President Petro Poroshenko on the anti-discrimination clauses added to the country’s labor code by the government today:
“Ukraine breaks away from the shackles of discrimination of the Soviet past. And family values are intact,” he tweeted.
Igor Plotnitsky, the so-called leader of the “LPR,” told the Russian daily Moskovsky Komsomolets that he would appear as a witness at a court hearing about Ukrainian pilot Nadia Savchenko, who is currently jailed in Russia. Plotnitsky was supposed to be present at a November 11 hearing.
“Actually, next week I’ll be at the hearing,” he said.
Two of Savchenko’s lawyers seemed happy about the news.
“Next week, leave everything and come to Plotnitsky’s questioning. It will be unforgettable,” Nikolai Polozov tweeted.
"I guarantee much thrill and unforgettable impressions to Ukrainian and foreign media during Plotnitsky’s questioning,” tweeted Mark Feygin.
It looks like it could be a hard winter in the Donbas, if this photo gallery from RFE/RL's Ukrainian Service is anything to go by:
With winter looming, the European Commission estimates 5 million people require urgent humanitarian aid in eastern Ukraine. The situation is most dire for those who have been displaced or live near the front lines in areas beyond government control. The World Food Program is racing to distribute food vouchers and parcels to the one million people who are the most vulnerable and require immediate food assistance.
Eastern Ukraine On Brink Of Humanitarian Crisis As Winter Looms
And speaking of the Donbas, here is today's map of the situation in the conflict zone, courtesy of Ukraine's Defense Ministry (CLICK IMAGE TO ENLARGE):
The Ukrainian parliament approved the establishment of a State Investigations Bureau that would take some of the responsibilities currently held by the Prosecutor’s Office.
Among the main tasks of the bureau is investigating crimes related to criminal organizations, cases of torture and other crimes related to cruel, inhumane or degrading treatment by law enforcement staff. The bureau would also deal with crimes committed by National Anti-Corruption Bureau officials.
The Ukrainian president will appoint a director of the State Investigations Bureau after selection by a special commission and based on the proposal of the prime minister.
“[This law] makes us closer to Europe and makes our law enforcement more civilized and professional,” said Andriy Kozhemyakin, Chairman of the parliament's Committee on Legislative Support of Law Enforcement.
Ukrainian deputies approved changes to the draft law On Amendments to Certain Legislative Acts of Ukraine on State Property Management.
Now every state enterprise or economic entity where the state’s share is over 50 percent must have a supervisory board, which may include independent members. Also, the yearly reporting of such entities will be subject to audit.
“It a unique thing that allows us to solve three key questions...a yearly audit of state companies, public information on government websites – and not through court hearings on how these audits turn out – and third, the structure of managing these companies changes,” said Batkivshchyna deputy Serhiy Sobolyev.