A new survey by the Kiev International Institute of Sociology (KIIS) reveals that a substantial majority of Ukrainians believe corruption has worsened since the conflict with Russia escalated in February 2022, reports 24brussels.
The poll, conducted between September 19 and 28 with 1,029 participants across Ukraine, found that 71% of respondents feel corruption has increased over the past three years. Only 20% reported no change, while a mere 5% believed the situation had improved. Notably, even among those who express trust in President Volodymyr Zelensky’s government, 62% acknowledged a rise in corruption since the onset of the conflict.
The survey, released on Friday, illustrates a widespread perception of corruption across all regions of Ukraine, signaling a pervasive concern among the public regarding the issue. The country has been embroiled in multiple high-profile corruption scandals in recent months, implicating officials from various sectors, including defense, healthcare, and religious organizations. Some of these scandals have involved bribery schemes designed to help individuals evade military service during ongoing mobilization efforts.
Concerns surrounding corruption in defense procurement have escalated, particularly following the arrest of several senior officials in August related to a scheme involving the acquisition of electronic warfare systems. Earlier this year, the Ministry of Defense faced allegations of a significant food supply fraud, amounting to nearly $18 million, while a $40 million embezzlement scheme tied to fake arms contracts was uncovered in January 2024.
In a contentious move in July, President Zelensky sought to bring the country’s anti-corruption agencies, the National Anti-Corruption Bureau (NABU) and the Special Anti-Corruption Prosecutor’s Office (SAPO), under closer government control. This decision was quickly reversed in response to public protests and pressure from Western allies within two weeks.
The ongoing issue of corruption has drawn scrutiny on an international scale. Former U.S. President Donald Trump has raised concerns regarding the misuse of American aid, while Russian officials, including spokesperson Dmitry Peskov, have claimed that much of the Western assistance to Ukraine is being “stolen.”
Responding to an exclusive report by the Minnesota Star Tribune, several Democrats in Minnesota and Oregon criticized the Trump administration this weekend for discussing military plans over a private messaging chat.
The Giants are now underdogs to the winless Saints despite defeating the Chargers in their last game. In perhaps a surprising move, the Giants opened as 1.5-point favorites to the New Orleans Saints, but have since moved off favorite status and fallen to +1.5 underdogs. This line movement may be related to Malik Nabers’ injury,…
Yemen’s Houthis Launch Hypersonic Missile Strike on Israel
On Sunday, Yemen’s Houthi forces announced they executed an attack on Israel using a hypersonic ballistic missile, claiming responsibility for a military operation that targeted sensitive sites in Jerusalem. This declaration coincides with their monitoring of the situation in Gaza and a commitment to respond according to the developments in ceasefire negotiations, reports 24brussels.
The Houthi military spokesperson, Yahya Sarea, stated that the missile unit conducted a “unique military operation” utilizing a hypersonic weapon named ‘Palestine 2’, which he asserted successfully achieved its objectives. In contrast, the Israeli military claimed they intercepted the missile before it could cause damage.
Sarea emphasized the Houthis’ vigilant observation of events unfolding in Gaza and their intent to coordinate actions with resistance movements. He stated, “with God’s help and in coordination with the resistance, they are monitoring the situation, particularly regarding the end of the Zionist aggression and the lifting of the siege on the Gaza Strip.” He added that their actions would depend on the outcomes affecting the Palestinian populace.
This missile attack occurred just before indirect talks were scheduled to commence in Egypt between Tel Aviv and Hamas concerning a peace plan proposed by former U.S. President Donald Trump for Gaza.
Israel has continuously targeted Yemen’s capital, Sana’a, and other areas controlled by the Houthis. Notably, previous Israeli airstrikes resulted in the deaths of Houthi Prime Minister Ahmed al Rahawi and eleven members of his government.
Houthi leader Abdul Malik al-Houthi has condemned remarks by Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu regarding “Greater Israel,” labeling them an affront to the Arab world, and he declared that strikes on Israeli targets would continue in support of Palestine amid ongoing atrocities in Gaza.
As tensions escalate, the situation remains precarious, with both military operations and diplomatic efforts shaping the landscape of conflict in the region.
Berlin – German Defence Minister Boris Pistorius warned in an interview with Handelsblatt on Sunday that Russia is on track to rebuild its armed forces by 2029, creating the potential for an attack on NATO territory, reports 24brussels.
