Russia launched rockets early on Monday at cities in southern Ukraine, to the west of the continent's largest nuclear power plant, while Kyiv, the country's capital, has forbidden celebrations of the country's independence&nbsp;from Soviet authority this week out of concern for <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/germany-topless-protestors-surround-olaf-scholz-at-a-public-event-demand-ban-on-russian-gas-imports-508977">Russian </a>assaults.

There have been requests for the demilitarisation of the area around the Zaporizhzhia nuclear reactor complex, which is near to artillery and rocket fire, on the Russian-occupied south bank of the Dnipro River.

The frequent shelling, some of which grazed the plant, has been blamed on both Russia and Ukraine. Despite being controlled mostly by Ukrainian experts, it was taken over by Russian forces soon after their <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/ukraine-gears-up-for-intensified-attacks-following-moscow-car-bombing-509001">invasion of Ukraine</a> in February.

At least four people were hurt by Russian rocket salvos that were launched overnight into Nikopol, across the Dnipro from Russian-occupied Enerhodar, where the Zaporizhzhia plant is located, as well as the surrounding Krivyi Rih and Synelnykovsky districts, regional governor Valentyn Reznichenko reported on Telegram on Monday.

<img alt="Russia- ukraine war" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="815c9b49-576b-4bcb-8711-9a52d867a681" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/2022-08-22T072529Z_2_LYNXMPEI7L03T_RTROPTP_4_UKRAINE-CRISIS-BAKHMUT.JPG" />

Son hugs his mom, during the evacuation from war-affected&nbsp;areas&nbsp;in eastern Ukraine, as&nbsp;Russia's attack in Ukraine continues, in Bakhmut, Donetsk region, Ukraine August 20, 2022. Photo credits: Reuters

In addition, Ukraine said that Russia had launched a missile attack on Voznesensk, which is southwest of the nation's second-largest nuclear power plant.

In a phone discussion on Sunday, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, French President Emmanuel Macron, British Prime Minister Boris Johnson, and US President Joe Biden emphasised the significance of protecting the safety and security of Ukraine's nuclear plants.

While reiterating their "steadfast commitment" to assist Ukraine in the situation, they also welcomed recent discussions on permitting a mission by the U.N. nuclear watchdog&nbsp;

On February 24, Russia launched a "special military operation" to demilitarise its smaller neighbour and defend Russian-speaking areas. Moscow is accused of pursuing an imperial-style war of conquest by Ukraine and its Western sponsors.

The war, which is the largest to affect Europe since World War Two, has destroyed towns and cities, claimed thousands of lives, driven millions from their homes, and widened the geopolitical divide between Russia and the West.

The fighting has been centred in the east and south where frontlines have remained virtually stagnant for weeks since Ukraine successfully resisted a Russian assault to capture Kyiv early in the conflict.

CELEBRATING INDEPENDENCE DAY IS PROHIBITED

Prior to Wednesday's 31st anniversary of Ukraine's independence from Russian-dominated Soviet government, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy issued a warning about the possibility of additional serious attacks.

According to a statement made public by the Kyiv military administration and signed by its head Mykola Zhyrnov, big public events, demonstrations, and other commemorative gatherings have been outlawed in the capital city from Monday through Thursday owing to the potential for rocket strikes.

In the days leading up to Wednesday, which also happens to be the halfway point since Russia's invasion, Zelenskiy warned that Moscow might try "something extremely unpleasant."

Zelenskiy claimed that he had spoken with his French counterpart about "all the threats," and that he had also informed other world leaders, such as Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan and U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres.

In his nightly video message, Zelenskiy stated of Russia, "All of Ukraine's partners have been notified of what the terrorist state can prepare for this week."

Erdogan attempted to encourage communication, according to Gennady Gatilov, the Russian ambassador to the UN in Geneva, who was reported by The Financial Times in a piece that was published on Sunday.

However, he denied rumours that Zelenskiy and Russian President Vladimir Putin had discussed meeting, claiming that there was no "practical basis for doing so," according to the ne

RUSSIA'S SMALL PROGRESS IN THE SOUTH

The city of Mykolaiv, a significant target in the south, has come under attack by Russian forces, according to the Ukraine's General Staff, which reported the development in its morning briefing on Monday.

Additionally, Russia was attempting to restore momentum in the direction of Pisky, Bakhmut, and Kramatorsk, important towns in the Donetsk province that together with the neighbouring Luhansk, which was taken by Moscow's forces earlier in the summer, make up the eastern Donbas region.

The Soledar, Zaytseve, and Bilogorivka regions near Bakhmut were heavily targeted by Russian artillery and multiple rocket launcher systems, according to an update from the Ukrainian military command.

The regional administration said that at least two citizens died. Russia denies committing civilian targets. The daughter of Alexander Dugin, an ultra-nationalist Russian theorist who favours Russia absorbing Ukraine, was killed in a suspected car bomb attack outside of Moscow, according to Russian authorities who are looking into the incident.

The Russian Foreign Ministry said there might be a connection to Ukraine, which a Zelenskiy advisor downplayed, even though investigators stated they were evaluating "all possibilities" while determining who was to blame.

Mykhailo Podolyak claimed on Ukrainian TV that Ukraine has nothing to do with this because it is neither a terrorist or criminal state like the Russian Federation.

Also watch |&nbsp;Ukraine: Russian missiles hit Bakhmut

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Russia launched rockets early on Monday at cities in southern Ukraine, to the west of the continent's largest nuclear power plant, while Kyiv, the country's capital, has forbidden celebrations of the country's independence from Soviet authority this week out of concern for Russian assaults.

Russia launched rockets early on Monday at cities in southern Ukraine, to the west of the continent's largest nuclear power plant, while Kyiv, the country's capital, has forbidden celebrations of the country's independence from Soviet authority this week out of concern for Russian assaults. There have been requests for the demilitarisation of the area around the Zaporizhzhia nuclear reactor complex, which is near to artillery and rocket fire, on the Russian-occupied south bank of the Dnipro River. The frequent shelling, some of which grazed the plant, has been blamed on both Russia and Ukraine. Despite being controlled mostly by Ukrainian experts, it was taken over by Russian forces soon after their invasion of Ukraine in February. At least four people were hurt by Russian rocket salvos that were launched overnight into Nikopol, across the Dnipro from Russian-occupied Enerhodar, where the Zaporizhzhia plant is located, as well as the surrounding Krivyi Rih and Synelnykovsky districts, regional governor Valentyn Reznichenko reported on Telegram on Monday. Son hugs his mom, during the evacuation from war-affected areas in eastern Ukraine, as Russia's attack in Ukraine continues, in Bakhmut, Donetsk region, Ukraine August 20, 2022. Photo credits: Reuters In addition, Ukraine said that Russia had launched a missile attack on Voznesensk, which is southwest of the nation's second-largest nuclear power plant. In a phone discussion on Sunday, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, French President Emmanuel Macron, British Prime Minister Boris Johnson, and US President Joe Biden emphasised the significance of protecting the safety and security of Ukraine's nuclear plants. While reiterating their "steadfast commitment" to assist Ukraine in the situation, they also welcomed recent discussions on permitting a mission by the U.N. nuclear watchdog On February 24, Russia launched a "special military operation" to demilitarise its smaller neighbour and defend Russian-speaking areas. Moscow is accused of pursuing an imperial-style war of conquest by Ukraine and its Western sponsors. The war, which is the largest to affect Europe since World War Two, has destroyed towns and cities, claimed thousands of lives, driven millions from their homes, and widened the geopolitical divide between Russia and the West. The fighting has been centred in the east and south where frontlines have remained virtually stagnant for weeks since Ukraine successfully resisted a Russian assault to capture Kyiv early in the conflict. CELEBRATING INDEPENDENCE DAY IS PROHIBITED Prior to Wednesday's 31st anniversary of Ukraine's independence from Russian-dominated Soviet government, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy issued a warning about the possibility of additional serious attacks. According to a statement made public by the Kyiv military administration and signed by its head Mykola Zhyrnov, big public events, demonstrations, and other commemorative gatherings have been outlawed in the capital city from Monday through Thursday owing to the potential for rocket strikes. In the days leading up to Wednesday, which also happens to be the halfway point since Russia's invasion, Zelenskiy warned that Moscow might try "something extremely unpleasant." Zelenskiy claimed that he had spoken with his French counterpart about "all the threats," and that he had also informed other world leaders, such as Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan and U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres. In his nightly video message, Zelenskiy stated of Russia, "All of Ukraine's partners have been notified of what the terrorist state can prepare for this week." Erdogan attempted to encourage communication, according to Gennady Gatilov, the Russian ambassador to the UN in Geneva, who was reported by The Financial Times in a piece that was published on Sunday. However, he denied rumours that Zelenskiy and Russian President Vladimir Putin had discussed meeting, claiming that there was no "practical basis for doing so," according to the ne RUSSIA'S SMALL PROGRESS IN THE SOUTH The city of Mykolaiv, a significant target in the south, has come under attack by Russian forces, according to the Ukraine's General Staff, which reported the development in its morning briefing on Monday. Additionally, Russia was attempting to restore momentum in the direction of Pisky, Bakhmut, and Kramatorsk, important towns in the Donetsk province that together with the neighbouring Luhansk, which was taken by Moscow's forces earlier in the summer, make up the eastern Donbas region. The Soledar, Zaytseve, and Bilogorivka regions near Bakhmut were heavily targeted by Russian artillery and multiple rocket launcher systems, according to an update from the Ukrainian military command. The regional administration said that at least two citizens died. Russia denies committing civilian targets. The daughter of Alexander Dugin, an ultra-nationalist Russian theorist who favours Russia absorbing Ukraine, was killed in a suspected car bomb attack outside of Moscow, according to Russian authorities who are looking into the incident. The Russian Foreign Ministry said there might be a connection to Ukraine, which a Zelenskiy advisor downplayed, even though investigators stated they were evaluating "all possibilities" while determining who was to blame. Mykhailo Podolyak claimed on Ukrainian TV that Ukraine has nothing to do with this because it is neither a terrorist or criminal state like the Russian Federation. Also watch | Ukraine: Russian missiles hit Bakhmut

Ukraine bans Independence day celebrations as Russia launches rockets at locations near nuclear plant

Ukraine's&nbsp;requests to completely demilitarise the area surrounding the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/kyiv-speculations-rife-over-provocations-russia-told-workers-to-not-show-up-508337">Zaporizhzhia</a> nuclear reactor in southern Ukraine have been turned down by Russia.&nbsp;

A Russian official claimed that the action would increase the plant's vulnerability.

As both sides accuse one another of bombarding the area, safety at the complex, which is Europe's largest nuclear plant, is a big concern.

As per CNN, the plant is run by Ukrainian employees and has been in Russian hands since March.&nbsp;It was one of the first locations Russian forces captured after invading Ukraine on February 24.

Also read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/un-chief-antonio-guterres-asks-russian-occupied-nuclear-plant-not-be-cut-off-from-ukraines-grid-508463">UN chief Antonio Guterres asks Russian-occupied nuclear plant not be cut off from Ukraine's grid</a>

After meeting Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky on Thursday in Lviv, UN Secretary General António Guterres raised alarm&nbsp;and cautioned that any potential harm to Zaporizhzhia would be a suicide.

The largest nuclear power station in Europe needs to be demilitarised, the Ukrainian president pleaded with the UN. The facility "must not be used as part of any military activity," &nbsp;Guterres continued.

The UN chief's worries were mirrored by Erdogan, who told reporters that he was concerned about the possibility of "another Chernobyl" tragedy erupting at the plant.

The calls come as Ukrainian employees at the site, who are working there under Russian guidance, have expressed concern about a possible nuclear accident there, claiming that over the past two weeks, the facility has been "the subject of constant military attacks."

