Alexander Lukashenko

Russian President Vladimir Putin, left, and Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko talk during their meeting in Minsk, Belarus, Monday, Dec. 19, 2022.

Putin reinforces military, security bonds with Belarus at Minsk meeting

Ukraine

On Monday, Russian President Vladimir Putin met with Belarusian leader Alexander Lukashenko in Minsk, the Belarusian capital. The meeting raises new questions about the role Belarus may play in Russia’s war against Ukraine.

A Belarusian national flag flutters over a street in Minsk, Belarus, Wednesday, Feb. 16, 2022. 

‘The Kremlin really controls the armed forces of Belarus,’ analyst says

Conflict
Protesters hold signs

‘We cannot close the door or turn the page’: Belarusian dissidents in Lithuania fear Lukashenko’s crackdown

Refugees
Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko is shown sitting while wearing a blue suit jacket with a red tie.

President Biden issues executive order with sanctions against Belarus officials

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People stand around a bombed-out building

The Taliban claims responsibility for deadly car bombing in Kabul

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A large sea turtle is shown swimming just above the coral reef in a photograph taken from below the animal and the light of the sun above.

UNESCO: Great Barrier Reef should be listed as ‘in danger.’ Australia disagrees.

Top of The World

Top of The World: Australia plans to fight a UNESCO proposal to add the Great Barrier Reef to it’s list of World Heritage sites “in danger.” And, Belarus has responded to new Western sanctions by saying they border on a “declaration of economic war.” Also, the WHO says more than half of poorer countries receiving doses through COVAX do not have enough supplies.

Two human skulls are shown in a glass case with several people wearing dark suits in the background.

Germany apologizes for genocide in Namibia

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Top of The World: Germany on Friday formally acknowledged that it committed genocide in the colonial-era killings of tens of thousands of people in Namibia. And, Moscow banned French and Austrian passenger airlines from flying over Russian airspace. Also, US Attorney General Merrick Garland announced in a memo on Thursday new steps to combat the growing number of hate crimes in the US.

Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas and US Secretary of State Antony Blinken are show sitting in opposite armchairs with two wooden side tables between them.

Blinken continues diplomatic mission in the Middle East

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Top of The World: Sec. Blinken announced plans to reopen a diplomatic office in Jerusalem that oversees outreach to the Palestinians. And, Belarus’ President Alexander Lukashenko is defending his decision to divert a passenger jet. Also, Syrians living in government-held areas are heading to the polls on Wednesday, for the second presidential election since the uprising-turned-war started in the country 10 years ago.

Several people are shown wearing protective face masks and standing behind a red string with several folded paper airplanes attached.

EU imposes sanctions on Belarus over Protasevich arrest

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Top of The World: The EU has agreed to impose sanctions on Belarus, in response to the forced diversion of a commercial flight to detain activist and opposition journalist Roman Protasevich. And, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken is in the Middle East following a deadly 11-day war between Israel and Hamas and vowed to aid Gaza. Also, Tuesday marks one year since the death of George Floyd, a Black man who was killed by a white police officer in Minneapolis, Minnesota.

Raman Pratasevich is shown in a dark jacket with a police officer holding him on either side.

Belarus opposition figure detained after flight diverted

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Top of The World: Outrage and condemnation grew more intense on Monday from Western countries over the arrest of 26-year-old Belarusian activist. And, a ceasefire after 11 days of deadly airstrikes and rocket attacks between Israel and Hamas is holding. Also, Samoa’s first and newly elected woman prime minister, Fiame Naomi Mata’afa, was locked out of Parliament on Monday.