18:37 Market Vendors Penalized by Huge Fines and Arrests

On January 22 participants of the third protest rally of entrepreneurs were standing trial in the courts of Tsentralny and Maskouski districts of Minsk. Individual entrepreneurs protest against discriminatory decree No. 760, which has forced them out of business since the New Year.

17:07 Belarusian Nuclear Power Plant: Expensive and Dangerous

Estimated costs for construction of a nuclear power station are to make 4 billion dollars. This sum was announced by independent experts in the middle of the year 2007 as a minimal estimated cost. Last week Finance Minister Mikalay Korbut has confirmed that. But in reality expenses could be much higher. Meanwhile, discontent over Lukashenka’s “nuclear” ambitions grows. The state policy aimed at construction of the nuclear power plant is disapproved by many.

15:38 Pensioner from Barysau arrested for spreading independent editions

Pensioner from Barysau was arrested in Minsk in the underpass near Kamarousky Market for spreading newspaper “Narodnaya Volya” on 20 January. Militiamen also found copies of newspapers “Tovarishch,” “Nash Vybor,” “Svaboda Belarusi,” and “Nash Chas” in her bag.

15:34 No permission for holding Rock Coronation

Organisers of the annual musical festival Rock Coronation planned to receive a permission for holding the event yet on Monday in the department of culture at the Minsk city executive committee. But the haven’t received it even on 22 January.

14:32 Reinstated student to be expelled again

A trade union committee of Francis Skaryna Homel State University has decided to expel a student Zmitser Zhaleznichenka from the university. The decisive word is to be said by the dean.

14:00 Constitutional Court approved lists of restricted to travel abroad

The Constitutional Court examined the decisions of the Minsk courts concerning the fact that some citizens will be restricted to travel abroad. And it has concluded that the document has legal grounds and rights of any citizens weren’t violated. “We think, the existed temporary restrictions are well founded,” Valyantin Shchukin, judge of the Constitutional Court claims.

13:08 Lukashenka finally responded to entrepreneurs

Participants of the rally of entrepreneurs held yesterday in Minsk required Lukashenka to come to them. Lukashenka scared and didn’t come. But after the demonstration was over, he went “bravely” for the people. “... they apparently need this destabilisation. We won’t let calm and quiet Minsk be turned into a bustling city,” BelTA quotes Lukashenka.

12:00 Ruslan Alekhno to go to Belgrade

A 26-year-old native of the city of Babrujsk, Ruslan Alekhno with his song “Hasta la Vista” is to present Belarus at the song contest Eurovision-2008. The contest is to take place in Belgrade, Serbia, in May.

11:56 Ukrainian President Warns Government Against Gas Deal Revising

Ukrainian President Viktor Yushchenko warned the government of prime minister Yulia Tymoshenko against revising a key natural gas agreement with Russia, saying the plan may backfire and spread chaos in the domestic gas market.

11:51 Bookkeepers from Minsk Education Department stole USD 100.000

According to the material of investigation, bookkeepers from the Minsk Education Department at the administration of Frunzensky District, prepared forged documents, using official misconduct, by previous concert and used them to receive salary for themselves in a bank. From the fund of saving of salary for preschools and schools of Frunzensky District they credited to their personal card accounts bonuses and have stolen more than BYR 210 million (about USD 100.000) for three years.

10:57 Passengers are seen through at Minsk airport

Personal digital X-ray scanner for passengers and luggage inspection, which is able to see forbidden for carriage items even in natural human cavities, was installed at national airport of the country.

10:53 Gas prices to grow by almost one third

Prices for condensed gas for municipal and residential use and motorized transport are to grow in Belarus. Such a decision is contained in the decree No.14 of Economy Ministry “On maximum sale prices for condensed gas”.

9:18 Photo-report from rally of entrepreneurs in Minsk

Belarusian entrepreneurs held a protest action in the Belarusian capital today. Heavy forces of militia equipped with truncheons and shields were rushed up to the peaceful protesters. Navumau, minister of internal affairs, was in charge the operation.

9:17 Situation in Belarus to be discussed in Strasbourg

Political Affairs Committee of the Council of Europe Parliamentary Assembly (PACE) takes place today in Strasbourg.

9:07 TB sick people require to stop mockery

Hot water was turned off and shower rooms were closed in the tuberculosis hospital “Navayalnya”. “For that reason the patients are likely to go on hunger strike on Wednesday,” Syargei Voranau, one of the patients, said.