April 2025 - cypherpunks - lists.cpunks.org

He's got the Pete: On the latter, Marocco appointed himself “acting board chair,” removed the other board members, voted to appoint himself acting president and CEO, and fired Sara Aviel, the previous head of IAF.
by Gunnar Larson 08 Apr '25

08 Apr '25

*He’s got the Pete* One of the reasons Rubio has been dogged by questions over his influence is Peter Marocco, the Trump appointee who was given a great deal of latitude to dissolve USAID <https://t.devex.com/dc/kyXVoDpAY__Vu56MNr4POkrZ218GcgnHX2hd2Dfy8uBxSnJGa6Zz…> . Marocco wasted no time gutting programs — sometimes in dramatic fashion. We’ve documented the confrontations Marocco and his team have had while trying to shut down small organizations <https://t.devex.com/dc/kyXVoDpAY__Vu56MNr4POh8MvbbXKz_hV9zoWoCHt5VXZN-aRO86…> such as the U.S. African Development Foundation, the U.S. Institute of Peace, and the Inter-American Foundation. On the latter, *Marocco appointed himself “acting board chair,”* removed the other board members, voted to appoint himself acting president and CEO, and fired Sara Aviel, the previous head of IAF. He then got rid of everybody save for one employee. But while the demise of IAF seemed like a fait accompli, a federal judge had other plans, temporarily blocking the dismantling of the IAF <https://t.devex.com/dc/kyXVoDpAY__Vu56MNr4POgHnU0AEd8M6o_YcsV5JNkt6SknbB77K…> through a preliminary injunction on Friday. *The ruling reinstates Aviel and voids actions taken by Marocco*, including the termination of IAF’s grants and firing of its staff. *But the ruling is only temporary*, and on Sunday, the Trump administration requested a stay of the court order pending appeal. Aviel, who has served as IAF’s leader since 2022 and is the plaintiff in the case, tells my colleague Sara Jerving that the foundation has a talented team, institutional expertise, and deep relationships with communities. “We’re focused on the future, digging in, and *getting our cost-effective investments back on track* for America.” *Read:* Judge blocks Trump admin's dismantling of Inter-American Foundation <https://t.devex.com/dc/kyXVoDpAY__Vu56MNr4POgHnU0AEd8M6o_YcsV5JNkt6SknbB77K…>

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Cut to the bone: One area that Rubio has consistently said would be (largely) spared is lifesaving aid such as emergency food assistance. But like the man, the picture is nuanced.
by Gunnar Larson 08 Apr '25

08 Apr '25

Cut to the bone One area that Rubio has consistently said would be (largely) spared is lifesaving aid such as emergency food assistance. But like the man, the picture is nuanced. My colleague Ayenat Mersie reviewed the data to assess the implications <https://t.devex.com/dc/kyXVoDpAY__Vu56MNr4POp-u1cosIVwvdPz0UHv7SbtA8tJ3JjWy…> for emergency food aid, nutrition, food systems, and agriculture programming more broadly. The result offers a *snapshot of some of the organizations most affected by the terminations*, grouped into three categories: multilateral institutions, NGOs, and contractors. But given the inconsistencies and gaps in the leaked data <https://t.devex.com/dc/kyXVoDpAY__Vu56MNr4POmNwJzgTCXPikj4urms1unJOKohBbZOO…>, the aim is not to provide an exhaustive accounting, but rather to offer *a look at where the cuts have landed hardest*. For example, programs linked to the Famine Early Warning Systems Network <https://t.devex.com/Njg1LUtCTC03NjUAAAGZtA5w9QSP7P_lLGlreX79OUYO-TN0FFxOZ5H…>, or FEWS NET, appeared on both the terminated and retained lists, making its future unclear. And the World Food Programme <https://t.devex.com/Njg1LUtCTC03NjUAAAGZtA5w9USDDc4j_MXdA8irujPKOOopw5p34dV…> was both among the most impacted by USAID <https://t.devex.com/Njg1LUtCTC03NjUAAAGZtA5w9rayJ1iwOcOzMX0I5rjkPdQbw1gQ_KH…>’s terminations and among those with the most funding preserved — a reflection of its size as one of USAID’s largest implementing partners. *Read:* Which USAID-funded food and agriculture programs were cut? Which remain? <https://t.devex.com/dc/kyXVoDpAY__Vu56MNr4POp-u1cosIVwvdPz0UHv7SbtA8tJ3JjWy…> <https://t.devex.com/Njg1LUtCTC03NjUAAAGZtA5w9SwZ0WzkPnVJNaGt9zD80v397SinSxO…>

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Rubio-x cube: “Foreign aid is the least popular thing government spends money on,” Rubio said during a trip to Guatemala early in his tenure. “I spent a lot of time in my career defending it and explaining it, but it’s harder and harder to do across the board — it really is.”
by Gunnar Larson 08 Apr '25

