NEW YORK (AP) — The founder and former CEO of the failed cryptocurrency lending platform Celsius Network could face decades in prison after pleading guilty Tuesday to federal fraud charges, admitting that he misled customers about the business. Alexander Mashinsky, 58, of Manhattan, entered the plea in New York federal court to commodities and securities fraud. He admitted illegally manipulating the price of Celsius’s proprietary crypto token while secretly selling his own tokens at inflated prices to pocket about $48 million before Celsius collapsed into bankruptcy in 2022. In court, he admitted that in 2021 he publicly suggested there was regulatory consent for the company’s moves because he knew that customers “would find false comfort” with that. And he said that in 2019, he was selling the crypto tokens even though he told the public that he was not. He said he knew customers would draw false comfort from that too. “I accept full responsibility for my actions,” Mashinsky said of crimes that stretched from 2018 to 2022 as the company pitched itself to customers as a modern-day bank where they could safely deposit crypto assets and earn interest. U.S. Attorney Damian Williams said in a release that Mashinsky “orchestrated one of the biggest frauds in the crypto industry” as his company’s assets purportedly grew to about $25 billion at its peak, making it one of the largest crypto platforms in the world. He said Mashinsky used catchy slogans like “Unbank Yourself” to entice prospective customers with a pledge that their money would be as safe in crypto accounts as money would be in a bank. Meanwhile, prosecutors said, Mashinsky and co-conspirators used customer deposits to fund market purchases of the Celsius token to prop up its value. Machinsky made tens of millions of dollars selling his own CEL tokens at artificially high prices, leaving his customers “holding the bag when the company went bankrupt,” Williams said. An indictment alleged that Mashinsky promoted Celsius through media interviews, his social media accounts and Celsius’ website, along with a weekly “Ask Mashinsky Anything” session broadcast that was posted to Celsius’ website and a YouTube channel. Celsius employees from multiple departments who noticed false and misleading statements in the sessions warned Mashinsky, but they were ignored, the indictment said. A plea agreement Mashinsky made with prosecutors calls for him to be sentenced to up to 30 years in prison and to forfeit over $48 million, which is the amount of money he allegedly made by selling his company’s token. Sentencing was scheduled for April 8.Scoreboard: Chase Hawks Rough Stock Rodeo resultsLITTLE ROCK, Ark. (AP) — Voters dejected by the presidential election results need to find a way to give back and remain involved, Bill and Hillary Rodham Clinton said Saturday as they celebrated the 20th anniversary of the Clinton presidential library. The former president urged audience members in a packed theater to remain engaged and find ways to communicate with those they disagree with despite a divisive political time. The two spoke about a month after former President Donald Trump's win over Vice President Kamala Harris in the presidential election. “We’re just passing through, and we all need to just calm down and do something that builds people up instead of tears them down,” Bill Clinton said. Hillary Clinton, the former secretary of state who was defeated by Trump in the 2016 election, said she understands the next couple of years are going to be challenging for voters who don't agree with the decisions being made. "In addition to staying involved and staying aware, it’s important to find something that makes you feel good about the day because if you’re in a constant state of agitation about our political situation, it is really going to shorten your life," she said. The Clintons spoke during a panel discussion with journalist Laura Ling, who the former president helped free in 2009 when she was detained in North Korea with another journalist. The event was held as part of a weekend of activities marking the 20th anniversary of the Clinton Presidential Library's opening in Little Rock. The library is preparing to undergo an update of its exhibits and an expansion that will include Hillary Clinton's personal archives. Hillary Clinton said part of the goal is to modernize the facility and expand it to make it a more open, inviting place for people for convene and make connections. When asked about advice he would give for people disappointed by the election results, Bill Clinton said people need to continue working toward bringing people together and improving others' lives. “If that's the way you keep score, then you ought to be trying to run up the score,” he said. “Not lamenting the fact that somebody else is winning a different game because they keep score a different way." “And in addition, figure out what we can do to win again,” Hillary Clinton added, eliciting cheers. The program featured a panel discussion with cast members of the hit NBC show “The West Wing” and former Clinton White House staffers. The weekend amounted to a reunion of former Clinton White House staffers, supporters and close friends, including former Virginia Gov. Terry McAuliffe and adviser James Carville. McAuliffe said he and Carville ate Friday at Doe's Eat Place, a downtown restaurant that was popular with Clinton aides and reporters during Clinton's 1992 White House run. He said he viewed the library and its planned expansion as important for the future. “This is not only about the past, but it's more importantly about the future," McAuliffe said. “We just went through a very tough election, and people are all saying we've got to get back to the Clinton model.”
