Section: News & Summaries

      Over 20 tonnes of plastic bags collected in Kyiv recycling spree
      Nov18

      Over 20 tonnes of plastic bags collected in Kyiv recycling spree

      A large scale experiment in plastic bag recycling is underway in Kyiv, TSN news service reported. Over the two weeks of the campaign, more than 20 tonnes of bags has been collected, as the people bringing them in get UAH 1.5 per kg, according to TSN. Photo via European Parliament flickr.com ”The main thing is that the packages are clean from the...

      Kyrgyz MFA,  Russian special services behind high profile prank call: Press Secretary of the Ukrainian President
      Nov18

      Kyrgyz MFA, Russian special services behind high profile prank call: Press Secretary of the Ukrainian President

      Press Secretary of the President of Ukraine Svyatoslav Tsegolko commented on a telephone conversation between Petro Poroshenko and ”Kyrgyz president”, which appeared to be a hoax. ”I now understand why the so-called prankers have been waiting for so long. They edited the conversation, and even longer was it being approved by their chiefs from the...

      Europe at risk of collapse; France, Germany must lead – French PM
      Nov18

      Europe at risk of collapse; France, Germany must lead – French PM

      The European Union is in danger of breaking apart unless France and Germany, in particular, work harder to stimulate growth and employment and heed citizens` concerns, French Prime Minister Manuel Valls said in the German capital on Thursday, according to Reuters. ”Europe is in danger of falling apart,” Valls said at an event organized by the...

      Lithuanian Parliament urges EU to extend sanctions against Russia
      Nov18

      Lithuanian Parliament urges EU to extend sanctions against Russia

      Lithuania`s Seimas has passed a resolution regarding Russian aggression in Ukraine, urging the EU to prolong its economic sanctions against the Russian Federation, according to Delfi. The resolution was supported in a unanimous vote of 105 deputies, Delfi reports. ”The Seimas calls on EU Member States to extend sanctions against the Russian...

      NBU strengthens official exchange rate to UAH 26.05 to dollar
      Nov18

      NBU strengthens official exchange rate to UAH 26.05 to dollar

      The National Bank of Ukraine on Thursday evening strengthened the official hryvnia exchange rate by 29 kopiykas, bringing the national currency to UAH 26.05 to the dollar. The Central Bank set the following official exchange rates of the hryvnia against leading foreign currencies for November 18: $100 costs UAH 2,605.3438 (on November 17, it was...

      Reuters: Oil prices fall as strong dollar wipes out OPEC cut optimism
      Nov18

      Reuters: Oil prices fall as strong dollar wipes out OPEC cut optimism

      Oil prices fell in early trading on Friday as the strengthening U.S. dollar snuffed out rekindled hopes that OPEC might agree production cuts, according to Reuters. International Brent crude oil futures LCOc1 were trading down 13 cents at $46.36 per barrel at 0445 GMT, from their last close, Reuters reported. U.S. West Texas Intermediate (WTI)...

      Obama, Merkel discuss maintaining Russia sanctions until full implementation of Minsk
      Nov18

      Obama, Merkel discuss maintaining Russia sanctions until full implementation of Minsk

      U.S. President Barack Obama and German Chancellor Angela Merkel discussed the issue of maintaining economic sanctions against the Russian Federation until Moscow fully implements the Minsk agreements, Mr Obama said during the two leaders` joint press conference in Berlin Thursday. ”Of course, we discussed our commitment to meet our shared...

      U.S. Intelligence chief James Clapper to resign – WSJ
      Nov18

      U.S. Intelligence chief James Clapper to resign – WSJ

      ”I submitted my letter of resignation last night, which felt pretty good,” Mr. Clapper told lawmakers during a House Intelligence Committee hearing, WSJ reports. ”I have 64 days left…” Spokesman Richard Kolko said that Mr. Clapper ”signed the letter like everybody else, as is tradition” and that there was nothing unusual about it. As...

      Obama hopes Trump to be able to ”stand up” to Russia
      Nov18

      Obama hopes Trump to be able to ”stand up” to Russia

      U.S. President Barack Obama believes that the president-elect, Donald Trump, whose inauguration is scheduled for January 20, 2017, will protect the values of democracy and international norms, and stand up to Russia if necessary, according to his speech during a joint press conference with German Chancellor Angela Merkel in Berlin Thursday. ”My...

      Economy Ministry: Ukraine`s shadow economy down to 38% of GDP
      Nov18

      Economy Ministry: Ukraine`s shadow economy down to 38% of GDP

      The level of the shadow economy in Ukraine in the first half of this year fell from 41% recorded in the first quarter to 38%, according to the Ministry of Economic Development and Trade of Ukraine. Deshadowing was made possible due to the strengthening of macroeconomic stability, improvement of the business environment through deregulation, and...