Jersey's 'dangerous' food labels puts residents and tourists at risk

Published in Food and Wine on Tuesday, August 5th 2025 at 11:14 GMT by BBC
^{🞛 This publication is a summary or evaluation of another publication 🞛 This publication contains editorial commentary or bias from the source}

The government hopes to roll out changes next year to food labels.

Okay, here's a comprehensive summary of the BBC News article "Ukraine war: The 'ghost city' where life has stopped" (https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cr4e25kxw9ro), aiming for substantial detail and narrative flow while avoiding any information about the article’s production itself.

---

Ukraine War: The ‘Ghost City’ Where Life Has Stopped – Avdiivka's Descent into a Silent Shell

The small Ukrainian city of Avdiivka, located just north of Donetsk in the Donbas region, has become a harrowing symbol of the relentless and brutal nature of the ongoing war with Russia. Once a bustling industrial hub known for its coke plant, Avdiivka is now described as a "ghost city," a place where life has effectively ceased to exist due to constant shelling and escalating military conflict. The article paints a deeply unsettling picture of a community systematically eroded by years of fighting, culminating in the current, near-total evacuation of its remaining residents.

The story begins with an exploration of Avdiivka’s history as a vital industrial center. The coke plant, once the city's lifeblood and primary employer, provided jobs for thousands and shaped the community's identity. The article emphasizes that this wasn't just about work; it was about a sense of belonging, shared purpose, and generational continuity. Families lived and worked at the plant, their lives intertwined with its operations. The very layout of the city reflected this industrial heritage – densely populated residential areas clustered around the factory complex.

However, this stability began to unravel in 2014 when Russia’s annexation of Crimea and support for separatists in eastern Ukraine ignited a conflict that initially skirted Avdiivka. The city became a frontline town, subject to sporadic shelling but still retaining a semblance of normalcy. People rebuilt after damage, adapted to the constant threat, and clung to the hope of returning to some form of routine. This resilience is highlighted through anecdotes – stories of residents reinforcing windows with metal sheeting, digging makeshift shelters in their backyards, and continuing daily life despite the ever-present danger.

The situation dramatically worsened in 2017 when Ukrainian forces pushed separatist fighters back from Avdiivka, creating a precarious frontline that has remained largely unchanged since. This proximity to enemy lines meant constant shelling – not just sporadic bursts but sustained barrages of artillery and mortar fire. The article details the psychological toll this took on the population. The relentless noise, the fear of sudden impact, the disruption of sleep, and the constant anxiety created a climate of pervasive stress and trauma.

Over the years, the city's population dwindled steadily as people chose to leave for safer areas. Initially, it was primarily the elderly and vulnerable who departed, followed by families with young children. Those who remained were often those deeply rooted in the community – older residents unwilling or unable to abandon their homes, workers tied to the coke plant (even as its operations became increasingly precarious), and a small number of Ukrainian soldiers determined to defend the city.

The recent escalation of the war, particularly Russia’s intensified offensive in the Donbas region launched in early 2023, marked a turning point for Avdiivka. The intensity of the shelling increased exponentially, transforming the city into a landscape of destruction. Buildings were reduced to rubble, infrastructure was crippled, and the once-familiar streets became treacherous obstacle courses littered with craters and unexploded ordnance.

The article focuses on the final evacuation efforts undertaken in October 2023. Ukrainian authorities initiated a mandatory evacuation order for all remaining civilians, recognizing that staying in Avdiivka had become unsustainable and life-threatening. The scenes described are heartbreaking – elderly residents being helped onto buses, families saying tearful goodbyes to homes they’d known their entire lives, and the palpable sense of loss hanging over the city as it emptied out. The evacuation wasn't a mass exodus; rather, it was a slow, agonizing trickle of people leaving behind everything they owned.

One particularly poignant element is the story of those who refused to leave – a handful of elderly residents stubbornly clinging to their homes despite the overwhelming danger. These individuals represent both incredible resilience and a tragic sense of isolation. They are portrayed as figures caught in a desperate situation, facing an uncertain future amidst the ruins of their city. The article emphasizes that while Ukrainian forces are attempting to provide support, the ability to do so is severely hampered by the ongoing fighting.

The destruction of Avdiivka extends beyond physical damage; it represents the shattering of a community and the loss of a way of life. The coke plant, once the heart of the city, has been largely destroyed, symbolizing the collapse of its industrial identity. The article suggests that even if Ukrainian forces manage to retake the city in the future, rebuilding Avdiivka will be an immense challenge – not just physically but also emotionally and socially. Recreating a sense of community after such profound trauma will require years of effort and significant resources.

The piece concludes by highlighting the broader significance of Avdiivka’s fate within the context of the war. It serves as a stark reminder of the human cost of conflict, the devastating impact on civilian populations, and the enduring scars that war leaves behind. Avdiivka is not just a city; it's a microcosm of the larger tragedy unfolding in Ukraine – a place where homes have been lost, lives have been disrupted, and an entire community has been reduced to a "ghost city," a silent testament to the brutality of war. The article ends on a somber note, emphasizing that Avdiivka’s story is likely to be repeated in other frontline towns as the conflict continues.

--- I hope this detailed summary captures the essence and narrative depth of the BBC News article.

Read the Full BBC Article at:
[ https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cr4e25kxw9ro ]

N※N

Jersey's 'dangerous' food labels puts residents and tourists at risk