IMF tells Kyiv how to reform pension system. Ukrainian vice prime minister calls this statement 'unprofessional'
In an article for the Economichna pravda (Economic Truth) online newspaper, Ron van Roden, head of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) mission to Ukraine, wrote that Ukraine’s pension system is in need of urgent reform, since it does not meet current challenges.
He explained that if no changes are made to the state pension system soon, the pension fund will become even more unstable, and may not be able to provide a subsistence level pension (1544 hryvnia ($57.6 USD)) for the older …
Russia-backed separatists carry out military exercises in eastern Ukraine
Author: Dmytro Snegiryov, Head of Prava Sprava public initiative.
In recent weeks active military exercises of the individual units of the so-called "people's militia of the LPR" were held in the separatist-held areas of the Luhansk region. In particular, the separatists conducted air defense exercises, held tank crew practice, and conducted tactical training for engineering units, as well as electronic warfare units.
At the Uspenskyi training ground, exercises with the engineering units of " …
Russian scientists claim to have created a device that makes planes invisible to enemy missiles
Specialists of the Prokhorov General Physics Institute of the Russian Academy of Sciences have created a prototype of a device that ensures the safety of flights of military aircraft, even if they are attacked by enemy missiles, the Russian news agency RIA Novosti reported.
“A prototype has been made of a superluminal generator of ultra-wideband pulsed electromagnetic radiation with sub-nanosecond duration based on a wide-aperture parabolic photocathode with a diameter of 200 millimeters …
'Tomato war' with Turkey costs Russia $1.5 billion
The restrictions on the import of agricultural products from Turkey have led to an increase in food prices in Russia. As a result, Russian consumers are suffering, as well as cereal, oil and sugar producers.
This is the conclusion of the economic situation research conducted by the Russian Presidential Academy of National Economy and Public Administration (RANEPA), the Gaidar Institute and the All-Russian Academy of Foreign Trade (RFTA).
According to the experts, Russia has lost $1,3-1,5 …
U.S. Permanent Representative to U.N. demands that investigation be opened into detention of homosexuals in Chechnya
The U.S. Ambassador to the U.N., Nikki Haley, stated that is was an "impossibility to ignore" the reports about the abductions, torture, and killings of people in Chechnya on the basis of their sexual orientation. Her statement was published on the website of the U.S. Mission to the United Nations.
The diplomat also noted that the U.S. "is still concerned" about this information. "Chechen authorities must immediately investigate these allegations and hold everyone involved accountable," Haley …