The United States is depending on a broad network of safeguards and dozens of oversight bodies to monitor and protect billions of dollars in aid sent to Ukraine, even as Kyiv continues to confront long-running corruption challenges, a regional security expert said Sunday.

That scrutiny comes at a politically sensitive moment for President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, whose inner circle is under growing pressure as expanding investigations have led to senior officials and aides resigning, being removed from office or coming under investigation since 2025.

On Aug. 19, Zelenskyy dismissed Iryna Mudra, a deputy head of the presidential office, while anti-corruption investigators were pursuing a money-laundering case tied to another deputy head of the office.

Mudra has not been identified by investigators as a suspect, The Associated Press reported.

“Of course, in all of the former Soviet Union countries, there is significant corruption,” former Deputy Assistant Secretary of State Carrie Filipetti, now executive director of the Vandenberg Coalition, told News Media.

“A lot more work needs to be done. But we know, at least on the U.S. side, as we’re providing support for their military, we have a lot of mechanisms,” she said before explaining how dozens of agencies are working on oversight of U.S. aid to Ukraine.

The U.S. committed $67.8 billion in defense articles and services to Ukraine from February 2022 through March 2026 through the Presidential Drawdown Authority, the Ukraine Security Assistance Initiative and Foreign Military Financing, congressional reports show.

That support is part of a broader U.S. response to the war.

About $195 billion has been appropriated for Operation Atlantic Resolve, including funds to replenish U.S. weapons stocks, support U.S. military operations in Europe and provide economic, development and humanitarian assistance, according to the Council on Foreign Relations.

“Over 24 federal agencies are involved in oversight,” Filipetti said. “To make certain that there are no consequences to the U.S. taxpayer, to our equipment in terms of the corruption issue, U.S. contributions are very much protected.”

In recent months, however, senior Ukrainian officials have resigned, been dismissed or faced scrutiny by the country’s independent anti-corruption bodies, including NABU.

Those developments include Andriy Yermak’s Nov. 28, 2025, resignation after investigators searched his premises and Mudra’s Aug. 19 dismissal during a money-laundering probe.

Former Deputy Prime Minister Olha Stefanishyna was dismissed by Zelenskyy as Ukraine’s ambassador to the U.S. on Aug. 3, two days before a suspicion notice was served against her, according to the Kyiv Post.

He also fired Defense Minister Mykhailo Fedorov on July 15 in a broader reshuffle over internal wartime disagreements which sparked protests across the nation.

In interviews after he left government, Fedorov also complained about what he described as ingrained corruption and patronage networks, Reuters reported.

“We’ve seen that Zelenskyy is taking really seriously the criticisms of corruption, and every time there is an allegation, he moves very swiftly to remove those individuals from the government,” Filipetti said.

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“And the fact that there are these independent bodies is, I think, really important. They’re listening to them. They’re making sure that they’re trying to root it out as much as humanly possible.”

Zelenskyy has pushed back on suggestions that the investigations implicate him personally.

“The heads of anti-corruption agencies have zero questions for me,” Zelenskyy said in remarks published Aug. 23 regarding the investigations. “They understand perfectly well that I am not involved in anything like that.”

A February 2024 USAID inspector general review also found that the agency did not independently verify some Ukrainian health workers’ salary claims before reimbursement, though Filipetti said U.S. economic aid is now reimbursed only after verification.

“A lot of what the United States has been providing, we’re making sure that everything is through a reimbursement mechanism,” Filipetti said.

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She said U.S. aid has not been tied to the money-laundering allegations and remains protected as Ukraine works to combat corruption.

The scrutiny also comes as Kyiv faces shortages of Patriot interceptors amid intensified Russian strikes and a need for air defense interceptors.

Zelenskyy said he wants to secure 300 additional interceptors for the coming winter, while Ukraine’s air force has requested 360.