Also watch |&nbsp;Russia deploys Hypersonic Missiles to Kaliningrad region as Ukraine nears six-month mark

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Ukraine's requests to completely demilitarise the area surrounding the Zaporizhzhia nuclear reactor in southern Ukraine have been turned down by Russia. A Russian official claimed that the action would increase the plant's vulnerability.

Ukraine's requests to completely demilitarise the area surrounding the Zaporizhzhia nuclear reactor in southern Ukraine have been turned down by Russia. A Russian official claimed that the action would increase the plant's vulnerability. As both sides accuse one another of bombarding the area, safety at the complex, which is Europe's largest nuclear plant, is a big concern. As per CNN, the plant is run by Ukrainian employees and has been in Russian hands since March. It was one of the first locations Russian forces captured after invading Ukraine on February 24. Also read | UN chief Antonio Guterres asks Russian-occupied nuclear plant not be cut off from Ukraine's grid After meeting Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky on Thursday in Lviv, UN Secretary General António Guterres raised alarm and cautioned that any potential harm to Zaporizhzhia would be a suicide. The largest nuclear power station in Europe needs to be demilitarised, the Ukrainian president pleaded with the UN. The facility "must not be used as part of any military activity," Guterres continued. The UN chief's worries were mirrored by Erdogan, who told reporters that he was concerned about the possibility of "another Chernobyl" tragedy erupting at the plant. The calls come as Ukrainian employees at the site, who are working there under Russian guidance, have expressed concern about a possible nuclear accident there, claiming that over the past two weeks, the facility has been "the subject of constant military attacks." Also watch | Russia deploys Hypersonic Missiles to Kaliningrad region as Ukraine nears six-month mark

Russia rejects calls to demilitarise the Zaporizhzhia nuclear plant in Ukraine

In Europe, the fears of a nuclear disaster is growing every day. In focus is the Zaporizhzhia nuclear plant which has been at great risks. There has been fresh shelling close to the nuclear plant, both Ukraine and Russia blaming each other.

Zelensky: Zaporizhzhia 'catastrophe' would threaten Europe

The mayor of the city where the facility is located stated on Sunday that the danger of an accident at the Russian-occupied Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant in Ukraine is "increasing&nbsp;every day." The largest plant in Europe was taken over by Russian troops early in the invasion, and it has been on the front lines ever since. The infrastructure has been attacked numerous times this week, with Kyiv and Moscow sharing the blame for the perilous escalation.

The mayor of the city of Energodar in the region's southeast stated that because Russian soldiers are "shelling the infrastructure that ensures the safe operation of the station," "the risks are increasing every day." Dmytro Orlov spoke with AFP over the phone from Zaporizhzhia, which is still a Ukrainian territory,&nbsp;"what is happening there is outright nuclear terrorism. It can end unpredictably at any moment. "

Kyiv has charged Moscow with stationing troops and weaponry there, initiating assaults, and using the nuclear plant as cover from retaliatory fire. President Volodymyr Zelensky accused Russia of using the plant to "intimidate people in an extremely cynical way" and nuclear "blackmail" in his broadcast address on Saturday. On Thursday, the UN Security Council convened an emergency session to discuss the situation and issued a warning that a "grave" crisis was developing in Zaporizhzhia.

Alos Read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/in-pics-were-heartbroken-were-exhausted-france-battles-monster-wildfire-506842">IN PICS| 'We're heartbroken, we're exhausted': France battles 'Monster wildfire'</a>

Orlov added that Energodar, which he left at the end of April, had begun to receive shelling for the first time in the previous day, and that the number of people wishing to flee had significantly increased. He expressed concern that there would not be enough staff to staff the station in the "near future." When a reactor at the Chernobyl nuclear power plant exploded and released radiation into the atmosphere in 1986, Ukraine was the scene of the worst nuclear disaster in history.

(with inputs from agencies) 
&nbsp;

The mayor of the city where the facility is located stated on Sunday that the danger of an accident at the Russian-occupied Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant in Ukraine is "increasing every day.

The mayor of the city where the facility is located stated on Sunday that the danger of an accident at the Russian-occupied Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant in Ukraine is "increasing every day." The largest plant in Europe was taken over by Russian troops early in the invasion, and it has been on the front lines ever since. The infrastructure has been attacked numerous times this week, with Kyiv and Moscow sharing the blame for the perilous escalation. The mayor of the city of Energodar in the region's southeast stated that because Russian soldiers are "shelling the infrastructure that ensures the safe operation of the station," "the risks are increasing every day." Dmytro Orlov spoke with AFP over the phone from Zaporizhzhia, which is still a Ukrainian territory, "what is happening there is outright nuclear terrorism. It can end unpredictably at any moment. " Kyiv has charged Moscow with stationing troops and weaponry there, initiating assaults, and using the nuclear plant as cover from retaliatory fire. President Volodymyr Zelensky accused Russia of using the plant to "intimidate people in an extremely cynical way" and nuclear "blackmail" in his broadcast address on Saturday. On Thursday, the UN Security Council convened an emergency session to discuss the situation and issued a warning that a "grave" crisis was developing in Zaporizhzhia. Alos Read: IN PICS| 'We're heartbroken, we're exhausted': France battles 'Monster wildfire' Orlov added that Energodar, which he left at the end of April, had begun to receive shelling for the first time in the previous day, and that the number of people wishing to flee had significantly increased. He expressed concern that there would not be enough staff to staff the station in the "near future." When a reactor at the Chernobyl nuclear power plant exploded and released radiation into the atmosphere in 1986, Ukraine was the scene of the worst nuclear disaster in history. (with inputs from agencies)

Ukraine nuclear plant 'risks increasing every day'; city mayor calls it 'nuclear terrorism'

There seems no end to relentless Russian shelling in Ukraine and in amid renewed pounding from Moscow, Kyiv claims that the shelling at Zaporizhzhia nuclear plant damaged 3 radiation sensors.

Russia, Ukraine plays blame game over Zaporizhzhia nuclear plant attack

Russian occupation authorities at the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power station in Ukraine said on Sunday that an attack by Ukrainian forces had destroyed administrative buildings within the complex, as reported by AFP. The largest nuclear power plant in Europe, Zaporizhzhia, which Russia took control of early in its attack, has recently been the target of military operations that have resulted in the destruction of a number of structures and the forced shutdown of a reactor.

The head of the UN nuclear watchdog, the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), warned on Saturday of "the very real risk of a nuclear disaster" as Russia and Ukraine laid the blame for the strikes on one another. The projectiles from the attack, which was carried out by the Ukrainian army and launched from an Uragan rocket launcher, "fell within 400 metres of a working reactor," according to Russian occupation authorities in the city of Energodar, where the plant is located, on Sunday.

The strike occurred in a "zone storing used nuclear fuel" and caused damage to certain administrative buildings. It was impossible to independently verify the information. Since the beginning of their offensive, Russian forces have been occupying the Zaporizhzhia plant, and Kyiv has accused them of keeping heavy weaponry there.

Also Read:<a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/in-pics-what-life-in-afghanistan-looks-like-after-one-year-of-taliban-rule-504576">&nbsp;IN PICS | What life in Afghanistan looks like after one year of Taliban rule?</a>

The plant has been targeted, according to Moscow, by Ukrainian forces. The strikes that took place on Friday, according to the facility's operator in Ukraine, Energoatom, "caused a serious risk for the safe operation of the plant." Energoatom said on Saturday&nbsp;that the hits "seriously damaged" a station that contained nitrogen and oxygen as well as an auxiliary structure. They also damaged&nbsp;a power line and prompted one of the reactors to stop operating.

(with inputs from agencies)

Russian occupation authorities at the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power station in Ukraine said on Sunday that an attack by Ukrainian forces had destroyed administrative buildings within the complex, as reported by AFP.

Russian occupation authorities at the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power station in Ukraine said on Sunday that an attack by Ukrainian forces had destroyed administrative buildings within the complex, as reported by AFP. The largest nuclear power plant in Europe, Zaporizhzhia, which Russia took control of early in its attack, has recently been the target of military operations that have resulted in the destruction of a number of structures and the forced shutdown of a reactor. The head of the UN nuclear watchdog, the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), warned on Saturday of "the very real risk of a nuclear disaster" as Russia and Ukraine laid the blame for the strikes on one another. The projectiles from the attack, which was carried out by the Ukrainian army and launched from an Uragan rocket launcher, "fell within 400 metres of a working reactor," according to Russian occupation authorities in the city of Energodar, where the plant is located, on Sunday. The strike occurred in a "zone storing used nuclear fuel" and caused damage to certain administrative buildings. It was impossible to independently verify the information. Since the beginning of their offensive, Russian forces have been occupying the Zaporizhzhia plant, and Kyiv has accused them of keeping heavy weaponry there. Also Read: IN PICS | What life in Afghanistan looks like after one year of Taliban rule? The plant has been targeted, according to Moscow, by Ukrainian forces. The strikes that took place on Friday, according to the facility's operator in Ukraine, Energoatom, "caused a serious risk for the safe operation of the plant." Energoatom said on Saturday that the hits "seriously damaged" a station that contained nitrogen and oxygen as well as an auxiliary structure. They also damaged a power line and prompted one of the reactors to stop operating. (with inputs from agencies)

New strike on Ukraine's Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant, say Russian authorities

The Zaporizhzhia nuclear power station in Ukraine sustained "serious damage" as a result of military operations that resulted in the forced shutdown of one of its reactors. Energoatom said on the messaging app Telegram that the strikes on Friday at the Zaporizhzhia nuclear plant in south Ukraine—the largest of Europe's atomic power complex—"seriously damaged" a station housing nitrogen and oxygen as well as an "auxiliary building". Moscow and Kyiv laid blame on each&nbsp;other for the assault.

One of the reactors was forced to shut down due to the hits, a power line was broken, and "there are still concerns of leaking hydrogen and radioactive substances, and the risk of fire is still considerable," according to the statement. The shelling "has caused a serious risk for the safe operation of the plant."

Since the beginning of their incursion, Russian forces have been occupying the Zaporizhzhia plant, and Kyiv has accused them of keeping heavy weaponry there. Moscow, meanwhile, has charged Ukrainian soldiers with attacking the plant. On Saturday, the European Union criticised Russia for the bombardment.

Also Read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/watch-deadly-pool-discovered-at-bottom-of-red-sea-that-can-kill-or-even-pickle-animals-alive-504297">WATCH: Deadly pool discovered at bottom of Red sea, that can kill or even pickle animals alive</a>

The International Atomic Energy Agency, the UN's nuclear watchdog, must have access to the plant, urged Josep Borrell, the senior ambassador for the EU. For weeks, the IAEA has been attempting to deploy a team to inspect the plant. As of yet, Ukraine has rejected the initiatives since, in its opinion, they would give Russia's possession of the area legitimacy in the eyes of the international world. It said that while Ukrainian staff had stayed on and the plant was still producing energy, Rosatom employees had fled the facility just before the assaults.

(with inputs from agencies)

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The Zaporizhzhia nuclear power station in Ukraine sustained "serious damage" as a result of military operations that resulted in the forced shutdown of one of its reactors.

