In South Africa, Nuclear Energy Is Becoming A Dirty Word
Nishtha Chugh | Forbes
The nuclear reactors are still a plan on paper. But already the noxious debate over their future has made nuclear energy a dirty word in South Africa. To build or not to build – the stalemate over the proposed nuclear reactors to power the continent's most advanced economy shows no sign of being resolved. The sharp divisions over a nuclear-powered future are now beginning to hurt South Africa's nascent renewables industry.
Coverup at French Nuclear Supplier Sparks Global Review
Matthew Dalton, Inti Landauro, and Rebecca Smith | Wall Street Journal
Inspectors from the U.S. and other countries are investigating a decadeslong coverup of manufacturing problems at a key supplier to the nuclear power industry, probing whether flaws introduced in a French factory represent a safety threat to reactors world-wide.
Russia Drops Out of World’s Top 5 Defense Spenders for 1st Time in 30 Years
Kira Egorova and Nikolai Litovkin | Russia Beyond the Headlines
Russia is no longer one of the top five countries with the highest defense budgets, according to a 2016 report prepared by the British analytical company, Jane’s Defence Budget. The ranking places the United States in first position, followed by China and the UK. India is in fourth place, ahead of Saudi Arabia and then Russia.
USFK Commander Says No Delay in THAAD Deployment
Yonhap News
The commander of the U.S. Forces Korea said Tuesday there will be no delay in the deployment of an advanced U.S. missile shield in South Korea next year. Opposition parties have stepped up their objection to the Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) system since the impeachment of President Park Geun-hye last Friday, demanding the decision to introduce THAAD be delayed to the next administration.
S. Korea, U.S. to Hold Nuclear Deterrence Meeting Next Week
Yonhap News
South Korea and the United States will hold a high-level meeting next week to discuss cooperation on nuclear deterrence against North Korea, the foreign ministry said Wednesday. In October, the two sides agreed to launch the Extended Deterrence Strategy and Consultation Group (EDSCG) during a “two plus two” meeting involving their foreign and defense chiefs in Washington.
India Prepares to Test Agni-V Nuclear Missile that Can Hit China
Rajat Pandit | Economic Times
India is getting ready to test its Agni-V intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) in its final operational configuration from Wheeler Island off Odisha after two years. Defence sources said preparations were on in full swing to launch the nuclear-capable Agni-V from its canister on a launcher truck towards December-end or early January.