IAEA Top News

• IAEA Sees Operational Safety Commitment at Hungary’s Paks Nuclear Power Plant
  An IAEA team of experts stated that the operator of Paks Nuclear Power Plant in Hungary has demonstrated a commitment to operational safety. The team also encouraged the operator to continue improvements in areas such as training on preventative measures and documentation to reduce the risk of human error.
  
• IAEA Delivers Ambulances to Ukrainian Nuclear Sites
  The International Atomic Energy Agency has handed over two new, fully equipped ambulances to Ukraine this week, providing vital medical support to the people working at its nuclear facilities.
  
• Director General Briefs Board on Iran Developments, Ukraine Support, Technical Assistance and More
  The IAEA Director General has briefed the Board of Governors on his high-level meetings in Tehran last week, describing his discussions with the new government as constructive. Nevertheless, he pointed out, there were ongoing concerns.
  
• IAEA Boosts Medical Assistance to Ukraine Nuclear Sites with Delivery of Two Ambulances
  The IAEA handed over two new ambulances to Ukraine today to help ensure vital medical support for the people operating its nuclear power plants in difficult circumstances, an essential part of the IAEA’s wider efforts aimed at preventing a nuclear accident during the military conflict.
  
• Nuclear Power in the COP29 Spotlight as Countries and Companies Eye Climate Solutions
  Nuclear power is in the spotlight at the United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP29) in Azerbaijan, where both countries and industries presented plans to deploy the carbon-free energy technology, building on the historic consensus to accelerate its use that emerged from last year’s climate summit.
  
• IAEA Director General Receives Nuclear Statesman Award
  The IAEA Director General has been granted a major honour – the Henry DeWolf Smyth Nuclear Statesman Award – for outstanding service in developing and guiding the peaceful uses of nuclear energy.
  
• Update 260 – IAEA Director General Statement on Situation in Ukraine
  Ukraine’s operating nuclear power plants (NPPs) reduced electricity production as a precautionary measure this morning following widespread military activities across the country that reportedly targeted its energy infrastructure, putting nuclear safety and security under further pressure, Director General Rafael Mariano Grossi of the International Atomic Energy Agency (I...
  
• Update 259 – IAEA Director General Statement on Situation in Ukraine
  Maintenance of several of the reactor safety systems is being conducted at Ukraine’s Zaporizhzhya Nuclear Power Plant (ZNPP), an essential part of wider efforts to prevent a nuclear accident during the military conflict, Director General Rafael Mariano Grossi of the International Atomic Energy (IAEA) said today.
  
• COP29: First Week in Review
  The IAEA is at COP29 in Baku, putting into place concrete measures to help countries use nuclear science and technology to fight climate change. 
  
• IAEA and EBRD Expand Cooperation to Nuclear Energy to Help Reach Net Zero
  The IAEA and the EBRD are broadening their collaboration in the nuclear energy sector to help countries achieve net zero. This partnership represents a significant step, as it extends their cooperation beyond nuclear and radiation safety concerns.
  
• New IAEA and LinkedIn Practical Arrangement Brings Opportunities for Women in the Nuclear Field
  A new IAEA and LinkedIn Practical Arrangement will bring networking and training opportunities for women in the nuclear field.
  
• IAEA Arrives at COP29
  The COP29 climate conference has kicked off in Baku, Azerbaijan and the IAEA is once again present to discuss all the ways that nuclear science and technology can help in the fight against climate change. 
  
• IAEA Says Japan is Accurately Monitoring Radiation Exposure of Workers Handling ALPS-Treated Water at Fukushima
  Japan is accurately monitoring occupational radiation exposure of workers involved in handling ALPS-treated water at the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Station, the IAEA said in a recent report.
  
• IAEA Hosts International Conference on Research Reactors
  More than 300 participants from over 80 countries came to the IAEA’s headquarters in Vienna today to participate in the International Conference on Research Reactors, which runs from 11 to 15 November.
  
• Director General Grossi to Visit Tehran
  Director General Rafael Mariano Grossi will travel to Tehran this week for high level meetings with the Iranian Government and will hold technical discussions on all aspects related to the Joint Statement agreed with Iran in March 2023.
  

