KIEV, July 23 – Ukraine’s most powerful trade union called on the government to cancel a proposed 50% hike in natural gas prices due on August 1, and warned it would launch a massive protest rally on Monday.

KIEV, July 24 – Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin, wearing black jeans, black shirt and riding a Harley Davidson, led a 5,000-crowd of bikers from across the region swarming on Sevastopol for an annual biker show.

KIEV, July 22 – Ukraine’s economy will grow 4.1% on the year in 2011, slightly faster than has been earlier expected, the European Bank for Reconstruction of Development said in a report.

KIEV, July 23 – Ukraine plans to complete privatization of coalmines attractive for investment by late 2014, according to a statement by the Coal Ministry.

According to the Coal Ministry, a transfer of coalmines to the management of the State Property Fund (SPF) for their corporatization is to be completed by the middle of 2012.

KIEV, July 24 – Ukraine’s Fuel and Energy Ministry and Russia’s Tatarstani Government First Deputy Chairman Ravil Muratov denied reports on alleged recent talks in Crimea about ownership of the disputed 18.3% stake in UkrTatNafta oil refinery.

KIEV, July 25 – Israeli police have uncovered an international network of illegal sales of donor organs at a Kiev private hospital, Deutsche Welle reported on Tuesday. Nine suspects, including leading transplant specialists, have been arrested so far, the report said.

KIEV, July 25 – Relations between Russia and Ukraine may worsen significantly if Kiev insists on Moscow to withdraw its Black Sea Feet from bases in Crimea in 2017, a senior Russian lawmaker warned on Wednesday.

KIEV, July 25 ??“ About 30,000 supporters of the Regions Party are expected to arrive in Kiev on Wednesday to join street protests, a newspaper reported Tuesday citing a person at the Internal Affairs Ministry.

KIEV, July 25 ??“ The pro-Russian coalition will seek to replace Volodymyr Stelmakh, the governor of the National Bank of Ukraine, amid plans to somewhat weaken the hryvnia and to stimulate exports, a lawmaker said.

KIEV, July 25 ??“ President Viktor Yushchenko will take time until Aug. 2 to decide on ways of resolving Ukraine??™s sharp political crisis, including a possible action to dismiss Parliament, officials said Tuesday.