March 2025 - cypherpunks - lists.cpunks.org

Who’s in, who’s out: The Trump administration went scorched-earth on global aid — and said it has terminated 86% of its global programs in a sweeping foreign aid overhaul.
by Gunnar Larson 27 Mar '25

27 Mar '25

Who’s in, who’s out The Trump administration went scorched-earth on global aid — and said it has *terminated 86% of its global programs* in a sweeping foreign aid overhaul. That’s 5,341 programs, worth $75.9 billion, wiped out in a two-month effort to push USAID under tighter State Department control. However, billions have also been preserved, so monetarily speaking, it’s a nuanced picture. My colleagues Elissa Miolene, Sara Jerving, and Adva Saldinger waded through hundreds of data points to distill the big picture for you <https://t.devex.com/dc/kyXVoDpAY__Vu56MNr4POmdrd4JNKKKuzJIBxP6dplQa74rv2NZ6…> . That’s all according to a 281-page spreadsheet with plans for terminated and active USAID <https://t.devex.com/Njg1LUtCTC03NjUAAAGZdlyFMhxZ451KFcljRkm5JkgL3M0AQNSeGLU…> programs that were sent to the U.S. Congress this week — first reported <https://t.devex.com/Njg1LUtCTC03NjUAAAGZdlyFMn3i2TBra_9nuEa-9u3hPcvvNCg-yVB…>by The New York Times. These cuts were also confirmed in memos sent to Congress. Our data team *crunched the exact numbers and they are jaw-dropping*. Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance <https://t.devex.com/Njg1LUtCTC03NjUAAAGZdlyFMVWdNFlF75ic7MJfejWQXoDcxdhPuSK…>? Some $2.63 billion worth of contracts slated for cancellation. The World Health Organization <https://t.devex.com/Njg1LUtCTC03NjUAAAGZdlyFMq-ITi57dX_ozQL_n_pbspgHHn8xhff…>’s polio and immunization work? A $1 billion award expected to be slashed. But Dr. Sania Nishtar, the chief executive officer of Gavi, tells Sara that *the organization has not received a termination notice* from the U.S. government, and Congress had approved $300 million for the organization’s activities this year. “A cut in Gavi’s funding from the US would have a disastrous impact on global health security, potentially resulting in the deaths of over a million children over five years, and endangering lives everywhere from dangerous disease outbreaks,” she says. Also on the chopping block: - $1.3 billion for global education via the World Bank <https://t.devex.com/Njg1LUtCTC03NjUAAAGZdlyFMXRAPizwh-pi7XoC4VR4-9Arn7Yo6WN…> . - More than 80 United Nations programs, including those at UNAIDS <https://t.devex.com/Njg1LUtCTC03NjUAAAGZdlyFMg7Tga0aXwcPyYna438li0jVB-zDu9c…> , UN Refugee Agency <https://t.devex.com/Njg1LUtCTC03NjUAAAGZdlyFMlKDHDt0mrZbuM2pxSgh2Voah5SgBCj…>, and the Food and Agriculture Organization <https://t.devex.com/Njg1LUtCTC03NjUAAAGZdlyFMf_Zb3TJLoJvXflFdzxjabrQJLqIbiK…> . - Two grants to the Anova Health Institute <https://t.devex.com/Njg1LUtCTC03NjUAAAGZdlyFMqtWlgTRphCe0TkKnZ1QLnRzopnjvLu…>, a South African NGO that is the largest non-U.S.-based implementer for the U.S. President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief <https://t.devex.com/Njg1LUtCTC03NjUAAAGZdlyFMtJvweYiA9NKsoiH_czZgFhefkaa3mF…> . *Some funds had already been committed*, others hadn’t — but either way, they’re expected to be slashed. What’s still standing? - $13.6 billion for the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria <https://t.devex.com/Njg1LUtCTC03NjUAAAGZdlyFMqkNF-h9BCFY9vr1GEI8wxb98MpdD1z…> . - $1.3 billion to FHI 360 <https://t.devex.com/Njg1LUtCTC03NjUAAAGZdlyFMvl05i5l-UGvEGUvmvAsb5Vv456azvr…> for HIV epidemic control. - $7.4 billion for U.N. agencies, mostly to the World Food Programme <https://t.devex.com/Njg1LUtCTC03NjUAAAGZdlyFMQxH_KWHqNp6fMwMUGT_ncBGRNcRsJ3…> . - $7.6 billion for Chemonics <https://t.devex.com/Njg1LUtCTC03NjUAAAGZdlyFMmC975nY_1zownwyAFpjB5Hb2xnYqZ5…>’ HIV supply chain project. - *One surprise survivor?* A $1,500 contract for internet access for Madagascar’s financial intelligence unit. The message is clear: This isn’t just belt-tightening — it’s a total foreign aid reboot. *Read:* The USAID awards the Trump administration killed — and kept <https://t.devex.com/dc/kyXVoDpAY__Vu56MNr4POmdrd4JNKKKuzJIBxP6dplQa74rv2NZ6…>

