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Ukraine

Capital: Kiev; GDP growth (annual %) 2016 : 2.3%;

Ukraine ‘Ground Zero’ For Hackers In Global Cyberattacks

Ukraine’s heavy reliance on Russian technology impairs its ability to adequately defend against cyberattacks such as the Petya virus ravaging computers around the world and has helped make the country ground zero on the front lines of the world cyberwar.

The “unprecedented” June 27 attack started in Ukraine, which hit government computer networks and websites of banks, major industrial enterprises, the postal service, Kyiv’s international airport, and its subway system — before spreading to other nations and international companies around the world.
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Crimea: Circumventing Trade Sanctions Via Novorossiysk

Despite trade sanctions, Crimea is maintaining connections to international markets. Crimean traders are performing some logistical gymnastics to skirt sanctions, in particular transiting goods through the Russian port of Novorossiysk.

On paper, of course, Crimea is experiencing a severe trade crisis. Official statistics indicate that Crimea’s import volume in 2016 shrank by a full third compared to the 2015 level, a drop of $33.6 million. Exports fell by $31.8 million, a 40-% decline from 2015. The city of Sevastopol, which is not formally part of the Republic of Crimea, reported a 12.6 % fall in its imports and 66.8 % fall in its exports in the same period, with volumes shrinking to $33.4 million and $5.9 million, respectively.
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Higher earning Why a university degree is worth more in some countries than others

A university education may expand your mind. It will as well fatten your wallet. Data from the OECD, a club of rich nations, show that graduates can expect far better lifetime earnings than those without a degree.

The size of this premium varies. It is greatest in Ireland, which has a high GDP per chief and rising inequality. Since 2000 the unemployment rate for under-35s has swelled to 8% for those with degrees – but to additional than 20% for those without, and nearly 40% for secondary school drop-outs. The country’s wealth presently goes disproportionately to workers with letters next their names.
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Key Facts: Population: 45.1 million (UN, 2011)
Area: 603,700 sq km (233,090 sq miles)
Major languages: Ukrainian (official), Russian
Major religion: Christianity
Life expectancy: 64 years (men), 75 years (women) (UN)
Monetary unit: 1 hryvnya = 100 kopiykas
Main exports: Military equipment, metals, pipes, machinery, petroleum products, textiles, agricultural products
GNI per capita: US $3,120 (World Bank, 2011)
Internet domain: .ua
International dialling code: +380

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Climate change laws around the world
2017/05/14
There has been a 20-fold increase in the number of global climate change laws since 1997, according to the most comprehensive database of relevant policy and legislation.

The database, produced by the Grantham Research Institute on Climate Change and the Environment and the Sabin Center on Climate Change Law, includes more than 1,200 relevant policies across 164 countries, which account for 95% of global greenhouse gas emissions.

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Brexit negotiations should treat energy as ‘special case’
2017/05/14
There are strong practical reasons why the UK and EU should treat energy as a appropriate case during Brexit negotiations, argues a new statement.

The statement, jointly authored by Chatham Home, the University of Exeter and the UK Energy Research Centre (UKERC), says finding common ground on energy during the Brexit negotiations would benefit both the UK and remaining EU27, while compromise may be relatively easier to achieve than for other areas.

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