Ukraine can dramatically increase the volume of transit of Russian gas

Ukraine is interested in preserving the volumes of gas transit to Europe at 120 billion cubic meters a year and is ready to establish a consortium to increase the volume to 200 billion cubic meters a year, said President Viktor Yanukovych.
"We are interested in maintaining a minimum volume flow of gas through the Ukrainian gas transport system in Europe at 120 billion cubic meters ... If you talk about increasing the volume of flow in the interest of the European Union and the Russian Federation, we are going to consider this project" - said Yanukovych.
However, the head of state said that "we have proposed this idea, and say that the possibility is - gradually increase the volume of supplies to Europe to 200 bcm.
In addition, the President spoke about the modernization of Ukraine's GTS - it can take place in three stages.
According to him, the first phase to be built Bogorodchany-Uzhgorod, the second includes the upgrading of the existing CTA without termination of transit.
Already in the third phase, explained Yanukovych, could be the construction of additional branches of the pipeline parallel to existing ones.
At the same time, according to the president, the full implementation of the project will require ten years. In the first phase will take 2-3 years, 3-4 in the second year.
As reported in January-April this year, the transit of natural gas from Russia through the territory of Ukraine grew by 54,7% compared to the same period in 2009. Adapted from: Interfax-Ukraine

Euro collapsed in the interbank market

Today, June 4, trades on the euro in the Ukrainian interbank foreign exchange market closed the collapse of the European currency.
Thus, as reported InterBiznesKonsalting, trades on the European currency closed quotations 9,583-9,59 UAH euros, while yesterday, June 3 - 9,707-9,7175 USD per euro.
Bidding on the dollar closed in the range 7,926-7,9295 grn for dollar. It also reported that trading in the ruble closed in the range 0,2553-0,2555 UAH per ruble.
As reported today on the interbank currency market of Ukraine National Bank bought U.S. dollars at the rate of 7.925 and the euro - at the rate of 9.6 USD per euro.
Recall that on June 3 trades on the interbank market closed in the range 7,925-7,9256 USD per dollar, 9,707-9,7175 USD per euro.

Close window Nicaragua suspends diplomatic ties with Israel

Nicaragua suspends diplomatic relations with Israel in protest against the incident, a humanitarian convoy traveling in Gaza.
"Nicaragua suspends from this day (Tuesday, June 2) diplomatic relations with the Government of Israel. Nicaragua reiterates its unconditional support for the Palestinian people claiming the right to live in peace and security in their own territory," - RIA Novosti quoted an official statement by the Nicaraguan government.
In a communication on behalf of President Daniel Ortega also expressed sympathy to the bereaved families and a call for the withdrawal of "inhumane blockade of Gaza.
According to Nicaragua, the incident with a flotilla of freedom can be regarded only as a "criminal attack" on the part of Israel, and the actions of the Israeli side violates the "law and international humanitarian law".
Recall the night of May 31, Israeli military-appointed defenders intercepted a caravan of freedom flotilla, consisting of six ships, led by the Turkish ferry Mavi Marmara. The ships followed in being internationally isolated the Gaza Strip with several thousand tons of cargo for the Palestinians. On board the vessels were about 740 people.

  OON Security Council condemned Israel for seizing Fleets of freedom

As a result of the operation to intercept the fleet, according to the Israeli military, died 9. The media had previously reported that the number of victims of the Israeli raid to 19 people.

  Israel evacuates from Turkish families of its diplomats

On the night of June 1, the Security Council UN condemned Israel's actions. The adopted statement called to investigate all the circumstances of the incident. Many countries, including Russia, France and China, also called on to lift the blockade of Gaza.
Earlier, IDF published own video operation to apprehend Fleets of freedom, which demonstrates that the attacks on Israeli soldiers.

