Historical
What Happened in Every Second of 2025
I think we can all agree that 2025 was an eventful year. Every day brought us closer to 2026, and despite being constantly bombarded with information, it is impossible to be aware of absolutely everything. In many ways, every second counted.
By Dave's Your Uncle!3 months ago in FYI
Shogatsu: The Art of the Japanese New Year
A Journey Through Silence, Sacred Rituals, and the First Sunrise of the Year While much of the world celebrates the New Year with loud fireworks and champagne toasts, Japan moves in the opposite direction. Here, the transition into a new year is a time of profound stillness, ancient rituals, and a deep cleaning of both the home and the soul.
By Takashi Nagaya3 months ago in FYI
January: The First Month of the Year
Basics About the First Month of the Year January derives its name from Janu, the god of beginnings and transitions in Roman mythology. Janu was said to be the protector of gates, doorways, and paths, which is fitting because many of us view January as the doorway to the new year.
By Margaret Minnicks3 months ago in FYI
The French Defense Model Won't Work for Europe
In today’s increasingly multipolar world, power doesn’t just belong to superpowers anymore. It belongs to the states that understand leverage—how to move money, influence, and security through places where sovereignty is weak and attention is scarce. As the United States, China, Europe, and Russia focus on managing their own global rivalries, a different tier of actors has stepped into the gaps.
By Lawrence Lease3 months ago in FYI
The Gift That Came Wrapped in Flesh
Christmas is one of the busiest and most exciting times of the year when people rush to and fro preparing for the festive holiday. They buy gifts for family and friends. Some people spend more than they can afford just to get the right presents for those on their list.
By Margaret Minnicks3 months ago in FYI
Diving Deep into the Crisis in Venezuela
“We’ve just seized a tanker on the coast of Venezuela. Large tanker. Very large. Largest one ever seized, actually.” That was Donald Trump, speaking on December 10, announcing the latest escalation in Washington’s long-running feud with Venezuela. It was vintage Trump—off-the-cuff, boastful, and ominous. But behind the theatrics was something far more serious: a renewed standoff between the United States and a country that has spent more than a decade unraveling in slow motion.
By Lawrence Lease3 months ago in FYI
Uganda’s Elections are a Critical Flashpoint. Here’s What to Know
On January 15, 2026, Uganda will hold a nationwide general election. The contest will once again pit the country’s long-serving strongman, Yoweri Museveni, against prominent opposition figure Bobi Wine, reprising their 2021 showdown. After decades of uninterrupted rule and multiple re-elections, Uganda’s opposition believes—perhaps more out of necessity than optimism—that this could finally be the year Museveni is forced from power.
By Lawrence Lease3 months ago in FYI
