AGs James, Tong other sue Linda McMahon and her department

**New York and Connecticut Attorneys General Lead Lawsuit Against Department of Education Over New PSLF Rule**

New York Attorney General Letitia James, Connecticut Attorney General William Tong, and 20 other state attorneys general have filed a lawsuit in the U.S. District Court for the District of Massachusetts against the U.S. Department of Education and Linda McMahon, in her official capacity as Secretary of the Department of Education.

Linda McMahon, former CEO of World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE) in Stamford, is named in the suit concerning a new federal rule restricting eligibility for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) program. The PSLF program allows government and nonprofit employees to have their federal student loans forgiven after ten years of qualifying service.

The lawsuit alleges that the Department of Education’s new rule unlawfully limits eligibility by disqualifying entire state governments, hospitals, schools, and nonprofit organizations if the government unilaterally determines they have engaged in activities disfavored by the previous administration. These activities reportedly include support for immigrants, gender-affirming health care, or diversity programs.

According to the attorneys general, this rule is not only unlawful but also politically motivated. They argue the rule intends to punish states and organizations that the administration opposes.

The PSLF program was established by Congress in 2007. Attorney General James emphasized its importance, saying, “Public Service Loan Forgiveness was created as a promise to teachers, nurses, firefighters, and social workers that their service to our communities would be honored.”

She added, “Instead, this administration has created a political loyalty test disguised as a regulation. It is unjust and unlawful to cut off loan forgiveness for hardworking Americans based on ideology. I will not let our federal government punish New York’s public servants for doing their jobs or standing up for our values.”

The Department of Education finalized the controversial new rule on October 31, with the rule scheduled to take effect in July of next year.

James and the other attorneys general warn that entire classes of public workers—including teachers, health professionals, and legal aid attorneys representing immigrants—could suddenly lose PSLF eligibility despite fulfilling all program requirements.

Highlighting current tensions, James pointed out that earlier this year, the U.S. Department of Justice sued New York over its “Protect Our Courts Act.” This state law ensures that immigration enforcement does not deter individuals from seeking justice in state courts. Under the new PSLF rule, the attorneys general contend that the administration could deem the “Protect Our Courts Act” as having a “substantial illegal purpose” and use that as grounds to deny loan forgiveness to thousands of New York public employees.

The lawsuit underscores that the new rule is flatly illegal. The PSLF law guarantees forgiveness for anyone who works full-time in qualifying public service. It does not grant the Department of Education authority to impose ideological tests or selectively target state policies or social programs while exempting federal agencies from similar scrutiny.

The group of attorneys general is asking the federal court to declare the new rule unlawful, vacate it, and bar the Department of Education from enforcing or implementing it. They stand united in their commitment to protect the promise of loan forgiveness for public servants nationwide.
https://westfaironline.com/fairfield/ags-james-tong-other-sue-linda-mcmahon-and-her-department/

Bitcoin, Ethereum and Dogecoin Plunge as Crypto Liquidations Top $1.1 Billion

After a rough October that didn’t deliver the anticipated “Uptober” gains for Bitcoin and other top crypto assets, November is off to a challenging start. Major cryptocurrencies are deep in the red so far this Monday, with Bitcoin plunging 4% and altcoins suffering even larger losses.

Liquidations are piling up quickly. According to data from CoinGlass, approximately $1.16 billion worth of positions were liquidated over the last 24 hours. The vast majority of these, about $1.08 billion, were long positions—bets that asset prices would rise.

Bitcoin and Ethereum are leading the downturn, with liquidations totaling around $298 million and $273 million respectively. Bitcoin has dropped 4% on the day to a recent price of $20,699, marking its lowest level since October 17, as reported by CoinGecko. Ethereum and other altcoins have been hit even harder, with ETH declining roughly 7% to $3,583—a near three-month low.

Other notable losses include XRP, which has fallen about 7% to $2.33. BNB, Solana, and Dogecoin are all experiencing daily declines around 9% at the time of writing.

Interestingly, this latest crypto plunge comes even as major stock indices like the Nasdaq and S&P 500 remain in positive territory. There are no clear catalysts explaining such significant crypto losses this Monday.

However, on X (formerly Twitter), noted pseudonymous analyst Maartunn from CryptoQuant highlighted several potential factors driving today’s downturn. These include sell pressure from U.S. spot Bitcoin traders and apparent “signs of fragility” in the Ethereum charts.

