Latest news with #crowdfunding
Daily Mail
8 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
Self-declared far-right fascist proudly shares his beliefs on popular podcast... then begs for cash after firing
A man who openly identified as a 'fascist' during a political debate with former MSNBC star Mehdi Hasan has raised over $26,000 on a Christian crowdfunding site after claiming he was fired for voicing his far-right political beliefs. The man, only identifying himself as Connor, had bragged to Hasan on Sunday how he was a 'fascist' and wholeheartedly believed in 'autocracy.' The assertion, delivered during an episode of the YouTube debate series Surrounded, left Hasan briefly at a loss. Hasan, in turn, said he did not 'debate fascists', and shut the conversation down. The very next day, 'Connor' was begging for a buck on on GiveSendGo, where, as of writing, he has already racked up almost $30,000. 'You're braver than most and also 100 percent correct,' a caption for one donation reads. 'Keep strong and keep speaking the truth,' someone who gifted the conservative $50 said. 'Nothing Connor said was wrong and I'm tired of having to pretend I don't agree,' scathed someone else. Others offered blessings after Connor had introduced himself as a Catholic, during an advertised debate that saw Hasan face off against him and 19 other 'far-right conservatives' as part of Jubilee's 'Surrounded' series. There, after quoting Nazi political theorist Carl Schmitt and praising Spanish dictator Francisco Franco, Connor found himself being pressed by Hasan on whether he was 'a fan of the Nazis' 'I think that there was a little bit of persecution and stuff like that, which is bad,' Connor answered, referring to the regime's persecution of Jewish people. He went on to slam the Nazis' treatment of the Catholic clergy, some of whom were sent to concentration camps along with six million Jews. 'I, frankly, don't care being called a Nazi at all,' he added A stunned Hasan could only say in response: 'We may have to rename this show, because you're a little bit more than a far-right Republican.' A grinning Connor quipped: 'Hey, what can I say?' - before being met with Hasan's reply: 'I think you can say, "I'm a fascist."' 'Yeah, I am,' Connor said with a lighthearted laugh, before being met with applause from others in attendance. Within hours, the same man was asking for financial help from onlookers for being 'unfairly cancelled', without providing details of the role or company he was supposedly fired from. He has raised nearly $30,000 Daily Mail has reached out to 'Connor' - who operates several conservative commentary pages on platforms like X and Instagram - for comment Within hours, he was asking for help without providing details of the role or company he was supposedly fired from. 'I'm raising money as an emergency fund and for other expenses while I look for a new job,' he said. 'Unfortunately voicing fully legal traditional right wing political views results in real consequences,' he continued, calling the occurred 'cancel culture and political discrimination on full display. The page originally sported a $15,000 goal but seems poised to collect more. 'We need a white nation! It's our only future! Vive le Fascisme,' another donor wrote.
