Ukraine is feverishly preparing for a strong cold snap that will last about a week. Kyiv is famous for its “greenhouse” living conditions - the thermometer here has not dropped below 25 degrees since 1942. But on Friday the capital will experience a test of 22-degree frost. Yesterday there was heavy ice on the streets of Kyiv, and trolleybuses and trams struck sparks from frozen electrical wires. The people of Kiev were literally skipping home from work, and yesterday it was only minus 12.

Japanese IT company Livedoor crashes the Tokyo Stock Exchange The world's second largest stock exchange, Tokyo Stock Exchange (TSE), was forced to close trading 20 minutes earlier than expected yesterday. For such a large platform, this in itself is extraordinary, and considering that it stopped at the very peak of sales and panic on the stock exchange, the event can be classified as scandalous.

The Antimonopoly Authority prohibited E.ON Ruhrgas from concluding long-term contracts The German Federal Office for Cartel Supervision has finally banned long-term contracts between the largest importer of natural gas, E.ON Ruhrgas, and its regional off-takers. The head of the antimonopoly authority, Ulf Bege, categorically stated that this decision comes into force immediately. No later than September 30, 2006 (i.e.

Southern Europe frightened by Russian frosts Frightened by Russian-Ukrainian methods of conducting the gas business, Europe yesterday almost went into panic out of the blue. The Italian newspaper Corriere della Sera reported that Gazprom informed its partner in the Apennines, the Eni concern, that it was unable to guarantee gas supplies in full due to extreme cold, which negatively affects the production cycle.

Leonid Reiman promises to provide telephones to the entire country by 2008 Russian Minister of Information Technologies and Communications Leonid Reiman spoke yesterday at a plenary meeting of the State Duma as part of the government hour. His report on the development of the industry was painted in rosy tones and was replete with optimistic figures. The minister recalled that on January 1 of this year the law on communications came into force.

Mikhail Khodorkovsky's chair at the RSPP remains vacant for now The question of who is worthy to occupy vacant positions in the highest body of the “trade union” of industrialists and entrepreneurs - the bureau of the board of the Russian Union of Industrialists and Entrepreneurs - remained unanswered yesterday. At the next meeting of the bureau, candidates were to be proposed to replace St.

Next week, trading in the new blue chip will begin on the MICEX Gazprom shares are becoming more and more accessible to investors. As MICEX President Alexander Potemkin announced yesterday, trading in Gazprom securities will begin on its trading floor on January 23. “Trading will start at the level of 210--220 rubles. per share, depending on how Gazprom’s shares perform this week.” According to Mr.

Alexander Khloponin “highlighted” the nationalization of Norilsk Nickel Rumors that, following Yuganskneftegaz and Sibneft, the state will nationalize Norilsk Nickel have been agitating the political and business community for several months. According to the unofficial version, the main asset of Vladimir Potanin was to go to the state diamond mining monopoly ALROSA.

Alexander Lukashenko discussed matters with the “decent” Vagit Alekperov before the elections Alexander Lukashenko, before the presidential elections in Belarus on March 19, seemed to have decided to make friends with LUKOIL. “I proceed from the fact that LUKOIL is one of the decent companies that operates transparently and honestly in our market. This is the main thing, because there are many people who want to work in Belarus.