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The ghosts of Stonewall are watching: How trans activists are channeling history in the fight for their livesWihdat, Hussein hope for wins ahead of quartersNone
Princely Umanmielen’s return to the Swamp ends with a loss and a police escortMinistry of Agriculture technical, cooperative officers undergo drone trainingSEOUL — South Korea’s president on Wednesday met a visiting Ukraine delegation and called for the two countries to formulate countermeasures in response to the threat posed by North Korea’s recent dispatch of more than 10,000 soldiers to support Russia’s war against Ukraine. The North Korean troop deployment is threatening to expand the almost three-year war, with Ukraine and the U.S. saying that some of the soldiers have already begun engaging in battle on the front lines. Leaders in Seoul and Washington also worry that Russia might in return help North Korea build more advanced nuclear weapons targeting their nations. In late October, South Korea warned it could respond by supplying weapons to Ukraine. During a meeting with the Ukrainian delegation led by Defense Minister Rustem Umerov, President Yoon Suk-yeol said he hopes that the governments in Seoul and Kyiv will work out effective ways to cope with the security threat posed by the North Korean-Russian military cooperation, Yoon’s office said in a statement. The Ukrainian delegation later met separately with Yoon’s national security advisor, Shin Wonsik, and Defense Minister Kim Yong Hyun. During the meetings, Umerov briefed the South Korean officials on the status of the Russia-Ukraine war and expressed hope that Kyiv and Seoul will strengthen cooperation, the statement said. It said the two sides agreed to continue to share information on the North Korean troops in Russia and North Korean-Russian weapons and technology transfers while closely coordinating with the United States. The South Korean statement didn’t say whether the two sides discussed Seoul’s possible weapons supply to Ukraine. Many observers say Donald Trump’s victory in the U.S. presidential election could make South Korea more cautious about potentially shipping weapons to Ukraine because the president-elect has promised to end the war swiftly. Since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in 2022 , South Korea has joined U.S.-led sanctions against Moscow and provided humanitarian and financial aid to Kyiv. But it has avoided directly supplying arms in line with its policy of not supplying lethal weapons to countries actively engaged in conflicts. South Korean officials have said they will take phased countermeasures, linking the level of their response to the degree of Russia-North Korean cooperation. Shin, the national security advisor, said last week that Russia has supplied air defense missile systems to North Korea in exchange for its sending troops to Russia. Experts say it’s unlikely that Russia will transfer high-tech nuclear and missile technology to North Korea in the initial stage of the troop dispatch. North Korea and Russia have sharply increased their military and other cooperation as each face confrontations with the U.S. and its allies. The U.S., South Korea and others accuse North Korea of having shipped artillery, missiles and other conventional weapons to Russia. Kim writes for the Associated Press.
VADUZ , Liechtenstein , Nov. 27, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- xMoney Global , the global, inter-bank and cross crypto /fiat integrated payments platform has appointed award-winning economist Dr. Greg Siourounis as Co-Founder and CEO. The company is a Mastercard principal member, with strategic European licenses, such as e-Money and VASP. As the digital landscape continues to evolve with the coming MiCA regulation, xMoney Global intends to lead Europe into this new transformative EU regulated stablecoin era. Greg Siourounis will lead the integration of xMoney's advanced blockchain-enabled payments infrastructure with its upcoming stablecoin program. Stablecoins are a key driver of blockchain adoption in today's market, now surpassing Bitcoin , remittances, and PayPal in annual transaction volume. As such, xMoney's Global reputation positions it to bridge Web3 innovation with traditional finance, leading Europe into a new transformative EU regulated stablecoin era. Dr. Greg, who has played a pioneering role in the growth of Sui Foundation as its former Managing Director and who previously founded Everypay, will drive xMoney Global's next wave of growth. Beyond the standard reference of his academic work in 2024's Nobel Prize