International News
Thousands Protest In Kyiv Against Law Curbing Anti-Graft Agencies
Several thousand people rallied in central Kyiv on Wednesday in an unprecedented protest against a law signed off by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky that removes the independence of two key anti-corruption bodies.
The mostly young marchers urged Zelensky to veto the legislation in the biggest protest in Kyiv since the start of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in 2022.
The bill passed on Tuesday is the latest in a series of moves criticised by Ukrainian anti-corruption activists. They warn that growing government pressure threatens Ukraine’s reforms and ambition to join the European Union.
Zelensky has rejected the criticism, saying the law was needed to root out alleged Russian influence in anti-corruption institutions — a charge denied by activists.
“We all share a common enemy: the Russian occupiers,” Zelensky said after meeting with top law enforcement and anti-corruption officials on Wednesday.
“And defending the Ukrainian state requires a strong enough law enforcement system — one that ensures a real sense of justice,” he added.
In a statement on social media, he said he would propose a new bill that would “ensure the norms for the independence of anti-corruption institutions”.
The law places the National Anti-Corruption Bureau of Ukraine (NABU) and Specialised Anti-Corruption Prosecutor’s Office (SAPO) under the direct authority of the prosecutor general, who is appointed by the president.
After meeting with Zelensky, the NABU and SAPO repeated their criticism of the changes and said “unambiguous legislative steps are required to reinstate the guarantees revoked by parliament”.
‘Gift to Putin’
Some fear that a political crisis over the legislation could work in Russia’s favour by undermining unity within the country.
“This is a gift to Putin,” Oleksandra Matviichuk, head of the Centre for Civil Liberties, which was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize, said of the law.
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said there was “a lot of corruption”, answering a question about the protests in Kyiv.
Zelensky signed the law on Tuesday as protesters gathered in front of the Ivan Franko theatre, where they projected a message reading “Veto the Law”.
The news of its approval was met with anger from protesters, who vowed to gather again on Wednesday at 8:00 pm local time (1700 GMT).
“Of course, everyone has heard what people are saying these days, what people are saying on social networks, to each other, on the streets. All this is not in vain.” Zelensky said on social media.
The government insists the law will make the anti-corruption agencies function better. Its critics say it consolidates power in Zelensky’s hands and will allow government meddling in high-profile graft cases.
EU ‘step back’
Kyiv’s partners reacted with alarm, worrying the move would undermine anti-corruption reforms key to Ukraine’s bid to join the European Union.
European Commission head Ursula von der Leyen has demanded “explanations” from Zelensky over the change, the EU said Wednesday.
“President von der Leyen conveyed her strong concerns about the consequences of the amendments,” said a spokesman.
“The dismantling of key safeguards protecting NABU’s independence is a serious step back,” EU Enlargement Commissioner Marta Kos said.
The NABU began work in 2015, as Kyiv sought to bring the country closer to Europe after a 2014 pro-European revolution.
Since its inception, the agency has uncovered widespread graft, including among figures in Zelensky’s administration.
READ ALSO: Ukraine Proposes Fresh Peace Talks With Russia Next Week
On Monday, law enforcement conducted large-scale raids at NABU, detaining one employee on suspicion of spying for Russia.
Transparency International’s Ukraine office called the raids an “attempt by the authorities to undermine the independence of Ukraine’s post-Revolution of Dignity anti-corruption institutions”.
The raids followed proceedings against one of the country’s top activists, Vitaliy Shabunin, who was brought to court for alleged fraud and draft-dodging.
Some of Shabunin’s allies have denounced the case as politically motivated retribution for an investigation into the president’s inner circle, including former minister Oleksiy Chernyshov.
It also comes as the government rejected the appointment of the head of the Bureau of Economic Security, citing alleged connections with Russia.
That decision was also heavily criticised by Ukrainian civil society.
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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