Washington
Ukraine’s prime minister, finance officials to visit Washington next week
WASHINGTON, April 15 (Reuters) – Ukrainian Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal and prime Ukrainian finance officers will go to Washington subsequent week in the course of the spring conferences of the Worldwide Financial Fund and World Financial institution, sources accustomed to the plans mentioned on Friday.
Shmyhal, Finance Minister Serhiy Marchenko and central financial institution governor Kyrylo Shevchenko are slated to satisfy bilaterally with finance officers from the Group of Seven nations and others, and participate in a roundtable on Ukraine to be hosted by the World Financial institution on Thursday, the sources mentioned.
Thursday’s occasion would be the first probability for key Ukrainian officers to satisfy in particular person with a bunch of monetary officers from superior economies since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine on Feb. 24.
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Spillovers from Russia’s warfare in Ukraine are anticipated to dominate subsequent week’s conferences of senior financial officers from World Financial institution and IMF member nations, in addition to the G7 and G20, with the IMF poised to downgrade its forecast for international development because of the warfare. learn extra
Russian President Vladimir Putin despatched his troops into Ukraine on what he calls a “particular army operation” to demilitarise and “denazify” Ukraine.
Kyiv and its Western allies say these are bogus justifications for an unprovoked warfare of aggression that has pushed 1 / 4 of Ukraine’s 44 million folks from their properties and led to the deaths of hundreds.
Thursday’s assembly can be extra of a roundtable than a donors convention, though each the IMF and World Financial institution have arrange separate accounts to have the ability to course of and relay donations, and extra pledges are anticipated to be introduced subsequent week.
It’s going to give officers an opportunity to debate the bodily devastation and financial penalties of the warfare, in addition to the continued functioning of Ukraine’s banking and monetary sector.
“With out help now, there can be no reconstruction sooner or later,” one of many sources mentioned.
The World Financial institution had no quick touch upon the occasion.
World Financial institution President David Malpass instructed an occasion in Warsaw this week that the financial institution was making ready a $1.5 billion help package deal for Ukraine. learn extra
The IMF’s government board final week permitted creation of a brand new account giving bilateral donors and worldwide teams a safe option to ship monetary assets to Ukraine. learn extra
Canada, considered one of Ukraine’s most important supporters, has proposed disbursing as much as $1 billion Canadian {dollars} by the brand new account, which can be administered by the IMF.
The account will enable donors to supply grants and loans to assist the Ukrainian authorities meet its stability of funds and budgetary wants and assist stabilize its economic system because it continues to defend in opposition to Russia’s lethal invasion.
Marchenko final week mentioned his authorities was searching for about 4 billion euros ($4.37 billion) in international financing along with the about 3 billion euros it has already acquired to take care of a funds shortfall. learn extra
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Reporting by Andrea Shalal; Modifying by Sandra Maler
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Washington
Buccaneers Claim 3 Seed in NFC Playoff Field, Face Commanders in Wild Card Round
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers not only captured a fourth straight NFC South title on Sunday, but they also improved their overall position in the playoff standings and kept alive the possibility of two home games in the postseason.
While the Buccaneers secured their own playoff spot with a Week 18 win over the New Orleans Saints, the Los Angeles Rams had already clinched the NFC West title the Week before. That put the Rams into the third overall seed in the NFC playoff field coming into the final weekend, but a loss to the Seattle Seahawks on Sunday allowed Tampa Bay to leap them for that spot. Both the Buccaneers and Rams finished with 10-7 records but Tampa Bay won the tiebreaker for positioning based on a better record against conference opponents (8-4 to 6-6).
As the #3 seed, the Buccaneers will host a playoff game in the Wild Card round against the team that claimed the #6 seed. That proved to be Washington after the Commanders beat the Cowboys on Sunday to improve to 11-6. The NFL will announce the date and time of the game later on Sunday evening.
The Buccaneers will be taking part in the playoffs for a fifth straight season, the longest such run in franchise history, but this is the first time in that span that they will start out as the #3 seed. They earned the top Wild Card spot in 2020 and, coincidentally, started their playoffs at Washington after the Commanders won the NFC East with a 7-9 record. The Bucs won the NFC South each year from 2021 to 2023 and in those seasons was seeded second, fourth and fourth.