“One of the most urgent needs that the Ukrainians have right now is interceptor missiles,” Filipetti said. “This is why this idea of sending Patriot capabilities and allowing them to produce them on the ground in Ukraine has become so important to Zelenskyy.”

President Donald Trump has expressed reluctance to further deplete U.S. missile inventories, saying the United States also needs the weapons, while pressing European allies to shoulder more of Ukraine’s defense burden.

“We want missiles too,” Trump said Aug. 6 when asked about Zelenskyy’s requests for long-range missiles and Patriot systems. “Biden gave him so much, Biden gave $300 billion worth of ammunition.”

Filipetti also said Ukraine’s anti-corruption efforts remain an important consideration for its NATO aspirations.

“I think every country has been really adamant that the Ukrainians move forward in their anti-corruption mechanisms,” Filipetti said.

“Obviously, if Ukraine ever wants to be a formal member of NATO, that’s something that they will need to prove and demonstrate.”

Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy signaled Sunday that the Trump administration is preparing to unveil a major new push aimed at cracking down on fraud.

Writing on X, Duffy previewed what he described as an “unprecedented fraud crackdown,” saying more details would be announced Monday.

“TOMORROW: UNPRECEDENTED FRAUD CRACKDOWN,” Duffy posted.

His post also tagged Markwayne Mullin, the Department of Homeland Security, Immigration and Customs Enforcement, the Department of Justice and the White House Task Force to Eliminate Fraud, indicating the announcement may involve a coordinated effort across multiple federal agencies.

Duffy did not provide additional information, leaving unclear when or where the announcement will take place, what category of fraud officials plan to address or whether any arrests have already been made.

The announcement comes amid the administration’s broader crackdown on fraud. Trump established the White House Task Force to Eliminate Fraud in March to coordinate efforts involving federal benefit programs.

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The DOJ has also created a National Fraud Enforcement Division to investigate and prosecute the theft or fraudulent misuse of taxpayer dollars.

Duffy’s Department of Transportation has worked with DHS in recent months to crack down on alleged fraud and safety violations in the commercial trucking industry, including improperly issued commercial driver’s licenses, fraudulent driving schools and unvetted foreign drivers.

The agencies announced a joint investigation in July into about 75 commercial driving schools suspected of fraud, including allegedly falsifying training records and improperly certifying drivers.

The two departments have also conducted roadside enforcement operations targeting unqualified foreign commercial drivers.

Newly unearthed notes tied to the developer behind an affluent Southern California community are prompting renewed scrutiny over what may be driving a troubling cluster of rare childhood cancer cases in the area.

Ladera Ranch, an upscale master-planned community of roughly 25,000 residents located east of Laguna Beach, has recorded at least six confirmed cases of Ewing sarcoma from 2013 to 2024.

The aggressive and often painful cancer is exceptionally uncommon, with only about 200 diagnoses in the United States each year. It primarily strikes children and teenagers, forming in bone or soft tissue, and if it is not detected early, the survival rate can fall to around 30 percent.

For years, Ladera Ranch parents who lost children to the disease have searched for answers, asking why such a rare cancer appears to have surfaced with unusual frequency in their community.

Possible explanations have ranged from extensive pesticide use in the region to concerns about a nearby landfill. But handwritten notes found in the archives of Ladera Ranch’s development company, DMB Development, have now intensified those questions.

The notes, which appear to have been scribbled in the early 2000s when Ladera Ranch was under construction, say: ‘This well is not to be built over without further considerations.’ 

In 2002, DMB Development re-sealed a pair of abandoned oil wells to ensure that they met contemporary safety standards. The notes were written on a Department of Conservation permit and also appear typed in the final report of well abandonment.

The wells did not have a history of producing oil or gas, and there is no evidence that they are connected in any way to cases of Ewing sarcoma in Ladera Ranch. 

The Department of Conservation told the Los Angeles Times that the note’s presence in the final report may have been a ‘clerical error.’

However, one of the handwritten notes also said ‘put on final letter.’ The Department of Conservation did not comment on that message when the Times asked about it. 

