Russia SHREDS Trump & U.S. n Furious Clash: ‘Don't Lecture Us, Focus On America'
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Mint
12 minutes ago
- Mint
Ukrainian anti-corruption agencies uncover drone procurement graft scheme
KYIV, Ukraine (AP) — Ukraine's anti-corruption agencies said they had uncovered a major graft scheme involving inflated military procurement contracts, just two days after Ukraine's parliament voted to restore the agencies' independence. In a joint statement published Saturday on social media, the National Anti-Corruption Bureau (NABU) and the Specialized Anti-Corruption Prosecutor's Office (SAPO) said the suspects had taken bribes in a scheme that used state funds to buy drones and other military equipment at inflated prices. 'The essence of the scheme was to conclude state contracts with supplier companies at deliberately inflated prices,' the statement said, adding that offenders had received kickbacks of up to 30% of the contracts' value. The anti-corruption bodies did not identify the detainees, but said a Ukrainian lawmaker, local district and city officials, and National Guard servicemen were involved. Four people have been arrested so far, they said. The Interior Ministry said the National Guard personnel implicated in the case were removed from their positions. Drones have become a crucial asset in modern warfare for both Ukraine and Russia, enhancing military reconnaissance, precision strikes, and strategic flexibility on the battlefield. The majority of Russian military assets destroyed by Ukrainian forces, including manpower and heavy weaponry, have been targeted by drones. Drone production is also a key aspect of Kyiv's hopes to expand domestic military production and export markets. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy addressed the development in his nightly address on Saturday, calling the graft scheme 'absolutely immoral' and thanking the anti-corruption agencies for their work. 'Unfortunately, these corruption schemes involved the procurement of electronic warfare systems and FPV drones ... There must be full and fair accountability for this,' he said in his address, posted to X. In an earlier post, which also included photos of him meeting with the agency heads, Zelenskyy said it is 'important that anti-corruption institutions operate independently,' adding that 'the law passed on Thursday guarantees them all the tools necessary for a real fight against corruption.' The exposure of the graft scheme by NABU and SAPO came just two days after Ukraine's parliament voted to restore their independence. Ukraine's Parliament on Thursday overwhelmingly approved the bill presented by Zelenskyy, reversing his earlier contentious move that curbed their power and sparked a backlash, including street protests, a rarity in wartime. Last week's measure to place the watchdogs under the oversight of the prosecutor-general prompted rebukes from Ukrainians, the European Union and international rights groups. It raised fears that the government could meddle in investigations and potentially shield its supporters from scrutiny. Fighting entrenched corruption is crucial for Ukraine's aspirations to join the European Union and maintain access to billions of dollars of vital Western aid in the all-out war, now in its fourth year. It's also an effort that enjoys broad public support. Morton reported from London.
India Today
37 minutes ago
- India Today
Chidambaram alleges 6.5 lakh migrants added as voters in Tamil Nadu
2:32 An attack has been reported at an auxiliary facility near Ukraine's Zaporizhia nuclear power plant, which is currently under Russian control. The incident, reportedly a drone attack, caused fire and smoke, sparking fears of a potential nuclear breach and a radiation threat to Europe. The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), which has a team at the site, confirmed they heard military activity and saw smoke from the facility located 1,200 meters from the plant's perimeter. The IAEA's Director General, Rafael Grossi, stated that the agency's team is attending to the incident. He emphasized that, "any attack in the vicinity of a nuclear power plant, regardless of the intended target, poses a potential risk also for the nuclear safety and must be avoided." The IAEA continues to monitor the situation at Europe's largest nuclear plant.
Time of India
40 minutes ago
- Time of India
Trump tariff threat: No order for refiners from India to stop Russian oil imports despite US pressure, claims report
India has not issued any directive to its oil refiners to halt purchases of Russian crude, Bloomberg reported, citing people familiar with the matter. The decision comes as the Indian government navigates its energy security needs while managing diplomatic ties with Moscow and avoiding further tensions with US President Donald Trump. According to Bloomberg sources who spoke on the condition of anonymity due to the sensitivity of the issue, no official decision has been made to stop imports from Russia. Both state-run and private refiners continue to source oil based on commercial considerations, and are permitted to buy from suppliers of their choice. The clarification follows Trump's criticism of India on Wednesday for relying heavily on Russian energy and defence equipment. The US President imposed an unexpected 25 percent tariff on Indian goods and threatened further penalties due to India's close ties with Moscow. He later told reporters that he 'heard' India would stop purchasing Russian oil, describing it as 'a good step.' India has consistently maintained that its energy purchases are dictated by market conditions and pricing. Last week, according to Bloomberg, refiners were asked to draft contingency plans for procuring non-Russian crude, should the need arise. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Susan Boyle Is Now so Thin and Looks Beautiful! Undo Officials reportedly asked state-owned processors to explore alternate sourcing options and estimate volumes that could replace Russian imports, describing it as scenario planning. Despite this, The New York Times reported on Saturday that India will continue to buy Russian crude even under the threat of penalties from the US, citing two unnamed senior Indian officials. India has become the largest buyer of Russian seaborne crude exports since the Ukraine conflict began, increasing its share from near zero to about one-third of total imports. This has drawn criticism from both the US and the European Union, which view the purchases as indirect support for Moscow's war effort. Reducing or halting Russian oil imports would likely force India to return to sourcing crude from Gulf producers at higher prices, a move that could increase the country's energy import bill, one of the sources told Bloomberg. Prime Minister Narendra Modi has maintained a close relationship with Russian President Vladimir Putin, visiting Moscow in October. Putin is also expected to travel to India later this year. In the meantime, state-owned Indian Oil Corp. has purchased at least 5 million barrels of US crude and an additional 2 million barrels from Abu Dhabi for near-term delivery, traders told Bloomberg. Stay informed with the latest business news, updates on bank holidays and public holidays . Discover stories of India's leading eco-innovators at Ecopreneur Honours 2025