Adapted from:

RIA Novosti

Close window June 1 is celebrated worldwide Children's Day

On the first day of summer in many countries is the International Children's Day (International Children's Day).
International Children's Day - one of the oldest international holidays. The decision to hold it was taken in 1925 at the World Conference on Child Welfare, in Geneva. History does, why is a children's holiday, it was decided to celebrate it on 1 June.
According to one version, in 1925, Consul General of China in San Francisco gathered a group of Chinese children orphaned and made them a celebration of the Duan-y Jie (Dragon Boat Festival), the date of which just came on 1 June. By happy coincidence, the day coincided with the timing of "child" Conference in Geneva.
At the International Children's Day is a flag. On a green background, which symbolizes growth, harmony, freshness and fertility, the Earth around the mark posted stylized figures - red, yellow, blue, white and black. These human figures symbolize the diversity and tolerance. The sign of the Earth, located in the center - a symbol of our common home.

It is interesting that this feast was actively supported in countries that have chosen the socialist path of development.
Thus, in the era of the Sovestskogo Union on June 1 in school begins summer holidays. International Children's Day marked by speeches and discussions on the Rights and Welfare of Children, held screenings of new children's feature films and television programs, organized sports for children are often invited to participate and parents.
Recall that the Children's Day in Kiev celebrating June 5.
Adapted from: calend.ru

Close window IAEA: Iran has enough uranium to build two nuclear warheads

Iran has nearly 2.5 tons of low enriched uranium, enough for the creation of two nuclear warheads.
This is stated in the report published on the eve of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), reports the Associated Press.
To date, this amount of uranium enriched to a level slightly more than 3%, however, as stated in the document, Iran has acquired new equipment for the higher enrichment.
On the eve of Iran, Iranian authorities announced their intention to run at its plant additional settings to increase the degree of enrichment of uranium to 20%. Simultaneously with the launch facilities will be increased access to the reactor in Tehran by IAEA monitors.
Recall the U.S. insists on imposing new sanctions despite the fact that on 17 May Iran signed Agreement with Brazil and Turkey, according to which Tehran is available low-grade (before 3,5%) Uranium exchanged in Turkey on highly enriched (20%) fuel for the Tehran research reactor.
May 18 diplomats from the United States, China, Russia, Britain, France and Germany agreed draft resolution on Iran's nuclear program, which would put a ban on the sale of arms to Iran and to limit the activities of Iranian companies involved in nuclear technology. The vote on the proposed U.S. draft resolution will be held in the council UN in June.
We note that the Iran has repeatedly denied the charge of the military nature of its nuclear program. Iranian authorities insist that the nuclear fuel with the degree of enrichment of up to 20% will be used for research purposes.

Adapted from:

RBC

Close window The European Union demanded to investigate Israel's actions in the capture of freedom Fleets

The authorities of the European Union called for an investigation into the causes of death on board the ships Fleets of freedom and allow the delivery of humanitarian aid into Gaza.
As stated in an official statement, the coordinator of the Foreign Policy Catherine Ashton on behalf of the EU's demands for a full investigation into the incident and calls for an immediate resumption of the flow of humanitarian aid and commercial goods as well as free movement of people across the border in Gaza. "
Meanwhile, in Istanbul, the crowd stoned Israeli consulate to protest against the actions of Israel Navy, according to AFP. According to Arab media, the protesters tried to storm the Israeli consulate to take, but were stopped by police.
Recall the night of May 31, Israeli Navy prevented Fleets of the so-called freedom (group boats sent European human rights organizations) to break the naval blockade of the Gaza Strip. The organizers of swimming in the Palestinian enclave sent about 600 human rights defenders, including political figures from European and Arab countries, as well as 10 thousand tons of humanitarian cargo.

  The Israeli army attacked the ship of human rights defenders: Ten people were killed

Israeli military confirmed the death ten as a result of the operation. Currently, the captured ships - their exact number is unknown - the Israeli military is towed to the port of Haifa and Ashdod.
Earlier, the Israeli authorities, calling the campaign Fleets freedom of political provocation, senseless from a humanitarian point of view, prohibit vessels approached the Gaza Strip and threatened in the event of noncompliance with the interception on the high seas. Members voyage is expected to be deported, humanitarian aid, after appropriate due diligence - to smuggle Palestinians through the land border crossings.
It was reported that Israeli military actions strongly condemned Turkey. Ankara called the operation a flagrant violation of international law, which may lead to unpredictable consequences.

