Section: Main news
The Times: Kyiv allows torture and runs secret jails, says UN
Ukraine`s spy agency, the SBU, is systematically rounding up and torturing suspected rebel sympathisers, the United Nations has told The Times.Ivan Simonovic, UN assistant secretary-general for human rights, said that in some areas Kyiv`s ”disregard for human rights” had become entrenched and systemic and needed to be urgently addressed, The...
European Parliament reaches out to Russia`s State Duma – media
The European Parliament has decided to reestablish contacts with Russia`s lower house of parliament, the State Duma, according to Radio Liberty.The decision was taken on June 2 during a meeting of the European Parliament`s Conference of Presidents, which includes European Parliament President Martin Schulz and the chairmen of the eight political...
Ukraine, U.S. sign agreement on $1 bln in loan guarantees
The governments of Ukraine and the United States on June 3, 2016, signed the declaration of intent and the agreement on $1 billion in loan guarantees between Ukraine and the United States as part of arrangements between the two countries` leaders.The document was signed by Ukrainian Finance Minister Oleksandr Danylyuk and by U.S. Ambassador to...
Hryvnia strengthens to UAH 25.01 to dollar on interbank market
Hryvnia quotations against the dollar on the interbank currency market on Friday strengthened to UAH 24.96/25.01 to the dollar by the middle of trade, a broker at a commercial bank has told an UNIAN correspondent.Hryvnia quotes against the euro have settled at UAH 27.8300/27.8810, while those against the Russian ruble have settled at UAH...
UN Human Rights Office: Donbas crisis far from over
UN Assistant Secretary-General for Human Rights Ivan Simonovic says there are all indicators that the Donbas crisis is far from over, according to the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights.”The increase in heavy weaponry near the contact line, and the hostilities around Avdiyivka and Yasynutava, in Donetsk region since early March,...
Paris floodwaters set to peak as more rain forecast – BBC
Floodwaters in Paris are forecast to peak on Friday with the River Seine due to reach 6m (19ft) above its normal level, the BBC has reported.The world-famous Louvre and Orsay museums have been shut so staff can move priceless artworks to safety, according to the BBC.Flooding across France and Germany has left at least 11 people dead and forced...
Ukraine boosts steel output by 14% since year`s start
Steel output in Ukraine in January-May 2016 increased by 14% year-over-year (y-o-y), to 10.55 million tonnes, the association of ferrous metallurgy enterprises Metallurgprom reported.Production of rolled metal during the period increased by 16%, to 9.33 million tonnes, pig iron output was 21% up to 10.12 million tonnes. Production of coke in the...
Enemy UAV downed near Ukrainian-controlled Sievierodonetsk
The Ukrainian military shot down a militant-controlled unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) flying over the village of Smolianynove, 17 km from the town of Ukrainian-held Sievierodonetsk, at around midnight on June 2, according to Luhansk Regional Military and Civil Administration`s press service.The drone was moving from militant-held positions outside...
U.S. on Ukraine Constitution amendments to judiciary: ”Good news”
U.S. Department of State Deputy Spokesperson Mark Toner has said that the United States congratulated the Ukrainian Rada on the passage of constitutional amendments and implementing legislation to improve judicial independence, according to the U.S. Department of State website.”I did want to mention some good news out of Ukraine. We do...
Russian gas transit via Ukraine 34% up in 5 months
Transit shipments of Russian gas via Ukraine to the European Union in January-May 2016 increased by 34% year-over-year (y-o-y), to 31.4 billion cubic meters (bcm), according to Ukrtransgaz, the operator of the country`s gas transportation system.Transit of Russian gas through Ukraine to the EU in May 2016 alone stood at 6.5 bcm, which is 20.6% up...