IAEA Fukushima Status Reports

• Japan's Reports on Conditions at TEPCO's Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Station, 6 November 2024
  The Japanese Government has provided the IAEA with a report that summarizes the events and highlights the progress related to recovery operations at the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Station.
  
• Japan's Reports on Conditions at TEPCO's Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Station, 29 October 2024
  On 29 October 2024, Japan provided the IAEA with a copy of a report on the discharge record and the seawater monitoring results at the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Station during July, which the Ministry of Foreign Af
  
• Japan's Reports on Conditions at TEPCO's Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Station, 2 October 2024
  On 1 October 2024, Japan provided the IAEA with a copy of a report on the discharge record and the seawater monitoring results at the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Station during June, which the Ministry of Foreign Aff
  
• Japan's Reports on Conditions at TEPCO's Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Station, 11 July 2024
  On 10 July 2024, Japan provided the IAEA with a copy of a report on the discharge record and the seawater monitoring results at the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Station during May, which the Ministry of Foreign Affair
  
• Japan's Reports on Conditions at TEPCO's Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Station, 13 June 2024
  On 13 June 2024, Japan provided the IAEA with a copy of a report on the discharge record and the seawater monitoring results at the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Station during April, which the Ministry of Foreign Aff
  
• Japan's Reports on Conditions at TEPCO's Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Station, 13 June 2024
  On 13 June 2024, Japan provided the IAEA with a copy of a report on the discharge record and the seawater monitoring results at the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Station during March, which the Ministry of Foreign Affa
  
• Japan's Reports on Conditions at TEPCO's Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Station, 25 March 2024
  On 22 March 2024, Japan provided the IAEA with a copy of a report on the discharge record and the seawater monitoring results at the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Station during February, which the Ministry of Foreign
  
• Japan's Reports on Conditions at TEPCO's Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Station, 5 March 2024
  On 5 March 2024, Japan provided the IAEA with a copy of a report on the discharge record and the seawater monitoring results at the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Station during January, which the Ministry of Foreign Af
  
• Japan's Reports on Conditions at TEPCO's Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Station, 18 January 2024
  On 18 January 2024, Japan provided the IAEA with a copy of a report on the discharge record and the seawater monitoring results at the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Station during December, which the Ministry of Foreig
  
• Japan's Reports on Conditions at TEPCO's Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Station, 27 December 2023
  On 27 December 2023, Japan provided the IAEA with a copy of a report on the discharge record and the seawater monitoring results at the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Station during November, which the Ministry of Fore
  
• Japan's Reports on Conditions at TEPCO's Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Station, 21 November 2023
  On 21 November 2023, Japan provided the IAEA with a copy of a report on the discharge record and the seawater monitoring results at the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Station during October, which the Ministry of Foreig
  
• Japan's Reports on Conditions at TEPCO's Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Station, 30 October 2023
  On 26 October 2023, Japan provided the IAEA with a copy of a report on the discharge record and the seawater monitoring results at the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Station during September, which the Ministry of Forei
  
• Japan's Reports on Conditions at TEPCO's Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Station, 12 October 2023
  On 11 October 2023, Japan provided the IAEA with a copy of a report during July and August, on the discharge record and the seawater monitorin
  
• Japan's Reports on Conditions at TEPCO's Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Station, 28 July 2023
  On 26 July 2023, Japan provided the IAEA with a copy of a report on the discharge record and the seawater monitoring results at the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Station during June, which the Ministry of Foreign Affai
  
• Japan's Reports on Conditions at TEPCO's Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Station, 13 July 2023
  On 13 July 2023, Japan provided the IAEA with a copy of a report on the discharge record and the seawater monitoring results at the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Station during May, which the Ministry of Foreign Affair
  

Union of Concerned Scientists

• New Federal Rules to Modernize US Power Grid Cite UCS
  New Federal Rules to Modernize US Power Grid Cite UCS 2024 Omari Spears Wed, 06/05/2024 - 16:00 Read press release
  
• EPA Falsified Scientific Records in Ohio Train Derailment Disaster
  EPA Falsified Scientific Records in Ohio Train Derailment Disaster Omari Spears Tue, 05/28/2024 - 15:25 Administration Biden Topic Environment Public Health
  
