Kuwaiti authorities issued a rare radiation advisory after projectiles struck near Iran’s Bushehr Nuclear Power Plant, advising residents to stay indoors, seal windows, and take precautions amid fears of radiation exposure. The International Atomic Energy Agency says there’s no confirmed leak yet, but tensions are rising in the region.

Kuwait Issues Rare 'Radiation' Advisory, Iran's Bushehr Plant Hit, Radiation Fears Spread Across Gulf

As the West Asia war continues, Kuwait has issued a rare radiation advisory amid growing fears of nuclear contamination. This came a day after Iran's Bushehr nuclear power plant was attacked. Meanwhile, W.H.O. chief Tedros Ghebreyesus flagged an escalating threat to public health and environmental safety. 

Fears Rise of Nuclear Contamination: Kuwait Issues Radiation Advisory 

<p>The Chernobyl nuclear disaster of 1986 released high amounts of radioactive material into the environment, affecting people in Ukraine, Belarus, and Russia. Thirty plant workers died within weeks, and many more sustained radiation injuries. Everything within a 30-kilometre radius of the plant was evacuated. High radiation levels have led it to become a ghost town. No one can live there, and nothing can thrive in the radioactive environment. However, there is one thing that is thriving in Chernobyl - a black fungus. The disaster saw a runaway nuclear reaction, explosion, and fire in Reactor Number Four. Today, scientists are shocked to see something alive inside one of the most radioactive environments on Earth. Cladosporium sphaerospermum, a black fungus, has been discovered growing on the walls of reactor number 4 in Chernobyl. Called radiotrophic fungi, this was the first time it was ever seen anywhere in the world.</p><h2><strong>Organism thrives in radiation-filled environment</strong></h2><p>The radiation is not killing this fungus; instead, it is helping it thrive. This organism has adapted to its radioactive surroundings. The black fungus is absorbing deadly gamma radiation and converting it into energy in a process similar to photosynthesis. This fungus undergoes radiosynthesis, a process in which it uses radiation to grow. The fungus contains melanin, a pigment that absorbs and utilises ionising radiation to produce energy. This was first revealed in an article published in the National Library of Medicine in 2008. This has led scientists to ponder over its use to clean up radioactive sites. If found effective, it could become an integral tool in nuclear disaster recovery in future. A researcher studying the black fungus said, "It’s like nature engineered a biological radiation shield." Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/trending/man-sucked-into-mri-machine-after-entering-room-wearing-chain-dies-of-injuries-1753086456963"><strong>Man sucked into MRI machine after entering room wearing chain, dies of injuries</strong></a></p><p>&nbsp;</p><h2><strong>Chernobyl fungus can help with space travel</strong></h2><p>This discovery has led scientists to use this fungus in situations where living organisms can be used to remove pollutants from the environment. So deploying them in high-radiation regions is one possibility where they can contain and potentially reduce radiation levels. However, another area where this black fungus can prove useful is space travel. Humans have been vying to travel in the void of space. Mars and Moon are on the list, with missions planned as early as the 2030s. However, the biggest challenge is the danger of radiation that can prove extremely harmful to the human body. C. sphaerospermum was sent to the International Space Station (ISS) to understand its potential to safeguard astronauts. Initial results show that the black fungus can prove to be a useful tool to further human space ambitions.</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>Scientists think it can be used to develop habitats that shield astronauts from the harsh radiation. It can even protect spaces where food can be grown for space travellers. C. sphaerospermum not only adapts and thrives in an adverse radioactive environment, but it can also withstand low temperatures, high salt concentrations and extreme acidity. This makes it a promising ingredient to whip up the perfect recipe for space travel.</p>

Chernobyl reactor number four has been conquered by an organism that thrives in a radioactive environment. It is like a biological radiation shield made by nature to fight radiation in the event of a nuclear disaster. In fact, it is probably cleaning Chernobyl.

