Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko has pardoned 31 Ukrainian citizens convicted of crimes in Belarus, the state news agency Belta reported on Saturday.
According to Lukashenko’s spokesperson, Natalia Eismont, the decision followed agreements reached between Lukashenko and U.S. President Donald Trump at Ukraine’s request.
Ukraine’s prisoner exchange coordination committee later confirmed on Telegram that 31 civilians had been returned from Belarus, saying: “Women and men detained in Belarus and sentenced to between two and eleven years are now returning to Ukraine.”
The committee expressed gratitude to the United States and President Trump for their efforts in securing the release of Ukrainian civilians and military personnel held in Belarus and Russia, adding that those freed would receive medical treatment and rehabilitation.
On Thursday, Lukashenko also released two Roman Catholic priests convicted of “serious crimes against the state” following talks with the Vatican, Belta reported.
A close ally of Russian President Vladimir Putin, Lukashenko has freed several hundred prisoners since mid-2024 as part of efforts to improve ties with the West after years of sanctions over his human rights record and support for Russia’s war in Ukraine. Earlier this month, President Trump appointed a special envoy to Belarus to negotiate further prisoner releases.
Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko has pardoned 31 Ukrainian citizens convicted of crimes in Belarus, the state news agency Belta reported on S...
Gunmen in Nigeria kidnapped 303 students and teachers at a Catholic school in the northwest on Friday, the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) said...
Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney and French President Emmanuel Macron discussed the war in Ukraine and the situation in Gaza on the sidelines of th...
As host of next year’s COP30 climate summit, Belem is unveiling an ambitious new model for sustainable growth — one that turns the Amazon’s natu...
Leaders of the world’s 20 largest economies convened in South Africa on Saturday for a G20 summit notably boycotted by the United States, as members...
Gunmen in Nigeria kidnapped 303 students and teachers at a Catholic school in the northwest on Friday, the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) said, the latest in a spate of school attacks this week that has forced the government to shut 47 colleges.
Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney and French President Emmanuel Macron discussed the war in Ukraine and the situation in Gaza on the sidelines of the G20 summit in South Africa, the Canadian government said on Saturday.
As host of next year’s COP30 climate summit, Belem is unveiling an ambitious new model for sustainable growth — one that turns the Amazon’s natural abundance into livelihoods while keeping its forests standing.
Leaders of the world’s 20 largest economies convened in South Africa on Saturday for a G20 summit notably boycotted by the United States, as members sought to finalise a draft declaration prepared without U.S. involvement — a move a senior White House official condemned as “shameful.”
The pilot of an Indian fighter jet performing in the Dubai Air Show has died after the aircraft crashed during an aerial display on Friday.
An Indian Tejas fighter jet crashed in a ball of fire during an aerial display at the Dubai Airshow on Friday (November 21), leaving spectators in shock.
Russian President Vladimir Putin visited the command post of the Russian forces “West” grouping on Thursday (20 November), meeting with Chief of Russia’s General Staff Valery Gerasimov and senior military officials, the Kremlin said.
The full 28-point framework outlining a proposed settlement between Ukraine and Russia has been published by Axios, but has yet to be officially published. Drafted by the U.S. administration, it says it's built on security guarantees, territorial provisions and long-term economic arrangements.
Lithuania’s Vilnius airport was temporarily closed on Thursday after smugglers’ balloons appeared on radar, the National Crisis Management Centre said.
Gunmen in Nigeria kidnapped 303 students and teachers at a Catholic school in the northwest on Friday, the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) said, the latest in a spate of school attacks this week that has forced the government to shut 47 colleges.
Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney and French President Emmanuel Macron discussed the war in Ukraine and the situation in Gaza on the sidelines of the G20 summit in South Africa, the Canadian government said on Saturday.
As host of next year’s COP30 climate summit, Belem is unveiling an ambitious new model for sustainable growth — one that turns the Amazon’s natural abundance into livelihoods while keeping its forests standing.
Leaders of the world’s 20 largest economies convened in South Africa on Saturday for a G20 summit notably boycotted by the United States, as members sought to finalise a draft declaration prepared without U.S. involvement — a move a senior White House official condemned as “shameful.”
Start your day informed with AnewZ Morning Brief: here are the top news stories for the 22nd of November, covering the latest developments you need to know.
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