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EXCLUSIVE: ‘I don’t have a right to be sad’ – Belarusian opposition leader

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Senior Advisor to Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya, Franak Viačorka, details the moment the Belarusian opposition leader found out her husband has been jailed 

The husband of the Belarusian opposition leader has been jailed for 18 years at a high-security penal colony.

The sentence follows a trial that largely took place behind closed doors, with the individual convicted of “organising mass riots” and inciting social hostility.

The verdict can be appealed within 10 days, with critics saying the convictions were politically motivated.

Three others were also sent to prison for similar charges, and will spend more than a decade behind bars.

The husband of the opposition leader was arrested back in 2020 after declaring his own candidacy for president, with his wife standing in his place as a result.

She went on to lose to current leader Alexander Lukashenko and claimed the result was rigged through the use of ballot stuffing and other corrupt measures.

Belarusian opposition leader senior advisor details the moment she found out her husband has been jailed 

“It was shocking. You are never prepared for the moment when your husband is sentenced to 18 years in prison,”

Viačorka told ticker news

“I remember that moment. It was just in the middle of conversation with European politicians. I was unlucky to inform her about this. So she stopped for a second and then she continued talking. Later I asked how she felt and she said that, you know I don’t have a right to to be sad or to cry. I just have to work harder.”

Ticker’s Holly Stearnes asked the political advisor “If she could give one message to our audience and to the world out this difficult time when her husband has just been jailed a sentence of 18 years, what would it be?”

“Fight for freedom. I appreciate democracy. When you’re leaving democracy, it’s very difficult to understand its value, and it’s very easy to lose freedom and democracy… but it’s very hard to fight back for it”

Viačorka details Tsikhanouskaya message

The husband of the Belarusian opposition leader has been handed one of the longest jail terms in modern Belarusian history

Viačorka says Tsikhanouskaya is not a traditional leader and she’s still influencing situation inside of the country.

“There are 1000s of volunteers. There are dozens of underground printed houses every day, there are protests of women and students. They’re not so massive and not so visualised as last year but protest resistance continues,” he details.

“We’re just jumped back, you know, from authoritarianism, to style in time, totalitarianism, with no freedom with 1000s of political prisoners, and it’s very difficult to protest.”

However, Viačorka says Tsikhanouskaya healthcare plan is most important and what it can do to mobilise international community EU, US, Canada, UK.

“A few days ago, she met ambassadors, also Australian and New Zealand ambassadors were present,

“It’s very important their initial community speaks with one voice in support of Belarus, democratic forces,”

he says.

Is this a revenge verdict?

Viačorka says the verdict is personal revenge of Lukashenko, because he was a YouTube blogger.

“He was not a popular politician. He was not planning to be the candidate for president before April or May last year. But suddenly his subscribers on YouTube said you have to run. And Lukashenko was very angry with this because no one really challenged him before this way,” Viačorka says.

Is democracy likely in Belarus?

Viačorka says there are “Soviet nostalgic people” who wants to live in back in the USSR, who likes to have the strong man ruling the country. “Always there are such people, but the majority wants changes.”

Hey says there are doubts, but research shows that they are ready for democracy.

“But despite the government and Belarusian showed clearly that they already fight for human rights fight for rule of law, fight for justice,” Viačorka says.

“I think Lukashenko is not forever, he’s losing his grip, he is not in control even of his own people,

“So think in the next few months, we will see developments. And perhaps this developments will come from people around Lukashenko. This is why he’s so afraid of betrayal.”

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DOGE cuts billions as federal spending overhaul continues

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Musk-Led Department slashes DEI grants while Transportation Secretary seeks tech innovation.

The Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), spearheaded by Elon Musk, has eliminated over $370 million in diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) grants at the Department of Education within just 48 hours.

In a post on X, DOGE revealed that 70 DEI training grants were terminated, marking the latest move in its effort to cut federal spending.

This follows another major budget reduction last week when DOGE slashed $881 million in Department of Energy contracts, including more than $100 million allocated to DEI programs.

The sweeping cuts signal a broader initiative under the Trump administration to curb what it considers excessive government spending.

Meanwhile, Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy has announced that SpaceX workers will visit the Air Traffic Control System Command Center on Monday as part of an effort to modernize U.S. air travel.

Duffy, who has been vocal about the need for infrastructure reform, stated that President Trump has tasked him with developing a world-class air traffic control system.

He has also called on American tech developers and businesses to contribute their expertise to the initiative.

With DOGE rapidly restructuring federal expenditures and the administration emphasizing private-sector partnerships in public services, the coming months could see further policy shifts.

Critics argue that these moves may reduce funding for key programs, while supporters praise them as necessary steps toward fiscal responsibility.

Oz Sultan, the Chief Strategist with the Sultan Interactive Group joins Veronica Dudo to discuss.

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Delta flight crash in Toronto, eight injuries reported

Delta flight crashes at Toronto airport, injuring eight; all passengers and crew accounted for, one in critical condition.

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Delta flight crashes at Toronto airport, injuring eight – all passengers and crew accounted for, one in critical condition.

In Short

A Delta flight crashed at Toronto Pearson International Airport, leaving eight people injured, with one in critical condition. All passengers and crew have been accounted for.

The incident occurred on Monday as the plane arrived at the airport.

Images show the aircraft upside-down on the snow.

The flight had originated from Minneapolis.

Peel Regional Police report that eight people were injured in the crash.

One person is listed as critical with non-life-threatening injuries, while seven others have moderate to mild injuries.

Authorities stated that all passengers and crew members have been accounted for.

The flight had originated from Minneapolis.

Further details are not currently available.

This is an ongoing story, and updates will be provided as more information comes in.

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Trump State Department angers China by removing Taiwan phrase

China criticises Trump officials for removing U.S. statement opposing Taiwan independence, calling it a detrimental signal to independence advocates.

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China criticises Trump officials for removing U.S. statement opposing Taiwan independence, calling it a detrimental signal to independence advocates.

In Short

The Trump State Department removed a key phrase about Taiwan relations from its website, causing outrage in China. Despite this, a spokesperson reaffirmed the U.S. position on Taiwan remains unchanged and underscored the commitment to peace in the region.

Previously, the State Department’s fact sheet stated that the U.S. did not support Taiwan’s independence.

This phrase was deleted last week, prompting Chinese officials to demand an immediate correction, asserting it sends the wrong signal to pro-independence forces in Taiwan.

In response, a State Department spokesperson clarified that the U.S. stance on Taiwan remains unchanged.

The U.S. is dedicated to maintaining peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait and opposes any unilateral changes to the status quo from either side.

The spokesperson also emphasised support for cross-Strait dialogue, with an expectation that differences should be resolved peacefully.

Chinese President Xi Jinping – Reuters

Sole government

The relationship between the U.S. and Taiwan has long been complex, as the U.S. adheres to the “One China” policy. This policy acknowledges Beijing as the sole government of China while not explicitly affirming its claim to Taiwan.

Due to this understanding, the U.S. does not maintain formal diplomatic relations with Taiwan, which is reflected in the absence of a U.S. embassy on the island.

China’s response highlights the ongoing tensions over Taiwan’s status and the delicate nature of U.S.-China relations. Overall, the situation underscores the challenges that arise from differing perspectives on Taiwan’s future.

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