The Chernobyl nuclear disaster of 1986 released high amounts of radioactive material into the environment, affecting people in Ukraine, Belarus, and Russia. Thirty plant workers died within weeks, and many more sustained radiation injuries. Everything within a 30-kilometre radius of the plant was evacuated. High radiation levels have led it to become a ghost town. No one can live there, and nothing can thrive in the radioactive environment. However, there is one thing that is thriving in Chernobyl - a black fungus. The disaster saw a runaway nuclear reaction, explosion, and fire in Reactor Number Four. Today, scientists are shocked to see something alive inside one of the most radioactive environments on Earth. Cladosporium sphaerospermum, a black fungus, has been discovered growing on the walls of reactor number 4 in Chernobyl. Called radiotrophic fungi, this was the first time it was ever seen anywhere in the world. Organism thrives in radiation-filled environment The radiation is not killing this fungus; instead, it is helping it thrive. This organism has adapted to its radioactive surroundings. The black fungus is absorbing deadly gamma radiation and converting it into energy in a process similar to photosynthesis. This fungus undergoes radiosynthesis, a process in which it uses radiation to grow. The fungus contains melanin, a pigment that absorbs and utilises ionising radiation to produce energy. This was first revealed in an article published in the National Library of Medicine in 2008. This has led scientists to ponder over its use to clean up radioactive sites. If found effective, it could become an integral tool in nuclear disaster recovery in future. A researcher studying the black fungus said, "It’s like nature engineered a biological radiation shield." Also Read: Man sucked into MRI machine after entering room wearing chain, dies of injuries Chernobyl fungus can help with space travel This discovery has led scientists to use this fungus in situations where living organisms can be used to remove pollutants from the environment. So deploying them in high-radiation regions is one possibility where they can contain and potentially reduce radiation levels. However, another area where this black fungus can prove useful is space travel. Humans have been vying to travel in the void of space. Mars and Moon are on the list, with missions planned as early as the 2030s. However, the biggest challenge is the danger of radiation that can prove extremely harmful to the human body. C. sphaerospermum was sent to the International Space Station (ISS) to understand its potential to safeguard astronauts. Initial results show that the black fungus can prove to be a useful tool to further human space ambitions. Scientists think it can be used to develop habitats that shield astronauts from the harsh radiation. It can even protect spaces where food can be grown for space travellers. C. sphaerospermum not only adapts and thrives in an adverse radioactive environment, but it can also withstand low temperatures, high salt concentrations and extreme acidity. This makes it a promising ingredient to whip up the perfect recipe for space travel.

<p>Chernobyl reactor number four has been conquered by an organism that thrives in a radioactive environment. It is like a biological radiation shield made by nature to fight radiation in the event of a nuclear disaster. In fact, it is probably cleaning Chernobyl.</p>

Chernobyl disaster site has nothing growing, except this organism that is thriving on radiation

