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This Happened

This Happened - April 26: The Worst Nuclear Disaster In History

The Chernobyl nuclear disaster was a catastrophic nuclear accident that occurred on this day in 1986, on Ukrainian territory of the Soviet Union. It was the worst nuclear disaster in history, both in terms of the human and environmental impact.

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How did the Chernobyl nuclear disaster happen?

The Chernobyl nuclear disaster happened due to a combination of factors, including a flawed reactor design, human error, and a lack of safety measures. The reactor's operators conducted a safety test in an unsafe manner, causing the reactor to overheat and leading to a series of explosions that released radioactive material into the environment.

What was the immediate impact of the Chernobyl nuclear disaster?

The immediate impact of the Chernobyl nuclear disaster was devastating. The explosions and fire released massive amounts of radioactive material into the environment, causing the deaths of two plant workers and 28 firefighters in the following weeks. The immediate area surrounding the plant was contaminated with high levels of radiation, leading to the evacuation of more than 100,000 people.

What was the long-term impact of the Chernobyl nuclear disaster?

The long-term impact of the Chernobyl nuclear disaster was significant and far-reaching. The health effects of the radiation exposure caused by the disaster continue to be studied and debated, with estimates of the number of deaths and illnesses ranging widely. The disaster also had a significant impact on the environment, with many areas still contaminated with radiation and wildlife populations affected.

What was done to contain the Chernobyl nuclear disaster?

After the disaster, a massive containment effort was undertaken to limit the spread of radiation. The Soviet government deployed emergency crews to the site, including soldiers and firefighters, who worked to extinguish the fires and contain the radioactive material. A concrete and steel sarcophagus was built around the damaged reactor to contain the remaining radioactive material.

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FOCUS: Israel-Palestine War

What Are Iran's Real Intentions? Watch What The Houthis Do Next

Three commercial ships traveling through the Red Sea were attacked by missiles launched by Iran-backed Yemeni Houthi rebels, while the U.S. Navy shot down three drones. Tensions that are linked to the ongoing war in Gaza conflict and that may serve as an indication as to Iran's wider intentions.

photo of Raisi of iran speaking in parliament

Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi at the Iranian parliament in Tehran.

Icana News Agency via ZUMA
Pierre Haski

-Analysis

PARIS — It’s a parallel war that has so far claimed fewer victims and attracted less public attention than the one in Gaza. Yet it increasingly poses a serious threat of escalating at any time.

This conflict playing out in the international waters of the Red Sea, a strategic maritime route, features the U.S. Navy pitted against Yemen's Houthi rebels. But the stakes go beyond the Yemeni militants — with the latter being supported by Iran, which has a hand in virtually every hotspot in the region.

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Since the Oct. 7 Hamas attack on Israel, the Houthis have been making headlines, despite Yemen’s distance from the Gaza front. Starting with missiles launched directed toward southern Israel, which were intercepted by U.S. forces. Then came attacks on ships belonging, or suspected of belonging, to Israeli interests.

On Sunday, no fewer than three commercial ships were targeted by ballistic missiles in the Red Sea. The missiles caused minor damage and no casualties. Meanwhile, three drones were intercepted and destroyed by the U.S. Navy, currently deployed in full force in the region.

The Houthis claimed responsibility for these attacks, stating their intention to block Israeli ships' passage for as long as there was war in Gaza. The ships targeted on Sunday were registered in Panama, but at least one of them was Israeli. In the days before, several other ships were attacked and an Israeli cargo ship carrying cars was seized, and is still being held in the Yemeni port of Hodeida.

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