Belarus Opposition Candidate ‘Disappears’ As Presidential Election Nears

Update: Belarussian authorities on Thursday detained Babaryko on suspicion of financial crimes, the head of the state control committee said. “Babaryko is detained because he was the organiser and leader of illegal activities, (and) tried to influence witness testimony,” committee chief Ivan Tertel told reporters.  A former banker vying to unseat the longtime leader of Belarus…

EU Extends Crimea Sanctions by 12 Months

The European Union on Thursday rolled over for another year tough sanctions imposed over Russia’s 2014 annexation of Crimea from Ukraine.  The measures prohibit certain exports and imports from Crimea, and ban EU-based companies from investment and tourism services in the strategic Black Sea peninsula. “The Council today decided to renew the sanctions introduced in…

Russia ‘Unblocks’ Telegram Messenger in Surprise Reversal

Russia has halted its largely unsuccessful two-year efforts to block the popular messaging service Telegram. Russia’s federal media watchdog Roskomnadzor made the surprise announcement Thursday, citing Telegram founder Pavel Durov’s “stated readiness to counter terrorism and extremism.” “In agreement with the Russian Prosecutor General’s Office, Roskomnadzor is lifting demands to restrict access to Telegram,” Roskomnadzor…

Everything for a Peruvian Feast But the Llamas

For everyone who has become addicted to a weekend feast delivered to your door, June 19-21 our friends at the Hyatt Regency Petrovsky Park are offering a Peruvian dinner. Peruvian cuisine combines local traditions with Spanish, African, Japanese, Chinese, and Italian influences to create fresh, brightly flavored dishes. The set menu for two (or more,…

Employees of Gazprom Transgaz Surgut tested for COVID-19

Background Gazprom Transgaz Surgut is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Gazprom. The company has 26 branches, including 14 gas pipeline operation centers with 38 compressor shops and 273 gas compressor units. Gazprom Transgaz Surgut operates over 6,500 kilometers of gas trunklines running from the Zapolyarny town to the borders of the Omsk and Kurgan Regions, and transmits nearly 200 billion cubic meters of pipeline gas per year. The…

Gazprom Transgaz Saratov supports healthcare institutions

Background Gazprom Transgaz Saratov, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Gazprom, is responsible for natural gas transmission from Western Siberia, Central Asia, the Orenburg Region, and three UGS facilities located in the Saratov Region. The company is in charge of over 7,000 kilometers of gas trunklines and branches, 29 compressor shops, 165 gas compressor units with a total capacity of 1.3 million kW, and 216 gas distribution stations providing gas for about…

Kazakh Ex-President Tests Positive for Coronavirus

Kazakhstan’s ex-president Nursultan Nazarbayev has tested positive for coronavirus, his press service announced Thursday. Nazarbayev, 79, stepped down last year after almost 30 years in power in the oil-rich Central Asian nation, retaining key security council and party leader positions while handpicking a loyalist as his successor. As a former Soviet republic, Kazakhstan maintains close ties…

Massive Vote-Buying Campaign Claimed Ahead of Vote on Putin’s Term Limits – Report

A potentially massive online vote-buying campaign is unfolding ahead of Russia’s vote on constitutional amendments that would allow President Vladimir Putin to rule until 2036, the independent Dozhd news channel reported Wednesday. Russians will begin voting next Thursday, ahead of the July 1 nationwide vote, on a set of constitutional amendments that include social guarantees…

ROSATOM signed Memoranda of Understanding with Framatome SAS and GE Steam Power on the Belene NPP (Bulgaria)

ROSATOM signed Memoranda of Understanding (MOUs) with Framatome SAS (France) and GE Steam Power in the framework of the strategic investor selection procedure for the Belene Nuclear Power Plant (NPP) in Bulgaria. Kirill Komarov, First Deputy Director General of Corporate Development and International Business of ROSATOM, Frédéric Lelièvre, Senior Executive Vice President in charge of…