YASIN SLAMS UNION WITH BELARUS.

Yevgeny Yasin, one of Russia’s most prominent economists and presently minister without portfolio, has sharply criticized the proposal to unite Russia and Belarus. Yasin says the proposed union can be of no use or interest to anyone but politicians, and he argues in an interview published this week that the economic consequences for Russia would be disastrous. Yasin said Belarus is already flooding the Russian market with cheap goods. (Kommersant-daily, April 24)

Chechen Deputy President Gave Order to Shoot Down Alien Aircraft.