ukraine

The Weeknd, Billie Eilish, and More Participating in Ukraine Social Media Rally That Aims to Raise Billions in Aid

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Nancy Pelosi Read A Bono Poem About Ukraine And St. Patrick’s Day, Which Prompted Many Jokes On Twitter

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Earlier today, Speaker Of The House Nancy Pelosi declared that at today’s Annual Friends Of Ireland Luncheon, she would be reading “reading a poem written by Bono about Ukraine.”

Initially, Dan Evon of Snopes speculated Pelosi meant she would be reading a poem by Ukrainian poet Taras Shevchenko, which U2 shared on Twitter earlier this month. That proved not to be the case, though, as the publication confirmed with Pelosi’s spokesperson that the Speaker did actually plan to read a new poem penned by the U2 singer. Now, that reading has taken place and Twitter users have plenty of hilarious thoughts about it.

Pelosi noted the Irish musician and philanthropist sent her the poem this morning and it references St. Patrick’s Day and the ongoing situation in Ukraine. The poem concludes, “Ireland’s sorrow and pain / is now the Ukraine / and St. Patrick’s name now Zelenskyy.”

After the reading, Bono became a trending topic on Twitter as users came in hot with jokes. One wrote, “Just to let the Russians know, if the Bono poem doesn’t work, we’ve got a celebrity rendition of Imagine over Zoom that we can roll out.” Another quipped, “Between Bono’s poem and the TikTok dancers, Putin is toast.”

Some users even speculated what they thought the poem would be:

Check out some more reactions below.

Disney Halts Movie Releases In Russia, Offers Aide To Ukraine

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Disney is blocking its movies in Russia.

The Walt Disney Company is pausing the theatrical release of its films in Russia. In a statement Monday, Disney it made the move given the “unprovoked invasion of Ukraine and the tragic humanitarian crisis.”

Disney added it is working with it’s NGO partners to provide urgent aid and other humanitarian assistance to refugees.

It’s day six of the war in Ukraine. At least 406 Ukrainian civilians are dead as Russia invades their country.

That’s the latest number according to United Nations Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs and Emergency Relief Coordinator Martin Griffiths.

READ MORE: President Biden is promising the world will hold Russia accountable amid Ukraine Invasions.

Speaking to the UN Security Council on Monday, Griffiths said “the picture is grim.” He noted the casualties could be “considerably higher’ as many deaths have yet to be confirmed.

Two other Hollywood studios are also blocking the releases of movies in Russia amid their attack on the Ukraine.

Warner Bros. won’t be showing “The Batman” on the big screen there when it hits theaters Friday.

Sony Pictures is also holding off on releases in Russia including the “Spider-Man” spinoff slated for early April.

Continue the conversation on social media.

The post Disney Halts Movie Releases In Russia, Offers Aide To Ukraine appeared first on The Source.

Young Thug Wants To Help African Residents Trying To Escape Ukraine Amid Discrimination Accusations

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Days after multiple videos emerged online purporting to depict Ukrainian authorities discriminating against African residents seeking to flee the nation as its ongoing conflict with Russia escalates, help for those residents may soon come from a surprising source: Young Thug. Thug posted to his Instagram Story offering his assistance and calling for his “rap brothers” to pitch in as well.

“lf some of my rap brothers are in, I’m willing to help Africans get out of Ukraine,” he wrote. “However I can sense they not letting us pass. Who ever holds the info for these movements please contact me ASAP I’m ready.” It didn’t take long for him to secure pledges from the likes of music impresario Kevin Liles, private jet broker Kelvin Mensah, and YSL Records rapper Strick, who all reshared his post.

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young thug africans ukraine
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Thugger is developing a penchant for putting his money where his mouth is when it comes to helping out those less fortunate than him. In 2017, he donated to Planned Parenthood against threats to defund the organization from Donald Trump, while in 2021, he and his artist Gunna paid bail for 30 Fulton County Jail inmates and hosted a dinner for their families while expressing plans to continue doing so in the future. He’s even gotten more hands-on of late, kicking off the new year by helping a stranded motorist jumpstart his car. Thugger is a man of the people.

Young Thug is a Warner Music artist. Uproxx is an independent subsidiary of Warner Music Group.

SOURCE SPORTS: Top Boxer Vasiliy Lomachenko Joins Defense Battalion in Ukraine

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Olympic and boxing champion Vasiliy Lomachenko is in Ukraine and joined a territorial defense battalion to defend against the Russian invasion. According to ESPN, Lomachenko was in Greece at the start of the invasion and flew into Bucharest, traveled through Romania, and reached his family in Odessa.

Earlier in February, Lomachenko agreed to an undisputed lightweight championship title fight with George Kammbosos. That match is currently set for June 4 in the United States. Over the weekend, Lomachenko uploaded an image to Facebook in military fatigues and with a gun, additional soldiers can be seen in the background.

