Latest news with #Then-U.S.
The Mainichi
2 days ago
- Business
- The Mainichi
Chronology of events linked to Nippon Steel's buyout of U.S. Steel
TOKYO (Kyodo) -- The following is a chronology of major events related to Nippon Steel Corp.'s plan to acquire United States Steel Corp. December 2023 -- Nippon Steel announces plan to acquire U.S. Steel. Jan. 3, 2025 -- Then-U.S. President Joe Biden issues order blocking sale of U.S. Steel to Nippon Steel, citing national security grounds. Jan. 6 -- Nippon Steel files lawsuit seeking to nullify Biden's decision. Jan. 20 -- Donald Trump returns to White House for nonconsecutive second term. Feb. 7 -- Trump says Nippon Steel will not acquire U.S. Steel but "invest heavily" in it. Early April -- Nippon Steel's vice chairman Takahiro Mori informs U.S. officials of plans to increase capital investment. April 7 -- Trump orders Committee on Foreign Investment in United States to reexamine Nippon Steel's takeover bid. May 23 -- Trump touts "partnership" between Nippon Steel, U.S. Steel. May 25 -- Trump says U.S. Steel will remain under American control after deal. June 12 -- Trump states United States has "golden share" in U.S. Steel. June 13 -- Nippon Steel announces that U.S. government has approved its acquisition plan.
USA Today
28-03-2025
- Business
- USA Today
Trump pardons three founders of BitMEX cryptocurrency exchange convicted of money laundering
Trump pardons three founders of BitMEX cryptocurrency exchange convicted of money laundering Show Caption Hide Caption Crypto prices jump after Trump sets plan for US strategic reserve Prices for bitcoin and the like have soared after Donald Trump set out plans for a U.S. cryptocurrency reserve. He said in a social media post that the stockpile would include bitcoin and ether, as well as smaller tokens XRP, solana and cardano. WASHINGTON − President Donald Trump has granted pardons to three founders of the BitMEX cryptocurrency exchange, according to a source familiar with the clemency. The co-founders – Arthur Hayes, Benjamin Delo and Samuel Reed – previously pleaded guilty in 2022 to one count each of violating the Bank Secrecy Act for flouting money laundering rules and failing to police the exchange. Trump signed the pardons Thursday without publicizing the action. BitMEX was fined $100 million in January for violating the Bank Secrecy Act by willfully failing to establish, implement, and maintain an adequate anti-money laundering and know-your-customer program. Delo issued a statement Friday saying the Justice Department "wrongfully targeted BitMEX and its co-founders." Delo also expressed his gratefulness to Trump for the pardon. 'This full and unconditional pardon by President Trump is a vindication of the position we have always held – that BitMEX, my co-founders and I should never have been charged with a criminal offense through an obscure, antiquated law," Delo said. "As the most successful crypto exchange of its kind, we were wrongfully made to serve as an example, sacrificed for political reasons and used to send inconsistent regulatory signals." "A legal wrong has been righted today and despite the distress I have been through over the past few years I'm pleased to have cleared my name and to be able to continue my life and philanthropic work without the burden of an unfounded conviction," Delo added. More: Trump pardons Trevor Milton, founder of bankrupt truck maker Nikola convicted of fraud Federal prosecutors had said as cryptocurrencies proliferate, companies engaged in the virtual economy become critical gatekeepers to ensure markets are fair, efficient and secure. Then-U.S. Attorney Damian Williams said the founders of Bitcoin Mercantile Exchange, nicknamed BitMEX, failed to implement even basic anti-money laundering policies. 'They allowed BitMEX to operate as a platform in the shadows of the financial markets,' Williams said. BitMEX is an online cryptocurrency derivatives exchange that served thousands of U.S. customers, according to court records. From at least September 2015 through the indictment of the founders in September 2020, the company "was in effect a money laundering platform," according to court records. The company's website advertised that 'no real name or other advanced verification is required on BitMEX,' according to court records. Reed wrote an email in August 2015 that BitMEX's advantages included 'the freedom to create an account without onerous KYC requirements,' referring to the federal requirements to 'know your customer.' Reed was notified in May 2018 of allegations that BitMEX was being used to launder the proceeds of a cryptocurrency hack, prosecutors said in court records. But neither Reed nor the company filed a suspicious activity report with the Treasury Department. Hayes of Miami and Delo of the United Kingdom and Hong Kong each pleaded guilty in February 2022 to one count of violating the Bank Secrecy Act. Each agreed to pay a $10 million fine. Reed pleaded guilty in March 2022 to the same crime and agreed to the same penalty. Hayes was sentenced in May 2022 to two years of probation, with the first six months in home detention. Delo was sentenced in June 2022 to 30 months of probation. Reed was sentenced in July 2022 to 18 months of probation. Prosecutors disagreed with the sentences, arguing that they should have been above the federal guidelines applied in the case because of the seriousness of the crimes. This story has been updated with more information.
