Nalova Akua is 2022 winner of the Michael Elliott Award for Excellence in African Storytelling. The award which honours up-and-coming journalists in Africa who strive to strengthen people's voices and improve their well-being came with a reporting grant and a two-week internship at The Economist ...

Diplomatically Isolated Belarus Seeks Allies in Africa

10 Oct 2023  |  www.theepochtimes.com  |  English  |  Economic Cooperation

Belarus, facing diplomatic isolation, is seeking to strengthen ties with African nations, exemplified by President Lukashenko's recent visit to Equatorial Guinea and Kenya. The cooperation focuses on technology transfer, agriculture, healthcare, and machinery. Experts suggest that while Belarus aims to expand its geopolitical influence, African nations should independently choose their partners based on their specific interests. The visit underscores a new scramble for African resources and highlights the continent's growing geopolitical significance.

Tags:

Equatorial Guinean Government Kenyan Government Belarusian Government United States International University, Africa

Balanced

Factuality Scale

Center

Political View

Alicia Alamillos is a journalist and fixer based in Madrid, Spain. Former Middle East correspondent for ABC newspaper, based in Cairo, Egypt. Former Subsaharan Africa correspondent and editor for EFE News Agency based in Nairobi, Kenya. With experience working for print, online and radio. Breaking ...

Prigozhin yields a few kilometers from Moscow and will fly to Belarus, but leaves a weakened Putin

25 Jun 2023  |  www.elconfidencial.com  |  Spanish  |  Political Crisis

Yevgeni Prigozhin's Wagner mercenaries halted their advance towards Moscow, reaching an agreement with the Russian government to retreat and for Prigozhin to go into exile in Belarus. This move comes after a swift and largely unopposed march by Wagner forces, which raised the specter of a coup and civil war in Russia. The agreement, mediated by Belarusian leader Alexandr Lukashenko, reportedly offers security guarantees for the Wagner fighters and amnesty for those involved in the rebellion. The Russian military's vulnerability and Putin's authority have been called into question by these events, with Prigozhin's actions exposing the weaknesses within the Russian establishment.

Tags:

Belarusian Government Russian Government Wagner Group

Balanced

Factuality Scale

Center

Political View

Joshua Askew is a journalist based in London, United Kingdom.

Polish soldier 'accidentally' shoots refugee at Belarusian border

08 Nov 2023  |  ru.euronews.com  |  Russian  |  Refugees

A Polish border guard accidentally shot a Syrian refugee near the Belarusian border, claiming he tripped and fired his weapon. The incident is under investigation by military police. The refugee, now in stable condition, is receiving legal and psychological support from the NGO Grupa Granica. The article highlights ongoing tensions and human rights concerns at the Poland-Belarus border, where Belarus is accused of exacerbating the migration crisis. The Polish border guard faces potential imprisonment for negligent use of a weapon. The crisis has seen numerous attempts to cross the border and several fatalities.

Tags:

Belarusian Government Polish Border Guard Grupa Granica

Balanced

Factuality Scale

Center-Left

Political View

I’m a journalist based in Beirut covering Lebanon, Syria and Jordan. Available for lives, both video and audio. I specialise in covering humanitarian and refugee issues.

Iraqi migrants 'launch hunger strike in Polish detention'

03 Oct 2023  |  The New Arab  |  English  |  Detention Conditions

Four Iraqi migrants at a Polish detention facility began a hunger strike to protest their prolonged detention conditions. They have been held for 17 months at the Guarded Centre for Foreigners in Lesznowola. Another Iraqi migrant, Muhammad al-Zirjawi, has been on a hunger strike for 20 days at a different Polish detention center, suffering from mental distress. The European Union previously accused Belarus of pushing migrants into Poland to create a crisis, a claim Belarus denies. The situation underscores ongoing tensions and humanitarian concerns at the EU's borders.