Crypto prices began slipping late Sunday after comments from U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent regarding the impact of high interest rates on the economy. Bessent warned that “parts of the economy” may have been pushed “into recession.” As a result, crypto traders may be bracing for short-term volatility ahead of this week’s critical jobs report.
https://decrypt.co/347154/bitcoin-ethereum-dogecoin-plunge-crypto-liquidations-topping-1-1-billion

MSI made a Raspberry Pi-like PC with Intel x86 processors

MSI has released a new single-board computer powered by Intel’s Alder Lake, Amston Lake, or Twin Lake x86 processors. Designed in a compact Pico-ITX form factor, the MS-CF16 V3.0 measures just 101 x 73 millimeters (roughly 4 x 2.9 inches) and weighs only 300 grams (0.6 pounds), making it similar in size to a standard Raspberry Pi board. This board targets “deployment in extreme environments and industrial use cases,” offering robust performance in a small package.

### Compact Design with Rich Connectivity

Despite its tiny footprint, the MS-CF16 V3.0 boasts a versatile set of connectivity options. It includes:

– Two USB 3.2 Type-A ports
– Two USB 2.0 ports
– Two Ethernet LAN connectors (2.5 Gb and 1 Gb)
– An M.2 B Key slot for storage or cellular modules
– An M.2 E Key slot for Wi-Fi or Bluetooth cards
– SATA 3.0 support

For video output, the board can simultaneously drive up to two displays using the HDMI port combined with either the LVDS or embedded DisplayPort interface.

### Built for Harsh Environments

One of the standout features of the MS-CF16 V3.0 is its rugged design. It operates reliably in harsh conditions ranging from -40°C (-40°F) to 70°C (158°F), all while relying on passive cooling with no fans. This makes it well-suited for industrial settings where durability and stability are critical.

### Processor Options

MSI offers three Intel processor choices for this board:

– **Intel Atom X7433RE**: 4 cores, up to 3.4 GHz max clock speed, 9W TDP
– **Intel Processor N97**: 4 cores, up to 3.6 GHz max turbo frequency, 12W TDP
– **Intel Processor N150**: 4 cores, 6W TDP, up to 3.6 GHz max turbo frequency (commonly found in mini PCs and entry-level Windows laptops)

### Availability and Use Cases

The MS-CF16 V3.0 is not available through typical retail channels. Instead, it is aimed exclusively at embedded hardware applications for companies and organizations. Targeted industries include factory automation, smart kiosks, transportation systems, and edge computing devices.

While it is not currently listed with US distributors, the board is available through authorized sellers in Canada, Germany, and other regions.

In a press release, MSI stated:
*”With its compact size, wide temperature tolerance, and rich feature set, the MS-CF16 V3.0 is designed to meet the diverse needs of embedded system developers, industrial OEMs, and system integrators. Whether used in smart manufacturing, medical equipment, digital signage, or transportation infrastructure, this board delivers performance, stability, and expandability in a small form factor.”*

### Alternative Options for US Buyers

If you are based in the United States and looking for a compact x86-based PC, you might consider alternatives like the GMKtec NucBox G5 or fanless MeLE Mini PC. Unlike the Raspberry Pi, these devices support standard Microsoft Windows versions and a wide range of other x86-compatible operating systems, providing greater versatility for general computing needs.

The MSI MS-CF16 V3.0 bridges the gap between industrial robustness and compact design, offering a specialized solution for embedded systems operating in extreme environments. While it may not be suited for everyday consumer use, it opens new possibilities in industrial and embedded applications.
https://www.howtogeek.com/msi-made-a-raspberry-pi-like-pc-with-intel-x86-processors/

Don’t wait until Black Friday, grab a Nintendo Switch 2 and two of its best games at a mega discount with this early bundle deal

If you’ve been waiting for a decent Nintendo Switch 2 discount before picking up the new console, then I’ve managed to find the perfect bundle deal for you.

Right now, over at Very, you can get your hands on a Nintendo Switch 2 Mario Kart World bundle with a copy of Donkey Kong Bananza for just £459 (was £489) as part of the retailer’s early Black Friday deals.

The Nintendo Switch 2 Mario Kart World bundle has an RRP of £429.99, while Donkey Kong Bananza retails for £64.99. This gives you an overall saving of £35.98 compared to buying everything individually at full price.

If you only want the console and Mario Kart World, you can secure a bargain with the Nintendo Switch 2 Mario Kart World bundle for just £409 (was £429) also at Very.

