Mediaboss Marketing

KIEV, UkraineWhen U.S. Secretary of State Rex Tillerson hurried here to Ukraines capital after the G-20 summit earlier this month one of his goals was to speak about the importance of implementing anti-corruption reforms.

But he didnt talk to American-born and American-educated Ulana Suprun, Ukraines health minister, who might have opened his eyes wide. She is on the warpath against a horrific corruption machine involving billion-dollar scams performed by powerful doctors and a pharmaceutical mafia. Its the kind of corruption that corrodes the foundations of democracy, and can destroy it in a country like this, that has known so little good governance for so very long.

Supruns reform campaign has been one of Ukraines biggest hopes for success. If on his next visit Tillerson wants to take the time, Dr. Suprun says she would be happy to show him around the dark labyrinths of corruption that are here.

In an exclusive interview with The Daily Beast, Suprun talked about some of the dangerous challenges she has faced while fighting for the reform.

It started about a year ago soon after Suprun first became the acting minister of health care. She walked into the crowded hallway of the oncology department at Kievs Okhmadyt hospital. Children with cancer, some crying in pain, some terrified, were waiting on a long bench together with their mothers for the doctors attention.

The walls were covered in mold, which also threatened the fragile health of the severely sick patients. The fungus was so bad that paint and tiles fell off the walls.

I would show Tillerson the Okhmadyt hospital, Suprun told The Daily Beast. The state has spent about 300 million UAH [$11.5 million] to build the new facilities for that hospital; 60 million UAH [$2.3 million] was spent on equipmentwhich disappeared, Suprun explained.

Suprun, 54, is a tall woman with long blond hair. When we talked she was wearing black jeans and a black T-shirt emblazoned with a trident, a Ukrainian national symbol. People often recognize her on the streets and speak to her, but the former New Yorker walks around Kiev without any security.

Suprun said that to her the mold on the walls at Okhmadyt symbolized the corruption that affected the entire health care system. Some windows had cracks, some had no insulation; there was no air conditioning, mold was everywhere, Suprun said. What was even worse: No doctors showed any respect to the kids, who could barely walk; and the head doctors made money off these desperate parents.

Suprun was appalled as well by the condition of hospitals in the eastern regions suffering from attacks by pro-Russian rebels.

Three years ago she made a decision to move from Manhattan to Kiev together with her husband Marco. Both are ethnic Ukrainians raised to love and respect Ukraines culture, history, and language. Their original plan was to translate literature and develop a film industry, but Kievs pro-European revolution changed all their original plans. The two worked as volunteers, providing first aid to the wounded on Maidan square during the massacre of revolutionaries in February 2014.

After Ukraines President Victor Yanukovych fled to Russia and the conflict began in Eastern Ukraine, Suprun went straight to the front lines to provide medical training for volunteer soldiers who did not have any such skills. Suprun founded Patriot Defense, a nongovernmental organization that trained tens of thousands of Ukrainian soldiers and helped to bring down the mortality rate significantly. In 2015 President Petro Poroshenko conferred Ukrainian citizenship on Suprun and Marco and said that their efforts saved thousands of lives.

Get The Beast In Your Inbox!

Start and finish your day with the top stories from The Daily Beast.

A speedy, smart summary of all the news you need to know (and nothing you don't).

Subscribe

Thank You!

You are now subscribed to the Daily Digest and Cheat Sheet. We will not share your email with anyone for any reason.

Last week the parliament voted on Supruns reforms, which had become the focus of the entire anti-corruption agenda in Ukraine. The parliamentary committee on health care, pharma-mafia, those who make money on corruption are in the way because we are cutting off their funding, Suprun told The Daily Beast before the vote.

From the beginning of her campaign, Suprun heard threats: One of my critics, a well-known head doctor of a cardiological hospital, who we knew was taking up to $10,000 for implanting one stent, accused me of killing Ukrainians, even of a genocide! He started a campaign to discredit me, Suprun said.

Was she ready to experience more attacks? I have a thick skin. I know that what we are doing is right.

In many countries the hugely expensive equipment in hospitals is leased. But in Ukraine, thats forbidden by law. Why? Because kickbacks are built in to the sales, generating enormous income every year for everybody in the corrupt chain. The pharmo-mafia and some hospitals make billions of dollars, while we want the purchasing to be done by international organizations including the UNDP, UNICEF, through tenders, Suprun explained.

