World

Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko ordered the release of 250 political prisoners on Thursday in exchange for easing sanctions from Washington, according to the US embassy in nearby Lithuania. It is reportedly the largest one-time release of its kind so far, as Belarus is ramping up efforts to normalize ties with the United States. Led by Lukashenko since 1994, the former Soviet state has faced widespread sanctions for its crackdown on human rights and permitting Moscow to use its territory to invade Ukraine in 2022. Thursday's move follows a meeting between Belarus' leader and US President Donald Trump's special envoy, John Coale, in Minsk. Coale celebrated the decision as a "significant humanitarian milestone" and told reporters that the United States would lift sanctions on t...

Afghanistan accused Pakistan of carrying out an airstrike that killed at least 400 people at a drug treatment hospital in Kabul late Monday. Afghan officials said the strike hit the 2,000-bed rehabilitation facility at around 9 p.m. local time (1630 GMT), causing extensive damage and leaving hundreds wounded, in a major escalation of the weekslong cross-border fighting between the neighbors. The deputy spokesperson for the Taliban government, Hamdullah Fitrat, posted on X that the airstrike on the hospital killed at least 400 people, with hundreds more injured. "Rescue teams are currently at the scene working to control the fire and recover the remaining bodies of the victims," Fitrat said. Pakistan denies targeting hospital in Kabul Pakistan denied targeting civilian infrastructure...

Hungary's ruling and opposition parties each held major rallies on Sunday as they race to shore up support ahead of hotly contested elections on April 12. The rallies, held to mark the country's national day, pitted right-wing, pro-Russia Prime Minister Viktor Orban, 62, against opposition leader Peter Magyar, 44, who is seeking to end Orban's 16-year rule and offer support to Ukraine. Orban's nationalist Fidesz party has been trailing in polls against Magyar's center-right Tisza party since last year and has turned to criticizing Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy more harshly. Orban slams Ukraine, EU Tens of thousands of government supporters held a so-called "peace march" that crossed the Danube River and headed towards Hungary's parliament in Budapest. In his speech, Orban to...

Madagascar's anti-corruption chief Mamitiana Rajaonarison has been appointed as the country's new prime minister, President Michael Randrianirina announced on Sunday. It comes after the strongman sacked the last prime minister and his cabinet on Tuesday. "The Malagasy nation needs bold decisions. We are now at a turning point," the president said in a televised address on Sunday. "This country needs a person of integrity, a person of principle, incorruptible and who cannot be bought with money." Rajaonarison himself did not immediately comment on the news of his appointment. What do we know about Mamitiana Rajaonarison? Since 2021, Rajaonarison has led the Financial Intelligence Unit (SAMIFIN), which combats illicit financial flows, money laundering and terrorism financing. Prior to...

Cuba will release 51 prisoners in the coming days in a gesture of goodwill toward the Vatican, the country's Foreign Ministry said on Thursday. The announcement comes about two weeks after Foreign Minister Bruno Rodriguez met Pope Leo at the Vatican. The ministry said the decision followed talks with the Holy See and reflected the "close and fluid relations" between the Cuban government and the Vatican on issues including the review and release of prisoners. "All have served a significant ⁠portion ​of their sentences and have maintained good conduct in prison," the ministry statement said. Authorities did not identify the inmates or specify the offenses for which they were jailed. Thousands of prisoners released over the years, says Cuba The nonprofit rights group Prisoners Defenders...