• New EPA Rules Will Cut Pollution from Power Sector
  New EPA Rules Will Cut Pollution from Power Sector 2024 Omari Spears Mon, 05/06/2024 - 16:21 Read press release
  
• EPA Sets UCS-Backed Vehicle Emissions Standards
  EPA Sets UCS-Backed Vehicle Emissions Standards 2024 Omari Spears Mon, 05/06/2024 - 16:16 Read blog
  
• Fenceline Communities Better Protected from Chemical Disasters
  Fenceline Communities Better Protected from Chemical Disasters 2024 Omari Spears Mon, 05/06/2024 - 16:00 Read blog
  
• DOT Officials Altered Report to Remove Scientific Evidence on Safety Devices in Trucks
  DOT Officials Altered Report to Remove Scientific Evidence on Safety Devices in Trucks Omari Spears Tue, 12/19/2023 - 11:21 Administration Trump Topic Public Health
  
• UCS Research Points Finger at Big Oil for Western Wildfires
  UCS Research Points Finger at Big Oil for Western Wildfires 2023 Omari Spears Tue, 12/12/2023 - 15:26 Read report
  
• UCS and Partners Move Toward Environmental Justice in Minnesota
  UCS and Partners Move Toward Environmental Justice in Minnesota 2023 Omari Spears Tue, 12/12/2023 - 15:21 Read blog
  
• UCS Wins Strong Ethylene Oxide Pollution Rule
  UCS Wins Strong Ethylene Oxide Pollution Rule 2023 Omari Spears Tue, 12/12/2023 - 15:16 Read blog
  
• Maine Makes Historic Offshore Wind Commitment
  Maine Makes Historic Offshore Wind Commitment 2023 Omari Spears Tue, 12/12/2023 - 15:12 Read blog
  

Nuclear Energy News -- ScienceDaily

• Deciphering the anomalous properties of water
  Water, a molecule essential for life, has unusual properties -- known as anomalies -- that define its behavior. However, there are still many enigmas about the molecular mechanisms that would explain the anomalies that make the water molecule unique. Deciphering and reproducing this particular behavior of water in different temperature ranges is still a major challenge for the ...
  
• Fermium studied at GSI/FAIR: Researchers investigate nuclear properties of element 100 with laser light
  Where does the periodic table of chemical elements end and which processes lead to the existence of heavy elements? Researchers report on experiments to come closer to an answer. They gained insight into the structure of atomic nuclei of fermium (element 100) with different numbers of neutrons. Using forefront laser spectroscopy techniques, they traced the evolution of the nucl...
  
• Scientists calculate predictions for meson measurements
  Calculations of charge distribution in mesons provide benchmark for experimental measurements and validate widely used 'factorization' method for imaging the building blocks of matter.
  
• Imaging nuclear shapes by smashing them to smithereens
  Scientists have demonstrated a new way to use high-energy particle smashups at the Relativistic Heavy Ion Collider (RHIC) to reveal subtle details about the shapes of atomic nuclei. The method is complementary to lower energy techniques for determining nuclear structure. It will add depth to scientists' understanding of the nuclei that make up the bulk of visible matter.
  
• Successful experiment paves the way for new element
  Scientists have found an alternative way to produce atoms of the superheavy element livermorium. The new method opens up the possibility of creating another element that could be the heaviest in the world so far: number 120.
  
• Molecule 'handedness' determines the strength of a coupling between nuclear spins
  Chirality -- a geometric property that allows molecules to exist in two distinct forms that are chemically identical but are 3D mirror images of each other, like a right and left hand -- has a powerful effect on nuclear spin state but was thought to have no effect on coupling between spins. A study found chirality, or handedness, does in fact determine the strength of a couplin...
  
• New AI models of plasma heating lead to important corrections in computer code used for fusion research
  New artificial intelligence models for plasma heating can do more than was previously thought possible, not only increasing the prediction speed 10 million times while preserving accuracy but also correctly predicting plasma heating in cases where the original numerical code failed.
  
