April 2025 - cypherpunks - lists.cpunks.org

Leak of legends: We checked again, several times, and our figures still seem to add up. In which case, it appears the list may contain some inaccuracies.
by Gunnar Larson 09 Apr '25

09 Apr '25

*Leak of legends* At the end of last month, we got a big leak: a list of terminated and retained USAID awards <https://t.devex.com/dc/kyXVoDpAY__Vu56MNr4POmdrd4JNKKKuzJIBxP6dplQa74rv2NZ6…>, intended for Congress. We've used that data to build a picture of how aid has been affected by the Republican administration's plans. We've mapped out the worst-affected contractors <https://t.devex.com/dc/kyXVoDpAY__Vu56MNr4POncvBL2pyNFi8MgZCrrL0MJ-V7SMfVJ0…>, nonprofits, and multilateral agencies <https://t.devex.com/dc/kyXVoDpAY__Vu56MNr4POp-u1cosIVwvdPz0UHv7Sbucac06-7Bv…> . However, *there have been some questions about the accuracy of the list*. Just the other day, one NGO raised several questions. Our article <https://t.devex.com/dc/kyXVoDpAY__Vu56MNr4POoOXjXnKh5ezZHLit4se-aqxZDDzjf5J…>, they said, contained several errors. One big award that was listed as canceled had actually continued, and the numbers for terminated and active awards were wrong. We checked again, several times, and our figures still seem to add up. In which case, it appears the list may contain some inaccuracies. This raises the question: *How many other figures might be questionable?* We'd love to hear from other agencies. If the figures on the government list don't match your own calculations, please email us at editor(a)devex.com <https://t.devex.com/Njg1LUtCTC03NjUAAAGZuTJQBqV5y7qqKbUVCz9BbPNxKC0kEwVBDG0…> .

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Senate Majority Leader John Thune, R-S.D., discusses the GOP's agenda, President Donald Trump’s tariffs and budget negotiations with Sean Hannity.
by Gunnar Larson 09 Apr '25

09 Apr '25

https://www.facebook.com/share/v/1Gz2tLhfVJ/ Senate Majority Leader John Thune, R-S.D., discusses the GOP's agenda, President Donald Trump’s tariffs and budget negotiations with Sean Hannity.

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Card carrying: Permanent residents “are required to always carry their green card with them” said the message from the World Bank Group senior leader team, specifying that the actual card and not a copy was required.
by Gunnar Larson 09 Apr '25

09 Apr '25

https://t.devex.com/v/Njg1LUtCTC03NjUAAAGZuTJQBqwlypdsYuvIIcR0dvWJjoKt4FCRp… Card carrying World Bank staff received an email with *new instructions and recommendations for foreign nationals* as a result of new U.S. policies, according to a copy of the message obtained by Devex. All foreign nationals in the U.S. for 30 days or more — including those who hold green cards signifying permanent residence — *must register with the U.S. government* by April 11, when it will begin enforcing registration requirements for all foreign nationals. Permanent residents “are *required to always carry their green card with them*” said the message from the World Bank Group senior leader team, specifying that the actual card and not a copy was required. For others, the bank still recommended that *staff carry proof of their immigration status*. “We would also like to remind all staff that to date, the U.S. government has not imposed any new restrictions on entry to the U.S. We are continuing to monitor as there are news reports of potential upcoming travel bans that may impact citizens from several countries,” the message said. It also provided contact information for the World Bank emergency line and HR operations on any visa-related matters.

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USAID's funding chaos gets even messier: “I’m fielding [White House] calls on whether we’ve complied yet with the President’s order to stop all payments to Afghanistan,” he wrote, setting off a flurry of activity to halt funding, as Devex snagged a peek at the chaos.
by Gunnar Larson 09 Apr '25

09 Apr '25

USAID's funding chaos gets even messier On Friday, Peter Marocco, director of the State Department’s Office of Foreign Assistance, dropped a bomb in an email <https://t.devex.com/dc/kyXVoDpAY__Vu56MNr4POvFAKmUBxuwLf95kl2y5AcHIWS-amDHg…>, stirring up his team with this urgent update: “I’m fielding [White House] calls on whether we’ve complied yet with the President’s *order to stop all payments to Afghanistan*,” he wrote, setting off a flurry of activity to halt funding, as Devex snagged a peek at the chaos. The directive wasn't just for show; by the end of the weekend, *42 programs previously on the survival list were axed* — not just in Afghanistan but also *in Gaza, Yemen, Haiti*, and more, with* cuts totaling around $1.3 billion* globally, according to a document shared with Devex by staff in the U.S. Agency for International Development <https://t.devex.com/Njg1LUtCTC03NjUAAAGZuTJQBnG6FHOwcxEryBA51OZFLyNb2tv9Imc…>’s Bureau for Humanitarian Assistance. The reason? Simply “for the convenience of the U.S. government.” The Trump administration had told the U.S. Congress that some of these programs would continue, and now they were suddenly gone. *The latest round even included cuts to emergency food aid*. The World Food Programme <https://t.devex.com/Njg1LUtCTC03NjUAAAGZuTJQBjS8uNlA0j7admj-R3mEGhWp__55ko7…> alone saw *$804.4 million in food assistance evaporate across 14 countries*. But come Monday, an email scrambled to undo six of those cuts. “If implemented, this could amount to a death sentence for millions of people facing extreme hunger and starvation,” WFP posted on social media platform X. And as the dust refuses to settle, everyone's left scratching their heads: Which cuts are final? Are some awards coming back from the dead? It’s all up in the air, leaving partners dangling and desperate for clarity. *Read:* A 'death sentence for millions' as US cuts more aid <https://t.devex.com/dc/kyXVoDpAY__Vu56MNr4POvFAKmUBxuwLf95kl2y5AcHIWS-amDHg…>

