Daily Archives: October 15, 2022

UN: Highlights from the 51st Session of the Human Rights Council – ARTICLE 19 – Article 19

Posted: October 15, 2022 at 5:39 pm

On 7 October 2022, the UN Human Rights Council concluded its 51st Session in Geneva. This session was significant geopolitically, with China and Russia being discussed directly at the Council. Over four weeks, States held debates and passed resolutions on a wide range of human rights issues, contributing to an elaborate set of international standards promoting the right to freedom of expression. While the Council made some progress in responding to certain county-specific situations, it failed to do so in other critical contexts.

ARTICLE 19 promoted the right to freedom of expression throughout the session, including taking part in negotiations on a wide range of thematic resolutions, including on the safety of journalists, terrorism and human rights, new and emerging technologies in the military domain, and neurotechnologies. We also made statements on privacy in the digital age, as well as on country-specific concerns in Cambodia and Myanmar.

Austria together with a core group of Brazil, France, Greece, Morocco, Qatar and Tunisia led a strong resolution on the safety of journalists which was adopted by consensus and co-sponsored by 69 countries from all world regions. A decade since the Human Rights Council first adopted a resolution on the safety of journalists, this updated version adds progressive commitments to an already robust set of international standards.

This is notably the first time a UN resolution has contained guidance on strategic lawsuits against public participation, expressing concern about the rise of these lawsuits to exercise pressure, intimidate or exhaust the resources and morale of journalists and calling on governments to adopt laws and policies that prevent and alleviate such cases. It also contained strong language on an array of other issues from conducting investigations into attacks against journalists, to extraterritorial attacks, to protests. You can read the full analysis of the resolution here.

We now call on all States particularly those leading and co-sponsoring the resolution to show leadership and translate these renewed international commitments into allocation of resources and political will at the national level.

Egypt and Mexico also co-led a resolution on terrorism and human rights. After difficult negotiations, the resolution was adopted by consensus, signalling renewed commitment to ensure human rights and the rule of law are central in counter-terrorism efforts. This resolution sits within a vast UN architecture on counter-terrorism which is increasingly complex and opaque, with a lack of meaningful opportunities for diverse and independent civil society engagement.

We advocated tirelessly for the importance of freedom of opinion and expression in fighting terrorism and therefore welcome the inclusion of paragraphs underlining explicitly the need for respect for freedom of expression on the one hand and the right to privacy on the other. We also welcome language on international human rights obligations in transfers of terrorist suspects, profiling of individuals, detention, the right to a fair trial and other due process guarantees, as well as on children rights and the crucial role of civil society. However, we regret that the resolution is marred with security-based concerns and language on information communications technologies that is both vague and unrelated to the competence of the Council to promote of human rights in the fight against terrorism.

We continue to urge all States to refrain from violating the rights of those exercising their right to freedom of expression and related rights, online and offline, under the guise of countering terrorism or extremism.

Austria and Panama co-led a consensually adopted resolution on the human rights implications of new and emerging technologies in the military domain. This relates to a set of resolutions and initiatives at the Human Rights Council on new and emerging technologies in a general sense which have so far been quiet on the use of these technologies for military purposes.

The resolution is short and mandates the Advisory Committee to publish a report on the topic in three years time. We welcome this upcoming report and share deep concerns about how new and emerging technologies are not only leading to egregious human rights violations when used for military purposes, but how these technologies are spilling over and committing grave harms in our everyday lives, including when used for law enforcement. We believe that the Human Rights Council has a key role in addressing these issues international human rights law and international humanitarian law are complementary and mutually reinforcing.

We urge the Advisory Committee to work alongside the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights and to also undertake an effective and meaningful consultation with diverse civil society, including human rights and humanitarian organisations, as they prepare the report over the next three years.

The European Union with the exception of Hungary passed a landmark resolution creating a Special Rapporteur on the Russian Federation. This is the first time that a human rights monitoring mechanism has been created for one of the permanent members of the UN Security Council (known as the P-5). The historic resolution was passed with 17 votes in favour and 6 votes against adoption, with 24 abstentions. This is not the only UN forum that has taken recent action on Russia the UN General Assembly also just passed by a strong majority a resolution condemning its illegal so-called referendums in regions within Ukraine and demanding it reverses it annexation declaration.