The notes do not explain why construction should potentially be avoided on top of the wells, and it is unclear whether there was any ‘further consideration.’  

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The presence of the notes in DMB Development’s files raises more questions than answers for Ladera Ranch residents who have been demanding investigations into potential causes for Ewing sarcoma cases in their community. 

Bonnie Regan, whose son Ryan died aged 36 in October 2025 from Ewing sarcoma, told the LA Times: ‘There’s something wrong here. I had never even heard of this kind of cancer before.’ 

Brian Dalton, who lost his 23-year-old daughter Lily to the disease in January, told the California Post he suspects pesticides caused her cancer but said he wants a broader investigation.

‘When something this unusual happens, families deserve answers,’ Dalton told the outlet. 

‘If there is even a possibility that environmental exposures, including pesticides or any other factor, could be contributing, then those possibilities deserve a thorough, transparent, independent investigation,’ he added. 

Dustin Matteson, whose 17-year-old son Brody died from Ewing sarcoma in March, told the Times: ‘It feels like where we live, and with the high number of cases, it’s a place where you should be able to find out what caused it.’ 

Despite the lack of any tangible connection between the sealed wells or other theories about the cause of Ewing sarcoma cases in Ladera Ranch, experts say that grieving families are right to be asking questions, though they have also cautioned against jumping to conclusions. 

Karen Lincoln, director of the Center for Environmental Health Disparities Research at UC Irvine, told the California Post: ‘We don’t know that the well is causing harm. 

‘But residents are telling us they are concerned about a potential environmental health risk. They deserve a serious, transparent response.’

Dr Janet Yoon, a pediatric hematologist-oncologist at City of Hope who specializes in Ewing sarcoma, told the LA Times that it would be ‘incredibly challenging’ to prove a link between the cases in Ladera Ranch. 

But she did say that the number of cases in the community appeared unusually high and said: ‘There definitely is cause for concern for members of this community.’ 

Former Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro surfaced Sunday in newly posted images on his social media accounts, marking the first public look at him inside a New York jail since U.S. forces captured him in January.

Maduro was transported to the United States after a large-scale military operation in Caracas and has spent the past eight months detained at the Metropolitan Detention Center in Brooklyn as he awaits proceedings on drug trafficking charges.

The photos, published on Maduro’s X account, show the former strongman in a gray matching sweatsuit and white sneakers, looking visibly slimmer while posing in front of a bare wall.

In a message accompanying the images, Maduro described the post as a modest gesture of encouragement for his family and backers, saying they would “remain strong, serene, and confident” and declaring that “Venezuela will be reborn.”

“I send these photos as a small gift to all my grandsons and granddaughters, to the boys and girls, and to all the noble people who love us,” Maduro said.

“I want you to know that we stand firm, with our hearts full of your love, that love that reaches us transformed into prayer, into constant action, into solidarity and true support. Infinite thanks for every word, for every gesture, for every blessing.”

“Enjoy this small gift with joy and hope. Cilia and I embrace you forever, with our souls devoted to you and with our faith in God intact,” he added, referring to his wife, who was also flown to New York on related drug trafficking charges.

While Maduro made the post Sunday morning, timestamps on the two photos indicate they were taken June 25, just one day after two major earthquakes killed more than 6,500 people in northern Venezuela near Caracas, according to The Associated Press.

The images were released just two days after President Donald Trump announced a breakthrough in U.S.-Venezuela relations, with Venezuela agreeing to give the U.S. majority control over 65 billion barrels of oil from the nation’s reserves.

The deal marks a major development for the American oil market as the ongoing war with Iran continues to push up prices at the pump.

Since being detained, Maduro has reportedly spent much of his time reading the Bible, according to his son, Nicolás Maduro Guerra, who spoke with El País in May.

He added that the former leader has 510 minutes a month, or 8.5 hours, for conversations with people outside the prison, according to the report.

