Soviet Union

In eastern Latvia, the closer you get to the Russian border, the more monuments to fallen Soviet soldiers you’ll find.

As war rages on in Ukraine, some ethnic Russians in Latvia say they feel marginalized

Ethnic Russians have been living in Latvia for decades. But with public opinion turning sharply against Russia since the war in Ukraine began, some say they are increasingly worried about their place in Latvian society.

As war rages on in Ukraine, some ethnic Russians in Latvia say they feel marginalized
Black-and-white photo of two men in outdoor gear standing besides a large harpoon gun on a boat

The Soviet Union once hunted endangered whales to the brink of extinction — but its scientists opposed whaling and secretly tracked its toll

The Soviet Union once hunted endangered whales to the brink of extinction — but its scientists opposed whaling and secretly tracked its toll
Many of the Jewish graves in Kyrgyzstan are adorned with Stars of David.

The Jewish graves in Kyrgyzstan are fading. But a small Jewish community continues to thrive. 

The Jewish graves in Kyrgyzstan are fading. But a small Jewish community continues to thrive. 
Many of Tskaltubo's sanatoriums will soon be renovated and reopened to tourists once again through an initiative funded by the government and private investment.

Longtime refugees in Georgia say goodbye to the Soviet-era sanatoriums they called home

Longtime refugees in Georgia say goodbye to the Soviet-era sanatoriums they called home
President Joe Biden meets virtually with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi in the South Court Auditorium on the White House campus in Washington, Monday, April 11, 2022. 

Amid war in Ukraine, India maintains 'strategic partnership' with Russia

Amid war in Ukraine, India maintains 'strategic partnership' with Russia
The International Space Station is a great example of how space has, for the most part, been a peaceful and collaborative international arena.

Space law hasn’t been changed since 1967 – but the UN aims to update laws and keep space peaceful

Activities in space today are far more numerous and complicated compared to 1967, before humans had landed on the moon or Elon Musk had even been born. Two experts explain the need for better laws to keep space peaceful.

Space law hasn’t been changed since 1967 – but the UN aims to update laws and keep space peaceful
Eusebio Torres waits to be vaccinated as a nurse prepares the dose of the Cuban Abdala COVID-19 vaccine at the Gustavo Aldereguia hospital in Cienfuegos, Cuba, Sunday, May 30, 2021.

Cuba’s promise of a homegrown COVID-19 vaccine  

Cuba, a world leader in medicine, is the first in Latin America to develop its own COVID-19 vaccine.

Cuba’s promise of a homegrown COVID-19 vaccine  
Soviet cosmonaut Major Yuri Gagarin is shown in a black and white portrait photograph wearing a space helmet with the visor open.

It's been 60 years since Yuri Gagarin became the first man in outer space

Author Stephen Walker discusses his biography on Yuri Gagarin with The World's host Marco Werman.

It's been 60 years since Yuri Gagarin became the first man in outer space
Satellite image of San Francisco.

Cold War 'CORONA' satellite images find second life in ecology research

Some of the more than 800,000 satellite images taken during the Cold War are being used by researchers to track biodiversity and species decline.

Cold War 'CORONA' satellite images find second life in ecology research
A woman behind a desk speaks

Fiona Hill: Putin has become ‘wild card’ for Russia's political system

Russia expert and former presidential adviser Fiona Hill speaks with The World's Marco Werman about US-Russia relations and the state of Russia's politics ahead of Victory Day celebrations.

Fiona Hill: Putin has become ‘wild card’ for Russia's political system
Abandoned snow-covered buildings

‘I am a hostage of the north’: Trapped in a post-Gulag Arctic city

Many Russians in the far north have been waiting for more than two decades to be resettled in lower latitudes. They are caught between Moscow's grand plans for Arctic development and an exodus of aging Soviet workers longing to see flowers rather than blizzards in the springtime.

‘I am a hostage of the north’: Trapped in a post-Gulag Arctic city
A close up of an eyeglass lens being cut

Ukrainian eyeglasses market brings pains of deindustrialization into focus

The ‘optical capital’ of the Soviet Union in Izyum, Ukraine, struggles amid regional economic decline on the borders of a hot war. 

Ukrainian eyeglasses market brings pains of deindustrialization into focus
A film still of a man sitting at a dressing room mirror with lights

In 'The Humorist,' Soviet comedy is no joke

Michael Idov's new film, “The Humorist,” captures the oxymoronic nature of state-sanctioned Soviet comedy and the downfall of the system through the eyes of character, Boris Arkadiev.

In 'The Humorist,' Soviet comedy is no joke
A row of multi-colored woolen skirts

For these Latvian Americans, summer is for learning about their roots

A new academic year is kicking off around the world, but for some American teens, the end of summer brings a close to a different school experience — learning their immigration history and family language in heritage summer schools. 

For these Latvian Americans, summer is for learning about their roots
Vladimir Putin walks between two rows of people clapping their hands and taking photos with their cell phones

20 years of Putin in power: A timeline

Last year marked two decades of Vladimir Putin in power in Russia. Here are the events that have shaped — or been shaped — by the former KGB officer.

20 years of Putin in power: A timeline