International News
UK, EU Set To Rebuild Ties At First Post-Brexit Meeting
UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer was set to seal a deal for closer ties with the European Union at a landmark summit on Monday, opening a new chapter after exit from the bloc five years ago.
EU diplomats said on Monday a deal had been reached on resetting ties with the UK after late night talks to resolve differences on key sticking points.
EU member states had approved a trio of texts to be signed, particularly on defence, and, after a last-minute breakthrough, the thorny issue of fishing rights.
Starmer has pushed for closer UK ties with its European neighbours. The Labour government argues the EU deal negotiated with the UK’s previous Conservative government “isn’t working for anyone”.
But Starmer, who came to power in last July’s general elections ousting the Conservative Party, has several red lines he has said he will not cross.
Sticking points have remained over some EU demands and the Conservatives are already criticising the reset move as a “surrender”.
A source close to the talks told AFP that there was a “late breakthrough last night (and) still steps to take”.
The two sides would ink the “Security and Defence Partnership” — the highlight of Monday’s sit-down between Starmer and EU leaders Ursula von der Leyen, Antonio Costa and chief diplomat Kaja Kallas.
Two other documents are expected on Monday — a joint statement of European solidarity from the EU-UK leaders’ summit and a Common Understanding on topics from trade to fishing and youth mobility.
Under the final agreement, Britain will keep its waters open for European fishermen for 12 years after the current deal expires in 2026, in return for the 27-nation bloc indefinitely easing red tape on food imports from the UK, diplomats said.
On the issue of youth mobility, negotiators agreed to general wording that leaves the haggling for later.
The issue is another main source of friction, with London fearing any youth mobility scheme could spell a return to freedom of movement between the EU and the UK.
Shadow of Russia, Trump
The talks come as the EU and Britain race to rearm in the face of the threat from Russia and fears that under President Donald Trump the United States will no longer help protect Europe.
The defence partnership should mean more regular security talks, Britain possibly joining EU military missions and the potential for London to fully tap into a 150-billion-euro ($167-billion) defence fund being set up by the bloc.
But much of the detail is likely to be filled in later.
Giving the UK and its defence industry unfettered access to the EU programmes, for instance, would require further agreement.
Britain already has intertwined defence ties with 23 EU countries in NATO, so the defence pact was always seen as the easiest deal on the table.
“I think we should keep our sense of the importance of this relatively tempered,” said Olivia O’Sullivan, director of the UK in the World programme at the Chatham House think-tank.
“It’s the next step in closer cooperation… but not a resolution of many of the outstanding questions,” she told AFP.
Starmer has ruled out rejoining the EU customs union and single market but appears ready to align with the EU on food and agricultural products.
Red tape, mobility
“Red tape, all the certifications that are required, we absolutely want to reduce that,” Europe Minister Nick Thomas-Symonds, the UK’s chief negotiator, told the BBC on Sunday, describing how food was rotting because lorries were waiting hours to cross borders.
Starmer has also rejected a return to freedom of movement but is open to a limited youth mobility scheme that would allow some British and European 18- to 30-year-olds to study and work in the UK and vice versa.
Starmer is approaching the issue cautiously amid rising support for Nigel Farage’s hard-right anti-immigration and Euro-sceptic party Reform UK.
Thomas-Symonds said any scheme would be “smart and controlled”.
He also said London was seeking a faster customs track for British nationals at EU borders.
“We want British people who are going on holiday to be able to go and enjoy their holiday, not be stuck in queues,” he said.
AFP
Manuel Neuer has been called up to Germany’s World Cup squad – two years after his international retirement.
The 40-year-old was named as part of Julian Nagelsmann’s 26-man squad for the tournament this summer, having not featured for his country since Euro 2024.
Among the list include Premier League players Malick Thiaw and Nick Woltemade – both of Newcastle – Arsenal striker Kai Havertz, Liverpool midfielder Florian Wirtz and Brighton’s Pascal Gross.
Injured duo Serge Gnabry and Anton Stach and forwards Karim Adeyemi, Kevin Schade and Niclas Fullkrug are among those to miss out.
