Belarus
Belarusian authorities to hold concerts in Minsk park to prevent more opposition rallies
The authorities in Belarus have booked the Friendship Park in Minsk and say they will hold concerts there every day until August 8, the day before presidential elections, in a transparent move to prevent a second mass rally, the Minsk city government
“Favourite films” poll gives Svetlana Tikhanovskaya 61% support, Lukashenko 3%
With only a week to go before Belarus’ presidential election, polls are banned and exactly how popular each of the candidates is has remained a mystery. But one news outlet asked Belarusians to name their "favourite film" from six titles.
Former Belarus’ presidential hopeful Valery Tsepkalo exhorts 32 world leaders to act
Belarusian opposition leader Valery Tsepkalo called on world leaders to pressure Belarus president Alexander Lukashenko into allowing free and fair elections this coming weekend
Belarus economy increasing well managed, but remains vulnerable to external shocks
Belarus is having a few bad years. GDP grew only by 1.2% in 2019 and will contract by about 5% this year, but its finances are increasingly well run
Lukashenko cancels state of the nation speech as health fails
Belarus president Alexander Lukashenko cancelled his annual state of the nation speech that he was due to deliver on August 3 a week after he admitted to having the coronavirus (COVID-19).
Huge crowd turns out in Svetlana Tikhanovskaya’s support rally-concert in Minsk
A rally-concert to support Svetlana Tikhanovskaya, the only remaining candidate of the opposition in the Belarusian presidential race, attracted an enormous crowd of 63,000 people to the Friendship of Peoples park on the outskirts of Minsk.
Belarus’ Security taskforce links arrested Russian mercenaries to jailed opposition leader Sergei Tikhanovsky
Belarusian security services are linking the arrest of 33 Russian mercenaries to jailed opposition leader Sergei Tikhanovsky and have increased the severity of the charges against him as well as introducing more restrictions on opposition rallies.
Who are the 33 Russian mercenaries arrested in Minsk?
More details of the 33 Russian mercenaries arrested in Minsk emerged on July 30. Belarus has accused a Kremlin-linked military contractor of sending 200 fighters to destabilise the country ahead of August 9 presidential elections.
Lukashenko holds urgent meeting of Belarus Security Council following arrest of Russian mercenaries
Belarus' president called an urgent meeting of the Security Council following the arrest of 33 Russian mercenaries in Minsk that may be a ruse to cancel opposition rallies or even postpone the presidential election.
Lukashenko says he had coronavirus, Svetlana Tikhanovskaya gives second TV speech
Belarus President Alexander Lukashenko said that he had already had the coronavirus (COVID-19) but showed no symptoms during a televised meeting.
Lukashenko intimidating protestors with visits to military bases, mass strikes planned for post-elections
Belarus President Alexander Lukashenko has visited his third military base in the last few weeks in a move that is clearly intended to intimidate the growing number of protestors who are attempting to oust him in the August 9 elections.
Belarus presidential candidate barred from ballot leaves country with his children
Valery Tsepkalo and his children have left Belarus after "trusted sources" warned of his imminent arrest by Belarusian authorities. His wife Veronika has stayed to support Svetlana Tikhanovskaya, the main rival to incumbent President Lukashenko
Lukashenko accuses foreign media of inciting public unrest
Expel foreign media that call for "Maidans", says Belarus' authoritarian president as the August 9 presidential election approaches.
Risk analysis identifies Turkey, Iran and Russia among 37 nations likely to face mass ‘post-Covid’ protests
“It’s a tinderbox” says analyst who determined projections of civil unrest and ability of countries to bounce back from pandemic.
Belarus opposition presidential candidate makes bold statements in first TV address
Svetlana Tikhanovskaya sharply criticised the current system and said she will announce a new, free and fair presidential vote if she is elected on August 9.
“Putin must be happy with events in Minsk” says Belarusian analyst
Pre-election clampdown on the opposition has worsened Minsk’s relations with the West, making President Lukashenko more amenable in future talks with Moscow — including on the unification of Russia and Belarus.
Thousands show up to support Belarus' leading opposition presidential contender
Between 5,000 and 10,000 gathered in Minsk to support opposition presidential candidate Svetlana Tikhanovskaya, wife of arrested blogger Sergei Tikhanovsky. The other former opposition candidates have rallied behind her against incumbent Lukashenko.
Corona vote gambles pay off for incumbents
Timing is everything as politicians seek to take advantage of poll boosts from steering their countries through the pandemic and launching stimulus packages, before populations really feel the impact of the crippling economic recessions.
Dozens detained in Belarus as election protests continue
Protests were sparked by the barring of two opposition candidates — considered the strongest challengers to incumbent President Alexander Lukashenko — from the presidential ballot.
Spotify to enter Russia, other emerging Europe markets in new expansion drive
In Russia, the move by Spotify will put pressure on local internet majors Yandex and Mail.ru Group that also offer music streaming services.