The Verge
10 hours ago
- Entertainment
- The Verge
OneXSugar: Playing with the first dual-screen transforming handheld
is a senior editor and founding member of The Verge who covers gadgets, games, and toys. He spent 15 years editing the likes of CNET, Gizmodo, and Engadget. I can't believe they're actually making these, was my very first thought, as I powered on a working prototype of the OneXSugar Sugar 1. This week, One-Netbook is crowdfunding a gaming handheld on Indiegogo like none I've ever touched before. It's got two OLED touchscreens, two power buttons, two sets of volume controls, and two hinged rotating gamepads that let it transform into entirely different modes. Folded down, it's like a Nintendo Switch, with a single 6-inch screen flanked by half-gamepads. Pop open the 3.92-inch secondary screen and rotate the gamepads, and it's like a Nintendo DS with one screen on top of the other! Whichever mode you pick, the main controls instantly and automatically remap themselves to their new orientation. And that's just the start. Check out my video below for an extended look: This is a handheld that can emulate Wii, GameCube, and play the most demanding Android games like Genshin Impact on high settings — and, according to RetroGameCorps, its flagship Qualcomm Snapdragon G3 Gen 3 and 16GB of RAM can even play original Nintendo Switch games smoothly with the right drivers. But there's only so much I can show you in a two-minute video, so I expect you're wondering: just how competent is this handheld? How does it actually feel? Do you think it'll be a worthy product by its planned September ship date? Will it be worth the $599 early bird price, let alone its now-revealed $799 MSRP? I can't say for sure — it's a prototype, after all — but so far, the fun is outweighing the frustrations. Two things I forgot to show on video: RGB lighting inside the grips and around the analog sticks, and the secondary screen as kickstand. Photo by Sean Hollister / The Verge First, because I know you'll ask: yes, the multitasking is real. I've played with dual-screen phones where the manufacturer artificially limits what you can do with the second screen, but that's not happening here. You can send any app to either screen, even press a virtual button to swap which screen is 'primary' as far as Android is concerned. You can turn off either screen to save battery, too, and use whichever you need. As I show in my video, there are all sorts of fun possibilities! Second, I didn't have to baby this prototype's hinges, despite some worrying flex. I just flip them around and enjoy the loud thock as the pads magnetically snap into place. OneXSugar tells me the final hinges are SK7 tool steel and screwed directly into the aluminum alloy underframe, and will have more screws than the prototype. Still, I'm surprised the final hinge pins will still only attach to one half of the handheld's frame rather than being sandwiched between top and bottom for more strength. The company provided us with this image of the hinge so you can see its metal construction. Image: OneXSugar I'm continually surprised at how pleasant the Sugar 1 is to hold. The drift-resistant Hall effect joysticks and the microswitch buttons both feel smooth and responsive, and the grips feel quite sufficient in DS mode — with the secondary screen flipped out of the main body, it leaves a comfortable gap to place my fingers. The one notable caveat is there's no real D-pad. OneXSugar includes a strong magnetic one that floats atop four face buttons of your choice, but I'm having trouble with accidental extra button presses that way; the buttons are better by themselves. It's not the mechanics that worry me most, despite many comments I've read about how unnecessarily fragile a multi-hinge device will be. What gives me pause is the software, which feels quite unfinished just over a month before it's supposed to ship. One-Netbook has been building miniature Windows laptops, tablets and handhelds for years now, but its first Android device will ship with the last-gen Android 14, with no promise of future upgrades for future game compatibility, and only a single 'Sugar Console' app to make the OS gaming-handheld friendly. The Sugar Console app lets you turn off and swap screens, among other features. Photo by Sean Hollister / The Verge Often, it works fine! But while I can generally just flip the controllers up or down and largely have gaming buttons instantly work the way my muscle memory expects, that's not true of every button: the Start button, Android's back button and the button that summons OneXSugar's overlay are hard-coded for now, and I've had quite a few apps accidentally open or pause because I pressed the wrong button at the wrong time. And since you can only swipe out of apps from the designated 'primary' screen, I often try to close apps only to find it's not working because I'm doing it the wrong way. I kind of wish the Android hardware buttons would virtually swap places as you reposition and reorient the way other controls do. Photo by Sean Hollister / The Verge I've also had occasional issues charging