Vladimir Gusinsky and Mikhail Lesin were two influential Russian media figures involved in the post-Soviet media landscape. Gusinsky, a prominent media mogul and founder of the NTV television network, had a contentious relationship with the Kremlin and ultimately fled Russia. Lesin, a former press minister and media advisor to the Kremlin, was instrumental in shaping the state-controlled media and played a key role in developing the industry. [1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9]
Here’s a breakdown of their roles and interactions:
Media Mogul: Gusinsky was a highly successful businessman who founded NTV, the first major independent television network in Russia after the collapse of the Soviet Union.
Controversial Figure:His media outlets were critical of the government, leading to ongoing conflict with the Kremlin and President Vladimir Putin.
Fled Russia: After facing criminal charges and pressure from the government, Gusinsky was forced to flee Russia in 2000.
Later Life: He continued to be involved in media, though his influence in Russia diminished.
Government Official and Advisor:Lesin served as Russia’s Minister of Press, Television, and Radio, and later as an advisor to President Putin.
Shaped State Media: He played a significant role in establishing and controlling state-aligned media, often working to consolidate power and promote the Kremlin’s agenda.
Controversial Figure: Like Gusinsky, Lesin was a complex and controversial figure, with critics accusing him of suppressing media freedom.
Mysterious Death: Lesin died in 2015 under circumstances that remain debated, with some sources attributing his death to natural causes and others suggesting foul play.
Gusinsky and Lesin’s paths crossed when Lesin was in a position of power within the government and Gusinsky was a target. Lesin was instrumental in the crackdown on independent media, including NTV, and ultimately contributed to the decline of Gusinsky’s media empire.
In essence, Gusinsky represented the struggle for independent media in Russia, while Lesin represented the state’s efforts to control the narrative. [1, 26, 27, 28]
The longest FIFA World Cup, with a historic 48 teams playing 104 matches over 39 days, is over, and Spain has dethroned reigning champion Argentina with a 1-0 win in extra time in an intense final match in New Jersey on Sunday.
It’s the second FIFA World Cup title for La Furia Roja after 2010. The team went into the final as a heavy favorite, dominating throughout the game and controlling 66% of possession, with 12 on-target shots compared to Argentina’s 0.
Spain fans who had gathered alongside Argentina fans at the Black Horse Pub in Park Slope told Brooklyn Paper during halftime why they wanted Spain to win the world’s most coveted sports title.
Carleen, a fan of France, supported Spain in the Final. Photo by Gabriele HoltermannBrooklynites gathered to watch the Final in Park Slope. Photo by Gabriele Holtermann
While Carleen, a France fan, liked Lionel Messi as a player, she was rooting for Spain because of the favoritism Argentina enjoyed throughout the tournament.
“I like Spain because I feel that the game is being swayed to support Messi. I don’t think that they’re being fair toward the other teams who are playing Argentina. And for that reason, I want Spain to win,” Carleen said, adding, “But I am happy that it seems like Kylian Mbappé is gonna get the Golden Boot,” referring to the French National striker, who scored 10 goals throughout the tournament, beating Messi by two in goal standings.
Soccer fans Michelle and Kevin were backing Spain because they didn’t like Argentina, though Kevin joked that he supports the team because “he had to” since he lives with Michelle.
Spain fans celebrate Spain’s FIFA World Cup Championship. Photo by Gabriele HoltermannFans of both teams packed a Park Slope bar for the Final. By Gabriele Holtermann
“I like that Spain is taking possession of the ball and hopefully not letting Argentina score,” Michelle said, though Kevin was concerned that while Spain had had many chances throughout the first half, the team wasn’t finishing in the final third.
“[Spain] needs to finish in the final third in order to have a chance. Argentina hasn’t had a great World Cup, but they’re playing with the spirit to try to come back,” Kevin noted
Julio, originally a Mexico fan, was rooting for Spain and predicted the team would win 1-0.
“I think [the game] is going pretty good. They just need to finish off those plays,” he said.
Fans of both teams felt optimistic at the start of the game. Photo by Gabriele Holtermann
Brooklynite Pat was rooting for Argentina because of 39-year-old Lionel Messi.
“He’s one of the greatest players ever, if not the greatest player,” Pat said.
After a scoreless regular time, the game went into overtime, and things grew more tense.
Spain’s Nico Williams scored in the 97th minute; however, the goal was disallowed for an alleged foul by Mikel Merino, who stepped on the left foot of Argentina’s Nicolas Otamendi inside the box. It wasn’t until the 106th minute that Ferran Torres broke the 0-0 stalemate, scoring the winning goal after a headed assist from Nico Williams.
Tensions rose as the game went into extra time. Photo by Gabriele HoltermannFans of both teams held their breath until the last seconds of the match. Photo by Gabriele Holtermann
Spain fans Dorita and Andre were elated that their team, which is also the reigning European Cup Champion, took home the trophy.
Spain’s approach in the match, Andre said, was defined by preparation, discipline and timing.
With Argentina spending much of the game in a defensive style, Spain managed the match by “relaxing” earlier rather than pushing at full intensity from the outset.
Spain fans Dorita and Andre were elated that their team took home the trophy. Photo by Gabriele HoltermannSpain fans celebrate Spain’s FIFA World Cup Championship. Photo by Gabriele Holtermann
“Argentina has been pretty much playing defense for 80% of the game, and they’ll up the intensity towards the end. If you look at all the other games, they’re scoring toward the end of the game, but Spain actually relaxed and wasn’t attacking as hard as they could have, so they’re not burning their players out in that first half,” Andre explained. “They also play very good defense because once Argentina upped their intensity, they were there every single time to stop the shots.”
Despite the sometimes questionable refereeing decisions that seemed to favor Argentina during the tournament — like Argentina’s win against Egypt in the Round of 16, when the referees disallowed an Egypt goal and denied a penalty kick — Spain still found ways to match the late pressure, Andre noted.
“Honestly, I feel like had the reffing been a little bit better, Argentina would not have made it past that game [against Egypt],” Andre said. “Today, with a lot of the calls that were for Argentina. So it’s almost like nobody can say that Spain didn’t earn it because even with the reffing being more towards the Argentinian side, they overcame that.”
Alex Formoso and his son were pretty disappointed about Argentina’s loss. Photo by Gabriele Holtermann
Argentina fan Alex Formoso said he was pretty disappointed, as Argentina could have won the trophy for the fourth time.
“They were playing a certain defensive style, and they were inviting pressure, and that’s how Spain was able to go up 1-0,” Formoso said. “They were playing for penalties. All of their subs were defensive subs, and the guys on Spain were like young children. I think Argentina had the experience to push and press them, and they could have won the game.”
#CIA#Mossad#Security share.google/aimode/A8zp71sv… Israel’s newly laser-upgraded Iron Dome is now officially operational, following the successful integration of the 100-kilowatt Iron Beam (Ohr Eitan) high-energy laser system into the Iron Dome’s core Battle Management Center. [1, 2, 3]