Originally published at: DHS Subpoenas Big-Tech to Find ICE Critics, Epstein Files Only 2% Released, Gold-Backed US Treasuries? – Peak Prosperity
Economy
Judy Shelton discussed Federal Reserve reform with Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent and proposed a gold-convertible U.S. Treasury bond, according to reports. Shelton suggested issuing the bond on July 4, 2026, maturing on July 4, 2076, to anchor national debt to gold and restore monetary discipline. Critics have questioned the proposal’s viability, citing potential limitations in issuance scale and historical links to inflationary-deflationary cycles.
Privacy & Surveillance
In the U.S., the Department of Homeland Security issued hundreds of administrative subpoenas to Google, Meta, Reddit, and Discord seeking identities behind anonymous social media accounts tracking or criticizing ICE agents, including names, emails, and locations. Companies like Google notified users for challenges. Requests targeted accounts like Montco Community Watch posting ICE alerts, with DHS citing officer safety amid Trump administration efforts against interference, following prior withdrawals after court challenges. Critics argue the subpoenas chill free speech absent judicial oversight.
In Australia, states are expanding digital ID systems incorporating facial recognition. New South Wales’ Service NSW requires a selfie matched against driver’s license or passport for reusable credentials accessing services like toll rebates, linking to federal records from agencies including Services Australia. Queensland’s Digital License app serves 1.2 million with driver’s licenses, marine licenses, and construction accreditations via Thales infrastructure. Victoria offers digital birth certificates, with digital driver’s licenses nearing 90 percent coverage. Critics have warned of surveillance risks from persistent government-held biometric templates.
Epstein Files
A probe states the DOJ has disclosed only 2 percent of FBI-seized Epstein materials, with over 3 million pages from raids yielding 20-40 terabytes across dozens of devices like computers, hard drives, and servers, compared to the released 300 gigabytes. Corroborating this, Representative Nancy Mace reported all audio and video from pinhole cameras at Epstein’s properties are absent from files. Additionally, Representative Thomas Massie stated the DOJ removed key documents before congressional review, including those tied to Virginia Giuffre and a photo of Epstein amid boxes marked “CIA.”
Contained in released files were emails to Ghislaine Maxwell, one from Ed Epstein on January 6, 2003, inviting her to a secret “shadow 9/11 commission” with a confidential membership list, and another from Philip Lavine on September 18, 2001, querying “where is the real pilot?” However, a separate report indicates the “real pilot” query concerned a helicopter ride unrelated to 9/11 hijackers.
Lastly, pathologist Michael Baden, who observed the 2019 autopsy, has demanded a new investigation into homicide, citing three neck fractures consistent with strangulation rather than suicide by bedsheet hanging. Baden noted the initial “pending” cause of death status shifted to suicide without further study, markings inconsistent with a sheet, and no prior observation of such fractures in suicidal hangings over decades. Critics have cited Baden’s history as a paid expert in high-profile defense cases and maintained suicide as the reasonable conclusion.
Energy
The U.S. nuclear sector anticipates a fuel shortage by 2028 despite Department of Energy investments, including $2.7 billion awarded to Centrus Energy, Orano Federal Services, and General Matter for uranium enrichment facilities in Ohio, Tennessee, and Kentucky. Domestic production supplies less than 1 percent of needs for 94 reactors, with reliance on imports from Kazakhstan and Canada. A congressional ban on Russian uranium takes effect January 1, 2028, amid plans to quadruple output by 2050 in a constrained global market. Experts cited in reports emphasize scaling enrichment via proven centrifuges, secured by offtake agreements.
In the first-ever air-transport of a nuclear reactor, the Departments of Energy and Defense airlifted Valar Atomics’ Ward nuclear microreactor aboard a C-17 Globemaster from California to Utah’s Hill Air Force Base. The minivan-sized unit is designed to generate up to 5 megawatts, enough for 5,000 homes, starting at 100 kilowatts this year. Energy Secretary Chris Wright and Under Secretary Michael Duffey accompanied the transport, which advances rapid deployment for military and civilian use under Trump administration executive orders. Critics have raised safety concerns over the operation reportedly bypassing standard Nuclear Regulatory Commission reviews.
Across the pond, a Tony Blair Institute report recommends reviving the UK’s North Sea oil and gas sector and estimates 7.5 billion recoverable barrels worth £165 billion. The report states that current policies accelerate the sector’s decline and calls for shifting from emissions focus to affordable, secure energy. The report notes that while domestic production would not directly lower electricity prices, it would enhance self-reliance, amid Labour’s emphasis on home-grown power over wind and solar. A Labour Party source dismissed the report, affirming commitment to clean power sources like wind and solar.
Geopolitics
Lithuania plans to pursue a standalone critical minerals agreement with the United States if the European Union delays a comprehensive deal, according to a senior official. The official stated this approach would secure supplies of rare earth magnets, battery metals, gallium, and germanium for electronics, weapons, and manufacturing. The official cited China’s control over refining, including recent export restrictions, and said the move would align Vilnius with U.S. supply chains to reduce dependency. The official noted that such bilateral arrangements could include joint projects or recycling cooperation and might influence other Eastern European NATO members concerned about Brussels’ pace. EU officials have indicated a preference for structured reciprocal agreements rather than individual member-state bilateral deals.