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$1.1M Contract Cut Settles Foreign Vessel Row, Board Says
by Gunnar Larson 27 Mar '25

27 Mar '25

$1.1M Contract Cut Settles Foreign Vessel Row, Board Says <https://www.law360.com/governmentcontracts/articles/2316175?nl_pk=0fbf612f-…> By Tom Lotshaw After determining the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers could reduce a $48 million Bahrain pier replacement contract due to a contractor tapping a foreign-flagged ship to haul materials, a military contract board agreed with the government that $1.1 million was an appropriate reduction. Decision attached | Read full article » <https://www.law360.com/governmentcontracts/articles/2316175?nl_pk=0fbf612f-…> | Save to favorites » <https://www.law360.com/governmentcontracts/articles/2316175?nl_pk=0fbf612f-…>

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GAO Sides With Security Co. In $45M Army Corps Dispute
by Gunnar Larson 27 Mar '25

27 Mar '25

GAO Sides With Security Co. In $45M Army Corps Dispute <https://www.law360.com/governmentcontracts/articles/2316076?nl_pk=0fbf612f-…> By Madeline Lyskawa The U.S. Government Accountability Office has sustained a security contractor's protest over being excluded from a more than $45 million U.S. Army Corps of Engineers task order, saying the agency's solicitation was "latently ambiguous" about what information would be left out because of page limits. Decision attached | Read full article » <https://www.law360.com/governmentcontracts/articles/2316076?nl_pk=0fbf612f-…> | Save to favorites » <https://www.law360.com/governmentcontracts/articles/2316076?nl_pk=0fbf612f-…>

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IBM Can't Yet Ditch White Man's 'Reverse Discrimination' Suit
by Gunnar Larson 27 Mar '25

27 Mar '25

IBM Can't Yet Ditch White Man's 'Reverse Discrimination' Suit <https://www.law360.com/compliance/articles/2316332?nl_pk=7f7472c8-af4a-4299…> By Hailey Konnath A Michigan federal judge on Wednesday refused to throw out a white male consultant's suit alleging that IBM threatens to punish executives if they don't meet diversity goals, finding that, at least at this stage in the litigation, he's offered enough facts to support a "reverse discrimination" claim. 2 documents attached | Read full article » <https://www.law360.com/compliance/articles/2316332?nl_pk=7f7472c8-af4a-4299…> | Save to favorites » <https://www.law360.com/compliance/articles/2316332?nl_pk=7f7472c8-af4a-4299…> SECURITIES &

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Big Top Blunder: Circus Sues BofA Over $4.8M Wire Fraud
by Gunnar Larson 27 Mar '25

27 Mar '25

Big Top Blunder: Circus Sues BofA Over $4.8M Wire Fraud <https://www.law360.com/cybersecurity-privacy/articles/2315643?nl_pk=fb10114…> By Sydney Price Soul Circus Inc., the owner of UniverSoul Circus, has accused Bank of America of allowing thieves to access its online corporate banking platform and steal more than $4.8 million from the company, according to a lawsuit removed to Atlanta federal court. Complaint attached | Read full article » <https://www.law360.com/cybersecurity-privacy/articles/2315643?nl_pk=fb10114…> | Save to favorites » <https://www.law360.com/cybersecurity-privacy/articles/2315643?nl_pk=fb10114…>