Tags:

Belarusian Government Guarded Centre for Foreigners Grupa Granica European Union

Balanced

Factuality Scale

Left

Political View

Amanda Coakley is an award-winning journalist covering central and eastern Europe, and a Europe’s Futures Fellow at the IWM in Vienna. 

Her work has been published in national and international outlets including Foreign Policy, TIME, The Irish Times, Prospect Magazine, The Independent, New ...

The Vatican is turning its back on Belarus’ Catholics

01 Oct 2023  |  www.codastory.com  |  English  |  War in Ukraine

Catholic priests in Belarus face increasing persecution under Alexander Lukashenko's regime, especially following Russia's invasion of Ukraine. The Vatican's conciliatory approach towards the Belarusian government has weakened the Church's ability to defend its clergy, leading to fear and distrust among Belarusian Catholics. The Belarusian Orthodox Church has also aligned with the regime, further suppressing dissent. Exiled Catholic priests are mobilizing to support those still in Belarus, but the Vatican's stance remains a point of contention.

Tags:

Belarusian Orthodox Church Belarusian Catholic Church Belarusian Government Vatican Russian Orthodox Church

Interpretive

Factuality Scale

Left

Political View

I’m an experienced foreign correspondent, and work for some of the world’s leading English-language news publications. For a number of years I’ve covered Central Europe for the UK’s The Telegraph, and also write about the area and Eastern Europe for The Scotsman. In addition to this I write ...

Polish soldier stabbed to death by migrant on Belarus border

06 Jun 2023  |  Yahoo Entertainment  |  English  |  Migrant Crisis

A Polish soldier, Mateusz, was fatally stabbed by a migrant while patrolling the Poland-Belarus border, highlighting rising tensions and security concerns in the region. The Polish government, led by Prime Minister Donald Tusk, has expressed discontent over the handling of border incidents, including the detention of soldiers who fired warning shots at migrants. President Andrzej Duda criticized the excessive measures against Polish soldiers, while Foreign Minister Radoslaw Sikorski launched a campaign warning migrants of misinformation by Belarus and Russia. Poland accuses Belarus and Russia of using migrants as tools in an asymmetric warfare campaign to destabilize Poland and the EU, prompting Poland to deploy additional troops to the border.

Tags:

Russian Government Belarusian Government Polish Government Polish Army

Balanced

Factuality Scale

Center-Right

Political View

Adam Easton has been the BBC correspondent in Warsaw since 2003. Before that he was the BBC correspondent in Caracas during the turbulent early years of the Chavez administration. Before that he was the correspondent for the Guardian newspaper in Manila. He got his start in local newspapers and ...

Wagner could pose as migrants to enter EU, PM Morawiecki warns

29 Jul 2023  |  BBC  |  English  |  Security Threat

Polish Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki has warned that Wagner fighters in Belarus could pose as migrants to enter the EU, describing this as a form of 'hybrid warfare.' Approximately 100 Wagner troops have moved near Grodno, close to the Polish and Lithuanian borders. Warsaw views Wagner's presence in Belarus as a potential threat and is bolstering its eastern defenses. Belarusian leader Alexander Lukashenko has denied provoking a migrant crisis, but Morawiecki claims the mercenaries might disguise themselves as border guards or migrants. Poland, Lithuania, and Latvia may shut their borders with Belarus if incidents involving Wagner occur. Lukashenko has stated he will keep the mercenaries in central Belarus.

Tags:

Russian Government Belarusian Government Polish Government Wagner Group

Balanced

Factuality Scale

Center-Right

Political View

Serge Faldin is a journalist based in London, United Kingdom. He holds an MA in Creative Writing from University of London and his writing has appeared in Meduza, The Guardian, Prospect Magazine, Truthout, and other places.