08 Apr '25

Rubio-x cube <https://t.devex.com/dc/kyXVoDpAY__Vu56MNr4POgeKtaXr5jdkspZpk1htVRwD7flow4nw…> The signs, from an establishment perspective, were good: Republican Sen. Marco Rubio was a safe, stable choice to lead the State Department <https://t.devex.com/Njg1LUtCTC03NjUAAAGZtA5w9a_WiNqR8Gi5JW2zKp8MkWLT3vPL1ld…>. Unlike some of U.S. President Donald Trump’s other Cabinet picks, Rubio was a known quantity. He was so known, in fact, that his nomination sailed through the Senate <https://t.devex.com/dc/kyXVoDpAY__Vu56MNr4POgeKtaXr5jdkspZpk1htVRx3RQKdJ6AB…> by a vote of 99-0. Then, he became virtually unrecognizable to the aid community that once saw him as a fairly dependable ally <https://t.devex.com/dc/kyXVoDpAY__Vu56MNr4POqbGBFcIVugQyV9h9ER72ry7Yus0api3…> . *“Rubio threw in the towel on USAID,”* says one recently terminated humanitarian staffer at the agency. “It’s clear he wasn’t consulted on any of these decisions being made, and he still seems entirely out of the loop with neither the personal nor political will to intervene.” Others take a more nuanced view <https://t.devex.com/dc/kyXVoDpAY__Vu56MNr4POgeKtaXr5jdkspZpk1htVRwD7flow4nw…>, Christine Ro writes for Devex. “Once you’re secretary of state, you serve at the pleasure of the president,” says Doug Anderson, former general counsel of the House Foreign Affairs Committee and now senior director of U.S. government relations at the ONE Campaign <https://t.devex.com/Njg1LUtCTC03NjUAAAGZtA5w9VSVr02nmBRxpVXXWNhZe5PMWjM_JN4…> . “Some of Secretary Rubio's own stated new emphases are very welcome, for example, approaching foreign partners as real partners, rather than presumptuously dictating to them as outsiders what we think their assistance needs are, is a welcome shift in emphasis,” he adds. However, Anderson says, the challenge “has been *reconciling Secretary Rubio's aspirational statements with the fairly disruptive reality* of what's often happening on the ground.” And even though the administration has laid out plans for merging USAID into the State Department <https://t.devex.com/dc/kyXVoDpAY__Vu56MNr4POjbW6rOsZ37Uc-AtgCDeIvf-tQPk7a-w…>, it remains to be seen if the disruption will settle down — or *how much Rubio will take the reins* of the massive transition ahead. For his part, Rubio has been clear that something needed to change. “Foreign aid is the least popular thing government spends money on,” Rubio said during a trip to Guatemala early in his tenure. “I spent a lot of time in my career defending it and explaining it, but it’s harder and harder to do across the board — it really is.” But he added: “The United States is not walking away from foreign aid. It’s not. We’re going to continue to provide foreign aid and to be involved in programs, but it has to be programs that we can defend. It has to be programs that we can explain.” *Read:* What part is Marco Rubio actually playing in USAID's dismantling? <https://t.devex.com/dc/kyXVoDpAY__Vu56MNr4POgeKtaXr5jdkspZpk1htVRwD7flow4nw…>

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Re: Golden Beach North Cyprus; Memo #4 - Goldman Sachs Deferred Prosecution Agreement; The Bank of Cyprus and Illegal Short Selling Irregularities of Turkey’s Markets
by Gunnar Larson 08 Apr '25

