Eastern Afghanistan earthquake leaves thousands homeless
Nearly a week after a magnitude 6 earthquake struck eastern Afghanistan, more than 2,200 people have died and tens of thousands are homeless. Resident...
The European Commission has issued its strongest criticism yet of Ukraine’s leadership, warning that a new law undermining anti-corruption agencies could jeopardise Kyiv’s EU membership path.
The European Commission is hardening its tone against Ukraine following the approval of a controversial law that weakens the independence of two key anti-corruption bodies — the National Anti-Corruption Bureau of Ukraine (NABU) and the Specialised Anti-Corruption Prosecutor’s Office (SAPO).
The legislation, signed into law by President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on Tuesday, just hours after being approved by parliament, places both institutions under the direct oversight of the prosecutor general, a political appointee. The prosecutor general will also have the power to reassign cases being investigated by NABU and SAPO, a move critics warn could erode investigative autonomy and enable political interference.
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen telephoned Zelenskyy on Wednesday to express what a Commission spokesperson described as her “strong concerns” and to demand “explanations” from the Ukrainian leadership.
“President von der Leyen conveyed her strong concerns about the consequences of the amendments, and she requested the Ukrainian government for explanations,” the spokesperson said.
“The respect for the rule of law and the fight against corruption are core elements of the European Union. As a candidate country, Ukraine is expected to uphold these standards fully. There cannot be a compromise.”
The public rebuke represents a significant shift in tone from Brussels, which has largely offered uncritical political support to Kyiv since the start of Russia’s full-scale invasion in February 2022. This marks the first time the Commission has issued such direct criticism of the Zelenskyy administration.
On Tuesday, European Commissioner for Enlargement Marta Kos also condemned the legal amendments, warning they “risk weakening strongly the competences and powers of the anti-corruption institutions of Ukraine.”
“Both institutions, the National Anti-Corruption Bureau of Ukraine (NABU) and the Specialised Anti-Corruption Prosecutor’s Office (SAPO) are widely regarded as cornerstones of Ukraine’s rule of law. These institutions are crucial to Ukraine’s reform agenda and must operate independently to fight corruption and maintain public trust,” the Commission said.
Anti-corruption reform is a core condition for Ukraine’s accession to the European Union, and is also seen as essential for attracting foreign private investment needed for post-war reconstruction. Ukraine’s candidate status was granted in June 2022, but further progress requires demonstrable commitment to EU standards.
In response to the backlash, Zelenskyy used his nightly video address to defend the government’s position, suggesting the reforms aim to insulate the institutions from malign foreign influence.
“The anti-corruption infrastructure will work, only without Russian influence – it needs to be cleared of that. And there should be more justice,” Zelenskyy said, referencing recent raids on NABU over alleged Russian espionage links.
“It is important that the Prosecutor General is determined to ensure that in Ukraine, the inevitability of punishment for those who go against the law is actually ensured. This is what Ukraine really needs.”
AnewZ has learned that India has once again blocked Azerbaijan’s application for full membership in the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation, while Pakistan’s recent decision to consider diplomatic relations with Armenia has been coordinated with Baku as part of Azerbaijan’s peace agenda.
A powerful eruption at Japan’s Shinmoedake volcano sent an ash plume more than 3,000 metres high on Sunday morning, prompting safety warnings from authorities.
A day of mourning has been declared in Portugal to pay respect to victims who lost their lives in the Lisbon Funicular crash which happened on Wednesday evening.
The UK is gearing up for Exercise Pegasus 2025, its largest pandemic readiness test since COVID-19. Running from September to November, this full-scale simulation will challenge the country's response to a fast-moving respiratory outbreak.
A Polish Air Force pilot was killed on Thursday when an F-16 fighter jet crashed during a training flight ahead of the 2025 Radom International Air Show.
Qatar announced the launch of an air bridge Saturday to deliver aid to Afghanistan following a devastating earthquake, one day after confirming that nine aircraft had already arrived in Kabul.
Ukrainian drones hit the roof of the Zaporizhzhia nuclear plant training centre, causing no major damage and no increase in radiation levels, the Russian-installed administration of the Russia-held plant in Ukraine said on Saturday.
Uzbekistan’s President Shavkat Mirziyoyev and U.S. President Donald Trump have agreed to broaden their strategic partnership and enhance mutually beneficial cooperation, the Uzbek presidency said on Friday following a phone call between the two leaders.
Over 100,000 people have been evacuated in Pakistan’s southern Sindh province as floodwaters continue to rise, officials said on Friday.
Nearly a week after a magnitude 6 earthquake struck eastern Afghanistan, more than 2,200 people have died and tens of thousands are homeless. Residents of Bambakot and other villages are living under tents, too afraid to return to their damaged homes.
You can download the AnewZ application from Play Store and the App Store.
What is your opinion on this topic?
Leave the first comment