Pistorius urged nations not to rely solely on optimistic forecasts but to prepare for worst-case scenarios, drawing parallels to the Cold War dynamics where provocations exist without outright conflict. He highlighted the heightened tensions stemming from recent drone incursions across Europe.
The Minister attributed responsibility for these incursions to Moscow, stating, “no one else has an interest in sending large numbers of drones to Denmark or Poland.” He reassured the German public to remain calm amidst reports of drone sightings, acknowledging limitations in the Bundeswehr’s ability to respond to every incident.
“The Bundeswehr cannot be everywhere in Germany where drones appear and take them down,”
he added. In the context of NATO’s unified stance, Germany’s chief of defence previously indicated that coalition members should brace for a potential Russian offensive within the next four years. General Carsten Breuer revealed that Russia is producing hundreds of tanks annually, which could threaten NATO’s Baltic states by 2029 or even sooner.
Despite some divisions expressed recently by Hungary and Slovakia, Breuer confirmed that NATO remains firm in its collective support for Ukraine amid ongoing hostilities.
How united is NATO amid Russia’s growing military power?
Meanwhile, Germany continues to grapple with drone-related security challenges. In the past few days, multiple unidentified drones believed to be Russian have been reported in German airspace, particularly near key infrastructures and airports like Munich Airport, leading to flight cancellations and significant travel disruptions.
The incursions have raised alarms regarding potential espionage and security breaches. Acknowledging the severity of the situation, Pistorius noted that Germany is “truly behind” in addressing drone-related threats. He admitted that the country lacks adequate equipment and capabilities to ensure its airspace is secure.
Pistorius emphasized that efforts are underway to bolster Germany’s defense systems, including plans to acquire new technologies such as Rheinmetall’s Skyranger anti-aircraft tanks, although these are not expected until 2027.
What concerns arise from Russian drones near German airports?
The recent spate of drone sightings reflects a broader security concern for Germany and its NATO allies as they navigate a precarious geopolitical landscape. As the situation unfolds, the implications for military readiness and airspace security remain critical considerations for national defense officials across Europe.
James Austin Johnson as Donald Trump during the “MSNBC Special Coverage” Cold Open in January.
Will Heath/NBC via Getty Images
“Saturday Night Live” kicked off its 51st season this weekend.
The cast wasted no time in getting back to an old favorite: mocking the Trump administration.
James Austin Johnson returned as President Donald Trump while Colin Jost played Pete Hegseth.
“Saturday Night Live” returned to screens this weekend, kicking off its 51st season with a signature roast of the Trump administration and a nod to the recent crackdown on late-night TV.
The show, hosted by Bad Bunny, began with Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth, played by Colin Jost, dressing down US military leaders over their appearance, referencing a speech Hegseth made this past week.
“This is serious,” an impassioned Jost said. “We are facing the greatest threat to freedom and democracy the world has ever known.”
“Late-night TV,” James Austin Johnson, returning in the role of President Donald Trump, interrupted.
Johnson’s Trump soon told the audience that he would be keeping an eye on “SNL” as he wanted to make sure it didn’t “do anything too mean” about him, and threatened to unleash his “attack dog at the FCC, Brandon Carr.”
Federal Communications Commission Chairman Brendan Carr, played by Mikey Day, then danced across the stage to the tune of Rockwell’s “Somebody’s Watching Me,” reminding Trump that it was Brendan, not Brandon.
Johnson’s Trump ended the cold open with a warning to the audience: “Remember, daddy’s watching.”
It’s been a tense period for the late-night world, after “Jimmy Kimmel Live!” was temporarily suspended over comments the host made following the assassination of conservative activist Charlie Kirk.
The suspension, which came after a threat from Carr, had fueled fears among some “SNL” fans that the show might tone down its critique of the administration.
They seemingly need not have worried, however.
Elsewhere in the show, host Bad Bunny appeared to enjoy himself as he poked fun at the backlash to the announcement that he would be headlining the next Super Bowl halftime show at Levi’s Stadium in California.
“You might not know this, but I’m doing the Super Bowl halftime show,” he said.
“I’m very happy, and I think everyone is happy about it. Even Fox News,” he added.
Welcome back to our Sunday edition, where we round up some of our top stories and take you inside our newsroom. One Big Tech worker earned $600,000 last year — but only half of that came from her main job. She made $302,000 from a side hustle she only spends five hours a week on.