Maduro and his wife are expected to go on trial in New York in June 2027. Both have pleaded not guilty and face potential life sentences if a jury finds them guilty of conspiring to send cocaine into the U.S.

Jessica Pegula said she would have a hard time imagining herself attempting the kind of comeback Carlos Alcaraz is set to make Monday at the U.S. Open, where he is returning to high-stakes competition after more than four months without an official match.

Alcaraz is scheduled to meet Russia’s Roman Safiullin in the first round, his first major competitive test since a wrist injury forced him out of action in mid-April. The Spanish star also chose not to play the Cincinnati Open earlier this month, a decision that caught Pegula’s attention.

“I thought, ‘Wow, that’s a tough thing to do,’ but I think he’s kind of a special player, obviously,” Pegula said Sunday after advancing through her own U.S. Open first-round match.

Pegula, who opened her tournament with a straight-sets victory over Elena-Gabriela Ruse, pointed out that the men’s best-of-five format may give Alcaraz a bit more room to settle in and play his way back into rhythm.

“I do think it gives a little more leeway for him to work his way into matches, where if it’s two out of three, like for the women, that to me is a little bit tougher,” she said. “Because you lose the first set and you come out a little rusty, you’re, like, ‘Oh, my gosh, if I don’t win the second set, then I’m out.’”

Alcaraz has missed out on more than half of the major tournaments this season and several ATP events as well, but Pegula had no doubt that he can rise to the occasion in Queens. “I think if he can win his first couple of rounds, he’s gonna find his form very, very fast,” she said.

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Tommy Paul is confident that an American man could win the U.S. Open this year.

No American man has won a Grand Slam title in Flushing Meadows since 2003, but Paul said that “the Americans have been playing great tennis leading into the U.S. Open.”

“This is always where we want to play well. This is always where we have, I guess, the most energy going into matches,” he said. “To get across the line, I’m not sure. Obviously we’re going to have to play really, really good tennis and really clutch tennis.”

Rick Pitino was back in Queens, just a few miles away from St. John’s campus. The Red Storm head coach returned to the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center to take in the night session of Day 1 of the tournament.

Pitino had attended a night session at last year’s U.S. Open as well.

CREST HILL, Ill. (WLS) — An 18-year-old Woodridge resident killed after a shooting in Crest Hill has been identified as Kamarion Coleman, investigators said. Authorities are treating his death as an apparent homicide.

Crest Hill police are continuing to investigate the fatal shooting, which they said occurred after a Saturday evening gathering at Crest Hill Memorial Park.

According to investigators, four teenagers were struck by gunfire in the 900 block of Willow Court. Officers were called to the area for reports of shots fired at about 11 p.m.

Police said another 18-year-old, from Joliet, was airlifted to a Chicago hospital in critical condition. Two additional victims, ages 15 and 16, are expected to survive.

Officials have not released details about what led to the gunfire, but they said the shooting was connected to the earlier gathering at the park.

Emani Love, who lives across the street from the park, said the gathering appeared peaceful before gunfire erupted.

“I heard the gunshots, but before prior to that, I was walking my dog. And she’s an emotional support animal, so she kind of was just steady looking over towards that way, you know, like, ‘What’s going on?’ Because it was a lot of music and, you know, I think a barbeque,” Love said.

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Love said she has lived in the neighborhood for the past couple of years and described the park as a popular destination for families, neighbors and people walking their dogs.

“It’s so sad, you know, for a young life to be taken that soon, especially, you know, in this neighborhood,” Love said.

She also expressed sympathy for those affected by the shooting.

“It’s just it’s so tragic. Like, it’s so sad to hear that. And I’m really sorry to everybody that was involved. It’s horrible news,” Love said.

Police have not said whether anyone was in custody but noted that the shooting was not random.

Investigators are asking anyone with information to contact Crest Hill police at 815-741-5111. Those who wish to remain anonymous can call Crime Stoppers of Will County at 800-323-6734.