Tesla ( TSLA -4.75% ) shares have been soaring since the U.S. election in early November. But as the trading week comes to a close, the stock is on track to have its second consecutive losing day. As of 12:35 p.m. ET Friday, Tesla shares were down 4.3%. Yet, they have still soared by 70% over the past three months. Most of that gain has come after Donald Trump won the U.S. presidential election with backing from Tesla CEO Elon Musk . Tesla needs a record fourth quarter The pause in the rally is coming as we approach the end of the year, with investors realizing the company may not hit 2023 electric vehicle (EV) delivery numbers. Tesla must deliver about 515,000 EVs in the fourth quarter to match the 1.8 million units shipped in 2023. A push to ship vehicles at the end of the year is common, however. Tesla's record quarterly delivery was almost 485,000 vehicles in last year's fourth quarter. But analysts, on average, think the company might come up just shy of Tesla's target this year, predicting 510,000 unit sales. After the stock's monster run over the last several months, a miss on fourth-quarter shipments will likely push the stock lower. Some investors are betting that's what will come when Tesla releases its fourth-quarter production and delivery figures next week. One bright spot that could outperform expectations is Tesla's sales in China. Reports show that the fourth quarter is looking strong for Tesla's China sales, with nearly 22,000 EVs sold during the first week of this month. That would be the best week of the fourth quarter. Long-term investors shouldn't worry too much about quarterly data, though. Much of the recent run in Tesla stock came from expectations that its autonomous driving technology is getting closer to reality, with the White House potentially easing regulatory hurdles for Musk and his team. If Tesla can offer leading self-driving software to customers, it could be a huge revenue source for the company. Investors who believe that's coming should buy the dip.Arkansas WR Andrew Armstrong declares for NFL draft, skipping bowl
Spotlight on Newmont: Analyzing the Surge in Options ActivityAlongside our Game of the Year top 10 list and personal picks from the Push Square editorial team, we are recognising the best PS5 games of 2024 in select categories. Today is the turn of the best PS5 RPG of 2024 . Bronze Trophy: Unicorn Overlord Unicorn Overlord is another banger from the supremely talented developer that is Vanillaware. This strategic RPG is a beautifully crafted experience, all the way from the art direction to the gameplay mechanics. Granted, the story's a little rote, but amassing an entire army of fantastically diverse characters is never dull — and actually finding ways to best utilise those characters is a devilishly addictive process. An immaculate adventure. Read our Unicorn Overlord PS5 review through the link. Silver Trophy: Final Fantasy VII Rebirth Outside the imposing walls of Midgar, Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth is allowed to breathe, and fully embraces the grand sense of adventure that was so prevalent in the original PS1 classic. Rebirth expands on so much of what Remake got right, providing a robust RPG that offers up superb combat encounters and great character progression. But perhaps most importantly, there's a clear love for the source material on display here; everything is reimagined in often shockingly impressive detail, and the main cast feel brilliantly realised, without losing what made them so iconic in the first place. Read our Final Fantasy VII Rebirth PS5 review through the link. Gold Trophy: Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth faced a ludicrously tough task in handling both the stories of Kazuma Kiryu and Ichiban Kasuga in a single, cohesive campaign, and RGG Studio figured it all out like water off a duck's back. Split across three open world maps, you'll at times construct and improve two entirely separate parties, each fighting on a different front. It's a demand most other studios would crumble under, but the Japanese team came out the other side all the better for it. Piecing all those turn-based fights and party management features together is the exact sort of story you'd expect of a Yakuza title: fascinating, twisting, unexpected, comical, and incredible. With over 80 hours of content to invest in when accounting for all the minigames and side stories, Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth is the quintessential JRPG. It's a best-in-class effort from RGG Studio that proves