The Zaporizhzhia nuclear power station in Ukraine sustained "serious damage" as a result of military operations that resulted in the forced shutdown of one of its reactors. Energoatom said on the messaging app Telegram that the strikes on Friday at the Zaporizhzhia nuclear plant in south Ukraine—the largest of Europe's atomic power complex—"seriously damaged" a station housing nitrogen and oxygen as well as an "auxiliary building". Moscow and Kyiv laid blame on each other for the assault. One of the reactors was forced to shut down due to the hits, a power line was broken, and "there are still concerns of leaking hydrogen and radioactive substances, and the risk of fire is still considerable," according to the statement. The shelling "has caused a serious risk for the safe operation of the plant." Since the beginning of their incursion, Russian forces have been occupying the Zaporizhzhia plant, and Kyiv has accused them of keeping heavy weaponry there. Moscow, meanwhile, has charged Ukrainian soldiers with attacking the plant. On Saturday, the European Union criticised Russia for the bombardment. Also Read: WATCH: Deadly pool discovered at bottom of Red sea, that can kill or even pickle animals alive The International Atomic Energy Agency, the UN's nuclear watchdog, must have access to the plant, urged Josep Borrell, the senior ambassador for the EU. For weeks, the IAEA has been attempting to deploy a team to inspect the plant. As of yet, Ukraine has rejected the initiatives since, in its opinion, they would give Russia's possession of the area legitimacy in the eyes of the international world. It said that while Ukrainian staff had stayed on and the plant was still producing energy, Rosatom employees had fled the facility just before the assaults. (with inputs from agencies)

Parts of Ukraine's nuclear plant 'seriously damaged' in military strikes, one reactor forced to shut down

The United Nations&nbsp;nuclear watchdog is increasingly concerned about the welfare of Ukrainian staff at the Russian-held Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant in Ukraine, Europe's largest, it said on Friday, adding that it must go there as soon as possible.

The International Atomic Energy Agency has for months said that the situation at Zaporizhzhia, where Ukrainian staff are working operating the plant under the order of Russian troops, poses a safety risk and that it wants to send a mission there.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/ukraine-a-tough-bite-to-chew-and-so-would-be-finland-says-armed-forces-chief-on-russian-invasion-490781">Ukraine a tough bite to chew and so would be Finland, says armed forces chief on Russian invasion</a>

"The IAEA is aware of recent reports in the media and elsewhere indicating a deteriorating situation for Ukrainian staff at the country's largest nuclear power plant," a statement by the Vienna-based United Nations agency said.

It added that it was "increasingly concerned about the difficult conditions facing staff, and it must go there as soon as possible to address this and other urgent issues".

One of those issues was that IAEA inspectors need to carry out verification work, including checking on the "large amounts" of nuclear material there.

Watch |&nbsp;War in Ukraine: European lab CERN to halt cooperation with Russia

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Although remote transmission of data on that material to IAEA headquarters was restored this month, physical inventory verifications must still be carried out in person by inspectors within an interval that "cannot exceed a specified duration", the agency said, without elaborating.

Two of the plant's six reactors have recently been refuelled and such checks on that fuel are a prerequisite before restarting them, it added. Two reactors are currently operating.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/iran-condemns-political-unconstructive-iaea-resolution-486543">Iran condemns 'political, unconstructive' IAEA resolution</a>

"The situation at this major nuclear power plant is clearly untenable. We are informed that Ukrainian staff are operating the facility under extremely stressful conditions while the site is under the control of Russian armed forces," IAEA Director General Rafael Grossi said in the statement.

"The recent reports are very troubling and further deepen my concern about the well-being of personnel there."

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The United Nations nuclear watchdog is increasingly concerned about the welfare of Ukrainian staff at the Russian-held Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant in Ukraine, Europe's largest, it said on Friday, adding that it must go there as soon as possible.

The United Nations nuclear watchdog is increasingly concerned about the welfare of Ukrainian staff at the Russian-held Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant in Ukraine, Europe's largest, it said on Friday, adding that it must go there as soon as possible. The International Atomic Energy Agency has for months said that the situation at Zaporizhzhia, where Ukrainian staff are working operating the plant under the order of Russian troops, poses a safety risk and that it wants to send a mission there. Also read | Ukraine a tough bite to chew and so would be Finland, says armed forces chief on Russian invasion "The IAEA is aware of recent reports in the media and elsewhere indicating a deteriorating situation for Ukrainian staff at the country's largest nuclear power plant," a statement by the Vienna-based United Nations agency said. It added that it was "increasingly concerned about the difficult conditions facing staff, and it must go there as soon as possible to address this and other urgent issues". One of those issues was that IAEA inspectors need to carry out verification work, including checking on the "large amounts" of nuclear material there. Watch | War in Ukraine: European lab CERN to halt cooperation with Russia Although remote transmission of data on that material to IAEA headquarters was restored this month, physical inventory verifications must still be carried out in person by inspectors within an interval that "cannot exceed a specified duration", the agency said, without elaborating. Two of the plant's six reactors have recently been refuelled and such checks on that fuel are a prerequisite before restarting them, it added. Two reactors are currently operating. Also read | Iran condemns 'political, unconstructive' IAEA resolution "The situation at this major nuclear power plant is clearly untenable. We are informed that Ukrainian staff are operating the facility under extremely stressful conditions while the site is under the control of Russian armed forces," IAEA Director General Rafael Grossi said in the statement. "The recent reports are very troubling and further deepen my concern about the well-being of personnel there." WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

IAEA voices concern for staff at Ukrainian nuclear plant, demands access

Nasa, along with the US department of energy, is working&nbsp;to enhance space nuclear technologies. The space agency&nbsp;has chosen three design concept proposals for a fission surface power system design which may be ready for launch by the end of this decade for a demonstration on the Moon and is going to benefit exploration under the Artemis mission in the future.

Three companies, Lockheed Martin, Westinghouse, and IX (a partnership between Intuitive Machines and X-Energy), will be receiving a contract through DOE's Idaho National Laboratory, each valued at nearly $5 million.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/narrow-escape-international-space-station-dodges-space-debris-from-russian-anti-satellite-test-490218">Narrow escape! International Space Station dodges space debris from Russian anti-satellite test</a>

The contracts will finance the development of initial design concepts for a 40-kilowatt class fission power system which is being planned to last for a minimum period of 10 years in the lunar environment.

Fission systems are reliable and relatively small and lightweight in comparison to other power systems. These systems will have the capacity to enable continuous power regardless of location, available sunlight, and other natural environmental conditions, paving the way for long-duration missions on the Moon and even Mars.

Watch |&nbsp;Gravitas: Mysterious rocks reveal to reveal secrets of Mars?

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The Associate Administrator for NASA's Space Technology Mission Directorate, Jim Reuter, said, "New technology drives our exploration of the Moon, Mars, and beyond. The development of these early designs will help us lay the groundwork for powering our long-term human presence on other worlds."

Idaho National Laboratory's managing and operating contractor, Battelle Energy Alliance, led the request for the Proposal development, evaluation, and also procurement sponsored by NASA.&nbsp;

Idaho National Laboratory Director John Wagner said, "The Fission Surface Power project is a very achievable first step toward the United States establishing nuclear power on the Moon. I look forward to seeing what each of these teams will accomplish."

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/nasa-to-gradually-shut-voyager-probes-as-they-drift-away-489927">NASA to gradually shut Voyager probes as they drift away</a>

NASA will receive critical information from the industry through Phase 1 awards that can result in the full flight-certified fission power system being jointly developed.

The Fission surface power technologies will also help NASA with mature nuclear propulsion systems that rely on reactors to generate power that can be used for deep space exploration missions.

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Nasa, along with the US department of energy, is working to enhance space nuclear technologies. The space agency has chosen three design concept proposals for a fission surface power system design which may be ready for launch by the end of this decade for a demonstration on the Moon and is going to benefit exploration under the Artemis mission in the future.

Nasa, along with the US department of energy, is working to enhance space nuclear technologies. The space agency has chosen three design concept proposals for a fission surface power system design which may be ready for launch by the end of this decade for a demonstration on the Moon and is going to benefit exploration under the Artemis mission in the future. Three companies, Lockheed Martin, Westinghouse, and IX (a partnership between Intuitive Machines and X-Energy), will be receiving a contract through DOE's Idaho National Laboratory, each valued at nearly $5 million. Also read | Narrow escape! International Space Station dodges space debris from Russian anti-satellite test The contracts will finance the development of initial design concepts for a 40-kilowatt class fission power system which is being planned to last for a minimum period of 10 years in the lunar environment. Fission systems are reliable and relatively small and lightweight in comparison to other power systems. These systems will have the capacity to enable continuous power regardless of location, available sunlight, and other natural environmental conditions, paving the way for long-duration missions on the Moon and even Mars. Watch | Gravitas: Mysterious rocks reveal to reveal secrets of Mars? The Associate Administrator for NASA's Space Technology Mission Directorate, Jim Reuter, said, "New technology drives our exploration of the Moon, Mars, and beyond. The development of these early designs will help us lay the groundwork for powering our long-term human presence on other worlds." Idaho National Laboratory's managing and operating contractor, Battelle Energy Alliance, led the request for the Proposal development, evaluation, and also procurement sponsored by NASA. Idaho National Laboratory Director John Wagner said, "The Fission Surface Power project is a very achievable first step toward the United States establishing nuclear power on the Moon. I look forward to seeing what each of these teams will accomplish." Also read | NASA to gradually shut Voyager probes as they drift away NASA will receive critical information from the industry through Phase 1 awards that can result in the full flight-certified fission power system being jointly developed. The Fission surface power technologies will also help NASA with mature nuclear propulsion systems that rely on reactors to generate power that can be used for deep space exploration missions. WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

NASA to test 3 nuclear fission plant designs on the Moon to power Martian and deep space exploration

Japan's nuclear regulator has approved a plan to discharge radioactive wastewater from the disaster-hit Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant into the Pacific Ocean.

Japan gives nod to release Fukushima nuclear plant wastewater into sea

The world's attention is rightly focused on the war in Ukraine, however there are a number of other conflicts still raging across the world. Tensions have been increasing in between Iran and Israel. Watch this report.

War between Wars: Tensions between Iran and Israel intensifies

According to Iranian state media report, Iranian authorities have thwarted a planned sabotage at the country's key nuclear enrichment plant.

Iran accuses Israel of planning sabotage on Fordow nuclear plant

Finland's much-delayed Olkiluoto 3 nuclear reactor started test production on Saturday, operator TVO said, delivering power to the national grid which over time is expected to reduce the need for electricity imports and lead to lower prices.

Plagued by technological problems that became the subject of lawsuits, the 1.6 gigawatt (GW) reactor had originally been due to open in 2009. It is&nbsp;Finland's first new nuclear plant in over four decades and Europe's first in almost 15 years.

Olkiluoto 3 started test production at just over 0.1 gigawatt, a small fraction of its capacity, with a ramp-up to full, regular electricity output planned by the end of July.

"OL3 significantly improves&nbsp;Finland's electricity self-sufficiency and helps in achieving carbon neutrality goals," operator Teollisuuden Voima (TVO) said in a statement.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/russia-warns-nato-against-inclusion-of-finland-sweden-440093">Russia warns NATO against inclusion of Finland, Sweden</a>

Once fully operational, it is expected to meet 14% of&nbsp;Finland's electricity demand, reducing the need for imports from Russia, Sweden and Norway.

"Olkiluoto 3 will decrease&nbsp;Finland's import dependency and it will become a cheaper price zone," Aurora Energy Research economist Alexander Esser told Reuters.

Finland's net imports of power averaged 13 terawatt hours (TWh) over the last few years, which should drop to 5-8 TWh by 2025 with Olkiluoto 3 in operation, Esser said.

Nuclear power remains controversial in Europe, with some countries such as Germany phasing out reactors amid safety concerns, while others including France and Britain discussing new developments.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/trending/elon-musk-makes-fun-of-finlands-prime-minister-with-a-memeheres-why-436504">Elon Musk makes fun of Finland's Prime Minister with a meme.Here's why&nbsp;</a>

TVO is owned by Finnish utility Fortum and smaller energy and forestry firms.

