Sellafield ‘could continue leaking till 2050s’
The UK’s largest nuclear site, Sellafield in Cumbria, may continue leaking radioactive water into the ground until the 2050s, a decade later than previously expected, according to a recent report. The leak stems from the Magnox Swarf Storage Silo (MSSS), described by the Nuclear Decommissioning Authority (NDA) as ‘the most hazardous building in the UK’. The MSSS has been leaking since 2018; the report warned that delays and missed targets in cleaning up the site pose ‘intolerable risks’ and could prolong the danger. It also highlighted cost overruns, slow progress, and cultural issues at Sellafield, urging the Government to treat the situation with greater urgency. Though the NDA claims the leak is contained and not a threat to the public, MPs warn that the site’s condition is a present-day hazard, not a distant concern. Plans for a permanent underground nuclear waste storage facility remain years from completion.
Russia: calls for retaliation after Ukraine’s audacious attacks
Following Ukraine’s audacious deep strikes on Russian strategic bomber bases, Moscow is facing mounting internal pressure to retaliate. While the Kremlin remains publicly silent pending investigation, media figures and bloggers have erupted with calls for harsh responses, including nuclear retaliation. Though such threats are not new in Russian rhetoric, the recent attacks - possibly disrupting Russia’s nuclear response capabilities - may challenge the limits of Moscow’s stated nuclear doctrine. An actual nuclear strike remains unlikely due to the immense diplomatic fallout it would trigger, particularly with key partners like China and India. A more probable reaction will take the form of intensified missile and drone attacks on Ukrainian infrastructure. As Ukraine’s Western allies ease restrictions on weapons use, the Kremlin may feel compelled to escalate, risking unpredictable consequences in an already volatile war. Meanwhile, the two sides have failed to make progress in ceasefire talks in Istanbul: see
Switzerland: village devastated by glacier collapse
The centuries-old Swiss village of Blatten has been devastated by a catastrophic glacier collapse. Prior concerns about the stability of the Birch Glacier had prompted authorities to evacuate all 300 residents and livestock. Days later, over nine million cubic metres of ice and rock cascaded down, obliterating homes, landmarks, and even the village church. The collapse, which registered on national seismic monitors, left Blatten buried in debris and triggered flood concerns by blocking the River Lonza. Experts described the destruction as ‘unprecedented’. Due to global warming, the rapid thaw of permafrost, long considered the glue of the Alps, is destabilising entire mountainsides. Although the timely evacuation saved lives (only one man is missing), the complete loss of the village has raised new alarms about the pace and impact of climate change on vulnerable mountain communities.
Germany: WW2 bombs defused after mass evacuation
Authorities in Cologne have safely defused three large American World War 2 bombs after evacuating over 20,000 people in what officials described as the city’s largest operation since the war. Discovered in a shipyard, the bombs triggered the evacuation of a densely populated 10,000 sq m area, including homes, shops, schools, a hospital, a major train station, and cultural sites. Bomb disposal efforts could only begin once every resident was accounted for, with police warning that refusal to leave would lead to forced removal and fines. Ambulances transported intensive care patients, while couples scheduled to marry at city hall were relocated. The city ground to a halt: roads were closed, public transit was suspended, and normally lively streets went silent. While WWII bomb discoveries are not uncommon in Germany, the size and impact of this operation were exceptional. Authorities praised residents cooperation and reminded the public to remain calm and prepared, underscoring the lingering dangers of past conflicts.
