Unpacking Operation Cookie Monster
Tragically, Operation Cookie Monster wasn’t me last night. I didn’t go home, devour 600 fresh cookies, and have a beaut sleep on my couch. I apologise if this makes you think less of me.
However, Operation Cookie Monster is still super important. ‘Cause this operation was a coordinated, multinational raid on a group of 119 Genesis Market workers. Genesis Market is a dangerous group of hackers that have sold over two million people’s personal info for as little as one dollarydoo.
Addtionally, Operation Cookie Monster was a collab between a bunch of countries. It was spearheaded by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Dutch police, but it received help from a multitude of law enforcement agencies across 17 different nations.
In response to this situation, Europol, the European Union’s police agency, has claimed that the Genesis Market is now gone for good.
Europol said, “An unprecedented law enforcement operation involving 17 countries has resulted in the takedown of Genesis Market, one of the most dangerous marketplaces selling stolen account credentials to hackers worldwide. As a result of an action day on April 4, this illegal service was shut down and its infrastructure seized.”
Rap’s Been Banned From Syd’s Royal Easter Show
Is it the 1980s again? Is the Satanic panic in vogue? Have a bunch of pearl-clutching “think of the children” Karrens been raised from the dead?
Now, I’m asking these questions for a few simple reasons. In 2023, rap music has been banned from Sydney’s Royal Easter Show. What’s more, it’s being prohibited because NSW’s Police Force have alleged that “rapper music is being used to lure youth into a life of crime.”
But why do they believe this? Well, the police reckon that rap music was partly responsible for a 17-year-old named Uati Faletolu being tragically murdered at last year’s Easter event.
Now, this assumption is truly buckwild. There’s no scientific evidence that rap music causes stabbings. There’s no scientific evidence that rap music causes people to get killed.
What’s more, claiming that rap music’s dangerous is very yikes and very racist. Rap music is predominantly made by African Americans, First Nations folks, and other people of colour. If you say that rap music isn’t welcome at your event, you’re saying that communities that create such art aren’t welcome either.
To quote a classic meme, “This ain’t it, chief.”
A Spider-Verse Trailer Drags Tom Holland
Meanwhile, on the interwebs, there’s a new trailer for Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse. And I can’t be more hyped for this film. The plot of Miles Morales saving multiple universes sounds sick, the comic-book-esque animation is flawless.
Plus, to make matters better, Morales has a cheeky dig at Tom Holland’s version of Spiderman in this clip. “Don’t get me started on Doctor Strange, says Morales, “and the little nerd back on Earth-199999.”
Earth-199999 is the earth that Disney’s Marvel Cinematic Universe primarily depicts. Doctor Strange is Doctor Strange. The nerd is Tom Holland’s Spiderman.
Savage, mate. Savage.
Across the Spider-Verse is dropping in Australia on July 1. You can score some more info about the flick here.
Related: What’s Open over Easter Holidays 2023 Near Me?
Related: Australians Think These Are the Best Easter Holiday Destinations
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