AP - Belarusians voted Sunday in a presidential election shadowed by fears of potentially violent confrontation between forces of hard-line incumbent Alexander Lukashenko and beleaguered opponents pushing for change after 12 years of his rule.

Reuters - Polls opened in Belarus on Sunday in a presidential election where President Alexander Lukashenko seeks re-election against a liberal opposition who vow to contest any attempt to rig the polls.

AFP - Belarus votes in a presidential election marred by accusations of fraud and fears of violence after authoritarian President Alexander Lukashenko vowed to crush street protests.

AP - Opposition supporters in Belarus face a ban on demonstrations against a vote they fear is sure to be fraudulent and the possibility of terrorist charges if they do gather. So they're pinning their hopes on flowers.

AFP - When his mobile phone beeped to signal a new text message, Anatoly Korshunov thought a friend was calling. Instead it was a lesson in politics -- Belarus style.

AP - Tension loomed over a presidential election Sunday in Belarus despite a near certain victory for hard-line incumbent Alexander Lukashenko, the latest leader on Russia's periphery to face a potentially explosive confrontation with opponents desperate for change.

AFP - Belarus' main opposition leader called for supporters to go onto the streets after Sunday's presidential vote despite a threat by President Alexander Lukashenko to "break the neck" of any unrest.

AFP - The main opposition candidate in Belarus' election, Alexander Milinkevich, reiterated his calls for supporters to come onto the streets in protest on Sunday, despite authorities' vows to crush demonstrations.

AP - Mysterious cell-phone text messages warning of bloodshed on election day spread in the Belarusian capital on Saturday, a day before presidential voting that the opposition alleges is likely to be fraudulent.

AFP - Belarus votes in a presidential election amid fears of a violent confrontation after the opposition vowed to protest vote-rigging and President Alexander Lukashenko's government threatened to treat demonstrators as "terrorists."

AP - In his 71 years, Nikolai Azhenilok has never felt happier and more secure than under the rule of President Alexander Lukashenko.

AP - The Belarus security chief accused the opposition Thursday of plotting a violent coup against President Alexander Lukashenko with foreign help and warned that protesters demonstrating during Sunday's presidential election will be charged with terrorism.

AFP - Belarus authorities expelled Danish and Swedish election monitors and arrested a further leading opposition official as tension mounted ahead of Sunday's vote challenging authoritarian President Alexander Lukashenko.

AP - Polling stations opened Tuesday in Belarus for early voters in Sunday's presidential election, a closely watched contest that the opposition fears will be rigged in favor of the authoritarian incumbent.

AP - With media under tight control, parliament in his pocket, the opposition persecuted and powerful Russia on his side, no one doubts Alexander Lukashenko will be proclaimed the winner of Sunday's presidential election.

AP - The Belarus interior minister warned the opposition Friday that authorities would break up any attempts to rally on the day of presidential elections.

AFP - Belarus police beat up at least nine journalists who covered the temporary detention of an opposition candidate at the presidential election set later this month, international media watchdog Reporters Without Borders (RSF) said in a statement.

AP - The Belarusian security service on Wednesday accused the isolated ex-Soviet nation's opposition party of planning to seize power during this month's presidential election.

Reuters - Belarus's security chief said on Wednesday his agency had uncovered an opposition plot to mount a violent coup in the days after this month's presidential election.

AFP - An EU-funded radio broadcaster began beaming news, music and information into Belarus aiming to counter state-controlled media three weeks ahead of what could be a tense presidential poll.