Ukraine's anti-corruption court on Thursday ordered the pretrial detention of Andriy Yermak, a close ally of President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, on suspicion of money laundering, according to prosecutors. The court set bail at 140 million hryvnias ($3.19 million, €2.72 million), allowing Yermak to be released pending a final ruling in his case. Yermak denies the allegations.
The lavish lifestyles of autocrats and dictators are often only exposed after their downfall. The cases of Romanian dictator Nicolae Ceausescu and former Ukrainian President Viktor Yanukovych serve as particularly striking examples. Footage of Ceausescu's extravagantly gold-plated bathroom has etched itself in Romania's collective memory.
Skip next section Key moments on the first day of Donald Trump's visit to Beijing May 14, 2026 Key moments on the first day of Donald Trump's visit to Beijing Despite tensions, the visit featured ceremonial warmth, including a state banquet and statements highlighting the importance of bilateral ties.
The United States has announced exemptions from visa bond payment requirements for FIFA World Cup ticket holders whose teams have qualified for the soccer tournament. In 2025, the Trump administration began requiring visitors to the US from certain countries to pay bonds of between $5,000 (€4,300) and $15,000 to obtain a tourist visa.
Mike Smith had been a US fighter pilot for more than a decade when he took what he describes as a 'hard turn' out of the navy. He decided to trade a life of deployment, fighter jets and cruise missile operations for one of planting trees and sustainability.
Senate security run after gunfire was heard along a hallway at the Philippine Senate in Pasay, Philippines, Wednesday.
Eileen Wang, now the former mayor of the City of Arcadia, agreed to plead guilty to one felony charge that she acted as an illegal foreign agent of China. Frazer Harrison/Getty Images hide caption toggle caption Frazer Harrison/Getty Images ARCADIA, Calif.
Good morning. You're reading the Up First newsletter. Subscribe here to get it delivered to your inbox, and listen to the Up First podcast for all the news you need to start your day. Today's top stories President Trump arrived in Beijing and met with Chinese President Xi Jinping. The U.S.