Free Republic

Archaeologists from the University of Helsinki are carrying out excavations of what they say is a unique Stone Age site at Järvenkylä in Virolahti in the far south-eastern part of the country. The most striking feature of the site is the remains of an exceptionally large dwelling that the scientists describe as a "terraced house", in some ways like those found in many modern suburbs. The original find was made three years ago while archaeologists were carrying out a field inventory of medieval period remains in the area . The house now being excavated was built and occupied some 2000...

The brave little nation of Finland declared itself independent from Russia in September 1917. This act was "approved" by the newly formed nation of Bolshevist Russia shortly after. Later on, Kreml changed its mind concerning this issue. Especially Stalin. Luckily enough, this initial acknowledgement by Russia/Soviet didn't result in any false sense of security among the Finns. They had no reason to. Finland was - at least formally speaking - under German hegemony until 1918 (when WWI ended) and was, furthermore, plagued by a civil war raging between patriots and Communists the very same year. This wasn't the first time...

DEBLIN, Poland, Apr 18, 2003 (AP WorldStream via COMTEX) -- Poland on Friday signed a deal to buy 48 U.S.-made F-16 jet fighters for US$3.5 billion, the biggest defense contract by a former Soviet bloc country since the end of the Cold War. Along with the purchase of planes from Lockheed Martin Corp., Polish and U.S. officials concluded an agreement for U.S. investment in Poland, business deals with Polish manufacturers and transfer of technology that the government valued at a minimum of US$7.5 billion. With its complexity, scope and promise of economic benefits for the former communist nation, the package...