Section: The Guardian (The United Kingdom)
Unhappy new year for Coca-Cola as it upsets first Russia, then Ukraine
Both countries left fizzing with indignation over company message that included controversial mapAll Coca-Cola wanted to do was to wish consumers a happy new year, but instead it ended up stirring anger in two markets, Russia and Ukraine, over the disputed territory of Crimea.The Ukrainian Black Sea peninsula was annexed by Moscow in March 2014...
The Ukrainians starting a new life – in Russia
About 1.5 million have fled the conflict in Donetsk, with their choice of destination largely set by their allegiance in the war“It’s a scary feeling when you land at the end of the earth and you literally know nobody,” said Tatyana Kurlayeva while sipping a cappuccino in a cafe in Magadan, a bleak city in the far east of Russia. Kurlayeva,...
Ukrainians say farewell to ‘Soviet champagne’ as decommunisation law takes hold
New regulations in Ukraine ban streets, towns and products from glorifying communismThis past New Year’s Eve marked the last time Ukrainians could pop open “Soviet champagne”, as the Kiev factory that makes it announced it is changing the popular drink’s name, due to a controversial law on decommunisation in the country.The...
MH17 crash: Dutch investigators to assess new study implicating Russian soldiers
British group Bellingcat claim to have identified Russian soldiers implicated in the crash of flight MH17, shot down over eastern Ukraine in July 2014Dutch prosecutors have said they will “seriously study” claims by citizen journalists to have identified Russian soldiers implicated in the crash of flight MH17, shot down over eastern Ukraine in...
In Wartime: Stories From Ukraine by Tim Judah review – humane and haunting
Sensitive interviews with civilians, poets and political scientists shed new light on a bitter conflictWhile military matters in Syria have been distracting politicians and pundits alike, Tim Judah’s grim, timely salvo from Ukraine is a reminder that not every war has to revolve around the Middle East. Interviewing a wide range of people...
Ukraine may get two Christmases as national identity debate begins
Proposal could divide country amid battle for influence between Russian and Ukrainian branches of Orthodox ChurchUkraine, which marks Christmas on 7 January in accordance with Orthodox Christian tradition, has begun a national debate about whether it should also celebrate on 25 December, a step that would bring it into line with western Europe....
What will happen in 2016?
Space explorers, genetic scientists, US voters, terrorists and hackers look set to dominate our world next year – but don’t rule out the odd pleasant surpriseNever make predictions, especially about the future. So said Mark Twain, Yogi Berra or Niels Bohr – or possibly all three.But if you must, there are really only two options: play safe...
The world in 2015 review: a year of living dangerously
We look back at the global spread of jihadi ideology and terror, tensions in international relations and a glimpse of hope in efforts to tackle climate change Good things did happen. Iran and the western powers reached a landmark agreement on circumscribing Tehran’s controversial nuclear programme. Israel was unhappy, as were Saudi Arabia...
Ukrainian holiday tradition under threat as popular Soviet film faces ban
The Irony of Fate is watched on TV by millions of families each year but could be banned because one of its actors backed Russia’s annexation of CrimeaThe probable ban of a popular Soviet film in Ukraine has caused alarm among those who like to watch it annually during the festive period. The Irony of Fate, released in 1976 and set on New...
US imposes financial restrictions to reinforce Ukraine sanctions
US targets 34 more people and entities for helping evade sanctionsRussia threatens retaliation for move ‘that runs counter to logic’The Obama administration has imposed financial restrictions on 34 additional people and entities for helping Russian and Ukrainian companies evade US penalties and other infractions, prompting threats of...