The Russian authorities have launched a whole-sale attack on independent media, including on the safety of journalists and media workers, who continue to conduct their vital work in unprecedented conditions. Across the country, thousands of protesters have been detained for expressing critical or dissenting views. It is in these conditions that we have documented the use of biometric recognition technologies in public spaces, leading to even more severe chilling effects on free speech and protest.

We express our full and strong support for the Special Rapporteur and stand ready to meaningfully engage with the mandate.

The Council shamefully rejected a resolution led by Canada, Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway, Sweden, the United Kingdom and the United States on the human rights situation in Xinjiang. The resolution received 17 votes in favour and 19 votes against adoption, with 11 abstentions.

The resolution, with only two short paragraphs, merely called for a debate on the High Commissioners recent report which detailed systematic human rights violations and possible crimes against humanity targeting Uyghurs and other Turkic Muslims in Xinjiang. No country, regardless of its political might or economic standing, should be allowed to evade scrutiny of such an egregious human rights situation. The rejection of the resolution suggests that certain countries can escape accountability, in violation of the Councils principles of universality, objectivity, and non-selectivity the very principles opponents of the resolution claim to champion.

We commend the core group of the resolution and encourage other countries dedicated to the protection of human rights to join them in maintaining and enhancing efforts to ensure accountability for atrocity crimes in Xinjiang. We strongly deplore that the Human Rights Council did not adopt this resolution and condemn those countries that voted no or abstained on this initiative.

Chile, Greece and Singapore brought forward a short resolution on neurotechnology and human rights.

Similarly to the resolution on the human rights implications of new and emerging technologies in the military domain, this is a short text which mandates the Advisory Committee to publish a report on this topic. We welcome attention on this issue given neurotechnologies are being developed to access, monitor and manipulate the neural system of individuals, with a lack of transparency, therefore bringing unprecedented risks on the right to privacy and even the absolute right to hold opinions without interference.

We urge the Advisory Committee to consult widely with civil society in the drafting of this report and underline that neurotechnologies should not be developed, deployed or used before we understand their human rights impacts and societal implications.

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East Ascension cashes in Walker turnovers, holds on for District 5-5A win – The Advocate

Posted: at 5:36 pm

East Ascensions defense helped the Spartans end a three-game losing streak in defeating rival St. Amant last week.

That intensity carried over to Friday night's game against new District 5-5A foe Walker on Friday night in Gonzales. The Spartans defense forced three first-half fumbles and turned all three turnovers into touchdowns in a 45-28 win.

The Spartans (3-4, 2-0) built a 31-6 lead and held off a Walker second-half rally.

They came out with an offensive plan we hadnt seen them run all year, Spartans coach Darnell Lee said. Give credit to (Walker) coach (Chad) Mahaffey. Their spin offense kept us off-balance, but we were fortunate enough to get some turnovers. Our defense held them to 14 offensive points. Give them credit. Im proud of the way our guys fought and finished.

Walker (4-3, 0-2) fumbled the ball away on three of its first four offensive possessions.

East Ascension linebacker Joshua Berfect returned one for a score, and the other two led to touchdown runs by quarterback Antwon Foster.

Up 21-6 at halftime, the Spartans added a 21-yard Brennon Thompson touchdown catch and 29-yard Diego Ontiveros field goal to take a commanding 31-6 advantage late in the third.

Thats when the Wildcat rally began.

Walker cut it to 31-20 following a touchdown on a Kedric Brown kickoff return and a 60-yard pick-six by Kentrell Scott.

Later, Warren Young Jr. scored on a 21-yard run, and the Wildcats converted the ensuing 2-point try to get within 31-28 early in the fourth quarter.

However, East Ascensions defense made a huge stand late in the game. The Spartans turned the Wildcats over on downs after driving to the East Ascension 35-yard line.

From there, the duo of Foster and Walter Samuel closed the door on Walker. Foster broke loose on a 45-yard touchdown run, and Samuel put the game to rest with a 30-yard scoring scamper.

