April 2025 - cypherpunks - lists.cpunks.org

The Outnumbered Fox News panel reacts to Elon Musk's pledge, questioning how lawmakers in Washington, D.C. are able to amass millions in wealth while working on a government salary. https://www.facebook.com/share/v/18Eeb8r3EE/
by Gunnar Larson 02 Apr '25

02 Apr '25

https://www.facebook.com/share/v/18Eeb8r3EE/ The Outnumbered Fox News panel reacts to Elon Musk's pledge, questioning how lawmakers in Washington, D.C. are able to amass millions in wealth while working on a government salary.

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First Lady Melania Trump honors courageous women at the International Women of Courage Award Ceremony. https://www.instagram.com/reel/DH6ymzRRdhy/?igsh=MWdsOHZteWZ1ZGR0eg==
by Gunnar Larson 02 Apr '25

02 Apr '25

https://www.instagram.com/reel/DH6ymzRRdhy/?igsh=MWdsOHZteWZ1ZGR0eg== First Lady Melania Trump honors courageous women at the International Women of Courage Award Ceremony.

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"Our country will flourish and be respected again all over the world. We will be the envy of every nation, and we will not allow ourselves to be taken advantage of any longer. We're going to reclaim our wealth. This is the beginning of Liberation Day in America." -- President Trump https://www.instagram.com/reel/DH9H782xM9u/?igsh=bmg5Z3BkcnZkeHFk
by Gunnar Larson 02 Apr '25

02 Apr '25

https://www.instagram.com/reel/DH9H782xM9u/?igsh=bmg5Z3BkcnZkeHFk "Our country will flourish and be respected again all over the world. We will be the envy of every nation, and we will not allow ourselves to be taken advantage of any longer. We're going to reclaim our wealth. This is the beginning of Liberation Day in America." -- President Trump

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In other news: Former envoys Richard Grenell and David Friedman are among those considered to become U.S. ambassador to the U.N., after Elise Stefanik’s nomination has been withdrawn. [Reuters]
by Gunnar Larson 02 Apr '25

02 Apr '25

*In other news* Former envoys *Richard Grenell and David Friedman are among those considered to become U.S. ambassador to the U.N.*, after Elise Stefanik’s nomination has been withdrawn. [Reuters <https://t.devex.com/Njg1LUtCTC03NjUAAAGZlSXdbGh5anedb2K0bxGfAHxX_hoUa3Se17H…> ] A study by Australian scientists reveals that an increase of 4 degrees Celsius in global temperature has the *economic impact of making the average person poorer by 40%*. [The Guardian <https://t.devex.com/Njg1LUtCTC03NjUAAAGZlSXdbU1iEd80uvVTxoN7QOHetOwnBwbboY5…> ] *More than 300 children are dead and at least 600 injured* since the Israeli offensive in Gaza restarted two weeks ago, according to UNICEF. [BBC <https://t.devex.com/Njg1LUtCTC03NjUAAAGZlSXdbckzkapiIYnCO5CEDKOKIDlbYyFiA5N…> ]

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Global reckoning: His push for fossil fuels over renewable energy has sparked both concern and mobilization.
by Gunnar Larson 02 Apr '25

02 Apr '25

Global reckoning [image: A scene from the Global Day of Action event at COP29.] <https://t.devex.com/dc/kyXVoDpAY__Vu56MNr4POmbogdoez3DqH6CDezGiJqpxxxspg3fH…> As U.S. President Donald Trump began his second term by exiting the Paris Agreement <https://t.devex.com/dc/kyXVoDpAY__Vu56MNr4POvs9iWuGmzJlMVJ5DFFjzMIjPKJpspz6…>, the climate community faces a major upheaval. His push for fossil fuels over renewable energy has sparked both concern and mobilization. “It is *a worrying time because some countries are being ambivalent* about how to deal with the climate problem when what you need is strong political will and action — driven from all countries and all sectors — to meet the goals of the Paris Agreement,” says Sandeep Sengupta of the International Union for Conservation of Nature <https://t.devex.com/Njg1LUtCTC03NjUAAAGZlSXdbSQVUxZax--_7MA0gVpKKizSpDK7IsM…> . This shift has led to the *cancellation of over 130 U.S. climate-related foreign aid contracts*, affecting projects globally and *slashing U.N. climate funding by 21%*. With USAID's climate funding also at risk, job cuts and project reductions loom <https://t.devex.com/dc/kyXVoDpAY__Vu56MNr4POmbogdoez3DqH6CDezGiJqpxxxspg3fH…>, Devex contributing reporter Rebecca Root writes. Despite these setbacks, environmental consultant Ro Hill encourages resilience: “You just have to look across the planet and see how many good people are working on solutions ... and be inspired by that. We have to recognize and strengthen and support and not give in to despair,” she states. *Read:* How climate change workers feel under Trump 2.0 <https://t.devex.com/dc/kyXVoDpAY__Vu56MNr4POmbogdoez3DqH6CDezGiJqpxxxspg3fH…> [image: “Career”] <https://t.devex.com/Njg1LUtCTC03NjUAAAGZlSXdbVPLYLSwa8KWId-WUWkmNgrYqeL6xow…>

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Swift eviction: 28-year-old Nate Cavanaugh, new head of the U.S. Institute of Peace, is shutting down its $500 million D.C. headquarters.
by Gunnar Larson 02 Apr '25

