February 2025 - cypherpunks - lists.cpunks.org

‘Left to fend for themselves’
by Gunnar Larson 17 Feb '25

17 Feb '25

*‘Left to fend for themselves’* Just when humanitarian agencies in famine-hit Sudan, and presumably its distressed people, believed the situation could get no more disastrous, along came the U.S. aid freeze. Kholood Khair, founder of the Confluence Advisory think tank, said *aid flows into her country had been “pitifully low”* since its civil war began in April 2023, with “untold horrors” of rape, starvation, and genocide. “Now, after the cruel deployment of the immediate freeze by the U.S. government – the largest humanitarian donor in Sudan – *Sudanese have been largely left to fend for themselves*,” Khair warned at a debate entitled “A Living Nightmare.” Ted Chaiban, a deputy executive director at UNICEF <https://t.devex.com/Njg1LUtCTC03NjUAAAGYszLyFje9uDDqs6ALWc0SeJgKvDImZ8hOp3F…>, agreed the *dismantling of USAID is hitting operations in Sudan*, saying: “We need an acceleration of the humanitarian waivers, the return of U.S. funding to be able to support the response.” And Filippo Grandi, the United Nations high commissioner for refugees, said some waivers were being secured, but agreed the confusion “makes the situation even more complex from the humanitarian point of view.” *Background reading:* ‘The world, as a whole, has dropped the ball’ on Sudan <https://t.devex.com/dc/kyXVoDpAY__Vu56MNr4POg9zMhBSk812REZc5HyUTeyMphGcg9w6…> [image: Pro] <https://t.devex.com/Njg1LUtCTC03NjUAAAGYszLyFvfO7WMaChwcZ4xe228JXiY3jtHQsn5…>

1 0

You are Ghana regret it
by Gunnar Larson 17 Feb '25

17 Feb '25

You are Ghana regret it The loudest voice was that of Ghanaian President John Dramani Mahama, who warned the U.S. its aid cuts will lead to a loss of influence abroad to other major powers <https://t.devex.com/dc/kyXVoDpAY__Vu56MNr4POux9_ZC5ACY5PXdtVJUhQ21F2HZMTvja…>, with the memorable phrase: *“As bridges are burning, new bridges are being formed.”* Mahama set out the pain inflicted on his country, telling a side meeting Ghana has been forced to cut $156 million of spending, including on economic growth and education plans, and — “the most critical” — $78 million of health cuts, to children’s care, maternity services, HIV testing, and access to antiretroviral drugs. However, Mahama sought to strike a positive note, arguing the awful decisions he and others are making would, in time, *make Africa “more self-reliant,”* boosting its food production and reducing trade barriers across the continent. On the impact for the U.S. of its retreat on the world stage, he said: “*One thing the U.S. will lose is that soft power* it has wielded in the world — I mean, these are people that are grateful for the assistance they get.” “There are many other partners. The U.S. are not our only partner. We will continue to cooperate with other countries and that’s why we have a multipolar world,” he added, without mentioning the widely predicted *main beneficiary — which is, of course, China.* “As bridges are burning, new bridges are being formed. We need to look for those new bridges and link the world with those new bridges,” Mahama said. *Ghana on US aid cuts:* ‘As bridges are burning, new bridges are formed’ <https://t.devex.com/dc/kyXVoDpAY__Vu56MNr4POux9_ZC5ACY5PXdtVJUhQ21F2HZMTvja…>

1 0

The development undertones at the Munich Security Conference
by Gunnar Larson 17 Feb '25