It was the Wildcats second straight loss and their third in their past four games.

Walker coach Chad Mahaffey: Coming in to play a team like this, you have to capitalize. I thought we had chances, but we turned the ball over three times and had a bad snap that killed a drive. Im glad that we fought and got back in it, but we just wasted opportunities.

East Ascension quarterback Antwon Foster: Although Foster only threw the ball six times for East Ascension, but he did most of his damage on the ground. He carried 16 times for 135 yards and scored three touchdowns.

Samuel was the Spartans second-leading rusher. The Tulane commitment carried the ball 17 times for 105 yards and added the game-sealing touchdown.

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Four named to East Ascension’s Hall, Wall of Fame. Induction set for Oct. 21. – The Advocate

Posted: at 5:36 pm

It's homecoming week at East Ascension, and in addition to crowning a homecoming queen the school will induct four people into its Hall and Wall of Fame during the Oct. 21 football game in Spartan Stadium.

Wall of Fame recipients include people who have given substantial time and/or money to the school.

Wall of Fame inductee Bret Hughes, a 1988 East Ascension graduate, is the owner and president of Hughes Insurance Services. Hughes was taught by his parents from a young age to always give back to his community, and "he has taken that to heart," according to a news release. Both he and his company have been major supporters of EA and the Ascension Parish Public School System for many years.

He supports several local and national charities. He has been the chair of the Spartan-Gator Ryder Cup golf tournament for the past decade raising tens of thousands of dollars for each school in the process. Hughes said he fully intends to continue to donate his time and financial support to his alma mater for years to come.

The late Sybil Webb, the other inductee to the Wall of Fame, was a proud and loving mother who supported not only her children but dedicated her time to each and every student/athlete from 1977 to 1994 by being an active member and treasurer of the school's Booster Club, according to the release. With her tireless efforts, Webb is considered the "mother" of the school's weight room and health facility Pillars of Power, which once stood where EAs Freshman Academy is now. She also served as the main force in securing money for the outfield fencing at the John Keith Ambeau baseball field along with the addition of lights at the baseball complex.

Webb's four children, Kayla, Andy, Wayne and Ward, will be accepting her award for her as she is receiving this honor posthumously.

Hall of Fame inductees, who contributed as athletes at the school, are Nathan Black and Richard Rayborn.

A member of the EA class of 1998, Black earned All-District and All-Metro honors while playing at East Ascension. He then played wide receiver and on special teams at Northwestern State and with the Carolina Panthers and New Orleans Saints as a kick returner.

Black is the owner of Alpha Sports Performance in Prairieville, where he trains athletes from around the area in becoming the best they can be physically, mentally and nutritionally.

Rayborn, a 1979 graduate, was a two-way player for the Spartans playing both running back and defensive back. His exploits on the field led to a scholarship to Texas Southern University. Rayborn said he cherishes the memories of playing for Coach Joe Clark and representing East Ascension High on the gridiron and in the classroom. Rayborn is currently the pastor of The Christian Assembly Full Gospel Church in Gonzales.

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Ascension Catholic’s twin connection helping Bulldogs to 4-2 start – WBRZ

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DONALDSONVILLE -Bryce and Brooks Leonard have a special connection.

"Grew up together, did everything together, played every sport together, and I can rely on him at any time," Brooks said.

Not only are they twins, but they're a lethal quarterback and receiver combination something that has been years in the making.

"It was just about every day in the backyard... One of my other brothers was also a quarterback in middle school, so he would play quarterback for my oldest brother, and then me and Brooks would play at quarterback and wide receiver," Bryce said.

The twins are the ultimate competitors.

"They hate losing. They hate to lose," head coach Chris Sanders said.

And sometimes, that competitive fire comes out on each other.

"Every day. Every day, whether we're stretching... Whether we're playing against a live defense. They are harder on each other than they are on themselves, actually," Sanders said.

Ultimately, that has pushed the twins into becoming one of the best duos in their district, and Ascension Catholic to a 4-2 start.

"I know he's gonna be there. I know I can trust him to catch the ball," Bryce said.

"I feel like every time he throws me the ball, I'm gonna score," Brooks said.

