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However, a spokesman for the Gazprom monopoly indicated that lingering problems could still prolong the crisis.
More than 15 countries have been caught in the middle of a complex and acrimonious wrangle between Russia and Ukraine over gas prices, past debts and allegations of theft. They also jockeyed over a European Union-brokered deal to send pipeline monitors to ensure that restored gas shipments reach their destination.
Russia balked at the deal after Ukraine tried to add a rider declaration that offended Moscow. Ukrainian government officials clarified the deal Monday and said the declaration was not legally binding.
After that, Gazprom's deputy chairman, Alexander Medvedev, said gas supplies would be started Tuesday "if there are no obstacles."
GERMANY
Stimulus Package Set
Germany's ruling coalition reached agreement Monday on a new economic stimulus package, worth 50 billion euros, aimed at helping Europe's largest economy through what could be its worst postwar recession.
Chancellor Angela Merkel's Christian Democrats and their Social Democrat partners agreed on the mixture of investment spending and tax cuts in six hours of negotiations, coalition leaders said.
The parties narrowed differences on tax relief measures, the final sticking point, during the talks and agreed on a set of compromises that allowed all sides to claim victory.
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Somali Presidential Palace Hit
Islamist insurgents fired mortar rounds at Somalia's presidential palace, and witnesses said at least 13 people were killed in that attack and a separate one. The insurgents shelled the palace as Prime Minister Nur Hassan Hussein was meeting with African Union peacekeepers and members of an Islamist group that has signed a power-sharing deal, government spokesman Abdi Haji Gobdon said. He added that no one in the palace was hurt.
Zimbabwe's $50 Billion Note
Zimbabwe's central bank released a $50 billion note -- worth 1.25 U.S. dollars at Monday's black market exchange rate. Two weeks ago, $50 billion was worth $3.30 in U.S. dollars.
From News Services
