Back in the USSR: a visit to the mysterious land of Transnistria
Visiting the breakaway republic of Transnistria in Moldova is akin to stepping back in time to the old USSR before it dissolved - a land of soviet style buildings, communist relics, and stodgy cuisine.
Approaching the heavily-armed border, driving from Moldova's neat little capital of Chisinau, there's a certain anxiety as the border appears ahead, guarded by at least one Russian tank, Russian soldiers armed with machine guns and their faces covered in balaclavas.
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Irish Examiner
4 hours ago
- Irish Examiner
Minister wants to see 9% Vat rate on energy maintained in budget
The lower 9% Vat rate on gas and electricity should be retained in the upcoming budget to avoid further hiking energy prices for consumers, energy minister Darragh O'Brien has said. The lower rate was originally introduced in 2022 as part of a major cost-of-living package from the Government, with Vat falling from 13.5% to 9%. Speaking yesterday, Mr O'Brien said the reduction in the Vat rate was a 'very important' measure on affordability, and he wanted to see it extended into 2026. However, he said any decision to retain the rate would be made as part of the budget process. The Tax Strategy Group has estimated the total cost of retaining the lower Vat rate is €193.3m — €58.2m for gas and €140.1m for electricity. In previous years, the cut has been extended six months at a time, with the most recent extension coming in April. Each six-month extension has provided estimated savings of €26.60 on electricity and €20.28 on gas for consumers for the duration of the period. Price increases The modest savings have been dwarfed, however, by price increases introduced by the major utility companies. A number of energy providers have again opted to increase their rates in recent months, with Flogas confirming a hike in variable electricity charges by 7% from next month. This is expected to increase bills for Flogas electricity customers by €126 annually. In April, SSE Airtricity hiked electricity bills by 10.5% and gas bills by 8.4%, the latest in a spate of increases since the Russian invasion of Ukraine. Mr O'Brien said the prices for energy have 'levelled off' after a spate of surges in recent years, but conceded that Ireland's energy costs remain too high. Households here pay nearly 30% more for electricity than the EU average, costing approximately €350 more annually. Gas prices are approximately 10% above the EU average. Irish householders are paying the third-most expensive prices for electricity in Europe, behind only Germany and Denmark. The Dáil has heard that there are more than 300,000 people in arrears on their electricity bills, while more than 175,000 are in arrears on their gas bills. The minister for energy said this increase was a matter for concern, and anyone in arrears should enter into an arrangement with their provider. Energy Affordability Taskforce Mr O'Brien met with the recently-established Energy Affordability Taskforce on Thursday, and said an interim report would be provided to the Cabinet ahead of the budget in October. However, he ruled out the prospect of energy credits making a return, saying there was a very significant cost associated with the measure. 'That was €3.5bn and that was in the teeth of the cost-of-living crisis, particularly post the outbreak of the war in Ukraine,' Mr O'Brien said. He said the costs for one-off payments were very significant, and reduced the amount of money the Government could funnel into medium- and long-term measures to make energy more affordable.
The Irish Sun
13 hours ago
- The Irish Sun
Girl survives being blasted 100ft from Kyiv tower in Putin blitz that killed 11 – but says ‘what happened to mum & dad?'
