats in the 2026 midterms , mostly in tight swing districts. Flip those and you hold the balance of power. This is the Theban wedge modern edition. He's not pretending this will be easy. The Republican-Democrat grip on US politics has survived for 160 years. But Musk clearly thinks enough people want a real alternative. Also Read: Elon Musk announces he is launching new political party, the America Party, 'to give you back your freedom' The rift and the risks Trump is furious. He's threatened to pull billions in federal subsidies from Tesla and SpaceX . Investors are uneasy too Azoria Partners just froze a planned Tesla ETF, worried Musk's new hobby will distract him from cars and rockets. Azoria's CEO James Fishback demanded Tesla's board clarify whether their star CEO is now a full-time politician. Meanwhile, Republicans are sweating. They relied on Musk's donations. Now he's threatening to bankroll primary challenges against their loyalists. Asked what made him flip from Trump's biggest fan to open rival, Musk didn't mince words: 'Increasing the deficit from an already insane $2T under Biden to $2.5T. This will bankrupt the country.' When's the fight? He's aiming for November 2026. No presidential bid, no grand stage (yet). 'Next year,' Musk told an X user when asked about his election timeline. 'We'll start small, contesting key seats in 2026 to flip the balance, not 2028.' He added: 'The future strategy should certainly evolve, but it is worth noting that Thebes did actually dominate Greece for a decade following Leuctra.' A neat reminder that the underdog can take over if the first strike lands. The uniparty won't vanish overnight. Musk knows that. But by learning from a Greek general long dead, he thinks he can find the system's soft spots and drive a wedge right through them. There was no immediate comment from Trump or the White House on Musk's announcement. The feud with Trump, often described as one between the world's richest man and the world's most powerful, has led to several precipitous falls in Tesla's share price. The stock soared after Trump's November reelection and hit a high of more than $488 in December, before losing more than half of its value in April and closing last week out at $315.35. Despite Musk's deep pockets, breaking the Republican-Democratic duopoly will be a tall order, given that it has dominated American political life for more than 160 years, while Trump's approval ratings in polls in his second term have generally held firm above 40%, despite often divisive policies. If he pulls it off, America's next political map may look very different Spartan shield wall cracked open, with Thebes marching through the gap.
Yahoo
29-05-2025
- General
- Yahoo
3 ancient Egyptian tombs dating to the New Kingdom discovered near Luxor
When you buy through links on our articles, Future and its syndication partners may earn a commission. Archaeologists in Egypt have discovered three New Kingdom tombs dating to more than 3,000 years ago. The burials were found within a cemetery now known as Dra Abu el-Naga, which is near modern-day Luxor (ancient Thebes). The three deceased individuals, all men, each held important roles in ancient Egypt's temples and grain silos. So it's no surprise they were buried at the Dra Abu el-Naga cemetery, which is located near the Nile and is a necropolis for important non-royal people. One of the tombs belongs to a man named "Amun-Em-Ipet" who served in a temple or estate that was dedicated to Amun, a god associated with ancient Thebes, Egypt's Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities said in a translated statement. The man lived during the 19th dynasty (circa 1295 to 1186 B.C.), a time when Egypt controlled an empire that stretched from Syria to Sudan. The tomb contains a small courtyard, a hallway and a burial chamber. The surviving wall paintings depict banquets, funerary offerings and a funerary procession. At a later time, his tomb was re-occupied by other individuals and another hallway was built. The two other tombs date to the early part of the 18th dynasty (circa 1550 to 1295 B.C.). One is of a man named Baki, who was a supervisor of grain silos. His tomb has a corridor-shaped courtyard that connects to a second courtyard, which in turn has an entrance that leads to an unfinished chapel with a burial shaft. The other early 18th-dynasty tomb belongs to a man named "Es," who had a number of different titles that indicate he was a scribe and a supervisor in a temple of Amun. The tomb has an entrance hall, a small courtyard and a series of unfinished chambers along with a burial shaft. Related: Archaeologists unearth tree-lined walkway that led to ancient Egyptian fortress in Sinai Desert Image 1 of 2 The interior of one of the tombs found near Luxor. Image 2 of 2 Shabtis found in the tombs. The ancient Egyptians believed that shabtis would work for the deceased in the afterlife. The fact that all three tombs have courtyards is not unusual. "Courtyards are common elements of the New Kingdom tombs of the non-royal Theban necropolis, and they are present throughout Dra Abu el-Naga," Katherine Slinger, a lecturer in Egyptian archaeology at the University of Manchester in the U.K. who was not involved with the excavation, told