Nuclear Power

Climate & Environment
Japan wants to discharge one million tonnes of contaminated Fukushima water into the sea
IAEA Experts at Fukushima
IAEA Experts at Fukushima Credit: IAEA Imagebank (Creative Commons Attribution ShareAlike 2.0)

Japan will discharge over one million tonnes of treated water from the Fukushima disaster reactor into the sea. Head of government Yoshihide Suga announced this decision to dispose of the water on Tuesday. The plans have already sparked protests from environmentalists, fishermen and farmers in the region, as well as concern in Beijing and Seoul. Dumping the water is expected to take years.

Regional News • Europe
Finland: 'Serious' nuclear radiation leak, automatic shutdown, no radiation espaced facility
The nuclear power plants Olkiluoto 1 and Olkiluoto 2 in Olkiluoto in Finland
The nuclear power plants Olkiluoto 1 and Olkiluoto 2 in Olkiluoto in Finland Credit: kallerna, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

On Thursday, a 'serious' nuclear radiation leak was detected in a Finish Olkiluoto 2 power plant which led to an automatic shutdown of the plant. No radiation espaced the facility though. Tomi Routamo, deputy director at the nuclear safety authority STUK, said there was “no danger to people or the environment.”

Finland’s Minister of Social Affairs and Health Aino-Kaisa Pekonen said: “This is a significant and an exceptional incident and we consider it important to spread correct information about it.”

Regional News • Europe • France
Macron announces start of nuclear-powered aircraft carrier program
Charles de Gaulle aircraft carrier
Charles de Gaulle aircraft carrier Credit: U.S. Marine Corps photo by Maj. Joshua Smith (Public Domain)

France's President Emmanuel Macron has approved the construction of a nuclear-powered aircraft carrier that is set to replace the country's FS Charles de Gaulle aircraft carrier.

"Charles de Gaulle, as you know, will come to the end of its life in 2038. This is why I have decided that the future aircraft carrier that will equip our country and our navy will be nuclear-powered like the Charles de Gaulle,” Macron said and adding that he has pledged 500 million euros in investment in the nuclear industry.