PICKS are stories from many sources, selected by our editors or recommended by our readers because they are important, surprising, troubling, enlightening, inspiring, or amusing. They appear on our site and in our daily newsletter. Please send suggested articles, videos, podcasts, etc. to picks@whowhatwhy.org.
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Estonians Plead Guilty To US Charges in $577M Crypto Scheme (Maria)
The author writes, “Two Estonian nationals have pleaded guilty to defrauding hundreds of thousands of people around the world in a $577M cryptocurrency Ponzi scheme, the Justice Department said Thursday. Sergei Potapenko and Ivan Turogin, both age 40, were extradited from Estonia to the United States last year to face charges of conspiracy to commit wire fraud. As part of their guilty pleas, the two agreed to forfeit assets valued at more than $400M, the Justice Department said in a statement. Sentencing by a US district court in Seattle, Washington was set for May 8. They face a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison.”
With Firings and Lax Enforcement, Trump Moving To Dismantle Government’s Public Integrity Guardrails (Reader Jim)
The authors write, “In the first three weeks of his administration, President Donald Trump has moved with brazen haste to dismantle the federal government’s public integrity guardrails that he frequently tested during his first term but now seems intent on removing entirely. … It’s all being done with a stop-me-if-you-dare defiance by a president who the first time around felt hemmed in by watchdogs, lawyers and judges tasked with affirming good government and fair play. Now, he seems determined to break those constraints once and for all in a historically unprecedented flex of executive power.”
Trump Administration Claws Back $80M Sent to NYC to House Migrants (Dana)
From The City: “Just days after Trump administration officials said they would suspend funding to New York City used to house and assist migrants, the Federal Emergency Management Agency went a step further and revoked $80 million in payments that had already cleared, city Comptroller Brad Lander said Wednesday. Lander, who is among candidates challenging Mayor Eric Adams in June’s Democratic primary, said officials in his office were the ones who identified the unprecedented clawback of money — which was a reimbursement for funds the city has already spent.”
As War Halts, the Environmental Devastation in Gaza Runs Deep (Laura)
From Yale Environment 360: “The war in Gaza has taken a heavy toll on the environment, with water supplies contaminated, raw sewage pouring into the Mediterranean, once-fertile soils ruined, and the land stripped of trees. Experts say the extent of the damage needs to be tallied to help plan for a recovery.”
What’s Behind Trump’s Colonial Dreams? (Laryn)
The author writes, “In many ways the story of the last 70 years is the story of decolonization, as independence movements across the world fought for liberty and self-determination, and colonial nations withdrew — sometimes voluntarily, and sometimes with a great deal of blood. Trump is calling for that progress not just to be rejected, but to be thrown in reverse. Call it a kind of recolonization — if not literally, then in spirit.”
Texas Reports New Measles Outbreak in West Texas (Sean)
From The Texas Tribune: “At least 10 cases of measles — eight of which are among school-aged children — have been reported in Gaines County in West Texas over the past two weeks, driving worries of an escalating outbreak. Of the cases so far, seven have been hospitalized, according to a Texas Health and Human Services alert. All were unvaccinated and residents of Gaines County, which has a population of about 22,000 and borders New Mexico.”
7 Planets Align on February 28, 2025: How to See the ‘Great Planet Parade’(Dana)
From Starwalk: “Curious if you can see 7 planets aligning on February 28? It’s easy to find out! Use the Time Machine feature in the Sky Tonight app to see how the planets will look from your location on the given date. This article provides a complete guide to observing the alignment and explains the science behind this amazing celestial event.”