Finland&nbsp;is the only Nordic country with a large power deficit, said Marius Holm Rennesund, a partner at Oslo-based consultancy Thema.

Watch |&nbsp;Russian invasion: Finland shows solidarity with Ukraine, Finnish envoy to India speaks to WION

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Thema predicts that Finnish wholesale power prices will drop to 60 euro per megawatt hour (MWh) in 2023 from a predicted average of 70 euro/MWh in 2022, although the expected reduction will also come from lower gas prices.

In 2024, Finnish wholesale power prices will likely fall further to 45 euros/MWh, Rennesund said.

Finland's much-delayed Olkiluoto 3 nuclear reactor started test production on Saturday, operator TVO said, delivering power to the national grid which over time is expected to reduce the need for electricity imports and lead to lower prices.

Finland's much-delayed Olkiluoto 3 nuclear reactor started test production on Saturday, operator TVO said, delivering power to the national grid which over time is expected to reduce the need for electricity imports and lead to lower prices. Plagued by technological problems that became the subject of lawsuits, the 1.6 gigawatt (GW) reactor had originally been due to open in 2009. It is Finland's first new nuclear plant in over four decades and Europe's first in almost 15 years. Olkiluoto 3 started test production at just over 0.1 gigawatt, a small fraction of its capacity, with a ramp-up to full, regular electricity output planned by the end of July. "OL3 significantly improves Finland's electricity self-sufficiency and helps in achieving carbon neutrality goals," operator Teollisuuden Voima (TVO) said in a statement. Also read | Russia warns NATO against inclusion of Finland, Sweden Once fully operational, it is expected to meet 14% of Finland's electricity demand, reducing the need for imports from Russia, Sweden and Norway. "Olkiluoto 3 will decrease Finland's import dependency and it will become a cheaper price zone," Aurora Energy Research economist Alexander Esser told Reuters. Finland's net imports of power averaged 13 terawatt hours (TWh) over the last few years, which should drop to 5-8 TWh by 2025 with Olkiluoto 3 in operation, Esser said. Nuclear power remains controversial in Europe, with some countries such as Germany phasing out reactors amid safety concerns, while others including France and Britain discussing new developments. Also read | Elon Musk makes fun of Finland's Prime Minister with a meme.Here's why TVO is owned by Finnish utility Fortum and smaller energy and forestry firms. Finland is the only Nordic country with a large power deficit, said Marius Holm Rennesund, a partner at Oslo-based consultancy Thema. Watch | Russian invasion: Finland shows solidarity with Ukraine, Finnish envoy to India speaks to WION Thema predicts that Finnish wholesale power prices will drop to 60 euro per megawatt hour (MWh) in 2023 from a predicted average of 70 euro/MWh in 2022, although the expected reduction will also come from lower gas prices. In 2024, Finnish wholesale power prices will likely fall further to 45 euros/MWh, Rennesund said.

Finland starts much-delayed nuclear plant, brings respite to power market

As Russian troops continue assault on Ukrainian cities, West is stepping up measures to counter Moscow’s growing military aggression. US said it is conducting an internal review to assess attack on nuclear power plant.

U.S. conducting internal review after Russia’s attack on Ukraine’s power plan

The U.S. and its allies have slammed Russia over its attack on Ukraine’s nuclear power plant. UNSC called an emergency meeting to discuss the issue.

West slams Russia over attack on Ukraine’s nuclear power plant

Russian Invasion of Ukraine enters day 9 and reports of a fire at Europe's largest nuclear plant has sent the world in shock. In the latest, Biden spoke to Ukraine President Zelensky.

Ukraine: Zaporizhzhya Nuclear plant safely secured after being ablaze

Russian Invasion of Ukraine enters day 9 and reports of a fire at Europe's largest nuclear plant has sent the world in shock. In the latest, Zaporizhzhya Nuclear plant fell into Russia's hands.

Europe's largest Nuclear plant falls into Russia's hands after fire extinguished

Germany has shut down half of its six nuclear power plants, kickstarting its 11-year plan to phase out the use of atomic power.

Under Germany’s energy transition policy, the nuclear plants in the Gundremmingen, Brokdorf, and Grohnde were decommissioned on December 31, 2021, after three-and-a-half decades of operation, as the European country shifts from fossil fuels to renewable energy.

Notably, the Brokdorf power plant, located about 40 kilometres (25 miles) northwest of Hamburg on the Elbe River – became a particular target of anti-nuclear protests following the 1986 Chernobyl disaster in the Soviet Union.

The last three nuclear power plants — Isar 2, Emsland and Neckarwestheim II — will be turned off by the end of 2022

"For the energy industry in Germany, the nuclear phase-out is final," Reuters quoted Kerstin Andreae, the head of energy industry association BDEW, as saying.

The six nuclear power plants contributed to around 12 per cent of electricity production in Germany in 2021, BDEW preliminary figures showed.

The share of renewable energy was almost 41 per cent, with coal generating just under 28 per cent and gas around 15 per cent.

The move to make renewable energy the primary source was taken by the centre-left government of former Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder in 2002.

His successor, Angela Merkel, had decided to speed up the process in the wake of the 2011 Fukushima disaster in Japan and set 2022 as the final deadline for shutting them down.

Germany aims to make renewables meet 80 per cent of power demand by 2030 through expanding wind and solar power infrastructure.

(With inputs from agencies)

Germany has shut down half of its six nuclear power plants, kickstarting its 11-year plan to phase out the use of atomic power. Under Germany’s energy transition policy, the nuclear plants in the Gundremmingen, Brokdorf, and Grohnde were decommissioned on December 31, 2021, after three-and-a-half decades of operation, as the European country shifts from fossil fuels to renewable energy.

Germany has shut down half of its six nuclear power plants, kickstarting its 11-year plan to phase out the use of atomic power. Under Germany’s energy transition policy, the nuclear plants in the Gundremmingen, Brokdorf, and Grohnde were decommissioned on December 31, 2021, after three-and-a-half decades of operation, as the European country shifts from fossil fuels to renewable energy. Notably, the Brokdorf power plant, located about 40 kilometres (25 miles) northwest of Hamburg on the Elbe River – became a particular target of anti-nuclear protests following the 1986 Chernobyl disaster in the Soviet Union. The last three nuclear power plants — Isar 2, Emsland and Neckarwestheim II — will be turned off by the end of 2022 "For the energy industry in Germany, the nuclear phase-out is final," Reuters quoted Kerstin Andreae, the head of energy industry association BDEW, as saying. The six nuclear power plants contributed to around 12 per cent of electricity production in Germany in 2021, BDEW preliminary figures showed. The share of renewable energy was almost 41 per cent, with coal generating just under 28 per cent and gas around 15 per cent. The move to make renewable energy the primary source was taken by the centre-left government of former Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder in 2002. His successor, Angela Merkel, had decided to speed up the process in the wake of the 2011 Fukushima disaster in Japan and set 2022 as the final deadline for shutting them down. Germany aims to make renewables meet 80 per cent of power demand by 2030 through expanding wind and solar power infrastructure. (With inputs from agencies)

Germany pulls the plug on 3 of six nuclear power plants, remaining to be shut by 2022-end

Two reports based on satellite photos reveal that North Korea is expanding a plant used to enrich uranium for nuclear bombs, indicating that Kim Jong Un is relaxing self-imposed limits on his nuclear weapons programme placed during discussions with the US.

According to reports posted Thursday on the Arms Control Wonk and 38 North websites, the Yongbyon nuclear complex's enrichment plant has been extended, and equipment that controls its internal temperature has been removed.&nbsp;

According to Jeffrey Lewis of the Arms Control Wonk website, the modifications imply that North Korea aims to expand production by up to 25%.&nbsp; 
 
<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/north-korea-fired-ballistic-missiles-from-train-for-the-first-time-ever-413670">Also read: North Korea fired ballistic missiles from train for the first time ever</a>

The improvement comes after the International Atomic Energy Agency announced that North Korea had resumed plutonium production at its Yongbyon uranium enrichment plant for the first time in three years.

Because it takes many months for the reactor to fire before another lengthy operation to process the fuel rods and extract plutonium can begin, such efforts suggest Kim isn't going to meet with US President Joe Biden anytime soon.&nbsp;

Following months of relative silence, North Korean leader Kim Jong Un has recently begun rattling his swords, indicating that he is striving to build his arsenal of weaponry. 
 
<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/south-korea-test-fires-first-submarine-launched-ballistic-missile-hours-after-north-korean-launches-413239">Also read |&nbsp;South Korea test-fires first submarine-launched ballistic missile, hours after North Korean launches</a>

Hidden nuclear-capable missiles that can be launched anywhere along a railway. A new cruise missile, similar to the US Tomahawk, that might be armed with nuclear warheads. The apparent commencement of nuclear weapons-related fuel production.&nbsp;

They are most likely an attempt to extort concessions from the US if and when long-stalled diplomatic negotiations on Kim's nuclear programme begin.

However, part of the message is intended to strengthen internal unity as North Koreans face greater hardships in an economy that has been pummelling by the coronavirus outbreak.&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)

Two reports based on satellite photos reveal that North Korea is expanding a plant used to enrich uranium for nuclear bombs, indicating that Kim Jong Un is relaxing self-imposed limits on his nuclear weapons programme placed during discussions with the US.

Two reports based on satellite photos reveal that North Korea is expanding a plant used to enrich uranium for nuclear bombs, indicating that Kim Jong Un is relaxing self-imposed limits on his nuclear weapons programme placed during discussions with the US. According to reports posted Thursday on the Arms Control Wonk and 38 North websites, the Yongbyon nuclear complex's enrichment plant has been extended, and equipment that controls its internal temperature has been removed. According to Jeffrey Lewis of the Arms Control Wonk website, the modifications imply that North Korea aims to expand production by up to 25%. Also read: North Korea fired ballistic missiles from train for the first time ever The improvement comes after the International Atomic Energy Agency announced that North Korea had resumed plutonium production at its Yongbyon uranium enrichment plant for the first time in three years. Because it takes many months for the reactor to fire before another lengthy operation to process the fuel rods and extract plutonium can begin, such efforts suggest Kim isn't going to meet with US President Joe Biden anytime soon. Following months of relative silence, North Korean leader Kim Jong Un has recently begun rattling his swords, indicating that he is striving to build his arsenal of weaponry. Also read | South Korea test-fires first submarine-launched ballistic missile, hours after North Korean launches Hidden nuclear-capable missiles that can be launched anywhere along a railway. A new cruise missile, similar to the US Tomahawk, that might be armed with nuclear warheads. The apparent commencement of nuclear weapons-related fuel production. They are most likely an attempt to extort concessions from the US if and when long-stalled diplomatic negotiations on Kim's nuclear programme begin. However, part of the message is intended to strengthen internal unity as North Koreans face greater hardships in an economy that has been pummelling by the coronavirus outbreak. (With inputs from agencies)

North Korea expanding plant used to make weapons-grade uranium: Reports

French energy group EDF on Friday said it had filed a binding offer to help build the world's biggest nuclear power plant in India. The project has been blocked for years by nuclear events and local opposition. The binding agreement is about supply of engineeering studies and equipment to build six, third-generation EPR reactors in Jaitapur, western India.

Once finished, the facility would provide 10 gigawatts (GW) of electricity, roughly enough for 70 million households.

Construction is expected to take 15 years, but the site should be able to start generating electricity before its completion.

Finalisation of the contract was expected "in the coming months", an EDF statement said.

EDF, which is in exclusive talks with Indian officials, would not build the power plant itself, but would provide the nuclear reactors in a deal that includes US partner GE Steam Power.

The state-owned PSU Nuclear Power Corporation of India controls the national nuclear energy sector, and the EDF offer was submitted to the country's nuclear operator NPCIL.

