Belarus
Nobel Peace Prize winner, key opposition figures freed in Belarusian deal with US
The prisoner release was by far the biggest since Trump’s administration opened talks this year with veteran authoritarian leader and Putin ally Alexander Lukashenko.
- Andrius Sytas, Felix Light and Mark Trevelyan
Latest
This accidental president-in-exile would like a word with Anthony Albanese
An outspoken opponent of Vladimir Putin, Belarusia’s opposition leader is campaigning for democracy despite the risk to her life.
- Matthew Knott
The accidental power couple taking on a dictator – and Putin
She was a housewife until her politician husband was sent to jail. When he was finally released, he was shocked at what he found.
- Francesca Ebel
IOC excludes Russian and Belarusian athletes from Olympics ceremony in Paris
Athletes who were approved to compete at the Olympics under a neutral flag can only “experience the event” – likely watching from near the river.
- Graham Dunbar
Israeli, Palestinian flags won’t fly at Australian Open
Spectators won’t be permitted to display the flags, but organisers are at pains to note they are not technically banned.
- Annika Smethurst
- Updated
- Paris 2024
Individual Russian and Belarusian athletes can compete in Paris: IOC
Ukraine has bitterly opposed the presence of Russian competitors, even as neutrals, in Paris.
- Karolos Grohmann
Poland says two Belarusian helicopters violated its airspace
Warsaw authorities said it would increase Poland’s military presence along the border in response. They also summoned Belarus’ top diplomat in protest.
- Vanessa Gera
Thousands of Wagner mercenaries have arrived in Belarus: monitoring group
Prigozhin registered a “real estate management company” in Belarus last week under the name Concord Management and Consulting in Belarus.
- Yuras Karmanau
‘Welcome, guys!’ Prigozhin reappears in public as MI6 reveals ‘deep fractures’ in Russian elite
In a rare public outing, the head of MI6 said Prigozhin’s mutiny was difficult for UK intelligence “to try and interpret”.
- Latika Bourke
Poland moves troops to border, NATO turns summit into fortress but Wagner base empty
Concerns are growing that the presence of Wagner mercenaries in Belarus could destablise the region, but Belarus says the rebels have yet to arrive.