Harbachou: 52 thousand entrepreneurs have left Belarus for 7 years

European Radio for Belarus counted how many years it will take public sector employees to collect money to buy an apartment, if they keep the whole salary untouched.

According to the latest data of the Belarusian Statistic Committee, an average inhabitant of Minsk earns 1 million 300 thousand roubles per month. The cheapest one-room apartments in Minsk costs 40-50 thousand dollars (135 million roubles). It turns out that if one keeps the whole salary untouched for 10 years, it will be possible to buy an apartment. However, at the same time one should not eat, drink or buy other necessary things.

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Zatulin: Russia is interested that the elections wouldn't be easy for Lukashenka

The first Deputy Head of the Committee on CIS Affairs of the State Duma, a member of the General Council of the "United Russia" Kanstantsin Zatulin told the European Radio for Belarus how Russia was going to influence the Belarusian elections, why Kremlin had not decided on "its" candidate yet and why Medvedev was unlikely to make peace with Lukashenka at the summit of the Collective Security Treaty Organization.

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Zaika: Lukashenka costs Belarusians $4.5 bln

Economist Leanid Zaika says Belarus and Russia have already been at economic war. Syarhei Chaly reckons that if Lukshenka gets stuck in this war, he will thus show his weakness. Former Russain minister Yevgeniy Yasin is confident the Kremlin will not stop till Belarus recognizes Abkhazia and South Ossetia.

The screening of Godfather-3 along with the absence of clear signs from both Russia and Belarus to halt the information war have given birth to concerns that it can transform into an economic war. The European Radio for Belarus talks to pundits to find out how this can threaten economy in our countries.

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Solidarity Day in Minsk

Activist Yauhen Afnahel, detained after the opposition's Solidarity Day action in Minsk, has been released without charges (ONLINE+VIDEO)

18.04 A hundred people standing near Academy of Sciences with portraits of missing people

A traditional action of solidarity has started near the Academy of Sciences in Minsk. According to an ERB reporter, about a hundred people holding portraits of the missing and a transparency “We demand an international investigation” are standing along Independence Avenue. The police keep reminding that the action is unauthorized and are urging people to leave.

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Where is Colonel Borodach after his letter to Lukashenka?

Colonel Uladzimir Borodach has offered the president the help of veterans in fighting corruption and ... stopped picking phone calls from friends and relatives. His colleagues and Afghan war veterans say he has gone underground.

Uladzimir Borodach sent a letter to Alyaksandr Lukashenka, signed by 15 combat veterans, several days ago. Since then, his mobile phone has been switched off. Colonel's friend and Afghanistan war veteran Aleh Vouchak is surprised. He said: "I have called him several times, but his phone is off. I don't know where he is".

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Be Free festival shifts to Rovno next year

The organizers have decided to cancel Be Free music festival in Chernigov. Next year, it will be held in Rovno, western Ukraine. This fall, Be Free will make a tour across Belarus.

Be Free festival will not be organized this year. Vital Supranovich, one of organizers told Euroradio, that the administration of the Ukrainian city of Chernigov, where the festival was to take place, did not issue a permit to hold the musical festival at the request of culture officials at Homel City Hall.

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Belarus, Latvia may ink visa-free travel deal in August

Under the agreement, Belarusians from areas next to the border will be allowed to visit Daugavpils, while Latvians can travel freely to three districts in Belarus.

This statement was issued by Aleh Andreyeu, head of the consular department at the Belarusian embassy in Riga:

“We have agreed on all the issues with the Lithuanian side. It seems there are no serious disagreements in our positions. I think the agreement could be signed this month, he said.

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German helicopter crashes during competition near Minsk

A German pilot has died in a helicopter crash during the CIS Helicopter Sports Open near Minsk.

The tragedy took place at the Borovaya airfield, when the German helicopter was performing the loop -- an aerobatics figure. The fire caused by the impact was put out by fire-fighters, reports Belapan.

BELTA news agency adds that the German pilot crashed on a US-made MD-500 helicopter.

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Opposition's creativity during elections will be limited to leaflets and posters?

Euroradio explores the creativity of opposition's potential candidates for the upcoming presidential campaign.

A Belarusian tourists recently posted a picture of a billboard with Alexander Milinkevich at the Belarusian-Ukrainian border. Talking to Euroradio, Movement for Freedom deputy chairman Viktar Karnyayenka said it had been an initiative of Milinkvich's supports from across the border. They had picked the site, rented and paid for the billboard. As for their own plans, the PR campaign of Alexander Milinkevich will be usual.

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