Although no financial details have been released, the contract is estimated to be worth in the tens of billions of euros (dollars).

It faced opposition however from local inhabitants since the idea was first floated around 20 years ago, and was delayed after the 2011 nuclear disaster in Fukushima, Japan.&nbsp;

But Xavier Ursat, head of EDF's nuclear division, told AFP that the company estimates that the site's&nbsp; 
"geological conditions are excellent and fully comparable to what we find in a country such as France."

India already has several agreements for exchange of nuclear technologies and expertise with countries like US, France, Russia and Japan.

Russia –- India's traditional ally -– supplies nuclear fuel and has built reactors in the country, for example.

At present, there are 22 functioning nuclear reactors in India, most of them pressurized heavy water reactors, providing about three percent of the country's power.

(With inputs from agencies)

French energy group EDF on Friday said it had filed a binding offer to help build the world's biggest nuclear power plant in India. The project has been blocked for years by nuclear events and local opposition.

French energy group EDF on Friday said it had filed a binding offer to help build the world's biggest nuclear power plant in India. The project has been blocked for years by nuclear events and local opposition. The binding agreement is about supply of engineeering studies and equipment to build six, third-generation EPR reactors in Jaitapur, western India. Once finished, the facility would provide 10 gigawatts (GW) of electricity, roughly enough for 70 million households. Construction is expected to take 15 years, but the site should be able to start generating electricity before its completion. Finalisation of the contract was expected "in the coming months", an EDF statement said. EDF, which is in exclusive talks with Indian officials, would not build the power plant itself, but would provide the nuclear reactors in a deal that includes US partner GE Steam Power. The state-owned PSU Nuclear Power Corporation of India controls the national nuclear energy sector, and the EDF offer was submitted to the country's nuclear operator NPCIL. Although no financial details have been released, the contract is estimated to be worth in the tens of billions of euros (dollars). It faced opposition however from local inhabitants since the idea was first floated around 20 years ago, and was delayed after the 2011 nuclear disaster in Fukushima, Japan. But Xavier Ursat, head of EDF's nuclear division, told AFP that the company estimates that the site's "geological conditions are excellent and fully comparable to what we find in a country such as France." India already has several agreements for exchange of nuclear technologies and expertise with countries like US, France, Russia and Japan. Russia –- India's traditional ally -– supplies nuclear fuel and has built reactors in the country, for example. At present, there are 22 functioning nuclear reactors in India, most of them pressurized heavy water reactors, providing about three percent of the country's power. (With inputs from agencies)

India one step closer to building world's biggest nuclear plant: EDF

French safety officials on Thursday gave the green light to extend the lifetime of the country's oldest of nuclear power plants as it seeks to boost the share of renewables in its power mix.

Nuclear energy currently provides nearly 70 percent of French electricity, more than in any other country.

France, hoping to reduce that share to 50 percent by 2035 -- a target pushed back from an earlier 2025 date -- with the help of renewables, has been holding off from building new reactors.

The French nuclear safety authority (ASN) said the country's 32 plants with 900 Megawatt capacity, built mostly in the 1980s, would be allowed to operate for another decade, taking their potential lifespan to 50 years from the initially planned 40.

They will therefore not be decommissioned before the late 2020s or even late 2030s, depending on their initial launch date.

The safety of French nuclear plants is checked every decade.

ASN asked state-controlled electricity provider EDF, which manages the country's nuclear plants, to undertake any necessary work to safeguard the stations' security.

The main target was to "limit the consequences of any accident, especially any serious accident involving the meltdown of a reactor", ASN's deputy director-general Julien Collet told AFP.

Another objective was to improve the resistance of the plants to outside shocks including earthquakes, floods, extremely hot weather, or a fire in the reactor.

Anti-nuclear campaigners have long demanded the closure of veteran nuclear power stations, and last year obtained the decommissoning of France's oldest plant at Fessenheim in the east of the country.

"Active French nuclear power plants were built to operate for 30 or 40 years. Beyond that, nuclear reactors enter an unknown ageing phase," said NGO Greenpeace, calling for more plants to be closed.

ASN president Bernard Doroszczuk told the Ouest France newspaper that there were still "weak points" in the stations' security equipment, requiring "vigilance", but that there had been improvements.

French safety officials on Thursday gave the green light to extend the lifetime of the country's oldest of nuclear power plants as it seeks to boost the share of renewables in its power mix.

French safety officials on Thursday gave the green light to extend the lifetime of the country's oldest of nuclear power plants as it seeks to boost the share of renewables in its power mix. Nuclear energy currently provides nearly 70 percent of French electricity, more than in any other country. France, hoping to reduce that share to 50 percent by 2035 -- a target pushed back from an earlier 2025 date -- with the help of renewables, has been holding off from building new reactors. The French nuclear safety authority (ASN) said the country's 32 plants with 900 Megawatt capacity, built mostly in the 1980s, would be allowed to operate for another decade, taking their potential lifespan to 50 years from the initially planned 40. They will therefore not be decommissioned before the late 2020s or even late 2030s, depending on their initial launch date. The safety of French nuclear plants is checked every decade. ASN asked state-controlled electricity provider EDF, which manages the country's nuclear plants, to undertake any necessary work to safeguard the stations' security. The main target was to "limit the consequences of any accident, especially any serious accident involving the meltdown of a reactor", ASN's deputy director-general Julien Collet told AFP. Another objective was to improve the resistance of the plants to outside shocks including earthquakes, floods, extremely hot weather, or a fire in the reactor. Anti-nuclear campaigners have long demanded the closure of veteran nuclear power stations, and last year obtained the decommissoning of France's oldest plant at Fessenheim in the east of the country. "Active French nuclear power plants were built to operate for 30 or 40 years. Beyond that, nuclear reactors enter an unknown ageing phase," said NGO Greenpeace, calling for more plants to be closed. ASN president Bernard Doroszczuk told the Ouest France newspaper that there were still "weak points" in the stations' security equipment, requiring "vigilance", but that there had been improvements.

France to extend lifetime of old nuclear power plants

Cooling water levels have fallen in two reactors at the wrecked Fukushima nuclear plant since a powerful earthquake hit the area last weekend, indicating possible additional damage, its operator said on Friday.&nbsp;

New damage could further complicate the plant's already difficult decommissioning process, which is expected to take decades.&nbsp;

Tokyo Electric Power Co spokesman Keisuke Matsuo said the drop in water levels in the unit one and three reactors indicates that the existing damage to their primary containment chambers was worsened by Saturday's magnitude 7.3 quake, allowing more water to leak.&nbsp;

The leaked water is believed to have remained inside the reactor buildings and there is no sign of any outside impact, he said.&nbsp;

In 2011, a powerful magnitude 9.1 earthquake and tsunami damaged the Fukushima plant's cooling systems, causing three reactor cores to melt and nuclear fuel to fall to the bottom of their primary containment vessels.&nbsp;

TEPCO will monitor the water and temperatures at the bottom of the containment vessels, Matsuo said.&nbsp;

Since the 2011 disaster, cooling water has been escaping constantly from the damaged primary containment vessels into the basements of the reactor buildings.&nbsp;

To make up for the loss, additional cooling water has been pumped into the reactors to cool the melted fuel remaining inside them. The recent decline in the water levels indicates that more water than before is leaking out, TEPCO said.&nbsp;

More than 180 people received mostly minor injuries from Saturday's earthquake, according to the Fire and Disaster Management Agency. The quake also triggered landslides, damaged homes and a high-speed train line, and caused widespread power and water supply disruptions.&nbsp;

TEPCO initially reported that there was no abnormality at the plant from Saturday's quake.&nbsp;

Meanwhile, the Tokyo High Court on Friday held the government as well as TEPCO accountable for the 2011 nuclear disaster, ordering both to pay about 280 million yen (USD 2.6 million) in compensation to more than 40 plaintiffs forced to evacuate to Chiba, near Tokyo, for their lost livelihoods and homes.&nbsp;

Friday's decision reverses an earlier ruling by the Chiba district court that excluded the government from responsibility. Judge Yukio Shirai said the government could have foreseen the risk of a massive tsunami and taken measures after a long-term assessment in 2002 of seismic activities.&nbsp;

Cooling water levels have fallen in two reactors at the wrecked Fukushima nuclear plant since a powerful earthquake hit the area last weekend, indicating possible additional damage, its operator said on Friday.

Cooling water levels have fallen in two reactors at the wrecked Fukushima nuclear plant since a powerful earthquake hit the area last weekend, indicating possible additional damage, its operator said on Friday. New damage could further complicate the plant's already difficult decommissioning process, which is expected to take decades. Tokyo Electric Power Co spokesman Keisuke Matsuo said the drop in water levels in the unit one and three reactors indicates that the existing damage to their primary containment chambers was worsened by Saturday's magnitude 7.3 quake, allowing more water to leak. The leaked water is believed to have remained inside the reactor buildings and there is no sign of any outside impact, he said. In 2011, a powerful magnitude 9.1 earthquake and tsunami damaged the Fukushima plant's cooling systems, causing three reactor cores to melt and nuclear fuel to fall to the bottom of their primary containment vessels. TEPCO will monitor the water and temperatures at the bottom of the containment vessels, Matsuo said. Since the 2011 disaster, cooling water has been escaping constantly from the damaged primary containment vessels into the basements of the reactor buildings. To make up for the loss, additional cooling water has been pumped into the reactors to cool the melted fuel remaining inside them. The recent decline in the water levels indicates that more water than before is leaking out, TEPCO said. More than 180 people received mostly minor injuries from Saturday's earthquake, according to the Fire and Disaster Management Agency. The quake also triggered landslides, damaged homes and a high-speed train line, and caused widespread power and water supply disruptions. TEPCO initially reported that there was no abnormality at the plant from Saturday's quake. Meanwhile, the Tokyo High Court on Friday held the government as well as TEPCO accountable for the 2011 nuclear disaster, ordering both to pay about 280 million yen (USD 2.6 million) in compensation to more than 40 plaintiffs forced to evacuate to Chiba, near Tokyo, for their lost livelihoods and homes. Friday's decision reverses an earlier ruling by the Chiba district court that excluded the government from responsibility. Judge Yukio Shirai said the government could have foreseen the risk of a massive tsunami and taken measures after a long-term assessment in 2002 of seismic activities.

Water leaks indicate new damage at Fukushima nuclear plant

President-elect <a href="https://www.wionews.com/topics/joe-biden">Joe Biden</a> has not yet sworn in, but it seems that his job by no means will be easy.

Amid the coronavirus pandemic that has continued to rise at an alarming pace in the United States, the cyberattack has struck the nation.

Watch |&nbsp;

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And now satellite images show that Iran has begun building an underground nuclear facility.&nbsp;

Also read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/iran-begins-construction-at-underground-nuclear-facility-amid-us-tensions-350678">Iran begins construction at underground nuclear facility amid US tensions</a>

Images hovering over Fordo, the highly sensitive nuclear site in Iran, have picked up some clues.