Football isn't even the twins' best sport, as the star for the Bulldogs' baseball team, as well, and plan on playing at the college level next year.

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St. Thomas Helps Grammy Nominee With Cancer and New Baby – Wgnsradio

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(NASHVILLE)In April 2021, Grammy-nominated Christian artist, Alexis Butcher was hit with a whirlwind of emotions. Alexis found out she was expecting a baby girl a few weeks before she was diagnosed with stage I breast cancer.

I found a lump in my breast, Alexis recalls. I just thought it was a symptom of being pregnant. I was only 27 and didnt know it could happen at such a young age. Alexis decided to schedule an appointment with her OBGYN. My doctor was concerned about the lump and referred me to Premier Radiology, Alexis said. The next morning, she had an ultrasound that confirmed her results were very irregular.

Alexis then met with Dr. Dias, breast surgeon at Ascension Saint Thomas Hospital Midtown, to perform a biopsy. Her results showed that she had stage I breast cancer. Alexis was 27 weeks pregnant when she started her first round of chemotherapy. It was very tiring, she said. Alexis got through two rounds of chemotherapy until her body couldnt handle the changes anymore. At 32 weeks, Alexis started having chest pain and immediately went to the Ascension Saint Thomas Hospital Midtown Emergency Department.

My baby's heart rate was dropping, said Alexis. The team decided to do an emergency c-section, and my daughter Lila was born on May 22nd, 2021. Lila then spent three weeks in the Ascension Saint Thomas Hospital Midtown NICU. While Alexis was recovering from her c-section, days after receiving chemotherapy, she became neutropenic. Being neutropenic meant her body was not producing enough white blood cells to help fight off an infection. Alexis then spent an additional ten days in the hospital. My husband and I just hit survival mode after Lila was born," Alexis said. But we had the beauty of this baby bringing so much joy into our lives.

Just four weeks after giving birth, Alexis began hormone therapy weekly for 12 weeks and immunotherapy every three weeks. Later, she had a double mastectomy, lymph nodes removed, and in February 2022, completed her five-week treatment with radiology. Just recently, Alexis decided to move forward with reconstruction surgery.

As far as we know, God willing, that is the final step of my cancer journey, said Alexis. We are just now processing everything. We have some wonderful family and friends that listen to our highs and lows, and I am truly thankful for the care I received at Ascension Saint Thomas.

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What to know about BR’s Week 8 matchups: Keep an eye on pivotal 5-5A, 6-2A games – The Advocate

Posted: at 5:36 pm

Darnell Lee has a 24-hour rule after each Friday game. But the East Ascension coach admitted he took an early peek at Denham Springs.

The two teams are first-time district rivals in the revamped 5-5A. But the fact that they scrimmaged each other last spring adds to the intrigue going into their Week 8 showdown.

I see a couple of guys who have been put in different positions than they were before, Lee said. They are trying to get it together and find what works just like we are. Right now, I am more focused on how we play.

There are thing we do need to clean up going into this week. But I have a lot of respect for them (Denham Springs). They are a tough team, a gritty team. And (Brett) Beard (DSHS head coach) is going to have them ready to play.

Beards Yellow Jackets (6-1, 2-0) are off to the school's best start since the mid-1990s. After playing one of the toughest predistrict schedules in the state, Lees Spartans (3-4, 2-0) have outscored their first two 5-5A foe 73-35.

Dutchtown (4-3, 2-0) is the other 5-5A unbeaten and plays at St. Amant (3-4, 0-2) this Friday.

With their big wins in Week 7, Catholic (6-1, 2-0) and Zachary (5-1, 2-0) have established themselves as the District 4-5A frontrunners. The two schools wont meet until Week 10. The same is true for the unbeatens in 6-4A, West Feliciana (7-0, 5-0) and Plaquemine (7-0, 6-0).

In 6-3A, Madison Prep (5-2, 4-0) handed University High (4-3, 2-1) its first league loss. Parkview Baptist (6-1, 3-1) is the other team in title contention. The Eagles meet U-High Week 10.

Lutcher (6-1) of District 7-4A and St. James (6-1) of 8-3A also are unbeaten in their respective districts. SJHS has six straight wins and a victory over 5A Hahnville Friday night gives Lutcher five wins in a row.