Live Science in an email. RELATED STORIES —Rare tomb from Egypt's Middle Kingdom holds a wealth of jewelry and several generations of the same family —Excavations at Queen Hatshepsut's mortuary temple reveal elaborate burials, decorated blocks and ancient tools —2,100-year-old temple from ancient Egypt discovered hidden in cliff face "These courtyards had a ritual purpose, particularly during the funeral of the deceased and necropolis festivals," and were sometimes shared with adjacent tombs, Slinger said. "These newly discovered courtyards may contain evidence of this ritual activity," she noted. Felix Arnold, an archaeologist with the German Archaeological Institute who was not involved in the excavation, told Live Science in an email that "courtyards are typical elements of New Kingdom tombs. The study of these exterior elements of tomb precincts tend to be neglected [and] their careful study will offer new insights." A team made up entirely of Egyptian archaeologists discovered the tombs, the statement noted. Excavations of the site are ongoing, as is analysis of the tombs.
Yahoo
06-04-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
4,000-year-old burials in Sudan reveal world's oldest known evidence of head straps
When you buy through links on our articles, Future and its syndication partners may earn a commission. Marks on 4,000-year-old skeletons reveal that Bronze Age women in Nubia were carrying goods and young children on their heads using tumplines, a type of head strap that can hold a basket, a new study finds. The discovery reveals the oldest known use of head straps in the world. Researchers made the finding in Sudan after analzying the remains of 30 people (14 females and 16 males) buried in a Nubian Bronze Age cemetery. One, an elite woman who was around 50 years old when she died, had the clearest marks indicative of head straps. This is the "first clear evidence that women were using head straps — tumplines — to carry loads as early as the Bronze Age," study lead author Jared Carballo-Pérez, a researcher of bioarchaeology at the Autonomous University of Barcelona, told Live Science in an email. Carballo-Pérez and his colleagues investigated at the archaeological site of Abu Fatima which consists of a cemetery that is located by the third cataract of the Nile River, in what was once the ancient kingdom of Kush. After analyzing the 30 people in the Abu Fatima cemetery, the team found that women tended to have more wear on their head and neck areas than the male skeletons did, indicating that the women were bearing loads with head straps. "Women exhibited specific degenerative changes in the cervical vertebrae and skull areas associated with prolonged use of tumplines that transfer weight from the forehead to the upper back," the team wrote in a statement. Related: 3,500-year-old burial of Nubian woman reveals 1 of world's earliest known cases of rheumatoid arthritis The cemetery was only about 6 miles (10 kilometers) north of Kerma, the capital city of Kush. "The capital in Kerma was a densely populated urban center that featured various facilities such as storage buildings, ritual structures, breweries, bakeries, and defensive walls," the researchers wrote in the study, which was published in the March issue of the Journal of Anthropological Archaeology. Based on the skeletal analyses from the cemetery, it's likely that women in Kerma and the surrounding area carried goods and young children using head straps, the new research suggests. The team also analyzed ancient art from Egypt that depicts Nubians who lived around this time. They noticed that some of the Nubians featured appear to be carrying children using head straps. "The forehead straps would be attached to the basket and placed over the top of the head. This is supported by various depictions of Nubian women found in tribute scenes from 18th Dynasty Theban tombs," the team wrote in the paper. RELATED STORIE —Ancient Egyptian pyramids, thought to contain only the elite, may also hold low-class laborers —4,000-year-old rock art of boats and cattle unearthed in Sudan paint a picture of a green Sahara —7 extraordinary African kingdoms from ancient times to centuries ago The elite woman's remains showed the "clearest signs" of head strap use, the team wrote in the statement. She lived sometime between 2600 and 2000 B.C., study co-author Sarah Schrader, an associate professor of archaeology at Leiden University in the Netherlands who co-led excavations at Abu Fatima, told Live Science in an email. Her remains were buried with an ostrich feather fan and a leather pillow. The elite woman's identity is unknown, but the luxury items buried with her suggest that she had a different status to others in her community, Schrader said. It's unclear exactly what her status was, but the signs of wear indicate she still had to carry heavy loads on her head. Additionally, isotopic analysis of her remains suggests that she is from outside the region, possibly the second cataract of the Nile. This is north of the cemetery but still within the kingdom of Kush. People in modern times still use tumplines. The practice is "still alive today in rural regions of Africa, Asia, and Latin America," the team wrote in the statement.
