Russian lab worker’s death triggers health response over plague fears
The death of a laboratory employee at a Russian plague research institute in Siberia has triggered a major public health response and international...
The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has reached a staff-level agreement with Ukraine to provide $8.2 billion over four years under a renewed Extended Fund Facility (EFF) programme.
The funding is intended to support Ukraine’s economic stability from 2026 to 2029 amid the ongoing war with Russia. The IMF said the programme includes fiscal and monetary policies aimed at maintaining macroeconomic stability, restoring debt sustainability, tackling corruption, and improving governance.
Under the current $15 billion IMF programme, Ukraine has already received $10.6 billion.
Kyiv requested additional support in September 2025 as the country faces a sharp decline in foreign aid while spending nearly all domestic revenues on military operations, with the 2026 draft budget allocating approximately $62.8 billion to defence.
The country still needs $61 billion to cover pensions, schools, hospitals, and other public services in 2026 and 2027.
The IMF highlighted the importance of prompt donor support to avoid liquidity strains, noting that the programme will be recalibrated based on progress toward a durable peace. Ukraine must also complete specific reforms to access the funding, including strengthening independent anti-corruption institutions, increasing competition in public procurement, broadening the tax base, and preventing tax fraud.
The extended funding requires approval from the IMF’s Executive Board and depends on Kyiv meeting prior reform conditions and securing assurances from international donors.
The announcement comes as the European Union prepares a legal framework for a reparations loan, leveraging frozen Russian central bank reserves, while Ukraine continues negotiations on U.S. President Donald Trump’s 28-point peace plan.
Iran's Oil Minister Mohsen Paknejad has resigned, with Hamid Bovard, chief executive of the state-owned National Iranian Oil Company (NIOC), appointed as acting oil minister, according to Iranian state media.
Right-wing Brazilian Senator Flavio Bolsonaro will face leftist President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva in a runoff of the presidential election later this month, after he exceeded expectations in Sunday's first-round vote with a slight lead over the incumbent.
Candidates elected to Bosnia and Herzegovina's three-member presidency declared victory after preliminary unofficial results showed Denis Becirovic leading the Bosniak seat, Darijana Filipovic ahead in the Croat seat and Zeljka Cvijanovic likely retaining the Serb seat.
Iran says the Strait of Hormuz will remain closed until the United States meets seven conditions agreed under a June memorandum, as President Donald Trump signals he may soon decide whether to resume military operations against Tehran.
Uzbekistan’s grape exports have grown rapidly. In January-August 2025, the country exported 86,200 tonnes of fresh grapes worth $78.3 million to 19 countries but can it turn these crops into a recognisable international product?
The death of a laboratory employee at a Russian plague research institute in Siberia has triggered a major public health response and international scrutiny, while authorities say there is no evidence of an outbreak.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has accused Russia of a deadly drone strike on a Türkiye-owned cargo ship in the Black Sea, killing its captain and endangering a civilian crew that included Azerbaijani and Indian nationals.
Here's your AnewZ Daily Brief for 5 October 2026. These are the top five elections making headlines around the world.
The United States has withdrawn all 12 of its B-1 bombers from RAF Fairford in Britain, just a week after several people were arrested over an alleged plot targeting the air base.
Australian counterterrorism authorities are examining the links of the co-pilot accused of attacking the captain and attempting to take control of a flydubai flight bound for Israel. Authorities in New Zealand have also said they are investigating reports the suspect had spent time in that country.
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