The reform was aiming to save millions of dollars a year for the budget, cutting off the channel for kickbacks and eventually decreasing the income for some particular doctors who hated the reform.

In the medical sector the budget is divided up into the regions, so each administration gets a cut of the pie, then the leftovers are passed to the districts, where more bureaucracies get their cuts, and then to the cities.

There is a tiny piece left to fix the poor infrastructure of hospitals and pay extremely low salaries for the workers, Suprun said. The average salary of a Ukrainian doctor is about $200 a month. Thats what makes medical workers charge payments for their services, then kick back up to their head doctors and higher, she said.

Suprun and her team traveled to London to present their reform to a panel at Chatham House. It was said that to improve the playing field for foreign investors in Ukraine, one needed to strengthen the rule of law, have less regulation and eradicate corruption, one of the panels participants, former OSCE spokesman in Ukraine Michael Bociurkiw told The Daily Beast.

When it comes to the corruption fight, I know of no one else in the government, whos given so much energy, passion and commitment to push through the reforms. Dr. Suprun is the last remaining foreign technocrat in the cabinet, holding her position in pretty much a male-dominated, old boys club.

The parliament did not pass the reforms, and Suprun admitted afterward they didnt get adequate support from the powers that be. Our team worked effectively to prepare the reform, but there was no political will to continue this at the top level, she said.

But the fight continues.

See the original post here:
The American Doctor Trying to Cure Ukraine's Corruption - Daily Beast

LONDON (Reuters) - The European Union is planning to impose duties of up to 33 percent on hot-rolled steel imports from Brazil, Iran, Russia and Ukraine to counter what it sees as unfairly low prices, according to a document seen by Reuters.

The EU has over 40 anti-dumping measures to aid European steel producers, mostly aimed at China. In June, the bloc set duties of up to 35.9 percent on Chinese hot-rolled steel, prompting an angry response from Beijing.

Steel is the second biggest industry in the world after oil and gas and the EU's attention has recently shifted as barriers aimed at cheap Chinese imports have an impact.

"While far from perfect, this outcome surpasses earlier expectations, will help cut import pressure into the EU and should boost earnings expectations for local steelmakers," investment bank Jefferies said in a note.

The European Commission, which oversees EU trade policy, launched an investigation into hot-rolled steel from Brazil, Iran, Russia and Ukraine as well as Serbia in July 2016, following a complaint by European steel association Eurofer.

Its investigation found hot-rolled steel from all the countries save Serbia rose to take 12.6 percent of the EU market in the year to mid-2016 from 7.5 percent in 2013, with prices falling by about a quarter, according to the document.

The Commission terminated its investigation into Serbian steel imports with no tariffs set, the document showed.

However, it is proposing duties of 16.3 percent for steel from ArcelorMittal Brasil, 17.5 percent for Usinas Siderurgicas and 15.7 percent for Companhia Siderurgica National.

For Russia, NLMK would face 15.0 percent duties, MMK 33.0 percent and PAO Severstal 5.3 percent.

For Iran's Mobarakeh Steel Co 23 percent duties would apply and for Ukraine's Metinvest Group [METIV.UL] 19.4 percent. The Islamic Republic is now free to export steel after the easing of international sanctions against it.

Definitive duties need to be applied by October 6.

Reporting by Maytaal Angel; writing by Philip Blenkinsop; editing by Alexander Smith

See more here:
EU proposes duties on Brazil, Iran, Russia, Ukraine steel - Reuters

More than 200 soldiers in a New York Army National Guard until will head to Europe in October for a nine-month mission to train Ukrainian forces. (MGN Online)

SYRACUSE, N.Y. (AP) -- More than 200 soldiers in a New York Army National Guard until will head to Europe in October for a nine-month mission to train Ukrainian forces.

The state Division of Military and Naval Affairs says Tuesday that most of the Guardsmen are members of the 2nd Squadron, 101st Cavalry based at the Niagara Falls Air Reserve Station.

The squadron, part of the Syracuse-based 27th Infantry Brigade Combat Team, also has elements in Buffalo, Jamestown and Geneva.

While in Ukraine the New York soldiers will be part of a multinational training group tasked with training battalions of Ukrainian troops for defense and security missions. Troops from Canada and four European nations are also part of the training mission.

