Italian PM visit to Belarus first by Western leader in 15 years

Italian PM visits Belarus

MINSK, Belarus — Italian Premier Silvio Berlusconi has become the first Western leader to visit Belarus in 15 years, as the authoritarian former Soviet state takes small steps toward reform.

Five killed in private jet crash near Minsk

MINSK - No survivors were found at the crash site of a Russian business jet carrying at least five people near the Minsk airport, an official in Belarus said Tuesday.

Belarus officials see fast money - in snails

MINSK - Belarus’ government is hoping for quick profits, and a boost to rural incomes, from massive colonies of snails crawling around free in the wild, officials said.

Pallam Raju holds talks with Belarus Defence Minister in Minsk

MINSK - During his four-day visit to Belarus Minister of State for Defence M.M. Pallam Raju held wide ranging talks with Belarus Defence Minister Colonel-General Leonid Semenovich Maltsev in capital Minsk on Sunday.

Russia, Belarus presidents attend military exercises near NATO member Poland

MINSK, Belarus — Russia and Belarus on Tuesday completed two days of massive joint military exercises on bases that are close to borders with NATO members.

Krishna describes attacks on Indians in Australia as unfortunate

MINSK - Reacting to the recent attack on Indians in Melbourne, Australia, External Affairs Minister S.M.Krishna said on Thursday that the incidents were unfortunate.

Krishna in Belarus to strengthen bilateral ties

MINSK - Indian External Affairs Minister S M Krishna has arrived here to foster bilateral ties between the two countries.

India to sign two pacts with Belarus during Krishna’s visit

MINSK - India and Belarus will sign two bilateral agreements during External Affairs Minister S. M. Krishna’s two-day visit to that country.

Lukashenko to West: ready to work together, but warns against manipulations to change power

MINSK, Belarus — Belarus’ authoritarian president said Thursday he was willing to work with the European Union and the United States, but warned they should not expect him to leave office or to abandon ties with Moscow.

Lenin statue collapses on man in ex-Soviet Belarus, kills him

MINSK, Belarus —A massive statue of Soviet founder Vladimir Lenin collapsed on a man who was hanging from it Monday, killing him on the spot, authorities said.

Ailing US lawyer imprisoned in Belarus on widely denounced charges walks free after pardon

MINSK, Belarus — An ailing American lawyer who was imprisoned in Belarus last year on charges of using fake documents and attempted industrial espionage walked free Tuesday night after a presidential pardon.

Former Belarusian world champion cyclist Stagurskaya killed when hit by car while training

MINSK, Belarus — Former road race world champion Zinaida Stagurskaya has been killed after being hit by a car while training in her native Belarus.

Lukashenko accuses Russia of blackmailing Belarus to recognize Georgian regions

MINSK, Belarus — Belarus’ leader has accused Russia of trying to blackmail Belarus into recognizing the independence of Georgia’s separatist provinces.