Raman Pratasevich’s father claims that Minsk received outside assistance in what he believes was a well-planned operation to kidnap his son. On May 23, Belarus detained Pratasevich after forcing a Ryanair flight from Greece to Lithuania to land in the Belarusian capital. RFE/Belarus RL’s Service’s Dzmitry Gurnevich interviewed Dzmitry Pratasevich
RFE/RL
Timor-Leste Seeks Economic Lifeline as Oil Wealth Dwindles
Timor-Leste, also known as East Timor, has made significant strides since its tumultuous birth in 2002, but the economic impact of the plunder of resources of centuries of Portuguese colonial rule and the looting, pillage, and large-scale destruction of property during a 24-year Indonesian occupation can still be felt today.
South Africa Prepares to End Lion Hunting in Captivity
From allowing captive-bred lion hunting to selling lion bones to East Asia for their alleged “medicinal” qualities, South Africa’s treatment of its big cats has long tarnished its reputation for conservation. However, the country is now ending all of that.
UN Secretary-General Meets with Working Group on Discrimination Against Women and Girls
United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres meets with the Working Group on Discrimination against Women and Girls.
On Both US Coasts,Pro Palestinian Encampment Protesters Hold Ground
Despite college administrations’ warnings, anti-Gaza war protests on campuses are still going strong and new ones are being launched.
Philippine Police Arrest 3 Suspects Over On-Air Killing of Broadcaster
Police in the Philippines have arrested three men suspected in the killing of community radio broadcaster Juan Jumalon, who was gunned down while broadcasting live on Facebook.
In Tibet, Parents Plead for Children to Help Collect Caterpillar Fungus
It’s caterpillar fungus harvesting season in Tibet, and parents have staged protests urging Chinese authorities to let their children leave a residential boarding school to help collect the rare ingredient used in traditional medicine, two sources inside the region said.
Vietnamese Monk Seeks Justice for Brother Who Died after Police Interrogation
In March 2015, the Thanh Nien newspaper reported that from October 2011 to September 2014, there were 226 deaths in detention facilities nationwide. The Ministry of Public Security explained them as being due to illness and suicide. Since then, no further reports have been issued.
Hamas Reviews Israeli Cease-Fire Plan in Gaza
Israel has proposed a cease-fire plan for Gaza, which Hamas says it is reviewing. This follows after an Egyptian delegation visited Israel, during which officials described a “new vision” for a prolonged end of hostilities.