the Sugar 1 reliably, or stretching some Android apps across both screens at the same time. Both are getting fixed in software, according to the company. Though the Sugar 1's primary selling point is the flexibility of its twin OLED screens, I was surprised to find OneXSugar doesn't yet have a way to resize your games to use those screens optimally — it only offers the equivalent of picture frame matting to minimize the black borders you see. In order to play Nintendo DS and SNES games at their proper aspect ratios on the Sugar 1, I was at the mercy of the resizing, window dragging, and arranging tools each emulator offers. Some of the Android games I was able to download didn't run properly quite yet, as they apparently haven't yet whitelisted Qualcomm's new handheld chip; Fortnite refused to run entirely, and Genshin Impact complained about overloading the processor as I ramped up the settings, even as the game seemed to run smoothly. While the secondary screen is a sturdy kickstand, I couldn't get it to face another person in the proper viewing orientation. Also note that the rear LED always stays on — it's a battery and charging indicator. Photo by Sean Hollister / The Verge I wasn't able to download a lot of native Android titles to begin with: prototypes went out to reviewers without any Google apps or the Google Play Store. That drastically limited what I was able to test, as many top English-language Android games require Google components, and many top Chinese-language games require Chinese logins. The company confirms to The Verge that final units will ship with Google Play, though. Lastly, I suspect you're curious about the battery life from its 21.5Wh pack, I won't be able to give you a good idea yet because my tool was clearly misreporting the battery drain. Over at Retro Game Corps, Russ seems to be seeing anywhere from 1 to 12 hours depending on the title. I've seen lots of zany and droolworthy gaming prototypes in my 15-plus years covering gadgets, but transforming ones like this typically never ship because they're too complicated and too niche to be worth a manufacturer's trouble. But One-Netbook, a brand that's built a reputation for modular portable computers, sees this as an opportunity to make a splash in the crowded Android market, VP Jason Zeng tells The Verge. He says the goal was to 'create something different,' and that his company actually wants to release more such splashy products in the future. For now, its gaming handheld efforts are indeed niche: the 200-person company has only sold around 100,000 pieces, Zeng estimates on a call, with 60 percent of those sales in China. But he says the US is One Netbook's fastest growing market, and the company sees Android devices as a more affordable way to access a larger population of customers than it's done with Windows handhelds so far. One-Netbook has no plans for Windows on ARM yet, Zeng tells us, but would like to connect with Valve. He says the company would find it 'very interesting' to discuss a potential SteamOS handheld. OneXSugar Sugar 1 specs 6.01-inch 1080 x 2160 60Hz 450-nit OLED primary screen (18:9) 3.92-inch 1080 x 1240 60Hz 450-nit OLED secondary screen (8:7) Qualcomm Snapdragon G3 Gen 3 8-core (1+5+2) w/ Adreno A32 GPU 16GB RAM (8533MHz), 512GB storage (UFS 4.0) MicroSD expansion up to 1TB (UHS-I) 21.5Wh battery (5600mAh), bundled 45W charger Hall effect joysticks Microswitches for face, shoulder, and trigger buttons Wi-Fi 7 and Bluetooth 5.3 USB-C x1 10Gbps w/ 1080p60 DP output and USB-OTG mode Aluminum internal frame overmolded with PC+ABS plastic composite; SK7 steel hinges Stereo speakers, single microphone 1.07 lbs (486.3g) Android 14
RNZ News
21 hours ago
- Business
- RNZ News
Paypal withholds thousands of funds from Kiwis to Palestinians
Paypal. Photo: 123RF Thousands of dollars donated by New Zealanders for families in Gaza is being withheld by Paypal with no reason given. New Zealand writer, who goes by the name of Emily Writes, set up the the fund 'Aotearoa to Gaza Mutual Aid' through Ko-Fi - a free crowdfunding platform that send funds to Paypal. In just 24 hours, the account had received over $8000 from about 900 individual donations. Writes would then send the money on to Palestinians in need, but her request to withdraw money was denied and her account deactivated. She told Midday Report Paypal would not tell her why the account was closed, and said the money would be held for 180 days. "It was just frozen with no explanation and no ability to do anything about that. The money is just being held there," she said. Writes said she has spent days going back and fourth with Paypal trying to get answers, but the company isn't being transparent. She believes the reason is political as she has heard from others who have also had funds for Gaza frozen. "The minute they said that it was going to be for Palestinians it was shut down," she said. Midday Report has contacted Paypal for comment but has not received a response. Sign up for Ngā Pitopito Kōrero , a daily newsletter curated by our editors and delivered straight to your inbox every weekday.
