Latest news with #normality
Malay Mail
11-07-2025
- Politics
- Malay Mail
‘We go on living': Kyiv embraces routine amid nightly missile fire
KYIV, July 11 — At night, Kyiv's skies are lit by fire and boom with explosions, but by morning the streets thrum in a style familiar to any European capital, its Gen Z teens on ride-share scooters speeding past impeccably dressed executives en route to work. One quote that captures the mood and has become popular on social media platforms in Ukraine says Kyiv looks like the famously-glitzy Mediterranean city state Monaco by day, 'and at night, like Afghanistan' during its war-torn years. The city of 3 million people has endured several consecutive weeks of escalating deadly Russian drone and missile attacks. But, determined to hold on to some normality, many of its residents are living their daily routines with verve. Shortly after dawn on today, Lycra-clad joggers and cyclists emerged from homes near a downtown apartment block hit hours before by a Russian bomb. Firefighters who had worked in hours of darkness to extinguish the blaze packed up hoses. Street sweepers cleared away a carpet of glass and shrapnel. Around the corner, a hip, third-generation coffee shop opened its doors, part of a café scene that has thrived in the three and a half years since Russia's full-scale invasion of its smaller neighbour. A young businessman stopped in for a morning brew. Adorned with stylish sunglasses and a fluffy white dog in her arms, 66-year-old Antonina stood near the charred building. 'I came, I looked around, I cried a bit,' she said. But, she said, she was ready for the day. 'We go on living.' Across the street from the charred apartments, business owner Dmytro Yatsenko surveyed the damage to his nail salon, whose plate glass windows had been shattered by the blast. Black and white CCTV video he showed Reuters captured the moment shards exploded into his shop. 'It was just about coming here right away to fix everything and getting back to work,' said Yatsenko, 40, who said he was relieved none of his employees were hurt. The capital's streets buzz throughout the day. In the afternoon, benches beneath trees provide shade for couples. By the evening, fashionistas in elegant dresses grace sidewalks outside popular restaurants. Until the air raid warnings begin again. Other Kyiv residents expressed resignation over the increasing rhythm of attacks since diplomatic efforts to end the war, now in its fourth year, stalled. Many said they were grateful to the country's soldiers for making it possible for life and work to continue in Kyiv. In today's bombardment, Russia launched around 400 drones and 18 missiles at Kyiv and several other regions, President Volodymyr Zelenskiy said. Two people were killed, 25 wounded and damages were reported in nearly every district in Kyiv. A day earlier, Russia had fired a record 728 drones at Ukraine. 'I took a cold shower, drank two coffees, sat and thought for a bit, realised that for now I can't change anything, then went to work,' said 24-year-old translator Kateryna, waiting at a bus stop. 'That's it.' — Reuters
Japan Times
11-07-2025
- Politics
- Japan Times
'We go on living': Kyiv embraces city routines after nights of terror
At night, Kyiv's skies are lit by fire and boom with explosions, but by morning the streets thrum in a style familiar to any European capital, its Gen Z teens on ride-share scooters speeding past impeccably dressed executives en route to work. One quote that captures the mood and has become popular on social media platforms in Ukraine says Kyiv looks like the famously glitzy Mediterranean city state Monaco by day, "and at night, like Afghanistan" during its war-torn years. The city of 3 million people has endured several consecutive weeks of escalating deadly Russian drone and missile attacks. But, determined to hold on to some normality, many of its residents are living their daily routines with verve. Shortly after dawn on Thursday, Lycra-clad joggers and cyclists emerged from homes near a downtown apartment block hit hours before by a Russian bomb. Firefighters who had worked in hours of darkness to extinguish the blaze packed up hoses. Street sweepers cleared away a carpet of glass and shrapnel. A boy plays on a bench near a residential building, which was damaged during Russian drone and missile strikes, while his parents clean up in their apartment, in Kyiv on Thursday. | REUTERS Around the corner, a hip, third-generation coffee shop opened its doors, part of a cafe scene that has thrived in the three and a half years since Russia's full-scale invasion of its smaller neighbor. A young businessman stopped in for a morning brew. Adorned with stylish sunglasses and a fluffy white dog in her arms, 66-year-old Antonina stood near the charred building. "I came, I looked around, I cried a bit," she said. But, she said, she was