Latest news with #exchange
The Herald
6 hours ago
- Entertainment
- The Herald
Gqeberha, Palestinian artists unite on stage
The Athenaeum in Gqeberha pulsed with vibrant energy recently when a chorus of voices, movement and music filled the historic venue. NDILAPHA! — Finding My Place in the World , was a powerful youth-led performance and exhibition showcasing the creative outcome of a unique two-week exchange between the Palestinian Circus School and Masifunde ' s Academy of Creativity. Bringing together 40 young artists from SA and Palestine, the project invited participants to explore themes of identity, belonging and shared experience through circus, theatre, music and visual arts. During just 10 days, the group — many of whom had never travelled outside their communities — broke through language and cultural barriers to co-create a deeply personal and political showcase. 'Now I can say that everything is possible when you work things out together,' a 17-year-old participant from Walmer said, reflecting on the collaborative journey which saw teens from vastly different worlds becoming co-performers and friends. For another 17-year-old, from Ramallah, the exchange was both a revelation and a mirror. 'I already knew that people on the other side of the world lived differently from me,' the teenager said. 'But now I also got to see how similar we all are. 'I realised that I can relate to SA youth in so many ways.' Their final performance was a dazzling fusion of physical theatre, circus skills, choir music and spoken word, backed by an exhibition of visual artworks created during the exchange. Together they offered raw, honest insights into the way young people are navigating their worlds — marked by conflict, inequality, resilience and hope. 'I realised the world isn ' t black and white, it ' s colourful — you just need to find the perfect shade,' a 16-year-old participant from Palestine said. Another, aged 17, said: 'When we finished the show I felt so proud of us.' Beyond the stage, the young artists built relationships grounded in mutual respect and curiosity. Daily rehearsals were punctuated with shared meals, storytelling sessions and open discussions which helped dismantle assumptions and build empathy. 'It was a rich human experience which brought together young people from different backgrounds to learn from one another,' Gaza-born facilitator and artist Al Arab Almoughanni said. 'The shared activities and open discussions helped build strong relationships based on respect and appreciation.' At its heart, NDILAPHA! — which means 'I am here' in isiXhosa — became a declaration of presence and purpose. It was less about performance and more about connection, healing and finding one ' s place in a complicated world. The initiative was made possible through support from Masifunde Learner Development, the Palestinian Circus School, and the Civil Peace Service of the GIZ, funded by the German ministry for economic co-operation and development. In a time when borders, both literal and figurative, continue to divide, NDILAPHA! stood as a bold reminder of what is possible when young people come together to listen, learn and create. The Herald
Yahoo
3 days ago
- General
- Yahoo
Four students in unique UK-US school exchange programme reunite 55 years later
FOUR people who took part in a unique UK-US school exchange programme have reunited in Amesbury 55 years later. In 1970, at the age of 17, Clive Barton, Mike Nelson, Steve Deorocki, and Deb Whelan (nee Finley) swapped their schools, homes, and countries for a year. Clive and Mike, accustomed to the all-boys Bishop Wordsworth School, found themselves in a co-ed environment at Amesbury High School in Massachusetts. Meanwhile, Steve and Deb experienced the British education system, complete with its strict uniform policies. This exchange happened in an era without mobile phones, the internet, or affordable international calls, making the experience even more daunting. Clive and Mike had to book a single Christmas call home two weeks in advance, at a staggering cost of $24 a minute. Mike and Clive packed everything they anticipated needing for a year in a climate with harsher seasons, including summer temperatures and deep winter snow, into one suitcase each. Thanksgiving Dinner in the Nelson household, Amesbury, Wiltshire, Nov 1970 (Image: Julia Doig) They arrived at JFK airport in the sweltering August heat, dressed in their winter coats. Despite being in the UK, Thanksgiving was a celebration they didn't miss out on, thanks to one of the host families who organised a traditional feast. The year was filled with new experiences for all four. Steve camped as a Scout, exploring much of the UK, an activity he hadn't considered in the US and thoroughly enjoyed. Deb, fascinated by the differences in the same language, listed 400 words with differing meanings and wrote articles for her local US paper. Read more New Forest museum to mark 25th anniversary with special weekend of events Hundreds attend remembrance service for World War One troops Talk exploring river's thousand-year history to take place in Salisbury Mike learned and reported on American football for the same paper. Educationally, the American students returned home with college-worthy grades and smoothly transitioned with their peers, unsurprisingly pursuing careers and lives filled with travel. However, Clive and Mike had to redo their last year of sixth form. When asked if it was worth it, they gave a resounding 'yes'. These 'kids', now 72, recently visited Amesbury History Centre for a reunion. Waving hello to Deb Whelan (nee Finley) on Zoom (Image: Julia Doig) Steve made the trip from Amesbury, Massachusetts, while Deb joined via video from the US. The reunion marked 55 years of keeping in touch, initially through airmail and later via Facebook. Their extraordinary exchange experience originated from an advert in the Salisbury Journal, marking the first and only school exchange programme between the two Amesburys. The Amesbury History Centre uncovered and shared the story of these remarkable individuals, celebrating an achievement that significantly impacted their lives. The exchange programme turned out to be a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, enriching the lives of all those involved.