• Stopping off-the-wall behavior in fusion reactors
  New experimental results suggest that sprinkling boron into a tokamak could shield the wall of the fusion vessel and prevent atoms from the wall from getting into the plasma. A new computer modeling framework shows the boron powder may only need to be sprinkled from one location.
  
• Nanopillars create tiny openings in the nucleus without damaging cells
  Researchers have created an array of nanopillars that can breach the nucleus of a cell -- the compartment that houses our DNA -- without damaging the cell's outer membrane. This new 'gateway into the nucleus' could open new possibilities in gene therapy, where genetic material needs to be delivered directly into the nucleus, as well as drug delivery and other forms of precision...
  
• Using antimatter to detect nuclear radiation
  Discerning whether a nuclear reactor is being used to also create material for nuclear weapons is difficult, but capturing and analyzing antimatter particles has shown promise for monitoring what specific nuclear reactor operations are occurring, even from hundreds of miles away. Researchers have developed a detector that exploits Cherenkov radiation, sensing antineutrinos and ...
  
• A new and unique fusion reactor
  As part of the global effort to harness power from fusing plasma, scientists worked on the computer codes, engineering and physics for a new and unique fusion reactor: the SMall Aspect Ratio Tokamak.
  
• Researchers measure more detailed data on the 'magic' N=50 neutron shell closure
  Researchers have found new information about the strength of the so-called magic neutron number 50 shell closure in the silver isotope chain. The new more detailed information on the properties of the nuclei will contribute crucial information for refining our understanding of nuclear forces. The research improves state-of-the-art theoretical models and thus benefits the global...
  
• Breakthrough in hydrogen research
  Hydrogen is in great demand due to its promising role as a sustainable resource in the energy transition. Researchers have made an important breakthrough in the efficient and cost-effective provision of isotopes. These are the three forms in which hydrogen occurs in nature -- as protium, deuterium or tritium. The team has taken a big step towards realizing its dream of separati...
  
• Shedding light on superconducting disorder
  The importance of disorder in physics is only matched by the difficulty to study it. For example, the remarkable properties of high-temperature superconductors are greatly affected by variations in the chemical composition of the solid. Techniques that enable measurements of such disorder and its impact on the electronic properties, such as scanning tunnelling microscopy, work ...
  
• Towards the realization of compact and portable nuclear clocks
  The low-energy excited state of thorium-229 (229Th) isotope nucleus has recently gained much attention owing to it being an ideal candidate for ultra-precise nuclear clocks. Building such high-precision clocks requires an acute understanding of the excitation and de-excitation state of the nucleus. In this view, researchers have designed 229Th-doped vacuum ultraviolet (VUV) tra...
  

Atomic Insights

• Atomic Show #323 – Julie Kozeracki, Director of Strategy, DOE Loan Programs Office
  Julie Kozeracki was the lead author for a U.S. Department of Energy strategy document titled Pathways to Commercial Liftoff: Advanced Nuclear published in September 2024. The document was the result of a multi-agency, multi-lab effort to update a previously issued report. During our conversation, Kozeracki described how the report was informed by changes in the...
  
• Atomic Show #322 – Westinghouse’s eVinci micro reactor
  Westinghouse’s eVinci is a 15 MWth, 5 MWe micro reactor. Westinghouse often refers to it as a nuclear battery. Unlike conventional nuclear power plants, eVinci uses no water and doesn’t produce steam. The eVinci is not “just another way to boil water.” There are no pumps in the system that moves heat out of the...
  
• Atomic Show #321 – Andrew Harmon, VP Natura Resources
  The US Nuclear Regulatory Commission issued a construction permit on September 16, 2024 to Abilene Christian University (ACU) to build a molten salt research reactor. This marked the first university research reactor approval in 30 years. It is the first liquid fuel reactor ever approved for construction by the NRC and only the second advanced...
  
• Matthew Marzano brings valuable education and experience to his potential role as NRC Commissioner
  Matthew Marzano has been nominated to be the next Commissioner for the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC). He brings a unique collection of attributes and experience that will make him a valuable contributor to the agency at an important time in its evolution. Based upon analysis that I detail below; Atomic Insights recommends that the Senate...
  