08 Apr '25

Professor Angelides: xNY.io - Bank.org aims to preserve a historic relationship with NATO and the United Nations Security Council in New York City. - xNY.io - Bank.org has historical significance in Cyprus from the April 02, 2021 Financial Times reporting included apart of Memo #4's 23 footnote references. *Memo #4 - Goldman Sachs Deferred Prosecution Agreement: * - https://drive.google.com/file/d/1Yx88RMoeLyyfbNK0RtPl4r-m8N21_1Sp/view?usp=… *-----(PAGE BREAK)-----* *The Bank of Cyprus and Illegal Short Selling Irregularities of Turkey’s Markets* *"...Turn this matter as we will, and look at it from any side whatsoever, and it presents the appearance of a cross-border act of aggression. Goldman Sachs’ potential disrespect to the Deferred Agreement’s core values has cultivated new crimes that aim to manipulate cross-border war crime regulatory frameworks.* - *On April 02, 2021 the Financial Times reported that Turkey fined Goldman Sachs over alleged irregularities in short selling, just a week after foreign investors pulled $1.9B from the country’s stock and bond markets. Turkey’s Capital Markets Board said that Goldman Sachs was among 10 securities firms that had placed orders for short selling without proper notification, violating rules enacted previously that temporarily prohibited such transactions. * - *On April 20, 2021 the CyprusMail (Cyprus’ only English Language daily newspaper) reported Goldman Sachs International acted as Global Coordinators and Dealer Managers in a $330M bond issuance for the Bank of Cyprus. * *Given the active military conflict in Cyprus, Memo #4 notes that there is one place on the planet you are not supposed to do this sort of thing. Furthermore, the DOJ’s Deferred Agreement with Goldman Sachs may have been tainted with the potential war crime of aggression, risking international peace and the lives of United Nations peacekeepers, while jeopardizing the United States of America’s financial security." * *-----(PAGE BREAK)-----* UNODC: xNY.io - Bank.org will not stand for the Mayors of Istanbul and New York being disenfranchised for xNY.io - Bank.org's benefit. - UNODC can learn more about xNY.io - Bank.org's potential involvement visavie the Cambridge University presentation below. *Wednesday 8 May 2024 Debating Chamber - Peter Thiel - Cambridge Union* *Society (Video w/ Protests):* - https://drive.google.com/file/d/1-UzMRXxN5cy1rpUEa9Zn1tC1kSo-sI4a/view?usp=… xNY.io - Bank.org respectfully reserves all Interjurisdictional rights. Gunnar Larson -- Gunnar Donald Arthur Peter Larson *xNY.io - Bank.org* 917-580-8053 NEW YORK, NEW YORK 10001 On Sun, Mar 30, 2025, 1:49 AM Gunnar Larson <g(a)xny.io> wrote: > Professor Angelides: > > xNY.io - Bank.org aims to preserve a historic relationship with NATO. > > Concerning Wednesday 8 May 2024 Debating Chamber - Peter Thiel - Cambridge > Union Society (Video w/ Protests), xNY.io - Bank.org shares with UNIC and > UNODC xNY.io - Bank.org's approach to a successful long term relationship > in Nicosia, Cyprus given the developments in Istanbul, Turkey. > > - Below find a memo to New York State Attorney General Letitia James > concerning SpaceX Directors who via South Africa engaged international law > to satisfy conflict resolution in Israel. > > Professor Angelides, xNY.io - Bank.org is concerned South Africa and South > Cyprus share themes that could impact xNY.io - Bank.org business in the > Middle East. > > Dear UNODC: > > Professor Angelides is the UNESCO Chair for Cyprus and has yet to respond > to xNY.io - Bank.org concerning Golden Beach North Cyprus, a UNESCO site > that has been potentially retired. > > - UNODC, can your organization communicate with the Peacekeeping > Mission in Cyprus to confirm tensions in Cyprus are mitigated given > Istanbul, Turkey's protests? > - xNY.io - Bank.org also recommends UNODC communicate with the Mayor > of Nicosia, Cyprus via Cyprus' United Nations liasons in the event Golden > Beach's UNESCO listing was retired due to extenuating circumstances. > - UNODC may understand the sensitivity of this matter given the active > war in Cyprus and the UNESCO Chair's active disengagement to xNY.io - > Bank.org's sincere concern of our involvement. > > UNODC can learn more about xNY.io - Bank.org's potential involvement > visavie the Cambridge University presentation below. > > *Wednesday 8 May 2024 Debating Chamber - Peter Thiel - Cambridge Union* > *Society (Video w/ Protests):* > > - > https://drive.google.com/file/d/1-UzMRXxN5cy1rpUEa9Zn1tC1kSo-sI4a/view?usp=… > > xNY.io - Bank.org will not stand for the Mayors of Istanbul and New York > being disenfranchised for xNY.io - Bank.org's benefit. > > xNY.io - Bank.org looks forward to hearing from UNODC to protect UNODC > from plausible deniability concerns at xNY.io - Bank.org and the ICC and > ICJ. > > xNY.io - Bank.org respectfully reserves all Interjurisdictional rights. > > Thank you, > > Gunnar Larson > -- > Gunnar Donald Arthur Peter Larson > > *xNY.io - Bank.org* > 917-580-8053 > NEW YORK, NEW YORK 10001 > > ---------- Forwarded message --------- > From: *Gunnar Larson* <g(a)xny.io> > Date: Sat, Mar 29, 2025, 7:44 PM > Subject: Re: xNY.io - Bank.org; Jens Stoltenberg, NATO - Reuters > Newsmaker, September 21; Reference: LA/COD/8/4 12 November 2008 > To: <letitia.james(a)ag.ny.gov>, <Sales(a)spacex.com> > Cc: <ir(a)twitter.com>, Harris, Adrienne A (DFS) <Adrienne.Harris(a)dfs.ny.gov>, > cypherpunks <cypherpunks(a)lists.cpunks.org>, < > JPMCinvestorrelations(a)jpmchase.com>, <ir(a)tesla.com>, < > jan.bischoping(a)bnpparibas.com>, <PressOffice(a)cityhall.nyc.gov> > > > Attorney General Letitia James: > > xNY.io - Bank.org is now in day one of seven concerning our New York False > Claims Act hiatus for SpaceX Corporation's benefit. > > - *Given the gravity of the situation, xNY.io - Bank.org will submit a > hiatus update nearly daily to AGNY until the hiatus has expired.