Moldova shuts down Russian cultural center in Chisinau
Moldova has closed the Russian Cultural Center in response to repeated violations of its national airspace by drones linked to the ongoing war between Russia and Ukraine.
The European Union and the Republic of Moldova today agreed on a two-year comprehensive strategy enhancing energy independence of the country and supporting it to overcome the energy crisis caused after Russia cut off supplies early of January.
“It has a two-fold objective of decoupling Moldova from the insecurities of Russian supply of energy and fully integrating it in the EU energy market,”- said the statement of The EU’s executive branch, the European Commission.
Overall support of EU for Moldova would account to €250 million for 2025, of which €100 million will be provided by mid-April.
In the short term, the overall package will support Moldovan consumers who are facing steep price increases on the Right Bank. It will allow to compensate all excess electricity costs for all households for up to 110 kWh every month until 31 December 2025. It will also compensate for the entire increase of electricity costs for social institutions, including kindergartens, schools and hospitals.
As part of the same strategy, funding of €60 million is also available for the more than 350,000 people in the Transnistrian region of Moldova (the Left Bank) who were left in cold in January after Gazprom discontinued energy supplies. “This support is subject to steps being taken on fundamental freedoms and human rights in the Transnistrian region and excludes energy intensive activities,”- statement said.
Additional funding of €15 million will be provided to support the energy bills of agro-food and manufacturing businesses. Furthermore, through the mobilisation of international financial institutions, additional funding of €50 million will be available for sustainable investments in energy efficiency projects by local public authorities, households and SMEs.
In the longer term, the EU support will allow Moldova to improve its energy security through investments and reforms for the energy transition and ensure the full phase out of Russian supply of energy resources.
Under the first step, the Commission has already provided €30 million EU emergency support announced on 27 January. Thanks to the joint efforts of the European Union and partners, Moldova’s energy system is providing electricity and heat without any blackouts.
The iconic Dubai Fountain will close for five months starting in May for a major upgrade, enhancing its technology, choreography, and sound system. Visitors can expect a more spectacular show when it returns in October.
Russian President has invited his U.S. counterpart, along with leaders from many other countries to Moscow in May to attend the 80th anniversary of the end of World War II, which Russians refer to as the "Great Patriotic War."
Public sector strikes are causing major disruptions across Germany, including halted public transport in Frankfurt, as workers demand higher pay and better conditions.
USAID has long promoted itself as a supporter of press freedom, but reports suggest its media funding may have influenced domestic narratives in Europe and post-Soviet states. With the Trump administration freezing its grants, the agency’s role in shaping global information is under scrutiny.
Estée Lauder and L’Oréal are facing challenges in the Chinese market as local beauty brands gain popularity. Rising competition, shifting consumer preferences, and economic factors have impacted sales, forcing global cosmetics giants to adapt their strategies.
The Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) has cut its policy interest rate by 25 basis points to 4.1%, marking its first reduction since November 2020. The move follows a prolonged tightening cycle that saw rates rise from 0.1% to 4.35% between May 2020 and November 2023.
The State Oil Fund of Azerbaijan (SOFAZ) has invested €34.5 million in Italy’s leading high-speed railway operator, Italo – Nuovo Trasporto Viaggiatori S.p.A. (Italo) by entering into agreement with the Global Infrastructure Partners (GIP), affiliated with US-based BlackRock.
A lawyer for an Indian unit of German carmaker Volkswagen, said on Monday the country's $1.4 billion tax demand could become a matter of survival for its business in the country, as it continues to contest the order.
The UK’s unemployment rate edged up to 4.4% in December 2024, reflecting a continued upward trend since mid-2022, according to the Office for National Statistics (ONS).
Beijing, Feb 17 (Reuters) — Chinese President Xi Jinping met with some of the country’s most prominent technology leaders on Monday, urging them to embrace innovation and reaffirming Beijing’s support for private enterprise.
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