The Dunham School (6-1, 2-0) beat previously unbeaten Episcopal at home in District 6-2A Thursday night. The Tigers, who have won six in a row, face a stiff Week 8 challenge from East Feliciana (5-2, 2-0) on the road.

Episcopals strength is running the ball and went right at our strength, our defensive front, Dunham coach Neil Weiner said. They (East Feliciana) throw the ball kind of neutralizes our strength to some degree.

Last year it was a shootout and I think we combined for over 100 points. All of their kids are back. Their quarterback (Mills Dawson) is going to be a college quarterback.

And the have the big, tall receiver (TreyDez Green) who catches everybodys attention. But they a group of other guys who can make plays too.

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Fred Mease Obituary – The Hutchinson Daily News – The Hutchinson News

Posted: at 5:36 pm

Fred Mease, 80, passed away Wednesday, October 12, 2022 at Wesley Medical Center. He was born on April 7, 1942 in Nashville, Kansas to Glenn and Melissa Jane (Kimsey) Mease. Fred married Venora Jean (Lampe) Mease on April 21, 1962 in Wichita. She preceded him in death on August 24, 2016.

Fred graduated from Nashville High School in 1960. He went on to attend a mechanic trade school in Omaha, Nebraska. He began his career as a mechanic at Swinson Chevrolet and then went to work at Pratt Well Service in 1966 where he retired in 2008. He was a member of Ascension Lutheran Church and Pratt Elks. He enjoyed farming, fishing, gardening, playing cards and spending time with his grandchildren.

He is survived by his daughter, Karla (Scott) Hahn of Wichita; sister, Glenna (Melvin) Reif of Kiowa; son in-law, Patrick Hevier of Augusta; grandchildren, Benny (Amber) Christians of Augusta, Brent Hevier of Augusta, Emma (Ben) Hahn of Wichita and Ellie Hahn of Fort Collins, Colorado; great-grandchildren, Johnny, Greyson and Venora "Nora"; nieces, Kim Clark, Kathy Hitt and Kristy Zenger; and many other family members and friends.

Fred is preceded in death by his parents; wife, Venora; daughter, Cindy Hevier; infant daughter, Rhonda Mease; and brother in-law, Leroy Lampe.

Visitation with closed casket will be held Friday, October 14, 2022 from 9:00 a.m. - 8:00 p.m. with family receiving friends from 5-7 at Larrison Mortuary, 300 Country Club Road, Pratt. A Memorial Service will be held at 2:00 p.m., Saturday, October 15, 2022 at First United Methodist Church, Pratt with Pastor Matthew Schultz presiding. Burial will follow at St. John Lutheran Cemetery, Nashville.

Memorials may be made to Ascension Lutheran Church or St. John Lutheran Cemetery in care of Larrison Mortuary. Online condolences may be made at http://www.larrisonmortuary.com.

Posted online on October 13, 2022

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Five myths about Ayn Rand and Objectivism – Learn Liberty

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Ayn Rand (1905-1982) was a Russian-American novelist, playwright, and philosopher who has a lasting legacy as one of the foremost thinkers of the twentieth century. Her philosophy of Objectivism, presented throughout both her works of fiction and nonfiction, is groundbreaking and unique.

Objectivism is consistently mischaracterized and stereotyped in popular media, and is blamed as responsible for any right-leaning political development. Here are five common myths that you may have heard about Ayn Rand.

A cornerstone of Ayn Rands philosophy was her opposition to altruism and her support of selfishness. Naturally, in common language this would imply she was fundamentally opposed to any and all forms of charity.

Charitable giving under the guise of altruism is contrary to the principles of Objectivism. However, giving can be fully consistent with rational self-interest. Giving money to specific individuals or causes actually has an important role to play in a nightwatchman state.

Rand held that some individuals are unable as opposed to unwilling to provide for themselves, and thus voluntary charity would be the only legitimate means of survival for some. However, it is of crucial importance that such giving remains motivated by reason rather than a sense of altruism.

In her article The Ethics of Emergencies, Rand stated:

By elevating the issue of helping others into the central and primary issue of ethics, altruism has destroyed the concept of any authentic benevolence or good will among men.

