Topic: Ukraine

'Repair Cafes' reject a 'toss it out' culture

At Dutch 'Repair Cafes' folks come together to fix – or learn how to fix – their own broken stuff.

A Sense of Direction

This first-rate travel book is – like all the best travel books – most fascinating when it has the author at its center.

Horsehair helps locate the origins of domestication

A new study points to the area made up of Kazhakstan, Russia and Ukraine as the region that was home to the first domesticated horses.

Summit canceled as Ukraine isolation deepens over treatment of Tymoshenko

Ukraine was slated to host a summit this week, but with a dozen European leaders boycotting in protest of Kiev's treatment of Yulia Tymoshenko, Ukraine opted to cancel it instead.

Putin inauguration: World view of a Russian feeling dissed

As the second presidential inauguration of Vladimir Putin approaches, a former correspondent who once worked for him looks at the world view of the Russian iron man. His theory: The president is feeling dissed by the West and believes it conspires to "destroy" Russia.

Ukraine denies prison mistreatment of Tymoshenko

A Ukrainian prosecutor said Friday he is unaware of any alleged physical attacks on former Prime Minister Yulia Tymoshenko in prison.

Europe calls Euro 2012 penalty on Ukraine for treatment of Tymoshenko

With Ukraine and Poland preparing to host the Euro 2012 soccer championship, Europe sees it as an opportune time to pressure Ukraine over its treatment of opposition figure Yulia Tymoshenko.

When Assange meets Nasrallah, you learn the most about Assange (+video)

Julian Assange, the embattled Wikileaks leader, started his new chat show with an interview of Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah.

Reader recommendation: The Lost

Monitor readers share their favorite book picks.

Reader recommendation: The Lost

Monitor readers share their favorite book picks.

Can Seoul summit tackle biggest threat to US security – nuclear terrorism?

What can President Obama and other world leaders meeting in Seoul, South Korea, for the second Nuclear Security Summit today and tomorrow plausibly accomplish? The answer is less than many observers hope – but more than skeptics appreciate. Look at Ukraine.

Putin election victory doesn't pave an easy path through his third presidential term

Beyond mass protests in Moscow against what observers have confirmed as a fraudulent presidential election, several key demographic and economic factors mean that Russians will continue to contest the legitimacy of Putin's presidency during his third term.

China plans double-digit boost in military spending

China will raise its military spending by 11.2 percent in 2012 as the Asian giant worries about the US presence in the region.

Outrage over Egypt's arrest of NGO workers, but US would have done the same

The outrage over Egypt's arrest of 43 NGO workers, at least 16 of whom are American, is understandable and well deserved. But it also speaks to a little acknowledged paradox: These organizations are conducting democracy-building work that would never be tolerated in the US.

Iran evades US sanctions by paying with gold

Iran bought 200,000 tons of Australian, and possibly US, wheat last week with gold. Commodities traders say Iran is also pitching oil barter deals for grains.

As snow falls in Britain, Heathrow upholds reputation as travelers' 'black hole' (+video)

London's Heathrow airport is once again the target of criticism after a preemptive shutdown hours before a light snowfall in the United Kingdom.

Europe's weather brings continent to a halt

The frigid temperatures and snowfall that began in Eastern Europe last week have reached Western Europe, snarling airport traffic in Britain and turning Rome white.  

Eastern Europeans resourceful in face of record cold snap

Eastern Europe's cold snap has brought temperatures to 100-year lows in some places, but in many places, the buses are still running and people have plenty of canned goods. 

Tornado tourism: Should Joplin, Mo., mourn – or cash in?

Tornado tourism debate is dividing Joplin, Mo., scene of a devastating twister in 2011. Tornado tourism could promote the city's recovery, visitors bureau says. 

European Union test case: stop Hungary from backsliding on democracy

It's hard to love the EU – bureaucratic, legalistic, mired in gridlock. The euro crisis hasn't earned it much praise lately, either. But the EU still has vital clout. It can help force member states like Hungary to stick to democracy, rather than backslide into dictatorship.

One year after Egypt's revolution, dictators on the defensive

On the one-year anniversary of Egypt's uprising, the world is less free because dictators reacted to the Arab Spring. But at least now they are on notice, forcing the issue of democracy.

Five major SOPA supporters

The Stop Online Piracy Act (SOPA) and its Senate counterpart, the Protect IP Act or PIPA, would allow the US government to seek a court order and even shut down websites that contain content or links “committing or facilitating online piracy.”  Moreover, advertisers and Internet service providers would be banned from doing business with violators.

However, payment and advertising networks, search engines or service providers that take voluntary action to redress detected violations – by terminating businesses with transgressor sites or comply with the law – will be granted immunity from liability charges.

On Sept. 22, 2011, more than 350 trade associations, professional and labor organizations, and businesses signed a letter urging Congress to enact legislation to stop “rogue sites” from copyright infringement.

Here are five key SOPA and PIPA supporters:

Nadal, Federer, Wozniacki all advance at Australian Open

Roger Federer didn't have to play to advance, while Rafael Nadal and women's No. 1 Caroline Wozniacki had short matches to move on.

Christmas gift to America 20 years ago – a Russia to be thankful for

When the Soviet Union collapsed 20 years ago on Christmas, doomsayers had a field day. But seen strictly from the perspective of what matters most to Americans, the good news is that the nightmares that experts realistically expected about Russia have not happened.

Russia protests and other 2011 uprisings: A year of yearning for clean government

On Dec. 24, tens of thousands of Russians plan to protest again over election fraud and other official corruption. The event will bookend a remarkable year of efforts, from China to India to Brazil, to rein in graft in high places.