by Helen Womack | 27 Oct 2025 | Music, Politics, Russia, Ukraine
When a Russian pop star told the world, and Putin, that the Ukraine war must end, she had to go into exile. But her message went out. Russian President Vladimir Putin and singer Alla Pugacheva at an awards ceremony in the Kremlin in Moscow, December 2014. (Credit:...
by Helen Womack | 13 Mar 2025 | Asia, Decoders, Europe, History, Politics, Russia, Ukraine
While Russia and Ukraine war over their shared border, two Central Asian nations prove that borders can be changed by mutual agreement. A hand with an eraser and red pencil over a map of Central Asia. (Illustration by News Decoder) This article was produced...
by Helen Womack | 8 Oct 2024 | History, Journalism, Russia
We colour history with nostalgia when we are dissatisfied with the present. But for those who know only what’s now? They might not want to go back. Former Russian President Boris Yeltsin, right, looking at his watch, and newly-appointed President Vladimir Putin,...
by Helen Womack | 12 Sep 2024 | Europe, History, Politics, Ukraine
Hungary is not known for welcoming immigrants. But in a country where the language is difficult to master, many immigrants might simply choose to move on. A man asks a woman for help in Ukrainian and she tells him to please speak Hungarian. This article was produced...
by Helen Womack | 4 Jun 2024 | Europe, Politics, Wh-Y Vote
Hungary’s current government distances itself from the European Union. But young people share a different mindset. A government billboard reading “Let’s not dance to their tune” is seen with portraits of Open Society Foundation Chair Alex Soros...