Crypto trader Avi Eisenberg convicted of fraud in $110 million Mango Markets scheme

Source: Axios

“A jury found Avraham ‘Avi’ Eisenberg guilty on all three counts of fraud and manipulation in a $110 million crypto trade scheme using the Mango Markets platform. The case was the first known test for a jury to decide whether existing U.S. laws governing fraud and market manipulation apply to the world of decentralized finance (DeFi). The 28-year-old Eisenberg will be held to account for his actions on Oct. 11, 2022, when a series of trades he made intentionally boosted the price of Mango Markets’ native token, MNGO, as well as the price of futures contracts.” (04/18/24)

https://www.axios.com/2024/04/18/avi-eisenberg-convicted-crypto-defi-mango-markets

Thomas L. Knapp

Fourth Amendment is Not For Sale Act Passed the House, Now it Should Pass the Senate

Source: Electronic Frontier Foundation
by Matthew Guariglia

“The Fourth Amendment is Not For Sale Act, H.R.4639, originally introduced in the Senate by Senator Ron Wyden in 2021, has now made the important and historic step of passing the U.S. House of Representatives. In an era when it often seems like Congress cannot pass much-needed privacy protections, this is a victory for vulnerable populations, people who want to make sure their location data is private, and the hard-working activists and organizers who have pushed for the passage of this bill.” (04/18/24)

https://www.eff.org/deeplinks/2024/04/fourth-amendment-not-sale-act-passed-house-now-it-should-pass-senate

Thomas L. Knapp

With one letter, Trump turned the Republican Party into an extortion racket

Source: USA Today
by Rex Huppke

“I’d like to congratulate Donald Trump on the speed with which he’s turned the Republican Party into something resembling an extortion racket. Aside from sinking his fangs into the Republican National Committee like a hungry bat on a plump Berkshire hog, the man spending his days in a Manhattan courtroom under criminal indictment is now looking to bleed cash out of down-ballot GOP campaigns. In an April 15 letter, Trump’s campaign notified all Republican candidates that if they use the former president’s name, image or likeness on any campaign advertisements, they need to deliver at least 5% of the money they raise back to the aforementioned criminal defendant. You know, a little kickback for the boss man. Just enough to get Trump’s beak wet. Because, as has been made abundantly clear, the GOP is Trump and Trump is the GOP.” (04/18/24)

https://www.usatoday.com/story/opinion/columnist/2024/04/18/trump-gop-candidates-fundraising-nil-election-campaign/73365456007/

Thomas L. Knapp

Dubai airport re-opens after UAE suffers heavy rain

Source: BBC News [UK state media]

“Operations at Dubai International Airport remain severely disrupted after heavy rains battered the United Arab Emirates and neighbouring countries. The storm pounded the UAE on Tuesday, flooding roads and the sections of the busy international airport. Flash floods have now killed 20 people in Oman and one in the UAE. Some inbound flights resumed on Thursday, but on the whole Dubai International Airport, a major travel hub, is struggling to function. Many air passengers have told the BBC of scenes of ‘chaos’ at the world’s second-busiest airport, with people unable to travel on their booked flights. Other ‘very anxious’ and disoriented passengers, some travelling with young children, have posted on social media saying that despite confirmed bookings, their tickets are not being processed, because ‘check-in/bag drop/passport control [are] not open.'” (04/18/24)

https://www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-68843049

Steve Trinward

Rite Aid Delays Key Hearing on Bankruptcy Exit, Deal to Cut Debt

Source: mint

“Drug store chain Rite Aid Corp. put off a key court hearing in order to complete a deal that would cut $2 billion in debt, resolve lawsuits related to opioid prescriptions and end the company’s six-month-old bankruptcy. The company needs more time to put a series of agreements into writing, company bankruptcy attorney Aparna Yenamandra said during a brief court hearing Thursday. Rite Aid had been scheduled to ask a federal judge next week to approve its reorganization plan, which is built on a series of deals the company is now trying to complete. US Bankruptcy Judge Michael B. Kaplan instead will schedule a status conference on the company’s progress. No new date for a hearing on the reorganization plan was set.” (04/18/24)

https://www.livemint.com/news/rite-aid-delays-key-hearing-on-bankruptcy-exit-deal-to-cut-debt-11713462791869.html

Thomas L. Knapp

“Rules-Based Order”: Rules For Thee But Not For We

Source: Caitlin Johnstone, Rogue Journalist
by Caitlin Johnstone

“Israel’s allowed to bomb an Iranian consulate, but Iran’s not allowed to strike back. The US is allowed to surround China with war machinery, but it would be World War Three if China ever tried to militarily encircle the US. NATO is allowed to expand to Russia’s doorstep and amass proxy forces on its border, but the last time Moscow placed a credible military threat anywhere near the United States, the US responded so aggressively that the world almost ended. The ‘rules-based international order’ that the US-centralized power structure purports to uphold just means an order in which the US makes up the rules and nations had better obey them. It means rules for thee but not for me.” (04/18/24)

https://caitlinjohnstone.com.au/2024/04/18/rules-based-order-means-rules-for-thee-but-not-for-we/

Steve Trinward

Kenya: Helicopter crash kills defence chief and nine senior officers, says president

Source: France 24 [French state media]

“Kenya’s defence chief and nine other senior military officers died in a helicopter crash on Thursday, President William Ruto announced. … He said the Kenya Air Force has dispatched an air investigation team to establish the cause of the crash, which took place in Elgeyo Marakwet county, about 400 kilometres (250 miles) northwest of the capital Nairobi.” (04/18/24)

https://www.france24.com/en/africa/20240418-helicopter-crash-in-kenya-kills-defence-chief-and-nine-senior-officers-says-president

Thomas L. Knapp