• Atomic Show #320 – Magnus Mori, Urenco
  Urenco is one of the few companies in the world that enriches uranium. It’s one of an even smaller group of enrichers that aren’t owned by the Russian, Chinese or Iranian governments. It plays a key role in the western world’s nuclear fuel cycle. That role became even more important after February, 2022. With the...
  
• The ADVANCE Act – Meaningful changes in U. S. nuclear regulatory framework
  NRC’s Newly Aligned Mission Will Accelerate Nuclear Energy Deployment With resounding bipartisan, bicameral support that also achieved enthusiastic support of the Executive Branch, the US has enacted a new law announcing its support of nuclear energy. It has the potential to make an even larger impact on global atomic energy use than the combination of...
  
• Atomic Show #319 – Juliann Edwards, The Nuclear Company
  The Nuclear Company exited a period of operating in “stealth mode” about a month ago. That exit was sufficiently well planned and executed that it is likely that Atomic Insights readers have already heard of the company. The Nuclear Company was incorporated a year ago. Its founding team has been working diligently to build the...
  
• Atomic Show #318 – Brian Gitt, Business Development, Oklo
  Brian Gitt, the Business Development lead at Oklo, visited the Atomic Show to describe his employer’s business model and current prospects. Oklo is an advanced fission and fuel recycling company with an expansive vision for becoming a competitive clean energy supplier. It plans to provide heat and/or electricity as a service from a fleet of...
  
• Atomic Show #317 – Trey Lauderdale – Founder, Atomic Canyon
  Atomic Canyon is a six month old company that is developing AI tools to improve the efficiency of routine tasks associated with developing, licensing, building, owning and operating nuclear plants. Their first product, called Neutron, uses AI to modernize searching the Nuclear Regulatory Commission’s 52 million page collection of publicly available documents that are curr...
  
• Atomic Show #316 – Emmet Penney, Pronuclear Poet
  Emmet Penney is an unlikely, but effective pronuclear advocate. He earned his degrees in fine arts and great books and worked for several years as a professional poet – along with working in a bookstore as a way to keep paying the bills. He gradually transitioned from poetry into writing thoughtful essays on a variety...
  
• Atomic Show #315 – Doug Sandridge, Oil and Gas Executives for Nuclear Energy
  Doug Sandridge is a lifelong oil and gas guy whose father was a geological engineer. While he was growing up, Doug lived a significant portion of his life overseas as his father’s job took the family to several different locations. When it was time to go to college, Doug returned to the United State to...
  
• Why is nuclear energy an important influence on both natural gas and hydrogen futures?
  The Feb 6, 2024 Energy Gang podcast was titled “A pause in US gas export approvals: a big win for the climate?US hits the brakes on gas exports!” It was described as a gassy episode with a focus on international natural gas trading, the impact of the Biden Administration’s pause on issuing new permits that...
  
• Pro-nuclear advocates should stop bashing advanced nuclear
  I wish I knew why some nuclear advocates feel that it’s worth their time to spread as much negative information as they can find about the potential utility and value of advanced nuclear power technologies. IMO, modern water cooled reactors qualify as advanced in the same way as a modern BMW engine qualifies as advanced...
  
• Why would climate publications disrespect nuclear fission?
  Here is another instance of climate reporting that treats nuclear fission as if it barely exists. Before COP28, Cipher published an “Exclusive” that led off with “The United States is working behind the scenes to ensure nuclear power is not excluded from an expected global pledge to boost renewables at the upcoming climate summit in...
  
• Why did The Energy Gang overlook the newsworthy impact of nuclear energy on COP28?
  The Energy Gang’s Dec 15 episode discussed the major outcomes from COP28. Ed Crooks (@Ed_Crooks), Dr. Melissa Lott @mclott, and Amy Harder (@AmyAHarder) completed the show without mentioning nuclear energy. That episode of the long-running, respected energy podcast was produced just four days after a focused episode reporting on #nuclear energy’s important role at C...
  

Today in Energy

• U.S. propane inventories are well stocked heading into the winter heating season
  The United States is well stocked with propane heading into the winter heating season, which runs from November through March, with U.S. propane inventories at the top of the five-year range spanning the winter of 2019–20 to the winter of 2023–24.
  
