INSIDER
Bill introduced to award 1980 'Miracle On Ice' US hockey team with Congressional Gold Medals
Read full article: Bill introduced to award 1980 'Miracle On Ice' US hockey team with Congressional Gold MedalsA bill has been introduced in the U.S. House of Representatives to award Congressional Gold Medals to the 1980 “Miracle on Ice" Olympic hockey team.
Declassified memo from US codebreaker sheds light on Ethel Rosenberg's Cold War spy case
Read full article: Declassified memo from US codebreaker sheds light on Ethel Rosenberg's Cold War spy caseA top U_S_ government codebreaker who decrypted secret Soviet communications during the Cold War concluded that Ethel Rosenberg knew about her husband’s activities but “did not engage in the work herself."
Peaceful pre-Olympic protest in Paris honors fallen Ukrainian athletes
Read full article: Peaceful pre-Olympic protest in Paris honors fallen Ukrainian athletesIn a powerful tribute to the hundreds of Ukrainian athletes who have perished since the Russian invasion of their homeland, the Union of Ukrainians of France led a peaceful march of several hundred people in Paris on Saturday.
Americans favored to top overall medal count in Paris Olympics. China will challenge for most gold
Read full article: Americans favored to top overall medal count in Paris Olympics. China will challenge for most goldThe United States is strongly favored to win the most overall medals when the Paris Olympics open in a month.
For decades, Moscow has sought to silence its critics abroad
Read full article: For decades, Moscow has sought to silence its critics abroadFrom its earliest days, the Soviet Union’s intelligence services — whether known as the Cheka or the names of any of its successor agencies like the KGB — kept the government in power by pursuing its opponents no matter where they lived.
How the Kremlin weaponized Russian history — and has used it to justify the war in Ukraine
Read full article: How the Kremlin weaponized Russian history — and has used it to justify the war in UkraineWhen Tucker Carlson asked Vladimir Putin about his reasons for invading Ukraine two years ago, Putin gave him a lecture on Russian history.
A century after Lenin's death, the USSR's founder seems to be an afterthought in modern Russia
Read full article: A century after Lenin's death, the USSR's founder seems to be an afterthought in modern RussiaA century after the death of Vladimir Lenin, the founder of the Soviet Union is largely an afterthought in modern Russia.
Russians commemorate victims of Soviet repression as a present-day crackdown on dissent intensifies
Read full article: Russians commemorate victims of Soviet repression as a present-day crackdown on dissent intensifiesRussians commemorated the victims of Soviet state terror on Sunday, while the Russian government continues its crackdown on dissent in the country.
Orbán blasts the European Union on the anniversary of Hungary's 1956 anti-Soviet uprising
Read full article: Orbán blasts the European Union on the anniversary of Hungary's 1956 anti-Soviet uprisingPrime Minister Viktor Orbán has compared Hungary’s membership in the European Union to more than four decades of Soviet occupation.
Russia is back on the lunar path. A rocket blasts off on its first moon mission in nearly 50 years
Read full article: Russia is back on the lunar path. A rocket blasts off on its first moon mission in nearly 50 yearsA rocket carrying a lunar landing craft has blasted off on Russia’s first moon mission in nearly 50 years, racing to land on Earth’s satellite ahead of an Indian spacecraft.
Ukraine replaces Soviet hammer and sickle with trident on towering Kyiv monument
Read full article: Ukraine replaces Soviet hammer and sickle with trident on towering Kyiv monumentThe towering Mother Ukraine statue in Kyiv — one of the nation’s most recognizable landmarks — has lost its hammer-and-sickle as officials replaced the Soviet-era emblem with the country’s trident coat of arms.
He was the CIA whiz kid in 'Charlie Wilson's War.' His new book offers advice for the US in Ukraine
Read full article: He was the CIA whiz kid in 'Charlie Wilson's War.' His new book offers advice for the US in UkraineOne of the architects of the covert U.S. strategy against the Soviets in Afghanistan has published a new memoir.
US: 'tangible progress' in Armenia-Azerbaijan peace talks
Read full article: US: 'tangible progress' in Armenia-Azerbaijan peace talksSecretary of State Antony Blinken says Armenia and Azerbaijan have made “tangible progress” in four days of U.S.-hosted peace talks between the two former Soviet republics that have repeatedly clashed over the disputed territory of Nagorno-Karabakh.
Alaska Native Scouts feted 67 years after rescuing Navy crew
Read full article: Alaska Native Scouts feted 67 years after rescuing Navy crewSixteen Alaska Native men are being honored for rescuing the crew of a U.S. Navy plane shot down over the Bering Strait by Soviet fighter jets nearly 70 years ago.
