A major corruption scandal has rocked Bangladesh. How did Bangladesh PM Sheikh Hasina's former household servant amass a $34 million fortune? The ex-peon now travels in a helicopter. Molly Gambhir gets you the complete story.

Gravitas: Sheikh Hasina's ex-peon at centre of Graft Scandal

The European Parliament’s speaker Roberta Metsola on Thursday promised "a wide-ranging reform package" for cleaning up the legislature which has been rocked by the graft scandal linked to Qatar, the 2022 World Cup host.

Metsola said that the plan "will include a strengthening of the parliament's whistle-blower protection systems, a ban on all unofficial friendship groups, a review of the policing of our code of conduct rules, and a complete and in-depth look at how we interact with third countries". She further stated that the changes would be led by her, and the reform package will be finalised "in the new year".

The scandal was triggered by the Belgian authorities after they detained six people last week. Amongst the six, four detained, which include MEP and former European Parliament vice president Eva Kaili, were charged with "criminal organisation, corruption and money laundering". &nbsp;The other two detained were later released.&nbsp;

ALSO READ|&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/european-parliament-removes-eva-kaili-as-vice-president-after-qatar-corruption-allegations-542734">European Parliament removes Eva Kaili as vice-president after Qatar corruption allegations</a>

Greece’s former TV newsreader Kaili as well as Qatari officials have refuted any wrongdoing. Around €1.5 million ($1.6 million) in cash was discovered by officials after a series of raids were conducted at the offices and homes of politicians, parliamentary assistants and lobbyists.

According to a judicial source from Belgium, around €600,000 were discovered at MEP-turned-lobbyist Pier Panzeri’s home and €150,000&nbsp;found in the flat of Kaili and €750,000 in the hotel room of her father.

The European Parliament has been stirred by the investigation and the allegations, and the conversations between non-EU countries’ representatives and lobbyists have come under intense scrutiny.

WATCH|&nbsp;Qatar 'corruption scandal' rocks European parliament, Vice President Eva Kaili arrested

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Metsola called the scandal an outside attack on "European democracy" and added that the debate was endorsed by the EU leaders who had arrived to attend a Brussels summit on Thursday.

She added that the law enforcement authorities of Belgium are carrying out the investigation, and the parliament was extending "full and open co-operation". However, she agreed that "the rules that we have already can be tightened can be improved” in case of monitoring the lawmakers’ trips and transactions.

"Certain things that happened in this context will not be allowed to happen again," she added.

(With inputs from agencies)

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The European Parliament’s speaker Roberta Metsola on Thursday promised "a wide-ranging reform package" for cleaning up the legislature which has been rocked by the graft scandal linked to Qatar, the 2022 World Cup host.

The European Parliament’s speaker Roberta Metsola on Thursday promised "a wide-ranging reform package" for cleaning up the legislature which has been rocked by the graft scandal linked to Qatar, the 2022 World Cup host. Metsola said that the plan "will include a strengthening of the parliament's whistle-blower protection systems, a ban on all unofficial friendship groups, a review of the policing of our code of conduct rules, and a complete and in-depth look at how we interact with third countries". She further stated that the changes would be led by her, and the reform package will be finalised "in the new year". The scandal was triggered by the Belgian authorities after they detained six people last week. Amongst the six, four detained, which include MEP and former European Parliament vice president Eva Kaili, were charged with "criminal organisation, corruption and money laundering". The other two detained were later released. ALSO READ| European Parliament removes Eva Kaili as vice-president after Qatar corruption allegations Greece’s former TV newsreader Kaili as well as Qatari officials have refuted any wrongdoing. Around €1.5 million ($1.6 million) in cash was discovered by officials after a series of raids were conducted at the offices and homes of politicians, parliamentary assistants and lobbyists. According to a judicial source from Belgium, around €600,000 were discovered at MEP-turned-lobbyist Pier Panzeri’s home and €150,000 found in the flat of Kaili and €750,000 in the hotel room of her father. The European Parliament has been stirred by the investigation and the allegations, and the conversations between non-EU countries’ representatives and lobbyists have come under intense scrutiny. WATCH| Qatar 'corruption scandal' rocks European parliament, Vice President Eva Kaili arrested Metsola called the scandal an outside attack on "European democracy" and added that the debate was endorsed by the EU leaders who had arrived to attend a Brussels summit on Thursday. She added that the law enforcement authorities of Belgium are carrying out the investigation, and the parliament was extending "full and open co-operation". However, she agreed that "the rules that we have already can be tightened can be improved” in case of monitoring the lawmakers’ trips and transactions. "Certain things that happened in this context will not be allowed to happen again," she added. (With inputs from agencies)