in Economics , Dr. Greg's career is also decorated with awards such as the 2005 Young Economist Award from The European Economic Association and the 2008 Austin Robinson Prize from The Royal Economic Society. His immediate target will be to focus on partnerships, regulatory alignment and market expansion, as xMoney Global looks to build a comprehensive payments platform that bridges legacy financial systems with the potential of decentralized finance. Commenting on his appointment, Dr. Greg Siourounis , CEO of xMoney Global , said, "As Europe prepares to embrace MiCA regulation, xMoney Global is positioned to redefine what compliant, secure, and seamless digital payments can be. Our goal is to deliver a solid and trusted ecosystem that combines the strengths of traditional finance with the flexibility of blockchain technology to create a future-ready payment experience." Beniamin Mincu , Co-founder of MultiversX , said, "xMoney Global's mission aligns perfectly with the vision of MultiversX to bring scalable and secure blockchain solutions to mainstream finance. This appointment marks a significant step toward building a more inclusive and resilient financial system." The launch of xMoney Global aims to offer a next-gen blockchain-as-a-service module backed by its native stablecoin , with key white-labeled services including acquiring, issuing, onramps/offramps and a sticky loyalty program, all backed by MultiversX's state-of-the-art sharding technology. Following the surge in crypto markets after Trump's pro- crypto Presidential win, xMoney will be ideally placed to accelerate real-world adoption as the easiest way for everyone (consumers, retail and e-commerce) to seamlessly access fiat and crypto currencies in an app, card or payment gateway. About xMoney Global: xMoney Global is a pioneering payments company and a Mastercard principal member with strategic European licenses, such as e-Money and VASP. xMoney Global aims to offer a seamless, secure, and future-focused payments ecosystem combining unique product focus, cutting-edge technology and strong compliance. Discover more at https://www.xmoney.com/ Media Contact: Essam Ali , essam@lunapr.io Luna PR Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2568826/xMoney_Global.jpg View original content to download multimedia: https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/former-md-of-sui-foundation-greg-siourounis-joins-xmoney-global-as-co-founder-and-ceo-to-build-mica-regulated-stablecoin-platform-302317744.html SOURCE xMoney Global
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"Making music always made me feel like I was getting to know him better" Sean Ono Lennon has revealed that he started making music in order to “fill the void” left by the death of his father, John Lennon . READ MORE: ‘Let It Be’ review: The Beatles dust off their spellbinding 1970 break-up doc The musician and producer was born in 1975 to the former Beatles icon and the artist Yoko Ono , and was only five years old when his father was shot and killed by Mark David Chapman in 1980. In a new interview with People , Lennon has shared a personal insight into how the tragedy affected him and how music became an outlet for his creativity. “I never played music because I was good at it,” he explained. “I lost my father and I didn’t know how to fill that void. Learning how to play his songs on guitar was a way to process the loss with an activity that made me feel connected to him.” Sean Ono Lennon and John Lennon. Credits: Christopher Polk/Variety via Getty Images and Chris Walter/WireImage “When you’ve lost a parent, things like that motivate you – because you’re trying to find them. Making music always made me feel like I was getting to know him better.” Lennon has released a number of solo records, including this year’s ‘Asterisms’, and in recent years has become a sought-after producer for alternative bands including Fat White Family , Temples and The Lemon Twigs . Sean has also recently been nominated for a Grammy Award for Best Boxed or Special Limited Edition Package for the reissue of his father’s 1973 album ‘Mind Games’, for which Sean oversaw new “meditation” mixes . “The whole album is about my mum,” Sean explained in the new interview. “My dad declared to the world that ‘John and Yoko’ were one word. I think he always had his heart set on her. He was so in love with her. They had a legendary love and I think that this album is infused with that love. You can hear it.” At the time of the ‘Mind Games’ reissue, Sean spoke about his father’s post-Beatles work . “One thing that distinguishes my dad’s solo career is how personal his lyrics became. It is like a diary, and it is my duty to bring attention to my father’s music. Not just my duty to him, but a duty to the world.” “With the world as it is now, people have forgotten so many things that I never imagined could be forgotten. I refuse to let that happen to this music – it means too much to me.” Related Topics John Lennon Pop Rock Sean Ono Lennon The Beatles Yoko Ono
