January 2024 - cypherpunks - lists.cpunks.org

Apple Can't Duck Investor Vote On Human Rights Proposals
by Gunnar Larson 04 Jan '24

04 Jan '24

Apple Can't Duck Investor Vote On Human Rights Proposals <https://www.law360.com/capitalmarkets/articles/1781916?nl_pk=abe82add-2a33-…> By Dorothy Atkins The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission told Apple Inc. on Tuesday that the tech giant must allow its investors to vote on two separate shareholder proposals by conservative nonprofits requesting that Apple investigate and disclose how its app curation and other practices align with certain human rights policies. 2 documents attached | Read full article » <https://www.law360.com/capitalmarkets/articles/1781916?nl_pk=abe82add-2a33-…> | Save to favorites » <https://www.law360.com/capitalmarkets/articles/1781916?nl_pk=abe82add-2a33-…>

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New York's Horse Manure Problem of 1894
by Gunnar Larson 04 Jan '24

04 Jan '24

The Horse Manure Problem of 1894 The 15 to 30 pounds of manure produced daily by each beast multiplied by the 150,000+ horses in New York city resulted in more than three million pounds of horse manure per day that somehow needed to be disposed of. That’s not to mention the daily 40,000 gallons of horse urine. In other words, cities reeked. As Morris says, the “stench was omnipresent.” Here are some fun bits from his article: Urban streets were minefields that needed to be navigated with the greatest care. “Crossing sweepers” stood on street corners; for a fee they would clear a path through the mire for pedestrians. Wet weather turned the streets into swamps and rivers of muck, but dry weather brought little improvement; the manure turned to dust, which was then whipped up by the wind, choking pedestrians and coating buildings. . . . even when it had been removed from the streets the manure piled up faster than it could be disposed of . . . early in the century farmers were happy to pay good money for the manure, by the end of the 1800s stable owners had to pay to have it carted off. As a result of this glut . . . vacant lots in cities across America became piled high with manure; in New York these sometimes rose to forty and even sixty feet. We need to remind ourselves that horse manure is an ideal breeding ground for flies, which spread disease. Morris reports that deadly outbreaks of typhoid and “infant diarrheal diseases can be traced to spikes in the fly population.” Comparing fatalities associated with horse-related accidents in 1916 Chicago versus automobile accidents in 1997, he concludes that people were killed nearly seven times more often back in the good old days. The reasons for this are straightforward: . . . horse-drawn vehicles have an engine with a mind of its own. The skittishness of horses added a dangerous level of unpredictability to nineteenth-century transportation. This was particularly true in a bustling urban environment, full of surprises that could shock and spook the animals. Horses often stampeded, but a more common danger came from horses kicking, biting, or trampling bystanders. Children were particularly at risk. Falls, injuries, and maltreatment also took a toll on the horses themselves. Data cited by Morris indicates that, in 1880, more than 3 dozen dead horses were cleared from New York streets each day (nearly 15,000 a year).

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Harvard inflates wood ... 85 Highlights to "Digital Assets: Beauty Is Not in the Eye of the Beholder"
by Gunnar Larson 03 Jan '24

03 Jan '24

What a week. I am going to need to tone down spamming the list going into 2024. But, meanwhile... Its a Gay Crypto Conspiracy out of Havard. 85 Highlights to Digital Assets: Beauty Is Not in the Eye of the Beholder: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1yEQupX1a7VS4K6N018Y0SF_0v4lpJWz8/view?usp=… --- " ... When recommendations by some consultants and the allocation of TIMBER by Harvard University’s endowment led to broad interest in the asset. Timber funds were launched with the understanding that they provided diversification and enhanced returns. Our analysis showed that timber did not add any value to our clients’ portfolios, and we recommended against investing in timber funds." -Goldman Sachs Investment Group (June 2021): https://drive.google.com/file/d/1yEQupX1a7VS4K6N018Y0SF_0v4lpJWz8/view?usp=…

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Feds Plan To Drop 2nd Trial Against Bankman-Fried
by Gunnar Larson 03 Jan '24

