International
Ukraine debates the exemption from military service in exchange for higher taxes
Ukraine is studying the possibility of allowing its citizens to avoid mobilization in exchange for a greater contribution to the state budget, in an attempt to find the right balance between guaranteeing enough soldiers for the Army and resources to pay for the defense of the country and an enlistment during martial law that is considered fair.
The Ukrainian Parliament is preparing to review three bills presented by the president of its Economy Committee, Dmitro Nataluja, which provide for the so-called exemption or “economic reserve” of individual employees and entrepreneurs.
Thus, companies will be able to “reserve” their especially valuable employees by paying an additional amount to the state budget of about 470 euros per month for each or when the salary is equal to or greater than 840 euros, since taxes in this case are already high.
Supporters of the idea argue that it would help limit the growing labor deficit in Ukraine, caused by emigration and mobilization, which 58% of companies indicate as the main problem.
According to the European Association of Ukrainian Enterprises, the measure would complement the current reservation mechanism, which is based, among other measures, on mobilization quotas in various sectors considered the most important and is often criticized for its lack of transparency and predictability.
The “economic reserve” would guarantee that companies continue to function, thus boosting the economy and contributing to the financing of the Army, the companies argue.
Currently, the State finances its defense against the Russian invasion only with its own income, while the money contributed by the allies directly to the state budget can only be spent on “civilian” purposes.
According to the Government of Ukraine, at least 11.500 million more euros need to be found in 2024.
Nataluja maintains that his idea can contribute between 4.6 billion and 7.4 billion euros to the budget, which would help equip and pay the soldiers who are being mobilized now.
The fate of the proposals depends on the support they obtain in society depending on their impact on the mobilization.
Vitali, a 35-year-old computer scientist from the city of Lviv, has barely left his apartment in the last half year for fear of meeting on the street with the representatives of the recruitment center.
Since the country currently needs more soldiers on the battlefield, he fears that he will be sent to an infantry unit and be injured or died.
With a monthly income of much more than 400 euros, the average salary of the country, Vitali says that he would be happy to pay to avoid military service, in addition to the frequent direct donations to the Ukrainian Army that he currently makes.
“I would know that I am not doing anything wrong from a legal point of view, I would support our defense effort and I could finally live without fear,” he explains to EFE.
However, for many soldiers and veterans, the introduction of an “economic reserve” would be a hard blow to national unity and the image of the Army.
“It is the principle of social justice that differentiates us from our enemy. We are all equal before the law, in the Army we are all equal and all sectors of the population must enlist,” argues on local television “Express” Oleg Simoroz, a well-known veteran who lost both legs in combat.
Simoroz points out that such “discrimination based on property” or personal wealth has no place in “a civilized democracy.”
According to him, the idea undermines long-term efforts for military service to be considered “prestigious” and that, instead, the Government should increase taxes on oligarchs and optimize its own expenses to find more funds.
Those who defend the proposals point out, however, that the veteran ignores that some pay bribes to avoid mobilization or have difficulties due to the absence of clear rules on the exemption from mobilization.
They believe that the “economic reserve” would make the mobilization more transparent and would also benefit the Army.
International
Suspect Armed With Shotgun and Knives Detained at White House Correspondents Dinner
U.S. authorities confirmed Saturday that the suspect who stormed into the White House Correspondents’ Association Dinner while President Donald Trump was attending acted alone, adding that there is no ongoing threat to the public following the incident, which left one Secret Service agent injured.
Acting Metropolitan Police Department chief Jeff Carroll said during a press conference that the suspect was carrying “a shotgun, a handgun, and multiple knives” when he attempted to pass through a Secret Service security checkpoint inside the hotel lobby at approximately 8:36 p.m. local time.
“At this point, everything indicates that this was a lone actor, a lone gunman,” Carroll stated, adding that investigators have found no preliminary evidence suggesting the involvement of additional suspects.
During the exchange of gunfire inside the hotel corridors, the suspect was not struck by bullets but was subdued by law enforcement officers and later transported to a hospital for medical evaluation.
A member of the United States Secret Service Uniformed Division was shot during the incident, though the bullet was stopped by the officer’s ballistic vest, preventing serious injuries. The agent was taken to a hospital and is reportedly “in good spirits,” according to Carroll.