Fast Company
a day ago
- Business
- Fast Company
How financial inclusion is transforming displaced lives
Over 110 million people are displaced due to violence, persecution, and climate change, and access to financial services is often the key to rebuilding lives. Refugees and displaced populations face systemic barriers to financial inclusion, with traditional financial institutions often perceiving them as high-risk clients. But what if refugees are not only creditworthy but also vital contributors to economic stability? Over the past several years, innovative financial solutions have begun challenging this perception, proving that refugees can be a powerful force for local economic development. By overcoming biases and demonstrating the business case for refugee lending, organizations have shown that financial inclusion not only benefits refugees, but also host communities and broader economies. Prove the viability of refugee lending It is a widespread misconception that refugees are too risky to serve. Historically, refugees have been viewed as liabilities due to their lack of credit history, residency uncertainty, and perceived flight risk. Yet, research and pilot programs consistently show that refugees can, and do, repay loans at rates comparable to nonrefugee populations. For example, a 2016 pilot initiative provided risk-tolerant, crowdfunding-based loans to refugees, with a 96.39% repayment rate. This pilot demonstrated that refugees are viable candidates for financial services and set the stage for scaling such efforts with institutional support to meet the these demands in refugee populations. Impact-first capital: A new model for financial inclusion Building on early successes, institutional capital has proven effective in scaling refugee lending globally. By channeling impact-first institutional capital to financial service providers (FSPs) in refugee-hosting countries, these organizations can offer loans to refugees who would otherwise be excluded from formal financial systems. One such initiative, Kiva's Refugee Investment Fund (KRIF), invests in FSPs serving refugees, internally displaced people, impacted host communities, and populations at high risk of forced displacement. This model encourages a shift in perception; refugees are no longer liabilities, but valuable contributors to the local economy. Earlier this year, KRIF concluded a four-year investment period, reaching over $60 million in total investments to and for refugees and displaced populations around the world. KRIF deployed impact-first capital across 14 countries in the Middle East, East Africa, the Caucasus, and Latin America and has thus far directly supported 76,000 refugees (of which, 70% identify as women) with the funding they needed to rebuild their lives. Lessons learned: What works in refugee financial inclusion The success of refugee lending initiatives has provided valuable lessons. First, it is crucial to recognize refugees' adaptability. Contrary to assumptions, refugees are often highly resourceful and resilient. With the right financial tools, they can rebuild their lives and contribute significantly to local economies. Another key takeaway is the importance of flexible financial products and a supportive regulatory environment. Refugees may not have traditional credit histories, but they often have strong social networks, market knowledge, and a willingness to repay loans. Many of Kiva's partners have found that adjusting existing products offered by FSPs, rather than creating entirely new ones, can make a significant difference in serving refugees. Flexible repayment terms or microloans for small businesses are particularly effective. Hiring local staff from refugee communities has also been cited as integral to the success of FSPs refugee lending programs. One partner in Chile noted that they 'quickly saw that the level of empathy, as a result of knowing exactly the situation our potential [refugee] clients found themselves in, was crucial to being successful.' This approach helps navigate cultural barriers, ranging from language to mindset, and strengthens relationships with clients. Finally, institutional investors play a crucial role in driving systemic change. Traditionally, private investors have overlooked refugees as a viable market. However, impact-first capital is proving that there is both social and financial value in serving these populations. By demonstrating refugees' creditworthiness, these funds are helping to build a new market for refugee lending and inspiring other investors to consider the potential of displaced populations. The importance of capacity building in refugee lending While institutional capital is essential, it's not the only ingredient needed for successful refugee lending. For FSPs to effectively serve refugees, they must have the right tools, training, and infrastructure in place. Capacity-building efforts, such as support for developing tailored loan products and improving outreach and services, are crucial for the success of refugee lending programs. A notable example comes from Uganda, where refugees in the Kyangwali settlement faced significant challenges accessing financial services due to the distance to the nearest branch office. With the support of an impact-first investment, UGAFODE Microfinance established a local sales center within the settlement, drastically improving accessibility. This investment also enabled UGAFODE to scale its operations and serve a growing refugee population. This partnership illustrates how building the capacity of local financial institutions creates long-term solutions to financial exclusion. A vision for the future The journey toward financial inclusion for refugees is not just about providing loans, it's about transforming the narrative around displaced populations. By proving that refugees are economically viable and valuable contributors to their local economies, innovative financial models are challenging long-held biases and opening new opportunities for both refugees and the communities that host them. If initiatives like KRIF become more widespread, refugee lending could help redefine global lending practices and create a more inclusive global financial system. Refugees would gain access to the services they need to rebuild their lives with dignity, and host communities would benefit from the economic growth driven by refugee entrepreneurship. As the world faces unprecedented levels of displacement due to conflict, persecution, and climate change, the need for innovative financial solutions is urgent. The lessons learned from early refugee lending programs provide a roadmap for creating lasting, meaningful change and a future where financial inclusion is a right for all.