ready for the day. "We go on living." People leave a shelter with their belongings near a damaged shopping center after a night of Russian strikes in Kyiv on Thursday. | AFP-Jiji Across the street from the charred apartments, business owner Dmytro Yatsenko surveyed the damage to his nail salon, whose plate glass windows had been shattered by the blast. Black and white CCTV video he showed Reuters captured the moment shards exploded into his shop. "It was just about coming here right away to fix everything and getting back to work," said Yatsenko, 40, who said he was relieved none of his employees were hurt. The capital's streets buzz throughout the day. In the afternoon, benches beneath trees provide shade for couples. By the evening, fashionistas in elegant dresses grace sidewalks outside popular restaurants. Until the air raid warnings begin again. Residents clear debris in the street following Russian air strikes in a residential area of Kyiv on Thursday. | bloomberg Other Kyiv residents expressed resignation over the increasing rhythm of attacks since diplomatic efforts to end the war, now in its fourth year, stalled. Many said they were grateful to the country's soldiers for making it possible for life and work to continue in Kyiv. In Thursday's bombardment, Russia launched around 400 drones and 18 missiles at Kyiv and several other regions, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said. Two people were killed, 25 wounded and damages were reported in nearly every district in Kyiv. A day earlier, Russia had fired a record 728 drones at Ukraine. "I took a cold shower, drank two coffees, sat and thought for a bit, realized that for now, I can't change anything, then went to work," said 24-year-old translator Kateryna, waiting at a bus stop. "That's it."
Reuters
10-07-2025
- Politics
- Reuters
'We go on living': Kyiv embraces city routines after nights of terror
KYIV, July 10 (Reuters) - At night, Kyiv's skies are lit by fire and boom with explosions, but by morning the streets thrum in a style familiar to any European capital, its Gen Z teens on ride-share scooters speeding past impeccably dressed executives en route to work. One quote that captures the mood and has become popular on social media platforms in Ukraine says Kyiv looks like the famously-glitzy Mediterranean city state Monaco by day, "and at night, like Afghanistan" during its war-torn years. The city of 3 million people has endured several consecutive weeks of escalating deadly Russian drone and missile attacks. But, determined to hold on to some normality, many of its residents are living their daily routines with verve. Shortly after dawn on Thursday, Lycra-clad joggers and cyclists emerged from homes near a downtown apartment block hit hours before by a Russian bomb. Firefighters who had worked in hours of darkness to extinguish the blaze packed up hoses. Street sweepers cleared away a carpet of glass and shrapnel. Around the corner, a hip, third-generation coffee shop opened its doors, part of a cafe scene that has thrived in the three and a half years since Russia's full-scale invasion of its smaller neighbour. A young businessman stopped in for a morning brew. Adorned with stylish sunglasses and a fluffy white dog in her arms, 66-year-old Antonina stood near the charred building. "I came, I looked around, I cried a bit," she said. But, she said, she was ready for the day. "We go on living." Across the street from the charred apartments, business owner Dmytro Yatsenko surveyed the damage to his nail salon, whose plate glass windows had been shattered by the blast. Black and white CCTV video he showed Reuters captured the moment shards exploded into his shop. "It was just about coming here right away to fix everything and getting back to work," said Yatsenko, 40, who said he was relieved none of his employees were hurt. The capital's streets buzz throughout the day. In the afternoon, benches beneath trees provide shade for couples. By the evening, fashionistas in elegant dresses grace sidewalks outside popular restaurants. Until the air raid warnings begin again. Other Kyiv residents expressed resignation over the increasing rhythm of attacks since diplomatic efforts to end the war, now in its fourth year, stalled. Many said they were grateful to the country's soldiers for making it possible for life and work to continue in Kyiv. In Thursday's bombardment, Russia launched around 400 drones and 18 missiles at Kyiv and several other regions, President Volodymyr Zelenskiy said. Two people were killed, 25 wounded and damages were reported in nearly every district in Kyiv. A day earlier, Russia had fired a record 728 drones at Ukraine. "I took a cold shower, drank two coffees, sat and thought for a bit, realised that for now I can't change anything, then went to work," said 24-year-old translator Kateryna, waiting at a bus stop. "That's it."
