Zelensky faces backlash as Ukrainians protest against new anti-corruption law
The legislation has also drawn rebukes from European Union officials and international rights groups.
President Volodymyr Zelensky, under pressure as the change threatened to endanger his public support at a critical time in the war with Russia, convened the heads of Ukraine's key anti-corruption and security agencies on Wednesday morning in response to the outcry against his decision to approve the new law that was passed by Parliament.
'We all hear what society says,' Mr Zelensky wrote on Telegram after the meeting. But he insisted the new legal framework was needed to crack down harder on corruption.
'Criminal cases should not drag on for years without verdicts, and those working against Ukraine must not feel comfortable or immune from punishment,' the Ukrainian leader said.
He said all government agencies agreed to work constructively and respond to public expectations for fairness and effectiveness. A detailed joint action plan is expected within two weeks, aimed at addressing institutional weaknesses, removing legal hurdles, and ensuring justice across the board, he said.
Thousands of people gathered in the capital and other cities across Ukraine on Tuesday evening to urge Mr Zelensky to veto the controversial bill. After Mr Zelensky approved it, activists called on social media for another demonstration in the centre of Kyiv on Wednesday evening.
The legislation tightens government oversight of two key anti-corruption agencies. Critics say the step could significantly weaken the independence of those agencies and grant Mr Zelensky's circle greater influence over investigations.
Fighting entrenched corruption is crucial for Ukraine's aspirations to join the EU and maintain access to billions of dollars in western aid in its fight against Russia's three-year invasion.
In a post on X, the EU's enlargement commissioner, Marta Kos, expressed concern over the vote in the Ukrainian parliament, called the Rada, calling it 'a serious step back'.
The Ukrainian branch of Transparency International criticised parliament's decision, saying it undermines one of the most significant reforms since what Ukraine calls its Revolution of Dignity in 2014, and damages trust with international partners. It accused authorities of 'dismantling' the country's anti-corruption architecture.
Mr Zelensky has been the international face of Ukraine's determination to defeat Russia's all-out invasion, and his domestic troubles are an unwelcome diversion from the war effort.
Mr Zelensky said the new law clears out 'Russian influence' from the fight against corruption and ensures punishment for those found guilty of it, after what he said were years-long delays in criminal proceedings involving huge amounts of money.
'The cases that have been lying dormant must be investigated,' Mr Zelensky said in a Telegram post after midnight on Wednesday. 'For years, officials who have fled Ukraine have been casually living abroad for some reason – in very nice countries and without legal consequences – and this is not normal.'
He did not provide examples of what he said was Russian interference.
Russian officials relished Mr Zelensky's difficulties. Russian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova mocked Mr Zelensky's claim of Russian infiltration into the anti-corruption agency, noting sarcastically that 'they might just as well pull a couple of bears out of the corner'.
Delegations from Russia and Ukraine were set to meet in Istanbul on Wednesday for their third round of direct talks in two months, the Kremlin and Ukrainian officials said. The meeting was not expected to make progress on ending the war and would likely focus on exchanges of prisoners of war.
The legal changes in Ukraine would grant the prosecutor general new authority over investigations and cases handled by the National Anti-Corruption Bureau of Ukraine and the Specialised Anti-Corruption Prosecutor's Office.
