Latest Belarus News
Belarusian authorities arrest 7 journalists who worked for an independent newspaper
TALLINN, Estonia (AP) — Belarusian authorities have arrested seven journalists who worked for an independent regional news outlet, a media watchdog said Thursday, the latest move in a sweeping crackdown on dissent and freedom of speech by the country’s authoritarian President Alexander...
Belarus court jails journalist for four years for criticizing authoritarian president
TALLINN, Estonia (AP) — A Belarusian journalist has been sentenced to four years in prison for her critical reports chronicling a sweeping crackdown on dissent launched by the country's authoritarian President Alexander Lukashenko. The Minsk City Court convicted Volha Radzivonava...
EU says asylum rights can be suspended for migrants 'weaponized' by Russia and Belarus
BRUSSELS (AP) — The European Union on Wednesday gave a greenlight to Poland and other countries on Europe’s eastern flank to temporarily suspend asylum rights when they believe that Belarus and Russia are “weaponizing” migrants to destabilize the bloc. Poland’s Prime...
Belarus has dozens of Russian nuclear weapons and is ready for its newest missile, its leader says
MOSCOW (AP) — Belarus' authoritarian President Alexander Lukashenko said Tuesday his country is hosting dozens of Russian nuclear weapons and will prepare facilities for the planned deployment of Moscow's newest hypersonic ballistic missile. His remarks came after he and President...
Belarus’ authoritarian ruler pardons 29 political prisoners amid claims of ongoing repression
TALLINN, Estonia (AP) — Belarus’ authoritarian leader, Alexander Lukashenko, pardoned 29 political prisoners Monday amid what human rights groups describe as renewed oppression in the country. Belarusian officials did not provide the names of those released but said that the...
Putin signs agreement offering Russia's security guarantees to ally Belarus
MOSCOW (AP) — Russian President Vladimir Putin visited Belarus on Friday to sign a treaty offering security guarantees for Moscow’s closest ally, including the possible use of Russian nuclear weapons to help repel an aggression. The signing of the document follows the publication...
Belarus seeks to copy neighboring Russia’s repressive LGBTQ+ policies, activists say
TALLINN, Estonia (AP) — As police raided the home of a gay couple in the Belarusian capital of Minsk and brutally beat them, the officers didn't hide that the crackdown was aligned to similar moves in neighboring Russia. The students, Andrei and Sasha, said security forces demanded...
The best movies of 2024 as ranked by AP film writers
As much as theaters are humming right now, with “Wicked” and “Moana 2" bringing moviegoers by the droves, it's been a fairly bruising movie year. In between the blockbusters, though, the challenge of not just capturing the attention of audiences but of simply getting to the...
Poland's prime minister visits defensive fortifications on border with Russia
DABROWKA, Poland (AP) — Poland's Prime Minister Donald Tusk traveled Saturday to his country's border with the Russian region of Kaliningrad to inspect progress in the construction of military fortifications along the eastern frontier, calling it "an investment in peace." Tusk’s...
Belarus grants asylum to fugitive Polish judge wanted on spying allegations
TALLINN, Estonia (AP) — Belarus has granted asylum to a former Polish judge who faced espionage charges at home following his defection in May to the Kremlin-allied country. A decree published Friday by Alexander Lukashenko, Belarus’ autocratic president, described Tomasz Szmydt...
