A major corruption scandal involving Ukraine’s state-owned nuclear power company has emerged amid renewed Russian attacks on energy infrastructure, leading to a government crisis. Investigations by anti-corruption watchdogs, including wiretaps, revealed a kickback scheme involving approximately $100 million and implicated top officials, prompting President Zelenskyy to call for the dismissal of his justice and energy ministers, who subsequently resigned. The scandal has raised concerns among European partners providing aid, particularly after the emergence of evidence connecting a close associate of Zelenskyy to the alleged corruption and delayed fortification of energy sites. The anti-corruption investigation has also focused on potential connections to a drone manufacturer.
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Andrii Yermak, Head of the President’s Office, has asserted that President Zelenskyy is not involved in any corruption schemes within the energy sector, emphasizing Zelenskyy’s role in initiating the fight against corruption in Ukraine. Yermak highlighted that Zelenskyy must remain above suspicion, as he has supported independent investigations. However, Yermak also suggested that certain political entities may be leveraging anti-corruption investigations to undermine Ukraine’s leadership. Furthermore, he noted the importance of awaiting court decisions and investigation results before drawing any conclusions regarding those under investigation in the recent energy sector corruption case, which includes associates of the President.
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Deal to end longest government shutdown in history clears Congress, and honestly, the whole situation feels like a bad joke with a really grim punchline. After a mind-numbing 40 days, we’ve finally reached what’s being called an agreement, but the overall feeling is one of profound disappointment and, frankly, betrayal. What did we get out of it? Empty promises, as it seems, and a whole lot of questions.
This “deal” feels like a political Seinfeld episode – a whole lot of nothing happening, or at least nothing good. The core issue of what this shutdown was even about remains murky, leaving many people completely in the dark, wondering what the actual plot was supposed to be.… Continue reading
President Zelensky has demanded the immediate resignations of Justice Minister Herman Halushchenko and Energy Minister Svitlana Hrynchuk amidst a corruption scandal in the energy sector. The National Anti-Corruption Bureau (NABU) and the Specialized Anti-Corruption Prosecutor’s Office (SAPO) revealed top officials demanded illicit commissions from contractors, leading to a sweeping probe. Furthermore, surveillance reports indicated potential impropriety involving the two ministers, and in response, the Cabinet of Ministers has dismissed Energoatom’s supervisory board and suspended Halushchenko. Zelensky has underscored the importance of swift action to maintain stability and uphold commitments to international organizations while fully supporting the investigation.
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In an unprecedented move, former US President Donald Trump wrote to Israeli President Isaac Herzog, urging him to pardon Benjamin Netanyahu of corruption charges. Trump argued that the case was a “political, unjustified prosecution” and that Netanyahu should be allowed to unite Israel. This call for a pardon follows previous criticisms of the charges against Netanyahu, including comments made to the Knesset last month and a declaration of the trial being a “witch hunt”. President Herzog responded by stating that any pardon request must follow established procedures, highlighting the need for a formal request.
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In Belgrade, Serbia, thousands protested against a $500 million luxury development project linked to Jared Kushner, President Donald Trump’s son-in-law. The project, planned for the site of the former Yugoslav Army headquarters, which was destroyed during the 1999 NATO bombing campaign, has sparked outrage due to alleged corruption and historical significance. The government has fast-tracked the project by classifying it as “urgent,” despite legal challenges and claims that the development erases a painful part of national history. Critics also fear the replacement of the ruins with luxury towers will erase a painful part of national history.
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Cameroon’s 92-year-old President Paul Biya was sworn in for his eighth term, vowing to restore order amidst post-election violence. Biya, who won the election with 54% of the vote, offered condolences for victims of protests that arose from allegations of fraud. He praised the electoral process and promised to focus on issues affecting women, young people, corruption, and security. Despite the unrest and criticisms of his long rule, Biya urged citizens to work with him in building a prosperous nation.
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Kristi Noem, the Secretary of Homeland Security, purportedly authorized the purchase of Spirit Airlines jets for deportation flights, but it was later discovered the airline didn’t own the planes nor did they have engines. This plan was reportedly paused due to the revelation and objections from ICE officials, who warned of the high cost. The DHS also acquired two Gulfstream jets during the government shutdown, drawing criticism from House Democrats, despite a previous bill allocating substantial funds for immigration operations. These purchases highlight ongoing issues surrounding the handling of immigrant deportation, including the use of planes for transportation.
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The Trump administration is accused of establishing a pay-to-play system, using donations for a new ballroom project. Donors, ranging from Wall Street and cryptocurrency firms to those profiting from ICE and Israeli occupation, are benefiting from Trump’s policies, some by billions of dollars in federal contracts. BlackRock and Blackstone, major Wall Street donors, are leveraging Trump’s deregulation agenda for financial gain, while companies like Palantir and Amazon profit from contracts with ICE. Furthermore, the article points out how corporations supporting the ballroom are also enabling the Israeli occupation and potentially participating in genocide.
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Former Tennessee House Speaker Glen Casada and his former Chief of Staff Cade Cothren have been granted pardons by President Donald Trump following their convictions on corruption charges. Both men were sentenced in September, with Casada facing 36 months in federal prison for charges including wire fraud and money laundering. The pardons relate to a case involving over $51,000 in state constituent mail payments funneled to Cothren through Phoenix Solutions, resulting in Casada and Cothren receiving over $35,000 in bribes. The pardons come after Casada confirmed he received a call from the president and a White House official stated that the men were over-prosecuted for a minor issue.
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John Q. Hosedrinker 
Matt Underwood
Trump’s White House Ballroom: Genocide, ICE Profiteers, and a Controversial Project
The Trump administration is accused of establishing a pay-to-play system, using donations for a new ballroom project. Donors, ranging from Wall Street and cryptocurrency firms to those profiting from ICE and Israeli occupation, are benefiting from Trump’s policies, some by billions of dollars in federal contracts. BlackRock and Blackstone, major Wall Street donors, are leveraging Trump’s deregulation agenda for financial gain, while companies like Palantir and Amazon profit from contracts with ICE. Furthermore, the article points out how corporations supporting the ballroom are also enabling the Israeli occupation and potentially participating in genocide.
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