Germany’s World Cup squad in full
Goalkeepers: Oliver Baumann (Hoffenheim), Manuel Neuer (Bayern Munich), Alexander Nubel (Stuttgart)
Defenders: Waldemar Anton (Borussia Dortmund), Nathaniel Brown (Eintracht Frankfurt), David Raum (RB Leipzig), Antonio Rudiger (Real Madrid), Nico Schlotterbeck (Borussia Dortmund), Jonathan Tah (Bayern Munich), Malick Thiaw (Newcastle)
Midfielders: Pascal Gross (Brighton), Joshua Kimmich (Bayern Munich), Felix Nmecha (Borussia Dortmund), Aleksandar Pavlovic (Bayern Munich), Angelo Stiller (Stuttgart), Leon Goretzka (Bayern Munich), Florian Wirtz (Liverpool), Jamie Leweling (Stuttgart)
Forwards: Maximilian Beier (Borussia Dortmund), Kai Havertz (Arsenal), Lennart Karl (Bayern Munich), Jamal Musiala (Bayern Munich), Leroy Sane (Galatasaray), Deniz Undav (Stuttgart), Nick Woltemade (Newcastle)
Former Chelsea midfielder John Obi Mikel has opened up on the club’s decision to appoint Xabi Alonso as their new manager.
The Blues confirmed the Spaniard as their next head coach following the conclusion of the 2025-26 season, with Alonso set to take charge ahead of the upcoming campaign.
Mikel had previously been vocal about Chelsea’s managerial philosophy, urging the club’s ownership to move away from short-term head coaches and interim appointments and instead bring in a proper manager with full control over the squad
Speaking on his most recent podcast, Mikel said:
“I am glad the owners listened to me, and listened to the fans.
“Forget about coaches, what we have always had are managers, and what we need is a manager who decides on the players he wants out and the players who can stay.
“We need a strong personality, and that is what we have got now in Alonso.
“That title has been changed from coach to manager, but I hope it’s not just words and he is actually allowed to manage the squad. But I am very happy with the appointment.”
Chelsea are still in the hunt for Europa League football, and a win over Sunderland on the final day of the Premier League season would go a long way in determining whether Alonso inherits a European stage to build on next season.
Enzo Maresca is believed to have signed a three-year deal to replace outgoing Man City manager Pep Guardiola, after it was revealed that the legendary head coach will be leaving the Etihad at the end of the season.
Speculation around Guardiola’s departure date has been rife as the season draws to a close, despite the Catalan having one year left on his contract.
According to report, Man City’s sponsors were among those to have been told that Guardiola will be calling time on a remarkable trophy-ladened spell on Sunday.
The report also shared that Maresca, Guardiola’s former assistant, was a front-runner for the vacant spot at the dugout, with Fabrizio Romano confirming on Tuesday morning that the ex-Chelsea manager will be taking over.
The Italian head coach has been out of work since his mutual departure from Stamford Bridge under strained circumstances on January 1.
But even before his acrimonious mid-season exit, Maresca has been viewed as a long-term successor to Guardiola following their stint working together at Man City.
The 46-year-old served as Guardiola’s assistant between 2022 and 2023 after previously coaching Man City’s youth sides, before departing to earn Championship promotion with Leicester.
Maresca then went on to win the Uefa Conference League and the Club World Cup with Chelsea during his 18-month spell in west London.
Guardiola is set to celebrate his time in English football with an open-top bus parade in Manchester after winning the Carabao Cup and FA Cup this season, but until Monday night, the manager had been notably vague over his future plans.
But before news broke of his shock exit, Guardiola had been keen to tamp down any suggestions that he would be commemorated with any fanfare.
‘The club don’t have to do anything, honestly,’ Guardiola, who has yet to officially confirm his departure, said. ‘The important thing in our lives is that when you look back, you can look with a big smile and say “that was good”.
‘Bernardo (Silva) and John (Stones) can feel that. We spoke about it over the last few days. When you’re old, a grandfather, you can look at the memories. That is the most important thing in life.’
Tired of addressing his contractual situation, Guardiola added with a dose of sarcasm: ‘Whatever happens at the end of the season – and when I extend my contract for three more years – I can look back and say, “how nice has that been?”
‘That is the most important thing by far. Most of the people who lived this time here together can feel it.’
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