International
Von der Leyen asks Zelensky for explanations for the reform on anti-corruption agencies
The European Commissioner for Democracy, Justice and the Rule of Law, Michael McGrath, said on Wednesday that the president of the European Commission (EC), Ursula von der Leyen, has asked Ukrainian President, Volodymyr Zelenski, for explanations for the controversial reform that places Ukrainian anti-corruption agencies under the control of the State prosecutor’s office.
“Von der Leyen conveyed (to Zelenski) her deep concern and asked for explanations,” McGrath said during a press conference after an informal meeting of the Council of Ministers of Justice of the European Union (EU) in Copenhagen.
The National Anti-Corruption Office (NABU) and the Special Anti-Corruption Prosecutor’s Office (SAP) are “pillars” of the rule of law in Ukraine, “crucial” for the reform agenda in that country, and must maintain their independence to be effective in their task and preserve the confidence of the population, the commissioner said.
The standards that the EC demands from EU countries and candidates for access must be “consistent”, he remarked, despite the circumstances in which Ukraine finds itself.
In addition, McGrath stressed that the approach of the accession process involves first meeting the fundamental requirements and that the path to EU entry begins with a commitment to democracy, the rule of law and a strong anti-corruption regime.
“We do not want to see a setback in the progress made by Ukraine with hard work over the past few years,” said the commissioner, who described it as “very worrying” that the two agencies may be subordinate to the attorney general, who is appointed by the president’s office.
“We expect Ukraine to fully comply with (European) standards,” said the commissioner, according to whom there can be no “commitment” in this regard.
Many NGOs denounced the passage as a process of erosion of the mechanisms of control of the Executive.
Several European ministers, including those from Germany and Sweden, have also expressed concern about the measure, which removes independence from Ukraine’s anti-corruption agencies.
Hundreds of Ukrainians took to the streets again in Kiev and other cities across the country on the second day of protests against a law approved on Tuesday by Parliament and later initialed by Zelenski that gives power to the attorney general appointed by the Executive over two anti-corruption agencies and thus deplens their independence.
Images broadcast live on Ukrainian public television show citizens, especially young people, who concentrate in squares and streets throughout Ukraine, shout slogans against corruption and abuses of power and show banners demanding Zelenski to repeal the law.
In his evening address to the nation on Wednesday, Zelenski stated that he is listening to the message he receives from the street and announced that he will propose to Parliament a bill to preserve the powers of investigative agencies while eliminating Russian influence in these structures.
Previously, Zelenski had announced that he will present a plan to fight corruption within two weeks.
The need to remove Russian influence is the reason invoked by the Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) to justify the dozens of raids against detectives of the National Anti-Corruption Office of Ukraine (NABU) carried out this Monday, which were interpreted by the NABU itself and by much of civil society as an attack on the institution.
Ukraine’s main international partners have expressed concern about both the legal reform and the SBU operation, in which two senior NABU officials were arrested for alleged collaboration with Russia.
International
Rubio rules out 2028 presidential bid if Vance runs
U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio said he would not seek the presidency in 2028 if current Vice President JD Vancedecides to run as the Republican nominee to succeed President Donald Trump.
“If JD Vance runs for president, he will be our candidate, and I will be one of the first people to support him,” Rubio said in an interview with Vanity Fair, in which he appeared alongside other senior members of the presidential cabinet.
Rubio, 54, and Vance, 41, are widely viewed as two of the leading Republican figures who could headline the party’s ticket in the 2028 election. Under the U.S. Constitution, Trump is barred from seeking another term after completing two presidential mandates.
In a lighthearted moment during the interview, Vance jokingly offered photographers $1,000 if they managed to make him look better than Rubio in the photos. Both leaders have received public backing from Trump, who last October floated the idea of a joint ticket featuring Rubio and Vance, without clarifying who would lead it.
“I think that if they ever teamed up, they would be unstoppable. I don’t think anyone would run against us,” Trump said at the time.
White House Chief of Staff Susie Wiles, who also took part in the interview, confirmed that Trump does not intend to violate the 22nd Amendment, which prohibits a third presidential term, though she acknowledged that the president is “having fun” with speculation about a possible return to office.
Rubio, the son of Cuban immigrants, served as a Republican senator from 2010 to 2025. He sought the party’s presidential nomination in 2016 but was defeated by Trump after a bruising primary contest. His name was floated as a potential vice presidential pick in 2024, but Vance ultimately secured the spot. After taking office, Trump appointed Rubio as secretary of state, making him the first Latino to hold the position.
International
Authorities search for armed and dangerous suspect in fatal Brown University attack
According to the statement, investigators are “seeking the public’s help to identify and speak with an individual” who was seen “near” the suspect at the time of the attack.
The Providence Police Department in Rhode Island released three photos of the person of interest, whose face has been blurred. In the images, the individual is wearing navy blue clothing, what appears to be a green hood, and carrying a light-colored backpack.
Earlier, authorities had released several photos and videos of a suspect described as “approximately 5 feet 8 inches tall, with a stocky build,” dressed in dark clothing, with their face covered by a surgical mask and wearing a beanie. The suspect’s identity remains unknown.
Authorities are offering a $50,000 reward for any information leading to the identification, arrest, and conviction of the person responsible for the killings, who is considered armed and dangerous.
The gunman opened fire on Saturday at Brown University’s engineering and physics building, where exams were being held, killing students Ella Cook and Mukhammad Aziz Umurzokov. The names of the nine people injured have not been released.
International
Police investigate deaths of Rob Reiner and wife as apparent homicide
The Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) is investigating the deaths of Hollywood actor and filmmaker Rob Reinerand his wife as an “apparent homicide,” amid a wave of tributes to the director of classics such as When Harry Met Sally.
According to U.S. media reports on Sunday, Rob Reiner and Michele Singer Reiner were found dead at their Los Angeles mansion with what appeared to be stab wounds.
Several political figures shared messages of condolence following the reported deaths of the director of A Few Good Menand his wife.
While the LAPD did not officially confirm the identities of the victims, it stated that homicide detectives were dispatched to the Reiner residence.
“At this time, no additional details are available and the investigation into an apparent homicide is ongoing,” the Los Angeles Police Department said in a statement posted on social media.
LAPD Deputy Chief Alan Hamilton told reporters that no arrests have been made and that no individuals are currently being questioned as suspects.
“I’m not going to confirm whether anyone is being questioned at this moment or not. We are going to try to speak with as many family members as we can,” Hamilton said.
CNN reported that a family spokesperson confirmed the deaths of Reiner and his wife.
California Governor Gavin Newsom, former U.S. President Barack Obama, and former Vice President Kamala Harrisissued statements expressing their condolences.
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