Yahoo
4 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Crypto Exchange OSL Group Raises $300M Ahead of Hong Kong's Stablecoin Regulation Plan
Hong Kong-based cryptocurrency exchange OSL Group has raised $300 million in an equity sale. OSL, which was the first exchange to win a license from the Hong Kong Monetary Authority (HKMA), said it will use the new capital to develop new business initiatives, such as building payment and stablecoin services. Hong Kong will start allowing stablecoin issuance under a new regulatory regime taking effect at the start of August. It is in the process of unveiling a range of policies for the regulation of digital assets, establishing a framework to oversee exchanges and custodians for the purposes of risk management and investor protection. It also plans to allow professional investors to trade derivatives. OSL also plans to use the capital to support acquisition plans and bolster its balance sheet.
Associated Press
6 days ago
- Business
- Associated Press
BTCC Exchange Honored with Triple Recognitions from FXEmpire in Comprehensive 2025 Industry Analysis
A Media Snippet accompanying this announcement is available by clicking on this link. VILNIUS, Lithuania, July 23, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- BTCC, the world's longest-serving cryptocurrency exchange, is proud to announce that it has received three distinguished awards from FXEmpire following their comprehensive evaluation of over 50 centralized crypto exchanges in 2025. BTCC has been honored with the 'Lowest Fee Crypto Exchange,' 'Best Fiat-to-Crypto Trading Platform,' and 'Best Crypto Exchange in the USA' awards, cementing its position as an industry leader. The 'Lowest Fee Crypto Exchange' and 'Best Fiat-to-Crypto Trading Platform' recognitions underscore the platform's commitment to providing users worldwide with low fiat deposit fees across major currencies, including USD, CAD, EUR, and many others. Backed by multi-region licences, BTCC supports high transaction limits that ensure smooth and compliant fiat onboarding for traders globally. The 'Best Crypto Exchange in the USA' award recognizes BTCC's FinCEN licence in the U.S. and its commitment to transparency, as demonstrated by monthly Proof of Reserves reports that consistently maintain reserve ratios above 100%. 'We're truly honored and excited to receive these awards from FXEmpire,' said Aaryn Ling, Head of Branding at BTCC. 'These recognitions validate our commitment to providing traders with the most efficient, secure, and cost-effective cryptocurrency trading services, and reinforce our mission to uplift the industry's standard for quality trading.' With 14 years of proven security and reliability since 2011, BTCC continues to strengthen its position in the global cryptocurrency market. As an industry pioneer, BTCC remains committed to delivering reliable and accessible trading services to users worldwide. Learn more about the rewards on BTCC's website. About FXEmpire Established in 2011, FXEmpire is a globally recognized financial news platform. It offers up-to-date market news, detailed analysis, real-time quotes and charts, and expert reviews of brokers and crypto exchanges. About BTCC Exchange Founded in 2011, BTCC is a leading global cryptocurrency exchange with the vision to make crypto trading reliable and accessible to everyone. With a strong presence in over 100 countries and regions and a user base of over 9.1 million, BTCC continues to deliver innovation, security, and an unmatched user experience in the cryptocurrency world. Official website: X: Contact: [email protected]
CNA
6 days ago
- Business
- CNA
Japan says forex not included in trade deal with US, Kyodo reports
TOKYO :Japanese Finance Minister Katsunobu Kato said the bilateral trade deal with the United States did not include reference to foreign exchange rates, Kyodo news agency reported on Wednesday. Kato made the remarks to reporters at Japan's Ministry of Finance, according to Kyodo. President Donald Trump's focus on addressing the U.S. trade deficit and his past remarks accusing Japan of intentionally maintaining a weak yen have fuelled expectations that Tokyo would face pressure to strengthen the yen against the dollar to give U.S. manufacturers a competitive advantage. Kato has discussed exchange rate matters with U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent in talks Tokyo has described as separate from bilateral negotiations on tariffs and trade.
