Volodymyr zelensky oligarch

A Ukrainian expatriate group disseminated to press an open letter addressed to the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, questioning whether Top Gun: Maverick should be allowed to remain in this year’s Oscar race following reports the film was partly funded by a Russian oligarch who put money in the film as a silent investor in LA-based New Republic Pictures. The mega-hit – in which Tom Cruise reprised his role as US Navy pilot Pete “Maverick” Mitchell – is nominated for best picture, adapted screenplay, editing, original song, sound and visual effects in this year’s Academy Awards taking place this Sunday. The Toronto-based Ukrainian World Congress (UWC) asked AMPAS to review the film’s Oscar eligibility, following media reports in January that Russian billionaire Dimitry Rybolovlev indirectly helped finance the film. Rybolovlev is on a list of Russian businessmen sanctioned by Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky. The purpose of the letter per UWC is to … [Read more...] about Ukrainian Expat Group Questions ‘Top Gun: Maverick’ Oscar Eligibility Over Allegation A Russian Oligarch Was Undeclared Financier

TMZ/Getty Composite Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has made his way onto country star Brad Paisley 's new song ... and as Americans seem to be losing passion in helping the war-torn country, you gotta admit ... it's brilliant on Zelensky's part to garner some support where it counts. Brad dropped the track "Same Here" Friday, exactly one year since the war in Ukraine began -- and he draws a ton of similarities between the USA and Ukraine ... while pointing out how absurd our problems are when compared to what's happening overseas. Zelensky is featured in the back half of the song, via a phone call between Brad and the Prez ... listing numerous ways both countries are alike. Getty President Biden Visits with Volodymyr Zelenskyy in Ukraine As you know, America's pretty divided on our ongoing support for Ukraine, especially as President Biden announced a continuation of support this week. Republicans are more inclined than … [Read more...] about Ukraine’s President Zelensky Featured On New Brad Paisley Song, ‘Same Here’

One year since Russia launched its invasion of Ukraine , networks continue to rotate reporters in and out of the country. Media outlets reassess security precautions as the nature of the battle changes. Correspondents are preparing for the possibility of an even longer and more brutal war, perhaps with even more risks and uncertainties. And while some recent polls have shown softening support for U.S. aid to Ukraine, news executives insist that viewership interest is still strong, with plans to continue a significant presence there. “It matters domestically, it matters internationally and we are determined to maintain our commitment for as long as it takes,” CNN chairman and CEO Chris Licht said via email. “This is the kind of story CNN was built to cover.” NBC News chief foreign correspondent Richard Engel said that “everything over time diminishes because it is not as new. So inevitably, if this war is still going on a year from now, we might not be talking about … [Read more...] about A Year After Russia’s Invasion Of Ukraine, News Correspondents Make The Case For Continuing Coverage

EXCLUSIVE: Nancy Dubuc is leaving Vice Media Group where she was CEO for the past five years. She just announced her decision to her staff in a memo (you can read it below.) It comes as the board has launched a process to sell — an acquisition of the whole company, a strategic recapitalization, or other transactions involving individual assets — under the oversight of a Special Board Committee. According to sources, Dubuc was at the end of her contract and decided it was time to move on. “Nancy joined Vice at a pivotal time and put in place an exceptional team that has positioned the company for long-term success,” the company’s board of directors said in a statement. “We thank Nancy for her many contributions and will soon announce new leadership to guide Vice forward into its next stage of growth and transformation.” Dubuc, who had been on the Vice board through her role at A+E Networks and that company’s co-venture Viceland (now Vice), was named CEO in March 2018, … [Read more...] about Nancy Dubuc Exits As Vice Media CEO After 5 Years

“Oh, it’s wonderful to be here in the town of East Palestine, not a great name,” said the James Austin Johnson-portrayed Donald Trump tonight, kicking off Saturday Night Live . “I’m here and I brought hats, cameras and hats,” he added after taking a swipe at Joe Biden for visiting the Ukrainian capital of Kyiv and Volodymyr Zelenskyy earlier this week and had a visit from his own legal troubles. “That’s why you need me,” the MAGA hat-wearing SNL Trump went on to say. “I feel like I could Schitt’s Creek this place,” he added, a reference to the multi-Emmy winning comedy. Check out the video above. Just over three days after the former and looking to be future POTUS made a self-aggrandizing trip to the small Ohio town savaged by a massive chemical burn-off that followed a train derailment, tonight’s SNL cold open definitely started out timelier than most the show has had this 48 th season. Having done double duty for months as both Trump and Biden, Johnson … [Read more...] about Donald Trump’s Train Wreck Appearance In Polluted East Palestine, Ohio Heats Up ‘SNL’ Cold Open

Russell Brand and Sen. Bernie Sanders are mad as hell, and they don’t want you to take it anymore. That sums up Friday’s Real Time with Bill Maher , as the actor/comedian and the politician railed against the machine and said the system has to be changed to give a voice to the working class. Maher, for once, largely let them have at it. He took issue with a few things Brand said, and questioned what Sanders is proposing. But neither he nor panel guest John Heilemann from Showtime’s “The Circus” could mount a strong attack on the fire hose of information both guests were spewing. Sanders is out promoting his new book, It’s OK to be Angry About Capitalism. He said that we need “the right mix” in our economic system, since we “have more income inequality in wealth than we’ve ever had.” That is causing the US to be “moving rapidly into an oligarchic form of society,” he contended. Maher claimed to be “philosophically with you” on taxing the rich. “But the … [Read more...] about Bill Maher’s ‘Real Time’ Sees Russell Brand And Sen. Bernie Sanders Take Aim At The Status Quo

​ Jill Biden says the concept floated by GOP presidential hopeful Nikki Haley that any politician over age 75 submit to a mental compentency test is a nonstarter. Speaking today on CNN ’s State of the Union , Jill Biden said her 80-year-old husband Joe would “never even discuss” such a thing, branding it “ridiculous.” The comments were made by Jill Biden in a snippet released Sunday. The full interview will air on CNN Monday at 9 PM ET. Jill Biden pointed to the president’s recent trip to Ukraine as proof of his stamina and focus. “How many 30-year-olds could travel to Poland, get on the train? Go nine more hours, go to Ukraine, meet with President  Zelensky?” she said. “So, look at the man. Look what he’s doing. Look what he continues to do each and every day.”​ Joe Biden is reportedly gearing up for another presidential bid in 2024. If elected, he would be 82 at inaugeration. … [Read more...] about First Lady Jill Biden Scoffs At Suggestion Of A Mental Competency Test For 80-Year Old President

Colin Jost kicked off Saturday Night Live’s “Weekend Update” tonight with a couple of Oscar yuks, including one that referenced John Travolta and how he botched I dina Menzel’s name at the 2014 Academy Awards. First Jost set up what appeared to be a joke about Donald Trump and Ron DeSantis, since their pictures flashed on the screen. “Bitter rivals who have been desperately pandering for votes and trying to force their politics on America will finally face off in person. I’m of course talking about tomorrow’s Oscars ,” Jost began. “The Motion Picture Academy has rejected a request from Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelenskyy to make an appearance at the Oscars, but they promised that Volodymyr Zelenskyy will be how John Travolta pronounces Viola Davis.” “Organizers of the Oscars say they have changed the color of the arrival carpet from red to champagne so the mood would be more mellow,” Jost continued. “But I don’t know, switching from red to champagne usually turns … [Read more...] about ‘SNL’ Weekend Update Riffs On Oscars, Tucker Carlson And Meghan Markle