Alexander Lukashenko
UNESCO: Great Barrier Reef should be listed as ‘in danger.’ Australia disagrees.
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.
Germany apologizes for genocide in Namibia
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.
Blinken continues diplomatic mission in the Middle East
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.
EU imposes sanctions on Belarus over Protasevich arrest
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.
Belarus opposition figure detained after flight diverted
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.