Russia is constructing a floating nuclear power plant for remote regions that could provide energy for coastal cities. Environmentalists warn of a catastrophe at sea. And nuclear proliferation experts point out that the ship would use weapons-grade uranium to generate electricity. The concept is amazing. The new ship could be anchored along any coastline where there is no threat of a tsunami or hurricane. All local engineers have to do is attach a few cables and then the magic arrives: "the reactors are activated -- and there is light." Voilá, the world's mobile, boat-based nuclear reactor for the production of civilian power. That, at least, is how an enthusiastic Evgeny Kuzin, who works for the Russian utility company Malaya Energetika, pitches the ambitious project. ... http://service.spiegel.de censor News |
Editor - 12:52:00 06-23-06 |
Amnesty May Be Part of Iraq Reconciliation |
The Iraqi government will present a national reconciliation plan to parliament Sunday that would grant some insurgents amnesty and ask for approval of a series of steps for Iraqis to take over security from U.S. troops, according to a key politician and a draft of the document. A draft of the 28-point proposal by Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki contains an updated version of a sequence of moves - with no specific dates - preparing Iraqi forces to assume control of national security. The U.S.-led coalition wants to hand over security in certain regions while withdrawing to larger regional bases in case of emergency. A final stage would involve the drawdown of U.S. troops from those bases. ``There is no finite and U.N.-approved timeline for the withdrawal of foreign troops,'' said Kurdish politician Mahmoud Othman, a close ally of President Jalal Talabani, who was to present the plan. ... http://www.guardian.co.uk/worldlatest/story/0,,-5906971,00.html
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Editor - 10:43:00 06-23-06 |
Seven arrested over 'plot' to blow up Sears Tower |
Seven members of an apparent militaristic religious sect were today charged over an alleged plot to blow up the Sears Tower in Chicago in an operation "greater than 9/11", US officials said.The men, arrested in Miami overnight, face a federal indictment for allegedly conspiring with al-Qaida to "levy war" against the US by committing acts including blowing up the tower, the country's tallest building.They also face allegations of plotting to blow up a federal building in Miami.At a press conference in Washington, the US attorney general, Alberto Gonzales, described the men as part of a group of "home-grown terrorists".... http://image.guardian.co.uk/sys-images/Guardian/Pix/pictures/2006/06/23/sears372.jpg
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Editor - 10:39:00 06-23-06 |
Pakistani journalists given bail |
Two Pakistani journalists who were held for three months for filming an air base have been granted bail. Mukesh Ropeta, a reporter, and cameraman Sanjay Kumar disappeared three months ago but surfaced in court on Thursday. Relatives alleged that the men, who work for a private television station, had been tortured. A judge has now ordered that they be released after posting bail of 20,000 rupees ($400) each. They were apparently detained on 5 March after filming an air base near the Pakistani city of Jacobabad which is used by US forces. ... http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/south_asia/5108940.stm
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Editor - 10:01:00 06-23-06 |
Iraq bomb attacks leave 14 dead |
At least 14 people have been killed in two bomb attacks in Iraq, police have said. At least 10 people died in a blast outside a mosque near Baquba, while four people were killed in an explosion near a petrol station in Basra. The Iraqi government meanwhile is expected to unveil a plan to persuade insurgents to lay down their arms. Officials said an amnesty will be granted to some detainees who agree to reject violence. Iraqi sources have described the initiative as a comprehensive political, military, economic and social plan aimed at bringing insurgents into the political process. ... http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/5109196.stm
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Editor - 09:53:00 06-23-06 |
Cheney confident of nuclear deal |
US Vice-President Dick Cheney has said that a landmark nuclear deal with India will win support of the US Congress despite strong opposition by critics. Mr Cheney said in Washington that the deal was "one of the most important strategic foreign policy initiatives of President Bush's second term". The deal would give India access to US nuclear technology. It reverses US policy, which had restricted nuclear co-operation since India tested a nuclear weapon in 1974. The agreement was finalised during US President George W Bush's visit to India in March. ... http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/south_asia/5108604.stm
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Editor - 09:48:00 06-23-06 |
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