What's Happening in Ukraine? 📰
LISTEN HERE
Season 2: Episode 72 Description
In today's episode: Have you been hearing a lot about Ukraine in the news? Well, today correspondent Sarah Namias is sharing some facts about what's going on over in Eastern Europe. Learn more about the history of Ukraine and the importance of Crimea.✔️ Fun Fact Check: What reptile can't stick its tongue out? 🗞️ In the news: updated mask mandates, a possible new planet, a paralyzed man has been given the chance to walk again. And, test your knowledge about the former Soviet Union on today's Trivia on the Ten. ✅
Sources
LIFE AMONG THE RUSSIANS - The New York Times (nytimes.com)
Ukraine - Ukraine under Shelest | Britannica
Ukraine - The Maidan protest movement | Britannica
Ukraine - Independent Ukraine | Britannica
Ukraine - The crisis in Crimea and eastern Ukraine | Britannica
New York lifts indoor mask mandate, as other states relax COVID restrictions : NPR
Life could exist on planet orbiting 'white dwarf' star - BBC News
Paralysed man with severed spine walks thanks to implant - BBC News
Home : Oxford English Dictionary (oed.com)
The End of the Cold War (si.edu)
Links
📧 Do you have something to tell us? Email us at: hello@thetennews.com
📝 Sign up for The Ten News-letter!
📸 Join us on Instagram
TRANSCRIPT:
Ten'er 0:01
Hi, Ten News. This is Ella from New Jersey. I was wondering who is Vladimir Putin? And why is everybody talking about Ukraine? Thanks for your help.
Bethany Van Delft 0:13
That is a great question, Ella, I'm glad you asked because we've got you covered. I'm Bethany Van Delft. It's Thursday, February 17th. And this is the Ten News.
Sound Bit 0:25
10, 9, 8, 7, 6, 5, 4, 3, 2, 1.
Bethany Van Delft 0:33
So, back to Ella's question, who is Vladimir Putin, and why there are so many grown-ups talking about Ukraine right now? Let's get the facts from Ten News correspondent Sarah Namias.
Sarah Namias 0:47
President Joe Biden, along with US allies in Europe, has issued stark warnings to Russian President Vladimir Putin. In recent months, Putin has been ramping up a threatening military presence along Russia's border with Ukraine. With roughly 130,000 Russian troops in place, fears are mounting that Russia could be on the brink of invading Ukraine. Okay, that's bad. Ukraine is the second-largest country in Europe and sits directly between Russia and the rest of the European Union. Once part of the Soviet Union, it is now independent and considered part of Europe. Russia and Ukraine have a long and complicated history. But at the root of this current conflict is Russia's insistence that Ukraine never is allowed to join the North Atlantic Treaty Organization or NATO. Okay? NATO is a military alliance that currently includes 30 countries in Europe and North America. All have made a promise to help defend each other if any of them is attacked. The issue of Ukraine's exclusion from NATO has been a long-standing one for President Putin since the collapse of the Soviet Union under former President Boris Yeltsin in the 1990s. In recent decades, more Eastern European countries like Hungary, Poland, the Czech Republic, and others have joined the NATO alliance. Now, Putin claims that those countries which were once ruled by the Soviet Union could turn against Russia and become a threat. The Biden administration and its European allies have rejected Russia's demands, and are calling on Putin to pull forces back from the Ukrainian border, threatening severe consequences if an invasion occurs. Aw, man. Biden issued this stark warning to Russia in a press conference on February 7th.
Sound Bit 3:01
I have been very, very straightforward and blunt with President Putin both on the phone and in person. We will impose the most severe sanctions that have ever been imposed economic sanctions, and there'll be a lot to pay for that down the road.
Sarah Namias 3:18
Among the consequences is the US is vow to shut down the Nord Stream two pipeline. The Nord Stream two pipeline is a major underwater pipe built to deliver natural gas directly from Russia to Germany. Without it, Russia stands to lose 10s of billions of dollars. Oh, geez. While the United States and NATO have beefed up military forces in the area, talks are continuing with hopes that the conflict can be resolved without going to war. French President Emmanuel Macron met with Putin for several hours on Monday in an effort to de-escalate the situation through diplomatic channels. Meanwhile, Ukrainians are bracing themselves for the possibility of an invasion while publicly downplaying the threat, with many believing that Putin has too much to lose if he engages in war. However, civilians are taking no chances. And many are learning combat strategies just in case. And now it's waiting and see. tensions remain high as the world awaits Russia's next move.