* > > xNY.io - Bank.org contacted SpaceX on May 21, 2022, in-part with 16 > footnote references details. > > *xNY.io - Bank.org, PBC | Memo #1 - Potential SpaceX Interlocking > Directors’ Intent to Manipulate Markets:* > > - > https://drive.google.com/file/d/1DHl-KhSX0JVICu6pCnLUBtXKNoxWgjJE/view?usp=… > > xNY.io - Bank.org's May 21, 2022 memo to SpaceX was followed by xNY.io - > Bank.org attending a Reuters Next Newsmaker event with Jens Stoltenberg > Secretary General of NATO on September 21, 2022 (below). > > - xNY.io - Bank.org was able to ask NATO Secretary General Jens > Stoltenberg a pointed question about Cyprus, a world leader in > cryptocurrency graduate education. > - Mr. Stoltenberg addressed xNY.io - Bank.org's Cyprus question > vaugly. > > Ms. James, if there is no meaningful progress during the seven day New > York False Claims Act hiatus for SpaceX Corporation's benefit, xNY.io - > Bank.org will launch a NATO and WorldBank.org New York False Claims Act > equivalent, symaltaniouly. > > - xNY.io - Bank.org could seek injunctive relief, if necessary, to > prevent being critical of exploiting AGNY D&O insurance. > - xNY.io - Bank.org could explore preventing any irreparable harm for > NATO's benefit. > - xNY.io - Bank.org would do this ondependent of Cyprus and Turkey, > who are in an active war. > > *Ms. James xNY.io - Bank.org aims to preserve a historic relationship with > NATO. Turkey is a NATO member, Cyprus is not. * > > Ms. James, xNY.io - Bank.org is following news of Istanbul's Mayor under > incarnation. xNY.io - Bank.org will not stand for escalating the Cypus war > visavie New York City Mayor Eric Adams' blackballing of UN.org for xNY.io - > Bank.org's benefit. > > *Ms. James, xNY.io - Bank.org will not stand for the Mayors of Istanbul > and New York being disenfranchised for xNY.io - Bank.org's benefit.* > > For example, on March 12, 2021 (below), xNY.io - Bank.org received news > from GS.com promoting: > > - Launch of the One Million Black Women Initiative. > - John Waldron Interviews NATO Secretary-General. > - Institutions Sharpen Focus on Crypto Assets. > > May 21, 2022, September 21, 2022 and March 12, 2021 yield certain > opportunities for xNY.io - Bank.org to benefit NATO without alleged > WorldBank.org enteprise software fraud. > > - xNY.io - Bank.org and UN.org and WorldBank.org have not colluded > against NATO's benefit. > > *xNY.io - Bank.org aims to foster a strong relationship with NATO, similar > to xNY.io - Bank.org's legacy UN.org consultancy.* > > AGNY will find a reference memo from Mr. Gunnar Larson's coordination of > the United Nations Audio Visual Library of International Law that could be > *recended* if xNY.io - Bank.org colluded against NATO's benefit. > > *Reference: LA/COD/8/4 12 November 2008* > > - > https://drive.google.com/file/d/1DUXexz8SfvkDM4HYgpD4SiArj7dbvOJL/view?usp=… > > Finally, xNY.io - Bank.org has conducted exclusive interviews with United > Nations Secretary General Ban Ki-moon. > > AGNY will find a photo with United Nations Secretary General Ban Ki-moon > and Mr. Larson after an exclusive interview at United Nations Headquarters > in New York on March 6, 2015. > > *Exclusive today with United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon: * > > - https://www.facebook.com/share/19wnWBsWFe/ > > Perhaps without any fault of thier own, SpaceX directors may be indirectly > associated to WorldBank.org software fraud that could negatively impact > xNY.io - Bank.org's hopeful NATO relationship. > > - Being clear, xNY.io - Bank.org will not rest until our UN.org and > NATO relationships are evolved beyond any potential WorldBank.org software > fraud. > - SpaceX directors may not be able to act due to conflicts. > - These potential conflicts may be outside SpaceX control. > - Similar to One Million Black Women and cryptocurrencies mentioned in > the March 12, 2021 GS.com newsletter below. > > xNY.io - Bank.org respectfully reserves all Interjurisdictional rights. > > Thank you, > > Gunnar Larson > -- > Gunnar Donald Arthur Peter Larson > > *xNY.io - Bank.org* > 917-580-8053 > NEW YORK, NEW YORK 10001 > > > ---------- Forwarded message --------- > From: *Reuters Next Team* <next(a)1.reutersevents.com> > Date: Tue, Sep 20, 2022, 1:04 PM > Subject: Jens Stoltenberg, NATO - Reuters Newsmaker, September 21 > To: <g(a)xny.io> > > > [image: 35a.reuters-color.png] > <https://www.reuters.com/?utm_campaign=5677-20SEP22-WK10-ROW%20TA%20%28Newsm…> > > *Virtual Event* > *Reuters NEXT Newsmaker* > with Jens Stoltenberg > *Secretary General* > *NATO* > > > Wednesday, September 21, 2022 > 9.00am EDT // 1.00pm GMT > Register now > <http://events.reutersevents.com/reuters/newsmaker/jensstoltenberg?utm_campa…> > [image: Jens Stoltenberg's headhsot] > <http://events.reutersevents.com/reuters/newsmaker/jensstoltenberg?utm_campa…> > > Please join us for a Reuters Newsmaker featuring NATO Secretary General > Jens Stoltenberg on September 21, at 9.00am EDT. > > Stoltenberg, the former Norway Prime Minister who has headed up the North > Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) since October 2014, has long been a > strong supporter of greater global and transatlantic cooperation. > > In a conversation with Reuters Editor-in-Chief Alessandra Galloni on the > sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly in New York, Stoltenberg > will discuss the latest developments in the war in Ukraine, which he has > called the most dangerous situation in Europe since World War Two, and the > future of NATO as a fast-changing geopolitical landscape raises new threats > for the decades-old defense and security alliance. > > *In partnership with:* > [image: 220.sponsor_4_black.png] > <http://events.reutersevents.com/reuters/newsmaker/jensstoltenberg?utm_campa…> > Register now > <http://events.reutersevents.com/reuters/newsmaker/jensstoltenberg?utm_campa…> > > This email was sent to g(a)xny.io > > If you no longer wish to receive emails from Reuters Events you can manage > your email preferences here > <https://1.reutersevents.com/LP=32245?utm_campaign=5677-20SEP22-WK10-ROW%20T…> > . > > Reuters Events is part of Reuters News & Media Ltd, 5 Canada Square, > Canary Wharf, London, E14 5AQ > <https://www.google.com/maps/search/5+Canada+Square,+Canary+Wharf,+London,+E…>. > Registered in England and Wales: 2505735. > > Terms and conditions > <https://www.reuters.com/info-pages/terms-of-use/?utm_campaign=5677-20SEP22-…> > | Privacy Policy > <https://www.thomsonreuters.com/en/privacy-statement.html?utm_campaign=5677-…> > > *From:* Briefings from Goldman Sachs <briefings(a)gs.com> > *Date:* March 12, 2021 at 12:53:52 PM EST > *To:* g(a)vrnetworks.co > *Subject:* *Launch of the One Million Black Women Initiative…John Waldron > Interviews NATO Secretary-General…Institutions Sharpen Focus on Crypto > Assets* > *Reply-To:* "Briefings from Goldman Sachs" <briefings(a)gs.com> > > > > [image: Goldman Sachs] > <https://tracking.gs.com/r/?id=h11421279,4ec274e4,4ec2ac1f> > [image: BRIEFINGS] > March 12, 2021 > > Goldman Sachs Launches One Million Black Women Initiative > > [image: > https://www.goldmansachs.com/our-commitments/sustainability/one-million-bla…] > <https://tracking.gs.com/r/?id=h11421279,4ec274e4,4ec2ac20> > > “When we looked at the United States, it became clear that if you wanted > to make a long-term economic difference, you had to start by supporting > Black women,” said Goldman Sachs Chairman and CEO David Solomon, on the > launch of *One Million Black Women*, the firm’s initiative to narrow > opportunity gaps for Black women by investing $10 billion and committing > $100 million in philanthropic capital for capacity-building grants over > the next decade. The effort will target investments to support Black women > at key moments in their lives and address the significant disadvantages > they face across a range of economic measures, including access to housing, > healthcare, education and capital. The firm will work with an advisory > council of Black leaders from leading corporations, nonprofit > organizations and government, who will play a critical role in driving the > initiative forward. > > *Learn more about the One Million Black Women > <https://tracking.gs.com/r/?id=h11421279,4ec274e4,4ec2ac21> initiative.