<p><strong>Whereabouts of Iran's 60 per cent enriched uranium:</strong> Where is Iran's near-weapons grade uranium, enriched up to 60 per cent, close to the 90 per cent required to build nuclear bombs? This question is lingering a day after the US claimed to have struck key Iranian nuclear sites on Sunday (June 22). Iran is thought to possess up to 400 kg of uranium enriched up to 60 per cent.<br>Conflicting reports are emerging on the status of this material, which could be dangerous, and could help Iran resume its programme when the dust settles. Here is what we know about the current status of Iranian nuclear material.</p><h2>Did trucks remove Iranian nuclear material?</h2><p>That would appear to be the case if one goes by some Western media reports. The Newsweek, for instance, reported on satellite images that allegedly showed trucks in motion in the areas attacked by the US, much ahead of the bombings. The report claimed that 16 cargo trucks were spotted near a road to the Fordow nuclear site's tunnel entrance on June 19, way before the US attacks. &nbsp;Citing the satellite imaging company Maxar, it said most of these trucks moved a kilometre northwest of the access road by June 20. The same day, new trucks and bulldozers appeared close to the main entrance. One truck, Maxar said, was very near the main tunnel entrance.</p><h2>Iran claims nuclear sites were evacuated, Israel has ‘interesting intel’</h2><p>The truck movement reports came amid Iranian claims that the nuclear material had been moved ahead of the US bombing. The state media reports claimed that the enriched uranium had been moved to a ‘safe location’.&nbsp;</p><p><br>Amid continuing speculation, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu indicated that Israel has ‘interesting intel’ on the Iranian nuclear material. Israeli media outlets like the Times of Israel reported, citing Bibi, that Israel knows the ‘whereabouts of Iran’s 400 kg of 60 per cent enriched uranium’. He did not go into details.</p><h2>But wait, was the nuclear material not in Fordow?</h2><p>Fordow, the under-mountain site believed to host a uranium enrichment plant, was the main target of the US strike. Satellite images showed some holes after the 30,000-pound bunker-buster bombs, formally known as Massive Ordnance Penetrators, hit the site.</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>But according to a New York Times report, the 60 per cent enriched uranium was not in Fordow. It was stored somewhere deep in the nuclear site of Isfahan. These are kept in small casks that can fit in trunks of around 10 cars, &nbsp;it said.</p><p><br><a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/operation-midnight-hammer-pentagon-calls-it-largest-b-2-operational-strike-in-u-s-history-1750659063331/embed">https://www.wionews.com/videos/operation-midnight-hammer-pentagon-calls-it-largest-b-2-operational-strike-in-u-s-history-1750659063331/embed</a></p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>UN nuclear watchdog IAEAs' chief Rafael Grossi said on CNN on Sunday that “Iran has made no secret that they have protected this material.” And he answered in the affirmative when asked by NYT if the stockpile has been removed.</p><h2>US officials are still clueless about Iran's enriched uranium stockpile</h2><p>As per the NYT report, US officials have 'conceded' they do not know where Iran's nuclear stockpile is. The report noted that US Vice President JD Vance and IAEA's Grossi have both acknowledged this.</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>Vance told the news channel ABC that the US, in the coming weeks, will "do something with that fuel.<br><br>This contravenes US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth's claims, amplifying Trump's remarks that the US bunker-busting bombs “completely and totally obliterated” Iranian nuclear programme.</p><h2>What did US really achieve with the Operation Midnight Hammer strike on Iran?</h2><p>So, was it ‘mission unaccomplished’ for the US, despite President Donald Trump's claims that the weekend strikes under Operation Midnight Hammer ‘obliterated’ the Iranian nuclear programme? &nbsp;<br>&nbsp;</p><p>US and Israeli analysis is that the Fordow site was seriously damaged but not completely destroyed.</p><p><br>In fact, Hegseth, as well as the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Dan Caine, were not as hyperbolic as Trump. In remarks on Sunday, they said "severe damage and destruction" was caused by the US attacks that used B2 bombers and submarine-launched Tomahawk missiles targeting three nuclear sites, possibly in Fordow, Natanz and Isfahan.</p><h2>How dangerous is the 60 per cent enriched uranium with Iran?</h2><p>Technically, 60 per cent uranium is near-bomb grade, and can create up to 10 atomic weapons of some impact.</p><p><br>More than that, as noted in the NYT report, this stockpile could become a bargaining chip for Iran in future negotiations on its nuclear programme. Note that Iran has made it very clear that it will not agree to zero uranium enrichment.</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>And, with the threat of Iran exiting the Non-Proliferation Treaty, it might even free the country from obligations not to develop a nuclear weapon.</p>

The truck movement reports came amid Iranian claims that the nuclear material had been moved ahead of the US bombing. The state media reports claimed that the enriched uranium had been moved to a ‘safe location’. 