the series is only ever on an upward trajectory, somehow only ever getting better and better. Read our Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth PS5 review through the link. Platinum Trophy: Metaphor: ReFantazio It may basically be a political take on Persona , but when the other IP from Atlus is already so strong, it would be silly for Metaphor: ReFantazio not to use that basic structure and take it to new heights. There's a slightly more streamlined approach to some things in the JRPG, like the more straightforward Archetype system and removing the need to equip specific monsters to strengthen relationship bonds. This allows you to better focus on the combat and building connections with teammates without the worry of failure, turning Metaphor into a JRPG that allows for so much more experimentation. The overall party continually grows throughout the 75-hour campaign, and the story remains gripping from the start to the very end. With the stunning visual style of an Atlus title, a great soundtrack, and a truly fantastic cast of characters, Metaphor: ReFantazio delivers absolutely everything you could possibly want out of a turn-based RPG in 2024. This is the subgenre at its new peak. Read our Metaphor: ReFantazio PS5 review through the link. Do you agree with our picks for the best PS5 RPG of 2024 ? Post your thoughts in the comments below and check out more of our Game of the Year coverage through the link.
On the campaign trail in Dublin Mid-West with Eoin Ó Broin and...Eoin Ó Broin
Article content The man known as “Canadian Dave” has been missing in Kabul for more than three weeks. Recommended Videos There is no confirmation if he is alive, a captive, jailed or in hospital? All his friends, family and peers can do is hope for the best after Dave Lavery vanished in Kabul on Nov. 11, Remembrance Day. They hope he’s still with us. They believe he is. But there is nothing confirmed from either Canada or Afghanistan. The Taliban hold all the cards. Canada holds none. The whereabouts and status of this Canadian hero to so many who escaped from Afghanistan remains a mystery. “We have nothing to add to our previous statement,” said Global Affairs Canadan (GAC). Keeping their cards close, Canadian government officials have previously only acknowledged the former Canadian special operations soldier — now a civilian exfiltration expert — disappeared near the same Kabul airport where he helped more than 100 Afghans escape to Canada during the 2021 fall of Afghanistan. He also assisted hundreds of others from other countries. “The Government of Canada’s first priority is always the safety and security of its citizens,” said GAC spokesperson Charlotte MacLeod. “For this reason, in addition to privacy considerations, we will not comment on or release any information on specific cases. Doing so may compromise ongoing efforts or endanger the safety of Canadians.” There has been no sign of the Canadian some call the “Angel of Afghanistan” since the day he vanished. If anybody in authority has any information on him, they are not sharing it. Recommended video But sources told The Toronto Sun they believe Lavery is alive, and being held by the Taliban somewhere in Kabul. “I was given assurances that he is alive and well and being taken care of,” said, Chris Ecklunda, a philanthropist and president of Canadian Process Serving Inc. “We can only hope that is true.” If this a kidnapping and ransom situation, no one is saying. The whereabouts of Lavery’s wife and son are also not known. The question is what happens next? And what to do next? “We need to pressure Global Affairs Canada and the rest of the government into action or this will linger,” said a friend who worked with Lavery in Afghanistan and is a noted expert on the Taliban. “Winter is coming to Kabul — the people are starving. But realistically, the Taliban could care less about Canada and what we have to offer. My suspicion is that they’re rounding up foreigners as a reaction to the recent election (in the U.S.) — in order to build up stock to trade once Trump comes into office.” The good news in that is that Lavery should be kept alive. However, it’s unclear who would negotiate his release and what the Taliban would want in exchange. And Ecklunda said there is also more bad news for Afghan people because the project he has been working on — to build a new school and send over supplies — is on hold until the Lavery situation is resolved. Sometimes these things work out well, and sometimes they don’t. I have covered numerous Canadians who