Objectivism holds that government should not be in the business of redistributing money. Critics of Ayn Rand would point to her eventual collecting of Social Security money as a point of hypocrisy.

In Letters of Ayn Rand (letter 524, to Mrs. Milton W. Broberg), she addressed a fan whose husband had become unemployed and was receiving money from the government. Rand asserted that the man should not be ashamed to receive this assistance.

This was on the grounds that he had earned money that the state had plundered from him while he was working, and that he was merely getting back some of what was already his. It is precisely because Rand opposed collectivist wealth redistribution that she viewed collecting Social Security as restitution for what had been taken.

Furthermore, one of the characters in Atlas Shrugged, Ragnar Danneskjld, would rob US merchant ships, convert the loot into gold, and return it to the people in Galts Gulch whose earnings had been taken by the state.

Objectivism is a philosophy fundamentally at odds with religion, where there is no room for metaphysical mysticism. This does not mean, however, that Ayn Rand was intolerant of religious people. On the contrary, Ayn Rand is known to have held certain religious people in high regard and, while disagreeing, would gladly listen to their ideas and engage in debate.

Thomas Aquinas, a 13th-century priest, was one of two philosophers that Rand drew significant influence from, alongside Aristotle. Rands appreciation of Aquinas stems from the latters attempts to apply Aristotelian logic to his own beliefs. Reason was important to Aquinas, even though he ultimately did not reach the same conclusion as Rand.

Moreover, when writing her magnum opus, Atlas Shrugged, Ayn Rand had initially intended to include a priest in the story, a character who would be a most glamorized projection of a Thomist philosopher, of a man who thought he could combine reason with religion.

Objectivism does not condemn the pursuit of money something that makes it stand out from other philosophies. However, money is not one of the cardinal values of Objectivism.

Instead, these are reason, purpose, and self-esteem. The means of reaching these values are rationality, productivity, and pride. As such, money is not a goal in and of itself but is rather the outcome (in a capitalist society) of productivity, which is the central purpose of a rational mans life.

In Atlas Shrugged, Rand presents heroes and villains at both ends of the wealth spectrum. Indeed, many antagonists in the story, such as James Taggart and Orren Boyle, are wealthy characters, while Galts Gulch has a place for productive people in all lines of work.

Due to a number of conservative figures crediting Ayn Rand as an influence, a pervasive myth has arisen, claiming her as a conservative. Rand, however, would have categorically rejected this idea. Indeed, she was known to be fiercely critical of conservatives, disliking conservative figures such as Richard Nixon and Ronald Reagan.

Ayn Rand disagreed with conservatives on religion and religious morality. She also disagreed with them on policy. But, importantly, she also staunchly disagreed with the conservative approach to defending capitalism.

When conservatives defend capitalism, it is usually approached from an altruistic or utilitarian angle, i.e. it produces the greatest good for the greatest number of people. Conservatives may also defend capitalism on the grounds of tradition, rejecting the disruption of socialism. However, conservatism does not defend capitalism for the sake of capitalism.

In her essay Conservatism: An Obituary, Ayn Rand characterizes conservatives as follows, They declare that we must defend the American political system not because it is right, but because our ancestors chose it, not because it is good, but because it is old.

If you would like to receive a free copy of thirteen previously unpublished letters by Ayn Rand, be sure click on the button below.

Rand, Ayn. The Ethics of Emergencies. The Virtue of Selfishness: A New Concept of Egoism. Fiftieth anniversary edition. New York: Signet, 1964, 49.

Rand, Ayn. The Journals of Ayn Rand. Ed. David Harriman. New York: Plume, [1997] 1999. 540-541.

Rand, Ayn. Conservatism: An Obituary. Capitalism: The Unknown Ideal. 2nd ed. New York: Signet, [1966] 1967, 221.

This piece solely expresses the opinion of the author and not necessarily the organization as a whole. Students For Liberty is committed to facilitating a broad dialogue for liberty, representing a variety of opinions.