In other news, Polish President Karol Nawrocki has advocated developing a national nuclear weapons program to counter the Russian threat and expressed support for Poland joining a “nuclear project,” despite its Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty obligations. Discussions of nuclear armament have emerged in Germany, where AfD lawmaker Kay Gottschalk cited reduced U.S. reliability. IAEA chief Rafael Grossi noted the potential for rapid bomb-building. Japanese officials have raised similar considerations, prompting Chinese rebuke, while Russian figures have acknowledged global instability driving such pursuits among capable nations. Skeptics have dismissed claims of an imminent Russian threat as baseless fearmongering.
Health
A study of over 3,400 children from Brazil’s 2015 Pelotas Birth Cohort found high ultraprocessed food intake at age two linked to a 2-point IQ drop at age seven on the Wechsler scale, rising to 5 points for those with low weight, height, or head circumference. Associations held after adjusting for maternal education, income, and home stimulation. Researchers attributed findings to gut microbiome alterations and oxidative stress from lacking antioxidants in fresh foods. Researchers noted the observational design shows association, not causation.
A Los Angeles Superior Court jury awarded $25 million to 58-year-old Roland Esparza, who developed bronchiolitis obliterans, or “popcorn lung,” from inhaling diacetyl in Conagra’s PAM cooking spray used daily since the 1990s. Esparza, a bodybuilder, sprayed eggs and proteins obsessively, unaware of risks linked to microwave popcorn workers and vapers. Conagra phased out diacetyl in 2009; this marks the first verdict against a cooking spray maker. Conagra has announced plans to appeal the verdict.
Sources
Lithuania Poised to Break EU Ranks with Solo US Minerals Deal
Lithuania is signaling it may strike its own critical minerals deal with Washington if the EU can’t finalize a bloc-wide agreement quickly enough
Source | Submitted by jhughes1973
Tony Blair Think Tank Urges North Sea Oil Revival for £165bn Boost
Its revival could boost the economy by 165 billion pounds
Source | Submitted by jhughes1973
Poland President Suggests Nuclear Weapons to Counter Russian Threat
Poland needs to develop its own nuclear weapons program, President Karol Nawrocki has suggested, citing a perceived ‘Russian threat’.
Source | Submitted by Rodster
Epstein Files Reveal Maxwell’s Shadow 9/11 Commission Invite and “Real Pilot” Query
Where is the real pilot?
Source | Submitted by westcoastjan
US Nuclear Fuel Crunch Looms by 2028 Despite Billions in DOE Aid
Yet, a fuel crunch that could hobble President Donald Trump’s “nuclear renaissance” initiatives looms as soon as 2028
Australia’s States Enroll Citizens in Facial Recognition ID Systems
Australian state governments are enrolling residents into facial recognition systems, framing the rollout as a convenience upgrade.
US Airlifts Nuclear Microreactor in World First for Rapid Deployment
The world’s first air-transport of a nuclear microreactor
LA Man Scores $25M Verdict: Cooking Spray’s Diacetyl Sparks ‘Popcorn Lung’
A Los Angeles man has won a huge payout after developing a chronic lung disease linked to an ingredient in a popular cooking spray.
Ultraprocessed Foods in Toddlers Linked to IQ Drop at School Age
Researchers found a clear association between consumption of ultraprocessed foods at age two and lower IQ at age seven: a drop of 2 points.
DOJ Releases Just 2% of Epstein’s Seized FBI Data, Probe Reveals
the Department of Justice has released just two percent of the material the FBI seized from Jeffrey Epstein’s properties.
Massie: Bondi’s DOJ Yanks Key Epstein-Giuffre Documents Before Congress Review
They took down the most crucial documents directly involving key Epstein witness Virginia Giuffre
Rep. Nancy Mace: All Epstein Pinhole Camera Audio and Video Missing from Files
Rep. Nancy Mace says all the audio and all the video from all the pinhole cameras at all of Jeffrey Epstein’s properties are missing from the Epstein files
Judy Shelton Pitches Gold-Convertible Bond to Treasury Secretary Bessent
A 50-year signal to the world that America is willing to anchor its debt to something real.
Homeland Security Subpoenas Tech Giants to Unmask Anti-ICE Social Media Accounts
Homeland Security Wants Social Media Sites to Expose Anti-ICE Accounts
Source (Paywalled)
Epstein Autopsy Pathologist Demands Murder Probe Over Strangulation Evidence
“The autopsy findings are much more consistent with a crushing injury caused by homicidal strangulation than caused by hanging by suicide.”
In addition to sources submitted by community members, the following were also used in the creation of this report: Oilprice.com, Gold Telegraph, The Telegraph, NucNet Nuclear News, White House Xray, RT.com, Mario Nawfal, AF Post, Channel 4 News, Politico, DOJ, Bloomberg, BBC, The New York Times, Gizmodo, Chicago Tribune, and PsyPost.