* > Black Womenomics: Investing in the Underinvested > <https://tracking.gs.com/r/?id=h11421279,4ec274e4,4ec2ac25> > > The *One Million Black Women* initiative draws on insights from Goldman > Sachs Research’s new *Black Womenomics* report, which delves into the 90% > wealth gap between Black and white households, its relationship with the > broader economic disadvantages Black women face, and the public and private > investment opportunities that can help close the divide. The report > contends that addressing structural economic disparities would make for not > only a fairer but also a richer society: The authors estimate that > confronting the wage gap alone (which accounts for two-thirds of the wealth > gap and widens throughout Black women’s working life) could add over one > million jobs to the U.S. economy, and increase annual GDP by $300-450 > billion in current dollars. > Read report <https://tracking.gs.com/r/?id=h11421279,4ec274e4,4ec2ac26> View > infographic <https://tracking.gs.com/r/?id=h11421279,4ec274e4,4ec2ac27> > SHARE: [image: twitter] > <https://tracking.gs.com/r/?id=h11421279,4ec274e4,4ec2ac28> [image: > facebook] <https://tracking.gs.com/r/?id=h11421279,4ec274e4,4ec2ac29> [image: > LinkedIn] <https://tracking.gs.com/r/?id=h11421279,4ec274e4,4ec2ac2a> [image: > email] > <?subject=Black%20Womenomics&body=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.goldmansachs.com%2Finsights%2Fpages%2Fblack-womenomics-f%2Fblack-womenomics-report.pdf> > Talks at GS With NATO’s Jens Stoltenberg > <https://tracking.gs.com/r/?id=h11421279,4ec274e4,4ec2ac2b> > Above (L to R): John Waldron of Goldman Sachs and Jens Stoltenberg of NATO > > As secretary-general of NATO, Jens Stoltenberg leads a political and > military alliance that was designed to maintain a delicate peace in the > shadow of World War II—a coalition that's since evolved to include climate > change as a key focus for its 30 member nations. “Climate change—global > warming—is what we call a crisis multiplier,” says Stoltenberg, who spoke > with Goldman Sachs President and COO John Waldron in a recent episode of *Talks > at GS*. “It will increase the competition for scarce resources, for > water, for land. It will force people to move,” he says. “I'm not saying > that climate change is the only reason for crisis and conflicts, but it may > exacerbate and fuel and multiply the consequences of different conflicts in > many places in the world.” The secretary-general envisions a three-part > approach to the threat. “The first thing NATO should do, and we are > starting to do that, is to have the best possible understanding of the link > between climate change, global warming, and security threats and > conflicts,” he says. “The second thing we should do is that we need to > adapt the way we conduct our [military] missions, operations—how we do our > work. Because we have to understand that the military, they operate, at > least mostly, out there in nature.” Last is the alliance’s own role in > contributing to climate change. “We could try to reduce emissions,” says > Stoltenberg, “because today’s military operations are normally extremely > energy consuming.” > Watch video <https://tracking.gs.com/r/?id=h11421279,4ec274e4,4ec2ac2c> > SHARE: [image: twitter] > <https://tracking.gs.com/r/?id=h11421279,4ec274e4,4ec2ac2d> [image: > facebook] <https://tracking.gs.com/r/?id=h11421279,4ec274e4,4ec2ac2e> [image: > LinkedIn] <https://tracking.gs.com/r/?id=h11421279,4ec274e4,4ec2ac2f> [image: > email] > <?subject=Talks%20at%20GS%20With%20NATO%E2%80%99s%20Jens%20Stoltenberg&body=https%3A%2F%2Fyoutu.be%2FPT886HFYEpw> > How Institutional Investors Are Thinking About Crypto Assets > > Institutional investors are increasingly focused on investment > opportunities in crypto assets, says Goldman Sachs' Mathew McDermott, who > relayed how the assets are dominating client conversations—and at a more > technical level—on a recent *Exchanges at Goldman Sachs* podcast. “The > questions are not really, ‘What is it?’…It's more about ‘How can we get > exposure, what are the instruments we can transact?’” McDermott, who is > global head of Digital Assets for the firm, says the surge in trading > crypto can be seen across a diverse investor base, citing findings from a > recent Goldman Sachs survey of institutional clients. “40% of the clients > currently have exposure to cryptocurrencies,” he says, while “61% of > clients expect their digital asset holdings to increase over the next > year.” It’s a significant shift from where the cryptocurrency market was a > few years ago. “2017 was very much a retail-driven market,” McDermott says. > “This time around, we've just seen a huge volume of institutional demand > across the broad spectrum of different industry types. And as a function, > you're seeing incumbent banks now explore ways that they can develop > products to satisfy that client demand, enabling them to gain exposure to > the different cryptocurrencies.” > Listen to podcast > <https://tracking.gs.com/r/?id=h11421279,4ec274e4,4ec2ac30> > SHARE: [image: twitter] > <https://tracking.gs.com/r/?id=h11421279,4ec274e4,4ec2ac31> [image: > facebook] <https://tracking.gs.com/r/?id=h11421279,4ec274e4,4ec2ac32> [image: > LinkedIn] <https://tracking.gs.com/r/?id=h11421279,4ec274e4,4ec2ac33> [image: > email] > <?subject=How%20Institutional%20Investors%20Are%20Trading%20Cryptocurrency&body=https%3A%2F%2Fyoutu.be%2Fgk3hadD8YHM> > The Daily Check-In With Goldman Sachs > <https://tracking.gs.com/r/?id=h11421279,4ec274e4,4ec2ac34> > Above (L to R): Mike Swell, Anna Skoglund and Katherine Tait of Goldman > Sachs > > While mounting concerns over inflation spooked the bond markets and other > risk assets in recent weeks, such fears are likely overblown, says Goldman > Sachs’ Mike Swell > <https://tracking.gs.com/r/?id=h11421279,4ec274e4,4ec2ac35>, who oversees > a team that manages $700 billion in fixed income assets. Investors are > “concerned [that] with the very significant recovery we’re seeing in the > economy—along with a lot of debt issued by the government—we’re going to > see a significant increase in