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Last refreshed: 24/06/2026 15:41 · 74 articles added
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World

Photos Show Chernobyl Exclusion Zone Remains Frozen in Time Decades After Nuclear Disaster

A photographic report from the Chernobyl exclusion zone reveals the haunting remains of the abandoned city of Pripyat, decades after the 1986 nuclear disaster. The journey from Kyiv through military checkpoints leads to empty kindergartens and schools that remain untouched since the evacuation. The images document the site of the world's worst nuclear accident, showing how the abandoned area looks today as nature slowly reclaims the deserted buildings and infrastructure left behind when residents fled the radioactive contamination.

Aktuality
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World

Pripyat: From Soviet Showcase City to Forest-Reclaimed Ghost Town

The abandoned Ukrainian city of Pripyat, once a showcase of Soviet urban planning that attracted residents with promises of scarce goods and car-free streets, has been almost entirely reclaimed by nature four decades after the Chernobyl nuclear disaster. A 2016 visit to the exclusion zone revealed a landscape where forest now dominates the view from high-rise buildings, with five-story apartment blocks completely hidden beneath tree canopies and only half of nine-story buildings still visible above the vegetation. The city, evacuated in 1986 following the nuclear reactor explosion at the nearby Chernobyl plant, now presents an eerie tableau of abandoned shopping centers with scattered grocery carts and rusted, still-radioactive construction equipment emerging sporadically from the encroaching woodland. What was once designed as a model Soviet city for nuclear workers has transformed into one of the world's most striking examples of how quickly nature can reclaim human settlements when left undisturbed.

Dennik N
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World

Russian Strikes Kill Two in Ukraine's Sumy Region as Fighting Continues

Russian attacks in Ukraine's Sumy region killed two people, according to Ukrainian officials, while pro-Russian authorities in occupied Crimea also reported at least one death. The casualties come as the war between Russia and Ukraine continues into its third year, with both sides reporting daily military operations and civilian losses. Sumy region, located in northeastern Ukraine along the Russian border, has been frequently targeted by Russian forces since the invasion began in February 2022.

SME
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World

Bomb Attack Kills Seven People in Southwest Colombia

A bomb attack in southwestern Colombia killed seven people and injured more than 20 others. The incident represents the latest violence in a region that has historically struggled with armed conflict and security challenges. Colombia continues to face ongoing security issues despite peace agreements with major rebel groups in recent years.

SME
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World

Jihadists and Tuareg Rebels Launch Joint Attacks in Mali, Targeting Junta Leadership

Joint forces of jihadist militants and Tuareg rebels carried out coordinated attacks in Mali, targeting key government facilities and leadership. The assault reportedly included strikes on the residence of Mali's military junta leader and the defense minister's home. The attacks represent a significant escalation in Mali's ongoing security crisis, where the military government has struggled to maintain control since seizing power in a 2020 coup. The collaboration between jihadist groups and Tuareg separatist rebels marks a dangerous development in the Sahel region, where various armed groups have been fighting for territory and influence. Mali has been plagued by insurgency since 2012, when Tuareg rebels and jihadist groups first seized control of the country's northern regions.

SME
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World

Netanyahu Orders New Strikes Against Hezbollah Despite Ceasefire

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu ordered fresh military strikes against Hezbollah targets in Lebanon, despite an existing ceasefire agreement. A brief statement from Netanyahu's office confirmed the prime minister "ordered the Israeli armed forces to carry out a powerful attack on Hezbollah targets in Lebanon." The directive represents a significant escalation in the ongoing conflict between Israel and the Iran-backed militant group, which controls large portions of southern Lebanon and maintains a substantial military presence along Israel's northern border.

TASR/Teraz
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World

Armed Group Hijacks Oil Tanker Off Somalia Coast, Raises Piracy Concerns

An oil tanker sailing under the Somali flag was hijacked by 11 armed individuals off the coast of Somalia and taken into Somali waters, according to a British maritime organization. The vessel, described as a fishing boat in some reports, was seized near the Somali coastline in what appears to be a return to the kind of maritime piracy that plagued the region for years. The incident has raised concerns about the resurgence of piracy in waters that serve as crucial shipping routes for international maritime traffic, potentially threatening the safety of vessels transiting through one of the world's most strategically important waterways.

AktualityTASR/Teraz
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World

Hundreds of firefighters battle devastating forest fires in northern Japan as thousands evacuated

Hundreds of firefighters are battling extensive forest fires across northern Japan as flames threaten residential areas. Authorities have ordered the evacuation of more than 3,200 people from the affected regions as the fires continue to spread through woodland areas. The blazes have prompted a major emergency response as crews work to contain the fires and protect communities in the path of the flames.