have been detained abroad, including the two Michaels — Michael Kovrig and Michael Spavor — who were released after spending more than 1,000 days in Chinese custody. In the case of the Michaels, we had a happy homecoming story. But they all don’t end up that way. For example, Robert Hall and John Ridsdel were kidnapped in 2016 by Abu Sayyaf in the Philippines and later murdered. It’s a reminder of what a dangerous game this is. Patience is key. “There are good people working on it,” said retired general Dean Milner. “It’s important that we do because Dave Lavery has served this country with distinction for a long time.” While it’s true, no one is quite sure of Canadian Dave’s whereabouts or offered any proof that he is alive. Another truth: He is not forgotten.SEOUL, South Korea (AP) — The president of South Korea early Wednesday lifted the martial law he imposed on the country hours earlier, bending to political pressure after a tense night in which troops surrounded parliament and lawmakers voted to reject military rule. President Yoon Suk Yeol, who appeared likely to be impeached over his actions, imposed martial law late Tuesday out of frustration with the opposition, vowing to eliminate “anti-state” forces as he struggles against opponents who control parliament and that he accuses of sympathizing with communist North Korea. Police and military personnel were seen leaving the grounds of parliament following the bipartisan vote to overrule the president, and the declaration was formally lifted around 4:30 a.m. during a Cabinet meeting. Parliament acted swiftly after martial law was imposed, with National Assembly Speaker Woo Won Shik declaring that the law was “invalid” and that lawmakers would “protect democracy with the people.” In all, martial law was in effect for about six hours. The president’s surprising move harkened back to an era of authoritarian leaders that the country has not seen since the 1980s, and it was immediately denounced by the opposition and the leader of Yoon’s own conservative party. Lee Jae-myung , leader of the liberal Democratic Party, which holds the majority in the 300-seat parliament, said the party’s lawmakers would remain in the Assembly’s main hall until Yoon formally lifted his order. Woo applauded how troops quickly left the Assembly after the vote. “Even with our unfortunate memories of military coups, our citizens have surely observed the events of today and saw the maturity of our military,” Woo said. While announcing his plan to lift martial law, Yoon continued to criticize parliament’s attempts to impeach key government officials and senior prosecutors. He said lawmakers had engaged in “unscrupulous acts of legislative and budgetary manipulation that are paralyzing the functions of the state.” Jo Seung-lae, a Democratic lawmaker, claimed that security camera footage following Yoon’s declaration showed that troops moved in a way that suggested they were trying to arrest Lee, Woo and even Han Dong-hoon, the leader of Yoon’s People Power Party. Officials from Yoon’s office and the Defense Ministry did not respond to requests for comment early Wednesday. Seemingly hundreds of protesters gathered in front of the Assembly, waving banners and calling for Yoon’s impeachment. Some protesters scuffled with troops ahead of the lawmakers’ vote, but there were no immediate reports of injuries or major property damage. At least one window was broken as troops attempted to enter the Assembly building. One woman tried unsuccessfully to pull a rifle away from one of the soldiers, while shouting “Aren’t you embarrassed?” Under South Korea’s constitution, the president can declare martial law during “wartime, war-like situations or other comparable national emergency states” that require the use of military force to maintain peace and order. It was questionable whether South Korea is currently in such a state. When martial law is declared, “special measures” can be employed to restrict freedom of press, freedom of assembly and other rights, as well as the power of courts. The constitution also states that the president must oblige when the National Assembly demands the lifting of martial law with a majority vote. Following Yoon’s announcement of martial law, South Korea’s military proclaimed that parliament and other political gatherings that could cause “social confusion” would be suspended, South Korea’s Yonhap news agency said. The military said anyone who violated the decree could be arrested without a warrant. In Washington, the White House said the U.S. was “seriously