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Jailed Conn. Atty Should Be Suspended, Ethics Boss Says
by Gunnar Larson 27 Mar '25

27 Mar '25

Jailed Conn. Atty Should Be Suspended, Ethics Boss Says <https://www.law360.com/legalethics/articles/2315501?nl_pk=87c9365b-e736-431…> By Emily Sawicki Connecticut's Office of Chief Disciplinary Counsel asked a state court to suspend an attorney and former probate judge, who has a history of discipline and is currently in police custody for a pending criminal matter, while a trustee examines whether he has active cases or an attorney trust account. 1 document attached | Read full article » <https://www.law360.com/legalethics/articles/2315501?nl_pk=87c9365b-e736-431…> | Save to favorites » <https://www.law360.com/legalethics/articles/2315501?nl_pk=87c9365b-e736-431…>

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Atty's Falsehoods In Key Docs Aided $23M Fraud, Suit Says
by Gunnar Larson 27 Mar '25

27 Mar '25

Atty's Falsehoods In Key Docs Aided $23M Fraud, Suit Says <https://www.law360.com/newyork/articles/2315591?nl_pk=b53aa520-5013-4a8d-a5…> By Lauraann Wood A pair of investment funds and two investors have hit a lawyer with professional malpractice and misrepresentation claims in Illinois federal court, accusing him of making false statements in solicitation documents to help their since-convicted managing member carry out a $23 million fraud. Complaint attached | Read full article » <https://www.law360.com/newyork/articles/2315591?nl_pk=b53aa520-5013-4a8d-a5…> | Save to favorites » <https://www.law360.com/newyork/articles/2315591?nl_pk=b53aa520-5013-4a8d-a5…>

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Service By Token Is Transforming Crypto Litigation Landscape
by Gunnar Larson 27 Mar '25

27 Mar '25

Service By Token Is Transforming Crypto Litigation Landscape <https://www.law360.com/newyork/articles/2312424?nl_pk=b53aa520-5013-4a8d-a5…> As the Trump administration advocates a new course of cryptocurrency regulation, courts in the U.S. and abroad are authorizing innovative methods of process service, including via nonfungible tokens and blockchain messaging, offering practical solutions for litigators grappling with the anonymity of cyber defendants, says Jose Ceide at Salazar Law. Read full article » <https://www.law360.com/newyork/articles/2312424?nl_pk=b53aa520-5013-4a8d-a5…> | Save to favorites » <https://www.law360.com/newyork/articles/2312424?nl_pk=b53aa520-5013-4a8d-a5…>

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New Bill Would Make Supreme Court Televise Future Sessions
by Gunnar Larson 27 Mar '25

27 Mar '25

New Bill Would Make Supreme Court Televise Future Sessions <https://www.law360.com/capitalmarkets/articles/2316095?nl_pk=35f19b02-1b5d-…> By Nadia Dreid The U.S. Supreme Court could conduct oral arguments in front of television cameras for the first time if a bipartisan pair of senators get their way and succeed in passing a new bill that would require the high court's open sessions to be open to the public via video. Read full article » <https://www.law360.com/capitalmarkets/articles/2316095?nl_pk=35f19b02-1b5d-…> | Save to favorites » <https://www.law360.com/capitalmarkets/articles/2316095?nl_pk=35f19b02-1b5d-…>

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2nd Circ. Finds Pieces Missing From Lego IP Ruling
by Gunnar Larson 27 Mar '25

27 Mar '25

2nd Circ. Finds Pieces Missing From Lego IP Ruling <https://www.law360.com/competition/articles/2316011?nl_pk=6e763a2a-9f82-44c…> By Elliot Weld The Second Circuit instructed a Connecticut federal judge Wednesday to rethink his decision that an injunction blocking the sale of a Lego competitor's figurines also applies to a later design, saying the lower court's failure to explain its decision suggests it "may have simply imported its prior reasoning." Order attached | Read full article » <https://www.law360.com/competition/articles/2316011?nl_pk=6e763a2a-9f82-44c…> | Save to favorites » <https://www.law360.com/competition/articles/2316011?nl_pk=6e763a2a-9f82-44c…>

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