inflation,” he says in a recent episode of *The > Daily Check-In*. But more broadly, Swell notes that labor market slack, > productivity gains and globalization will likely keep inflation in check > for longer than the market is currently expecting. “As we look into 2022, > you’re likely to see growth normalize, inflation normalize. And the Fed is > going to keep the money easy and, as a result, it’s going to be a good > environment for risk assets and it’s going to be a decent environment for > fixed income assets as well.” > > In other episodes of *The Daily Check-In*, Anna Skoglund > <https://tracking.gs.com/r/?id=h11421279,4ec274e4,4ec2ac36> of Goldman > Sachs’ Investment Banking Division discusses the increase in private equity > deal volumes in Europe this year and Goldman Sachs Research’s Katherine > Tait <https://tracking.gs.com/r/?id=h11421279,4ec274e4,4ec2ac37> explains > why venture capital in the education sector had its best-ever year in 2020 > as the pandemic reshaped the future of learning. > > *For more Daily Check-In videos, subscribe to our channel > <https://tracking.gs.com/r/?id=h11421279,4ec274e4,4ec2ac38> on YouTube.* > Watch videos <https://tracking.gs.com/r/?id=h11421279,4ec274e4,4ec2ac39> > SHARE: [image: twitter] > <https://tracking.gs.com/r/?id=h11421279,4ec274e4,4ec2ac3a> [image: > facebook] <https://tracking.gs.com/r/?id=h11421279,4ec274e4,4ec2ac3b> [image: > LinkedIn] <https://tracking.gs.com/r/?id=h11421279,4ec274e4,4ec2ac3c> [image: > email] > <?subject=The%20Daily%20Check-In%20With%20Goldman%20Sachs&body=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.youtube.com%2Fplaylist%3Flist%3DPLIyiGQywEp65ogt2Bi3vTK7ngXDTM6wT9> > March QuickPoll: Moving to a ‘Post-Pandemic Regime’ > > After dealing with the recent volatility in interest rates, investors are > shifting their focus to central bank activity and economic data, according > to the latest Marquee QuickPoll survey of close to 700 Goldman Sachs > institutional investor clients. Here are highlights: > > *Rate Moves Coming to an End?* Investor sentiment suggests that a jump in > interest rates is still expected but not for long: A majority of > respondents think interest rates will increase in March, but only 9% expect > 10-year rates to end the month above 1.60%. > > *Central Bank Policy in the Spotlight*. COVID-19 epidemic data and > vaccine developments were by far the primary (and only) variable investors > were watching in past QuickPoll surveys, but focus is now shifting to > central banks and macro indicators. COVID remains top of mind for 39% of > respondents this month, but 33% of investors are now keeping an eye out for > central bank statements and 16% are looking to U.S. economic data. “In our > view, this likely marks the end of the ‘pandemic regime’ for markets and > the beginning of a ‘post-pandemic’ one,” says Oscar Ostlund, head of > content for Marquee, the digital platform for the Global Markets Division. > > *Portfolio Rotation to Inflation-Sensitive Assets*. Investors turned > bearish on gold, the price of which typically falls when real rates > rise—with about 35% of respondents expecting the price to be weakened > further by the end of the month. Meanwhile, investors continue to have a > bullish view on other commodities such as crude and copper. “We’ve seen > many investors shift their views on gold and significantly reduce their > enthusiasm on emerging market equities, which were the second-favorite > asset class last month but have significantly sold off,” Ostlund says. > > *For more information about QuickPoll and Marquee, reach out to the team > <gs-marquee-sales@ny.email.gs.com?subject=BRIEFINGS%20Follow-Up%3A%20Interested%20in%20Learning%20More%20About%20Marquee&body=BRIEFINGS%20Follow-Up%3A%20Interested%20in%20Learning%20More%20About%20Marquee.>. * > Briefly…on the Path to Net-Zero Emissions and Inclusive Growth > <https://tracking.gs.com/r/?id=h11421279,4ec274e4,4ec2ac40> > > Just over a year into Goldman Sachs' 10-year plan to deploy $750 billion > toward accelerating the climate transition and advancing inclusive growth, > the firm has reached a fifth of its target. We sat down with *John > Goldstein*, head of the firm’s Sustainable Finance Group, to discuss > progress, client concerns and the impact of the pandemic on companies’ > sustainability goals. > > *John, soon after the firm announced its sustainability goal in late 2019, > the world went into lockdown. Can you describe how the pandemic affected > companies’ sustainability objectives in 2020? * > > *John Goldstein*: Last year was undoubtedly a year of volatility and > complexity, but the one constant was the growing interest and focus in > sustainable finance and ESG as evidenced by the fact that in 2020 alone we > reached a fifth of our $750 billion 10-year target. The pandemic served as > a stress test for the industry—which it passed with flying colors. The > strong performance of ESG investments during the first-quarter downturn was > rewarded with greater focus and capital flows as the year progressed. In > addition, the pandemic reminded people of how quickly the world can change > and how important these emerging changes can be to portfolios. Factors that > may not have always been incorporated in traditional financial models can > have significant financial impacts. From our perspective, 2020 highlighted > the importance of both elements of our sustainability approach which > focuses on two interconnected themes: climate transition and inclusive > growth. > > *Can you describe the firm’s approach to sustainability—how did you come > to decide on these two themes?* > > *John Goldstein*: When we first announced our sustainability approach in > 2019, people immediately understood the focus on climate transition, but > were less certain about the focus on inclusive growth. Well, 2020 was a > stark reminder that both pillars are essential. The pandemic gave us a > health and employment crisis while highlighting the deeply visible > manifestations of the ongoing racial inequalities, particularly in the U.S. > You could say that the social component of ESG has climbed into the front > seat with the environmental concerns. > > *So let’s talk about how the first year of allocating capital went. How > did the firm approach making its targets a reality?