Adapted from:

Lenta.ru,

BBC

Greece abolished the joint exercises with Israel because of the capture of the fleet of defenders

Greek Defense Minister ordered the Chief of General Staff of the Air Force to stop the country's joint exercises with the Israeli Air Force because of the capture of the Israeli military courts of human rights defenders, who were carrying humanitarian aid into the Gaza Strip.
Routine exercise the Israeli Air Force and Greece under the name Minoas 2010 began on Tuesday, May 25, at the north-east of the island of Crete AFB Court. In theory the parties were to work out the interaction of F-16 military aircraft of the two countries.
Also Greek Foreign Ministry has caused the Israeli ambassador and demanded an "immediate explanation regarding the security of Greek citizens who are on board ships (boarded) ... and stressed the need to take urgent measures for their safety."
On board the flotilla of ships are about 30 Greeks, and now the country's Foreign Ministry has established a crisis headquarters for further action and opened a special "hot line" for their relatives.
Recall the night of May 31, Israeli Navy prevented Fleets of the so-called freedom (group boats sent European human rights organizations) to break the naval blockade of the Gaza Strip. The organizers of swimming in the Palestinian enclave sent about 600 human rights defenders, including political figures from European and Arab countries, as well as 10 thousand tons of humanitarian cargo.

Israeli military confirmed the death ten as a result of the operation. Currently, the captured ships - their exact number is unknown - the Israeli military is towed to the port of Haifa and Ashdod.

Earlier, the Israeli authorities, calling the campaign Fleets freedom of political provocation, senseless from a humanitarian point of view, prohibit vessels approached the Gaza Strip and threatened in the event of noncompliance with the interception on the high seas. Members voyage is expected to be deported, humanitarian aid, after appropriate due diligence - to smuggle Palestinians through the land border crossings.
It was reported that Israeli military actions strongly condemned Turkey. Ankara called the operation a flagrant violation of international law, which may lead to unpredictable consequences.
In turn, the European Union called for an investigation causes of death of persons on board ships Fleets of freedom and allow the delivery of humanitarian aid into the Gaza Strip.

Adapted from:

RIA Novosti

Fitch lowered the rating of Spain

  Rating agency Fitch on Friday evening lowered credit rating of Spain at one stage - to AA +, triggering a new wave of the weakening of the euro and falling shares.
American index S & P 500 fell on Friday under the influence of this news on 1,2%, the euro in the first minutes after the ads have lost against the dollar, a penny. For the week the euro fell to 2,4% - to $ 1.2273, the results of May - on 7,7%, according to data the agency Bloomberg.

Crude oil futures have fallen in price in New York on Friday at 0,8% - to $ 73.97 per barrel
Fitch, depriving Spain highest rating, indicated its not really good economic prospects (GDP growth in 2011 is estimated the rating agency, only 0,5%) and high level of national debt. Earlier, a similar decision taken in respect of Spanish agency Standard & Poor's.
We remind members of parliament voted in Spain on Thursday for approval of the Government's plan to reduce the budget deficit. During the plan supported 169 deputies, 168 voted against. The plan calls for reduction of budget expenditures by 15 billion euros.
In particular, the planned reduction in wages and a sharp reduction in government spending to reduce the budget deficit from the current 11% to 6% of GDP in 2011. The International Monetary Fund predicts Spain's decline in GDP in 2010 to 0,4%.
Plans to reduce spending in the last few days have been declared as in Portugal, the UK, a number of other countries.
As reported, the international rating agency Fitch points continuation of positive trends in banking ratings in the first quarter of 2010.

Adapted from:Interfax-Ukraine