In polar night, Norway-Russia kids event lights up Christmas
Read full article: In polar night, Norway-Russia kids event lights up ChristmasThe children’s choir from the Lutheran church in the Arctic archipelago of Svalbard traveled three hours each way by boat to mark Orthodox Christmas with the 40 children in Barentsburg, a village owned by Russia’s Arctic mining company in the remote Norwegian territory.
Wartime Ukraine erasing Russian past from public spaces
Read full article: Wartime Ukraine erasing Russian past from public spacesUkraine is accelerating efforts to erase Soviet and Russian influence from its public spaces by pulling down monuments and renaming hundreds of streets to honor its own artists, poets, soldiers and independence leaders.
Gorbachev remembered fondly in Germany for enabling unity
Read full article: Gorbachev remembered fondly in Germany for enabling unityMikhail Gorbachev was enduringly popular in Germany for enabling the country’s reunification after four decades of post-World War II division — and setting the scene for the peaceful collapse of communism that made it possible.
Kremlin offers mixed view of Gorbachev's historic role
Read full article: Kremlin offers mixed view of Gorbachev's historic roleThe Kremlin treaded carefully Wednesday reacting to Mikhail Gorbachev’s death, praising his prominent role in reshaping 20th-century history, but noting his “romantic” view of the West.
Putin orders troop replenishment in face of Ukraine losses
Read full article: Putin orders troop replenishment in face of Ukraine lossesRussian President Vladimir Putin appears to be moving to replenish the depleted ranks of the Russian military by ordering a 13% increase in the country’s troop strength by Jan. 1.
US, allies to revoke 'most favored nation' status for Russia
Read full article: US, allies to revoke 'most favored nation' status for RussiaPresident Joe Biden will announce Friday that along with the European Union and the Group of Seven countries, the U.S. will move to revoke “most favored nation” trade status for Russia over its invasion of Ukraine.
Ukraine attack leaves Baltics wondering: Are we next?
Read full article: Ukraine attack leaves Baltics wondering: Are we next?To Estonians, Latvians and Lithuanians — particularly those old enough to have lived under Soviet control — Russia’s belligerence toward Ukraine has some worried that they could be the Kremlin's next target.
Devin Scillian: Why you should care about what’s happening in Ukraine
Read full article: Devin Scillian: Why you should care about what’s happening in UkraineIt was January of 1992, Russia’s first winter of democracy after the collapse of the Soviet system. I and my photographer, Chuck Musgrove, were walking across the historic stones of Red Square in Moscow.
Local Ukrainian Americans watch and worry as Russia Threat looms
Read full article: Local Ukrainian Americans watch and worry as Russia Threat loomsTensions continue to mount on the Russia-Ukraine border as an estimated 100,000 Russian troops are being staged for what some believe could be an imminent invasion. Every Ukrainian American has a different story of why mothers, grandmothers, fathers, and grandfathers left a land they loved.
USSR's death blow was struck 30 years ago in a hunting lodge
Read full article: USSR's death blow was struck 30 years ago in a hunting lodgeWhen the leaders of the Soviet Union’s three Slavic republics met at a secluded hunting lodge near the Polish border on Dec. 8, 1991, they delivered a death blow to the USSR.
Moldova marks 30 years of independence from Soviet rule
Read full article: Moldova marks 30 years of independence from Soviet ruleMoldova’s pro-Western president has been joined in the capital Chisinau by her counterparts from Romania, Poland, and Ukraine to celebrate the country’s three decades of independence from Soviet rule.
As tanks rolled in 1991, AP photographer sprang into action
Read full article: As tanks rolled in 1991, AP photographer sprang into actionOn Aug. 19, 1991, a group of top Communist Party hard-liners declared they had removed Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev from power and declared a state of emergency in the country.
Soviet legend on modern gymnastics routines: 'I'm a little afraid'
Read full article: Soviet legend on modern gymnastics routines: 'I'm a little afraid'Soviet gymnast Larisa Latynina is filled with a mixed sense of wonder and trepidation when she watches the gravity-defying and often treacherous routines of Simone Biles as the American set out to break her Olympic gold-medal record.
Belarus opposition leader seeks new US, European sanctions
Read full article: Belarus opposition leader seeks new US, European sanctionsThe leader of Belarus’ embattled opposition hopes the United States and Europe will impose new sanctions on money-making government enterprises that will lead to the collapse of President Alexander Lukashenko’s regime and a peaceful transition that pro-democracy supporters are preparing for because “it can happen very fast.”.