Tampa Bay could still be at home for two playoff games. If they win next weekend and the second-seeded Philadelphia Eagles lose to Green Bay, the Buccaneers would go into the Divisional Round as the second-highest remaining seed behind the winner of the Detroit-Minnesota game on Sunday night. That team would enjoy a bye in the first round and then play at home against the lowest of the remaining seeds. The Buccaneers would get the next seeded team up from the bottom, which would be either Minnesota/Detroit or Los Angeles.
Washington
Washington Post cartoonist quits over rejected Trump sketch
What’s New
Pulitzer Prize-winning cartoonist Ann Telnaes resigned from The Washington Post after the editorial team rejected one of her cartoons criticizing The Post‘s billionaire owner Jeff Bezos.
Writing on her Substack blog on Friday, Telnaes said it was the first time her work was censored due to its point of view, prompting her decision to leave
Newsweek has contacted The Washington Post via email for comment.
Why It Matters
Telnaes’ resignation highlights concerns over press freedom and the influence of billionaire owners on editorial decisions in major news outlets, including at the LA Times and The Washington Post.
Critics argue that billionaire owners could censor critical commentary, undermining journalism’s role in holding power accountable.
What To Know
The cartoon in question depicted Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg, OpenAI CEO Sam Altman, LA Times owner Patrick Soon-Shiong, and The Washington Post owner Jeff Bezos, all billionaires, and Micky Mouse, representing Disney, kneeling before a statue of Donald Trump, offering sacks of cash.
Telnaes posted a rough of the cartoon in the blog post:
Telnaes described the decision to reject the cartoon as a “game changer” for her relationship with the paper.
But Post Opinions editor David Shipley, in a statement to Politico, said the cartoon was rejected to avoid repetition, because a column and a satirical piece on the same subject had already been published.
In her blog post, Telnaes outlined her career as an advocate for press freedom in various roles, having served on advisory boards for organizations supporting editorial cartoonists.
She emphasized the importance of holding power accountable and warned against efforts to “curry favor with an autocrat-in-waiting.”
What People Are Saying
Elizabeth Warren, Senator, on X: “@AnnTelnaes resigned after The Washington Post editorial page killed her cartoon. It’s worth a share. Big Tech executives are bending the knee to Donald Trump and it’s no surprise why: Billionaires like Jeff Bezos like paying a lower tax rate than a public school teacher.”
David Shipley, Washington Post Opinions Editor, in a statement to Politico: “My decision was guided by the fact that we had just published a column on the same topic as the cartoon and had already scheduled another column — this one a satire — for publication. The only bias was against repetition.”
Ann Telnaes, Cartoonist, on Substack: “For the first time, my editor prevented me from doing that critical job. So I have decided to leave the Post.”
What Happens Next
With Donald Trump set to assume the presidency, The Post faces increased scrutiny over its ability to maintain editorial independence under Bezos’s ownership. Telnaes’ departure raises questions about how the paper will approach coverage of Trump’s administration, particularly regarding its willingness to challenge powerful figures.
Washington
Denzel Washington sets new record after wild year of retirement rumors, fan fights and embracing religion
Throughout the span of Denzel Washington’s illustrious career, the legendary actor has continued to make a major impact in Hollywood.
As the 69-year-old actor received his 11th Golden Globe nomination for his work in “Gladiator II,” he set a new record, becoming the Black actor with the most nominations in the history of the awards show. He was previously tied for the record with legendary actor Sidney Poitier.
Washington has been nominated for best performance by a male actor in a supporting role for his portrayal of Macrinus in the action film.
Meanwhile, Washington has left fans buzzing in 2024 with a number of surprising moves. From teasing his retirement to becoming a minister and everything in between, here’s a look at the Hollywood star’s year of surprises.
‘GLADIATOR II’ STAR DENZEL WASHINGTON HAS AWKWARD ENCOUNTER WITH KING CHARLES
Washington hinted at his Hollywood exit after wrapping up several movie projects.
In November, the Academy Award-winning actor announced on Australia’s “Today” show that he’s nearing the end of his Hollywood career.
“For me, it’s about the filmmaker, especially at this point in my career,” Washington said.
“I’m only interested in working with the best. I don’t know how many more films I’m gonna make — probably not that many. I want to do things I haven’t done.”
He went on to discuss his upcoming roles, including in Shakespeare’s “Othello” on Broadway. Washington first portrayed the character when he was 22 and has plans to play Othello for the third time in a film adaptation.
Washington additionally booked a couple of other projects, including a role as Carthaginian general Hannibal in an upcoming Netflix project, collaborating with director Steve McQueen on a film and having a part in the third “Black Panther” movie.
The actor announced that he’s also going to play the character King Lear in another movie.