A YOUNG girl has miraculously survived a 100ft fall off a tower block after her family's apartment was hit by the latest deadly Russian attacks. Vladimir Putin's evil forces unleashed a 5 Young Veronika miraculously survived a 100ft fall off a tower block after her family's apartment was hit in Russian strikes Credit: East2West 5 Veronika's family were among hundreds ripped apart in Kyiv after five buildings were targeted in strikes Credit: East2West 5 Vladimir Putin's evil forces unleashed a terrifying night of strikes which killed 11 people, including a child, and left Kyiv decimated Credit: East2West Brave Veronika and her parents were in bed inside their ninth-floor apartment when a missile struck the building. A terrifying explosion ripped through the towering block of flats as those inside were blasted out of their homes and sent flying through the sky . Veronika was sent plunging over 100ft to the ground but managed to cheat death by landing on her cushioned bed. She was left with a broken leg and lost a tooth. read more in Ukraine war The emotional toll has weighed far greater on her with her parents yet to be found among the rubble. Speaking on the horrific wake-up, Veronika said: "I fell from the ninth floor. I just had a broken leg and a tooth was knocked out. "I was conscious, I was just sleepy and didn't understand what was happening. "I heard an explosion and a second later I was on the ground. I don't know how it happened. Most read in The US Sun "I don't know what happened to my father, what happened to my mother. I don't know where they are yet. What happened to them?" The tragic death toll from the strikes sits at 11 with another 135 injured. Russia threatens Trump with 'devastating' strikes after US president cut Putin's ceasefire deadline Thirty of the wounded are still receiving treatment in hospital - including five children. Many, including Veronika's parents, remain missing. Vlad reportedly sent eight Iskander-K cruise missiles and 309 Shahed drones, according to Ukraine's armed forces. Five buildings were directly hit, they added. He said: "Kyiv. Missile strike. Directly into a residential building. People under the rubble. All services are on site. Russian terrorists." Kyiv mayor Vitaly Klitschko paid tribute to those who were killed as he described the attack on the capital as the heaviest night of horror for children since the start of the war. Telegram channel Pravda Gerashchenko added: "While rescuers are clearing debris and searching for survivors, people are at the scene of the tragedy waiting for news about their loved ones. "These scenes break the heart. Show them to those who think the maniac Putin can be appeased." The latest strike shows Putin has no intention of avoiding Trump's ire and cutting a peace deal with Ukraine . The US President has repeatedly said that the nightly bombing of civilians shows him Vlad isn't serious about peace. Trump's shortened 10-day deadline could now see massive sanctions slapped on Russia or those who buy Moscow's oil by August 8. Trump slammed tyrant Putin while visiting Scotland earlier this week as he has not taken Trump's peace efforts seriously. Trump said was "very disappointed" with him and said there was "no reason" to not implement sanctions earlier on Russia . He has made getting peace in Ukraine a priority and has talked to Putin directly as he has tried to get him to cut a deal. But the tyrant has not moved away from his maximalist demands and will only sign a deal that leaves Ukraine defenceless. Vlad has spent months talking up the prospect of peace, but appears to have alienated Trump after launching huge barrages at Ukrainian civilians. The deadly blitzes are intended to sap morale and hammer civilian infrastructure, experts say. 5 Officials in Kyiv are still searching for any missing civilians under the rubble Credit: Shutterstock Editorial 5 Vlad reportedly sent eight Iskander-K cruise missiles and 309 Shahed drones, according to Ukraine's armed forces Credit: East2West
The Irish Sun
15 hours ago
- The Irish Sun
Brawl in Ukraine parliament as anti-corruption bill passes after biggest anti-Zelensky protests since war forced U-turn
A BRAWL has erupted in Ukraine's parliament as Volodymyr Zelensky U-turned on an anti-corruption bill. The brave President has walked back curbing the 7 An MP wearing a white t-shirt slaps another one Credit: Parliamentary TV-channel - RADA 7 The two MPs could be seen brawling in Ukraine's parliament Credit: Parliamentary TV-channel - RADA 7 Another MP had to hold them apart Two MPs began scrapping as the bill to repeal the week-old change was going through the Verkhovna Rada today. An MP in a white t-shirt and another spectacled MP in a navy polo shirt threw fists at the start of the livestream of the session. The pair appear to argue before the man in navy throws a punch and hits the man in white's armpit. The man in white then slaps the man back before other MPs quickly jump in and break the pair up. Read more on world Although the reason for the scuffle was not known, it occurred amid a tense atmosphere in the chamber. MPs voted 331 to 0 in favour of the bill to restore the independence of the bodies which are a check on corruption. Zelensky had last week passed a measure to place the watchdogs under the oversight of the prosecutor-general. However, Ukrainians took to the streets and allies of Ukraine, including the EU and human rights groups, decried