Belarus leader: We won't stop migrants from heading to EU
Read full article: Belarus leader: We won't stop migrants from heading to EUBelarus’ authoritarian President Alexander Lukashenko has warned that his country will not try to stem a flow of migrants to the European Union in response to new EU sanctions.
Putin hails WWII heroes, warns of degrading Europe security
Read full article: Putin hails WWII heroes, warns of degrading Europe securityRussian President Vladimir Putin is marking the 80th anniversary of the Nazi attack on the Soviet Union by hailing the country’s World War II heroes and calling for efforts to strengthen European security.
Geneva regains diplomatic spotlight with Putin-Biden summit
Read full article: Geneva regains diplomatic spotlight with Putin-Biden summitWith Presidents Joe Biden and Vladimir Putin heading to town, Geneva is returning to the international spotlight as a leading hub for diplomacy and multilateralism, things that were largely shunned by the Trump administration.
Spidernauts and space dogs: What happens to the creatures of spaceflight
Read full article: Spidernauts and space dogs: What happens to the creatures of spaceflightAnimal spaceflights paved the way for the first human astronauts, and today, creatures big and small continue to space travel, advancing our knowledge of how the zero-gravity environment impacts all beings and aiding research down on Earth.
Russia steps in, trying to aid stalled Afghan peace process
Read full article: Russia steps in, trying to aid stalled Afghan peace processKabulov was in Pakistan, a key regional player in efforts to find a peaceful end to Afghanistan's protracted war. Few details came out of the meeting except that Afghanistan and getting to a peace deal dominated talks. Zamir Kabulov, Russian President Vladimir Putin’s special envoy for Afghanistan, was in Pakistan on Friday for talks with officials. AdWashington and Kabul have been pressing for a cease-fire while the Taliban say they will negotiate it as part of peace talks with the Afghan government. Few details came out of Kabulov's meetings except a statement saying that Afghanistan and efforts to reach a peace deal dominated the discussions.
Estonia report: Russia bets on COVID-19 weakening the West
Read full article: Estonia report: Russia bets on COVID-19 weakening the West“For its part, Russia is prepared to add fuel to the flames to encourage these trends," the report states. The Russian government did not offer an immediate reaction to the intelligence report from Estonia, a former Soviet republic. It also has accused the West of trying to discredit the Russia-produced COVID-19 vaccine, Sputnik V.Russia is actively promoting Sputnik V in several European nations, including Serbia. Though focusing largely on events in Russia or in neighboring nations such as Belarus and Ukraine, the report also discussed developments in China. AdChina’s “leadership has a clear objective of making the world dependent on Chinese technology,” the document states.
George Shultz wasn't 'afraid to struggle against the odds'
Read full article: George Shultz wasn't 'afraid to struggle against the odds'(AP Photo/Barry Thumma, File)WASHINGTON – Time was running out when Secretary of State George P. Shultz returned home in April 1988 after flying 16,000 miles in a failed mission to persuade Arabs and Israelis to negotiate their differences. AdA lifelong Republican, Shultz negotiated the first-ever treaty with the Soviet Union to reduce the size of their ground-based nuclear arsenals. The president would not yield, and Reagan and Shultz returned to the United States disappointed but determined to pursue an accord. Although Shultz objected, Reagan went ahead with the deal and millions of dollars from Iran went to right-wing Contra guerrillas in Nicaragua. But only a few years later, Reagan and Shultz, considered Israel’s best friends, had opened the door to Palestinian legitimacy and possibly a Palestinian state on land held by Israel.
British double agent George Blake dies in Russia at 98
Read full article: British double agent George Blake dies in Russia at 98Blake, a former British intelligence officer who worked as a double agent for the Soviet Union, has died in Russia. Russias Foreign Intelligence Service announced his death on Saturday, Dec. 26, 2020 without giving any circumstances of his death. (AP Photo/Boris Yurchenko, File)MOSCOW – George Blake, a former British intelligence officer who worked as a double agent for the Soviet Union and passed some of the most coveted Western secrets to Moscow, has died in Russia. Russia's Foreign Intelligence Service, known as SVR, announced his death Saturday in a statement, which didn't give any details. In the Soviet Union, Blake maintained contacts with other British double agents.
