Ukraine’s Digital Ministry Is a Formidable War Machine
A government department run by savvy tech “freaks” has become a surprise defense against Russia.Continue Reading
2022-03-17
Scotland has apologised for witchcraft executions – as a historian, I worry this was a mistake
A group of Scottish witches meet the Devil in a churchyard in a pen and ink drawing from the 17th century. Wikipedia, CC BY-SA On International Women’s Day this year, Scotland’s first minister Nicola Sturgeon apologised at Holyrood to “all those who were accused, convicted, vilified or executed under theContinue Reading
2022-03-17
Ukraine: Putin isn’t mad – he’s following a long-established great power playbook for conquest
The Russian invasion of Ukraine has confounded everyone. Given its huge economic, reputational and political costs – not to mention the immense human misery it has already caused – how can anyone in their right mind choose to start such a war? The question of rationality is important when assessingContinue Reading
2022-03-17
Iraq food protests against spiralling prices echo early stages of the Arab Spring
Unrest over food prices is growing. EPA Iraq has been seeing protesters take to the streets as food prices spiral upwards because of the Ukraine war. Around 500 people protested in Iraq’s southern city of Nasiriyah a few days ago as flour suddenly rose in price by nearly a third.Continue Reading
2022-03-16
How Vladimir Putin took control of Russian TV – and how that might be starting to crack
On March 14, Russian state television’s peak-time news programme, Vremya (Time), was interrupted by Marina Ovsyannikova, carrying a homemade placard denouncing the war and accusing the station of lying to the Russian people. Her protest was only visible for a few seconds, but it has had immense impact both acrossContinue Reading
2022-03-16
The Workaday Life of the World’s Most Dangerous Ransomware Gang
A Ukrainian researcher leaked 60,000 messages from inside the Conti ransomware group. This is what they reveal.Continue Reading
2022-03-16
Putin’s Russia: how the ex-KGB strongman has gradually turned the clock back to Soviet repression
Russian journalist Marina Ovsyannikova risked a harsh prison sentence after she interrupted a broadcast on popular state-owned Russian TV network Channel One with a sign reading: “NO WAR. Stop the war. Don’t believe propaganda. They are lying to you here.” State news agency Tass reported that she had been arrestedContinue Reading
2022-03-15
Ukraine to dominate Taoiseach’s St Patrick’s Day meeting with US president
Taoiseach Micheál Martin has said his meeting with US President Joe Biden this week will be dominated by discussions around the Russian invasion of Ukraine. However, Mr Martin said they would also discuss economic ties and the impact of Brexit on the Good Friday Agreement in Northern Ireland. Mr MartinContinue Reading
2022-03-15
Ukraine: voices from hiding – how ordinary families are suffering under Russian shells
So, day 11. I still can’t believe that. It’s been tough in Chernihiv and it doesn’t seem to get better. Yesterday, at night, the plane was [shot down] above where we hide. News is shocking and depressive so we try not to discuss it … I’ve lost track of days.Continue Reading
2022-03-15
Thinking of welcoming a Ukrainian refugee into your home? Our research can help you be a good host
People wait for a train to Poland at Lviv railway station, Ukraine, in February 2022. Bumble Dee / Shutterstock The UK government has announced a scheme allowing people to open up their homes to refugees fleeing the war in Ukraine. “Homes for Ukraine” will allow individuals, charities and community groupsContinue Reading
2022-03-15