the measure. Most read in The US Sun Zelensky said his goal had been to speed up prolonged investigations, ensure more convictions and remove Russian meddling in investigations, which he didn't detail. He said he had taken note of the protests and decided to present a new bill to Parliament underscoring that the prosecutor general and his deputies cannot give orders to anti-graft agencies or interfere in their work. Putin strikes Ukraine maternity ward in another outrageous snub to Trump Fighting corruption is crucial for Ukraine's aspirations to join the EU and join the Western bloc of wealthy, allied countries. It is also key to maintaining access to billions of dollars of vital Western aid in the nearly 3-year all-out war. Zelensky had warned that the bill needed to be passed in order to clear the National Anti-Corruption Bureau (NABU) and the Specialised Anti-Corruption Prosecutor's Office (SAPO) of "Russian influence". The offices of the two agencies were raided by Ukraine's security services on Monday after infiltration allegations from Moscow emerged. 7 Protesters marched against the law change last week Credit: Getty 7 Thousands took to the streets, marking the first protests since Russia's invasion Credit: AP But many civilians strongly disagreed with his beliefs saying the bill now gives Zelensky ultimate power over independent bodies. After the bill passed, thousands of people came together in the capital of Kyiv to take part in the biggest anti-government protest since the start of Russia's barbaric invasion in February 2022. Though the protests didn't call for the president's removal, the controversy threatened to undermine public trust in their leaders at a critical time. EU Enlargement Commissioner Marta Kos, who called last week's legislative changes a serious step back, welcomed approval of the bill, saying lawmakers had corrected last week's damaging vote. She wrote on X: "Today's law restores key safeguards, but challenges remain, Kos, who monitors the record of countries that are candidates to join the bloc. "The EU supports (Ukrainian) citizens demands for reform. Upholding fundamental values & fighting corruption must remain the priority." Zelensky speaks following repeal Volodymyr Zelensky has spoken out following the repeal of the law. He said: "I want to thank all members of parliament for passing my bill – now officially a law, as I have just signed the document. The text will be published immediately. "This is a guarantee of the proper independent functioning of Ukraine's anti-corruption bodies and all law enforcement agencies. "It ensures the absence of any external influence or interference, including through regular polygraph checks for all law enforcement personnel who have access to state secrets or have relatives in Russia. This is the right decision. "It is very important that the state listens to public opinion. That it hears its citizens. Ukraine is a democracy – without a doubt." It comes after Russia launched its latest Nine people were killed around the country, including six in Kyiv. One of those was tragically a six-year-old boy. He said: "Kyiv. Missile strike. Directly into a residential building. People under the rubble. All services are on site. Russian terrorists." The brave leader later added: "Today, the world once again saw Russia's response to our desire for peace, shared with America and Europe. 7 Russia is slowly advancing in the west of Ukraine Credit: AP 7 Russia claims to have captured Chasiv Yar - with new footage showing it left in ruins Credit: AP "New, showcase killings. That is why peace without strength is impossible." Heartbreaking scenes saw rescuers carrying the dead child across the rubble of the collapsed nine-storey apartment building in the Sviatoshynskyi district of Kyiv. Russia said on Thursday it had captured the town of Chasiv Yar in eastern Ukraine after nearly 16 months of fighting. The advance, if confirmed, would mark a significant gain for Moscow's forces and could enable them to press on towards key "fortress" cities in the Donetsk region, including Kostiantynivka, Sloviansk and Kramatorsk. What is the anti-corruption controversy in Ukraine? PRESIDENT Volodymyr Zelensky backed and passed a new law limiting the independence of Ukraine's two key anti-corruption institutions. The bill was passed last week with the support of 263 lawmakers, with 13 voting against it and 13 abstaining. The law brought the formerly independent National Anti-Corruption Bureau of Ukraine and the Special Anti-Corruption Prosecutor's Office under the lead of the prosecutor general of Ukraine, Ruslan Kravchenko. It came after the offices of the two agencies were raided by Ukraine's security services after infiltration allegations from Moscow emerged. Ruslan is now able to transfer cases from the agencies and reassign prosecutors. Zelensky believes the change will speed up the process of finalising cases as well as stamp out any alleged Russian influence. But the head of NABU says the bill will "destroy" Ukraine's anti-corruption infrastructure. Protesters took to the street for the first time since the Russian invasion and said the law should be withdrawn. Fighting corruption is crucial for Ukraine's aspirations to join the EU and join the Western bloc of wealthy, allied countries. Following the protests and international outcry, Zelensky committed a U-turn and has now back a repeal of the law which passed today.