• What's driving decreasing gasoline consumption in China?
  Gasoline consumption in China has begun to fall in recent months amidst increased sales of electric vehicles, slow economic growth, and population decline.
  
• Northwest U.S. and western Canadian natural gas prices trade at historic lows in 2024
  Monthly average natural gas spot prices at northwestern U.S. and western Canada border pricing hubs reached historic lows in 2024 through October, according to data from Natural Gas Intelligence. Robust natural gas production in western Canada, where output has generally increased over the last two years, and high natural gas inventories in the region contributed to the low pri...
  
• Grid infrastructure investments drive increase in utility spending over last two decades
  Annual spending by major utilities to produce and deliver electricity increased 12% from $287 billion in 2003 to $320 billion in 2023 as measured in real 2023 dollars, according to financial reports to the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC). Capital investment in electric infrastructure mostly drove the increase, more than doubling over the period as:
  
• Most U.S. petroleum coke is exported
  Annual production of U.S. petroleum coke (petcoke) has remained relatively unchanged over the past 10 years (2014-23), averaging 46 million tons according to our analysis of U.S. Census Bureau data. Most U.S. petroleum coke is exported. The United States exported approximately 41 million tons in 2023, slightly more than the 10-year average for total petcoke exports of 40 millio...
  

Nuclear & WMD News at DefenceTalk.com

• Russian defence ministry says held fresh nuclear drills
  DefenceTalkRussia said Tuesday its army held fresh nuclear drills under the supervision of President Vladimir Putin, who recently called for changes to rules on the use of Moscow’s nuclear deterrent. Putin has raised the prospect of using nuclear weapons during Moscow’s offensive in Ukraine several times and last month suggested Russia broaden its rules on […...
  
• Japan shifting back to nuclear to ditch coal, power AI
  DefenceTalkGlinting in the sun by the world’s biggest nuclear plant, the Sea of Japan is calm now. But as the huge facility gears up to restart, Kashiwazaki-Kariwa has a new tsunami wall, just in case. Japan pulled the plug on nuclear power after the 2011 Fukushima disaster, but with the G7’s dirtiest energy mix, it […]https://www.defencetalk.com/japan-shifti...
  
• Amazon bets on nuclear power to fuel AI ambitions
  DefenceTalkAmazon announced significant investments in nuclear energy on Wednesday, joining other tech giants in aiming to meet the high electric power demands of artificial intelligence using atomic energy. As companies including Microsoft, Amazon, and Google rapidly expand their global data center capabilities, they are actively seeking new electricity sources. Amazon has sig...
  
• Nuclear deterrence still at heart of great power strategy: experts
  DefenceTalkNuclear-armed powers have no intention of giving up the atom bomb as part of their military strategy, experts said after the Nobel Peace Prize committee urged against any weakening of the nuclear “taboo”. Awarding this year’s peace prize to Japan’s Nihon Hidankyo, a grassroots movement of Hiroshima and Nagasaki survivors pushing for a nuclear ...
  
• Israeli retaliation threat sparks call in Iran for nuclear weapons
  DefenceTalkWith the prospect of Israeli retaliation for Iran’s missile attack looming, some Iranian hardliners want their government to revise its nuclear doctrine to pursue atomic weapons. Israel has vowed to launch a “deadly, precise, and surprising” attack on Iran in retaliation for its second-ever direct strike on Israeli territory. On October 1, Iran laun...
  
• Kazakhstan approve plan for first nuclear power plant
  DefenceTalkKazakhstan has approved a plan to build its first nuclear power station in a referendum, overcoming lingering resentment over massive radiation exposure from Soviet-era nuclear tests. The Central Asian country is the world’s largest producer of uranium and has massive oil reserves but it suffers from chronic energy shortages. The “Yes” vote won 71.1...
  
• With Two Nuclear-Armed Strategic Competitors, US Modernization Top Priority
  DefenceTalk“The security environment we face today is unprecedented,” said Melissa Dalton, undersecretary of the Air Force. “We face for the first time in our nation’s history, two strategic competitors that are nuclear states with large and growing nuclear arsenals. When we look at the [People’s Republic of China] and its breathtaking modernizatio...
  
