In spite of Russia’s promise of a $2-billion credit, the Belarusian National Bank has asked the International Monetary Fund for a loan in the same amount. An International Monetary Fund mission is to visit Belarus from October 27 to November 6 to examine the country's request for a credit, the Fund's office in Minsk said on Thursday.  [24-10 16:24]

The Council of the Republic of the third convocation had its last sitting in Minsk this week. What are the main results it has achieved and who is going to take over? The first sitting of the new parliament is scheduled for 31 October. [24-10 16:27]

One should not expect IPOs from Belarusian state companies within a year or two, because it would be impossible to have an adequate market value due to the global financial crisis, Lucas Romriell, Global Head of Equities at Galt &Taggart Securities, told reporters on Tuesday. [24-10 16:26]

• Russia Remains Main Investor For Belarusian Economy  [21-03 20:45]

Patriarch Alexy II arrived in Minsk on 23 October on a three-day visit. The head of the Russian Orthodox Church pays his sixth visit to Belarus on the occasion of the 1020th anniversary of the adoption of Christianity in Kyivan Rus. [24-10 16:29]

• Quarter Of Belarusian Pensioners Carry On Working  [21-03 20:50]

Survivors of Minsk's World War II ghetto, where more than 100,000 Jews were killed, joined a procession Tuesday to mark the 65th anniversary of its destruction. [24-10 16:30]

• A Ghetto Excursion For Belarusian Tourists  [21-03 20:47]

• Belarusian Theaters Survive Endless reconstruction  [14-03 20:30]

Two years ago, Viktor Yushchenko was hailed as a conquering hero in many Western capitals. The United States Congress, hosting the newly appointed Ukrainian president in April 2005, welcomed his arrival with boisterous enthusiasm, chanting his name and cheering as he thanked "the entire American nation" for its support. [13-04 20:14]

• Belarus, Azerbaijan Mull Joint Oil Extraction Projects  [20-03 0:37]