News on 4.02.2008

4.02.2008

Minsk center dwellers protest against violent eviction to outskirts

16:49, — Society

Minsk dwellers are evicted from the city center to new houses. But people, having lived all their lives on Marx Street, don’t want to move to the Minsk outskirts. They lose more than USD 100.000 from move.

Andrei Kim Officially Charged 6

16:12, — Politics

It has been told today by the activist’s mother Tatsyana at the meeting of the steering committee of the public commission “Free Andrei Kim”. The charges have been presented for violation of the Article 364 of the Criminal Code (inflicting injury to a policemen in the line of duty). The punishment for that is up to 6 year of imprisoement.

Half of Belarusians in Favour of Cooperation with the EU 32

14:40, — Politics

The weekly informational and analytical TV program “Nedelya” of the state-run TV channel STV-RenTV offered a real sensation yesterday. Announcing a voting of viewers on the question: “What relations are priorities for Belarus? (with Russia or with the EU)”, hosts of the program were not expecting that viewers would not hurry into the “brotherly” embrace of the Eastern neighbour.

France’s ambassador: EU is ready to help Belarus on the way of democratisation 10

14:38, — Politics

The European Union counts on developing the neighbourhood policy with Belarus this year, but only after political prisoners are released and free parliamentary election are held, Mireille Musso, French ambassador to Minsk said to journalists.

23 families lost residence for non-payment of utility bills

12:41, — Society

23 families were evicted from their apartments for non-payment of utility bills in Minsk in 2007.

Authorities to entrepreneurs: sickness absence is unpaid

11:40, — Society

Entrepreneurs resent that clinics deny them sick leave certificates without a note they had paid taxes. Medical workers refer to an instruction they are carrying out.

Who is Andrei Maksimau? 1

10:55, — Politics

While Lyavon Barshcheuski, head of the Belarusian Popular Front party, is threatening to go to law against “Belorusskaya Voennaya Gazeta”(Belarusian Military Newspaper), if it doesn’t publish contradiction of the article “Dzima Zhaleznichenka as a mirror of failed ‘cornflower revolution,’” the editor’s office is preparing an answer to Barshcheuski and suppressing the real name of the author.

Viktar Ivashkevich elected chairman of Minsk city organization of BPF

10:46, — Politics

Viktar Ivashkevich was elected chairman of the Minsk city organization of the Belarusian Popular Front (BPF) at the organization’s general conference held on February 1.

Yarmoshyna won’t allow to vote twice 2

10:31, — Politics

Changes in residence registration rules don’t create an opportunity to vote twice at the forthcoming parliamentary election for absolute majority of Belarusians, Lidziya Yarmoshyna, head of the Central election Commission of Belarus said to the First National TV Channel lately.

“Banned” Kupala 3

10:02, — Culture

Last time the performance of the play “Tutejshyja” (or “The Locals”) by a Belarusian classic Yanka Kupala took place in July 2007. Since then the play never appeared at the theatre’s bills.

Lyabedzka wants to discuss his status “restricted to travel abroad” with Miklashevich and Navumau 3

9:44, — Politics

As the leader of the United Civil Party Anatol Lyabedzka believes, the fact that he was put on the list of persons restricted to travel abroad; it’s not just his personal problem, but a political issue of the national and international meaning”.

Putin's man takes chance to stress continuity

9:42, By Oleg Shchedrov, Reuters — Politics

SOCHI, Russia: Vladimir Putin's chosen candidate for next month's presidential election seized the opportunity to emphasize the continuity of power at an event on Sunday in Russia's future Winter Olympics capital.

Pro-Slavic activists from 11 countries demand abolishing EU visa ban on 36 Belarusian officials

9:40, — Politics

The board of the International Slavic Committee adopted a statement demanding that the European Union should lift its entry ban against 36 Belarusian officials at a meeting held in Brest on February 1 and 2.

Soho Theatre Presents Belarus Free Theatre

9:39, — Culture

Soho Theatre presents the first major UK staging of work from The Belarus Free Theatre. Banned by the state in its homeland and renowned for staging covert and uncensored performances, The Belarus Free Theatre fights for democracy and artistic freedom, from 11 to 23 February.

Smoking out to be banned in Belarus 21

9:36, — Society

No-smoking areas will be created in crowded places (parks, recreation zones, catering facilities, inns) in Belarus.

Do parents take blame for children? 3

9:28, — Politics

After the rallies of entrepreneurs on 10 and 21 January, in which 17-year-old Alena Makarevich took active part, her mother was called to the KGB department of the Frunzenski district upon pain of dismissal. She was offered to sign a statement saying Alena wouldn’t engage in public activity.

IKEA’s Belarusian Project Frozen 4

9:24, — Economics

The world leader in production of furniture has decided to suspend its activities on the Belarusian market. All plans of the concern in Belarus until 2014.

Lukashenko Finds His Place in Sochi 13

8:40, — Politics

Russian President Vladimir Putin received Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko at his residence in Sochi. Kommersant special correspondent Andrey Kolesnikov reports that presidential candidate Dmitry Medvedev received Lukashenko on the slopes at Krasnaya Polyana a little before that.