The UK government, led by Keir Starmer, has announced that three small modular reactors (SMRs) will be built in north Wales by British manufacturer Rolls-Royce SMR, with an investment of £2.5 billion. This decision has sparked criticism from the US, who hoped a US manufacturer would be chosen, particularly Westinghouse Electric Company, which recently signed a large deal. The government’s decision to utilize a British company to produce homegrown clean power has also been met with some criticism from labor unions, but the project is viewed as a positive move by the Nuclear Industry Association. This project at Wylfa, which previously housed a nuclear power plant, is a part of the government’s plan to embrace nuclear energy and provide the opportunity for a large new export industry in SMRs.
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Germany destroys two nuclear plant cooling towers as part of its nuclear phaseout plan, an event that marks a significant step in the nation’s energy transition. The dismantling of these iconic structures, which have stood silent since the plants were taken offline in 2021, underscores the country’s commitment to moving away from nuclear power. It’s a move that sparks a lot of conversation, with opinions ranging from outright disapproval to understanding of the complex factors at play.
These decommissioned towers aren’t where the actual nuclear reactions took place, but their demolition is a visual representation of the end of an era.… Continue reading
Japan scrambles jets after nuclear-capable Russian bombers fly nearby, and the whole situation feels like a tense movie scene unfolding right before our eyes. It’s the kind of headline that immediately grabs your attention, painting a picture of heightened tensions and a potential show of force. The fact that the Russian aircraft involved were strategic bombers, capable of carrying nuclear weapons, definitely adds an extra layer of gravity to the event.
The news reports that Japan scrambled its jets to monitor these Russian warplanes, which flew along the edge of its airspace. The map showing the flight path seems to confirm this wasn’t just a quick flyby; the planes made a deliberate move, heading toward Japan’s Sado Island before turning back.… Continue reading
The Zaporizhzhia nuclear plant, Europe’s largest, has been disconnected from the power grid for seven consecutive days, marking the longest outage since Russia seized the facility. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy warned of a critical situation, citing Russian shelling as the cause for preventing the restoration of power lines needed to cool the reactors. The head of the IAEA, Rafael Grossi, stated there was no immediate danger as long as diesel generators remained operational but that the situation was not sustainable. Grossi is working with both sides to reconnect the plant to the grid and has urged that essential repairs be made.
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On Ukraine’s Independence Day, Russia accused Ukraine of launching drone attacks that sparked a fire at a nuclear power plant in its Kursk region, though radiation levels remained normal. Simultaneously, a fire erupted at a fuel export terminal in Russia’s Leningrad region following an alleged Ukrainian drone attack. While Russia claimed to have intercepted numerous Ukrainian drones, Ukraine’s air force reported launching 72 drones and decoys. International support was shown as Canada pledged significant military aid and Norway offered substantial air defense assistance, while Pope Leo XIV prayed for peace.
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Russia has accused Ukraine of launching drone attacks on a nuclear power plant in the Kursk region, resulting in a fire that was quickly extinguished, with no injuries reported. Concurrently, Ukraine celebrated its Independence Day, marked by support from international allies, including Canada and the UK, who pledged continued military and financial aid. Amidst these events, Russian forces claimed to have seized two villages in the Donetsk region, highlighting ongoing territorial struggles. While diplomatic efforts are ongoing, US President Donald Trump is now considering imposing further sanctions on Russia or withdrawing from peace talks.
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Following a tsunami warning triggered by an 8.7 magnitude earthquake off Russia’s coast, workers at Japan’s Fukushima nuclear plant were evacuated. This evacuation, which involved all 4,000 workers, brought back memories of the 2011 disaster, where a powerful earthquake and subsequent tsunami caused a meltdown at the plant. The ongoing decommissioning of the plant presents significant challenges, including the removal of 880 metric tons of hazardous material and the management of over a million tons of radioactive water. While Japan is slowly shifting back to nuclear power, Wednesday’s tsunami alert is expected to heighten public concerns about nuclear safety.
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Hungarian Foreign Minister Péter Szijjártó announced the United States has lifted sanctions hindering the construction of the Paks II nuclear power plant in Hungary. These sanctions, imposed under the previous administration, were reversed by the current US President. The Paks II project, which is overseen by Russia’s Rosatom, aims to expand Hungary’s sole nuclear facility with two additional reactors, financed largely by a Russian state loan, and has been a point of contention due to Hungary’s continued support for the project despite the ongoing conflict in Ukraine. Additionally, Szijjártó previously condemned a Ukrainian drone strike on the Druzhba pipeline, which temporarily halted Russian oil deliveries to Hungary, deeming it a threat to the country’s energy security.
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Following the recent attacks on Iranian nuclear sites by the US and Israel, Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei addressed the nation, claiming the US had “gained nothing” from its involvement in the conflict. The comments came after the US attacked three Iranian nuclear facilities, prompting a retaliatory missile strike on a US base in Qatar. Meanwhile, Iran’s Guardian Council ratified a bill to suspend cooperation with the IAEA. Both sides are assessing the damage, with conflicting reports on the extent of the destruction, and talks regarding a potential ceasefire are planned between the US and Iran.
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Recent Israeli strikes on Iranian nuclear facilities have deeply concerned Russia, given its longstanding nuclear cooperation with Iran, most notably the construction and operation of the Bushehr nuclear power plant. This collaboration, alongside arms trading and shared interests in circumventing sanctions, represents a significant, albeit potentially precarious, relationship between the two nations. Experts suggest Iran’s pursuit of nuclear power may be primarily aimed at developing weapons capabilities, not energy needs. Russia’s involvement extends beyond Bushehr, including its role in the JCPOA and its current plans to build additional reactors in Iran, actions viewed by some as largely symbolic displays of support.
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John Q. Hosedrinker 
Matt Underwood