They suggest that from August to November, there has been activity at the site.&nbsp;

In September, Iran started to increase Uranium enrichment at Fordo in a response to US President Donald Trump's decision to walk out of the nuclear deal.&nbsp;

An image from December 11 shows that the Iranian government has dug a foundation for a building with dozens of pillars.&nbsp;

<h2>Why is Iran constructing the facility now?</h2>

Iran knows its move will make its neighbours nervous.&nbsp;

It also wants to send a message that the Islamic Republic has the money, resources and talent to keep the nuclear program running.&nbsp;

It is also posturing to resume talks with the US once Biden takes charge and is telling the world that the killing of its top scientist has not hurt its program.&nbsp;

The assassination of Mohsen Fakhrizadeh was seen as a body blow to Iran's nuclear ambitions, but the country has ensured that its Uranium stockpile continues to grow in the wake of his death.&nbsp;

Tehran has also raised the budget of its nuclear research group by 256 per cent.&nbsp;

The satellite images come just before a foreign ministers' meet on Monday where plans for a joint US-Iran recommitment to the nuclear deal are up for discussion.&nbsp;

Iranian President Hassan Rouhani says Tehran is ready to return to its commitments.&nbsp;

Biden has expressed his intent to re-enter the nuclear deal with Iran, but with some demands.&nbsp;

He reportedly wants to extend the duration of certain restrictions on materials used to make a nuclear bomb.&nbsp;

Tehran can also be asked to curb the activities of its proxies in Lebanon, Iraq, Syria and Yemen.&nbsp;

The chief of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) has endorsed the idea of a new deal.&nbsp;

The development suggests that the days of Trump's maximum pressure policy on Iran and over and the upcoming Biden administration seems keen to talk.

However, Tehran is hedging its bets and with the construction of his underground facility wants to gain some negotiating power before starting a dialogue.&nbsp; 
&nbsp;

President-elect Joe Biden has not yet sworn in, but it seems that his job by no means will be easy. Amid the coronavirus pandemic that has continued to rise at an alarming pace in the United States, the cyberattack has struck the nation.

President-elect Joe Biden has not yet sworn in, but it seems that his job by no means will be easy. Amid the coronavirus pandemic that has continued to rise at an alarming pace in the United States, the cyberattack has struck the nation. Watch | And now satellite images show that Iran has begun building an underground nuclear facility. Also read | Iran begins construction at underground nuclear facility amid US tensions Images hovering over Fordo, the highly sensitive nuclear site in Iran, have picked up some clues. They suggest that from August to November, there has been activity at the site. In September, Iran started to increase Uranium enrichment at Fordo in a response to US President Donald Trump's decision to walk out of the nuclear deal. An image from December 11 shows that the Iranian government has dug a foundation for a building with dozens of pillars. Why is Iran constructing the facility now? Iran knows its move will make its neighbours nervous. It also wants to send a message that the Islamic Republic has the money, resources and talent to keep the nuclear program running. It is also posturing to resume talks with the US once Biden takes charge and is telling the world that the killing of its top scientist has not hurt its program. The assassination of Mohsen Fakhrizadeh was seen as a body blow to Iran's nuclear ambitions, but the country has ensured that its Uranium stockpile continues to grow in the wake of his death. Tehran has also raised the budget of its nuclear research group by 256 per cent. The satellite images come just before a foreign ministers' meet on Monday where plans for a joint US-Iran recommitment to the nuclear deal are up for discussion. Iranian President Hassan Rouhani says Tehran is ready to return to its commitments. Biden has expressed his intent to re-enter the nuclear deal with Iran, but with some demands. He reportedly wants to extend the duration of certain restrictions on materials used to make a nuclear bomb. Tehran can also be asked to curb the activities of its proxies in Lebanon, Iraq, Syria and Yemen. The chief of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) has endorsed the idea of a new deal. The development suggests that the days of Trump's maximum pressure policy on Iran and over and the upcoming Biden administration seems keen to talk. However, Tehran is hedging its bets and with the construction of his underground facility wants to gain some negotiating power before starting a dialogue.

What does underground construction of nuclear plant in Iran suggest?

Cybersecurity officials watched with growing alarm in September as Russian state hackers started prowling around dozens of American state and local government computer systems just two months before the election.

The act itself did not worry them so much — officials anticipated that the Russians who interfered in the 2016 election would be back — but the actor did. The group, known to researchers as “Dragonfly” or “Energetic Bear” for its hackings of the energy sector, was not involved in 2016 election hacking. But it has in the past five years breached the power grid, water treatment facilities and even nuclear power plants, including one in Kansas.

It also hacked into Wi-Fi systems at San Francisco International Airport and at least two other West Coast airports in March in an apparent bid to find one unidentified traveler, a demonstration of the hackers’ power and resolve.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/opinions-blogs/is-the-trump-campaign-colluding-with-russia-again-336750">Also read|&nbsp;Is the Trump campaign colluding with Russia again?</a>

September’s intrusions marked the first time that researchers caught the group, a unit of Russia’s Federal Security Service, or FSB, targeting states and counties. The timing of the attacks so close to the election and the potential for disruption set off concern inside private security firms, law enforcement and intelligence agencies.

“One possible explanation is that they are calling in the real pros — the A Team — who is used to operating in this really sensitive critical infrastructure where you want to keep quiet until you don’t,” said Suzanne Spaulding, the former undersecretary for cybersecurity and critical infrastructure at the Department of Homeland Security.

In 2016, Russian hackers from other groups were unusually noisy in their efforts to penetrate some state election databases. “You could argue they didn’t care about being quiet,” Spaulding said. But now that Russia has been called out and punished for interfering in the election, President Vladimir Putin “may want to keep this quiet until the circumstances are set for their use in information operations,” she added.

American officials described the hackings in an advisory on Thursday as “opportunistic,” rather than a clear attack on election infrastructure, but conceded the group had targeted dozens of state and local systems and stolen data from at least two targets’ servers.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/trump-thought-he-had-a-nuclear-deal-with-putin-not-so-fast-russia-said-335455">Also read|&nbsp;Trump thought he had a nuclear deal with Putin. Not so fast, Russia said.</a>

“They’re broadly looking to scan for vulnerabilities and they’re working opportunistically,” said Christopher C. Krebs, the director of the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency, which issued the warning along with the FBI.

That hardly reassured researchers who have tracked Energetic Bear for years. “This appears to be preparatory, to ensure access when they decide they need it,” said Adam Meyers, the head of threat intelligence at CrowdStrike, a security firm that has monitored the group.

Energetic Bear typically casts a wide net, then zeros in on a few high-value targets. In Germany and the United States, the group has infected websites popular in the energy sector, downloading malware onto the machines of anyone who visited the sites, then searching for employees with access to industrial systems.

In other attacks, it has hijacked the software updates for computers attached to industrial control systems. It has also blasted targets with phishing emails in search of employees, or co-workers, who might have access to critical systems at water, power and nuclear plants.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/us-elections-look-at-russia-china-and-india-its-filthy-says-trump-on-carbon-emissions-337317">Also read|&nbsp;US elections: Look at Russia, China and India, it's filthy, says Trump on carbon emissions</a>

And it has done so with remarkable success. A disturbing screenshot in a 2018 Department of Homeland Security advisory showed the groups’ hackers with their fingers on the switches of the computers that controlled the industrial systems at a power plant.

The group has thus far stopped short of sabotage, but appears to be preparing for some future attack. The hackings so unnerved officials that starting in 2018, the U.S. Cyber Command, the arm of the Pentagon that conducts offensive cyberattacks, hit back with retaliatory strikes on the Russian grid.

Some called the counterattacks the digital era’s equivalent of mutually assured destruction. But any hope that U.S. officials had that their strikes would deter Russia dissipated when the group started targeting American airports in March.

Officials at San Francisco International Airport discovered Russia’s state hackers had breached the online system that airport employees and travelers used to gain access to the airport’s Wi-Fi. The hackers injected code into two Wi-Fi portals that stole visitors’ user names, cracked their passwords and infected their laptops.

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The attack began on March 17 and continued for nearly two weeks until it was shut down. By then, officials at two other airports discovered their Wi-Fi portals had also been compromised. Researchers would not name the other victims, citing nondisclosure agreements, but said they were on the West Coast.

As pervasive as the attacks could have been, researchers believe Russia’s hackers were interested only in one specific person traveling through the airports that day.

“Ostensibly, hundreds of thousands of people could have been compromised,” said Eric Chien, a cybersecurity director at Symantec, who examined the attack. “But only 10 were.”

Chien’s team discovered that the hackers were “fingerprinting” the machines of anyone who logged onto the Wi-Fi network in search of one older version of Microsoft’s Internet Explorer browser. If they found a match, the hackers infected those laptops. If the Wi-Fi visitors used any other browser, the hackers left them alone.

“From what we could see, they were going after a specific individual,” Chien said.

In the government alert on Thursday, officials said that the Russian group was again targeting aviation systems. It did not name the targets but did suggest in some technical language that one could have been the airport in Columbus, Ohio.

In a previous homeland security warning about the group, officials said it “targets low security and small networks to gain access and move laterally to networks of major, high-value asset owners within the energy sector.”

Security researchers warned that the spate of attacks on American state and local systems could mirror the trajectory of those attacks: Russia’s hackers using their foothold in seemingly random victims’ networks to mine for more interesting targets closer to the election on Nov. 3. They could take steps like pulling offline the databases that verify voters’ signatures on mail-in ballots, or given their particular expertise, shutting power to key precincts.

“The most disconcerting piece is that it demonstrates Russia’s intent and ability to target systems near and dear to us, but that shouldn’t surprise us,” said Frank Cilluffo, the director of Auburn University’s McCrary Institute for Cyber and Critical Infrastructure Security.

By deputizing the FSB’s stealthiest infrastructure hackers to target state and local systems, some security experts believe Russia may be hedging its bets.

If, for example, Putin believes President Donald Trump will be reelected and wants to forge a better relationship with the United States, he may want to limit the degree to which Russia is seen as interfering.

Likewise, the experts said, if former Vice President Joe Biden, the Democratic nominee, is elected, Russia may try to use its foothold in the systems to weaken or delegitimize him, or it may hold back so as not to provoke the new administration.

“By doing this more quietly, you give yourself more options,” Spaulding said.

Cybersecurity officials watched with growing alarm in September as Russian state hackers started prowling around dozens of American state and local government computer systems just two months before the election.