“After that, I’m going to retire,” Washington remarked.
While Washington sent his passionate fans into a tailspin with his retirement rumors, he clarified his comments days after the “Today” interview.
“I didn’t say I was going to go into retirement,” he told BuzzFeed. “I said that it has to be a level of interest for me. I’m more interested in getting behind the camera, so that’s about five years out.”
“It’s very difficult. And I may have used the word ‘retire,’ but I look at life in three sections: you learn, you earn, you return. I’m in the return part of life.”
DENZEL WASHINGTON APPEARS TO LASH OUT AT FANS IN HEATED EXCHANGE IN NYC
Last year, Washington appeared to have a heated exchange with fans attempting to take his picture and ask for his autograph outside New York City’s Museum of Modern Art.
In October, the “Training Day” actor attended a film benefit honoring Samuel L. Jackson.
While Washington arrived in good spirits and paused to take some photos for and with fans, his evening took an awkward turn as he lashed out.
As he was walking in, Washington quickly turned around and approached a group of fans seeking autographs.
In video obtained by Fox News Digital, Washington can be heard saying, “Put this down. I heard you. You talk about showing love … respect me.”
WATCH: DENZEL WASHINGTON APPEARS TO LASH OUT AT FANS IN HEATED EXCHANGE IN NYC
“We always do,” one fan responded.
“I said, ‘I’ll see you when I get out.’ Which part of that don’t y’all understand?” Washington said.
“Or not, or not! We can do it another way. I can do it both ways, y’all,” he added before walking inside.
It’s unclear what led to the exchange.
DENZEL WASHINGTON BECOMES A MINISTER AS HOLLYWOOD ACTOR ADMITS YOU ‘CAN’T TALK’ ABOUT RELIGION IN INDUSTRY
Meanwhile, the Hollywood actor can add ministry to his impressive resumé.
In December, Washington took on a new role in his life as he received his minister’s license.
Washington was baptized by Bishop James Pullings Jr. at the Kelly Temple in New York City.
“It took a while, but I’m finally here … If [God] can do this for me, there’s nothing He can’t do for you,” Washington said, according to a video shared online. “The sky literally is the limit.”
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Esther Renee Burns Pullings, the bishop’s wife, shared photos of the moment on Facebook.
“A beautiful service we had today at The Historic Kelly Temple Church of God in Christ,” she captioned the photos. “We witnessed our Bishop James Pullings Jr. baptizing now Minister Denzel Washington today To God Be The Glory!”
Washington previously admitted you “can’t talk” about religion in the industry.
“When you see me, you see the best I could do with what I’ve been given by my lord and savior,” the “Gladiator II” star wrote for Esquire. “I’m unafraid.”
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“I don’t care what anyone thinks. See, talking about the fear part of it — you can’t talk like that and win Oscars. You can’t talk like that and party. You can’t say that in this town,” Washington added.
“I’m free now. It’s not talked about in this town. It’s not talked about … It’s not fashionable. It’s not sexy. But that doesn’t mean people in Hollywood don’t believe. There’s no such thing called Hollywood anyway. What does that even mean? That, to me, means a street called Hollywood Boulevard,” he wrote.
Washington landed his breakthrough role in the medical drama “St. Elsewhere,” in 1982. He earned multiple nominations for his work on the show and eventually was able to break into film.
Washington is known for films such as “Fences,” “The Book of Eli,” “Cry Freedom” and “Malcom X.”
WATCH: ‘GLADIATOR II’ STAR DENZEL WASHINGTON APPROACHES KING CHARLES IN AWKWARD ENCOUNTER
Washington additionally had a memorable moment with King Charles III during the “Gladiator II” premiere.
In November, King Charles greeted the “Gladiator II” cast at the ODEON Luxe Leicester Square in London.
During the meet and greet, cast members, including Washington, Pedro Pascal and Paul Mescal, along with director Sir Ridley Scott, met King Charles one by one. However, Washington appeared nervous when he met the royal monarch.
“I didn’t know if I was supposed to grab your hand or not,” Washington smiled as he gave Charles a handshake.
“I’m just an awful … I’m a lovely man, you’ll see,” Washington said, as he stumbled on his words. “I’m a lovely chap.”
King Charles continued the exchange and said to Washington, “You’ve been in so many films, it’s fantastic.”
Washington graciously replied, “Thank you, thank you.”
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Fox News Digital’s Lauryn Overhultz and Christina Dugan Ramirez contributed to this report.
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