Yahoo
19-03-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Zelensky Has a Real Chance to End the War, if He Can Accept These Harsh Realities
This article was originally featured in Foreign Policy, the magazine of global politics and ideas. As Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky awaits ceasefire talks and negotiations to end Russia's war in his country, he should reflect on an earlier chapter in this tragic conflict. In November 2022, just nine months after Moscow's armies invaded Ukraine, Mark Milley, then the U.S. chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, gave a talk at the Economic Club of New York. His insights were controversial, but they offer clues about how to bring this war to an acceptable end. Milley understood a brute fact about war: However entertaining the theatrics and the memes, outcomes in conflicts are determined on the battlefield—not by the narratives that politicians spin about them. Dismissing Ukraine's rhetoric about recovering all the territory Russia had seized, Milley insisted that 'victory is probably not achievable through military means' and offered a detailed analysis explaining why Kyiv's surprise counteroffensive had reached its limits. According to Milley, Ukraine now found itself bogged down in a stalemate, and its best option was to seize a 'window of opportunity for negotiation.' Milley's analysis recalled Prussian Gen. Carl von Clausewitz's oft-quoted explanation of the moral justification for the use of violence against other states: War is the continuation of politics by other means. Unless sending one's citizens to kill and be killed advances a viable political purpose, it is not a worthy use of the military instrument of power. If Ukraine had reached the limits of what it could achieve through violence, then how could it justify continuing the war? Then-U.S. President Joe Biden's administration distanced itself from Milley's remarks, and nothing came of his proposal. But a year later, another outstanding military commander came to the same conclusion. Valerii Zaluzhnyi, then Milley's Ukrainian counterpart, led the army that defeated Russian forces attempting to seize Kyiv in the early days of the war and drove them back in Ukraine's counteroffensive. By late 2023, though, Zaluzhnyi reluctantly concluded that the time had come to say what in Kyiv was a forbidden word: 'stalemate.' After months of attempting to get Zelensky to recognize this reality, in an initiative for which I can find no precedent in the annals of military history, Zaluzhnyi went public. In a lengthy November 2023 interview with the Economist that was accompanied by an essay, he explained his position. As he put it, 'the war is now moving to a new stage: what we in the military call 'positional' warfare of static and attritional fighting, as in the first world war. … This will benefit Russia, allowing it to rebuild its military power, eventually threatening Ukraine's armed forces and the state itself.' Three months later, he was no longer the commander of Ukraine's troops. As this war enters its fourth year, U.S. President Donald Trump and Vice President J.D. Vance are confronting the same ugly realities. Assessing the facts, they seem to agree with Milley and Zaluzhnyi. If the initiative that Milley envisaged had been undertaken and succeeded in ending the war by early 2023, what would be different in Ukraine today? More than 300,000 Ukrainian soldiers who have been killed or seriously wounded may have been spared. Thousands more civilians would still be alive. Some of the more than 2 million houses and apartments that have been damaged or destroyed might still be occupied, and around one-seventh of the country's energy infrastructure, more than half of which is now in ruins, would still be heating and lighting homes. After three years of war, Ukraine's economy remains almost 10 percent smaller than prewar levels. Meanwhile, nearly a quarter of its citizens remain displaced, with some 15 percent of them having left the country entirely. As Trump told Zelensky bluntly in the White House last month, 'you're not winning this.' Although Trump's rhetoric was harsh, it captured the basic truth that without the vital lifeline of supplies from the United States, Zelensky's forces simply cannot sustain the war. 