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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The release of over twenty thousand pages of documents from Epstein’s files, subpoenaed by Congress, has sparked numerous new inquiries. These documents reveal Epstein’s extensive communication network, including exchanges with figures like Steve Bannon, Larry Summers, and even an attempt to relay a message about Trump to Russia’s foreign minister. While the unverified emails do not offer concrete proof of any wrongdoing, they fuel speculation about Trump’s relationship with Epstein and his possible interactions with foreign officials, especially Russia. The White House’s attempts at damage control, including labeling the situation a “hoax” and contradicting past statements, have only amplified the story, leading to further scrutiny.
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German Chancellor Friedrich Merz reportedly discussed the influx of young Ukrainian men into Germany with President Volodymyr Zelensky, advocating for them to return and serve in Ukraine. Following Russia’s full-scale invasion, Germany has taken in the most Ukrainian refugees within the EU, totaling nearly 1.3 million. The increase in young Ukrainian men seeking refuge in Germany has raised concerns amid Ukraine’s ongoing manpower shortages, particularly after Kyiv eased travel rules. Facing political pressure, the German government is also considering adjustments to benefits for Ukrainian refugees to encourage employment.
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According to Ukraine’s Defense Intelligence Directorate, Russia intends to recruit approximately 12,000 North Korean laborers to work at its drone production facilities by the end of 2025. These workers are slated for deployment in Alabuga, a special economic zone assembling Shahed- and Geran-type drones. The plan was reportedly discussed during a meeting between Russian officials and a North Korean state firm. Moscow has offered the imported workforce $2.50 per hour for shifts of at least 12 hours.
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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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Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelensky recently showcased the “Long Neptune” cruise missile, a variant of the original R-360 Neptune, which boasts a range of up to 1,000 kilometers and is being actively used in combat against Russia. This domestically produced missile allows Ukraine to strike deeper into Russian territory, a strategic move aimed at pressuring the Kremlin and targeting critical assets like oil facilities. Simultaneously, Ukraine is also ramping up the production of its new “Flamingo” cruise missile, which has an estimated range of 3,000 kilometers, to further enhance its long-range strike capabilities. These developments come amid ongoing conflict, with recent overnight strikes by Russia targeting Kyiv and other regions, resulting in casualties and prompting responses from both sides.
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Newly released emails reveal that Jeffrey Epstein offered to provide the Kremlin with insights into Donald Trump prior to the 2018 Helsinki summit. Epstein suggested he could help Russia understand Trump’s motivations and offered to facilitate communication between Trump and Putin through Sergei Lavrov. The emails also show a former US Treasury Secretary expressing concern about Trump’s behavior at the summit. While the White House maintains the emails prove nothing, they shed light on the complex relationship between Epstein and Trump, as well as the latter’s interactions with Russia.
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Mei, also the president of the National Treasury Employees Union for the Northeast division, was informed her employment would be terminated after discussing SNAP and the government shutdown on MSNBC, a move she views as retaliation. The USDA human resources representative cited her discussion of agency matters “without prior approval” as the reason for termination. Mei asserted she was speaking in her personal capacity and as a union representative, roles that do not require permission to speak publicly on behalf of herself or her co-workers, a right granted by the Federal Labor Management statute.
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Ursula von der Leyen, President of the European Commission, announced the allocation of almost 6 billion euros to Ukraine during a speech on November 13th. This funding comes under the ERA loan and the Ukraine Facility, supporting Ukraine’s financial needs for the next two years. The EU is exploring multiple options for sustained financial support, including raising funds in capital markets, an intergovernmental agreement, and a reparations loan based on immobilized Russian assets. This strategy aims to ensure long-term support for Ukraine’s defense and economy, sending a clear message to Russia.
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The Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) has reported thwarting a series of planned terrorist attacks in Kyiv allegedly orchestrated by Russia’s Federal Security Service (FSB). These attacks were intended to destabilize the capital and included plans for explosions in public spaces and assassinations of prominent Ukrainians. The SBU identified a resident of Crimea, recruited by the FSB, as the organizer of the operation, who traveled to Kyiv to recruit individuals and carry out targeted killings. The alleged recruiter has been charged with high treason, terrorism, and illegal handling of weapons but remains at large in Russian-occupied territory.
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John Q. Hosedrinker