LND topic: russian-federation page 1

russian federation

Debt Forgiveness for Russian Soldiers Joining the Ukraine Conflict

May 26, 2026

Putin announced a new decree that will erase up to 10 million roubles of debt for people who have signed a contract with the defence ministry from May 1 onward, or for their spouses. The debt relief applies only if the creditors had already started a legal claim before that date. Those who joi

entertainment

What happened to the cut short Eastern Promises sequel

May 26, 2026

The first "Eastern Promises" film introduced Nikolai Luzhin, a London-based Russian mobster played by Viggo Mortensen, whose calm demeanor hides his real job as an FSB undercover agent. Mortensen spent weeks researching the role, even traveling to Russia to understand the culture he was portraying.

politics

Venice and beyond: Right-wing coalition holds strong in mayoral races

May 26, 2026

Voters in Venice just handed Meloni’s coalition an unexpected win—despite polls earlier this month suggesting the left was ahead. Simone Venturini, the center-right candidate, secured over half the votes with 51%, avoiding a runoff and keeping the city under right-wing leadership for another term. T

politics

Russian‑Controlled Luhansk Dormitory After Drone Strike

May 25, 2026

A ruined dormitory in the Russian‑held Luhansk region was examined by forensic teams after a drone attack that officials say killed 21 people, many of them young women. The building’s front was riddled with holes and broken windows, while outside lay twisted metal and concrete, and inside the rem

politics

Belarus Leader Visits Kyiv Amid Rising Tensions

May 25, 2026

Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya, a former opposition figure from Belarus, arrived in Kyiv after weeks of growing concern that Russia could pull Minsk deeper into its conflict with Ukraine. Her visit followed a major strike on the capital that killed four people and damaged historic buildings, heightening f

opinion

Homeowner Tax Plans: A Legal Tightrope Walk

May 25, 2026

Maine faces a clear housing squeeze. Many locals struggle to buy homes while empty second homes sit unused for most of the year. One candidate proposed a quick fix: lower property taxes for Mainers while charging extra to out-of-state owners of vacation or rental properties. The idea sounds simple,

politics

Why social media stars are changing politics—and why that could be a problem

May 25, 2026

In 2024, influencers got a front-row seat to American politics. For the first time, hundreds of content creators were given special passes to the Democratic and Republican conventions. They rubbed shoulders with politicians at parties, rallies, and even White House events. Campaigns love this trend

celebrities

Russian Roots, Kazakhstani Wins: The Story Behind Elena Rybakina's Journey

May 25, 2026

Elena Rybakina’s rise in tennis is a story of ambition, opportunity, and identity. Born in Moscow to a Russian family, she spent her early years on Russian soil, swinging tennis rackets and dreaming of professional glory. But her path to stardom didn’t follow a straight line—instead, it took a sharp

sports

From Soviet Roots to Global Fame: Usyk’s Life Beyond the Ring

May 24, 2026

Oleksandr Usyk’s rise to boxing legend didn’t start with glitz or fame—it began in hardship. Born in 1987 in Crimea when it was still part of the Soviet Union, his early life was far from easy. After the Soviet Union fell apart, his family moved to a small village in northern Ukraine called Rybotyn,

finance

Workers' Retirement Funds May Be Next for Crypto Investments

May 23, 2026

The U. S. Senate is debating a bill called CLARITY, which aims to set clear rules for digital assets like cryptocurrencies. But unions, representing millions of workers, warn that this bill could open the door to crypto investments in retirement funds. The AFL-CIO, the largest labor federation in th