Yahoo
09-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
29 "Normal" Things From Other Countries That I, An American, Absolutely Cannot Believe Are Real
Contrary to popular belief, most of us Americans are well aware we're not the center of the universe. Admittedly, though, we do get a little set in our ways. Recently, the question was posed on Reddit: "What's something totally normal in your country that would shock most Americans?" and honestly, from leaving babies outside to walking around barefoot, these 29 "normal" things from other countries are actually pretty mind-blowing: 1."My family is from Ecuador, specifically Guayaquil, so I visit often. On Saturday nights, there is a rollercoaster cart that drives around town, drifting, doing donuts, and going super fast while playing music. It's the shape of a worm, so they call it 'el gusanito' [little worm]. It picks people up like every other block, and it costs 25 cents to ride. There are no limits to how many people can get on per cart. I even saw a stray dog catch a ride once. It's so unsafe but super fun. That would never happen in the States." undefinedundefinedundefined 2."When people die, we put up little posters — printed obituaries [necrologs] — on the walls of buildings all around town and close to places the person liked to frequent. They have a little picture of the person, their date of birth and death, and a message of mourning from the family. I'm from Bulgaria." undefinedundefined 3."Sauna naked with friends. Sauna naked with family. Sauna naked with strangers." undefinedundefinedundefined 4."Having to pay for public restrooms." undefinedundefined 5."Walking around in public in bare feet. Very common to see supermarket shoppers and such with no shoes on, and no, it's not a class thing, all kinds of people do it. Not beating the Hobbit allegations, I guess." undefinedundefined 6."This really only occurs in Ontario and Quebec, but the whole bagged milk thing seems to really freak them out." undefinedundefinedundefined 7."If you get sick on your vacation, you go to the doctor, and the company has to give you your days back." undefinedundefinedundefined 8."Here in Germany, our pharmacies only sell medicine, no snacks, makeup, or random stuff. The first time I visited the US, I thought I was in the wrong store." undefinedundefined 9."Taking your shoes off to go into a school. In Japan, they typically wear indoor shoes. I grew up in the States, so I thought it was normal to wear outdoor shoes inside. Never even put any thought into my shoes being dirty until after I moved to Japan. Now, there is no way that I'd even want to wear my outdoor shoes inside my house." undefined 10."I lived in Spain for a few years as an American. One of the biggest differences was the fact that their whole family lives together indefinitely. In a home the size that would fit a starter family in America, they have their grandparents, aunts, uncles, etc., and they all take care of each other. As someone who was forced to move out at 18, that fascinated me." undefined 11."A man walking along a street with a massive machete is no cause for alarm and wouldn't even get an eyebrow raised." undefined 12."The one with which I shocked my fellow Americans, since I used to live in Japan, was how it wasn't uncommon to see a 5-6-year-old child riding the train to school unaccompanied. I thought it was a beautiful testament to the culture. In the U.S., you would have your child taken away for neglectful parenting." undefinedundefined 13."Boyfriends and girlfriends (or partners) sleeping together at each other's houses from about age 14-15 years old. (Denmark here). Parents would rather have this than kids sneaking around and getting into bad situations." undefinedundefinedundefined 14."We can have 'snap elections,' and not wait for two or four years of stupidity to play out." undefinedundefined 15."The maternity leave is fucking bonkers, to the point where I've had colleagues that I didn't even meet due to them being out on maternity for like three to four years. Plus, you accrue paid leave during this time at a rate of one month per year, so you can extend it by almost half a year off." undefined 16."You are allowed to have sex outside/in nature. There are no specific rules, but you have to be mindful of other people who might be outside as well. So you are encouraged to seek out areas that are less visited. And you are not allowed to harass or accost others. If by chance you pass by someone having sex, you are encouraged to just move on." undefined 17."Anything without rice is just a snack, no matter how big the portion is." undefined 18."In Australia, an independent election authority that draws election boundaries in a non-partisan way. A respected, independent judiciary where almost no one can recall the names of our judges. A universal pharmaceutical scheme that heavily subsidizes medication for the entire population." undefinedundefined 19."University fees are relatively low. We generally pay off our student loans in our twenties (South Africa). We're paying R70k [just under $4,000] per annum for our son to do Chemical Engineering. His 4-year degree will be around R280k, which is around $16,000. Most of my American friends still have student loans of around $50,000." undefinedundefined 