03 Jan '24

Feds Plan To Drop 2nd Trial Against Bankman-Fried <https://www.law360.com/cybersecurity-privacy/articles/1780858?nl_pk=3dfd2fd…> By Aislinn Keely Federal prosecutors have asked a Manhattan federal judge to consider evidence related to additional charges against FTX founder Sam Bankman-Fried as part of his March sentencing rather than litigate them at a second trial. Letter attached | Read full article » <https://www.law360.com/cybersecurity-privacy/articles/1780858?nl_pk=3dfd2fd…> | Save to favorites » <https://www.law360.com/cybersecurity-privacy/articles/1780858?nl_pk=3dfd2fd…>

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Juana Doe v. IFC violence case settled in Honduras
by Gunnar Larson 03 Jan '24

03 Jan '24

Juana Doe v. IFC violence case settled in Honduras JAN. 3, 2024 BY HELEN MURPHY The International Financial Corporation settled with a group of farmers who alleged that the World Bank’s financial arm backed an investment in a company that “tortured, harassed, and killed” people from a community in Honduras. Also in today’s edition: We look at artificial intelligence in education, highlight this year’s development calendar, and explain the naval blockade that means a holdup for aid to Gaza. IFC takes a hit in Honduras It’s unfortunately all too common in Latin America: companies that use intimidation and even murder to profit from natural resources in areas populated by poor rural communities. That the World Bank allegedly found itself caught up in such a case is not a good look. But a group of farmers late last year reached a settlement with IFC, the World Bank’s private sector arm, in a class action lawsuit that alleges that a company it backed for investment tortured, harassed, and killed members of the Bajo Aguán community in Honduras. The suit Juana Doe et al v. International Finance Corporation filed by a group of unidentified farmers in northeastern Honduras focuses on IFC and its Asset Management Company, or AMC, “knowingly profiting from financing murder, violence, and dispossession,” the group alleges in court documents. IFC in 2009 approved a $30 million loan to Corporación Dinant to help expand its palm oil plantations and operations and build a biogas plant. Later that year it paid out $15 million of the loan. But Dinant used “all kinds of unsavory and brutal and violent methods to obtain land from the campesinos,” Marissa Vahlsing, one of the lawyers at EarthRights International representing the farmers, tells Devex Senior Reporter Adva Saldinger. The violence was “openly talked about” in Honduras, and IFC could easily have accessed that information and should have known what was happening, she says. Dinant denies all of the allegations, including charges of murder, which it called “completely meritless,” and said it is committed to respecting human rights. “We categorically deny the allegations made in the lawsuit,” it said in a letter to Devex. An IFC spokesperson tells Adva that neither IFC nor AMC “has admitted to any wrongdoing or agreed to any remedial action as part of the settlement agreement.” Read: Honduran farmers, IFC settle suit alleging violence linked to investment Related: Civil society groups lambaste IFC over response to sex abuse allegations https://t.devex.com/v/Njg1LUtCTC03NjUAAAGQbi_h51jKoemJbyXXIsq43HYOA0VLDx0SG…

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NY Gov. Hochul Again Vetoes Wrongful Death Damages Bill
by Gunnar Larson 03 Jan '24

03 Jan '24

NY Gov. Hochul Again Vetoes Wrongful Death Damages Bill <https://www.law360.com/health/articles/1781120?nl_pk=6422bbc2-a823-4be5-9a9…> By Y. Peter Kang For the second consecutive legislative session, New York Gov. Kathy Hochul vetoed a bipartisan bill that would have allowed families of wrongful death victims to seek emotional distress damages, saying the legislation had the potential to increase healthcare costs and drive up insurance premiums. 1 document attached | Read full article » <https://www.law360.com/health/articles/1781120?nl_pk=6422bbc2-a823-4be5-9a9…> | Save to favorites » <https://www.law360.com/health/articles/1781120?nl_pk=6422bbc2-a823-4be5-9a9…>