### Today’s Best Nintendo Switch 2 Deals

Both Mario Kart World and Donkey Kong Bananza are among the best Nintendo Switch 2 games available right now. They’re some of my favorite experiences on the console, and I would go so far as to say they’re essential purchases for anyone buying Nintendo’s latest system.

That’s what makes this bundle—including both games—so worthwhile. You’re getting two fantastic titles that showcase the system at its absolute best and ensure you will have no shortage of things to do after setting up your new console.

If you’re currently shopping for early Christmas gifts, this bundle is definitely one to consider. You save a decent chunk compared to buying the items individually and won’t have to worry about purchasing new games for your gift recipient anytime soon.

Both Mario Kart World and Donkey Kong Bananza are great family experiences, too. Thanks to the two Joy-Con controllers included with the Nintendo Switch 2 console, you’ll be able to play both games together without any additional purchases.

Keep reading for some of our top Nintendo Switch 2 game recommendations or to see the other best Nintendo Switch 2 deals near you.
https://www.techradar.com/gaming/nintendo/dont-wait-until-black-friday-grab-a-nintendo-switch-2-and-two-of-its-best-games-at-a-mega-discount-with-this-early-bundle-deal

Trump Denies Knowing CZ Amid Pardon and Family’s USD1 Stablecoin Ties

**Trump Denies Knowing CZ Amid Pardon and Family’s USD1 Stablecoin Ties**

*Published on BitcoinEthereumNews.com*

President Donald Trump pardoned Binance founder Changpeng Zhao (CZ) in late October for anti-money-laundering violations. However, during a CBS 60 Minutes interview, Trump denied any personal knowledge of Zhao, describing the case as a Biden administration overreach. This distancing came amid heightened scrutiny over Trump’s ties to the crypto sector.

### Trump’s Pardon Erased CZ’s Conviction

The presidential pardon wiped out Zhao’s 2023 guilty plea and associated penalties, which included a $50 million fine and a four-month prison term. This move effectively erased the legal consequences Zhao faced for his role in violating anti-money-laundering laws.

### Binance Faced Massive Settlement

Binance, the world’s largest cryptocurrency exchange, had agreed to pay $4.3 billion to settle charges related to inadequate anti-money-laundering controls. These lapses allegedly enabled illicit financial activities to persist on the platform, attracting regulatory backlash.

### Family Crypto Connections Raised Concerns

Adding to the controversy, Trump’s sons’ World Liberty Financial project involved Binance in a $2 billion stablecoin deal titled “USD1.” This connection fueled criticism from Democrats, who argued there were conflicts of interest and flagged potential irregularities in the stablecoin’s reserves and funding structure.

### Implications and Controversy

Trump’s pardon of Binance’s CZ has sparked widespread debate over the intersection of politics, crypto regulation, and family business ventures. Many observers are closely watching how these developments could influence future regulatory frameworks in the cryptocurrency space.

**Stay informed on the latest updates** in cryptocurrency regulation and the continuing fallout from this high-profile pardon. For more in-depth analysis, visit BitcoinEthereumNews.com.
https://bitcoinethereumnews.com/tech/trump-denies-knowing-cz-amid-pardon-and-familys-usd1-stablecoin-ties/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=trump-denies-knowing-cz-amid-pardon-and-familys-usd1-stablecoin-ties

Why Polygon Has the Perfect Product-Market Fit for the Post-Dollar World

Polygon provides an Ethereum-compatible scaling solution that enables applications, such as tokenized gold platforms, to operate on a global scale. Seong, a developer at Polygon, explains that with this technology, Polygon has already established itself as the bridge between DeFi and real-world markets.

Polygon co-founder and CEO Sandeep Nailwal recently shared a significant milestone on X, announcing that the network had achieved its highest daily payment app volume of 2025, reaching $72 million in transactions. Nailwal highlighted particularly strong growth in Latin America, noting that the payments app Avenia.io alone drove $25 million in volume in a single day.

“Reached 2025’s highest daily payment app volume last week at $72M! More and more growth is happening in Latin America, with Avenia.io driving $25M in volume in a single day. Looking forward to meeting Latin American builders at Money Rails at DevCon,” he wrote.

Following Nailwal’s post, a member of the crypto community, Brian Seong, provided a detailed response placing Polygon’s success within a global financial context. Seong emphasized that economies worldwide are experiencing shifts in monetary policy and instability, underscoring the growing relevance of decentralized systems.