Ella Kenan, a digital marketing professional and content creator, began her mission to promote Israel’s narrative in the wake of the October 7 terror attacks. Known for her popular travel blog, Kenan witnessed a wave of misinformation on social media, with prominent accounts denying the atrocities or circulating videos of hostages. "I understood that this is orchestrated and that they're trying to create a narrative in which Israel did it in order to start a war," she said. A talk with Ella Kenan, content creator ( Video: Yaron Brener ) Kenan quickly mobilized, introducing a campaign equating Hamas to ISIS. Within days, her messaging went viral, influencing global discourse and even being echoed in speeches by U.S. President Joe Biden. Fourteen months later, she remains active in countering misinformation and promoting Israel’s perspective, despite mounting international criticism and ongoing challenges like missile attacks and hostages held in Gaza. Kenan believes Israel's struggles with global opinion stem from a lack of groundwork in public diplomacy. "A brand is built not during war or emergency; it's built during peacetime. There's nothing different when it comes to a country. I think Israel didn't invest in infrastructure to build its own brand around the world, so now during war, we see the results of that," she explained, highlighting how adversaries exploit this vulnerability in public opinion battles. Exposing Qatar’s role Kenan recently launched a viral campaign aimed at exposing Qatar’s dual role as a cultural and financial influencer in the West and as a sponsor of groups like Hamas. Get the Ynetnews app on your smartphone: Google Play : https://bit.ly/4eJ37pE | Apple App Store : https://bit.ly/3ZL7iNv 1 View gallery Emir of Qatar Tamim Al Thani ( Photo: Reuters ) "They are invested in billions in education in the West from the age of 6 until the end of university when people are 22. They're the biggest donors to elite Ivy League universities in the U.S., and they demand to control what is being taught and who is the staff that teaches that. Apart from that, they're purchasing cultural assets of the West," she said. She accused Qatar of using its wealth to silence criticism of its support for organizations such as Hamas, the Muslim Brotherhood and even ISIS. "In the Israeli case, when we look at their efforts to mediate between Hamas and Israel regarding the hostage deal. This is not a mediator that says, 'there are two sides and I'm here to mitigate between them.' This is a country that puts on its buildings the flags of Palestine, Hamas, Sinwar and Haniyeh on a weekly basis and portrays them as heroes. They're also the owners of Al Jazeera, whose Arabic, English and its version to Gen Z on social media, AJ+, are inciting against Israel," she added, citing Qatar’s funding of international institutions like the International Court of Justice. Kenan urged families of hostages to protest at Qatari embassies to pressure the country, which she described as fearing public opinion most. "What Qatar fears the most is public opinion because it bought the West so as not to get criticized for sponsoring Hamas, the Muslim Brotherhood, ISIS, al Qaeda, and it does whatever it wants." >
Raphinha scores 2 and Barcelona ends Spanish league slump with 5-1 rout of Mallorca MADRID (AP) — Barcelona got back to winning in the Spanish league in style, routing Mallorca 5-1 on Tuesday with a pair of goals by Raphinha. Tales Azzoni, The Associated Press Dec 3, 2024 2:53 PM Share by Email Share on Facebook Share on X Share on LinkedIn Print Share via Text Message Barcelona's Pau Victor, right, celebrates with Raphinha after scoring his side's fifth goal during a Spanish La Liga soccer match between Mallorca and Barcelona at the Son Moix stadium in Palma de Mallorca, Spain, Tuesday, Dec. 3, 2024. (AP Photo/Jose Breton) MADRID (AP) — Barcelona got back to winning in the Spanish league in style, routing Mallorca 5-1 on Tuesday with a pair of goals by Raphinha. Ferran Torres, Frenkie de Jong and Pau Víctor also scored for Barcelona, which hadn't won in three consecutive league games to allow Real Madrid to inch closer at the top of the standings. Madrid is now four