20."28 days annual leave." undefinedundefinedundefined 21."When I (American) was in Bavaria, there was a nice little cafe with outdoor seating not far from the lodge I was staying at. It wasn't very far from a photo/art studio that had a bunch of their photos on display in their storefront, which included quite a few really tasteful and elegant nudes. Right in front of the studio was a bus stop as well, where kids of all ages would embark/disembark, paying the studio photos zero mind at all. I pictured how that studio would be mobbed in full pitchfork and torch style in America, even considering displaying a fraction of that artwork anywhere remotely near a public area, especially with frequent kid traffic." undefinedundefinedundefined 22."Hospitality staff don't have to rely on tips in order to receive a survivable wage each month." undefinedundefined 23."Free healthcare." undefinedundefined 24."Police don't carry guns and can't shoot a person just because they felt afraid." undefinedundefinedundefined 25."In India, men walk holding hands." undefinedundefinedundefined 26."Sweden: The government helps pay for childcare. Women can take a year or more of maternity leave from their job. And it's pretty much a cashless society. Never have a need to carry Krona." undefinedundefined 27."Our babies sleep outside, in prams/strollers. No matter the weather (snow/rain/sun). We leave them in our garden, in our courtyards (if we live in flats), outside restaurants/cafés. It's totally safe (but we do use baby monitors, so we can hear when our kids wake up or know when they get too hot). I'm in Denmark. I think it's the same in Norway, and probably Sweden." undefinedundefined 28."Here in Austria, we get paid for 14 months of the year. A double month for summer and a double month for Christmas." undefined finally, "Sex education for children in Norway is not subtle. There's a children's series about puberty on the state-run channel that doesn't use innuendo or drawings. They just use naked people of all ages. There's also a show where kids ask naked adults questions about their bodies. And by kids, I mean 10-year-olds. They don't beat around the bush with sex ed here." undefined Now, I've gotta know — if you're not American, what are some normal things from your home country that you think Americans totally wouldn't believe are real? Let us know in the comments. And if you'd like to remain anonymous, you can fill out the form below.
Telegraph
05-07-2025
- Politics
- Telegraph
Starmer's fatal flaw is that he's a normal man in an abnormal job
In many ways, the most abnormal thing about Keir Starmer is his extraordinary normality. This is not a man suppressing some kind of hidden sophistication in order to win votes. The Prime Minister is no secret opera buff pretending to like Oasis. No, Starmer is what we see before us; a man recognisable to so many and yet so far removed that he can seem coldly distant. Speak to those close to the Prime Minister and they will tell you about him as a dad, desperate to be back in the flat above Number 11 Downing Street on Thursday evenings in time for his son when he comes back from kickboxing. They will tell you about how his idea of relaxation is to read the football transfer gossip and watch old Arsenal clips on Youtube. I spent six weeks trailing after Keir Starmer for a profile in the New Statesman and the man I saw felt both hidden and remarkably open and honest – often naively so. The most startling example of this in my own experience was watching Starmer trying not to cry as he spoke to me about his brother. I have interviewed many prime ministers – from Tony Blair to Boris Johnson – and almost all were expert in moving the conversation on whenever the conversation turned onto difficult, personal terrain. Each had an inbuilt political antenna which seemed to go off when difficult subjects arose. The best of them were able to move the conversation on with tact; others simply dominated the conversation with politics. Starmer, though, is different. For a man with a reputation for political dishonesty – winning the Labour leadership on a platform of Corbynism only to destroy Corbyn and Corbynism in office – he is remarkably (even cavalierly) open in interviews. Starmer answers questions with an apolitical normality which is striking. When I spoke with him, he did come with a line or story to tell. He told me what he thought: that the country was not broken and simply needed careful, prudent reform. In subsequent interviews marking his first year in office, he said he regretted his 'island of strangers' speech and – it seemed – much of his first year in office. He said he did not read his speeches closely enough and had been distracted by foreign affairs and his family home being firebombed. All of this came as he u-turned on his proposed cuts to winter fuel and disability benefits. Much of this is entirely normal and understandable. But he is the Prime Minister and, fair or otherwise, we expect the holders of this office not to be normal. We expect them to be stronger, more hardworking, foresightful and wise than we are. We expect them to be resilient and to know where they are taking the country. Keir Starmer is a normal man in an abnormal job. If he is to succeed in office he needs to be less normal.