I’m back to being afraid

20 Oct 2023  |  meduza.io  |  English  |  Political Repression

Three years after the mass protests in Belarus, exiled Belarusians continue to fear the long reach of President Aleksandr Lukashenko's regime. The brutal crackdown on the 2020 protests led to a significant emigration wave, with many Belarusians, including opposition leader Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya, fleeing abroad. Despite living in exile, many still face persecution and pressure from the Belarusian government. The article highlights the ongoing repression, the challenges faced by exiled Belarusians, and their continued fight for democracy and freedom. The European Union is seen as a potential ally, but the situation remains precarious, with Lukashenko's regime maintaining a tight grip on power and aligning closely with Russia.

Tags:

Belarusian Government Lukashenko Regime European Union

Interpretive

Factuality Scale

Left

Political View

Valerie Hopkins is currently the South-East Europe Correspondent for the Financial Times, where she covers the region out of Budapest. She has more than ten years of experience working in South-Eastern Europe. Her work has appeared in The New York Times, The Guardian The Atlantic, The Washington ...

Kremlin Denies Involvement in Crash Presumed to Have Killed Mercenary Leader

25 Aug 2023  |  www.nytimes.com  |  English  |  Military Affairs

The article discusses the Kremlin's denial of involvement in the plane crash that reportedly killed Yevgeny Prigozhin, the leader of the Wagner Group. It highlights the power dynamics between Vladimir Putin and Prigozhin, the latter's role in the Ukraine war, and the internal conflicts within the Russian military. The article also covers the reactions of various Russian and Western commentators, the historical context of Kremlin's alleged assassinations, and the geopolitical implications involving Belarus. The narrative underscores the Kremlin's message of dominance and the precarious position of those who challenge Putin's authority.

Tags:

Belarusian Government Kremlin Wagner Group Russian Defense Ministry

Interpretive

Factuality Scale

Center-Right

Political View

I am a freelance journalist, based in Turkey. I mainly cover Turkey's national news, the Syrian war-related issues, the refugee crisis, and Turkey's foreign policy towards Middle East, Africa and Central Asia. I've been contributing to international media outlets as a reporter. Besides, I've been ...

Turkey issues Belarus flight ban to avert migrant crisis with Europe

13 Oct 2023  |  Middle East Eye  |  English  |  International Relations

Turkey's Civil Aviation Authority has banned citizens of Iraq, Yemen, and Syria from boarding flights to Minsk from Istanbul to address illegal border crossings into the EU via Belarus. Turkish Airlines confirmed the ban, exempting diplomatic passport holders. The EU has accused Belarus of destabilizing its neighbors, prompting potential sanctions. Poland accused Turkey of facilitating irregular migration through the Istanbul-Minsk corridor, a claim Turkey denies. Iraq has halted direct flights to Belarus and is organizing repatriation for its citizens stranded at the border. The article also highlights the role of visa agencies in facilitating travel to Belarus for migrants.

Tags:

Belarusian embassy in Ankara Belarusian government Turkish Civil Aviation Authority European Union Iraqi foreign ministry Iraqi embassy in Moscow Iraqi embassy in Warsaw

Balanced

Factuality Scale

Center

Political View

James Jackson is a multimedia journalist based in Berlin, Germany. 

James is a self-starting media professional who is comfortable writing news, specialist reports dispatches, op-eds and features. A native English speaker, he is fluent in German and Spanish and covers Central Europe for outlets ...

Dispatch from Podlaskie In Poland’s Wild East, Tatar culture is alive and well

13 Oct 2023  |  meduza.io  |  English  |  Migration Crisis

The article explores the rich Tatar culture in Poland's Podlaskie region, highlighting the historical and contemporary significance of the Tatar community. It delves into the cultural diversity of the region, contrasting it with the nationalist rhetoric ahead of Poland's parliamentary elections. The piece also covers the humanitarian crisis at the Belarus-Poland border, focusing on the efforts of local Tatar leaders to aid migrants and the challenges they face. The narrative underscores the resilience and historical contributions of the Tatars, while critiquing the current political climate and its impact on migration and cultural diversity.

