100 COAL PITS TO BE CLOSED.

As part of the process of converting the coal industry into a joint-stock company, Russia’s coal mining enterprise Rosugol will close 100 pits over the next six years, Kommersant-Daily reported June 10. Russian miners have received 7.5 trillion rubles in subsidies during the first half of this year and expect another 2.5 trillion during the second half. Such closures, and the cutback in state subsidies, are likely to spark new labor unrest among miners who have often combined economic and political protest.

EU Keeps Russia On Hold But Gives Ukraine Aid.