Belarus opposition leader flees country; Russia approves coronavirus vaccine; Trump proposes additional limits on US-Mexico border

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The main challenger in Belarus’ presidential vote, who has refused to concede defeat amid a massive police crackdown on protesters, said Tuesday that she left the country and is now in neighboring Lithuania. Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya, a former teacher and political neophyte, apologized to her supporters and explained why she made the difficult decision to relocate from Belarus.

“I know that many of you will understand me, many others will condemn me and some will even hate me,” Tsikhanouskaya said in a video statement. She also urged her supporters to respect the law and avoid clashes with police.

Some of her supporters are speculating that the embattled candidate may have been acting under duress. Tsikhanouskaya dismissed the official results of Sunday’s election showing authoritarian President Alexander Lukashenko winning a sixth term by a landslide. Her husband remains imprisoned in Belarus.

The 37-year-old opposition figure was apparently escorted from the country by government officials as part of a deal to free her campaign manager, who had been detained since Friday.

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On Tuesday, Russia became the first country in the world to clear a coronavirus vaccine and declare it ready for widespread use, despite widespread international skepticism. President Vladimir Putin declared that one of his daughters has already been inoculated.

Putin announced that the vaccine underwent all the necessary tests and effectively offers lasting immunity against the coronavirus. However, scientists  are sounding the alarm that sidestepping Phase 3 trials — which normally last for months and involve thousands of people — could be dangerous and backfire.

And, the Trump administration is reportedly considering additional ways to limit entry at the US-Mexico border. Citing COVID-19 concerns, both citizens and permanent residents would be temporarily blocked from entry to the US under the plan, which leans on officials at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention determining that entrants pose a public health risk.

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