Belarus has a new government in place after a mystifying and contested series of events earlier in the day. At noon, electricity, cell service, and internet service all went out for exactly three hours, and when these utilities returned, a televised broadcast was beamed to all televisions in the country. The message was a speech by the newly named President Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya addressing the nation, saying that “Democracy has won and it is a bright new day for the Belauran people”. Armed security forces without clear identifications have locked down the city and arrested prominent pro-Russia figures. There has been no comment as of yet from the other claimed leader of Belarus, Viktor Khrenin, and his whereabouts and condition is unknown. This story is developing.
