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Christian Church World News™ CCWN Television Network International
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00:00Here's a story that sounds more like a cyber thriller than real life, but I promise, it's all true, and it's shaking up the world of cryptocurrency.
00:08On February 21, 2025, North Korea's infamous Lazarus Group pulled off the largest crypto heist ever, stealing a jaw-dropping $1.5 billion from Bybit, one of the world's biggest crypto exchanges.
00:21To put that in perspective, if Bybit were a bank, this would be the biggest bank robbery in history, eclipsing even Saddam Hussein's legendary heist from Iraq's central bank.
00:31The attack was no run-of-the-mill hack. North Korean operatives known collectively as Lazarus Group, or as the FBI calls them, Traitor Traitor, compromised the development supply chain of Safe Wallet, a key wallet provider for Bybit.
00:45They managed to swap a legitimate bit of code with a malicious one, so when Bybit made its next big transaction, they weren't moving money to their own cold wallet.
00:54They were sending 401,000 Ethereum tokens straight into the hackers' hands. And here's where things get even wilder.
01:01Within just two days, Lazarus had already laundered $160 million of their loot, an amount experts say would have been impossible to move this fast not long ago.
01:10By February 26th, that total had already soared past $400 million, funneled through a dizzying maze of crypto wallets, mixers, and exchanges across multiple blockchains.
01:22Every minute counts for these hackers. According to crypto investigators, Lazarus works around the clock, possibly in shifts, using automation and years of experience to move funds before authorities can catch up.
01:33In fact, about 20% of the stolen money, roughly $300 million, has already gone dark, likely unrecoverable for good.
01:42So, what is all this money funding? The US and its allies accused North Korea of using these heists to bankroll its military and nuclear programs, making this not just a cybercrime, but a matter of global security.
01:54Bybit's CEO, Ben Zhou, has declared a war on Lazarus.
01:58The company launched a public bounty program, encouraging anyone to help track and freeze the stolen crypto.
02:05Thanks to these efforts, over $40 million has been successfully frozen, with more than $4 million in rewards paid out to eagle-eyed participants.
02:14But experts warn, with North Korea's skill and determination, most of the money will never be recovered.
02:20To complicate things, not every crypto exchange is playing ball.
02:24One exchange actually let more than $90 million slip through before finally cooperating, after a public backlash and a very heated email exchange.
02:33So what can we learn from all of this?
02:35In the world of crypto, the stakes are higher than ever.
02:38The Lazarus Group has proved there's always a new level of sophistication and speed in the cat-and-mouse game between hackers and the rest of us.
02:47If you're watching this, remember, in crypto, every second really does count.
02:51Stay curious and stay safe out there.
02:54The digital world connects billions, but it also amplifies ancient hatreds.
03:03Anti-Semitism has surged on social media, especially after major global events.
03:08Following the October 7, 2023 attacks, platforms were flooded with hateful posts and conspiracy theories targeting Jewish people.
03:15This wasn't an isolated incident, it was a global wave seen by millions.
03:20Algorithms designed for engagement often push shocking, hateful content to wider audiences.
03:25Anti-Semitic ideas are normalized and amplified in these echo chambers.
03:29For Jewish communities, the internet can quickly become a hostile space.
03:33The line between online hate and real-world violence is dangerously thin.
03:37Everyday users are exposed to anti-Semitic tropes, often disguised as political commentary.
03:43These ideas are rooted in centuries-old stereotypes, now spreading at unprecedented speed.
03:48Lies and hate can go viral before they're ever fact-checked or removed.
03:52The damage is done.
03:53The seeds of hatred are planted.
03:55This digital onslaught creates fear and intimidation for Jewish individuals and families.
03:59The constant barrage takes a psychological toll, forcing people to stay on guard.
04:04Anti-Semitism is not just history.
04:07It's thriving in the digital spaces we use every day.
04:10The threat is real, immediate, and global.
04:12The challenge?
04:13How do we fight back against hate that spreads at the speed of a click?
04:16The answer starts with understanding how this hate spreads.
04:20Hate spreads online with terrifying speed a single post can reach millions in minutes.
04:24Social media algorithms reward provocative emotional content regardless of truth or harm.
