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
Lutnick: TikTok will ‘go dark’ without agreement to sever chinese ties
U.S. Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick warned on Thursday that TikTok “will go dark” if no agreement is reached with Chinese authorities by September 17 regarding the creation of a new company to operate the app in the United States, as required by the Trump administration.
In an interview with CNBC, Lutnick reiterated that Washington’s proposal allows ByteDance—the Chinese parent company of TikTok—to retain a “small stake” in the newly created U.S.-based entity, which is necessary for the app to remain accessible to American users.
For national security reasons, the U.S. government insists that TikTok must be operated by an entity entirely separate from its Chinese parent.
“If the Chinese don’t approve it, TikTok will go dark,” Lutnick warned, referring to the deadline set by Washington back in April. He emphasized, “The deal is in their hands now.”
International
Global media outlets urge Israel to allow press access to Gaza amid growing hunger crisis
The British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) and three major international news agencies—Associated Press (AP), Reuters, and Agence France-Presse (AFP)—jointly called for press access to Gaza and raised serious concerns about hunger threatening their local staff.
“We once again urge Israeli authorities to allow journalists to freely enter and exit Gaza. It is essential that the local population receives sufficient food supplies,” the four news organizations stated in a joint communiqué.
The statement emphasized that the remaining independent journalists in the Gaza Strip, along with their families, are increasingly struggling to meet basic food needs—just like the rest of the population.
These journalists, the agencies stressed, “have been the eyes and ears of the world” in the Palestinian enclave, yet are enduring the same “dramatic conditions” they are reporting on. “We are deeply concerned,” the organizations noted, warning that beyond the hardships of covering a war, “hunger now threatens their survival.”
The joint appeal follows a statement issued on Monday by AFP’s internal journalist association, which described the situation of their Gaza-based staff as “unbearable,” warning that some are “starving to death.”
“We have lost journalists in conflict, we have had wounded and imprisoned colleagues, but none of us remembers watching a colleague die of hunger. We refuse to watch them die,” the AFP association said, adding that their efforts to evacuate staff from the territory—completely sealed off by Israel—have failed.
Central America
El Salvador reaffirms housing as a human right at UN high-level dialogue
El Salvador’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations, Ambassador Egriselda López, emphasized the country’s national housing approach during the United Nations Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) High-Level Dialogue on Adequate Housing.
“My country is firmly committed to ensuring the human right to adequate housing as a cornerstone of our social, economic, and urban development,” López stated.
“Under the leadership of our president, Nayib Bukele, we have made significant progress, including an investment of $1.1 billion, which has allowed thousands of families to access dignified housing, with a strong focus on social interest projects,” she added.
The ambassador noted that over 120,000 families have benefited from housing loans, land tenure legalization, resettlement programs, and urban improvement initiatives.
López also highlighted the launch of the Casa Mujer and Casa Joven programs, spearheaded by the Social Housing Fund (FSV), which aim to make it easier for Salvadorans to access credit and purchase a home anywhere in the country.
Intel to close Costa Rica plant, move chip operations to Asia for greater efficiency
Lutnick: TikTok will ‘go dark’ without agreement to sever chinese ties
Global media outlets urge Israel to allow press access to Gaza amid growing hunger crisis
Tec de Monterrey honors one of its students for his contribution to nanotechnology in medicine
Defense Minister commends salvadoran soldier for Central American Cross Country victory
Extension of the state of emergency approved in southern Chile
-
Central America5 days agoCalls for full investigation into murder of denationalized nicaraguan opponent
-
International5 days agoCourt ruling forces U.S. to maintain TPS protections for haitians
-
Central America4 days agoVenezuela probes alleged torture of repatriated migrants held in salvadoran mega-prison
-
Central America4 days agoNicaraguan opposition presses EU during Costa Rica dialogue on democracy crisis
-
Central America4 days agoGuatemalan and mexican presidents to meet in august to deepen cross-border cooperation
-
Central America3 days agoPanama posts higher economic growth amid strength in canal and banking sectors
-
International5 days agoLula slams U.S. sanctions on brazilian judges over Bolsonaro coup case
-
International4 days agoJoe Biden faces health battle as cancer diagnosis follows political exit
-
International4 days agoCristian González Ardila detained over attempted attack on colombian senator Miguel Uribe
-
International4 days agoUN Chief: Gaza’s humanitarian systems are collapsing under israeli blockade
-
International4 days agoTrump slams federal judge over Harvard lawsuit, vows immediate appeal
-
International2 days agoIsrael attributes the attack on the only Catholic church in Gaza to an “involuntary diversion” of ammunition
-
International4 days agoEcuador extradites drug lord ‘Fito’ to U.S., declares blow to criminal Mafias
-
Internacionales2 days agoThe United States opens an investigation into Harvard for its sponsorship of international visas
-
International2 days agoIsrael will limit visas for the UN humanitarian agency (OCHA) to just one month
-
International2 days agoIsrael kills a pregnant journalist and 9 members of her family in a bombing
-
International3 days agoMaría Corina Machado denounces new wave of repression in Venezuela
-
International2 days agoMore than 200 deaths from the rains in Pakistan, which will continue at least until Friday
-
International2 days agoHamas calls for global mobilizations since Friday against the famine in Gaza
-
International15 hours ago
Global media outlets urge Israel to allow press access to Gaza amid growing hunger crisis
-
International2 days agoAn anti-Revista candidate sees “desperation” as his biggest rival in the municipal elections
-
Central America15 hours agoEl Salvador reaffirms housing as a human right at UN high-level dialogue
-
International15 hours agoLutnick: TikTok will ‘go dark’ without agreement to sever chinese ties
-
Central America15 hours agoIntel to close Costa Rica plant, move chip operations to Asia for greater efficiency