Whereabouts of Iran's 60 per cent enriched uranium: Where is Iran's near-weapons grade uranium, enriched up to 60 per cent, close to the 90 per cent required to build nuclear bombs? This question is lingering a day after the US claimed to have struck key Iranian nuclear sites on Sunday (June 22). Iran is thought to possess up to 400 kg of uranium enriched up to 60 per cent. Conflicting reports are emerging on the status of this material, which could be dangerous, and could help Iran resume its programme when the dust settles. Here is what we know about the current status of Iranian nuclear material. Did trucks remove Iranian nuclear material? That would appear to be the case if one goes by some Western media reports. The Newsweek, for instance, reported on satellite images that allegedly showed trucks in motion in the areas attacked by the US, much ahead of the bombings. The report claimed that 16 cargo trucks were spotted near a road to the Fordow nuclear site's tunnel entrance on June 19, way before the US attacks. Citing the satellite imaging company Maxar, it said most of these trucks moved a kilometre northwest of the access road by June 20. The same day, new trucks and bulldozers appeared close to the main entrance. One truck, Maxar said, was very near the main tunnel entrance. Iran claims nuclear sites were evacuated, Israel has ‘interesting intel’ The truck movement reports came amid Iranian claims that the nuclear material had been moved ahead of the US bombing. The state media reports claimed that the enriched uranium had been moved to a ‘safe location’. Amid continuing speculation, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu indicated that Israel has ‘interesting intel’ on the Iranian nuclear material. Israeli media outlets like the Times of Israel reported, citing Bibi, that Israel knows the ‘whereabouts of Iran’s 400 kg of 60 per cent enriched uranium’. He did not go into details. But wait, was the nuclear material not in Fordow? Fordow, the under-mountain site believed to host a uranium enrichment plant, was the main target of the US strike. Satellite images showed some holes after the 30,000-pound bunker-buster bombs, formally known as Massive Ordnance Penetrators, hit the site. But according to a New York Times report, the 60 per cent enriched uranium was not in Fordow. It was stored somewhere deep in the nuclear site of Isfahan. These are kept in small casks that can fit in trunks of around 10 cars, it said. https://www.wionews.com/videos/operation-midnight-hammer-pentagon-calls-it-largest-b-2-operational-strike-in-u-s-history-1750659063331/embed UN nuclear watchdog IAEAs' chief Rafael Grossi said on CNN on Sunday that “Iran has made no secret that they have protected this material.” And he answered in the affirmative when asked by NYT if the stockpile has been removed. US officials are still clueless about Iran's enriched uranium stockpile As per the NYT report, US officials have 'conceded' they do not know where Iran's nuclear stockpile is. The report noted that US Vice President JD Vance and IAEA's Grossi have both acknowledged this. Vance told the news channel ABC that the US, in the coming weeks, will "do something with that fuel. This contravenes US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth's claims, amplifying Trump's remarks that the US bunker-busting bombs “completely and totally obliterated” Iranian nuclear programme. What did US really achieve with the Operation Midnight Hammer strike on Iran? So, was it ‘mission unaccomplished’ for the US, despite President Donald Trump's claims that the weekend strikes under Operation Midnight Hammer ‘obliterated’ the Iranian nuclear programme? US and Israeli analysis is that the Fordow site was seriously damaged but not completely destroyed. In fact, Hegseth, as well as the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Dan Caine, were not as hyperbolic as Trump. In remarks on Sunday, they said "severe damage and destruction" was caused by the US attacks that used B2 bombers and submarine-launched Tomahawk missiles targeting three nuclear sites, possibly in Fordow, Natanz and Isfahan. How dangerous is the 60 per cent enriched uranium with Iran? Technically, 60 per cent uranium is near-bomb grade, and can create up to 10 atomic weapons of some impact. More than that, as noted in the NYT report, this stockpile could become a bargaining chip for Iran in future negotiations on its nuclear programme. Note that Iran has made it very clear that it will not agree to zero uranium enrichment. And, with the threat of Iran exiting the Non-Proliferation Treaty, it might even free the country from obligations not to develop a nuclear weapon.

<p>Technically, 60 per cent uranium is near-bomb grade, and can create up to 10 atomic weapons of some impact.</p>

Where is Iran's near-bomb-grade uranium? Tehran says removed, Israel claims has ‘intel’, US clueless after bombing sites