'You don't have the cards right now,' Trump added. The Trump administration's position is not up for debate. The president stated repeatedly on the campaign trail, 'I want the war to stop.' Last week, Elon Musk—whom Trump has tasked with overhauling the federal government—said on X, 'What I am sickened by is years of slaughter in a stalemate that Ukraine will inevitably lose.' Every month that the war continues, Ukraine finds itself in a worse position. Rather than attempting to deny brute facts, persuade an unpersuadable Trump to change his mind, or wait for a European Godot, Zelensky should now focus on what he and his brave compatriots have won. They have defeated Russian President Vladimir Putin's attempt to erase their country from the map. Ukraine's army has fought the second-most powerful military on Earth to a standstill. At this point, Zelensky's team should make its best efforts to use the few cards that it has left to negotiate an ugly but sustainable peace. As Zelensky begins to accept this reality, I would suggest seven pointers. First, he needs to understand that the most important player at the table is Trump—and that the U.S. president's views are unlikely to change. Specifically, Trump disdains Zelensky (whom he believes provoked an unnecessary war and tricked Biden into paying for it); likes Putin (whom he sees as a strong leader); and doesn't really care about Ukraine. The only surprise in Trump and Vance's attack on Zelensky at the White House in late February was that the world got to see it because it occurred on TV. Zelensky will now have to earn a second audience with Trump, which will require a lot more than his recent public statement that he 'regretted' what happened. He will have to demonstrate respect—with a capital R—for the United States and its president. Were I counseling Zelensky, I would suggest that he practice groveling in a way that would make Mark Zuckerberg's version of that act seem dignified. He should also take lessons from NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte's masterclass in flattery during his meeting with Trump in mid-March. Second, Zelensky should accept the geographical fact that Ukraine shares a roughly 1,400-mile border with a great power. It cannot escape the shadow of Russian power any more than Canada or Mexico can with the United States. It must therefore seek to survive within the de facto sphere of influence of its hostile neighbor. For perspective, Zelensky should review the history of relations of Canada or Mexico with the United States—not just recently, but also in the past three centuries, when Washington seized portions of both countries. Closer to home, he could study Kazakhstan, Mongolia, and Finland—all of which offer lessons in deference. Third, Ukraine's alternative to hot war cannot be the 'just and lasting peace' that Zelensky dreams of. Instead, it will likely have to be an end to the killing in an extended ceasefire or possibly an armistice similar to the agreement that ended the Korean War. That would leave Ukraine in a relationship with Russia analogous to the Cold War between the U.S.-led NATO and the Soviet Union from the late 1940s until the end of the 1980s. Putin will not give up his goal of dominating Ukraine, and Ukrainians will not give up their aspiration to recover the nearly 20 percent of their territory that Russian troops now control. In this version of cold war, avoidance of provocations, credible deterrence, and persistent vigilance will be the price of survival. Fourth, to achieve the best insurance that he can get against Putin using a ceasefire as a respite to rearm before launching another invasion, Zelensky should forget about NATO. For Trump, NATO membership for Ukraine is simply off the table. Fifth, Zelensky should be realistic about the security commitments that may be available to him. Europeans are actively talking about commitments from individual countries—but, of course, talking is what Europeans do best. The strongest proposal so far has come from U.K. Prime Minister Keir Starmer, who expressed Britain's willingness to commit boots on the ground in Ukraine. Careful listeners will have noted, however, that Starmer insisted that this would only be possible if the United States commits to back up those forces—a prospect that U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth ruled out when he told NATO that Europe must take the lead in providing for Ukraine's postwar security. As Hegseth put it, any security guarantees 'must be