A Mississippi mayor has drawn criticism after saying he believed it was inappropriate to fly the American flag at half-staff in honor of Dolly Parton after her death, prompting pushback from members of the public.

After Parton died last week at age 80, President Donald Trump ordered American flags to be flown at half-staff through September 1 as a tribute to the beloved country music icon and entertainer.

On Friday, Olive Branch Mayor Ken Adams addressed the decision in a statement posted on the town’s Facebook page. Adams said he respected Parton and considered her “a great person,” but argued that lowering the flag for the celebrated performer was, in his view, the wrong call.

‘I believe lowering the American flag to half-staff should mean something very significant,’ Adams said. ‘In my opinion, it should be reserved for our military heroes, fallen first responders, presidents and other major national leaders, or events that have had a tremendous impact on our country.’

‘If we lower the flag every time a well-known or beloved person passes away, I believe we eventually lessen the meaning of the gesture.’

The Daily Mail has reached out to representatives for the city of Olive Branch for further comment on the story.

Adams said he feels that local officials should have ‘the ability to use our own judgment when appropriate.’

The mayor said that the issue ‘isn’t about disrespecting Dolly Parton … and it certainly isn’t about saying she wasn’t a great American.’

‘It’s simply my belief that the American flag at half-staff is one of the highest honors we can give, and I believe that honor should be reserved for truly extraordinary circumstances.’

He wrapped up the statement in saying that ‘sometimes preserving the meaning of an honor means being selective about when we use it.’

It was not immediately clear whether or not Adams had the town’s flag lowered amid his statement.  

Adams faced significant pushback from commenters who disagreed with his assessment on the merits of lowering the flag for Parton.

‘I’d lower it for Dolly before any politician,’ one user said, while another said that Parton ‘did more for children than any politician ever has,’ adding that raises her status ‘from “just a celebrity.”‘

One commenter noted how Adams said that the honor should be ‘reserved for people who made a tremendous impact?’

One dubbed Parton ‘the most unifying figure of the past 40 years … [who] she donated 325 million books to kids,’ adding, ‘Sounds like an impact … what have you done?’

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Said one user: ‘As a veteran and first responder I’m 100% ok with lowering the flags for Dolly. She gave her time and money to the military and multiply organizations. She earned this.’

A number of commenters insinuated that Adams hadn’t done himself any favors politically with the stance on Parton.

‘This post just made my choice for next election, if he is in the running,’ one user said, while another added, ‘I think elected officials tend to forget they are ELECTED.’

One user suggested to ‘remember this when elections come back around.’

Multiple users listed off decades of efforts Parton had made toward the U.S. military and charitable organizations, while one noted that a precedent had been set in the same vein.

‘Flags were lowered to half staff when Bob Hope died,’ the user said. ‘So this action is not unique for Dolly. It’s a sign of respect for someone who represents the best of America.’

Some marveled at Adams’ decision-making in putting the post up in the first place.  

Said one commenter: ‘There are certain times when it’s best to just say nothing. This is one of those occasions.’

Another said, ‘At anytime while you were writing this, did you think to yourself, “this might be a bad idea?”

A small fraction of users said they agreed with what Adams had stated.

One person noted, ‘If we start lowering the flags for everybody that’s done wonderful things then we might as well Keep them half staff every day.’

Another commenter said it was pivotal to ‘keep some of our traditions as they were originally intended instead of having selective relativism apply to everything.’ 

The country music legend’s death shocked the world and came after months of health woes that saw her pull out of a string of public appearances, fueling fan fears for her well-being.

On Tuesday, Parton’s representatives revealed she died following a ‘brief battle with cancer’ in a statement to People, though they did not disclose what type of cancer it was.

The star’s death was first confirmed Tuesday in an Instagram video posted by her nephew Bryan Seaver, who also acted as her head of security.

Fellow stars paid tribute following the news, including Hillary Clinton, Sarah Jessica Parker, Reba McEntire, Maren Morris, Kacey Musgraves, Khloe Kardashian and more.