17 Feb '25

This sounds like a compounding returns success story, just waiting to happen. Gunnar Larson -- FEB. 17, 2025 BY ROB MERRICK <https://t.devex.com/Njg1LUtCTC03NjUAAAGYszLyFumL8UWPXWG16c9VKKIy6vW0uRV4vRQ…> A gruesome graph released <https://t.devex.com/Njg1LUtCTC03NjUAAAGYszLyFvD01xtyXNKezDOjjYWInMxlHFfetqA…> prior to the Munich Security Conference <https://t.devex.com/Njg1LUtCTC03NjUAAAGYszLyFwybkp1HPlqsHo7zXFpHYbka3bAXcdS…> listed *23 countries that will lose more than 1% of their national income* if — despite a federal judge’s order <https://t.devex.com/dc/kyXVoDpAY__Vu56MNr4POgHnU0AEd8M6o_YcsV5JNktSm0mgltPK…> — the USAID <https://t.devex.com/Njg1LUtCTC03NjUAAAGYszLyFj61YlJhDzOFxYVbY1qZL0JggB6nOSl…> funding freeze lasts for a full year. Eight countries face a hit of 3% or more. Some will have had representatives among the 200 government leaders and ministers at the first major global gathering *since the Trump administration’s attempt to dismember USAID*, at an event that increasingly drills into development and the climate crisis as integral aspects for achieving security. With more than 30% of speakers hailing from the global south, would Munich witness a blowback from this assault on aid, perhaps the first green shoots of a global response to the United States’ retreat from an internationalist agenda? Not really. Instead, the 61st Munich Security Conference will be remembered for U.S. Vice President *JD Vance delighting in the disintegration of the Western alliance* while — to the fury of European leaders — cheering on far-right parties, some with their roots in fascism. The plight of low-income countries was addressed, but it was the trans-Atlantic tensions that grabbed the majority of headlines. So here's some of the *critical development discussions you might've missed* beyond the Vance aftershocks.

1 0

How Proposed Private Share Trading System May Benefit Cos.
by Gunnar Larson 17 Feb '25

17 Feb '25

How Proposed Private Share Trading System May Benefit Cos. <https://www.law360.co.uk/financial-services-uk/articles/2294180?nl_pk=9aaa8…> The government's proposal for a private securities and capital exchange system intends to enhance market practices and risk tolerances, offering a significant way for firms to free up liquidity by allowing investors to trade existing private company shares, say lawyers at Mishcon de Reya. Read full article » <https://www.law360.co.uk/financial-services-uk/articles/2294180?nl_pk=9aaa8…> | Save to favorites » <https://www.law360.co.uk/financial-services-uk/articles/2294180?nl_pk=9aaa8…>

1 0

Stephenson Harwood-Led Green Investment Trust To Wind Up
by Gunnar Larson 17 Feb '25

17 Feb '25

Stephenson Harwood-Led Green Investment Trust To Wind Up <https://www.law360.co.uk/financial-services-uk/articles/2298283?nl_pk=9aaa8…> By Tom Fish Jupiter Green Investment Trust PLC presented two options to its shareholders on Friday over its proposed liquidation and reconstruction after the environmental business investor was buffeted by long-term macroeconomic headwinds. Read full article » <https://www.law360.co.uk/financial-services-uk/articles/2298283?nl_pk=9aaa8…> | Save to favorites » <https://www.law360.co.uk/financial-services-uk/articles/2298283?nl_pk=9aaa8…>

1 0

Gowling, Squire Patton Pilot £50M Pension Deal For Textile Biz
by Gunnar Larson 17 Feb '25

17 Feb '25

Gowling, Squire Patton Pilot £50M Pension Deal For Textile Biz <https://www.law360.co.uk/financial-services-uk/articles/2298302?nl_pk=9aaa8…> By Martin Croucher A German textiles company has offloaded £50 million ($63 million) of its U.K. pension liabilities to insurer Just Group PLC, advisers said Friday, in a deal steered by Gowling WLG and Squire Patton Boggs LLP. Read full article » <https://www.law360.co.uk/financial-services-uk/articles/2298302?nl_pk=9aaa8…> | Save to favorites » <https://www.law360.co.uk/financial-services-uk/articles/2298302?nl_pk=9aaa8…>

1 0

Single Pensioners Face Retirement Shortfall, Insurer Says
by Gunnar Larson 17 Feb '25