* > > *John Goldstein*: A big part of achieving our goal during the first year > stemmed from the fact that we were able to leverage the strengths across > the organization. Soon after we announced our 10-year target, we created a > new team, the Sustainable Finance Group, to coordinate our sustainability > efforts across the firm. Shortly thereafter, we launched dedicated > sustainability councils within all of our businesses, each led by a senior > leader within the firm, to integrate sustainability solutions into our work > with clients. > > *What's an example? * > > *John Goldstein*: One example I would highlight is the work that we did > with our Global Markets Division where we incorporated ESG data into the > division’s trading capabilities. That in turn helped clients achieve their > ESG goals either broadly or in specific areas, such as lowering their > carbon footprint in their portfolios. We essentially served as a product > incubator within divisions to understand the market need for new strategies > for their clients. The division, in turn, scaled the products and > strategies more broadly. > > *What types of strategies resonated most with clients? * > > *John Goldstein*: Climate solutions were a key focus for clients across > the firm. For example, we’ve worked with our colleagues in the Asset > Management Division to provide growth financing to Swedish manufacturer > Northvolt AB to support the construction of a lithium-ion battery factory > that will expand the market for electric vehicles in Europe. For our public > market investors, we’ve developed ESG strategies in our trading and asset > management businesses and are accelerating global power solutions through > our structuring services in the Global Markets Division. In the Investment > Banking Division, we were part of the largest corporate sustainability bond > for Alphabet; the largest IPO for a solar company, Shoals Technologies; and > helped clients issue more than $35 billion in COVID-19 relief bonds. What > we’ve learned is that there are multiple ways to help clients meet their > decarbonization goals across the firm. In fact, making sustainability a > core commercial focus for us has not only allowed us to scale ESG and > inclusive growth strategies across the breadth and depth of our > organization to meet our clients’ goals, but doing so has also enabled us > to tie it into our own funding strategy as we recently did with the > issuance of our $800 million green bond. > > *Finally, what do you see as the key ESG and sustainability priorities for > companies this year? * > > *John Goldstein*: Investors and corporates are all looking at moving > sustainability considerations from the periphery to the core of their > organizations. That means that for investors, it’s not just about ESG > products—it’s about all of their investing products. It’s not about their > sustainability report—it’s about their annual report. For us, our focus > will continue to remain on incubating and launching new product offerings > within our divisions in partnership with our clients and—in particular—to > accelerate our efforts to work as one firm to meet clients’ needs. > View infographic > <https://tracking.gs.com/r/?id=h11421279,4ec274e4,4ec2ac41> Read GS CEO > David Solomon's statement > <https://tracking.gs.com/r/?id=h11421279,4ec274e4,4ec2ac42> > SHARE: [image: twitter] > <https://tracking.gs.com/r/?id=h11421279,4ec274e4,4ec2ac43> [image: > facebook] <https://tracking.gs.com/r/?id=h11421279,4ec274e4,4ec2ac44> [image: > LinkedIn] <https://tracking.gs.com/r/?id=h11421279,4ec274e4,4ec2ac45> [image: > email] > <?subject=Briefly%E2%80%A6on%20the%20Path%20to%20Net-Zero%20Emissions%20and%20Inclusive%20Growth&body=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.goldmansachs.com%2Four-commitments%2Fsustainability%2Fsustainable-finance%2Fthe-future-is-now%2Fsf-at-gs.html> > Goldman Sachs Media Highlights > > *CBS This Morning* - March 10 > Investing in Women: Goldman Sachs CEO on New Plan to Close the Wage Gap > <https://tracking.gs.com/r/?id=h11421279,4ec274e4,4ec2ac46>(7:26) > > *Essence* - March 10 > Exclusive: Goldman Sachs Invests $10 Billion in New ‘One Million Black > Women’ Initiative > <https://tracking.gs.com/r/?id=h11421279,4ec274e4,4ec2ac47> > > *Bloomberg* - March 8 > Goldman Open to Work With Financial Newcomers: Stephanie Cohen > <https://tracking.gs.com/r/?id=h11421279,4ec274e4,4ec2ac48>(7:37) > > *Bloomberg *- March 8 > Goldman’s Abby Joseph Cohen Still Sees Potential in Equities > <https://tracking.gs.com/r/?id=h11421279,4ec274e4,4ec2ac49>(10:17) > > Subscribe <https://tracking.gs.com/r/?id=h11421279,4ec274e4,4ec2ac4a> > Unsubscribe > <https://tracking.gs.com/r/?id=h11421279,4ec274e4,4ec2ac4b&p1=g@vrnetworks.co> > The data provided in this newsletter is for information purposes only and > should not be construed as investment or tax advice nor as a recommendation > to buy, sell, or hold any particular security. Goldman Sachs believes the > data in this newsletter is accurate, but does not verify its accuracy > independently and does not warrant or guarantee that it is accurate or > complete. Goldman Sachs has no obligation to provide any updates or changes > to the data. No investment decisions should be made using this data. > > To the extent this newsletter includes material from the Goldman Sachs > Securities Division, please click here > <https://tracking.gs.com/r/?id=h11421279,4ec274e4,4ec2ac4c> for > information relating to Securities Division material and your reliance on > it. > © 2021 Goldman Sachs, All rights reserved. > 200 West Street, New York, NY 10282, USA > <https://www.google.com/maps/search/West+Street,+New+York,+NY+10282,+USA?ent…> > > > GS.com <https://tracking.gs.com/r/?id=h11421279,4ec274e4,4ec2ac4d> | Careers > Blog <https://tracking.gs.com/r/?id=h11421279,4ec274e4,4ec2ac4e> | Privacy > and Security <https://tracking.gs.com/r/?id=h11421279,4ec274e4,4ec2ac4f> > | Terms of Use > <https://tracking.gs.com/r/?id=h11421279,4ec274e4,4ec2ac50> > [image: Facebook] > <https://tracking.gs.com/r/?id=h11421279,4ec274e4,4ec2ac51> [image: > Twitter] <https://tracking.gs.com/r/?id=h11421279,4ec274e4,4ec2ac52> [image: > LinkedIn] <https://tracking.gs.com/r/?id=h11421279,4ec274e4,4ec2ac53> [image: > YouTube] <https://tracking.gs.com/r/?id=h11421279,4ec274e4,4ec2ac54> [image: > Instagram] <https://tracking.gs.com/r/?id=h11421279,4ec274e4,4ec2ac55> > > > > > > On Fri, Mar 28, 2025, 6:51 AM Gunnar Larson <g(a)xny.io> wrote: > >> Professor Angelides: >> >> - *xNY.io - Bank.org's co-founder Gunnar Larson is a former writer >> for LitigationFinanceJournal.com or Legal Funding Journal. * >> >> Ga. Restrictions On Litigation Funders Near Final Passage >> <https://www.law360.com/mergersacquisitions/articles/2316872?nl_pk=34b724c6-…> >> >> By Chart Riggall >> >> Georgia's House of Representatives on Thursday passed the Legislature's >> first attempt to rein in third-party litigation funders with new >> restrictions on the industry, advancing the other half of a sweeping civil >> litigation reform package championed by Republicans this spring. >> >> Read full article » >> <https://www.law360.com/mergersacquisitions/articles/2316872?nl_pk=34b724c6-…> >> >> >

