Ukraine’s allies are pressing for aid before Trump’s second term – DW – 01/09/2025

The Western allies were due to meet Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky at Ramstein airport in southwestern Germany on Thursday. “The main priority is to continue strengthening our air defense systems and ensure that we can at least drive Russian military aviation away from our cities and borders,” Zelensky wrote on X before the gathering. The … Read more

Jailed Belarus activist resurfaces after 700 days of no contact

Tallin,Estonia – A jailed opposition activist in Belarus resurfaced in a video shot by a pro-government blogger on Wednesday after having had no contact with his family for more than 700 days, just weeks before elections, prompting criticism from the country’s strongman leader. It is almost certain to retain power. Viktor Babaryka, 61, has been … Read more

Great expectations from Lebanon’s presidential elections – DW – 01/09/2025

Lebanon has had no actual president for more than two years, but that could change this week. On Thursday, MPs are going to make their 13th attempt to elect a new President. According to the Lebanese Constitution, state power rests with the Prime Minister and the Cabinet. However, the transitional government under Prime Minister Najib … Read more

US to pledge $500 million to Ukraine as Austin hosts its final Ramstein meeting

US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin held bilateral meetings with his Ukrainian and British counterparts on Wednesday before hosting the Ukraine Defense Contact Group for the last time. VOA Pentagon correspondent Carla Babb is traveling with Austin as the US is expected to announce its final military aid package to Kiev under the Biden administration. Source … Read more

Brazil says social media sites must respect domestic laws – DW – 01/09/2025

Brazilian judge Alexandre de Moraes said social media companies must comply with domestic laws and regulations to continue operating in Brazil. A day after media giant Meta announced it was abandoning its fact-checking program. Moraes said Brazil’s Supreme Court would not allow technology companies to exploit hate speech for profit, adding that social media in … Read more

Journalist federation leader tells VOA that Iran is ‘suppressing press freedom’

Anthony Belanger, secretary general of the International Federation of Journalists, told VOA that Iran is “repressive of press freedom”, and urged foreign journalists to be “as cautious as possible” when traveling to countries like Iran. Belanger spoke on Wednesday, the day after Italian journalist Cecilia Sala was released from detention in Iran and returned to … Read more