17 Feb '25

Single Pensioners Face Retirement Shortfall, Insurer Says <https://www.law360.co.uk/financial-services-uk/articles/2298296?nl_pk=9aaa8…> By Joel Poultney Single pensioners in Britain on a full state pension have to make up an annual shortfall of almost £2,900 ($3,500) if they want to achieve a minimum retirement living standard, analysis published Friday by a retirement specialist company suggests. Read full article » <https://www.law360.co.uk/financial-services-uk/articles/2298296?nl_pk=9aaa8…> | Save to favorites » <https://www.law360.co.uk/financial-services-uk/articles/2298296?nl_pk=9aaa8…>

1 0

EU Watchdog Probes Bloc-Wide Fund Manager Compliance
by Gunnar Larson 17 Feb '25

17 Feb '25

EU Watchdog Probes Bloc-Wide Fund Manager Compliance <https://www.law360.co.uk/financial-services-uk/articles/2298314?nl_pk=9aaa8…> By Alex Davidson The European Union's financial markets regulator on Friday launched a bloc-wide probe with national regulators on compliance and internal audit functions of fund managers. Read full article » <https://www.law360.co.uk/financial-services-uk/articles/2298314?nl_pk=9aaa8…> | Save to favorites » <https://www.law360.co.uk/financial-services-uk/articles/2298314?nl_pk=9aaa8…>

1 0

Fwd: Gunnar, hello!
by Gunnar Larson 17 Feb '25

17 Feb '25

---------- Forwarded message --------- From: President Trump <contact(a)win.donaldjtrump.com> Date: Sun, Feb 16, 2025, 5:53 PM Subject: Gunnar, hello! To: Gunnar Larson <g(a)xny.io> Do you STILL support DOGE? ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ [image: MAGA! >] <https://email.win.donaldjtrump.com/c/eJw8kU2PmzAQhn-NuRnBGDAcOGRDaVW1laquVK…> *MANDATORY POLL:* *Response needed from: Gunnar* *DEADLINE: TONIGHT* Do you STILL support DOGE? RESPOND IMMEDIATELY <https://email.win.donaldjtrump.com/c/eJw8kU2PmzAQhn-NuRnZYz7CgUN2Kb20ldquVL…> -Survey sent from President Trump Contributions to Trump National Committee JFC Inc. are not deductible for federal income tax purposes. All contributions are subject to the limits and prohibitions of the Federal Election Campaign Act. Contributions from corporations, foreign nationals (i.e., without “green cards”), federal government contractors, and other federally impermissible sources are strictly prohibited. Contributions made in the name of, or refunded by, any other person are unlawful. Paid for by Trump National Committee JFC, Inc., P.O. Box 509, Arlington, VA 22216. Not Authorized by any Candidate or Candidate’s Committee. You are receiving this email at g(a)xny.io Trump National Committee JFC Inc., PO Box 509, Arlington, VA 22216 donaldjtrump.com <https://email.win.donaldjtrump.com/c/eJxkkU2P2yAQhn8NvsWCwTbxgUN2vdlLu1LVSC…> If you'd like to change your subscription status follow this link. <https://email.win.donaldjtrump.com/c/eJw80M1u4yAUhuGrgV0sfMAmLFjkZzybmZFGjV…> Privacy Policy <https://email.win.donaldjtrump.com/c/eJxkkU-P0zAQxT-Nc0vkjp24OeTQ3VA4ABLaBQ…>

2 1

UK Litigation Roundup: Here's What You Missed In London
by Gunnar Larson 17 Feb '25

17 Feb '25

UK Litigation Roundup: Here's What You Missed In London <https://www.law360.co.uk/financial-services-uk/articles/2298298?nl_pk=9aaa8…> By Max Austin This past week in London has seen Spice Girls star Mel B's ex-husband bring a defamation claim against the publisher of The Sun, a hotel sue a former director convicted of embezzling its funds for breach of fiduciary duty, and comedian Russell Brand face a sexual abuse claim. Here, Law360 looks at these and other new claims in the U.K. Read full article » <https://www.law360.co.uk/financial-services-uk/articles/2298298?nl_pk=9aaa8…> | Save to favorites » <https://www.law360.co.uk/financial-services-uk/articles/2298298?nl_pk=9aaa8…>

1 0