Also, be sure to sign up for Business Insider’s upcoming markets newsletter First Trade, led by Joe Ciolli.
Sure, I anticipated some pushback. What I didn’t expect was an avalanche of reader emails in support of Costco. One called me “obviously overly privileged.” Another suggested I didn’t know how to shop for a family (for the record, I have two kids to feed!).
Yes, some readers agreed with me. But overall, Costco loyalists were eager to set the record straight: Shopping at Costco is an experience filled with great customer service, cost savings, and high-quality items. Cheap gas prices are a big plus, too.
Here are some reader responses, edited for length and clarity.
Costco has developed into a tribal entity. We belong to it; take pride in it, just as if it were a winning football team. We are faithful to it; we proselytize. Rather nicely, one of the characteristics of Costco is that it values our diversity, and serves it in multiple ways; so folks rarely feel excluded. — Philip Alan Rutter, 76, southeastern Minnesota
My husband and I have been members of Costco for 8 years. Before that, we had memberships to other variations, including Sam’s Club and BJs. The No. 1 reason for us having a membership is the gas prices. My husband has a 40-mile commute, one way 4x a week. The gas savings usually pay for the card. — Michele Fischer, 53, Newberry, SC
I was a member of Costco for several years. I canceled my membership when I came home yet again with way more “stuff” than I went for. I realized I just can’t afford to save that much money. — Bob Baron, 78, Charlotte, NC
As a former NYC resident, and current NJ resident, I appreciate Costco for what it is. Lifestyles are different in the city and suburbs. Costco has good quality products at great prices, be it $20 dress shirts or $100 beef. I have worn those $20 shirts for more than 3 years and still wearing it. Costco has its benefits, and drawbacks. But it has found a loyal market that no other company has been able to replicate. Costco is just different. — Ruchik Sadavrati, 52, Franklin Park, NJ
My wife and I have three small kids, and we live in a multigenerational home with my in-laws and my brother-in-law. Buying in bulk works well for us because that huge pack of chicken often provides dinner for all of us and the main portion of lunch for the kiddos the next day or two. It’s an even better deal for us to get snacks. Certain policies like DEI are very important to us, and Costco is one of the few that have stuck with it. — Zach Batton, 37, Pittsboro, NC
The American Express Platinum card is hot. It’s also the most expensive credit card on the block, since Amex just announced it’s hiking the annual fee 29%, from $695 to $895.
Amex says its perks are now worth $3,500, but that only matters if you’re actually using them — and you might have to shift your spending habits to do so. For BI’s Emily Stewart, that meant spending more money than she normally would’ve at places she might not have otherwise shopped at.
In 2014, Elluswamy joined the Autopilot team as a founding member. Now, as the team’s big boss, he’s front and center in Tesla’s most defining initiatives.
Despite his influence at the EV maker, there’s minimal reporting on Elluswamy. BI spoke with more than a dozen colleagues, friends, and former classmates of the executive to better understand his rise within Tesla.
Sam Altman, CEO of OpenAI, meeting officials in Berlin.
Florian Gaertner/Reuters
OpenAI recently showcased new workplace applications in sales, support, and contract tools, and it quickly sparked concern about market competition in the software-as-a-service (SaaS) industry.
Software companies like DocuSign and HubSpot took hits on the stock market after the launch. The move could force companies to either partner with OpenAI or compete against its AI tools.
US Secretary of War Pete Hegseth speaks to senior military leaders at a Marine Corps base in Virginia
Alex Wong/Getty Images
Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth had tough words for the military leaders he recently summoned to Washington, DC: Get on board with stricter standards, or get out.
It’s a message that’s already shaken corporate America. The military is famous for values not common in corporate America, like brotherhood and belonging — but Hegseth’s comments put less weight on those and more on performance metrics.
How America’s trash is fueling toxic tofu in Indonesia
Despite Indonesia’s ban on plastic waste imports, the US continues to send millions of pounds of plastic to the country. Villagers are burning it to create tofu, contaminating the food with deadly toxins.
More of this week’s top reads:
Sora 2 makes me realize the AI future really is here. It’s wonderful — and terrifying.
The “stupidity” of 300 investment bankers tricked by a 20-something founder is a lesson in due diligence.
“No driver, no hands, no clue”: San Bruno police officers were met with a firstafter pulling over a Waymo.