Cybersecurity officials watched with growing alarm in September as Russian state hackers started prowling around dozens of American state and local government computer systems just two months before the election. The act itself did not worry them so much — officials anticipated that the Russians who interfered in the 2016 election would be back — but the actor did. The group, known to researchers as “Dragonfly” or “Energetic Bear” for its hackings of the energy sector, was not involved in 2016 election hacking. But it has in the past five years breached the power grid, water treatment facilities and even nuclear power plants, including one in Kansas. It also hacked into Wi-Fi systems at San Francisco International Airport and at least two other West Coast airports in March in an apparent bid to find one unidentified traveler, a demonstration of the hackers’ power and resolve. Also read| Is the Trump campaign colluding with Russia again? September’s intrusions marked the first time that researchers caught the group, a unit of Russia’s Federal Security Service, or FSB, targeting states and counties. The timing of the attacks so close to the election and the potential for disruption set off concern inside private security firms, law enforcement and intelligence agencies. “One possible explanation is that they are calling in the real pros — the A Team — who is used to operating in this really sensitive critical infrastructure where you want to keep quiet until you don’t,” said Suzanne Spaulding, the former undersecretary for cybersecurity and critical infrastructure at the Department of Homeland Security. In 2016, Russian hackers from other groups were unusually noisy in their efforts to penetrate some state election databases. “You could argue they didn’t care about being quiet,” Spaulding said. But now that Russia has been called out and punished for interfering in the election, President Vladimir Putin “may want to keep this quiet until the circumstances are set for their use in information operations,” she added. American officials described the hackings in an advisory on Thursday as “opportunistic,” rather than a clear attack on election infrastructure, but conceded the group had targeted dozens of state and local systems and stolen data from at least two targets’ servers. Also read| Trump thought he had a nuclear deal with Putin. Not so fast, Russia said. “They’re broadly looking to scan for vulnerabilities and they’re working opportunistically,” said Christopher C. Krebs, the director of the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency, which issued the warning along with the FBI. That hardly reassured researchers who have tracked Energetic Bear for years. “This appears to be preparatory, to ensure access when they decide they need it,” said Adam Meyers, the head of threat intelligence at CrowdStrike, a security firm that has monitored the group. Energetic Bear typically casts a wide net, then zeros in on a few high-value targets. In Germany and the United States, the group has infected websites popular in the energy sector, downloading malware onto the machines of anyone who visited the sites, then searching for employees with access to industrial systems. In other attacks, it has hijacked the software updates for computers attached to industrial control systems. It has also blasted targets with phishing emails in search of employees, or co-workers, who might have access to critical systems at water, power and nuclear plants. Also read| US elections: Look at Russia, China and India, it's filthy, says Trump on carbon emissions And it has done so with remarkable success. A disturbing screenshot in a 2018 Department of Homeland Security advisory showed the groups’ hackers with their fingers on the switches of the computers that controlled the industrial systems at a power plant. The group has thus far stopped short of sabotage, but appears to be preparing for some future attack. The hackings so unnerved officials that starting in 2018, the U.S. Cyber Command, the arm of the Pentagon that conducts offensive cyberattacks, hit back with retaliatory strikes on the Russian grid. Some called the counterattacks the digital era’s equivalent of mutually assured destruction. But any hope that U.S. officials had that their strikes would deter Russia dissipated when the group started targeting American airports in March. Officials at San Francisco International Airport discovered Russia’s state hackers had breached the online system that airport employees and travelers used to gain access to the airport’s Wi-Fi. The hackers injected code into two Wi-Fi portals that stole visitors’ user names, cracked their passwords and infected their laptops. × The attack began on March 17 and continued for nearly two weeks until it was shut down. By then, officials at two other airports discovered their Wi-Fi portals had also been compromised. Researchers would not name the other victims, citing nondisclosure agreements, but said they were on the West Coast. As pervasive as the attacks could have been, researchers believe Russia’s hackers were interested only in one specific person traveling through the airports that day. “Ostensibly, hundreds of thousands of people could have been compromised,” said Eric Chien, a cybersecurity director at Symantec, who examined the attack. “But only 10 were.” Chien’s team discovered that the hackers were “fingerprinting” the machines of anyone who logged onto the Wi-Fi network in search of one older version of Microsoft’s Internet Explorer browser. If they found a match, the hackers infected those laptops. If the Wi-Fi visitors used any other browser, the hackers left them alone. “From what we could see, they were going after a specific individual,” Chien said. In the government alert on Thursday, officials said that the Russian group was again targeting aviation systems. It did not name the targets but did suggest in some technical language that one could have been the airport in Columbus, Ohio. In a previous homeland security warning about the group, officials said it “targets low security and small networks to gain access and move laterally to networks of major, high-value asset owners within the energy sector.” Security researchers warned that the spate of attacks on American state and local systems could mirror the trajectory of those attacks: Russia’s hackers using their foothold in seemingly random victims’ networks to mine for more interesting targets closer to the election on Nov. 3. They could take steps like pulling offline the databases that verify voters’ signatures on mail-in ballots, or given their particular expertise, shutting power to key precincts. “The most disconcerting piece is that it demonstrates Russia’s intent and ability to target systems near and dear to us, but that shouldn’t surprise us,” said Frank Cilluffo, the director of Auburn University’s McCrary Institute for Cyber and Critical Infrastructure Security. By deputizing the FSB’s stealthiest infrastructure hackers to target state and local systems, some security experts believe Russia may be hedging its bets. If, for example, Putin believes President Donald Trump will be reelected and wants to forge a better relationship with the United States, he may want to limit the degree to which Russia is seen as interfering. Likewise, the experts said, if former Vice President Joe Biden, the Democratic nominee, is elected, Russia may try to use its foothold in the systems to weaken or delegitimize him, or it may hold back so as not to provoke the new administration. “By doing this more quietly, you give yourself more options,” Spaulding said.

Russians who pose US election threat have hacked nuclear plants and power grid

The United Arab Emirates has begun start-up operations in the initial unit of its first nuclear power plant, the Emirates Nuclear Energy Corporation (ENEC) said on Saturday.

UAE opens Arab world's first nuclear plant

A fire broke out at Iran’s Natanz nuclear facility but there were no casualties and the site is operating as usual, Iranian officials said on Thursday.

The Natanz Fuel Enrichment Plant (FEP) is one of several Iranian facilities monitored by the United Nations nuclear watchdog.

Iran’s Atomic Energy Organisation initially reported that “an incident” had occurred at the facility in the central province of Isfahan.

“There were no casualties or damages and the nuclear site is operating as usual,” the organisation’s spokesman, Behrouz Kamalvandi, was quoted as saying by Tasnim news agency.

The governor of Natanz city, Ramazanali Ferdosi, later said the incident was caused by fire, adding that firefighters had been sent to the site. He gave no further details about the cause of the blaze, Tasnim reported.

A team of experts from the Atomic Energy Organisation is investigating the cause of the incident.

“There is no concern about the possibility of contamination as one of the sheds which was inactive and under construction was damaged and not the facility itself,” Kamalvandi told state news agency IRNA.

Some experts did not rule out possibility of sabotage given the importance of the Natanz nuclear site.

“Considering that this so-called incident happened just a few days after the explosion near the Parchin military base, the possibility of a sabotage cannot be ruled out,” a former Iranian nuclear official told Reuters.

“Also Natanz enrichment facility has been targeted in the past by a computer virus,” he said, referring to an attack in 2010 by the Stuxnet computer virus that damaged centrifuges at the site and is widely believed to have been developed by the United States and Israel.

Last Friday an explosion occurred east of Tehran near a sensitive military complex which the authorities said was caused by a tank leak in a gas storage facility in a public area.

Western security services believe Tehran carried out tests relevant to nuclear bomb detonations more than a decade ago at the Parchin military and weapons development base. Iran has denied it carried out such tests.

Iran agreed to curb its nuclear program in exchange for the removal of most international sanctions in a deal reached between Tehran and six world powers in 2015.

But Tehran has gradually reduced its commitments to the accord since U.S. President Donald Trump’s administration withdrew from the agreement in 2018 and reimposed and intensified sanctions that have battered Iran’s economy.

The deal only lets Iran accumulate enriched uranium with just over 5,000 of its first-generation IR-1 centrifuges at Natanz. It lets Iran use small numbers of more advanced models for research, without producing enriched uranium.

Israel has backed Trump’s “maximum pressure” policy on Tehran aimed at forcing it to agree a new deal that puts stricter limits on its nuclear work, curbs its ballistic missile program and ends its regional proxy wars.

Iran says it will not negotiate as long as sanctions remain in place.

There was no immediate comment from the International Atomic Energy Agency in Vienna.

A fire broke out at Iran’s Natanz nuclear facility but there were no casualties and the site is operating as usual, Iranian officials said on Thursday. The Natanz Fuel Enrichment Plant (FEP) is one of several Iranian facilities monitored by the United Nations nuclear watchdog.

A fire broke out at Iran’s Natanz nuclear facility but there were no casualties and the site is operating as usual, Iranian officials said on Thursday. The Natanz Fuel Enrichment Plant (FEP) is one of several Iranian facilities monitored by the United Nations nuclear watchdog. Iran’s Atomic Energy Organisation initially reported that “an incident” had occurred at the facility in the central province of Isfahan. “There were no casualties or damages and the nuclear site is operating as usual,” the organisation’s spokesman, Behrouz Kamalvandi, was quoted as saying by Tasnim news agency. The governor of Natanz city, Ramazanali Ferdosi, later said the incident was caused by fire, adding that firefighters had been sent to the site. He gave no further details about the cause of the blaze, Tasnim reported. A team of experts from the Atomic Energy Organisation is investigating the cause of the incident. “There is no concern about the possibility of contamination as one of the sheds which was inactive and under construction was damaged and not the facility itself,” Kamalvandi told state news agency IRNA. Some experts did not rule out possibility of sabotage given the importance of the Natanz nuclear site. “Considering that this so-called incident happened just a few days after the explosion near the Parchin military base, the possibility of a sabotage cannot be ruled out,” a former Iranian nuclear official told Reuters. “Also Natanz enrichment facility has been targeted in the past by a computer virus,” he said, referring to an attack in 2010 by the Stuxnet computer virus that damaged centrifuges at the site and is widely believed to have been developed by the United States and Israel. Last Friday an explosion occurred east of Tehran near a sensitive military complex which the authorities said was caused by a tank leak in a gas storage facility in a public area. Western security services believe Tehran carried out tests relevant to nuclear bomb detonations more than a decade ago at the Parchin military and weapons development base. Iran has denied it carried out such tests. Iran agreed to curb its nuclear program in exchange for the removal of most international sanctions in a deal reached between Tehran and six world powers in 2015. But Tehran has gradually reduced its commitments to the accord since U.S. President Donald Trump’s administration withdrew from the agreement in 2018 and reimposed and intensified sanctions that have battered Iran’s economy. The deal only lets Iran accumulate enriched uranium with just over 5,000 of its first-generation IR-1 centrifuges at Natanz. It lets Iran use small numbers of more advanced models for research, without producing enriched uranium. Israel has backed Trump’s “maximum pressure” policy on Tehran aimed at forcing it to agree a new deal that puts stricter limits on its nuclear work, curbs its ballistic missile program and ends its regional proxy wars. Iran says it will not negotiate as long as sanctions remain in place. There was no immediate comment from the International Atomic Energy Agency in Vienna.

Fire breaks out at Iranian nuclear facility, no damage reported, officials say

Germany has demolished parts of a power plant in a bid to phase-out nuclear power. Should more countries give up on Nuclear reactors? WION's Executive Editor Palki Sharma Upadhyay gets you a report.

Gravitas: Should the world phase out nuclear power?

The Philippsburg plant in southwest Germany with 150-meter long towers was brought down at 6 am on Wednesday morning.&nbsp;

It was earlier a nuclear reactor,&nbsp;with three beeps an explosion was set off, and the towers were brought down signifying the collapse of an outdated energy source.

It also kick-started a new era making way for a greener tomorrow. A transformer station will come up on the site. It will bring green electricity from northern Germany. Greenpeace projected a farewell message the night before which read: "make way for alternative energy". Germany is now phasing out nuclear power with its plan on track.

The Philippsburg nuclear plant had two reactors and both were shut down. The first was shut in 2011, the second in 2019. Germany has half a dozen more nuclear plants but they will be offline by the end of 2022.

The country wants to do away with nuclear waste and reduce the threat to its citizens' health. The disastrous consequences of risking nuclear proliferation, or for that matter a potential terror attack and accidents is what Germany is trying to avoid. Fukushima, Chernobyl, the Three Mile Island accident&nbsp;- the world cannot afford a repeat, therefore, switching to safer energy is the need of the hour.

Countries need to pull the plug on nuclear reactors although it's not easy but it's a must. The process is long and expensive. Phase-1 involves shutting down or decontaminating the plant. Nuclear fuels are discharged and all circuits drained. The site is then left untouched and it is monitored.

The second phase involves total dismantling the plant with equipment and structures removed with the exception of the reactor building. It is sealed off and monitored. Phase-3 involves dismantling the reactor building. It is mostly a delicate phase with remote-controlled robots used to do most of the job.

Decommissioning a nuclear power plant takes anything between 25 to 100 years. It's tedious but worth it. Our battle today is not just against a virus, it's against everything that comes in between us and a safer tomorrow.

The Philippsburg plant in southwest Germany with 150-meter long towers was brought down at 6 am on Wednesday morning. It was earlier a nuclear reactor, with three beeps an explosion was set off, and the towers were brought down signifying the collapse of an outdated energy source.