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Yahoo
7 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Trump tariffs live updates: US, EU rush to finalize deal as 90-day extension of China trade truce likely
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Stock in focus after US/EU trade deal: ASML Semiconductor play ASML (ASML) getting a lot of mentions on the Street this morning as a winner from the US/EU trade deal. Shares are up nearly 5% in pre-market trading. I would note ASML just a week ago issued weak guidance that hammered the stock, so be mindful of that. Here's what JP Morgan had to say this morning: "ASML had indicated in its Q2 results that it saw hesitation (and thus lack of orders) from customers to order tools for their new US fabs due to the risk of tariffs on semiconductor equipment. If this information from the US on zero tariffs on semiconductor equipment is correct then this would be very positive for ASML in particular, but also for VAT. Other semiconductor equipment companies in Europe, such as ASM International ( manufacture their tools outside the EU and thus deals with countries such as Singapore, Malaysia and the US will be important for those companies." Donald Trump freezes export controls to secure trade deal with China The FT reported on Monday that President Donald Trump has frozen restrictions on technology exports to China in order to avoid hurting trade talks with Beijing and to help secure a meeting between Trump and President Xi Jinping this year, according to people familiar with the matter. The US Commerce Department's Bureau of Industry and Security, which is in charge of export controls, has been advised to avoid tough moves on China, according to eight people, including current and former US officials. The US and China are due to meet in Stockholm on Monday for a third round of trade talks following previous meetings in Geneva and London. The FT reports: Read more here (subscription required). Heineken cheers EU-US trade deal as tariff problems grow Dutch brewer Heineken (HKHHY, said on Monday that it welcomed the trade deal between the European Union and the US and that it was weighing all options to deal with growing tariff challenges in the long term, including shifting manufacturing. Reuters reports: Read more here. Japan expects 1%-2% of $550 billion US fund to be investment Japan confirmed that only a small part, just 1% to 2%, of the $550 billion deal with the US will be actual investment. Most of the money will be in the form of loans, according to Japan's trade negotiator Ryosei Akazawa. Akazawa said that Tokyo will save roughly $68 billion through lower tariff rates in its deal with the US. The details revealed by Akazawa on Saturday via an interview with public broadcaster NHK, suggest the Japanese may end up giving up much less than at first glance. 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US trade deal eases tariff uncertainties, but risks remain: Japan Japan said on Tuesday that its trade deal with the US has removed uncertainties on but attention must be given to the risks these policies are putting on the Japanese economy. Reuters reports: Read more here. Japan said on Tuesday that its trade deal with the US has removed uncertainties on but attention must be given to the risks these policies are putting on the Japanese economy. Reuters reports: Read more here. Philips soars after lifting margin outlook on softer tariff hit Royal Philips NV (PHG) stock rose 9% before the bell on Tuesday after it increased its profitability outlook as the impact of the trade war was not as severe as it feared. Bloomberg News reports: Read more here. Royal Philips NV (PHG) stock rose 9% before the bell on Tuesday after it increased its profitability outlook as the impact of the trade war was not as severe as it feared. Bloomberg News reports: Read more here. Stellantis warns of $1.7B US tariff impact in 2025 Reuters reports: Read more here. Reuters reports: Read more here. Carney says US trade talks in 'intense phase' The Canadian Press reports: Read more here. The Canadian Press reports: Read more here. Analysts say EU-US trade deal could add up to $19 billion in pharma industry costs The recent trade deal announced between the United States and the European Union is raising concerns in different industries about potential costs. The pharmaceutical industry, specifically, is estimated to take on an extra billion dollars based on new data. Reuters reports: Read more here. The recent trade deal announced between the United States and the European Union is raising concerns in different industries about potential costs. The pharmaceutical industry, specifically, is estimated to take on an extra billion dollars based on new data. Reuters reports: Read more here. Analysis: US tariffs will be test of luxury brands' pricing power Luxury goods companies have been spared the worst case scenario in Sunday's EU-US trade deal. But the worst is not over yet, they still face a balancing act as already weak consumer demand prevents them from raising prices further. Reuters reports: Read more here. Luxury goods companies have been spared the worst case scenario in Sunday's EU-US trade deal. But the worst is not over yet, they still face a balancing act as already weak consumer demand prevents them from raising prices further. Reuters reports: Read more here. Markets hope for one thing from US-China tariff talks: Another 90-day extension US and Chinese trade negotiators are meeting this week for at least two days of trade talks as markets continue to focus on relations between the two superpowers and whether stiff tariff rates will be delayed again. Yahoo Finance's Ben Werschkul reports on what to expect: Read more here. US and Chinese trade negotiators are meeting this week for at least two days of trade talks as markets continue to focus on relations between the two superpowers and whether stiff tariff rates will be delayed again. Yahoo Finance's Ben Werschkul reports on what to expect: Read more here. Analysis: Out-gunned Europe accepts least-worst US trade deal Reuters reports: Read more here. Reuters reports: Read more here. Clock is ticking for a US-China trade deal. Negotiators are meeting to buy more time CNN reports: Read more here. CNN reports: Read more here. 