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Tax-Dodging Ex-Software Exec Denied Bond Pending Appeal
by Gunnar Larson 09 Apr '25

09 Apr '25

Tax-Dodging Ex-Software Exec Denied Bond Pending Appeal <https://www.law360.com/technology/articles/2322653?nl_pk=b6acf8b6-b37c-4b07…> By Anna Scott Farrell A former software executive sentenced to a year in prison for failing to pay over $600,000 in employment taxes in the years before his company failed cannot remain free on bond while he appeals his conviction, a North Carolina federal judge said Tuesday. Order attached | Read full article » <https://www.law360.com/technology/articles/2322653?nl_pk=b6acf8b6-b37c-4b07…> | Save to favorites » <https://www.law360.com/technology/articles/2322653?nl_pk=b6acf8b6-b37c-4b07…>

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The five permanent members of the United Nations Security Council are China, France, Russia, the United Kingdom, and the United States
by Gunnar Larson 09 Apr '25

09 Apr '25

The five permanent members of the United Nations Security Council <https://www.google.com/search?client=ms-android-charter-us-revc&sca_esv=243…> are China, France, Russia, the United Kingdom, and the United States, all of whom possess the power to veto resolutions. Here's a more detailed breakdown: - *Permanent Members:* These five nations hold permanent seats on the Security Council, meaning they are always members and cannot be removed or replaced by other member states. - - *Veto Power:* A key characteristic of the permanent members is their ability to veto any resolution or decision of the Security Council. - *Other Members:* The Security Council also includes ten non-permanent members who are elected by the General Assembly <https://www.google.com/search?client=ms-android-charter-us-revc&sca_esv=243…> for two-year terms. - *Founding Members:* These five nations were the victors of World War II <https://www.google.com/search?client=ms-android-charter-us-revc&sca_esv=243…> (or their recognized successor states) and were granted permanent seats in the UN Charter of 1945.

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Nokia Says Hisense TVs Rip Off Its Video Tech
by Gunnar Larson 09 Apr '25

09 Apr '25

Nokia Says Hisense TVs Rip Off Its Video Tech <https://www.law360.com/technology/articles/2322556?nl_pk=b6acf8b6-b37c-4b07…> By Chart Riggall Chinese consumer technology firm Hisense was slapped with a patent infringement lawsuit from Nokia Technologies, alleging it sold millions of products that infringe Nokia's video processing innovations while refusing to negotiate a standard licensing agreement. Complaint attached | Read full article » <https://www.law360.com/technology/articles/2322556?nl_pk=b6acf8b6-b37c-4b07…> | Save to favorites » <https://www.law360.com/technology/articles/2322556?nl_pk=b6acf8b6-b37c-4b07…>

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Fla. Cloud Co. Accuses Ex-Board Member Of SPAC Fraud
by Gunnar Larson 09 Apr '25

09 Apr '25

Fla. Cloud Co. Accuses Ex-Board Member Of SPAC Fraud <https://www.law360.com/technology/articles/2321570?nl_pk=b6acf8b6-b37c-4b07…> By David Minsky A Florida cloud storage business has accused a former board member of securities fraud in federal court, alleging that a side agreement splitting a finder's fee with an unregistered broker he introduced for a merger deal wasn't disclosed, and now the company faces shutdown if an asset sale isn't halted. 2 documents attached | Read full article » <https://www.law360.com/technology/articles/2321570?nl_pk=b6acf8b6-b37c-4b07…> | Save to favorites » <https://www.law360.com/technology/articles/2321570?nl_pk=b6acf8b6-b37c-4b07…>

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3 Action Items For Innovators Amid Fintech Regulatory Pivot
by Gunnar Larson 09 Apr '25

09 Apr '25

3 Action Items For Innovators Amid Fintech Regulatory Pivot <https://www.law360.com/fintech/articles/2315987?nl_pk=31322029-63eb-4d40-ac…> As the federal banking agencies seek to smooth the way for banks to engage in crypto-related activities, banks and technology companies should take note of this new chapter in payments services, especially as leadership in digital financial technology becomes a national priority, says Jess Cheng at Wilson Sonsini. Read full article » <https://www.law360.com/fintech/articles/2315987?nl_pk=31322029-63eb-4d40-ac…> | Save to favorites » <https://www.law360.com/fintech/articles/2315987?nl_pk=31322029-63eb-4d40-ac…>

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Whistleblower Suit Must Be Tossed Or Transferred, Pot Co. Says
by Gunnar Larson 09 Apr '25

09 Apr '25

Whistleblower Suit Must Be Tossed Or Transferred, Pot Co. Says <https://www.law360.com/cannabis/articles/2322744?nl_pk=a981d81f-1a94-4659-8…> By Mike Curley Jushi Holdings Inc., a retail cannabis company, is urging an Illinois federal court to dismiss or transfer to Florida a former executive's suit alleging that he was fired for attempting to bring facilities into compliance with safety standards. Motion attached | Read full article » <https://www.law360.com/cannabis/articles/2322744?nl_pk=a981d81f-1a94-4659-8…> | Save to favorites » <https://www.law360.com/cannabis/articles/2322744?nl_pk=a981d81f-1a94-4659-8…>

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