04:30Influential figures can legitimize dangerous ideas with just one post.
04:34When celebrities like Yeah, formerly Kanye West, share anti-Semitic messages, their words
04:39carry enormous weight.
04:41This mainstreams hate, making it seem acceptable to millions.
04:44Repetition normalizes bigotry what was once fringe becomes familiar.
04:48Anti-Semitic tropes now circulate openly on major platforms.
04:51The viral nature of this content desensitizes users and emboldens extremists.
04:57Social media accelerates the spread, exposing new generations to old hatreds.
05:02The result?
05:02A domino effect of hate, both online and offline.
05:05The challenge is not just the content, but the scale and speed of its spread.
05:09Fighting anti-Semitism online means disrupting this viral cycle.
05:13It requires vigilance, accountability, and new tools.
05:16That's where digital watchdogs come in.
05:19Enter CyberWell.
05:20The first open-source database tracking online anti-Semitism.
05:25CyberWell actively searches for hateful content across major platforms, using tech and human
05:30expertise.
05:31They define anti-Semitism by international standards, ensuring consistent data collection.
05:36When they find violations, they report them and track how platforms respond.
05:40Their data reveals which companies act and which don't.
05:44CyberWell shares this information with platforms, pushing for better moderation.
05:48They spot new trends and coded language that algorithms might miss.
05:52By making their findings public, they bring transparency and accountability.
05:56Anyone can see which platforms are removing hate and which are lagging.
06:01CyberWell empowers users, researchers, and journalists to demand better.
06:04In a world overwhelmed by digital hate, they provide the tools to fight back.
06:10Social media companies have rules against hate speech including anti-Semitism, but rules mean
06:15little without real enforcement.
06:17Platforms often hesitate citing free speech but hate that incites violence isn't protected.
06:22Allowing anti-Semitic content to flourish is a failure to protect users.
06:26Too often companies rely on users to report hate, shifting the burden to those targeted.
06:32This approach re-traumatizes victims and is not enough.
06:35Platforms have the resources to invest in better moderation, more human reviewers, smarter tech.
06:42The responsibility lies with the companies.
06:44They design the spaces and algorithms.
06:47When they fail to act, they choose to tolerate hate.
06:50This choice has real-world consequences fueling division and danger, enforcing their own rules
06:56is not censorship, it's basic responsibility, the stakes are too high for inaction, the time
07:01for excuses is over.
07:03Combating online anti-Semitism requires all of us.
07:07Users must demand transparency and accountability from social media companies.
07:11Support organizations like CyberWell that hold platforms to higher standards.
07:15Push for better content moderation, more trained humans, smarter algorithms and public data.
07:21Report hate when you see it, but don't engage or amplify it.
07:24Stand with those targeted, and educate yourself to recognize anti-Semitic tropes.
07:29Small actions create a culture less tolerant of hate.
07:32The goal digital spaces that connect, not divide.
07:35This isn't partisan, it's about safety and decency.
07:38Online anti-Semitism threatens not just Jews but the health of our society.
07:43It's time for users, advocates and companies to work together.
07:47We must insist on a digital world that's safer for everyone.
07:50The fight starts now.
07:56Alright, let's break down what happened when Trump gave his big address to Congress this March.
08:01Picture this, President Trump on the podium, the chamber buzzing with energy,
08:06and right up in the front row, Elon Musk himself, sitting as a guest of First Lady Melania Trump.
08:11Musk even got two standing ovations.
08:15Trump didn't waste any time before he leaned into the drama,
08:18praising Musk for his work on a brand new government agency with a meme-worthy name,
08:22Doge, the Department of Government Efficiency.
08:25And yes, Trump actually said, perhaps you've heard of it.
08:29Now here's where things got wild.
08:30Trump claimed Doge had uncovered hundreds of billions in government fraud and waste.
08:35He painted a picture of runaway spending even pointing to supposedly millions of people over
08:40100 years old collecting social security checks.
08:43He framed this as evidence of massive fraud in the system,
08:46promising to use Doge's savings to tackle the national debt and inflation.
08:50But let's pause and dig a little deeper.
08:52According to fact-checkers, Trump's numbers don't really add up.