### Polygon as an Equalizer

“CT Twitter is not aware of the global economies that are shifting atm,” Seong began, referencing several key developments. For example, Argentina faces chronic inflation and the risk of debt default. The International Monetary Fund (IMF), heavily influenced by U.S. policy, often steps in with dollar loans.

Seong also pointed out the asymmetrical resilience of the global financial system, where emerging markets frequently lack deep capital markets and adequate foreign reserve buffers, leaving them vulnerable to capital flight. This creates a cycle in which the dollar strengthens, local currencies collapse, and inflation intensifies.

China has been actively reducing its holdings of U.S. dollars while simultaneously developing the Shanghai Gold Exchange (SGE) and a yuan-settled gold trading ecosystem that promotes “physical trust.” This initiative rests on the idea that real, tangible assets can underpin economic confidence better than fiat currency alone.

Brian explains that Polygon is accelerating this shift by enabling easy global access to stablecoins, tokenized gold, and other digital assets — all without intermediaries. As alternatives like Bitcoin (BTC), gold, and the yuan gain credibility, the U.S. must work to restore confidence in the dollar.

In his own words:
*“And my humble opinion, Polygon really owns the distribution in all these emerging countries that deeply need such permissionless infrastructure for them to have control over their hard-earned values.”*

### Low Fees and Fast Transactions

As detailed in a recent publication, the Polygon network processes transactions at a fraction of a cent, often under $0.01. This low cost is crucial for low-income users and microtransactions common in regions such as Africa and Latin America. In contrast, Ethereum’s base layer or traditional cross-border payment rails typically charge fees between 5-10%.

The recent Rio Upgrade further enhances Polygon’s capabilities, enabling near-instant settlement and supporting up to 5,000 transactions per second for on-chain payments.

Polygon’s Ethereum Virtual Machine (EVM) compatibility allows it to connect seamlessly to Ethereum’s liquidity and developer ecosystem. Stablecoins such as USDC and USDT circulate easily on Polygon, while tokenized assets can be deployed with minimal friction. Developers can port existing Ethereum applications to Polygon with little modification, enabling faster scaling and broader user reach.

### Real-World Impact

Polygon’s impact is already visible in the market. For example, Flutterwave has entered a multi-year partnership with Polygon Labs to enable fast, low-cost cross-border transactions across more than 30 African nations.

Traditionally, such transfers can take days and charge up to 8% in fees — a costly delay affecting the $2 trillion global remittance market. Polygon’s scalable and affordable infrastructure promises to revolutionize this space by providing users with more efficient and accessible financial services worldwide.
https://bitcoinethereumnews.com/tech/why-polygon-has-the-perfect-product-market-fit-for-the-post-dollar-world/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=why-polygon-has-the-perfect-product-market-fit-for-the-post-dollar-world

Chinese hackers target European diplomats with Windows zero-day flaw

**LNK Files Exploited in Windows Shell Link Flaw Deploy PlugX RAT for Persistent Access and Data Exfiltration**

Security researchers have uncovered the exploitation of a Windows zero-day vulnerability by Chinese state-sponsored threat actors, targeting diplomats across Europe. This ongoing espionage campaign has been active since at least 2017 and involves the deployment of the PlugX Remote Access Trojan (RAT) via malicious .LNK files.

### Chinese Espionage Campaign Targets European Diplomats

Arctic Wolf Labs recently reported observing spear-phishing emails sent by a nation-state actor known as Mustang Panda (UNC6384) targeting diplomats in Hungary, Belgium, Serbia, Italy, and the Netherlands. Notably, some victims belong to countries with strong diplomatic and economic ties to China, such as Hungary and Serbia. This operation sheds light on the complex geopolitical espionage landscape, especially following revelations in August 2025 that China was spying on its ally Russia.

### The Exploitation of .LNK Files

The spear-phishing emails were crafted around themes like NATO defense procurement workshops and European Commission border facilitation meetings—topics likely to entice diplomatic officials. These emails contained malicious .LNK files exploiting the CVE-2025-9491 vulnerability to deploy the PlugX RAT.

This bug arises from a flaw in the Windows Shell Link mechanism, specifically a UI misrepresentation issue. It allows a specially crafted .LNK file to disguise the actual command line, running a malicious command instead when a user opens or previews the shortcut. While user interaction is necessary for exploitation, the vulnerability has been assigned a high severity score of 7.8/10.