The shooting prompted the immediate evacuation of President Trump, Melania Trump, and several senior officials attending the event after multiple gunshots were heard outside the hotel’s main ballroom.
International
U.S. allows Venezuela to fund Maduro and Cilia Flores’ legal defense
Until now, the U.S. administration had blocked the Venezuelan government from covering the legal fees of Nicolás Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, who is also jailed and facing drug trafficking charges, due to international sanctions imposed on Venezuela.
The couple’s legal team had relied on that argument in an attempt to have the indictment dismissed, claiming that preventing a defendant from accessing counsel of their choice violates rights guaranteed under the Sixth Amendment of the U.S. Constitution.
However, the U.S. Treasury Department will now allow “defense attorneys to receive payments from the Government of Venezuela under certain conditions,” New York prosecutor Jay Clayton wrote in a letter dated Friday to Judge Alvin Hellerstein, who is overseeing the case.
According to the letter, the funds must have become available after March 5, 2026, and cannot come from Venezuelan oil sales regulated in the United States.
Since Maduro’s removal from power in early January, former Vice President Delcy Rodríguez has served as Venezuela’s interim leader.
The United States effectively controls Venezuelan crude exports, with revenues deposited into special accounts supervised by Washington.
Court documents filed on Friday show that the defense acknowledged the sanctions exemption and, for now, withdrew its motion seeking dismissal of the charges.
International
U.S. Sanctions Network Linked to Fentanyl Trafficking Across India, Guatemala and Mexico
The United States Department of State announced sanctions on Thursday against 23 individuals and companies allegedly linked to an international fentanyl production and smuggling network operating in India, Guatemala and Mexico.
According to the State Department, the network supplied precursor chemicals to the Sinaloa Cartel, which the United States has designated as a Foreign Terrorist Organization.
Washington declared fentanyl, a powerful synthetic opioid, a weapon of mass destruction last year due to its role in the ongoing overdose crisis in the United States.
“By targeting the entire supply chain — from chemical suppliers in Asia to logistical intermediaries in Central America and cartel-linked networks in Mexico — the Trump Administration is dismantling networks that destabilize governance across our hemisphere and threaten U.S. security,” the State Department said.
In a separate statement, the Office of Foreign Assets Control detailed sanctions against three Indian chemical and pharmaceutical companies: Sutaria, Agrat and SR Chemicals, along with a sales executive accused of supplying precursor chemicals to contacts in Guatemala and Mexico.
In Guatemala, authorities sanctioned J and C Import and Central Logística de Servicios, as well as intermediary Jaime Augusto Barrientos.
The OFAC also designated several intermediaries and import companies operating in the Mexican state of Sinaloa.
As part of the investigation, U.S. authorities identified Ramiro Baltazar Félix as a member of Los Mayos, a faction of the Sinaloa Cartel, and Alejandro Reynoso, accused of operating clandestine drug laboratories in Guadalajara.
Suspect Armed With Shotgun and Knives Detained at White House Correspondents Dinner
U.S. allows Venezuela to fund Maduro and Cilia Flores’ legal defense
U.S. Sanctions Network Linked to Fentanyl Trafficking Across India, Guatemala and Mexico
Tec de Monterrey honors one of its students for his contribution to nanotechnology in medicine
Defense Minister commends salvadoran soldier for Central American Cross Country victory
Extension of the state of emergency approved in southern Chile
-
International5 days agoIran refuses to reopen strait of Hormuz amid ongoing U.S. Naval blockade
-
Central America4 days agoGuatemala Court Voids List of Candidates for Top Prosecutor Position
-
International4 days agoPope Leo XIV Says Countries Have Border Rights but Migrants Deserve Respect
-
International2 days agoU.S. allows Venezuela to fund Maduro and Cilia Flores’ legal defense
-
International5 days agoAuthorities Say Teotihuacán Gunman Was Obsessed With Mass Shootings and Extremist Symbolism
-
International3 days agoU.S. Sanctions Network Linked to Fentanyl Trafficking Across India, Guatemala and Mexico
-
International1 day agoSuspect Armed With Shotgun and Knives Detained at White House Correspondents Dinner