KIEV, Nov. 6 - The International Monetary Fund’s executive board late Wednesday approved a $16.4 billion bailout package for Ukraine to stabilize the country’s banking system and to support the national currency, the hryvnia.

KIEV, Nov. 6 - Energy and Fuel Minister Yuriy Boyko said Tuesday he was optimistic about reaching an agreement with Russia before the end of the week over the 2008 natural gas price.

KIEV, Nov. 6 – Parliament’s first session after the snap election may be delayed after lawmakers from the Regions and Communist parties on Tuesday ignored a special meeting of a working group.

KIEV, Nov. 3 ??“ President Viktor Yushchenko has vetoed amendments passed by Parliament to the economic entities law, under which a meeting of stockholders in a joint-stock or a limited liability company is considered legitimate if a quorum of stockholders or their proxy representatives owning over 50% of stocks are present at the meeting.

KIEV, Nov. 6 ??“ The Ukrainian cabinet and the Council of Europe have agreed that the Council of Europe will open an office in Kiev, according to a memo signed by Foreign Minister Borys Tarasiuk and Council of Europe secretary general Terry Davis in Kiev on Monday.

KIEV, Nov. 6 - A former governor accused of extortion was taken into custody Saturday for questioning after returning to Ukraine from the US. He later was released on bail, reports said.

KIEV, Nov. 6 ??“ Ukraine??™s consumer prices skyrocketed 2.6% on the month in October, the highest monthly inflation over the past three years, mostly due to the hike in power and natural gas prices.

KIEV, Nov. 4 ??“ UkrGazVydobuvannya, Ukraine's largest natural gas producer, started gas extraction at Vereshchytske gas field in the Lviv region, the company said in a statement Friday. UGV is currently producing about 36,500 cubic meters of natural gas per day from the field

KIEV, Nov. 6 ??“ President Viktor Yushchenko said Sunday he will decide in a week whether to formally lead his party, Our Ukraine, in the March 2006 parliamentary election, an option that may greatly boost the party??™s rating.

KIEV, Nov. 6 ??“ A group of 16 Ukrainians with a track record of inspiring last year??™s Orange Revolution have been barred from entering Azerbaijan on Saturday, hours ahead of crucial general election there.