Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty (RFE/RL) was notified today by the U.S. Agency for Global Media (USAGM) that the federal grant agreement that funds the broadcaster’s global operations has been terminated.
“RFE/RL was informed today that the federal grant agreement that funds our global operations has been terminated. Canceling the RFE/RL grant agreement would be a gift to America’s enemies,” the radio pressroom said in a post on social media X.
“Canceling the Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty grant agreement would be a huge gift to America’s enemies. Iranian ayatollahs, Chinese communist leaders, and autocrats in Moscow and Minsk would celebrate the closure of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty 75 years from now. Defeating our adversaries would make them stronger and America weaker. Throughout its history, Radio Liberty has received strong bipartisan support. Without us, the nearly 50 million people in gated communities who depend on us weekly for accurate news and information will not have access to the truth about America and the world,” said RFE/RL President and CEO Stephen Capus.
Earlier, it was reported that Voice of America’s funding had been cut off, with the White House releasing a series of comments on its operations, including President Donald Trump’s administration saying taxpayers will no longer be “on the hook for radical propaganda.”
In February, U.S. billionaire Ilon Musk, who headed the Department of Government Effectiveness (DOGE) in the administration of U.S. President Donald Trump, called for an end to funding for Radio Liberty and Voice of America.
Voice of America (Voice of America) is an international media and language organization that operates in more than 40 languages online, on radio and television.
Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty (Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, until 1959 called Radio Liberation) is an online publication and radio station that positions itself as a private, non-profit news and information media outlet. It is funded by the United States Congress. Radio has repeatedly been seen as a disseminator of American propaganda and U.S. interests.
Last year, BNSF Insurance (formerly Brokbusiness Insurance Company, Kyiv) collected UAH 581.34 million in gross written premiums, which is 52.45% more than in 2023, according to the information of Expert Rating RA in confirming the financial strength rating of the company at uaAA+ according to the national scale.
According to the RA, the share of insurance premiums attributable to reinsurers decreased by 22.07%, and in the structure of gross premiums it decreased by 1.48 percentage points (p.p.) to 1.56%.
In 2024, BNSF Insurance paid 57.65% more insurance claims and indemnities than in the previous year, and the level of payments increased by 1.11 p.p. to 33.64%.
In 2024, the company’s equity capital increased by 25.25% to UAH 174.53 million, and its gross liabilities increased by 23.55% to UAH 277.5 million, resulting in an increase in the level of equity coverage of the company’s liabilities by 0.85 percentage points to 62.89%.
The amount of cash and cash equivalents in 2024 increased by 31.08% and as of December 31, 2024 amounted to UAH 266.16 million, and the ratio between cash and liabilities of the insurer increased by 5.50 p.p. to 95.91%.
Thus, as of the beginning of 2025, BGS Insurance was provided with highly liquid assets that covered its liabilities by 95.91%.
The company’s operating profit for 2024 amounted to UAH 10.66 million, and net profit amounted to UAH 29.16 million.
BGS Insurance has been operating in the Ukrainian insurance market for over 25 years and is represented in all regions of the country. It has 39 licenses for voluntary and compulsory insurance.
In 2024, Quorum Insurance Company (Kyiv) collected insurance premiums in the amount of UAH 69.451 million, which is 40.34% more than in 2023, the rating agency (RA) Standard-Rating reported in information on updating the company’s credit rating/financial strength rating on the national scale at uaAA.
It is specified that the rating was updated based on the analysis of the company’s performance for the specified reporting period.
The insurance company’s revenues from individuals increased by 37.91% to UAH 41.916 million for the year. There were no revenues from reinsurers. The share of individuals in gross premiums amounted to 60.35%.
Insurance payments sent to reinsurers in 2024 amounted to UAH 20.443 million, which is 27.24% higher than in 2023. The ratio of reinsurers’ participation in insurance premiums decreased by 3.03 p.p. to 29.44%.
The RA notes that the insurer’s net written premiums for the year increased by 46.64% to UAH 49.008 million, net earned premiums – by 47.32% to UAH 49.052 million.
