Syria and Saudi Arabia expand cooperation with talks in Damascus and Riyadh
Syrian and Saudi officials held parallel meetings in Damascus and Riyadh on Sunday, signalling deeper cooperation across humanitarian, agricultural an...
Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko has pardoned 16 individuals convicted of various offences, including charges of "extremism", ahead of the country's Independence Day, state media reported on Wednesday.
According to human rights organisations and the exiled opposition, there are still around 1,150 political prisoners in Belarus. Lukashenko, a long-standing ally of Russian President Vladimir Putin, has been in power for more than 30 years.
Over the past year, Lukashenko has released more than 300 people, seemingly as part of efforts to improve strained relations with the West, which has imposed sanctions on his regime due to its human rights abuses according to Amnesty Internaional, and support for Russia’s war in Ukraine.
The latest pardons, reported by the state-run Belta news agency, include eight men and eight women- some of whom reportedly suffer from chronic illnesses, have disabilities, or are parents of young children.
Franak Viacorka, senior adviser to exiled opposition leader Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya, welcomed the move but noted that no prominent dissidents appeared to be among those freed.
He pointed out that several people had been jailed for politically motivated reasons in recent weeks, suggesting there has been no meaningful shift in government policy. However, Viacorka expressed cautious optimism, citing the recent release of opposition figure Siarhei Tsikhanouski after talks between Lukashenko and U.S. presidential envoy Keith Kellogg.
“We must keep pressing, and we urge President Trump to get involved — he has the influence to help secure more releases,” Viacorka told Reuters.
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.
Syrian and Saudi officials held parallel meetings in Damascus and Riyadh on Sunday, signalling deeper cooperation across humanitarian, agricultural and investment sectors.
U.S. President Donald Trump has delivered his “last warning” to Hamas, urging the group to accept a deal to release hostages from Gaza.
Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban said on Sunday that the 2026 election would determine whether Hungary pursues greater alignment with the European Union or maintains an independent policy path.
President Donald Trump indicated he is prepared to escalate sanctions on Russia as the conflict in Ukraine continues.
Thousands of tributes are pouring in on social media for late Ukrainian refugee who was fatally stabbed on a Charlotte light rail in the United States two weeks ago.
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