Orthodox worshipers in Russia, Belarus, and elsewhere celebrated Epiphany -- marking the baptism of Jesus Christ by John the Baptist and the beginning of his ministry -- with ritual plunges in subfreezing temperatures around midnight on January 18-19. Honoring an old Russian tradition, in many places bathers dip themselves in cross-shaped holes cut in ice over lakes and rivers. (11 PHOTOS)
Belarus's authoritarian President Alyaksandr Lukashenka says he lives in an old residence and has bought a plane secondhand from Turkmenistan in order to save money.
Traditional "Christmas carol kings" or "Kalyada tsars" parade through the village of Semezhevo as part of an attempt in Belarus this year to keep old traditions like Christmas caroling (Kalyady) alive. It's believed to be connected to historical events, when soldiers asked villagers for food during Christmas time. In 2007 the ritual was added to the UNESCO World Heritage List. Meanwhile, in the city of Homel, the Talaka youth group dressed in symbolic costumes to sing traditional carols at the local market to wish traders a prosperous year. The bear symbolizes the pagan god Viales and the goat is a symbol of well-being and prosperity. Koliady is an ancient pagan holiday initially celebrated on the winter solstice but since appropriated to celebrate Christmas, New Year according to the Julian calendar, and other winter holidays. (RFE/RL's Belarus Service)
A Belarusian opposition activist reportedly has been beaten in Minsk.
A prominent Britain-based anticensorship group says its research indicates the authoritarian government in Belarus plans even tighter restrictions on citizens' access to the Internet.
It's traditional in parts of Belarus to kill a pig during the Christmas holidays. RFE/RL's Belarus Service visited the village of Budcha in the Hantsavichy district and watched Kantstantsin Klyauchenya slaughter and butcher a 150-kilogram hog for his children and grandchildren.
Three Belarusian men have been fined for holding an unsanctioned rally in the city of Hrodno. So far, that's par for the course for Belarus's beleaguered opposition. But the three were not detained during their protest. Instead, the evidence used against them was a photo of their picket posted online.
Russian President Vladimir Putin's premier foreign-policy initiative, the Eurasian Customs Union, is showing unprecedented vitality. But the European Union says membership in the ECU is incompatible with closer economic ties with the EU. This confronts many former Soviet states -- especially Ukraine and Moldova -- with a stark choice.
Serhiy Hurevsky's term as consul in Rio de Janeiro had reportedly just ended and he planned to return to Belarus.
Jailed Belarusian opposition activist Zmitser Dashkevich has married his longtime girlfriend, fellow activist Nasta Palazhanka. The pair wedded in prison during their first meeting in two years.
Belarusian President Alyaksandr Lukashenka says the national currency will not be devalued after the beginning of the new year.
Belarusian President Alyaksandr Lukashenka says member countries of the Collective Treaty Security Organization (CSTO) have accepted Uzbekistan's decision to suspend its membership.
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