The volume of insurance claims paid by Quorum Insurance Company in 2024 increased by 35.33% compared to 2023, to UAH 8.753 million. The level of payments fell by 0.47 percentage points to 12.60%.
As noted, the company’s activities during the period were profitable. In particular, profit from operating activities amounted to UAH 8.578 million, net profit – UAH 8.288 million.
As of January 1, 2025, the insurer’s assets increased by 9.26% to UAH 69.895 million, equity – by 9.62% to UAH 61.420 million, liabilities – by 6.78% to UAH 8.475 million, cash and cash equivalents – by 12.26% to UAH 49.854 million.
Quorum Insurance Company was established in March 2014 and specializes in risk insurance.
The map below shows the number of prisoners per 100,000 inhabitants in different countries of the world in 2023. The data allows us to identify several main groups of countries by the level of “imprisonment”.
Leaders in the number of prisoners
The absolute leader in terms of the number of prisoners is the United States, where there are 664 prisoners per 100,000 inhabitants.
High incarceration rate
This category includes countries with more than 200 prisoners per 100,000 people. Among them:
– Thailand (445)
– Brazil (357)
– Turkey (335)
– Russia (329)
– Iran (228)
Medium (100-200 prisoners per 100,000 people)
Most countries in Europe and Asia fall into this category. For example:
– Poland (188)
– Serbia (152)
– Ukraine (129)
– Spain (122)
Low incarceration rate (less than 100 people per 100,000 inhabitants)
This group includes countries with relatively lenient criminal justice systems or low crime rates:
– Norway (54)
– Germany (69)
– Austria (95)
– Japan (38)
Source: https://t.me/relocationrs/607
On his Facebook page, Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban wrote 12 points of expectations of the Hungarian people from Brussels, including “the union, but without Ukraine.” Here are the points listed in the post:
– we want a Europe of nations;
– We want equality before the law for all member states;
– return to the member states the illegally taken away powers;
– national sovereignty, strong veto power for national governments;
– exclude Soros agents from the European Commission and corrupt lobbyists from the European Parliament;
– the future of our grandchildren should not be mortgaged;
– not to prevent our National Guard from defending our borders. Do not accept migrants, take away illegal immigrants from us;
– “corrupt” dollars and euros should not enter EU member states;
– prohibit the “unnatural” re-education of our children;
– we want to protect the Christian heritage of Europe;
– demand peace in Europe;
– Union, but without Ukraine.
In February 2025, Ukraine imported 963 tons of pork, which is three times more than in January of this year, according to the Ukrainian Pig Association (UPA).
“The revival of import activity took place against the backdrop of an unconventional increase in purchase prices for the season. Instead, the average price of a kilogram of imported meat raw materials was lower than the minimum price level of last year, which was recorded in January – $1.89 per 1 kg and $1.92 per 1 kg at the end of winter,” analysts said.
According to their information, the products imported to Ukraine do not compete with Ukrainian pork, so imports still do not affect prices.
“Since the domestic supply of pork this year is less than the previous year, during the period of increased demand for meat in spring and summer, imports may increase, and the range of such products will be more diverse. For example, if prices in European markets, where we import the lion’s share of pork, decline while prices in Ukraine remain high, it will be economically justified to import cheaper raw materials. In this case, the pressure on the domestic market and its pricing from imports will increase, but we are not seeing this yet,” the industry association said.
Although February imports are the largest in the last 14 months, according to representatives of the meat industry, its presence on the market is still almost imperceptible, experts say.
In January and February 2025, pork exports remained at least 292 tons per month, so the total for the first two months amounted to 587.4 tons, or $1.6 million in monetary terms.
At the same time, the geography of foreign trade in Ukrainian pork remains limited. The main buyer countries for Ukrainian pork are Hong Kong, where 30% of external shipments were sent, the UAE – 22%, Malaysia and Georgia – 13% and 10%, respectively. The remaining Ukrainian pork was exported in small volumes to Bahrain, Liberia, and South Korea.
