The Kyiv Independent
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Zelensky reminds world of Russian nuclear threat on Chornobyl anniversary.
President Volodymyr Zelensky has used the anniversary of the Chornobyl disaster on April 26 to highlight the continuing threat Russia poses while the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant is "held hostage" by Moscow's forces.
The Zaporizhzhia plant – the largest nuclear plant in Europe – has been under Russian occupation since March 2022. The Chornobyl plant was also occupied by Moscow's forces for 35 days at the start of Russia's full-scale invasion.
Throughout its occupation, the Zaporizhzhia nuclear plant has been repeatedly disconnected from the Ukrainian power grid due to Russian attacks on the country's energy infrastructure.
In a post on social media, Zelensky said the Chornobyl disaster "showed the world how quickly deadly threats can appear," adding: "Radiation does not recognize borders and does not distinguish national flags."
"For 785 days, the Zaporizhia nuclear power plant, the largest in Europe, has been held hostage by Russian terrorists," he said.
"And it is the duty of the whole world to put pressure on Russia so that the nuclear power plant is released and returned to the full control of Ukraine and that all nuclear facilities in Ukraine are protected from Russian strikes."
The Chornobyl nuclear accident occurred on April 26, 1986, when one of the plant’s nuclear reactors exploded during a planned test.
The explosion spewed nuclear material across Europe and heavily contaminated a 150,000-square-kilometer area of land covering Ukraine, Belarus, and Russia.
A massive rescue and clean-up operation narrowly averted an even bigger cataclysm, but the accident remains the most devastating nuclear disaster in history and played a significant role in the collapse of the Soviet Union.
While the official death toll stands at just 31, the World Health Organisation (WHO) estimates that approximately 4,000 people have died since the disaster due to acute radiation symptoms, thyroid cancer, or radiation-induced leukemia.
Over 55,400 square kilometers, or 9% of Ukraine’s territory, is contaminated because of the accident.
"We remember the strength and dedication of people who saved lives in 1986. We appreciate everyone who is helping to protect lives now," Zelensky said.
Yermak: Ukraine aims to finalize security agreement with US in May.
A Ukrainian delegation led by Head of the Presidential Office Andriy Yermak held the fourth round of negotiations with the U.S. on the future bilateral security agreement on May 6, the Presidential Office reported.
US soldier travels to Russia, arrested on suspicion of theft.
Russia is currently holding a number of U.S. nationals on what are widely believed to be trumped up charges.
EU Commission to end years-long rule-of-law fight with Poland.
The EU's executive arm launched the sanctions procedure, which can lead to the suspension of certain rights, in 2017 against the Polish government at the time led by the conservative Law and Justice (PiS) party.
Media: Xi backs global Olympic truce after Macron's proposal.
Chinese President Xi Jinping supported on May 6 the idea of a global truce during the Olympic Games in Paris this summer, Le Monde reported.Xi arrived in France a day earlier as part of his European tour, marking his first visit to the EU in five ...
Is Chechnya preparing for Kadyrov's demise — and what could come next?.
New reporting has put the Chechen warlord's health in the headlines once more. But there are other, subtler, signs that the republic might be preparing for a regime change.Chechen warlord Ramzan Kadyrov is used to speculation about his immine...
Last thing Americans need is another three week temper tantrum courtesy of MTG: Dem rep.
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Kinzinger predicts how Trump will handle potential vice presidential candidates.
CNN senior political commentator Adam Kinzinger discusses how he thinks Donald Trump will approach selecting a running mate for the 2024 presidential election. #CNN #News
Nature: Plane Watch - VOA Connect
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'London will see a transformed city' says Mayor Sadiq Khan.
Labour's Sadiq Khan has secured a historic third term as London mayor, seeing off Tory challenger Susan Hall. He received 1,088,225 votes (43.8%) to be re-elected, a majority of nearly 276,000 over Ms Hall, who secured 812,397 votes (32.7%). He sa...
Press Preview: Sunday's front pages
We take a look Sunday's front pages with writer and broadcaster Amy Nickell-Turner and senior political correspondent for the Daily Express, Christian Calgie. Read more: #skynews #presspreview #frontpages SUBSCRIBE to our YouTube channel for more ...
‘DISGUSTING’: College students on campus antisemitism.
GW student Sarah Renbaum and Columbia student Parker De Deker join ‘Fox News Live’ to discuss how they’ve been affected by campus protests. #foxnews Subscribe to Fox News! Watch more Fox News Video: Watch Fox News Channel Live: FOX News Channel (F...