EU parliament speaker vows wide-ranging reforms amid corruption scandal

President Zuma has been accused of offering key government jpbs to those who might help the business interests of the Gupta family

Political drama, corruption allegations and even wedding party controversies, the Gupta family, one of South Africa's wealthiest, has been accused of wielding undue influence behind the scenes. Now the immigrant family is at the centre of a row battering President Jacob Zuma after allegedly offering key government jobs to those who might help the Gupta family's business interests. The corruption scandal has renewed scrutiny about Zuma's ties with Ajay, Atul and Rajesh Gupta, three brothers from the northern Indian state of Uttar Pradesh. Led by Atul, they arrived in South Africa in 1993 as white-minority apartheid rule crumbled and a year before Nelson Mandela won the country's first democratic elections. As the country opened up to foreign investment, the Guptas, previously small-scale businessmen in India, built a sprawling empire in computers, mining, media, technology and engineering. The New Age, a pro-government newspaper, was launched in 2010, and the 24-hour news channel ANN7 started broadcasting in 2013. They also developed close links with the ruling African National Congress (ANC) party, and particularly with Zuma, well before he became president in 2009. Zuma's son Duduzane is a director of the Gupta's Sahara Computers, named after their hometown of Saharanpur, and has been a director of several other Gupta companies. Zuma's third wife Bongi Ngema and one of his daughters have also been Gupta employees. Deputy finance minister Mcebisi Jonas claimed in March that the Guptas had offered him the post of finance minister, providing the first public testimony of their alleged involvement in cabinet appointments. Last week the BBC reported that little-known ANC lawmaker David van Rooyen visited the Guptas' home the night before his appointment as finance minister in December. Mines Minister Mosebenzi Zwane is also seen as close to the Guptas.,Both the Guptas and Zuma, who has described the brothers as friends, deny any wrongdoing. Now in their 40s, the Guptas hold court at their residential and business headquarters in a huge high-security compound in Saxonwold, an upmarket district of Johannesburg. It has a helicopter pad and they reportedly travel with their own chefs and bodyguards. But as pressure has increased on them this year, they were reported to be moving their base to Dubai and to have bought a large residence in the city. They said in August that they plan to sell their South African assets. Public anger towards the family soared in 2013, when a jet carrying 217 foreign guests to a Gupta wedding landed at Waterkloof Air Force base, outside Pretoria. The airport is a military facility normally used to receive heads of state.The Guptas complained voraciously when South Africa's largest banks closed their accounts earlier this year. The family lobbied unsuccessfully for Finance Minister Pravin Gordhan, who is at loggerheads with Zuma, to intervene. But on Friday Gordhan disclosed in a court affidavit that the Gupta family and associated companies were implicated in "suspicious transactions" worth $480 million over four years. On Monday the family denied reports that money had been removed from the rehabilitation fund of a mine they bought, saying the claim was "another example of groundless innuendo". They also vowed to respond this week to Gordhan's affidavit. Zuma last week blocked the release of a watchdog's report into his relationship with the Guptas. A court hearing into the case is due next month. (AFP)

Indian immigrant business family at the heart of South Africa's graft scandal

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