### PlugX RAT Enables Persistent Access and Data Theft

Once deployed, PlugX provides attackers with persistent access to the compromised system. It allows for eavesdropping on communications, exfiltration of sensitive files, and further system manipulation.

### Long-Running Espionage Campaign Linked to UNC6384

Researchers have identified hundreds, if not thousands, of malicious .LNK samples, some dating back to 2017, tying the vulnerability exploitation to long-term Chinese espionage operations.

“Arctic Wolf Labs assesses with high confidence that this campaign is attributable to UNC6384, a Chinese-affiliated cyber espionage threat actor,” the report states. This conclusion is based on multiple factors, including malware tools, tactics, targeting patterns, and overlaps in infrastructure with previously known UNC6384 activities.

Stay informed on cybersecurity threats by following our updates.
https://www.techradar.com/pro/security/chinese-hackers-target-european-diplomats-with-windows-zero-day-flaw

Entertainer Charles billed as the Genius Crossword Clue

That should be all the information you need to solve the **Entertainer Charles billed as the Genius** crossword clue!

Be sure to check out more clues and answers on our [Crossword Answers](#) page for additional help.

The post **Entertainer Charles billed as the Genius Crossword Clue** appeared first on **Try Hard Guides**.
https://tryhardguides.com/entertainer-charles-billed-as-the-genius-crossword-clue/

‘Bowing down to him’: Supreme Court faces ‘awkward’ predicament in new Trump case

The New York Times reports that on Wednesday, the Supreme Court will “consider for the first time whether to say ‘no’” to President Donald Trump “in a lasting way” as they weigh in on the president’s use of emergency powers to impose sweeping tariffs on nearly every U.S. trading partner.

According to the Times, the case is a difficult one, made even more complex by Trump’s efforts to personalize the dispute. Observers of the court noted that the justices would be keenly aware that Mr. Trump would perceive a legal defeat as a personal blow.

Donald B. Verrilli Jr., who served as solicitor general during the Obama administration, agrees, saying, “You can’t help but think that that’s going to be hovering over the decision-making process in this case.”

So far, the Supreme Court’s six conservative justices have been receptive to Mr. Trump’s claims of presidential authority, the Times says. However, the tariffs case marks the first time the justices will weigh in on the underlying legal merits of Trump’s actions.

“At the end of this term, we’ll see wins and losses for Trump on presidential power,” said Jack Goldsmith, a Harvard Law School professor and former top Justice Department lawyer under George W. Bush. “This is the case I think is the closest, so I don’t know which way it will cut.”

The Times notes that this case has divided the conservative legal community. Trump’s lawyers argue that an obscure 1977 statute gives him broad authority to impose tariffs when he believes an emergency exists. However, that law does not specifically mention tariffs, taxes, or duties.

“Emergency powers are meant to be used in emergencies,” said Michael W. McConnell, a former federal appeals court judge nominated by President George W. Bush, who is leading a coalition of small businesses challenging the tariffs. “No Supreme Court would want to provoke a confrontation with a president of the United States unnecessarily, but on the other hand, the law is the law.”

University of Texas at Austin law professor Tara Lee Grove believes it may be “a stretch” to characterize trade deficits as an emergency. Still, she says the 1977 statute “is broad and appears to give the president a lot of discretion.”

“The justices will be struggling with whether they want to second-guess any presidential decision about an emergency,” Grove added.

Court observers have pointed to a dissenting opinion from Judge Richard G. Taranto, appointed by President Barack Obama, as a possible guidepost for the Supreme Court’s conservatives should they decide to back Trump. Taranto argued that Congress intentionally used broad language to give presidents flexibility, embodying “an eyes-open congressional grant of broad emergency authority in this foreign affairs realm.”

D. John Sauer, the solicitor general, stated that Trump’s use of the 1977 statute to impose tariffs was not an unlimited delegation of power and referenced Judge Taranto’s dissent ten times in his filing.

Grove notes that the court will face a “legitimacy dilemma” as they weigh the implications of their decision for the president’s legacy and the economy. “No matter what they do in this case, it will be painted as political,” she says.

Goldsmith believes the Supreme Court still maintains some integrity, but if Trump attends oral arguments as he has indicated, it could make the situation “awkward.”

“I doubt the court wants to be perceived as bowing down to him,” Goldsmith said, “but if Trump does show up, it’s just going to make it harder for them to rule for him.”
https://www.alternet.org/trump-tariffs-supreme-court-2674259628/

Exit mobile version
Sitemap Index