Daily News 19

Tag: Humanitarian aid

  • Ed Sheeran’s Backer Responds to Macklemore’s Challenge to Match $1M Palestine Donation

    Ed Sheeran’s Backer Responds to Macklemore’s Challenge to Match $1M Palestine Donation

    Rapper Macklemore has announced a $1 million donation from his earnings on Ed Sheeran’s Loop Tour to six organizations supporting Palestinians, challenging New England Patriots owner Robert Kraft to match the contribution. The move escalates a public dispute that began when Macklemore was removed from the tour amid allegations that Kraft pressured Sheeran to drop the artist.

    Macklemore Announces $1 Million Donation and Challenges Robert Kraft

    In an Instagram post, Macklemore stated he would donate his tour earnings to Palestine Children’s Relief Fund, HEAL Palestine, Gaza Soup Kitchen, Medical Aid for Palestinians, UNRWA USA National Committee, and Anera. He framed the donation as an effort to refocus attention on the humanitarian situation.

    “I invite Robert Kraft to match my donation. Whatever we disagree about, perhaps we can agree on this: Palestinian lives are worth protecting.”

    “A Palestinian life is no less valuable than any other life on this earth. That is what this has always been about. Not me. Not a tour. Not the headlines or the controversy. It is about Palestinians’ right to freedom, dignity and safety in their own homeland.”

    Robert Kraft Responds with $2 Million Pledge

    Shortly after the challenge, Kraft announced he would commit $2 million, stating the decision came after a conversation with Ed Sheeran earlier in the day—before Macklemore’s public call to action.

    “Earlier today, before Macklemore challenged me to match his donation, Ed called me and asked me to commit $2 million to match his donation to aid in the region to fight this humanitarian crisis.”

    “Ed now plans to reach out to other venue owners and our goal is to continue to work together to build bridges.”

    Kraft also emphasized his long-term involvement in Israeli-Palestinian coexistence initiatives.

    “In addition, I’d like the people who are speaking in support of the Palestinian people to know that for decades, I have supported efforts that create opportunity for Palestinians and have brought young Palestinians and Israelis together to build businesses, create jobs, and forge relationships.”

    Supporting Acts Exit Sheeran’s Tour in Protest

    The donations arrive as Sheeran’s North American tour faces a wave of withdrawals from supporting artists. Irish singer Aaron Rowe announced his departure on September 15, followed quickly by Finneas, who stated he “stands with Palestine and its people.” Irish band Beoga and Danish group Lukas Graham also confirmed they would no longer participate.

    Ed Sheeran Denies Role in Macklemore’s Removal

    Amid the controversy, Sheeran issued a statement clarifying that the decision to remove Macklemore was not his own.

    “Macklemore coming off tour was the promoter’s decision, it was not mine. Macklemore’s contract for the tour was with the promoter, not me.”

    The situation continues to develop as artists, promoters, and public figures navigate the intersection of entertainment, philanthropy, and political advocacy.

  • Ripple Donates $300,000 to Nepal and Tibet Flood Relief Efforts

    Ripple Donates $300,000 to Nepal and Tibet Flood Relief Efforts

    Ripple is donating $300,000 to support emergency relief efforts after severe flooding struck Nepal and Tibet, providing funding for food, water, and sanitation assistance.

    The blockchain payments company announced the contribution on Aug. 28 on X. The funds will go to World Central Kitchen, a nonprofit that provides meals during humanitarian emergencies, and Mercy Corps, which delivers humanitarian aid and supports disaster recovery.

    “Ripple is donating $300,000 to World Central Kitchen and Mercy Corps to support emergency meal distribution and water and sanitation efforts on the ground.”

    Flooding devastates communities in Nepal and Tibet

    Flooding has devastated communities along Nepal’s Bhote Koshi and Trishuli river corridors, severely damaging critical infrastructure. Mercy Corps is coordinating with local authorities and humanitarian partners to assess urgent needs and support the emergency response.

    An ice-rock avalanche from a Himalayan glacier is believed to have blocked a river before releasing a destructive surge downstream. The resulting floods swept through Nepal’s Rasuwa, Nuwakot, and Dhading districts, destroying homes, roads, bridges, power systems, and communications infrastructure. The flooding also struck the Gyirong border port in Tibet.

    Rescue operations continued amid unstable terrain and the risk of secondary disasters.

    UNICEF reported on Aug. 27 that at least 17,000 children were affected in Nepal. Eighteen schools were destroyed and 20 others sustained damage. The agency appealed for $17.2 million to fund health, nutrition, water, sanitation, education, child protection, and early-recovery programs.

    Ripple said the donation addresses two immediate needs identified in the affected areas: emergency meal distribution and water and sanitation services. World Central Kitchen and Mercy Corps will use the funding to support those efforts on the ground.

    Ripple expands humanitarian partnerships

    The donation builds on Ripple’s existing relationships with both organizations. World Central Kitchen and Mercy Corps were among several nonprofits that piloted Ripple Payments and the Ripple USD ($RLUSD) stablecoin to explore faster and more transparent ways to distribute emergency funds.

    Ripple previously worked with Mercy Corps Ventures on a drought-response project in Kenya. The $RLUSD-based pilot targeted 533 pastoralists and used satellite data and smart contracts to trigger payments when vegetation conditions fell below a predetermined threshold.

    Each eligible participant received approximately $75 if drought conditions activated the payment mechanism. The project demonstrated how stablecoins and blockchain infrastructure could automate humanitarian assistance in regions with limited access to conventional financial services.

    Ripple’s broader payment infrastructure is connected to the XRP Ledger, a public blockchain designed for rapid, low-cost transactions. The company’s contribution to relief efforts in Nepal and Tibet extends its humanitarian partnerships while directing $300,000 to organizations providing emergency assistance.