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www.newsindiatimes.com – that’s all you need to know US Affairs News India Times (April 25, 2026 - May 1, 2026) May 1, 2026 5 FBI Director Kash Patel Sues The Atlantic For $250M, Alleging Defamation F BI Director Kash Patel sued the Atlantic and staff writer Sarah Fitzpatrick in federal court, alleging that the magazine ran a “sweep- ing, malicious, and defamatory hit piece” against him on Friday (April 17, 2026) with the intention of marring his reputation. In the complaint, filed in federal district court in D.C., Patel says he is seeking $250 million in damages plus any proceeds from the article. The Atlantic’s article contained exten- sive reporting – attributed to anonymous individuals – alleging Patel engaged in “excessive drinking” and “unexplained absences” while leading the FBI. The complaint alleges that several incidents detailed in the article are de- famatory. These incidents include that Patel was often intoxicated withWhite House and Trump administration staff, that meetings had to be rescheduled following nights that he drank, and that staff had to use “breaching equipment” to access rooms when Patel had report- edly been unreachable. “We stand by our reporting on Kash Patel, and we will vigorously defend The Atlantic and our journalists against this meritless lawsuit,” Anna Bross, a spokeswoman for the Atlantic, said in a statement. Under defamation law, Patel – as a pub- lic official – would likely have to demon- strate that the Atlantic acted with “actual malice,” a legal standard established in the landmark 1964 Supreme Court deci- sion in NewYork Times v. Sullivan. To reach that standard, Patel would have to prove not only that the Atlan- tic’s claims were false but also that they knew they were false and published with reckless disregard for the truth. “They are so demonstrably and obviously false, or easily refuted,” the complaint said, “that it was at best reckless to publish them.” -TheWashington Post By Scott Nover PHOTO:DEMETRIUS FREEMAN/THEWASHINGTON POST FBI Director Kash Patel, seen in January. US Waiver Set To Keep Russian Oil Exports To India Near Record High R ussian oil sales to India are set to remain near record highs in April and May following a new U.S. sanctions waiver, and refiners have already secured much of their supply needs via non- sanctioned entities and vessels, traders said and data showed on Tuesday. The robust exports to India – the second-largest buyer of Russian crude after China and largest importer of its flagship Urals grade – will likely help Moscow replenish state coffers under pressure due to military spending for the war in Ukraine. India shipped in a record 2.25 million barrels per day of oil from Russia in March, nearly double February’s volumes, making Russian oil 50% of its imports. Russian crude arrivals at Indian ports are set to reach 2.1 million bpd for the week of April 20 to 27, up from 1.67 million bpd the previous week, data from shipping analytics firm Kpler showed. The mid-April dip in Russian oil supplies was likely caused by export disruptions resulting from Ukrainian drone attacks on Russian ports at the end of March, two sources said. However, Russian supplies are expected to average more than 2 million bpd for the full month and will likely remain around that level, or possibly increase, in May, three sources involved in the trade said. U.S. EXTENDS SANCTIONS WAIVER AMID IRAN WAR DISRUP- TIONS Washington issued a 30-day waiver in mid-March for countries to buy sanctioned Russian oil and petroleum products to help stabilise global energy markets roiled by its war with Iran. It renewed the waiver last week. Despite the sanctions, which are intended to pressure Moscow to negotiate a peace deal with Kyiv, Russian oil deliveries to India have continued via non-sanctioned enterprises in the supply chain, traders and analysts said. Indian refiners had already been actively purchas- ing Russian oil in April before the waiver extension was announced and secured most of the volumes for May delivery as early as last week, according to the traders. Refineries in India were paying premiums of $7 to $9 per barrel of Russian oil to the dated Brent for cargoes de- livered in May, similar to what they paid for April imports. India has recently expanded the pool of Russian insur- ers eligible to provide marine cover to ships docking at its ports, increasing the number to 11 from eight, according to its Directorate General of Shipping. -Reuters N ewYork Assemblywoman Jenifer Rajkumar unveiled a sweeping package of “good government, ethics, and trans- parency” bills April 17, 2026, “to bring unprecedented checks and balances that ensure government works for the people, not the powerful,” her office said in a press release. Rajkumar’s bills seek to deal with no-bid contracts, relationships between contractors and public officials, and what she sees as unauthorized contrac- tors receiving public money, undisclosed lobbying pressure, and big-money influ- ence from corporations doing business with the government. “The Assemblywoman’s package comes following a series of scandals and improprieties involving government contracts, with NewYorkers clamoring for a government where decisionmakers act in the best interest of the people,” says the press release. “I have personally seen how corrup- tion at the state and city levels stalls government and stands in the way of helping people. That is why I am proud to introduce this anti-corruption pack- age, Rajkumar said, adding, “NewYorkers are sick of backroom deals, insider influ- ence, and a government that too often serves the well-connected instead of the public. The package includes: A10881 — Limits the use of no-bid contracts by setting strict, clearly defined conditions on when they are allowed. The bill requires competitive bidding in the absence of a Declaration of Emer- gency by the Governor. A10461 — Requires NewYork City con- tractors to disclose any personal or profes- sional relationships with public officers, ensuring potential conflicts of interest are brought into the open before contracts are awarded. A10462 — Prohibits government payments on NewYork City contracts to contractors who are not “properly” authorized, ensuring that all vendors and subcontractors are vetted and approved before receiving taxpayer funds. A9559 — Strengthens lobbying trans- parency in NewYork by requiring lobbyists to disclose their positions on specific bills, including amendments and appropria- tions. A826 — Closes a campaign finance loophole allowing businesses awarded contracts in NewYork City to give big donations. By a StaffWriter State Assemblywoman Rajkumar Unveils Slew Of Anti-Corruption Bills PHOTO:X @JENIFERRAJKUMAR Jenifer Rajkumar US - India