points back although it has two games in hand. Torres, who got to start in place of league-leading scorer Robert Lewandowski, opened the scoring in the 12th minute after Mallorca defenders failed to clear an easy ball from inside the area. One defender tried to kick it away but it ended ricocheting off a teammate to give Ferran an easy shot on goal. The hosts equalized with Vedat Muriqi in a breakaway just before halftime in what was Mallorca's only shot on target, but Raphinha put Barcelona back in front by converting a 56th-minute penalty kick. He added to the lead in the 74th after a nice assist by Lamine Yamal. Raphinha now has 11 goals in 16 league games this season. “This is probably my best moment, but I want to do more,” Raphinha said. “We knew it was important to win again after three matches in which something was lacking. It wasn't our best match, but it was important to win.” Yamal also helped set up De Jong's goal five minutes later, not long after the midfielder had come off the bench. It was De Jong who then assisted Víctor's goal in the 84th. Barcelona has scored five or more goals in a match for the sixth time this season across all competitions. It has outscored opponents 48-17 in the league alone. Barcelona had lost twice in its last three league matches — 2-1 to Las Palmas at home on Saturday and 1-0 at Real Sociedad three rounds ago. Its other setback was a 2-2 draw at Celta Vigo when it was winning 2-0 until late in the match. The game against Mallorca was moved forward in the schedule because both clubs will be playing in the Spanish Super Cup in January. Real Madrid and Athletic Bilbao, the other two clubs in the Super Cup, will meet on Wednesday in Bilbao. Barcelona, which beat Brest in the Champions League last week, will visit Real Betis in its next league match on Saturday. Mallorca, sitting in sixth place in the Spanish league, faces Celta on Friday. Mallorca was coming off two straight league victories — against Valencia and at Las Palmas. Copa del Rey In the second round of the Copa del Rey, fourth-division club Barbastro ousted top-flight club Espanyol 2-0, while Celta Vigo trounced Salamanca 7-0, Las Palmas defeated Europa 2-1 and Valladolid beat Ávila 4-2. ___ AP soccer: https://apnews.com/hub/soccer Tales Azzoni, The Associated Press See a typo/mistake? Have a story/tip? This has been shared 0 times 0 Shares Share by Email Share on Facebook Share on X Share on LinkedIn Print Share via Text Message Get your daily Victoria news briefing Email Sign Up More Soccer Guardiola denies rift with De Bruyne during Man City's dramatic slump Dec 3, 2024 3:31 PM USWNT beats Netherlands 2-1 in goalkeeper Alyssa Naeher's final match Dec 3, 2024 3:20 PM Vardy helps Van Nistelrooy to first win with Leicester as Guehi defies the FA with religious message Dec 3, 2024 3:17 PM
A United Nations watchdog has been selected to lead an external probe into allegations of sexual misconduct against the top prosecutor of the International Criminal Court , The Associated Press learned Tuesday. The move will likely generate conflict of interest concerns owing to the prosecutor’s wife’s past work for the oversight body. Chief prosecutor Karim Khan provided updates on the court's politically sensitive investigations into war crimes and atrocities in Ukraine , Gaza and Venezuela among other conflict areas during the institution's annual meeting this week in The Hague, Netherlands. But hanging over the gathering of the ICC's 124 member states are allegations against Khan himself. An AP investigation in October found that at the same time the ICC was readying a warrant for the arrest of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu , Khan was facing internal accusations that he tried to coerce a female aide into a sexual relationship and groped her against her will over a period of several months. The Assembly of States Parties to the Rome Statute, which oversees the ICC, previously announced an external probe into the allegations but hadn’t said who it would select to conduct the probe. At this week’s meeting, Päivi Kaukoranta, a Finnish diplomat currently heading the ICC’s oversight body, told delegates that she has settled on the U.N.’s Office of Internal Oversight Services, two diplomats told the AP on the condition of anonymity to discuss the closed-door talks. Two respected human rights group last month already expressed concern about the possible selection of the U.N. because Khan’s wife, a prominent human rights attorney, worked at the agency in Kenya in 2019 and 2020 investigating sexual harassment. The International Federation for Human Rights