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Last week, boxing champions Wladimir Klitschko and Vitali Klitschko joined the defense of their home nation of Ukraine. “I’m calling to all international partners to observe this tragedy that is happening nowadays in Ukraine,” Wladimir said. ” … I just want to tell you we must stay united against this aggression, against Russian aggression. Don’t let it continue happening in Ukraine. Don’t let it happen in Europe and eventually the world. United, we’re strong. Support Ukraine.”

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Lady Gaga Addressed The Russia-Ukraine Conflict At The SAG Awards: ‘My Heart Really Goes Out To Ukraine’

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Tonight is an important night for film and TV — it’s the 2022 SAG Awards. After the last several months of canceled events and virtual appearances, an in-person red carpet is a treat for stylists, who are back at work, and all the artists and creatives who are eager to celebrate their work together once more. Especially during a time when unease is spreading in other ways, due to the Russian invasion of Ukraine, it’s a welcome distraction for some. However, plenty of other artists and actors are more than willing to show their support for the suffering of the people in Ukraine, and Lady Gaga is one of them.

Gaga is up for several nominations for her work as Patrizia Reggiani in her second starring role in a major feature film, House Of Gucci, but still had plenty of time to discuss foreign politics on the red carpet. When E! correspondent Laverne Cox approached Gaga about the event, her succinct response acknowledged both the impact of Covid-19, and the situation in eastern Europe. “What story are you telling us tonight with this gorgeous, gorgeous ensemble?” Cox asked.

“The story I’m telling is the truth, which is that I’m just really honored to be here,” Gaga said. “This is a beautiful night when we get to celebrate art together, and celebrate each other. There’s so much going on in the world, and my heart really goes out to Ukraine. I think tonight we should all sit in the gratitude of this.”

Meanwhile, Gaga stans are on the exact same page as Mother Monster:

Eurovision Bans Russia From The 2022 Song Contest Just A Day After Opting Not To

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Eurovision Song Contest 2018 Trophy
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This year’s Eurovision Song Contest is set to take place in Turin, Italy in May, when musical representatives from many countries will take to the city to show off the best of what their nations have to offer. Given the ongoing Russian invasion of Ukraine, many wondered if Russia would be allowed to participate in this year’s event. Initially, Eurovision organizers (the European Broadcast Union) told NPR yesterday, “The Eurovision Song Contest is a non-political cultural event. The EBU is however concerned about current events in Ukraine and will continue to closely monitor the situation.”

The EBU has quickly changed its tune, though, as they’ve now gone ahead and banned Russia from the 2022 contest. In a new statement today, they said:

“No Russian act will participate in this year’s Eurovision Song Contest. The decision reflects the concern that, in light of the unprecedented crisis in Ukraine, the inclusion of a Russian entry in this year’s contest would bring the competition into disrepute. The EBU is an apolitical member organization of broadcasters committed to upholding the values of public service. We remain dedicated to protecting the values of a cultural competition which proves international exchange and understanding, brings audiences together, celebrates diversity through music, and unites Europe on one stage.”

In recent years, Russia has been one of the strongest-performing countries in the contest: As BBC notes, they’ve had five top-five finishes over the past decade. They last won in 2008 and the next year, the contest was held in Moscow. Meanwhile, the Eurovision website notes of Ukraine, “Ukraine first entered the contest in 2003 and rapidly became one of the most successful countries in the competition. In 15 appearances at the Eurovision Song Contest, Ukraine has never missed a Grand Final. 9 of those 14 entries have finished in the top 10, 5 have finished in the top 3, and 2 have been winners.” Those wins came in 2004 and 2016.

SOURCE SPORTS: Former World Champions Wladimir Klitschko and Vitali Klitschko Are Ready To Defend Ukraine

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Former World Champions Wladimir Klitschko and Vitali Klitschko Are Ready To Defend Ukraine

Former boxing champions Wladimir Klitschko and Vitali Klitschko are ready for some action. The Klitschko brothers are ready to fight for their beloved country of Ukraine.

Wladimir enlisted in the Ukrainian reserve army three weeks before Russia’s invasion early Thursday, and Vitali – the mayor of Kyiv, Ukraine – said he’d also take up arms this week. 

“I’m calling to all international partners to observe this tragedy that is happening nowadays in Ukraine,” Wladimir said. ” … I just want to tell you we must stay united against this aggression, against Russian aggression. Don’t let it continue happening in Ukraine. Don’t let it happen in Europe and eventually the world. United, we’re strong. Support Ukraine.”

The Klitschko brothers clearly love their country and feel that the invasion is cruel and unnecessary. In the ring, they were a combined 109-7. Their presence alone could go a long way with their fellow countrymen.

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