United States
Born and raised in Russia, I have studied and worked in Norway, Armenia, Vietnam and the United States. I fluently speak and write in Russian and English, understand but do not speak Ukrainian, have a working proficiency in Italian and a basic knowledge of German.
I love talking to interesting people: if you'd like to chat, have a story tip or an opportunity to share, shoot me an email at sofiadymova2026@u.northwestern.edu or text via Telegram at @sonyaaaja.
CHICAGO — Tens of thousands of Illinoisans across the state took to the streets Saturday to protest President Donald Trump’s and billionaire Elon Musk’s government downsizing, foreign policy choices and actions on the economy, immigration and human rights.
Illinois veterans and VA workers protest Trump administration cuts, fearing worsening care and mass layoffs.
The last remaining strategic arms control agreement between the U.S. and Russia-the New START Treaty-is set to expire on Feb. 5, 2026, and negotiations for a new one are far from underway. Experts say the path forward is uncertain, with a looming possibility of another nuclear arms race on the horizon, although some remain optimistic.
When students enter Evanston Township High School, a sign reading "All Are Welcome Here" greets them in more than 25 languages. However, some students say they've been less welcomed than others when walking through the halls. "Personally, I see more students of color being called out and being told, 'Where's your pass?'
Democrat Angela Alsobrooks beat Republican Larry Hogan in Maryland's Senate race, keeping that seat blue as Republicans captured control of the chamber.
The U.S. Supreme Court appeared receptive to upholding the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's right to place generic limits on ocean sewage discharge as San Francisco took its contentious battle to the high court Wednesday.
As tensions escalate and uncertainty looms over the future of the conflict, U.S. and Ukrainian officials face the delicate task of balancing their advocacy for Ukraine with attempts to curry favor with President-elect Donald Trump.
As Azerbaijan’s troops approached the edge of Artsakh’s (Nagorno-Karabakh) capital Stepanakert on September 25, 2023, Lusine Gharakhanyan was standing in front of her bookshelf, perplexed. Five days before, Artsakh soldiers had started laying down their arms as dictated by a Russia-brokered surrender.
Pressure by activists to change the location of the COP29 is mounting as the United Nations climate summit is set to take place in Azerbaijan in November. Among the activists’ concerns are the inability of Armenians to attend, participants’ safety, as well as COP29’s potential to greenwash – and sponsor – dictatorship and genocide.
Two years after Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine began, dozens of people gathered in downtown Chicago to denounce the war and demand continued support for the country.