Fighting erupted after Russia-backed rebels took control of parts of Ukraine in April 2014 after Russia annexed Ukraine's Crimean peninsula.

See the rest here:
New York Army National Guard troops to train Ukrainian forces - CNYcentral.com

From a wonderkid ready to take on the world to an injury-prone squad member Arsenal are trying to flog... RealSport discuss the career of Jack Wilshere.

Its September 2008 and Arsenal are away to Blackburn Rovers in the Premier League. A young kid called Jack Wilshere who has been making a name for himself in the reserves was given a place on the bench. Before Wilshere, Wayne Rooney was the last 16-year-old Englishman to receive this much fuss and attention.

In the 84th minute, Arsene Wenger decided Wilshere deserved to make his professional debut and came on for Robin ban Persie as a substitute. He became Arsenals youngest ever debutant at just 16 years and 256 days.

Ten days later, he scored his first goal in a 6-0 League Cup win over Sheffield United. In November that year Wilshere became only the fifth 16-year-old to appear in the Champions League, against Dynamo Kiev. The world was at his feet and it took no time at all for the confident teenager to show what he was all about.

There truly was a star in the making.

Still not quite in the first XI on a full time basis, Wenger decided a loan move to Bolton Wanderers would further Wilsheres development and so he joined the Trotters in January 2010 until the end of the season.

He impressed so much in the midfield that they tried to resign him for the whole of the 2010/11 season but Arsenal werent having it. He was ready to become a prominent first team figure for the North Londoners.

Wilshere started the season with another career milestone and made his senior England debut in August against Hungary at just 18-years-old. The midfielder made a great start to the season for Arsenal, playing all of their August fixtures and continued his fine form into October.

However, we saw the first incident of petulance and immaturity from Wilshere that month, getting sent off for a tackle against Nicola Zigic against Birmingham City.

It was certainly a learning curve for Wilshere as he returned to finish a wonderful campaign, featuring an incredible 49 times for Arsenal that season, winning the clubs Player of the Year Award, the PFA Young Player of the Year and getting into the PFA Team of the Year.

However, the summer leading up to the 2011/12 season is where it all started to go wrong for the boy wonder.

A stress fracture to his ankle he received in a pre-season game was expected to keep him out until February. However, setback after setback occurred and the midfielder did not play a single minute of football that season, even missing the 2012 Summer Olympics and Englands 2012 European Championship campaign.

His rehabilitation continued into next season and after an incredible 17-month lay off, Wilsheres nightmare appeared to be over, playing in the Premier League win over Queens Park Rangers. It was like the 20-year-old had never left, earning the Man of the Match award. He continued to produce fine form, however little injuries become a regular occurrence and Wenger confirmed he would have minor surgery at the end of the season to remove a pin.

It was a quick recovery and Wilshere was ready for the 2013/14 season. His performances were yet again impressive, however in March of that season Wilshere suffered a hairline fracture on his left foot in a game against Denmark for England. It kept him out for six weeks and the injuries were beginning to mount up, though he did end the season coming on as a substitute to win his first major trophy in a 3-2 FA Cup Final win over Hull City.

However, his joy was short lived and in November of next season, Wilshere picked up yet another injury to his ankle, ruling him out for three months.

The following pre season and Wilshere again suffered injury heartbreak, breaking his fibula, which was supposed to rule him out for one month, however required surgery in September which ruled him out for a further three.

Wilshere has admitted that injuries have left him frustrated but he works hard to return as soon as possible and made the decision to move on loan to Bournemouth for the 2016/17 season to regain his form, fitness and play regular football. It wasnt the career path Wilshere would have wanted to take.

By now he was expected to be one of the worlds best midfielders and the first name on Arsenals team sheet. Wilshere then was rightly commended for taking the choice to try and resurrect his career rather than sit on Arsenals bench.

However, Wilshere, despite making a healthy number of appearances largely failed to impress and in April in a match against Tottenham Hotspur once again suffered an injury. He received a hairline fracture to his left fibula in an apparently nothing challenge with Harry Kane. He required surgery and would miss the rest of the season.

It has led to Arsenal and Wenger losing patience.