08:56While Doge did claim over $100 billion in savings,
09:00most of that wasn't fraud, it was waste and cancelled contracts.
09:03And when you zoom in, CBS News found the real savings are closer to just under $9 billion,
09:09with lots of double counting and some questionable math.
09:13As for those millions of centenarians,
09:15turns out, only about 89,000 people over 99 are actually getting social security,
09:20and the inflated numbers?
09:22Mostly just database quirks, not proof of scammers cashing in.
09:26Still, Trump's speech brought a surprise twist.
09:28He singled out Musk for his innovative approach to economics,
09:32even suggesting that Musk's passion for Dogecoin could inspire new ways to manage federal finances.
09:38For a moment, it sounded like the meme coin itself was going to be America's new piggy bank.
09:43But that bromance didn't last.
09:45Just months later, things soured fast.
09:48Musk left Doge, and suddenly Trump was calling for a review of the billions in government subsidies
09:53Musk's companies received.
09:54Dogecoin's price took a nosedive, down 10% right after the feud and 22% for the week.
10:01It's clear, when Musk's political fortunes change, Dogecoin feels it.
10:06So, what's the takeaway?
10:08Trump's speech was big on spectacle, shoutouts, meme coins, wild numbers.
10:12But the reality is more complicated.
10:14The actual savings are much smaller, and the fraud claims?
10:18Mostly smoke and mirrors.
10:19What's not in doubt is this.
10:21Trump is making government waste and digital innovation headline issues.
10:25And in this new era, that means even a meme coin can end up in Congress.
10:30Stick around, because in American politics, even the memes might matter.
10:34Meta, the tech giant behind Facebook and Instagram, is no stranger to controversy, but a recent
10:45report has pulled back the curtain on a practice that's raising eyebrows across Silicon Valley,
10:49the do-not-rehire list.
10:51Let me break this down.
10:53According to a Business Insider investigation, Meta maintains an internal list of former employees
10:58who are barred from rejoining the company, even if they had stellar performance reviews or
11:03the backing of a vice president.
11:05Here's how it plays out.
11:06Imagine you're a senior engineer at Meta.
11:09You've spent over four years with the company, consistently blown past performance expectations,
11:14and even earned a promotion.
11:16When massive layoffs hit in 2022, you're among the 10,000 let go.
11:21But you're optimistic after all, your managers called your work crucial, and hiring teams seem
11:25eager to bring you back.
11:27But then, something strange happens.
11:29You submit nearly 20 applications and get nods from hiring managers.
11:34Yet every time the process reaches the recruiter stage, the conversations suddenly stop.
11:38No explanation, just radio silence.
11:41Eventually, after pushing for answers, you learn why you're on Meta's do-not-rehire list,
11:47and you're not alone.
11:48Business Insider spoke with five former Meta employees, including two managers, who confirmed
11:53these internal lists exist.
11:54While it's technically legal, employment experts say such lists are rare, especially when they
11:58ensnare high performers.
12:00Meta says it uses systems like a non-regrettable attrition or a do-not-rehire flag to track
12:06who's eligible to return.
12:07But here's the kicker, even when a manager wants to rehire someone, these systemic barriers
12:12can block the process entirely.
12:14And it doesn't stop with engineers.
12:16One ex-hardware employee, who also had top performance ratings, applied for a contract role.
12:22The staffing agency was keen until Meta's HR flagged them as ineligible.
12:26That was the end of that.
12:27So what's Meta's stance?
12:29The company insists these designations are fair, based on clear criteria like policy violations
12:34or performance metrics.
12:36A spokesperson claims there are checks and balances no single manager can block a return
12:41on a whim.
12:42Still, for former employees caught in this web, the rules are anything but transparent.
12:46In a job market already shaken by mass layoffs and fierce competition in fields like AI,
12:52these invisible barriers add another layer of uncertainty.
12:56As the tech landscape shifts, one question remains who really decides who gets a second
13:00chance at Meta?
13:02And how many talented professionals are being locked out without ever knowing why?
13:06Stay tuned for more on the evolving tech workplace.
13:09I'm here to keep you informed.
13:10Big shake-up at Petra Diamonds this week.