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Doctors in England to hold longest NHS strike ever
by Gunnar Larson 03 Jan '24

03 Jan '24

https://www.samaa.tv/208737281-doctors-in-england-to-hold-longest-nhs-strik… Hospital doctors in England on Wednesday begin their longest consecutive strike in the seven-decade history of Britain's National Health Service (NHS). Junior doctors -- those below consultant level -- will walk out for six days in a major escalation of their long-running pay dispute with the UK government. The industrial action comes at one of the busiest times of the year for the state-funded NHS, when it faces increased pressure from winter respiratory illnesses. It also quickly follows a three-day strike held by doctors just before Christmas.

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Palantir Closes In on Controversial UK Health Data Contract
by Gunnar Larson 03 Jan '24

03 Jan '24

Palantir Closes In on Controversial UK Health Data Contract https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2023-10-03/palantir-closing-in-on-a… Palantir Technologies Inc., the data analysis firm co-founded by tech billionaire Peter Thiel and contracted by government intelligence agencies and military forces around the world, has emerged as the top pick for a contract to overhaul the UK’s National Health Service.

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Re: xNY.io - Bank.org, PBC | Memo #1 - The Alliance for Regulatory Innovation and Brex, Inc.
by Gunnar Larson 03 Jan '24

03 Jan '24

Hello: We would like to revisit this FOIL request. Can you please update update us if DFS has any records concerning BREX and the The Alliance for Regulatory Innovation and Brex, Inc. Thank you, Gunnar Gunnar Larson xNY.io - Bank.org 917-580-8053 Dear Mr. Ritchey: > > Please find the attached FOIL request > <https://docs.google.com/document/d/1LzlxPj23eYlF1I_y-BlCOh7Y-SYRLe-E_wiG1Ii…> > for your esteemed receipt. > > Sending you the very best regards. > > Thank you, > > Gunnar Larson > -- > *Gunnar Larson * > *xNY.io <http://www.xny.io/> - Bank.org <http://bank.org/>* > > MSc > <https://www.unic.ac.cy/blockchain/msc-digital-currency/?utm_source=Google&u…> - > Digital Currency > MBA > <https://www.unic.ac.cy/business-administration-entrepreneurship-and-innovat…> - Entrepreneurship > and Innovation (ip) > > G(a)xNY.io > +1-917-580-8053 > New York, New York 10001 >

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Eric Blinderman, Former Therium Capital Management CEO Launches Legal Fee Advancement Lawsuit
by Gunnar Larson 03 Jan '24

03 Jan '24

Check out one of my recent litigation finance blurbs: https://www.law360.com/amp/articles/1731377 Eric Blinderman, Former Therium Capital Management CEO Launches Legal Fee Advancement Lawsuit Therium Capital Management's past CEO Eric Blinermam is suing his former employer for advanced arbitration fees and indemnification in Delaware's Chancery Court. Globally, Therium has invested more than $74B in legal disputes. Mr. Blinderman established Therium’s United States business operations in 2016. Law 360 <https://www.law360.com/amp/articles/1731377> broke news of Mr. Blinderman's civil action claim for advanced arbitration fees against Therium. Delaware's docket report lists "ERIC BLINDERMAN v THERIUM CAPITAL MANAGEMENT <https://courtconnect.courts.delaware.gov/cc/cconnect/ck_public_qry_doct.cp_…>" as active. Prior to being the US CEO of Therium, Blinderman was international litigation counsel at Proskauer. Blinderman also served as associate general counsel of the Coalition Provisional Authority in Iraq. Additionally, Blinderman worked as chief legal counsel and associate deputy to the Regime Crimes Liaison’s Office. Lexology's June 29, 2022 <https://www.lexology.com/library/detail.aspx?g=6122e778-3f12-4dde-b27b-0c73…> "Third Party Funding Thought Leaders" feature of Mr. Blinderman mentions his nuanced approach to litigation tactics and strategy. While CEO at Therium, Blinderman says he managed the business by striving to provide stakeholders with value spanning the litigation investment life cycle.

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