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UKRAINE 2 MARCH 2021

It was reported in the newspapers on 2 April that some 4,000 Russian troops had been deployed to the Russian side of the Ukrainian border, next to the two Ukrainian regions in which a war has been c ........

WILL RUSSIA INVADE UKRAINE?

The massive build-up of Russian forces on the borders of Ukraine is of concern to everybody in Ukraine and also in the West. Everybody is wondering whether Russia will invade and take control of t ........

THE FIRST SHADOWS OF MORNING

UKRAINEWhen will Putin invade Donetsk and Luhansk and make these regions of Ukraine part of Russia, declaring himself to be a liberator as there are so many Russian citizens in those regions of Ukra ........

PRESSURE FROM CHINA

In July it was reported that Ukraine has yielded to pressure from China. Ukraine was one of 44 countries to sign up to the statement proposed by Canada at the Human Rights Council urging China to ........

THE FIRST SHADOWS OF MORNING UKRAINE AND CRIMEA

In October 2021, the ownership of a Crimean gold haul was finally settled by the highest Dutch appeal court.The collection, including a solid gold Scythian helmet and a golden neck ornament which ea ........

DUNBLANE MASSACRE

For the 25th anniversary of the horrific massacre of small children at a school in Dunblane, here is a sonnet I wrote about the event.The sun is sinking low and soon the night will fall, But how I w ........

DUNBLANE MASSACRE AGAIN

Here is a second poem I wrote about the horrific massacre.Up you get, Lucy. It’s time to get dressed. Breakfast is ready. You must revise for your test.Shake a leg, Jamie. Leap out of your bed. ........

ALEXANDER MCCALL SMITH

Alexander McCall Smith, who kindly wrote a few words for the cover of my book “The First Shadows of Morning” has hit the front cover of Scotland’s daily newspaper on 11 March 2021. He penned an od ........

RUSSIAN MILITARY THREAT TO UKRAINE

UKRAINE APPLICATION FOR MEMBERSHIP OF NATO

Following the deployment of thousands of Russian troops on the eastern borders of Ukraine in early April 2021, the Ukraine government has requested NATO to allow it to join the organisation. Russi ........