'Donald Trump ate Ursula von der Leyen for breakfast': How EU leaders are reacting to the US trade deal Europe's reaction to its trade deal with the US is decidedly mixed so far. As we detailed earlier, the deal represents the "least-worst" option for Europe, which was facing 30% duties on its imports to the US. So EU leaders have put on a brave face, saying that they hope this breakthrough is but the first step toward a more favorable, longer-term agreement. Bloomberg rounded up some initial reaction. One that stood out: Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban, a Trump ally: From the German chancellor: Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni called the agreement "sustainable": France took a more hawkish approach: Finally, from Slovakia: Read more here. Europe's reaction to its trade deal with the US is decidedly mixed so far. As we detailed earlier, the deal represents the "least-worst" option for Europe, which was facing 30% duties on its imports to the US. So EU leaders have put on a brave face, saying that they hope this breakthrough is but the first step toward a more favorable, longer-term agreement. Bloomberg rounded up some initial reaction. One that stood out: Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban, a Trump ally: From the German chancellor: Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni called the agreement "sustainable": France took a more hawkish approach: Finally, from Slovakia: Read more here. Why Big Alcohol needs US tariff relief in five charts European Union wine and spirits producers could emerge as one of the few winners in the US-EU trade deal which was agreed on Sunday. Reuters reports: Shares in Pernod, Diageo and Campari initially rose in early trade. But they stood 1.3%, 0.4% and 0.3% lower by 0707 GMT. Shares in Remy fell 2.2%. Alcohol is among the EU's top exports to the United States, worth about $10.5 billion in 2024, according to Eurostat data, with certain products like Remy Martin cognac and champagne required to be produced in specific European regions. The United States accounts for about 18% of exports for another exclusively French product, champagne. For cognac makers, the U.S. tariffs represent a fresh challenge after producers of the drink managed this month to avert the threat of duties of up to around 35% from China. For Spanish and Italian wines, around 14% and 24% of total exports, respectively, are sold in the United States. European Union wine and spirits producers could emerge as one of the few winners in the US-EU trade deal which was agreed on Sunday. Reuters reports: Shares in Pernod, Diageo and Campari initially rose in early trade. But they stood 1.3%, 0.4% and 0.3% lower by 0707 GMT. Shares in Remy fell 2.2%. Alcohol is among the EU's top exports to the United States, worth about $10.5 billion in 2024, according to Eurostat data, with certain products like Remy Martin cognac and champagne required to be produced in specific European regions. The United States accounts for about 18% of exports for another exclusively French product, champagne. For cognac makers, the U.S. tariffs represent a fresh challenge after producers of the drink managed this month to avert the threat of duties of up to around 35% from China. For Spanish and Italian wines, around 14% and 24% of total exports, respectively, are sold in the United States. Stock in focus after US/EU trade deal: ASML Semiconductor play ASML (ASML) getting a lot of mentions on the Street this morning as a winner from the US/EU trade deal. Shares are up nearly 5% in pre-market trading. I would note ASML just a week ago issued weak guidance that hammered the stock, so be mindful of that. Here's what JP Morgan had to say this morning: "ASML had indicated in its Q2 results that it saw hesitation (and thus lack of orders) from customers to order tools for their new US fabs due to the risk of tariffs on semiconductor equipment. If this information from the US on zero tariffs on semiconductor equipment is correct then this would be very positive for ASML in particular, but also for VAT. Other semiconductor equipment companies in Europe, such as ASM International ( manufacture their tools outside the EU and thus deals with countries such as Singapore, Malaysia and the US will be important for those companies." Semiconductor play ASML (ASML) getting a lot of mentions on the Street this morning as a winner from the US/EU trade deal. Shares are up nearly 5% in pre-market trading. I would note ASML just a week ago issued weak guidance that hammered the stock, so be mindful of that. Here's what JP Morgan had to say this morning: "ASML had indicated in its Q2 results that it saw hesitation (and thus lack of orders) from customers to order tools for their new US fabs due to the risk of tariffs on semiconductor equipment. If this information from the US on zero tariffs on semiconductor equipment is correct then this would be very positive for ASML in particular, but also for VAT. Other semiconductor equipment companies in Europe, such as ASM International ( manufacture their tools outside the EU and thus deals with countries such as Singapore, Malaysia and the US will be important for those companies." Donald Trump freezes export controls to secure trade deal with China The FT reported on Monday that President Donald Trump has frozen restrictions on technology exports to China in order to avoid hurting trade talks with Beijing and to help secure a meeting between Trump and President Xi Jinping this year, according to people familiar with the matter. The US