SMEAktuality
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World

Armed Groups Attack Military Facilities in Bamako and Other Cities

Armed groups launched attacks on military installations in Bamako, the capital of Mali, and other cities across the West African nation. The Malian military reported that it is fighting against what it described as "terrorist groups" following the coordinated assault on government security facilities. The attacks represent a significant escalation in Mali's ongoing security crisis, as the country continues to struggle with jihadist insurgencies and political instability that have plagued the region for over a decade.

SME
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World

S&P 500 and Nasdaq Close at Record Highs on Iran Peace Talk Hopes

Major U.S. stock indices reached new record highs on Friday, with both the S&P 500 and Nasdaq Composite closing at all-time peaks. The rally was driven by investor optimism about potential renewed peace negotiations between the United States and Iran. The market gains reflected broader investor sentiment that diplomatic progress between the two nations could reduce geopolitical tensions and benefit global economic stability.

SME
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World

Iran executes man convicted of mission ordered by Israeli Mossad

Iran executed a man who was convicted of carrying out a mission assigned to him by Mossad, Israel's intelligence service. The execution occurred shortly after Iran hanged another man on Thursday who had been sentenced to death for membership in a banned opposition group. Iran, which is governed by a Shia Islamic theocracy, frequently executes individuals convicted of espionage, terrorism, or opposition activities, often following trials that international human rights groups criticize as lacking due process.

TASR/Teraz
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World

Zelenskyy Calls for Strengthened Air Defense After Russian Attacks on Dnipro

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy urged international partners to strengthen air defense systems following a nighttime Russian attack that struck Ukrainian cities with dozens of missiles and hundreds of drones. The assault hit the central city of Dnipro and other urban areas, causing civilian casualties. Zelenskyy called for faster military assistance and additional sanctions against Russia in response to the escalated attacks.

Aktuality
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World

German Workers in West Earn More Than Those in East, Statistics Show

German employees in western regions earn significantly more than their counterparts in eastern parts of the country, according to data released this week by the Federal Statistical Office (Destatis). The statistics were published in response to a request from Sören Pellmann, a member of the German parliament representing the opposition Left Party (Die Linke). The wage disparity highlights the continuing economic divide between former West Germany and the eastern regions that were part of East Germany before reunification in 1990.

TASR/Teraz
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World

Iran Resumes Commercial Flights After Two-Month Suspension

Iran resumed commercial flights from Tehran after more than two months of suspension, with the first flights departing for Turkey and Oman. The reopening of Iranian airspace comes during sensitive negotiations with the United States aimed at ending the ongoing conflict in the region. The restoration of commercial aviation operations marks a significant step in Iran's gradual return to normal air travel operations after the extended suspension period.

Aktuality
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World

Majority of Germans Consider Nuclear Power Plant Shutdown a Mistake

More than half of Germans now view the country's decision to phase out nuclear power plants as an error, according to a new survey. The poll results suggest growing public skepticism about Germany's energy transition strategy, which saw the closure of the country's last nuclear reactors in 2023. Solar energy remains the most popular renewable energy source among German respondents. The shift in public opinion reflects ongoing debates about energy security and climate goals following Germany's commitment to eliminate nuclear power as part of its broader energy transformation.

SME
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World

Atlanta Zoo to Receive Two Giant Pandas from China Ahead of Trump Visit

The Atlanta Zoo will receive two giant pandas from China in a move that comes ahead of President Trump's upcoming visit to the country. The male panda Ping Ping and female Fu Shuang originate from a research and breeding center in Sichuan Province, a region known for its panda conservation programs. The transfer represents part of China's ongoing panda diplomacy program, where the country loans giant pandas to international zoos as a gesture of goodwill and to support global conservation efforts for the endangered species.

SME
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World

World's Largest Water Fight: Thailand's Songkran Festival Attracts Millions for New Year Celebrations

Thailand's annual New Year celebration, known as Songkran, draws millions of visitors from around the world to participate in massive water fights across the country. The traditional festival transforms cities into battlegrounds where participants arm themselves with water guns, buckets, and hoses in a nationwide celebration that has become one of the world's largest water festivals. Police and local authorities prepare for the event by positioning water tanks throughout urban areas to support the festivities. The celebration combines ancient Thai traditions with modern tourism, creating a unique cultural experience that attracts international visitors seeking to participate in the elaborate water battles that define the Thai New Year.

Aktuality
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World

Israeli Strikes in Southern Lebanon Kill Six Despite Ceasefire Agreement

Six people were killed in Israeli attacks on southern Lebanon, according to the Lebanese Ministry of Health. The strikes continued despite a ceasefire agreement that was reached with Hezbollah, the Iran-backed militant group that controls much of southern Lebanon. The ongoing attacks highlight the fragility of the truce and raise questions about its implementation and durability.

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