Section: The Guardian (The United Kingdom)
Rouble crashes as Russian economy teeters on brink of recession
Currency instability is reviving memories among Russians who suffered during the countrys default in the 1990sRussias economic difficulties intensified on Friday as the beleaguered rouble crashed during morning trading, stoking fears that the country was on the verge of a full-blown currency crisis reminiscent of the 1990s.The rouble has fallen...
First he brought down the Berlin Wall. Now the Hoff hopes to solve Ukraines crisis
You might think David Hasselhoff had made a big enough contribution to international affairs ending the cold war back in 1989, but he is far from resting on his laurelsRead about Pippa Middletons new careerWhy Liz Hurley isnt one of the plastic peopleOnce again, the wests failure to have a coherent foreign policy means big-hearted entertainers...
Ukraines rebel peoples republics begin work of building new states
Coming winter and threat of renewed fighting hang over Donetsk and Luhansk after rushed electionsNew metallic letters have already been hung above the entrance of what was once the Ukraine tax service headquarters in Donetsk, spelling out: Taxes and Revenues Ministry of the Donetsk Peoples Republic. A sign on one of the large wooden doors reminds...
Tony Abbott will speak to Vladimir Putin about MH17 ‘one way or another’
We owe it to our dead to secure justice, Australian leader says in joint press conference with his Dutch counterpart, Mark RutteTony Abbott says one way or another he will speak to Vladimir Putin in the coming week about the downing of Malaysian Airlines flight MH17 and the death of 38 Australians.In mid-October the prime minister declared his...
Russia’s ruling party hosts exhibition of patriotic cartoons
Youth wing of United Russia party organised a free show of nationalist illustrations celebrating President Vladimir Putin and satirising world leaders. The Moscow Times reportsPolitical cartoons are usually satirical, filled with often grotesque caricatures parodying those in power, but the Young Guard the youth wing of the ruling United Russia...
Finland warns of new cold war as EU and US fail to grasp situation in Russia
Finnish president Sauli Niinisto set to meet David Cameron and other northern European leaders at conference in HelsinkiWestern countries are at the gates of a new cold war with Russia sparked by the Ukraine crisis and a continuing failure to grasp the depth and seriousness of President Vladimir Putins grievances with the US and EU, the Finnish...
Ukraine Crisis: What It Means for the West by Andrew Wilson review
This is a vivid study of Russian expansionism and civil insurrection. Has the turmoil reached its peak? How much further will Putin go?It has been a tumultuous year for Ukraine. Last November a handful of middle-class activists took to the streets of Kiev. They were protesting against a decision by Viktor Yanukovych, the countrys burly...
25 years on from the fall of the Berlin Wall, the far right is on the rise | David Edgar
The rise of a racist far right across Europe is a clear and present danger to both halves of the continentLike the Arab spring, the fall of the Berlin wall on 9 November 1989 was a clear and uncontestable good. Through the (largely) peaceful exercise of people power, six countries exchanged a fallacious democratic status for a real one. Although...
Ukraine to send reinforcements to key cities in case of rebel attacks
President Petro Poroshenko also calls on parliament to rescind law that gives special status to Donetsk and LuhanskKiev will send reinforcements to key Ukrainian cities to prevent potential attacks from Russia-backed separatists, President Petro Poroshenko said on Monday. He also called on Ukraines parliament to rescind a law giving special...
Eastern Ukrainian separatists swear in rebel leader in Donetsk – video
Pro-Russia rebels in Donetsk, eastern Ukraine, inaugurate Alexander Zakharchenko as the leader of the self-proclaimed Donetsk People’s Republic. The ceremony on Tuesday came after a vote which the Ukrainian president Petro Poroshenko denounced as a ‘pseudo-election’. The president says the election violates a peace accord which...
