As radiation spread across Europe in April 1986, so did the truth about a political system built on silence. Four decades on, RFI spoke to history and politics professor Oleg Kobtzeff about how the Chernobyl nuclear disaster exposed the USSR's culture of secrecy, and was among the catalysts for its collapse.
As radiation spread across Europe in April 1986, so did the truth about a political system built on silence. Four decades on, RFI spoke to history and politics professor Oleg Kobtzeff about how the Chernobyl nuclear disaster exposed the USSR's culture of secrecy, and was among the catalysts for its collapse.
As oil prices surge and key shipping routes close because of the war in the Middle East, the downstream effects are impacting different markets around the world, from pistachios and bananas to luxury leather goods, as industries are being forced to adapt to disrupted supply chains and increased costs.
As oil prices surge and key shipping routes close because of the war in the Middle East, the downstream effects are impacting different markets around the world, from pistachios and bananas to luxury leather goods, as industries are being forced to adapt to disrupted supply chains and increased costs.
Europe is turning to Turkey to fill the security vacuum left by an increasingly unreliable United States. But as Nato's secretary-general was praising Ankara's growing military role this week, the European Commission president was placing Turkey in the same bracket as China and Russia. The contradiction points to a dilemma that is only going to deepen.
Europe is turning to Turkey to fill the security vacuum left by an increasingly unreliable United States. But as Nato's secretary-general was praising Ankara's growing military role this week, the European Commission president was placing Turkey in the same bracket as China and Russia. The contradiction points to a dilemma that is only going to deepen.
When Hungary's Tisza party swept to a two-thirds majority, it ended Viktor Orban's 16-year grip on power and raised hopes – and difficult questions – about the country's democratic reset. Zsuzsanna Szelenyi, an early Fidesz member turned critic and now political analyst, reflects on Orban's transformation of the party, Hungary's regime-change challenges and a new generation's pro-European momentum.
When Hungary's Tisza party swept to a two-thirds majority, it ended Viktor Orban's 16-year grip on power and raised hopes – and difficult questions – about the country's democratic reset. Zsuzsanna Szelenyi, an early Fidesz member turned critic and now political analyst, reflects on Orban's transformation of the party, Hungary's regime-change challenges and a new generation's pro-European momentum.
France's president Emmanuel Macron on Sunday joined leaders from across the world to offer support to Donald Trump after a gun attack during the American president's annual gala dinner in Washington with journalists.
France's president Emmanuel Macron on Sunday joined leaders from across the world to offer support to Donald Trump after a gun attack during the American president's annual gala dinner in Washington with journalists.
The events of 26 April, 1986, changed the lives of millions of Ukrainians, and people beyond Ukraine’s borders, when Reactor 4 of the Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant underwent a catastrophic failure during a safety test. RFI spoke with Dr Andrei Kindzelski, son of Professor Leonid Kindzelski, chief radiologist of the Ukrainian Soviet Socialist Republic, who in 2021 was awarded the title Hero of Ukraine in recognition of his tireless efforts to save the lives of those affected.
The events of 26 April, 1986, changed the lives of millions of Ukrainians, and people beyond Ukraine’s borders, when Reactor 4 of the Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant underwent a catastrophic failure during a safety test. RFI spoke with Dr Andrei Kindzelski, son of Professor Leonid Kindzelski, chief radiologist of the Ukrainian Soviet Socialist Republic, who in 2021 was awarded the title Hero of Ukraine in recognition of his tireless efforts to save the lives of those affected.
France's President Emmanuel Macron on Saturday assured Greek leaders that they would be able to count on the support of France during any regional disputes.
France's President Emmanuel Macron on Saturday assured Greek leaders that they would be able to count on the support of France during any regional disputes.
France and the United Kingdom have agreed to a new deal to prevent undocumented migrants from crossing the Channel, with France committing to doubling law enforcement presence on the coast, and the UK contributing up to €766 million – some of which will be paid only if France delivers results.
France and the United Kingdom have agreed to a new deal to prevent undocumented migrants from crossing the Channel, with France committing to doubling law enforcement presence on the coast, and the UK contributing up to €766 million – some of which will be paid only if France delivers results.
The European Union has cleared the way for a €90 billion loan to Ukraine, with a final sign-off expected on Thursday, after oil flow via the disputed Druzhba pipeline to Slovakia resumed early on Thursday, according to the Slovak authorities.
The European Union has cleared the way for a €90 billion loan to Ukraine, with a final sign-off expected on Thursday, after oil flow via the disputed Druzhba pipeline to Slovakia resumed early on Thursday, according to the Slovak authorities.
As European Union leaders meet in Cyprus, the country's President Nikos Christodoulides has called for them to address a long-standing gap in the bloc’s security architecture – how the EU responds if one of its member state comes under attack.
As European Union leaders meet in Cyprus, the country's President Nikos Christodoulides has called for them to address a long-standing gap in the bloc’s security architecture – how the EU responds if one of its member state comes under attack.
The UK is set to host military planners from more than 30 countries for two days of talks beginning today, Wednesday, as momentum builds behind a UK–France-led mission aimed at protecting navigation in the strategically vital Strait of Hormuz.
The UK is set to host military planners from more than 30 countries for two days of talks beginning today, Wednesday, as momentum builds behind a UK–France-led mission aimed at protecting navigation in the strategically vital Strait of Hormuz.
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