02 Apr '25

Swift eviction In a whirlwind first move, 28-year-old Nate Cavanaugh, new head of the U.S. Institute of Peace <https://t.devex.com/Njg1LUtCTC03NjUAAAGZlSXdbeZUW9-aPY6G3S1VWQOWuAGY55ShHZM…>, is *shutting down its $500 million D.C. headquarters*. “I have determined that USIP no longer needs the property,” he wrote to the agency that runs the building — *right after firing nearly all 300 staffers* and giving them until April 7 to pack up. “The analogy of a bull in a China shop comes to mind,” says Judge Beryl Howell, as the government confirmed the building’s been handed off to the Department of Labor. Why? Brian Hudak, the government’s lawyer, wasn’t sure. Cavanaugh argued the building costs too much <https://t.devex.com/dc/kyXVoDpAY__Vu56MNr4POqvSHLdbm6cIFmRn3o_wAi-UKhAqMgkC…>, USIP had “strayed far from its original mandate,” and Trump wanted it scaled back. By the time USIP tried to stop the handover, it was basically done. GSA had already claimed the building, the desks, the laptops — possibly even the $80 million endowment. *No one seems to know why Cavanaugh* — a tech entrepreneur with no peacebuilding background — *got the top job*. Even the government’s lawyer just says he was “a successful entrepreneur.” The previous leadership? Swept out by Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth, and President of the National Defense University Peter Garvin. Cavanaugh was then installed as USIP president after a game of musical chairs, Elissa writes. Now, a court ruling is pending — and Musk has weighed in, posting on his social media platform X: “Any government institution is most likely to be the opposite of its name.” Also, *USIP’s website? Gone.* So a claim, reposted by Musk, that the USIP funneled $132,000 to a former Taliban member and $1.3 million to an Iraqi youth group *cannot be verified as the USIP website has been taken down*. *Read:* US Institute of Peace headquarters transferred to Labor Department <https://t.devex.com/dc/kyXVoDpAY__Vu56MNr4POqvSHLdbm6cIFmRn3o_wAi-UKhAqMgkC…>

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BREAKING: Eric Adams Case Permanently Dismissed
by Gunnar Larson 02 Apr '25

02 Apr '25

BREAKING: Eric Adams Case Permanently Dismissed <https://www.law360.com/compliance/articles/2311099?nl_pk=7f7472c8-af4a-4299…> By Frank G. Runyeon A Manhattan federal judge on Wednesday permanently dismissed corruption charges against New York City Mayor Eric Adams, heeding advice from court-appointed counsel Paul Clement by declining to explore district prosecutors' claims of a quid pro quo between Adams and Trump administration officials in the Justice Department. Read full article » <https://www.law360.com/compliance/articles/2311099?nl_pk=7f7472c8-af4a-4299…> | Save to favorites » <https://www.law360.com/compliance/articles/2311099?nl_pk=7f7472c8-af4a-4299…>

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Meta Wins Dismissal In Cannabis Logo Copyright Dispute
by Gunnar Larson 02 Apr '25

02 Apr '25

Meta Wins Dismissal In Cannabis Logo Copyright Dispute <https://www.law360.com/cannabis/articles/2318297?nl_pk=a981d81f-1a94-4659-8…> By Ivan Moreno A Manhattan federal judge has dismissed a copyright complaint from a "serial IP litigant" who sued Meta Platforms over a cannabis logo used on Facebook to promote a cannabis-themed cruise, saying plaintiff did not own a valid copyright for the logo. Opinion attached | Read full article » <https://www.law360.com/cannabis/articles/2318297?nl_pk=a981d81f-1a94-4659-8…> | Save to favorites » <https://www.law360.com/cannabis/articles/2318297?nl_pk=a981d81f-1a94-4659-8…>

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Crypto Co. OKX Taps Ex-NY Regulator Linda Lacewell As GC
by Gunnar Larson 02 Apr '25

02 Apr '25

Crypto Co. OKX Taps Ex-NY Regulator Linda Lacewell As GC <https://www.law360.com/fintech/articles/2318039?nl_pk=31322029-63eb-4d40-ac…> By Aislinn Keely Cryptocurrency exchange OKX said Tuesday that Linda Lacewell, former superintendent of the New York Department of Financial Services, has joined the company as its general counsel, a month after the firm agreed to a $504 million deal with federal prosecutors over compliance failures. Read full article » <https://www.law360.com/fintech/articles/2318039?nl_pk=31322029-63eb-4d40-ac…> | Save to favorites » <https://www.law360.com/fintech/articles/2318039?nl_pk=31322029-63eb-4d40-ac…>

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Manhattan DA Dodges Collector's Suit Over Statue Probe
by Gunnar Larson 02 Apr '25

02 Apr '25

Manhattan DA Dodges Collector's Suit Over Statue Probe <https://www.law360.com/newyork/articles/2318291?nl_pk=b53aa520-5013-4a8d-a5…> By Elliot Weld A California federal judge dismissed a case brought by an art dealer trying to block an investigation from Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg over an ancient Roman statue that Bragg says may have been looted from Turkey, finding that the collector's request for the court to declare him the owner of the piece would not redress any injury caused by the probe. Order attached | Read full article » <https://www.law360.com/newyork/articles/2318291?nl_pk=b53aa520-5013-4a8d-a5…> | Save to favorites » <https://www.law360.com/newyork/articles/2318291?nl_pk=b53aa520-5013-4a8d-a5…>

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