Greetings! It’s May 7, and we’re tracking today’s top stories: Taliban earning billions as Afghanistan once again becomes terror hotbed, China wins as U.S. sanctions fail, rogue Malaysian beauty influencers are money laundering for drug gangs, U.S. busts major fentanyl trafficking network, and much more…

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🎯 FEATURED STORY

Taliban Earning Billions, Giving American Weaponry to Terrorist Groups as Afghanistan Once Again Becomes Extremist Hotbed. Taliban took in $3.4 billion in revenue over past year, boosting cash supply in wake of Afghan withdrawal. Free Beacon

🔥 TOP STORIES

Who Is Helped By the Sanctions Against China? China. Free Press

Rogue Malaysian beauty influencers are money laundering for drug gangs SCMP

US says it has busted major fentanyl trafficking network Reuters

🚚 Networks that Fuel the Fentanyl Crisis Coercive Capital from Illicit Edge

Falsified records, fake donations: Credit Suisse fined for helping rich Americans hide over $4 billion from the taxman CNBC

Court upholds racketeering convictions of ex-Ohio House speaker and lobbyist in $60M bribery scheme Independent

Disgraced Ex-Goldman Partner Sought by Malaysia for Extradition in 1MDB Scandal WSJ

How sanctions are propping up Bitcoin’s price DL News

Boston councilwoman pleads guilty to federal corruption charges AP

Hacking Group That Wreaked Havoc on Las Vegas Appears to Be Back WSJ

🚩 RUSSIA & CHINA

Protests erupt in China after furious workers demand back pay as Trump’s tariffs bite NYP

European Commission proposes 17th Russia sanctions package Reuters

Can Trump sanctions on Russia force Putin's hand? DW

Trump shuts off federal funding for gain-of-function virus research in China, Iran Washington Times

Turkish bank appeals Iran sanctions decision to US Supreme Court Reuters

🔐 CRYPTO & CYBER

U.S. Treasury Sanctions Burmese Militia Group Said to Run 'Pig Butchering' Compounds CoinDesk

💰 Pig Butchering Power Designated from Illicit Edge

Tulsi Gabbard Reused the Same Weak Password on Multiple Accounts for Years Wired

Democrats target Trump family's crypto empire Axios

UnitedHealth’s Move to End Cyberattack Loan Lifeline Upsets Medical Providers NYT

Security Researchers Warn a Widely Used Open Source Tool Poses a 'Persistent' Risk to the US Wired

💸 CORRUPTION & FINANCIAL CRIME

Lavish Bribes and Wooden Potties: A Short History of Conclaves WSJ

Indian billionaire Balvinder Singh Sahni sentenced to 5 years in jail in Dubai for money laundering Hindustan Times

‘Ringleader’ in Feeding Our Future fraud case to change plea in juror bribery charges Star Tribune

Trump calls NY AG Letitia James ‘a total crook’ — says DOJ will ‘do what’s right’ on fraud criminal referral NYP

European Parliament cracks down on lobbyists in effort to stop corruption Politico

What is the National Herald money laundering case in which Rahul and Sonia Gandhi are named? Indian Express

🚚 TRAFFICKING

Lawyers for glamorous leaders of OneTaste — ‘orgasm cult’ accused of grooming members — insist victims ‘were having a blast’ as trial begins NYP 

California Dems find common ground on sex trafficking after public blow-ups Politico

U.S. may soon deport migrants to Libya on military flight Reuters

Rwanda says talks underway with US to host deported migrants AP

💣 TERROR

Dozens killed as Pakistan and India exchange fire in disputed Kashmir Sky

Teenage Terrorists Are a Growing Threat to Europe’s Security WSJ

Israeli Hostages’ Lawsuit Against News Outlet That Paid Hamas Terrorist Will Head to Trial Free Beacon

HUMMINGBIRD: Compliance Made Simple

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