Commerce Department's Bureau of Industry and Security, which is in charge of export controls, has been advised to avoid tough moves on China, according to eight people, including current and former US officials. The US and China are due to meet in Stockholm on Monday for a third round of trade talks following previous meetings in Geneva and London. The FT reports: Read more here (subscription required). The FT reported on Monday that President Donald Trump has frozen restrictions on technology exports to China in order to avoid hurting trade talks with Beijing and to help secure a meeting between Trump and President Xi Jinping this year, according to people familiar with the matter. The US Commerce Department's Bureau of Industry and Security, which is in charge of export controls, has been advised to avoid tough moves on China, according to eight people, including current and former US officials. The US and China are due to meet in Stockholm on Monday for a third round of trade talks following previous meetings in Geneva and London. The FT reports: Read more here (subscription required). Heineken cheers EU-US trade deal as tariff problems grow Dutch brewer Heineken (HKHHY, said on Monday that it welcomed the trade deal between the European Union and the US and that it was weighing all options to deal with growing tariff challenges in the long term, including shifting manufacturing. Reuters reports: Read more here. Dutch brewer Heineken (HKHHY, said on Monday that it welcomed the trade deal between the European Union and the US and that it was weighing all options to deal with growing tariff challenges in the long term, including shifting manufacturing. Reuters reports: Read more here. Japan expects 1%-2% of $550 billion US fund to be investment Japan confirmed that only a small part, just 1% to 2%, of the $550 billion deal with the US will be actual investment. Most of the money will be in the form of loans, according to Japan's trade negotiator Ryosei Akazawa. Akazawa said that Tokyo will save roughly $68 billion through lower tariff rates in its deal with the US. The details revealed by Akazawa on Saturday via an interview with public broadcaster NHK, suggest the Japanese may end up giving up much less than at first glance. The $550 billion investment framework combines loans, investments and loan guarantees provided by financial institutions backed by the Japanese government. Bloomberg News reports: Read more here. Japan confirmed that only a small part, just 1% to 2%, of the $550 billion deal with the US will be actual investment. Most of the money will be in the form of loans, according to Japan's trade negotiator Ryosei Akazawa. Akazawa said that Tokyo will save roughly $68 billion through lower tariff rates in its deal with the US. The details revealed by Akazawa on Saturday via an interview with public broadcaster NHK, suggest the Japanese may end up giving up much less than at first glance. The $550 billion investment framework combines loans, investments and loan guarantees provided by financial institutions backed by the Japanese government. Bloomberg News reports: Read more here. VW's Audi cuts full-year outlook, citing tariffs and restructuring Following Volkswagen's ( VWAGY) guidance cut last week, the German carmakers premium brand Audi has also cut its full-year guidance, citing the impact of higher US import tariffs and restructuring expenses. Reuters reports: Read more here. Following Volkswagen's ( VWAGY) guidance cut last week, the German carmakers premium brand Audi has also cut its full-year guidance, citing the impact of higher US import tariffs and restructuring expenses. Reuters reports: Read more here. Error while retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error while retrieving data Error while retrieving data Error while retrieving data Error while retrieving data
USA Today
9 minutes ago
- USA Today
Trump's trade talks intensify with tariff deadline fast approaching
TACO or tariffs? An August 1 deadline looms after the European Union became the latest of the top US trading partners to reach a deal with Trump. WASHINGTON — With President Donald Trump's Aug. 1 tariff deadline fast approaching, countries whose exports are facing stiff fees have been in a scramble to ink trade deals with the United States that preserve as much access as possible to American markets. The European Union and its 27 member nation bloc became the latest of the United States' top trading partners to come to an agreement with Trump over the weekend, joining the Philippines, Japan and Indonesia in announcing deals during July. The United Kingdom and Vietnam have also reached agreements with Trump. Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney said this week that his country was in the "intense phase" of the complex negotiations, as it sought to avert a promised 35% tariff on imports that fall outside of an existing trade pact with the United States. More: Trump's trade deal with the EU: What it means for your wallet "There is a landing zone that's possible but we have to get there. We'll see what happens," Carney told reporters during a July 28 news conference. 'No more extensions,' Trump administration warns A baseline tariff of 10% is currently in place for most countries, some two dozen of which received letters from Trump this month informing them that higher rates are on the way. They include Brazil, which Trump says he'll hit with a 50% tariff, and India, which he said he'll apply a 26% rate to, as well as Canada, at 35%, and Mexico, which faces a 30% tariff. Mexico, Canada and EU are the the largest exporters of goods to the United States along with China, which is in separate trade talks with the Trump administration and faces a later deadline in August. First announced on April 2 by Trump in the Rose Garden, the implementation of the so-called 'reciprocal tariffs' were twice extended to stabilize the markets and give the president's team more time to conduct negotiations. The constant deadline shifting has given birth to an acronym: TACO, for Trump Always Chickens Out, mocking the second-term president's on-again-off-again tariff policies. More: Trump threatens 35% tariff for Canada amid flurry of letters threatening hikes But countries hoping for another reprieve won't be so fortunate, Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick said on July 27. 