17:55 New appointments by Obama: Hillary Clinton to be US Secretary of State

President-elect Barack Obama unveiled his national-security team this morning.

17:18 Putin ordered to build pipeline bypassing Belarus

On December 1 Russian Prime Minister signed an order finalizing the construction of the second stage of the Baltic Pipeline System-2 (BPS-2). It is stated by RIA Novosti with a reference to the press-service of Russian government.

17:01 Lukashenka signed Law on Information Protection

On November 10, Alyaksandr Lukashenka signed Law on Information, Informatization, and Information Protection. It was published on November 26 and will come into force six months after the publication.

16:12 Secretary of Belarusian Central Election Commission: There are no OSCE’s standards

Secretary of the Belarusian Central Election Commission (CEC) Mikalai Lazavik thinks there are no OSCE’s standards, authors of the OSCE/ODIHR Election Observation Mission Final Report on the “parliamentary election” apply to.

14:16 That’s a pretty freedom of speech…

The regime has created very strange conditions for independent newspapers “Nasha Niva” and “Narodnaya Volya” to be returned into the state system of distribution.

14:14 Secret services broke celebrating of anniversary of Slutsk uprising

An owner of a Minsk club, where anniversary of the historian event was planned to be marked, was ordered to cancel a lease contract by secret service officers.

13:37 Rallies of solidarity with political prisoner Barazenka held near prison for 12 days (Photo, video)

For 12 days rallies of solidarity with Alyaksandar Barazenka near the remand prison in Valadarski Street.

13:29 Criminal action against democratic activists Karetnikau and Sharamet terminated

On November 21 the former leader of the “Right Alliance” Yuras Karetnikau received a letter from the office of Prosecutor General. He was informed that the criminal case against him had been terminated.

13:14 Demand for dollars has overtaken supply 12.5 times

On December 1 the exchange rate of the US dollar at the Belarusian currency and stock exchange market was 2,163 Br (increase by 3 BR). Demand for dollars has overtaken supply 12.5 times.

12:36 Syarhei Skrabets seized property for second time

Former MP Syarhei Skrabets has been seized property for the second time. Officers of justice confiscated a kitchen unit, a sofa and other things for a total amount of 600,000 Belarusian rubles.

11:50 MFAs of Belarus and Russia exchanged notes of protest

Delay of the session of the supreme state council of the “union state” was preceded by exchange of notes of protest between the foreign ministries of Russia and Belarus.

11:38 Andrei Sannikov: “Public opinion in Europe sides with democratic forces of Belarus” (Photo)

For the first time in history awarding prizes “Freedom to Create” has become remarkable for Belarus. Giving the prestigious prize to the Belarusians demonstrates that the Europeans support freedom fighters in our country.

10:33 A source: Belarus disturbed by Russia’s “lurches of policy” on “union state” development issue

The meeting of Belarus and Russia’s leaders in Moscow planned on December has been postponed because the agenda of the summit has not been adjusted completely.

8:54 White-red-white flag in Kurapaty torn by unknown

Public figures visited Kurapaty memorial area to pay tribute to heroes of Slutsk uprising, repressed and killed under Stalin’s times.

8:24 State council of “union state” failed: Lukashenka not flying to Moscow

Another scandal between Moscow and Minsk has broken. This time, it happened at the highest level. As Kommersant daily has learnt, a session of supreme state council of the “union state” of Russia and Belarus, scheduled for today, was broken. Alyaksandr Lukashenka was to visit the Russian capital in the frames of the session.