concerned” by the events in Seoul. A spokesperson for the National Security Council said President Joe Biden’s administration was not notified in advance of the martial law announcement and was in contact with the South Korean government. Pentagon spokesman Maj. Gen. Pat Ryder said there was no effect on the more than 27,000 U.S. service members based in South Korea. The South Korean military also said that the country’s striking doctors should return to work within 48 hours, Yonhap said. Thousands of doctors have been striking for months over government plans to expand the number of students at medical schools. Soon after martial law was declared, the parliament speaker called on his YouTube channel for all lawmakers to gather at the National Assembly. He urged military and law enforcement personnel to “remain calm and hold their positions. All 190 lawmakers who participated in the vote supported the lifting of martial law. At one point, television footage showed police officers blocking the entrance of the National Assembly and helmeted soldiers carrying rifles in front of the building. An Associated Press photographer saw at least three helicopters, likely from the military, that landed inside the Assembly grounds, while two or three helicopters circled above the site. The leader of Yoon’s conservative party called the decision to impose martial law “wrong.” Lee, who narrowly lost to Yoon in the 2022 presidential election, said Yoon’s announcement was “illegal and unconstitutional.” Yoon said during a televised speech that martial law would help “rebuild and protect” the country from “falling into the depths of national ruin.” He said he would “eradicate pro-North Korean forces and protect the constitutional democratic order.” “I will eliminate anti-state forces as quickly as possible and normalize the country,” he said, while asking the people to believe in him and tolerate “some inconveniences.” Yoon — whose approval rating dipped in recent months — has struggled to push his agenda against an opposition-controlled parliament since taking office in 2022. His party has been locked in an impasse with the liberal opposition over next year’s budget bill. The opposition has also attempted to impeach three top prosecutors, including the chief of the central Seoul prosecutors’ office, in what the conservatives have called a vendetta against their criminal investigations of Lee, who has been seen as the favorite for the next presidential election in 2027 in opinion polls. During his televised announcement, Yoon also described the opposition as “shameless pro-North Korean anti-state forces who are plundering the freedom and happiness of our citizens.” He did not elaborate. Yoon has taken a hard line on North Korea over its nuclear ambitions, departing from the policies of his liberal predecessor, Moon Jae-in, who pursued inter-Korean engagement. Yoon has also dismissed calls for independent investigations into scandals involving his wife and top officials, drawing quick, strong rebukes from his political rivals. Yoon’s move was the first declaration of martial law since the country’s democratization in 1987. The country’s last previous martial law was in October 1979, following the assassination of former military dictator Park Chung-hee. Sydney Seiler, Korean chair at the Center for Strategic and International Studies, argued that the move was symbolic for Yoon to express his frustration with the opposition-controlled parliament. “He has nothing to lose,” said Seiler, comparing Yoon’s move to the Hail Mary pass in American football, with a slim chance of success. Now Yoon faces likely impeachment, a scenario that was also possible before he made the bold move, Seiler said. Natalia Slavney, research analyst at the Stimson Center’s 38 North website that focuses on Korean affairs, said Yoon’s imposition of martial law was “a serious backslide of democracy" that followed a “worrying trend of abuse” since he took office in 2022. South Korea “has a robust history of political pluralism and is no stranger to mass protests and swift impeachments,” Slavney said, citing the example of former President Park Geun-hye, the country’s first female president, who was ousted from office and imprisoned for bribery and other crimes in 2017 . Associated Press writers Hyung-jin Kim in Seoul, South Korea, and Matt Lee, Didi Tang and Tara Copp in Washington contributed to this report.A $100bn tech company you've probably never heard of is teaming up with the world's biggest memory manufacturers to produce supercharged HBM