Bethany Van Delft 4:35
Thanks, Sarah. I'm hoping for a diplomatic solution. How did Ukraine end up in the middle of all this turmoil? Lots of people living in Ukraine have strong ties to Russia into Europe. For hundreds of years, Ukraine was part of the Russian Empire. Then during World War II, the country was split up into four parts. When the war ended, Ukraine was brought back together and the country's leaders decided to join the Soviet Union. Life in the Soviet Union was good for some and not for others. What does that mean? For many people just getting food to eat was difficult. Going to the doctor could mean waiting in line for hours, and lawmakers weren't elected by the people. Secret Police was spying on people arresting anyone who oppose the government. Seriously? But in Soviet Ukraine, everyone had housing and education was free. When the Soviet Union collapsed in the 1990s, the countries within it became independent. Ukraine was one of them, it became a democratic state and aligned with Europe. But the story doesn't end there. It actually only starts to get more confusing for Ukrainians. In 2014, the Ukrainian government was working on a plan to work with the European Union and was pressured by Russia to throw it away. Citizens protested and impeach the Ukrainian president. The unrest in Ukraine gave Russia an opening and they made a move to annex a part of Ukraine called Crimea, which means they made it part of Russia. So, that would be like if Canada annexed Maine, then Maine was suddenly part of Canada instead of the US bomber. Big Question. Why did Russia want Crimea? Crimea is a peninsula that's home to important shipping ports, and lots of Russians lived there. In so since 2014, Russia has kept Crimea and people in eastern Ukraine, the area bordering Russia have fought over whether to stay in Ukraine or try to join Russia. Got all that help. We know time is it's a lot to process and a pretty complicated situation. But we'll keep you updated as the situation unfolds, and we learn more. And as always talk to your grownups about it and see what they know. Did you know that crocodiles can't stick out their tongues, but alligators can? It's true. Wow, whoa, Ryan, what are you doing?
Ryan Willard 7:13
I'm mocking this crocodile. I regret everything, run away, run away.
Bethany Van Delft 7:20
And this is your friendly reminder not to mock a crocodile. Well, du. Oh my goodness. Alright, Ryan, are you ready to give us the rundown?
Ryan Willard 7:31
Ready and willing Bethany Here we go. Certain states will soon be changing their mask mandate in the coming months. As the Omicron serge continues to slow down states have reconsidered their rules on masking. In New York, indoor masking will no longer be required but masks will still be required in areas with lots of people like public transportation and schools. Check your state's public health site for the latest rules and information. Researchers think there might be a new planet that could sustain life. A planet was detected in the habitable zone of a white dwarf star where it's not too hot and not too cold to sustain life. It's the first time researchers have seen anything in that zone. The possible planet is estimated to be 117 light-years away from Earth. Wow, a paralyzed man with a severed spinal cord has been able to walk again. Michael Riccati was paralyzed after a motorbike accident five years ago. But thanks to the help of an electrical implant by Swiss researchers, he can now walk. This is the first time that anyone with that severe of an injury has been able to walk. Now, while this isn't a cure for spinal injuries. It's a great big step in the right direction. Back to you Bethany.
Bethany Van Delft 8:48
Okay, it's time for...
Sound Bit 8:51
What, what, what's the big idea?
Bethany Van Delft 8:54
Trivia on the Ten. Back to talking about the Soviet Union. What was the name of the long conflict that lasted from 1945 to 1991 between the Soviet Union and Western allies? Was it a) the Cold War? b) the chili period? or c) the frosty times? Did you guess it? The answer is a) the Cold War. The Soviets and NATO were racing each other to get the most nuclear weapons and a lot of people were scared there would be a nuclear war. But, luckily that never happened. Whew. The Cold War ended when the Berlin wall which separated East and West Germany was torn down.
Sound Bit 9:47
Mr. Gorbachev, tear down this wall.
Bethany Van Delft 9:53
Then the countries of the Soviet Union open their borders and held free and fair elections. That's all we've got for today. But before we go, here's a quick note for the grownups. Thanks for listening to the Ten News. Look out for our new episodes on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and extras on Saturdays. The Ten News is a coproduction of Small But Mighty Media and Next Chapter Podcasts and is distributed by iHeartRadio. The Ten News creative team is chasing the crocodile that is chasing Ryan and includes Tracey Crooks, Pete Musto, Ryan Willard, Adam Barnard, and Tessa Flannery. Sarah Namias contributed to this episode. Our production director is Jeremiah Tittle and our executive producers are Donald Albright and show creator Tracy Leeds Kaplan. I'm Bethany Van Delft and thanks for listening to the Ten News. Ryan leave that crocodile alone. There he goes!