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Law School's Missed Lessons: Be An Indispensable Associate
by Gunnar Larson 08 Apr '25

08 Apr '25

Law School's Missed Lessons: Be An Indispensable Associate <https://www.law360.com/cannabis/articles/2318150?nl_pk=a981d81f-1a94-4659-8…> While law school teaches you to research, write and think critically, it often overlooks the professional skills you will need to make yourself an essential team player when transitioning from a summer to full-time associate, say attorneys at Stinson. Read full article » <https://www.law360.com/cannabis/articles/2318150?nl_pk=a981d81f-1a94-4659-8…> | Save to favorites » <https://www.law360.com/cannabis/articles/2318150?nl_pk=a981d81f-1a94-4659-8…>

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Pa. Supreme Court Snapshot: Electric Bills, Jock Tax
by Gunnar Larson 08 Apr '25

08 Apr '25

Pa. Supreme Court Snapshot: Electric Bills, Jock Tax <https://www.law360.com/insurance/articles/2322228?nl_pk=347c5954-47a8-495c-…> By Matthew Santoni The Pennsylvania Supreme Court will open its three-day session in Pittsburgh Tuesday with arguments over how to weigh when a coworker or co-owner shares in an employer's immunity from lawsuits under the state's workers' compensation law, and if electricity providers can get additional services put on the utility bills drawn up by power distributors. Read full article » <https://www.law360.com/insurance/articles/2322228?nl_pk=347c5954-47a8-495c-…> | Save to favorites » <https://www.law360.com/insurance/articles/2322228?nl_pk=347c5954-47a8-495c-…>

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Judge Won't Yet Block Columbia From Sharing Student Info
by Gunnar Larson 08 Apr '25

08 Apr '25

Judge Won't Yet Block Columbia From Sharing Student Info <https://www.law360.com/newyork/articles/2321796?nl_pk=b53aa520-5013-4a8d-a5…> By Elliot Weld A Manhattan federal judge declined to issue an order blocking Columbia University from sharing student records with Congress in a suit by detained activist Mahmoud Khalil and others accusing the school of stifling pro-Palestinian views, but said the plaintiffs could revise their request. Order attached | Read full article » <https://www.law360.com/newyork/articles/2321796?nl_pk=b53aa520-5013-4a8d-a5…> | Save to favorites » <https://www.law360.com/newyork/articles/2321796?nl_pk=b53aa520-5013-4a8d-a5…>

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GENIUS Act Can Bring Harmony To Crypto-Banking Discord
by Gunnar Larson 08 Apr '25

08 Apr '25

GENIUS Act Can Bring Harmony To Crypto-Banking Discord <https://www.law360.com/banking/articles/2315672?nl_pk=e602c558-f520-472e-90…> By embracing crypto innovation while establishing appropriate guardrails, the so-called GENIUS Act charts a path forward that promotes financial inclusion and technological advancement without compromising stability or constitutional rights, says J.W. Verret at George Mason University's Antonin Scalia Law School. Read full article » <https://www.law360.com/banking/articles/2315672?nl_pk=e602c558-f520-472e-90…> | Save to favorites » <https://www.law360.com/banking/articles/2315672?nl_pk=e602c558-f520-472e-90…>

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Wage Access Co. Says NY AG Threatened Suit, Seeks Relief
by Gunnar Larson 08 Apr '25

08 Apr '25

Wage Access Co. Says NY AG Threatened Suit, Seeks Relief <https://www.law360.com/banking/articles/2321969?nl_pk=e602c558-f520-472e-90…> By Sarah Jarvis Earned-wage access provider DailyPay sued Letitia James on Monday seeking a declaratory judgment that its payments do not constitute loans under New York law or violate federal and state laws, alleging the state attorney general has effectively declared all such products illegal. Complaint attached | Read full article » <https://www.law360.com/banking/articles/2321969?nl_pk=e602c558-f520-472e-90…> | Save to favorites » <https://www.law360.com/banking/articles/2321969?nl_pk=e602c558-f520-472e-90…>

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Coinbase Accused Of Scam Prevention Shortfalls
by Gunnar Larson 08 Apr '25

08 Apr '25

Coinbase Accused Of Scam Prevention Shortfalls <https://www.law360.com/banking/articles/2321997?nl_pk=e602c558-f520-472e-90…> By Corey Rothauser A California man has filed a proposed class action seeking to hold cryptocurrency exchange Coinbase liable for failing to implement safeguards against fraudsters who run "pig-butchering" scams. Complaint attached | Read full article » <https://www.law360.com/banking/articles/2321997?nl_pk=e602c558-f520-472e-90…> | Save to favorites » <https://www.law360.com/banking/articles/2321997?nl_pk=e602c558-f520-472e-90…>

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