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Hackers have stolen record $3 billion in cryptocurrency this year – CBS News

Posted: at 5:34 pm

Hackers have stolen more than $3 billion in cryptocurrency so far this year, shattering the previous record of $2.1 billion set in 2021, according to blockchain analytics firm Chainalysis.

A big chunk of that $3 billion, around $718 million, was taken this month in 11 different hacks, Chainalysis said in a series of tweets posted Wednesday.

"October is now the biggest month in the biggest year ever for hacking activity, with more than half the month still to go," the company tweeted.

In past years, hackers focused their efforts on attacking crypto exchanges, but those companies have since strengthened their security, Chainalysis said. These days, cybercriminals are targeting "cross-chain bridges," which allow investors to transfer digital assets and data among different blockchains.

The bridges hold a lot of cryptocurrencies, providing a larger and more complex arena for hackers to infiltrate, according to cybersecurity experts.

"Cross-chain bridges remain a major target for hackers, with three bridges breached this month and nearly $600 million stolen, accounting for 82% of losses this month and 64% of losses all year," Chainalysis said.

Hackers initially made of with$570 million in cryptocurrency from Binance, but company officials have minimized the losses to under $100 million, its CEO said last week. Hackers also struck Nomad in August, reportedly taking nearly $200 million. Both the Binance and Nomad attackswere instances of hackers exploiting security flaws within the cross-chain bridge transaction protocols.

Crypto.com, known for its recent $700 million deal torename the former Staples Centerin Los Angeles, said in January that hackers managed to bypass its two-factor authentication system and withdraw funds from 483 customer accounts. Harmony lost about $100 million in ahack in June.Crypto platforms WormholeandRoninNetwork were also targets of hackers this year.

All told, Chainalysis said there have been 125 hacks so far this year.

Binance CEO Changpeng Zhaosaidin an interview with CNBC last week that the crypto industry is vulnerable to hackers whenever customers move assets from one blockchain to another, but the goal is to learn from what caused the hack and develop extra safeguards in the future.

Cryptocurrency is not federally regulated or FDIC insured like a bank account, which means if an account gets hacked, the government will not work to restore a customer's funds.

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Khristopher J. Brooks is a reporter for CBS MoneyWatch covering business, consumer and financial stories that range from economic inequality and housing issues to bankruptcies and the business of sports.

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Cryptocurrency firm advised by Philip Hammond withdraws UK application – The Guardian

Posted: at 5:34 pm

A cryptocurrency firm that employs the former chancellor Philip Hammond as an adviser has withdrawn its application to operate in the UK, after struggling to win approval from the financial regulator.

The Guardian revealed earlier this year that Copper Technologies, in which Hammond holds a 0.5% stake, was considering seeking registration in Switzerland rather than the UK.

The company had been given temporary registration by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA), pending approval of the controls it had put in place to prevent money laundering and terrorist financing.

Fintech company Revolut, which had also been placed on the FCAs temporary list, was awarded full registration for its UK crypto business last month.

But Copper Technologies has revealed, in accounts filed at Companies House, that it had withdrawn its application and moved UK customers to Switzerland, after winning approval there.

Hammond, who was chancellor between July 2016 and July 2019, has been critical of the UK for failing to set up a comprehensive regulatory framework governing cryptocurrencies.

Earlier this year he said it was frankly quite shocking that Britain was lagging behind other countries.

The FCAs regime for digital assets currently covers money laundering and terrorist financing but not specific aspects of cryptocurrency trading and investing.

Hammond, recruited by Copper Technologies as a senior adviser in 2021, has growth shares that were thought to be worth up to $15m (13m), based on reports by Bloomberg that the company was seeking a valuation of $3bn in a fundraising exercise.

The accounts show that Copper Technologies has raised $196m so far but the ultimate success of the fundraising and thus the valuation could be affected by a broad global sell-off of digital assets over the past year.

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In the meantime, losses at Copper, which provides digital currency infrastructure to other businesses, have increased from 3.6m to 14.3m, accounts show.

A spokesperson for the company said: Copper maintains open and active dialogue with regulators across the jurisdictions where we are operating, including of course with the FCA. Since gaining our membership to [Swiss body] VQF in May, we are pleased to be able to offer clients services from Switzerland.

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