Latest news with #RyanOLeary
National Post
10-07-2025
- Business
- National Post
SONA Announces Strategic Alliance with Vancity
Article content VANCOUVER, British Columbia — SONA, a leading payments company in North America, is excited to announce a strategic alliance with Vancity, one of Canada's largest credit unions. This new strategic collaboration is rooted in shared values, a unified vision, and common goals to drive meaningful, lasting change in the financial services industry. Article content This alliance brings together two purpose-driven organizations committed to innovation, transparency, and community impact. Just as Vancity empowers members to build healthy communities, SONA is redefining what it means to be a responsible leader in the payments space. Together, the relationship is built on a powerful alignment: driving positive transformation while delivering the best in technology, service, and support. Article content 'When I founded SONA in 2016, it was with a vision shaped by years of working alongside Canadian credit unions—organizations rooted in community, transparency, and service,' said SONA founder Ryan O'Leary. 'Our new collaboration with Vancity reflects a powerful alignment of these values. Together, we're committed to delivering a seamless, trustworthy, and community-focused merchant services experience for small and medium-sized businesses.' Article content Vancity members can now access a more personalized, community-focused approach to merchant services through a service partner that shares their values. SONA combines local insight with national capabilities, offering transparent, consistent, and competitive pricing—free from surprises. With a best-in-class technology platform and a consultative, hands-on approach, SONA delivers flexible payment solutions tailored to the unique needs of each business, from retail to professional services. This relationship ensures members receive the right tools, the right support, and a better overall experience. Article content SONA is a North American company focused on delivering transparent, flexible, and community-minded merchant services. With a national reach and a local approach, SONA supports businesses of all sizes through advanced payment solutions and industry-best support. Acquired by Nashville, Tennessee-based Celero Commerce in 2024, SONA leverages the leading-edge technology, strategic partnerships, and business intelligence of one of North America's largest non-bank payments processors. Article content Article content Article content Article content Article content Contacts Article content Media Contact Article content Article content Article content Article content
Russia Today
30-06-2025
- Politics
- Russia Today
Russia places US mercenary chief on terror list
American mercenary and former US Army National Guardsman Ryan David O'Leary, who fought on Ukraine's behalf, has been placed on Russia's list of terrorists and extremists. The respective entry appeared on the list maintained by Russia's Federal Financial Monitoring Service over the weekend. The designation carries various repercussions, including an asset freeze, heavy restriction of access to banking services, and other restrictions. O'Leary, the leader of the so-called 'Chosen Company' mercenary group, got onto the radar of Russian law enforcement last year over the Ukrainian invasion of Kursk Region. He is wanted for assorted crimes, ranging from illegally entering the country to committing acts of terror against civilians. The 'Chosen Company' was formed in February 2022, immediately after the conflict between Moscow and Kiev escalated into a full-blown war. The mercenary unit was originally known as the 312th Swedish Volunteer Company and led by Swedish military veteran Edvard Selander Patrignani, who was killed in action later that year. After his death, O'Leary took over, while the unit evolved into a broader group for mercenaries from Western nations. The unit has been repeatedly accused of committing war crimes during the conflict. Last July, for instance, former German mercenary field medic Caspar Grosse spoke to the New York Times, detailing multiple instances of the fighters with the company executing wounded and surrendering Russian servicemen, as well as POWs already taken into custody. Grosse claimed he had reported the incidents to O'Leary, who flatly denied that his 'brothers' had committed any war crimes. Over the past few months, however, O'Leary grew increasingly critical of the Ukrainian military, accusing it of inept leadership and using its soldiers as cannon fodder. Earlier this month, the mercenary chief claimed he had disbanded the 'Chosen Company', stating he was no longer willing to participate in the conflict. Announcing the decision, O'Leary claimed that 'leading people to slaughter for no reason' was purportedly against his 'belief and values.' He also accused Ukrainian military higher-ups of behaving like a privileged 'caste,' more concerned about their own benefits than anything else. O'Leary bemoaned the Ukrainian command style, claiming that the unit had lost more men to 'poor leadership and Soviet thinking' than to direct actions of the Russian military.