Arab News
a day ago
- Business
- Arab News
Watchdog finds hundreds of Instagram, Facebook ads crowdfunding for Israeli military
LONDON: Consumer watchdog Eko has uncovered hundreds of ads on Meta platforms — including Instagram and Facebook — that promote crowdfunding campaigns for the Israel Defense Forces, in apparent violation of the company's own advertising policies. The ads, run by pro-Israel groups, aim to raise funds for military equipment such as drones and tactical gear, despite Meta's rules prohibiting the promotion of firearms and weapons-related content. According to Eko's research, at least 117 ads have been published since March 2025 explicitly soliciting donations for equipment used by the IDF. The ads, launched by two groups, targeted users in the US, UK and EU, and generated at least 76,000 impressions — the number of times an ad is displayed to users. Combined, the campaigns raised more than $2.4 million through landing pages linked to the ads. 'We are the sniper team of Unit Shaked, stationed in Gaza, and we urgently need shooting tripods to complete our mission in Jabalia,' one Facebook ad read. Eko said most of the ads raised funds for Autel EVO drones, the model that Israeli soldiers have reportedly retrofitted with grenades and used in deadly attacks in Gaza, including against children. An investigation by Israeli outlet +972 Magazine recently revealed that Israel has acquired large numbers of Chinese-made Autel quadcopters — drones typically used for photography and available for purchase on Amazon — and adapted them to carry explosives. 'Most of our drones are broken and falling apart— and we don't have any replacements,' another ad said. 'Donate now — every second counts, every drone saves lives.' While Eko noted it is unclear whether funds raised through the ads were directly used to purchase drones, IDF soldiers told +972 that they had received Autel drones through donations, fundraisers and Facebook groups. One of the groups identified by Eko is the nonprofit Vaad Hatzedaka, which linked to a donation page listing equipment it was seeking to fund, including two Autel drones. As of this month, the campaign had raised more than $250,000 of its $300,000 goal. Another campaign, launched by Israeli singer-songwriter Mayer Malik, claimed to have collected more than $2.2 million for the IDF. Meta's advertising policies explicitly ban content that promotes the sale or use of restricted goods such as weapons, ammunition and explosives. 'Meta is profiting from genocide — approving ads that help funnel millions of dollars toward killer drones and military gear likely used to murder Palestinians,' Vicky Wyatt, campaign director, said. 'This isn't just a moderation failure — it's a business model built to reward whoever pays, no matter the harm.' While Meta has removed some of the ads flagged in Eko's latest report, the watchdog said the company has done little to address broader concerns raised during a previous investigation in December 2024. At the time, Eko flagged 98 similar ads, prompting takedowns, but Meta allowed the advertisers to return with near-identical campaigns. The IDF itself is not directly running the fundraising campaigns. The new findings come just days after a separate investigation by the Tech Transparency Project revealed that platforms including X and WhatsApp were being used as storefronts for weapons sales by arms dealers linked to Houthi militants in Yemen. Eko warned that Meta's approval of the IDF-linked ads may also breach the EU's Digital Services Act, which requires platforms to remove content that violates national or EU laws.