backed by capable European and non-European troops. If these troops are deployed as peacekeepers to Ukraine at any point, they should be deployed as part of a non-NATO mission, and they should not be covered under Article 5.' If stretching for alternatives, Zelensky should consider Trump's earlier suggestion that 'China can help.' A peace agreement whose signatories and guarantors include not just Ukraine and Russia but also the United States, Europe, and China would be significant. Sixth, the key issue on which Zelensky and Trump agree is that peace (or the absence of hot war) must be sustainable—not simply a respite for Putin to rearm. Trump is planning for a long legacy for his 'Make America Great Again' movement. If he were to declare a 'beautiful' peace deal that then exploded on his watch or that of his successor, that would be a major failure for him. It will be both a challenge and opportunity for Zelensky to make a case for specific elements of the agreement that could ensure sustainability. Finally, Ukraine's larger hope for a viable future lies in its relationship with Europe. A peace agreement should confirm its right to strengthen economic relations with the European Union on a path to membership. Over the next decade or two, the EU's trajectory—from its economic growth to its military development to its role as a rising geopolitical player—vis-à-vis that of Putin's authoritarian, security-first Russia will shape the chessboard on which Ukraine, caught between the two, can operate. If a lasting peace is achieved, Ukraine can hope to follow in the footsteps of West Germany, South Korea, and Finland to become a miracle of the 21st century.
Yahoo
13-03-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Sister of Army soldier murdered at Texas base floats potential congressional challenge to Rep Al Green
The sister of Vanessa Guillén, a U.S. Army soldier murdered and dismembered at what was formerly called Fort Hood in Texas, is floating a potential congressional challenge to Rep. Al Green, D-Texas. Mayra Guillén said she was considering running against Green after watching his outbursts during President Donald Trump's address to Congress last week. After watching Green "disrespect" not only the president, "but our district, state and country, I believe it's time for me to get into the fight like I did for my sister Vanessa Guillen!" Mayra Guillén wrote on X on March 6. "It's time to end the propaganda displayed by these politicians, and time to help support [Trump] and his amazing [administration] to Make America Great Again! Al Green I'm coming for your seat." Family Of Murdered Fort Hood Soldier Vanessa Guillen Files $35M Lawsuit Against U.s. Army Local outlets, including the Houston Chronicle, picked up her potential congressional run in reports published Wednesday but said Guillén has yet to file the appropriate paperwork for a campaign. Fox News Digital reached out to Guillén for comment Thursday but did not immediately hear back. Read On The Fox News App Green has represented his heavily blue Houston congressional district since 2005 and was unopposed in last year's election. House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., ordered the Sergeant at Arms to remove Green from the chamber when he repeatedly shouted over and wagged his cane at Trump during the president's first congressional address back in office, and Republicans later voted to censure the long-time Democratic congressman. In 2021, Mayra Guillén founded the "I am Vanessa Guillén Foundation," an advocacy group intended to give a voice to survivors of sexual violence in the military. Murdered Fort Hood Soldier Vanessa Guillen Deserves Same Respect As George Floyd, Biden Must Act, Family Says Vanessa Guillén, a 20-year-old soldier stationed at Fort Hood, was declared missing in April 2020 from the base outside Killeen, Texas, prompting a months-long search. Authorities eventually said she was murdered and dismembered in an armory room by a fellow soldier, Army Spc. Aaron Robinson, who died by suicide on July 1, 2020, when authorities were closing in on him a day after Guillén's remains were found. The only person criminally charged in Guillén's death was Robinson's girlfriend, Cecily Aguilar, who authorities accused of helping him mutilate and hide the body. Aguilar was sentenced to 30 years in prison in August 2023 for accessory to murder. Guillén's family has