Bharat Petroleum Corp is looking for alternative oil supplies from the Middle East due to the reduction in Russian imports. India's purchases of Russian oil have fallen to their lowest level since December last year due to tighter sanctions.
The Russian Defense Ministry announced the exchange of 150 prisoners from each side with the mediation of the UAE. The Ukrainian side has not yet confirmed this information.
In 2024, we launched 18 new Ukrainian-language audio guides to cultural sites around the world. We also donated hundreds of Ukrainian books to libraries in 8 countries as part of the Ukrainian Bookshelves project.
The USA allowed Turkey to make payments for gas through the sanctioned Gazprombank. A similar sanctions exemption was also granted to Hungary.
Israel is investing 40 million shekels to increase the population in the occupied Golan Heights due to threats from Syria. The plan was announced after the ouster of Bashar al-Assad and the coming to power of a new leader, Ahmad al-Sharaa.
A cable car with a record inclination of 160% was opened on the way to the top of the Schiltthorn. The cable car is equipped with an autonomous control system and panoramic windows that open.
UAE banks have stepped up checks on payments by russian companies following new US sanctions against 50 russian banks. The payment processing time has increased to 30 days, and some funds are “hanging” or lost.
The United States and Britain have imposed sanctions against the illegal trade in Russian gold, which finances the war of the Russian Federation. The assets of those involved were frozen and a global smuggling network through Zimbabwe was exposed.
Asma Assad and her three children went to Russia while the Syrian President himself remains in the country. The rebels have captured large areas and are approaching Homs, where thousands of people are being evacuated.
the Russian dictator canceled the requirement to pay for gas through Gazprombank for foreign companies. Payments through "third parties" in rubles through authorized banks are now allowed.
Six winners of the Radio Dictation 2024 were announced, including one participant who wrote a text without errors. A total of 12,000 entries were submitted from Ukraine and 33 countries.
Experts told about the most popular tourist destinations among Ukrainians in winter. In Ukraine, the Carpathians are in the lead, abroad - Egypt and the United Arab Emirates, and prices for holidays vary and reach up to 2 2000.
Three people have been arrested in the UAE on suspicion of murdering 28-year-old Rabbi Tzvi Kogan of the Chabad movement. The rabbi's body was found in the city of Al Ain after his disappearance on Thursday.
Gazprombank has reported problems with UnionPay card services in 12 countries following US sanctions. Customers cannot withdraw cash and pay for purchases in Turkey, the UAE, Germany and other countries.
In the UAE, the body of Rabbi Tzvi Kogan, the envoy of the Chabad movement in Abu Dhabi, who disappeared on November 21, was found. Israel classified the incident as an anti-Semitic terrorist act and promised to find the perpetrators.
Banks in the UK, Turkey, UAE, Hungary and Thailand are cutting back on their cooperation with Russia following new US sanctions. Banks stop servicing Gazprombank's UnionPay cards.
In September 2024, India reduced imports of Russian diamonds from $112 million to $1. 5 million due to G7 sanctions. Belgium, Hong Kong and the UAE became the main suppliers of diamonds to India.
Bank of China has stepped up its blocking of yuan-denominated transfers from countries through which russia purchases goods. The bank stops large transactions from Kazakhstan, Georgia, Armenia and the UAE, especially for purchases of complex equipment.
A former fiscal service employee created a network of fictitious companies to export grain without paying taxes. In 2024, more than 110 thousand tons of products worth UAH 1.055 billion were exported through the scheme.
Volunteers developed 63 projects for communities free of charge.
COP29 Executive Director Elnur Soltanov was caught trying to attract investment in an oil and gas company. Global Witness captured him on video discussing fossil fuel deals with a fake investor.
The President of Ukraine said that the most difficult thing is to return children who were taken from the occupied territories from Russian captivity. At an international conference in Canada, more than 70 countries discussed the return of deported Ukrainians.
International measures to return deported Ukrainians and prisoners of war are approved at a conference in Montreal. Qatar, the Vatican, and the UAE mediate repatriation talks.
The President of Ukraine announced the possibility of holding the second Peace Summit in India under the organization of Prime Minister Modi. However, there is a caveat - the country must join the communiqué of the first Summit.
One of the three known manuscripts of The Little Prince with Saint-Exupéry's edits is up for sale. The artifact includes original sketches and a historical check from the author.
US Secretary of State Blinken will meet in London with representatives of Jordan, the UAE and Lebanon. They will discuss the situation in Gaza and the military campaign against Hezbollah.
A review of the most luxurious yachts of 2024 worth from 500 million to 4. 8 billion dollars. From a yacht with dinosaur bones to a floating Monaco - what the most expensive billionaires' vessels look like.
Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan has expressed the UAE's readiness to support “peace efforts” in Ukraine. During his meeting with Putin, he emphasized his intention to continue mediating the prisoner exchange.
Ukraine has conducted the 58th prisoner exchange with Russia, returning 95 of its defenders. Among those released are defenders of Mariupol, Azovstal and other regions, many of whom have serious illnesses due to torture.
Ukrainian human rights activist and serviceman Maksym Butkevych is released from Russian captivity.
