EU’s von der Leyen: no limits on Ukraine's military in future peace deal
Speaking at a joint press conference in Brussels with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, von der Leyen outlined Europe’s position ahead of Mon...
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.
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.
According to the German Research Centre for Geosciences (GFZ), a magnitude 5.7 earthquake struck the Oaxaca region of Mexico on Saturday.
A magnitude 5.2 earthquake struck 56 kilometres east of Gorgan in northern Iran early Sunday morning, according to preliminary seismic data.
A deadly heatwave has claimed 1,180 lives in Spain since May, with elderly people most at risk, prompting calls for urgent social support.
Media accreditation is now open for COP30, the United Nations Climate Change Conference, set to take place in Belém, Brazil in 2025.
Speaking at a joint press conference in Brussels with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, von der Leyen outlined Europe’s position ahead of Monday’s summit at The White House, where EU leaders will join U.S. President Donald Trump and Zelenskyy to discuss the path to a possible peace agreement.
The Bermuda Triangle, known for mysterious disappearances, has long sparked intrigue. But is it really a place of danger, or just a myth? In this explainer, we uncover the truth behind the legend.
Wildfires raging across Spain have scorched more than 115,000 hectares (about 284,000 acres), killed at least three people and forced thousands to evacuate, as emergency teams struggle to contain dozens of blazes.
Top European leaders will travel to Washington on Monday to join U.S. President Donald Trump and Ukraine’s Volodymyr Zelenskyy in critical talks aimed at ending the war with Russia.
France, Germany and Britain will meet on Sunday to help shape Ukraine’s position before President Zelenskyy holds high-stakes talks with Donald Trump in Washington.
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