Tags:

Belarusian Government Polish Government Polish Border Guards

Balanced

Factuality Scale

Center-Left

Political View

Currently: Contributing Reporter, The Wall Street Journal
Previously: Producer, Der Spiegel

Ukrainian Children Brought to Camps in Belarus, Exposed to Pro-Kremlin Propaganda

26 Oct 2023  |  WSJ  |  English  |  Propaganda

Belarus, a close ally of Russia, has transported over 2,000 Ukrainian children, including orphans, to camps in Belarus where they were exposed to pro-Kremlin propaganda. This effort, supported by an agreement between Russia and Belarus, involved transportation by Russian Railways and funding from Belaruskali. The children were brought to Minsk and then transported to camps using buses from the soccer team Shakhtyor Soligorsk, whose owner, Ivan Golovaty, is implicated in the effort. The article highlights the negative implications of these actions and the involvement of various entities in the propaganda campaign.

Tags:

Belarusian Government Russian Railways Shakhtyor Soligorsk

Balanced

Factuality Scale

Far Left

Political View

Israr Khan is a journalist based in Islamabad, Pakistan. He has more than 17-year experience in reporting and writing with Pakistan’s leading English language newspapers and international media and has enough skills in development sector research.
Currently, Mr. Khan is working as an Economic and ...

Belarus president arrives on 3-day visit

25 Nov 2023  |  www.thenews.com.pk  |  English  |  Diplomatic Visit

Belarusian President Aleksandr Lukashenko arrived in Islamabad for a three-day official visit, marking a significant step in strengthening Pakistan-Belarus relations. The visit includes discussions on bilateral cooperation, with plans to sign sixteen Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) across various sectors, including trade, agriculture, and technology. The visit underscores the growing partnership between the two nations, with a focus on enhancing trade ties and industrial collaboration. Key discussions also involve cooperation in the legal and justice systems, and the potential for Belarusian investment in Pakistan's electric vehicle sector. The visit is seen as a positive development for both countries, aiming to boost economic and diplomatic ties.

Tags:

Belarusian Fund for Financial Support of Entrepreneurs Government of Belarus Government of Pakistan Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf Pakistan Stock Exchange Engineering Development Board Small and Medium Enterprises Development Authority International Mediation and Arbitration Center

Informative

Factuality Scale

For over 20 years I was an English-language journalist based in Moscow. Following the invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, I left Russia. However, I continue to closely monitor developments in Russia (and my homeland, Belarus), contributing articles on Russia-related topics. My focus lies ...

Belarus Has Basically Legalized Music Piracy — Will Russia Be Next?

10 Jan 2023  |  Billboard  |  English  |  Copyright Law

Belarus has enacted a law that effectively legalizes the piracy of music and other copyrighted content from 'unfriendly countries,' primarily targeting Western nations. This move could make Belarus a significant player in global piracy networks. The law has raised concerns about its impact on the global music industry and its potential to inspire similar actions in Russia, which has been considering legalizing piracy of Western content. Experts warn that such laws would violate international treaties, harm local creative industries, and further isolate these countries from the global trade community.

Tags:

Belarusian Government RIAA IFPI Turkewitz Consulting Group Pro Música

Balanced

Factuality Scale

Center-Left

Political View

Michal Kranz is a journalist based in New York City.

Poles defiant as Wagner operates near border

04 Aug 2023  |  www.aljazeera.com  |  English  |  Elections

Poland's Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki has described the Russian private mercenary group Wagner as 'extremely dangerous,' prompting Poland to bolster its military defenses along the Belarusian border. Despite these measures, many Poles remain unfazed, viewing Wagner's presence as a limited threat. Analysts suggest that the Polish government's response may be influenced by upcoming elections, with Wagner being used as a tool of information warfare by the Belarusian regime. The article highlights the divided public opinion on the threat posed by Wagner and the broader geopolitical implications involving Russia and Belarus.