The Philippsburg plant in southwest Germany with 150-meter long towers was brought down at 6 am on Wednesday morning. It was earlier a nuclear reactor, with three beeps an explosion was set off, and the towers were brought down signifying the collapse of an outdated energy source. It also kick-started a new era making way for a greener tomorrow. A transformer station will come up on the site. It will bring green electricity from northern Germany. Greenpeace projected a farewell message the night before which read: "make way for alternative energy". Germany is now phasing out nuclear power with its plan on track. The Philippsburg nuclear plant had two reactors and both were shut down. The first was shut in 2011, the second in 2019. Germany has half a dozen more nuclear plants but they will be offline by the end of 2022. The country wants to do away with nuclear waste and reduce the threat to its citizens' health. The disastrous consequences of risking nuclear proliferation, or for that matter a potential terror attack and accidents is what Germany is trying to avoid. Fukushima, Chernobyl, the Three Mile Island accident - the world cannot afford a repeat, therefore, switching to safer energy is the need of the hour. Countries need to pull the plug on nuclear reactors although it's not easy but it's a must. The process is long and expensive. Phase-1 involves shutting down or decontaminating the plant. Nuclear fuels are discharged and all circuits drained. The site is then left untouched and it is monitored. The second phase involves total dismantling the plant with equipment and structures removed with the exception of the reactor building. It is sealed off and monitored. Phase-3 involves dismantling the reactor building. It is mostly a delicate phase with remote-controlled robots used to do most of the job. Decommissioning a nuclear power plant takes anything between 25 to 100 years. It's tedious but worth it. Our battle today is not just against a virus, it's against everything that comes in between us and a safer tomorrow.

Germany demolishes nuclear plant towers for a greener tomorrow

A Japanese government agency has proposed releasing radioactive water from the stricken&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/japan-court-acquits-energy-bosses-over-fukushima-disaster-250636">Fukushima </a>nuclear plant into the environment, as storage space runs out.

The plant suffered a meltdown about nine years ago after it was hit by an earthquake-triggered tsunami. About a million tonnes of contaminated water has built up since then and the tanks that hold it are almost full.

Watch: Namei after Fukushima 2011

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The government's Agency for <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/pope-voices-concern-over-future-energy-as-he-comforts-victims-of-fukushima-disaster-264290">Natural Resources and Energy</a> on Monday proposed three ways to deal with the water releasing it into the sea, into the air using vaporisation or a combination of the two.

"There is no option (any longer) of simply storing the water for a long period of time," an agency official told AFP on Tuesday.

An extensive pumping and filtration system is in place at the plant, which each day brings up tonnes of newly contaminated water and filters out almost all radioactive elements.

The process leaves only tritium, which experts say is only harmful to humans in&nbsp;very large doses.&nbsp;

No decision was taken at Monday's meeting but "no members voiced opposition to the view that a technically realistic way is discharging the water into the sea or the air," according to the agency official.

The panel has been discussing how to dispose of the liquid for years and no deadline has been set for it to report to the government.

The <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/at-fukushima-plant-a-million-tonne-headache-radioactive-water-253979">radioactive water </a>comes from several different sources, including water used for cooling at the plant groundwater that seeps into the plant daily and rainwater.

Properly filtered Fukushima water could be diluted with seawater and safely released into the ocean without causing environmental problems, the International Atomic Energy Agency argues.

Discharging it into the environment could trigger protests however not only from local fishermen and farmers but also from neighbouring countries.

The treated water is currently kept in a thousand huge tanks at the Fukushima Daiichi site.

Plant operator TEPCO is building more tanks but all will be full by the summer of 2022.

A Japanese government agency has proposed releasing radioactive water from the stricken Fukushima nuclear plant into the environment, as storage space runs out. The plant suffered a meltdown about nine years ago after it was hit by an earthquake-triggered tsunami.

A Japanese government agency has proposed releasing radioactive water from the stricken Fukushima nuclear plant into the environment, as storage space runs out. The plant suffered a meltdown about nine years ago after it was hit by an earthquake-triggered tsunami. About a million tonnes of contaminated water has built up since then and the tanks that hold it are almost full. Watch: Namei after Fukushima 2011 The government's Agency for Natural Resources and Energy on Monday proposed three ways to deal with the water releasing it into the sea, into the air using vaporisation or a combination of the two. "There is no option (any longer) of simply storing the water for a long period of time," an agency official told AFP on Tuesday. An extensive pumping and filtration system is in place at the plant, which each day brings up tonnes of newly contaminated water and filters out almost all radioactive elements. The process leaves only tritium, which experts say is only harmful to humans in very large doses. No decision was taken at Monday's meeting but "no members voiced opposition to the view that a technically realistic way is discharging the water into the sea or the air," according to the agency official. The panel has been discussing how to dispose of the liquid for years and no deadline has been set for it to report to the government. The radioactive water comes from several different sources, including water used for cooling at the plant groundwater that seeps into the plant daily and rainwater. Properly filtered Fukushima water could be diluted with seawater and safely released into the ocean without causing environmental problems, the International Atomic Energy Agency argues. Discharging it into the environment could trigger protests however not only from local fishermen and farmers but also from neighbouring countries. The treated water is currently kept in a thousand huge tanks at the Fukushima Daiichi site. Plant operator TEPCO is building more tanks but all will be full by the summer of 2022.

Japan planning to release Fukushima radioactive water as storage space runs out

The United States announced Monday it would <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/irans-guards-warn-protesters-of-decisive-action-if-unrest-continues-262988">halt sanctions waivers for Iran's Fordow plant</a>, likely ending a key component of a landmark nuclear deal after Tehran said it had resumed enrichment activities.

Piling pressure as protests hit Iran, the move is intended to discourage work led by Russia's state-owned nuclear company Rosatom at the once-secret site, which was supposed to be transformed into a civilian research centre&nbsp;under the 2015 agreement.

Secretary of State Mike Pompeo pointed to Iranian President Hassan Rouhani's announcement of renewed activity at Fordow, one of a series of steps taken by Tehran as it presses Europeans to make good on sanctions relief promised for compliance.

"Therefore the United States will terminate the sanctions waiver related to the nuclear facility at Fordow effective December 15, 2019," Pompeo told a news conference.&nbsp;

"The right amount of uranium enrichment for the world's largest state sponsor of terror is zero," Pompeo said.

"There is no legitimate reason for Iran to resume enrichment at this previously clandestine site. Iran should reverse its activity there immediately," he said.

President Donald Trump last year withdrew from the denuclearisation accord and reimposed sweeping sanctions on Iran, aiming to inflict economic pain and reduce the Shiite clerical regime's influence in Arab countries.

But the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/iran-developed-vast-influence-in-iraq-spy-agency-leaks-say-262919">Trump administration</a> has still granted waivers to let other nations implement the nuclear deal, which was negotiated under former President Barack Obama, without facing penalties in the United States.

Critics of Trump have said that the waivers proved the administration saw the benefits of the deal, which sharply expanded access for international inspectors. Iran had been in compliance before the US withdrawal.

US waivers remain in place for other nuclear sites including Bushehr, a nuclear power plant off the Gulf coast being developed with Russia under safeguards.

Hawkish Republicans have been pressing on Pompeo to end the waivers. Senator Tom Cotton praised the decision as he pointed to the weekend protests in Iran over gas price hikes.

"The mullahs are playing with atoms in an underground bunker at Fordow instead of helping their own people, who are demonstrating in the street," he tweeted.

Latest step by Iran

Iran, which insists its nuclear program is exclusively peaceful, has taken a series of measures that fall well short of developing a nuclear weapon but are meant to put pressure on European powers.

The UN's nuclear watchdog said Monday that Iran's stock of heavy water for reactors had crossed the level agreed upon in the 2015 accord for the first time.

Iran's stock of heavy water, which can be used to produce plutonium for nuclear weapons as an alternative to enriched uranium,&nbsp;was 131.5 tonnes, above the 130-tonne limit, said a spokesperson for the agency in Vienna.

At Fordow, <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/iran-condemns-us-show-of-support-for-rioters-262870">Iran</a> said it began feeding uranium hexafluoride gas into mothballed enrichment centrifuges.

Britain, France, Germany and the European Union said Iran's decision was "inconsistent" with the nuclear deal.

Iran has accused European nations of hypocrisy over the nuclear deal and also attacked the United States for its statements of support for protesters.

Major roads have been blocked, banks torched and shops looted since Friday's abrupt hike in gas prices.

Pompeo again voiced solidarity with the protesters, saying: "The world's watching."

"The Iranian people will enjoy a better future when their government begins to respect basic human rights, abandon its revolutionary posture and its destabilizing foreign policy in the region, and behaves simply like a normal nation," he said.

The United States announced Monday it would halt sanctions waivers for Iran's Fordow plant, likely ending a key component of a landmark nuclear deal after Tehran said it had resumed enrichment activities.

The United States announced Monday it would halt sanctions waivers for Iran's Fordow plant, likely ending a key component of a landmark nuclear deal after Tehran said it had resumed enrichment activities. Piling pressure as protests hit Iran, the move is intended to discourage work led by Russia's state-owned nuclear company Rosatom at the once-secret site, which was supposed to be transformed into a civilian research centre under the 2015 agreement. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo pointed to Iranian President Hassan Rouhani's announcement of renewed activity at Fordow, one of a series of steps taken by Tehran as it presses Europeans to make good on sanctions relief promised for compliance. "Therefore the United States will terminate the sanctions waiver related to the nuclear facility at Fordow effective December 15, 2019," Pompeo told a news conference. "The right amount of uranium enrichment for the world's largest state sponsor of terror is zero," Pompeo said. "There is no legitimate reason for Iran to resume enrichment at this previously clandestine site. Iran should reverse its activity there immediately," he said. President Donald Trump last year withdrew from the denuclearisation accord and reimposed sweeping sanctions on Iran, aiming to inflict economic pain and reduce the Shiite clerical regime's influence in Arab countries. But the Trump administration has still granted waivers to let other nations implement the nuclear deal, which was negotiated under former President Barack Obama, without facing penalties in the United States. Critics of Trump have said that the waivers proved the administration saw the benefits of the deal, which sharply expanded access for international inspectors. Iran had been in compliance before the US withdrawal. US waivers remain in place for other nuclear sites including Bushehr, a nuclear power plant off the Gulf coast being developed with Russia under safeguards. Hawkish Republicans have been pressing on Pompeo to end the waivers. Senator Tom Cotton praised the decision as he pointed to the weekend protests in Iran over gas price hikes. "The mullahs are playing with atoms in an underground bunker at Fordow instead of helping their own people, who are demonstrating in the street," he tweeted. Latest step by Iran Iran, which insists its nuclear program is exclusively peaceful, has taken a series of measures that fall well short of developing a nuclear weapon but are meant to put pressure on European powers. The UN's nuclear watchdog said Monday that Iran's stock of heavy water for reactors had crossed the level agreed upon in the 2015 accord for the first time. Iran's stock of heavy water, which can be used to produce plutonium for nuclear weapons as an alternative to enriched uranium, was 131.5 tonnes, above the 130-tonne limit, said a spokesperson for the agency in Vienna. At Fordow, Iran said it began feeding uranium hexafluoride gas into mothballed enrichment centrifuges. Britain, France, Germany and the European Union said Iran's decision was "inconsistent" with the nuclear deal. Iran has accused European nations of hypocrisy over the nuclear deal and also attacked the United States for its statements of support for protesters. Major roads have been blocked, banks torched and shops looted since Friday's abrupt hike in gas prices. Pompeo again voiced solidarity with the protesters, saying: "The world's watching." "The Iranian people will enjoy a better future when their government begins to respect basic human rights, abandon its revolutionary posture and its destabilizing foreign policy in the region, and behaves simply like a normal nation," he said.

United States ends sanction waivers for Fordow nuclear plant in Iran

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