Chinese capsule returns to Earth carrying moon rocks
Read full article: Chinese capsule returns to Earth carrying moon rocksA Chinese lunar capsule returned to Earth on Thursday with the first fresh samples of rock and debris from the moon in more than 40 years. “As our nation's mostly complex and technically groundbreaking space mission, Chang'e 5 has achieved multiple technical breakthroughs ... and represents a landmark achievement," it said. Chinese leader Xi Jinping, in a statement read out at the Beijing Aerospace Control Center, called it a major achievement that marked a great step forward for China's space industry. The moon has been a particular focus of the Chinese space program, which says it plans to land humans there and possibly construct a permanent base. Amid concerns over the Chinese space program’s secrecy and close military connections, the U.S. forbids cooperation between NASA and the CNSA unless Congress gives its approval.
Germany to give $662 million in aid to Holocaust survivors
Read full article: Germany to give $662 million in aid to Holocaust survivorsGermany has agreed to provide more than a half billion euros to aid Holocaust survivors struggling under the burdens of the coronavirus pandemic, the organization that negotiates compensation with the German government said Wednesday. (AP Photo/CAF pap, file)BERLIN – Germany has agreed to provide more than a half billion euros to aid Holocaust survivors struggling under the burdens of the coronavirus pandemic, the organization that negotiates compensation with the German government said Wednesday. Each of those survivors will receive two payments of 1,200 euros ($1,400) over the next two years, for an overall commitment of approximately 564 million euros ($662 million) to some of the poorest survivors alive today. The funds come on top of an emergency $4.3 million the Claims Conference distributed in the spring to agencies providing care for survivors. In addition to the coronavirus-related funds, Germany agreed in the recently concluded round of annual negotiations to increase funding for social welfare services for survivors by 30.5 million euros ($36 million), to a total of 554.5 million ($651 million) for 2021, the Claims Conference said.
Bocharova, star of 1st Soviet Olympic gymnastics team, dies
Read full article: Bocharova, star of 1st Soviet Olympic gymnastics team, diesLAUSANNE Nina Bocharova, an Olympic gold medal-winning gymnast in the first Soviet Union team sent to a games, has died. The Ukraine-born Bocharova died in Rome on Monday, the International Gymnastics Federation said Thursday. Bocharova was the Soviet all-around national champion in 1949 and 51 then part of a dominant team at the 1952 Helsinki Olympics, the governing body said. She won gold medals in the team event and individual balance beam, plus silvers in the all-around behind teammate Maria Gorokhovskaya and team event for portable apparatus. With womens artistic gymnastics still in its infancy, Bocharova exuded strength and grace, the FIG added.
Putin uses World War II parade to boost support before vote
Read full article: Putin uses World War II parade to boost support before voteFILE - In this Tuesday, May 7, 2019 file photo, Russian military vehicles roll down Red Square Red Square during a rehearsal for the Victory Day military parade in Moscow, Russia. The Victory Day parade normally is held on May 9, the nation's most important secular holiday. While the parade is politically important for the Kremlin, Putin's persistence in holding it despite the risks of contagion also reflects his strong personal preoccupation with World War II. World War II began when Germany invaded Poland on Sept. 1, 1939, a week after the pact was signed. On Sept. 17, the Soviet Red Army rolled into Poland from the east.
Putin meets with World War II veterans, visits church
Read full article: Putin meets with World War II veterans, visits church(Alexei Nikolsky, Sputnik, Kremlin Pool Photo via AP)MOSCOW Russian President Vladimir Putin on Monday marked the date of the Nazi invasion of the Soviet Union by meeting with veterans and visiting a new military church. Putin laid a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier at the Kremlin wall and greeted World War II veterans. He also visited the newly built main cathedral of the Russian military on Moscow's western outskirts. Victory Day, marking the Nazi defeat in World War II, is Russia's most important secular holiday, celebrated on May 9. This year, the Red Square military parade marking it was postponed because of the coronavirus pandemic and will be held Wednesday.
Poland says Putin falsifies history to weaken Western allies
Read full article: Poland says Putin falsifies history to weaken Western alliesZaryn accused Putin of pushing a false narrative about history in order to undermine the West and weaken the bonds among allies. The Soviet Union signed a nonaggression pact with Nazi Germany shortly before the war began in 1939, known as the Molotov-Ribbentrop pact. Two years later, Germany turned on Stalin and invaded the Soviet Union, bringing the Soviets into the war on the side of the Allies. In his article, Putin reiterated his contention that the Soviet Union was forced into signing the non-aggression agreement with Germany after Western powers cold-shouldered creating a military alliance. The Soviet Union did its utmost to use every chance of creating an anti-Hitler coalition.