Tags:

Belarusian Regime Polish Government Wagner Group NATO

Balanced

Factuality Scale

Center-Right

Political View

Malik Mansur is a journalist based in Kyiv, Ukraine.

Putin visits Ukraine, Kyiv silent

18 Apr 2023  |  www.amerikaovozi.com  |  Uzbek  |  International Relations

Russian President Vladimir Putin visited the Kherson and Luhansk regions of Ukraine, though the exact timing of the visit is unclear. Ukrainian officials have neither confirmed nor denied the visit. Mikhail Podolyak, an advisor to the Ukrainian president, criticized Putin's visit on Twitter, describing it as a 'tour' of occupied territories. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has not commented on Putin's visit but was in Avdiivka, awarding soldiers defending the city. The international community, including Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan, has condemned Russia's occupation of Ukrainian territories. Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko held talks with Denis Pushilin, leader of the self-proclaimed Donetsk People's Republic.

Tags:

Belarusian Government Ukrainian Government Russian Government

Interpretive

Factuality Scale

Left

Political View

Tommaso Meo is a journalist based in Rome, Italy.

The Fake Surrender of Ukrainian Soldiers on Facebook

01 Oct 2023  |  www.wired.it  |  Italian  |  Russia-Ukraine War

A disinformation campaign named Ghostwriter targeted Ukrainian military personnel on Facebook, urging them to surrender to Russian forces. Meta reported that these accounts were hacked and took measures to block the content. The campaign, linked to the Belarusian government-backed group Unc1151, aimed to undermine NATO's presence in Eastern Europe. Meta also identified other pro-Russian activities, including mass reporting to silence Ukrainian users and attempts to organize protests in Poland. Additionally, Russian troll factories, previously involved in the 2016 US elections, redirected traffic to websites blaming NATO and the West for the Russian invasion.

Tags:

Belarusian Government Russian Government Ukrainian Armed Forces NATO Mandiant

Balanced

Factuality Scale

Center-Left

Political View

Rafal Niedzielski is a journalist based in Warsaw, Poland.
I have worked as freelance videojournalist for Reuters, Associaed Press and other global news agencies. I'm reporter and editor for news departments at major Polish TV companies also cooperate with TV news departments outside Poland as a ...

As EU elections near, migrants surge again at Poland-Belarus border

06 Jun 2024  |  The Christian Science Monitor  |  English  |  Poland-Belarus Border

The article discusses the surge in migrant flows at the Poland-Belarus border ahead of the EU parliamentary elections, highlighting the political tensions between Belarus, backed by Russia, and the European Union. Poland accuses Belarus and Russia of orchestrating the migration crisis to destabilize the EU and boost far-right parties. The Polish government, led by Prime Minister Donald Tusk, is taking measures to secure the border, while humanitarian groups criticize the tough border policies. The situation is further complicated by the involvement of Russian visas and the political implications for EU countries.

Tags:

Russian Government Belarusian Government Polish Government European Union

Balanced

Factuality Scale

Center-Right

Political View

Oleg Racz is a journalist based in London, United Kingdom.

Wagner troops moving towards Polish border and could try sneaking across, PM says

29 Jul 2023  |  Yahoo Entertainment  |  English  |  Geopolitical Tensions

More than 100 Wagner troops are reportedly moving towards the Suwalki gap between Poland and Lithuania, potentially posing as migrants to cross the border. Polish Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki warned of the destabilizing threat, linking it to Belarusian and Russian efforts to overwhelm Polish border forces. Thousands of Wagner troops are in Belarus following a failed uprising in Russia, with unclear intentions near Grodno. The Suwalki corridor is strategically significant, connecting Kaliningrad to Belarus and the EU. Poland has increased troop presence in response to potential threats.

Tags:

Polish Government Belarusian Government Wagner Group NATO EU

Balanced

Factuality Scale

Center-Right

Political View

Maxim Tucker reports for The Times on Ukraine. He has worked in some of the hottest spots in the conflict zone and various locations throughout the country. He has extensive contacts within the Ukrainian government, military and intelligence services, as well as among diplomats, political parties, ...