and Women’s Initiatives for Gender Justice, in a joint statement, said Khan should be suspended while the probe is being carried out and called for “thoroughly vetting the chosen investigative body, firm, or institution to ensure it is free from conflicts of interest and possesses demonstrated expertise.” What they described as Khan’s “close relationship” with the U.N. agency deserved added scrutiny, the two groups said. “We strongly recommend ensuring that these concerns are openly and transparently addressed before assigning the mandate to the OIOS,” the two organizations said. Kaukoranta declined to comment when asked about the investigation by the AP on Tuesday on the sidelines of the annual meeting. The U.N. and Khan’s attorney didn’t immediately respond to a request for comment. The accusations against Khan surfaced when two court employees in whom the alleged victim confided came forward with the accusation in May, a few weeks before Khan sought arrest warrants against Netanyahu, his defense minister and three Hamas leaders on war crimes charges. A three-judge panel last month signed off on those charges for the Israelis and the sole remaining Hamas leader whose death from Israel's bombing campaign hasn't been confirmed. AP reported that Khan traveled frequently with the woman after transferring her to his office from another department at the ICC’s headquarters. During one foreign trip, Khan allegedly asked the woman to rest with him on a hotel bed and then “sexually touched her,” according to whistleblower documents shared with the court’s watchdog and seen by the AP. Later, he came to her room at 3 a.m. and knocked on the door for 10 minutes. Other allegedly nonconsensual behavior cited in the documents included locking the door of his office and sticking his hand in her pocket. He also allegedly asked her on several occasions to go on a vacation together. After the two co-workers reported the alleged behavior, the court’s internal watchdog interviewed the woman but she opted against filing a complaint due to her distrust of the watchdog, according to the AP investigation. Khan was never questioned and the watchdog’s inquiry was closed within five days. Although the 900-employee ICC has long had a “zero-tolerance” policy on sexual harassment, an outside review of the court’s inner-workings in 2020 found an unacceptable level of predatory behavior by male bosses, a lack of women in senior positions and inadequate mechanisms for dealing with complaints and protecting whistleblowers. “There is a general reluctance, if not extreme fear, among many staff to report any alleged act of misconduct or misbehavior” by a senior official, the experts concluded in their 348-page report. “The perception is that they are all immune.” Although the ICC’s policies have been updated since the report, a 2024 internal reported obtained by AP showed that 30% of respondents to a staff survey reported they had experienced discrimination, abuse or harassment in the previous 12 months. While the court’s watchdog could not determine wrongdoing, it nonetheless urged Khan in a memo to minimize contact with the woman to protect the rights of all involved and safeguard the court’s integrity. Complicating any truth-seeking investigation have been attempts by Israel and others to undermine the court's credibility. Under Khan, the ICC has become more assertive in combating crimes against humanity and along the way it has added to a growing list of enemies. Last September, following the opening of a probe into Russian atrocities in Ukraine, the court suffered a debilitating cyberattack that left staff unable to work for weeks. It also hired an intern who was later criminally charged in the U.S. with being a Russian spy. Israel has also been waging its own influence campaign ever since the ICC recognized Palestine as a member and in 2015 opened a preliminary investigation into what the court referred to as “the situation in the State of Palestine.” London’s The Guardian newspaper and several Israeli news outlets reported this summer that Israel’s intelligence agencies for the past decade have allegedly targeted senior ICC staff, including putting Khan’s predecessor under surveillance and showing up at her house with envelopes stuffed with cash to discredit her. Netanyahu himself, in the days leading up to Khan’s announcement of war crimes charges, called on the world’s democracies “to use all the means at their disposal” to block the court from what he called an “outrage of historic proportions.” ___ Goodman reported from Miami.
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