The one-time boy wonder who could dominate midfields and weave his way past any opponent with his dribbling ability and low centre of gravity. The man who was supposed to run the show for England for the next generation and who famously dominated a Barcelona midfield consisting of Sergio Busquets, Andres Iniesta and Xavi in a Champions League knockout game. He is now someone who Arsenal appear happy to let go for a paltry 9 million to Sampdoria of Italy.

Perhaps more worryingly for Wilshere, is the fact that there seem to be no takers, even at that price.

His injury record is far too risky. Arsenal fans will be devastated. He was one of their own and one of the most talented youngsters in world football. Wilshere was a ready-made captain and legend for the club just waiting to happen. The fans loved his ability and his fiery attitude.

As it is, Wilsheres career has taken a very different path. Hopefully a fresh start will be making of the former boy wonder.

Want to share your opinion? Why not write for us?

Read the rest here:
Arsenal: Jack Wilshere's dramatic fall from grace reaches its climax - RealSport101

The latter notion seemed to die almost immediately on Capitol Hill on Tuesday, leaving the president to throw up his hands and say he would simply let Mr. Obamas program die of its own weight. Im not going to own it, he told reporters. I can tell you the Republicans are not going to own it. Well let Obamacare fail, and then the Democrats are going to come to us.

Nearly every president arrives in office promising a new direction, especially those succeeding someone from the other party. But few, if any, have spent as much of their early months focused on undoing what the last president did rather than promoting their own proactive ideas as Mr. Trump has.

Where the president has succeeded so far, it has largely been in cases where he could act on his own authority. He approved the Keystone XL pipeline that Mr. Obama had rejected. He pulled out of the Trans-Pacific Partnership trade deal and the Paris climate change accord that his predecessor had negotiated. And he began repealing environmental and business regulations that were imposed during the last administration.

But reversing the Iran and health care initiatives both require building support among other political players at home and abroad, a task for which Mr. Trump has yet to show much proclivity. At home in the worlds of real estate and entertainment, Mr. Trump is accustomed to giving orders and proclaiming, Youre fired! But the art-of-the-deal negotiating skills he boasted about on the campaign trail last year have not closed the deal with fellow world leaders or with fellow Republicans.

The problem in Washington, besides every piece of legislation having its own special interest group, is that bills are purposely written to be complicated, said Michael Dubke, who served as White House communications director under Mr. Trump. And complicated is hard to unwind.

Mr. Trump could, of course, simply abandon the Iran deal as he did with the trade and climate agreements, and he may yet. But while that may be satisfying, he has been told by advisers that the United States would find it harder to pressure the clerical leadership in Tehran without allies, and so he has not risked alienating them with a unilateral move.

John R. Bolton, a former ambassador to the United Nations and strong critic of the nuclear deal, said time is on Irans side and Mr. Trump should find a way to convince the allies. We need to explain this to the Europeans, he said. They may find it hard to accept, but plain speaking is still an American virtue, occasionally even in diplomacy.

As for health care, Mr. Trump chastised Democrats on Tuesday for not going along Dems totally obstruct, he tweeted but he made no serious effort to reach out to them, nor might it be realistic to expect them to join a drive to repeal what they consider to be one of their proudest achievements. While he did lobby Republicans, some said he did not make a serious enough effort to do so. The White House devoted its public message this week to buy-America themes rather than health care.

Vice President Mike Pence said on Tuesday that lawmakers should either repeal Mr. Obamas program outright or return to the legislation that has now failed. Either way, inaction is not an option, he said in a speech to members of the National Retail Federation in Washington. Congress needs to step up. Congress needs to do their job, and Congress needs to do their job now.

Republicans on Capitol Hill expressed weariness of the health care debate and seemed ready to turn to other priorities, like cutting taxes. Senator Mitch McConnell of Kentucky, the majority leader, vowed to hold a vote to repeal Mr. Obamas health care program without a replacement, but it was quickly clear there were not the votes for that. In the House, Speaker Paul D. Ryan of Wisconsin on Tuesday focused on tax cuts, energy production and budget balancing.

At the White House, that Rose Garden rally where Mr. Trump prematurely celebrated the passage of a health care bill in the House before it had gone to the Senate now seems long ago.

Mr. Trump has been left to contemplate his next move. He could try to find another way to get the bulldozer to work. Or he could move on to another property.

View original post here:
Trump Finds That Demolishing Obama's Legacy Is Not So Simple - New York Times