'No extensions, no more grace periods. Aug. 1, the tariffs are set, they'll go into place. Customs will start collecting the money, and off we go,' Lutnick said on 'Fox News Sunday.' EU latest to strike trade deal with Trump Just ahead of the deadline, on July 27, the European Union struck a deal with Trump. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and Trump finalized the agreement in person while the U.S. president was in Scotland. The deal includes a 15% tariff on most European exports to the United States, a reduction from the 30% Trump threatened to impose earlier in July. 'We just had a very big trade deal, the biggest of them all yesterday,' Trump said during a bilateral meeting in Scotland on July 28 with U.K. Prime Minister Kier Starmer at Trump Turnberry golf course. The agreement includes $600 billion in EU investments in the U.S. and the purchase of $750 billion worth of U.S. energy. Tariffs on steel and aluminum will remain at 50%. On July 22, Trump also announced a 'massive deal' with Japan under which the United States would impose a 15% tariff on Japanese imports. Trump had previously threatened a 24% tariff on Japan. He said Japan would invest $550 billion in the United States and America would receive 90% of the profits, without offering any details. Trump's announcement also said Japan had agreed to open its markets to imports of vehicles, rice and other agricultural products from the United States. The U.K. was the first country to reach a trade agreement with the United States in May. A reciprocal tariff of 10% remains in effect, in keeping with the baseline tariff rate. More: Trump considers 'rebates' to US taxpayers from tariff income Under the deal, the first 100,000 vehicles imported into the U.S. by U.K. car manufacturers each year are subject to the reciprocal rate of 10% and any additional vehicles each year are subject to 25% rates, the White House says. The U.K is one of the only countries with whom the U.S. has a trade surplus. Trump has also announced deals with Indonesia, Vietnam and the Philippines. 'We've made the big ones,' says Trump Pakistan's foreign minister said on July 25 after a meeting with Secretary of State Marco Rubio that his country was "very close" to reaching a deal with the United States and one could emerge in days. South Korean officials were also in Washington on July 25, for negotiations with Lutnick and other Trump administration officials. Trump signaled during his meeting with Starmer on July 28 that he'd landed most of the deals he expected to and his patience was waning for individual talks. "We're going to be setting a tariff for essentially the rest of the world and that's what they're going to pay if they want to do business in the United States. Because you can't sit down and make 200 deals," Trump declared. "But we've made the big ones." One of the last outstanding agreements of significance is an unfinished deal with China. After rounds of tit-for-tat tariffs that saw the U.S. hike fees on imports to 145% and China put tariffs of 125% on U.S. goods, the nations two called a truce in May, agreeing to a 90-day suspension of the levies. Negotiators from both countries met in Stockholm on July 28 for another round of discussions, with the clock ticking toward the Aug. 12 expiration of the temporary truce between the top economies. "We have a good relationship with China, but China is tough," Trump during his meeting with Starmer in Scotland.
Fox News
10 minutes ago
- Fox News
Portland Quaker charged with assaulting federal officer in anti-ICE riot
A man whose father describes him as a "lifelong Quaker who is deeply committed to pacifism" is now facing multiple federal charges over his alleged actions at an anti-ICE protest. A Portland, Ore., man, Robert Jacob Hoopes, is being charged with aggravated assault of a federal officer with a dangerous weapon, and depredation of federal property in an amount exceeding $1,000. During a June 14 anti-ICE protest, Hoopes was allegedly throwing large rocks at a building belonging to the agency located in South Portland. According to the U.S. Attorney's Office for the District of Oregon, he threw one of the rocks at an ICE officer and caused a "significant laceration over the officer's eye." Additionally, Hoopes and two others were allegedly seen using a stop sign as a battering ram and caused "major damage" to the building's main entrance. The U.S. Attorney's Office for the District of Oregon said Hoopes faces up to 20 years in federal prison for the aggravated assault charge and up to 10 years in prison for damaging federal property. "Jacob is a lifelong Quaker who is deeply committed to pacifism. He's an organic gardener and the soul of kindness," Hoopes' father, Tom, said, according to KATU 2. "Jacob was involved on June 14 in an action. What his involvement was: I can't speak to that. But he is deeply committed to justice." Quakers are known for their devotion to pacifism and, according to followers of the faith reject "war and violence in all its forms." The local ABC affiliate also quoted a letter originally written by Hoopes' roommate, who said "he is not someone who would have 'assaulted an officer.'" The roommate recalled that at approximately 9:00 a.m. local time on July 25, they saw "a flood of armed officers race into our driveway and charge at our house with assault rifles." Magistrate Judge Youlee Yim You granted Hoopes pretrial release at his first hearing, going against the federal prosecutors' request.