<p>Israel has struck several nuclear facilities in Iran since June 13. The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) is closely monitoring the situation at those sites. In a statement to the United Nations Security Council (UNSC), the agency detailed the current situation at Iran's nuclear sites. &nbsp;“The level of radioactivity outside the Natanz site has remained unchanged and at normal levels, indicating no external radiological impact on the population or the environment,” the IAEA statement said.</p><h2>What is nuclear contamination?</h2><p>Nuclear contamination, also known as radioactive contamination, refers to the uncontrolled release and spread of radioactive substances into the environment. It can pose serious health, environmental, and economic risks, especially if not properly contained or managed.</p><p><br><strong>Health Risks</strong></p><ul><li>Increases the risk of cancer, genetic mutations, and organ damage, especially with prolonged or high-dose exposure</li><li>From short-term high doses, leading to nausea, hair loss, internal bleeding, and death, it can lead to Acute Radiation Syndrome (ARS)</li><li>Even low doses over time can increase the risk of thyroid cancer, leukemia, and birth defects</li><li>Ingesting radioactive particles through milk, vegetables, seafood, or water can be deadly over time</li></ul><h2>What risks do these strikes pose?</h2><p>Peter Bryant, a professor at the University of Liverpool in England, who specialises in radiation protection science and nuclear energy policy, told AP that he is not too concerned about fallout risks from the strikes so far. He noted that the Arak site was not operational while the Natanz facility was underground and no release of radiation was reported. "The issue is controlling what has happened inside that facility, but nuclear facilities are designed for that," he said. "Uranium is only dangerous if it gets physically inhaled or ingested or gets into the body at low enrichments," he added.<br>&nbsp;</p><p>James Acton, co-director of the Nuclear Policy Program at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, said an attack on Bushehr "could cause an absolute radiological catastrophe", but that attacks on enrichment facilities were "unlikely to cause significant off-site consequences". Before uranium goes into a nuclear reactor it is barely radioactive, he said. "The chemical form uranium hexafluoride is toxic ... but it actually doesn't tend to travel large distances and it's barely radioactive. So far the radiological consequences of Israel's attacks have been virtually nil," he added, while stating his opposition to Israel's campaign. Bennett of the University of Leicester said it would be "foolhardy for the Israelis to attack" Bushehr because they could pierce the reactor, which would mean releasing radioactive material into the atmosphere.</p>

Israel has struck several nuclear facilities in Iran since June 13, leading to fears of nuclear contamination. Here's what we know

Israel has struck several nuclear facilities in Iran since June 13. The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) is closely monitoring the situation at those sites. In a statement to the United Nations Security Council (UNSC), the agency detailed the current situation at Iran's nuclear sites. “The level of radioactivity outside the Natanz site has remained unchanged and at normal levels, indicating no external radiological impact on the population or the environment,” the IAEA statement said. What is nuclear contamination? Nuclear contamination, also known as radioactive contamination, refers to the uncontrolled release and spread of radioactive substances into the environment. It can pose serious health, environmental, and economic risks, especially if not properly contained or managed. Health Risks Increases the risk of cancer, genetic mutations, and organ damage, especially with prolonged or high-dose exposure From short-term high doses, leading to nausea, hair loss, internal bleeding, and death, it can lead to Acute Radiation Syndrome (ARS) Even low doses over time can increase the risk of thyroid cancer, leukemia, and birth defects Ingesting radioactive particles through milk, vegetables, seafood, or water can be deadly over time What risks do these strikes pose? Peter Bryant, a professor at the University of Liverpool in England, who specialises in radiation protection science and nuclear energy policy, told AP that he is not too concerned about fallout risks from the strikes so far. He noted that the Arak site was not operational while the Natanz facility was underground and no release of radiation was reported. "The issue is controlling what has happened inside that facility, but nuclear facilities are designed for that," he said. "Uranium is only dangerous if it gets physically inhaled or ingested or gets into the body at low enrichments," he added. James Acton, co-director of the Nuclear Policy Program at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, said an attack on Bushehr "could cause an absolute radiological catastrophe", but that attacks on enrichment facilities were "unlikely to cause significant off-site consequences". Before uranium goes into a nuclear reactor it is barely radioactive, he said. "The chemical form uranium hexafluoride is toxic ... but it actually doesn't tend to travel large distances and it's barely radioactive. So far the radiological consequences of Israel's attacks have been virtually nil," he added, while stating his opposition to Israel's campaign. Bennett of the University of Leicester said it would be "foolhardy for the Israelis to attack" Bushehr because they could pierce the reactor, which would mean releasing radioactive material into the atmosphere.

<p>Israel has struck several nuclear facilities in Iran since June 13, leading to fears of nuclear contamination. Here's what we know</p>

Genetic mutations, acute radiation syndrome: What is nuclear contamination? Health risks over Israel's attack on Iran nuclear facilities | EXPLAINED

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Kuwait Issues Rare 'Radiation' Advisory, Iran's Bushehr Plant Hit, Radiation Fears Spread Across Gulf

Fears Rise of Nuclear Contamination: Kuwait Issues Radiation Advisory

Chernobyl disaster site is barren, except this organism thriving on radiation

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