13:18After a challenging six months, think a loss of $69 million compared to $11 million last
13:23year, Petra's CEO Richard Duffy has stepped down by mutual agreement, with immediate effect.
13:29Now, leadership is in the hands of two interim joint CEOs, Vivek Gododia, who's been driving
13:35restructuring, and Juan Kemp, the man behind operations at the legendary Cullinan Mine in
13:40South Africa.
13:41So, why the tough times?
13:43The global diamond market has been on a downward trend, squeezing Petra's revenues and pushing
13:48net debt up from $193 million to $215 million by the end of 2024.
13:55Add to that some tricky timing with diamond sales and it's clear Petra's been feeling the pressure.
14:00Still, there's a glimmer of hope.
14:03Operational free cash inflow turned positive, $16 million up from a $21 million outflow last
14:10period.
14:11That's thanks to some hard-hitting cost reductions and a laser focus on streamlining.
14:16Petra's also been selling off non-core assets to weather the storm.
14:20In October, they parted ways with the Kofia-Fontine Mine, and by January, the Williamson Mine in
14:26Tanzania was sold for about $16 million.
14:28Now Petra's portfolio is leaner, centered on two major assets—the historic Cullinan Mine,
14:34famous for the world's largest gem-quality diamond, and the Finch Mine in South Africa's
14:39Northern Cape.
14:40With new leadership at the helm, Petra Diamonds is fighting to stabilize, manage debts, and
14:46position itself for recovery.
14:48The road ahead is challenging but every move now counts.
14:51For business leaders it's a reminder.
14:53Adaptability and decisive action are crucial when the market turns rough.
14:58Here's a headline that's making waves in both the tech and faith communities.
15:06A Christian non-profit led by theologian Christopher Yuan is taking on a major Silicon Valley company
15:12over claims of religious discrimination.
15:14Let's break down what happened.
15:16Yuan's group Holy Sexuality filed a lawsuit this week against Asana, a big name in project
15:22management software, right in the heart of San Francisco.
15:25The complaint?
15:26Asana allegedly refused to give Holy Sexuality a 50% non-profit discount on its software,
15:32simply because of the organization's religious foundation.
15:35Here's where it gets interesting.
15:37Asana's own website lists which groups are eligible for the non-profit discount.
15:41Hospitals, credit unions, educational institutions, and notably religious organizations that exist
15:46mainly to promote a specific faith, all excluded.
15:49Asana also points out that any group found to advocate, support, or practice discrimination
15:55based on a list of characteristics, including religion, won't get the discount either.
16:00Holy Sexuality, backed by the legal non-profit alliance Defending Freedom, argues that this
16:06policy singles out and excludes people of faith, and that's illegal under California's
16:11Unruh Civil Rights Act.
16:12The lawsuit claims, in no uncertain terms, that people of faith aren't second-class citizens
16:18in California, and that Silicon Valley companies shouldn't be allowed to treat religious groups
16:23differently from anyone else.
16:25So, what does Holy Sexuality want?
16:27They're asking the court to declare Asana's policy unlawful, to order the company to remove
16:32the policy, reconsider the non-profit application, and pay damages and attorney's fees.
16:37Christopher Yuan himself weighed in saying, this must stop.
16:41California law protects all religions from discrimination.
16:44Equal treatment is the bedrock of our society.
16:47Yuan, for those who don't know, is the author of Out of a Far Country, which details his journey
16:52from agnostic to Christian pastor and theologian.
16:55He's also known for his book, Holy Sexuality and the Gospel, where he defines holy sexuality
17:00as chastity in singleness and faithfulness in marriage.
17:03Now, it's worth noting that Asana hasn't made a public statement yet,
17:07but the story is gaining traction, and we'll have to see how the tech giant responds.
17:12At the end of the day, this case raises some big questions.
17:16Should private companies be able to exclude religious groups from non-profit benefits?
17:20Or does that cross a line into unlawful discrimination?
17:24This one's bound to stir up debate, not just in courtrooms but around dinner tables too.
17:28Thanks for watching.
17:29If you want to stay up to date on how this legal battle plays out, and what it means for
17:33faith in tech, make sure to hit subscribe and follow along.
17:42You
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