said they believe she was sexually harassed during her time at the Texas military base. While Army officials have said they do not believe Robinson harassed Guillén, they admitted in a report a year later that Guillén was harassed by another soldier at the base. Then-U.S. Army Secretary Ryan McCarthy said during a visit to the Texas base that it had one of the highest rates of murder, sexual assault and harassment in the Army, later adding that the patterns of violence were a direct result of "leadership failures." State and federal lawmakers passed legislation in 2021 honoring Guillén that removed some authority from commanders and gave survivors more options to report abuse and harassment. Click To Get The Fox News App Army officials disciplined 21 commissioned and non-commissioned officers in connection with Guillén's death. Fort Hood was renamed to Fort Cavazos in May 2023. The Associated Press contributed to this report. Original article source: Sister of Army soldier murdered at Texas base floats potential congressional challenge to Rep Al Green
Fox News
13-03-2025
- Politics
- Fox News
Sister of Army soldier murdered at Texas base floats potential congressional challenge to Rep Al Green
The sister of Vanessa Guillén, a U.S. Army soldier murdered and dismembered at what was formerly called Fort Hood in Texas, is floating a potential congressional challenge to Rep. Al Green, D-Texas. Mayra Guillén said she was considering running against Green after watching his outbursts during President Donald Trump's address to Congress last week. After watching Green "disrespect" not only the president, "but our district, state and country, I believe it's time for me to get into the fight like I did for my sister Vanessa Guillen!" Mayra Guillén wrote on X on March 6. "It's time to end the propaganda displayed by these politicians, and time to help support [Trump] and his amazing [administration] to Make America Great Again! Al Green I'm coming for your seat." Local outlets, including the Houston Chronicle, picked up her potential congressional run in reports published Wednesday but said Guillén has yet to file the appropriate paperwork for a campaign. Fox News Digital reached out to Guillén for comment Thursday but did not immediately hear back. Green has represented his heavily blue Houston congressional district since 2005 and was unopposed in last year's election. House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., ordered the Sergeant at Arms to remove Green from the chamber when he repeatedly shouted over and wagged his cane at Trump during the president's first congressional address back in office, and Republicans later voted to censure the long-time Democratic congressman. In 2021, Mayra Guillén founded the "I am Vanessa Guillén Foundation," an advocacy group intended to give a voice to survivors of sexual violence in the military. Vanessa Guillén, a 20-year-old soldier stationed at Fort Hood, was declared missing in April 2020 from the base outside Killeen, Texas, prompting a months-long search. Authorities eventually said she was murdered and dismembered in an armory room by a fellow soldier, Army Spc. Aaron Robinson, who died by suicide on July 1, 2020, when authorities were closing in on him a day after Guillén's remains were found. The only person criminally charged in Guillén's death was Robinson's girlfriend, Cecily Aguilar, who authorities accused of helping him mutilate and hide the body. Aguilar was sentenced to 30 years in prison in August 2023 for accessory to murder. Guillén's family has said they believe she was sexually harassed during her time at the Texas military base. While Army officials have said they do not believe Robinson harassed Guillén, they admitted in a report a year later that Guillén was harassed by another soldier at the base. Then-U.S. Army Secretary Ryan McCarthy said during a visit to the Texas base that it had one of the highest rates of murder, sexual assault and harassment in the Army, later adding that the patterns of violence were a direct result of "leadership failures." State and federal lawmakers passed legislation in 2021 honoring Guillén that removed some authority from commanders and gave survivors more options to report abuse and harassment. Army officials disciplined 21 commissioned and non-commissioned officers in connection with Guillén's death. Fort Hood was renamed to Fort Cavazos in May 2023.