Wagner group agree ‘truce’ brokered by Belarus — as it happened

24 Jun 2023  |  www.thetimes.com  |  English  |  Belarus Mediation

President Putin warned of civil war and vowed to crush Wagner's mutiny amid an unprecedented crisis. Wagner seized a key military base in Rostov and an oil depot exploded in Voronezh. A truce brokered by Belarus led to charges against Prigozhin being dropped, and Wagner fighters were offered security guarantees. Poland and Estonia monitored their borders, while Ukraine launched an offensive in several directions. The situation remains volatile with potential for continued internal chaos in Russia.

Tags:

Turkish Government Ukrainian Government Estonian Government Polish Government Belarusian Government Wagner Group Russian Army Kremlin NATO US Government UK Government French Government German Government G7 EU

Balanced

Factuality Scale

Center

Political View

Brian Whitmore is a journalist based in Washington, United States of America.

A conversation with Prime Minister of Lithuania Ingrida Šimonytė

02 Oct 2023  |  Atlantic Council  |  English  |  China

Prime Minister Ingrida Šimonytė discussed Lithuania's proactive stance in supporting Ukraine against Russian aggression, providing aid and rallying global support. Lithuania also supports the democratic opposition in Belarus and has faced pressure from China for allowing a Taiwanese representative office. The discussion, hosted by the Atlantic Council, highlighted Lithuania's role in addressing geopolitical challenges and promoting a values-based foreign policy.

Tags:

Chinese Government Belarusian Government Lithuanian Government Atlantic Council

Balanced

Factuality Scale

Center-Left

Political View

Wojciech Wojtasiewicz - journalist for the Nowa Europa Wschodnia bimonthly and regular contributor to Newsweek Poland. In the past, he has reported for Polish media on, among others, the so-called Gavrilov night in Georgia in 2019, parliamentary elections in Ukraine in 2019, presidential elections ...

Putin's Disastrous Year. 'The Russian Elite Has Very Few Options B and C'

01 Oct 2023  |  Newsweek  |  Polish  |  International Relations

The article discusses the challenges faced by Vladimir Putin and the Russian elite in the context of the ongoing war in Ukraine. It highlights the weakening position of Russia on the international stage, the internal challenges faced by Putin, and the limited options available to the Russian elite. The article also examines the role of Belarus as a logistical support for Russian aggression and the potential implications of Belarusian military involvement. It discusses the impact of Western sanctions on Russia and the strategic maneuvers employed by Russia to counteract these challenges. The article concludes by considering the potential for peace negotiations and the future of Putin's leadership.

Tags:

Belarusian Government Russian Government Kremlin

Interpretive

Factuality Scale

Center-Left

Political View

I am a journalist based in San Francisco, United States of America.

I am a graduate of the Department of Art History at the Central Academy of Fine Arts in China. With experience as both a college teacher and a gallery manager and curator in Beijing, I have a solid understanding of the arts and ...

Chinese and Belarusian Presidents Commit to Strengthening Relations

02 Oct 2023  |  chine.in  |  French  |  Bilateral Cooperation

Chinese President Xi Jinping and Belarusian President Alexandre Loukachenko have committed to strengthening bilateral relations, emphasizing mutual political trust and international coordination. They discussed the Belt and Road Initiative, with China inviting Belarus to continue its active participation. Both leaders highlighted the importance of cooperation in various sectors, including education, health, sports, and tourism. They also discussed the global governance system and multilateral cooperation through organizations like the United Nations and the Shanghai Cooperation Organization. The meeting underscored the strategic partnership between China and Belarus, with both countries expressing strong support for each other's development paths and initiatives.

Tags:

Belarusian Government Chinese Government United Nations Shanghai Cooperation Organization

Balanced

Factuality Scale

Center-Left

Political View