Express Tribune
09-02-2025
- Business
- Express Tribune
The new aristocracy
Listen to article In the times of menacing inflation, our elected representatives - chosen by us to bring soothing wafts of respite from haunting high prices of commodities and suffocating utility bills - have increased their salaries disproportionately given the poor financial plight of their masses. The plague our country is afflicted with is Theban, as the rulers who vow to rid the country of its plague are themselves the plague. Shockingly, Rs1 million monthly salary was demanded by parliamentarians as they were drawing just "peanuts" - Rs180,000 per month. The proposal was turned down by the National Assembly's Finance Committee and Rs519,000 was sanctioned in the "best national interest". Add perks: subsidised housing, utilities, vehicles and security - costing taxpayers billions annually. In contrast, 40% of Pakistanis live below the poverty line (World Bank, 2023), surviving on less than $2 a day. The leaders' frolicking in financial gaiety, courtesy to the public taxes, serves nothing but to spite the poor masses who always have too much month at the end of their income. All talks about the government's austerity measures remain an absurd charade. The gigabyte increase in the salaries of the parliamentarians approximates to 300 per cent and the beneficiaries justify it by comparing it with the salaries of federal secretaries brushing aside the fact that the major spadework of governance is done by the bureaucracy. The legislatures defend the raise, again wrongly, claiming their salary was much lower than that of provincial ministers. Hazrat Abu Bakar (RA), after becoming the first caliph of Islam, agreed to take a stipend equal to the wages of a labourer. He was told that the stipend wouldn't be enough to bear the expenses of his family. He said that the wages of a labourer must be enhanced then. During his address one day, the second caliph of Islam Hazrat Umar (RA) was interrupted by Hazrat Salman Farsi (RA) saying the audience would not listen to and follow the caliph as he was donning a dress made out of two pieces of cloth from the treasury against the allotted one piece per capita. He could easily justify himself as one piece wasn't enough to cover his comparatively taller body. But he explained that he took the second piece from his son. Then, the audience agreed to obey the caliph. The unity between the treasury and the opposition mostly absent on many important matters of national interest was garnered on the said pay raise without any demur. After the prime minister's hasty approval, parliamentarians received their revised salaries for the month of January. Apna kaam banta, bhaar mein jaey janta, hums a Bollywood song. The demand and its prompt acceptance remind us of George Orwell's Animal Farm. After taking control of the animal farm, the ruling pigs entitle themselves to perks and privileges more than other animals and justify it: "All animals are equal, but some animals are more equal than others." Equality being an absolute phenomenon is turned into a relative one. Moreover, the rhetorical shift from 'all' to 'some' exerts the entitlement of the "privileged some". To turn absolute phenomena into the relative ones is merely the facetious polemics for safeguarding one's vested interest. Saddam Hussein, the Assistant Chief (Policy) at the Pakistan Institute of Development Economics, writes in one of his articles that the annual working days of National Assembly, based on the last five years, average 88 days and that of Senate, 57 days. An MNA costs the national exchequer about Rs0.7 million per day and a senator around Rs1.1 million per day. The absenteeism on any given day in both houses stands at 37 per cent. If students show such absenteeism at their educational institutions, they are labelled as flippant. The 'Macro Poverty Outlook for Pakistan 2024', released by the World Bank, says limited growth in real wages and employment will keep the poverty rate near 40 per cent through fiscal year 2026. A country where the gap between the minimum wage (32,000 rupees) and the living wage (at least 70,000 rupees) is widening, such pay raises sound apathetic and aristocratic. That minimum wage, too, isn't complied with in public and private enterprises.