• Kremlin says won’t change plans on Belarus nuclear weapons
  DefenceTalkThe Kremlin on Monday said Western criticism would not change plans announced by President Vladimir Putin to deploy tactical nuclear weapons in neighboring Belarus. The West condemned Putin’s weekend announcement on placing the weapons in EU and NATO-bordering Belarus, triggering calls for new sanctions on Moscow. Ukraine said it was seeking an emergency meetin...
  
• North Korea says it tested new underwater nuclear attack ‘drone’
  DefenceTalkNorth Korea claimed Friday it had tested an underwater nuclear attack drone able to unleash a “radioactive tsunami”, as it blamed recent US-South Korea exercises for a deteriorating regional security situation. Pyongyang carried out military drills of its own in response this week, the official Korean Central News Agency said, including test-firing a new ...
  
• North Korea adopts war deterrence measures: state media
  DefenceTalkNorth Korea has decided to take “important practical” war deterrence measures, state media reported Sunday, a day before Seoul and Washington begin their largest joint military drills in five years. The decision was made at a meeting of the ruling party’s military commission presided over by leader Kim Jong Un, according to the official Korean [&hel...
  

All Articles | Discover Magazine

• Should I Worry About Mold Growing in My Home?
  Mold growths are common in homes, and unless the damage is widespread, they usually aren’t harmful.
  
• Understanding What People Do on Their Devices Is Key to Digital Well-Being
  What you do on your screens matters as much as how much time you spend on them.
  
• Ancient Tomb with 12 Buried Bodies Found in Petra
  Learn why the remains discovered at a chamber called the Treasury confirm that Petra had an ancient tomb.
  
• 60,000-Year-Old Fire Pit Shows Neanderthal Innovation With Tar
  Learn how early humans employed specialized fire pits to create resins needed to attach stone tool parts to wooden shafts.
  
• 4 King Tut Artifacts You’ll Find at the Grand Egyptian Museum
  The Grand Egyptian Museum is set to open in a few months. Here's what you can see of King Tut.
  
• Tail Clubs Weren't Just for Ankylosaurs – Some Sauropods Had Them, Too
  A new discovery of basal sauropod helps dive a little deeper into the purpose behind the tail club.
  
• Black Cats and Broken Mirrors: These 7 Superstitions Have Ancient Roots
  Superstitions have been keeping people on their toes for centuries. But where do these superstitions come from?
  
• How Humans Have Caused the Most Recent Wave of Extinction
  Our impact on the planet has caused the Sixth Mass Extinction. Here are the main reasons why we are causing the most recent animal extinctions.
  
• Sea Otter Surrogacy Pairs Childless Otters with Orphan Pups
  What happens if an otter pup gets separated from its mother? In some aquariums, otter surrogacy programs are finding success.
  
• What Is Exploding Head Syndrome?
  If you've heard a gun shot while you fall asleep that didn't actually happen, you may be experiencing exploding head syndrome.
  
• 8 Things We’ve Learned Since Lucy's Discovery 50 Years Ago
  Researchers have learned valuable evolutionary information from Lucy's discovery and could learn even more in the next 50 years.
  
• New Flying Lizard Species Fills in Evolutionary Gap for Pterosaurs
  Fossil find in Germany helps solve paleontological puzzle between earlier and later pterosaurs.
  
• What Would Shiveluch's Current Eruptions Look Like in the United States?
  Sometimes it is hard to compare the eruptions of remote volcano to potential blasts at more well-known volcanoes. I try to put the common explosive eruptions at Shiveluch in the context of US volcanoes.
  
• Bears Attacking — and Eating — Other Bears Is Considered Normal
  When Fat Bear Week witnessed the bear attack between male bear 469 and female bear 402, they had to delay the week. While it was not fun to watch, it could have been normal behavior.
  
• What If the Donner Party Didn't Resort to Cannibalism?
  Recent findings at the Donner Party site seemed to indicate there was no cannibalism, at first. But, the claim has since been withdrawn.