International
Ukraine fears Russian plan to cut power from captured nuclear plant
Ukraine’s state nuclear power firm has said it fears that Russia plans to switch off the functioning power units at the Zaporizhzhia nuclear plant, which in normal times provides about one-fifth of the country’s electricity.
If the plant stopped generating electricity, its technicians would have to rely on backup power systems to continue cooling the nuclear reactors, which may raise the risk of accidents.
“The Russian military is looking for suppliers of fuel for diesel generators, which must be turned on after the shutdown of power units and in the absence of external power supply for nuclear-fuel cooling systems,” Energoatom said in a statement.
Ukrainian military intelligence had warned earlier this week that Moscow appeared to be planning a “provocation” at the plant. It has controlled the site since March and stationed troops and military equipment there, leading to urgent calls for it to be demilitarised, including from the UN and Nato.
Even if the reactors remain intact, however, Russia may plan to weaponise the plant simply by disconnecting it. With winter approaching, and Ukraine already concerned about gas supplies, the loss of an important source of electricity could be damaging to the economy and people’s ability to stay warm.
READ ALSO:
- I Will Lead Nigeria Out Of Darkness – Atiku
- Messi won Ballon d’Or four times at your age, Rooney slams ‘arrogant’ Mbappe
- NBC suspends licences of AIT, Ray Power, Silverbird, Rythm FM over 2.6bn debt
On Friday, while the UN secretary general, António Guterres, visited the Black Sea port city of Odesa, Russia reportedly closed the Zaporizhzhia site to most personnel, apart from those operating the power units, Energoatom said. Although Russians control the site, it is still run by Ukrainians.
Energoatom also accused Russia of shelling parts of the plant complex, in false flag attacks that Moscow blamed on Ukrainian forces.
“Once again, we call on the international community to take all necessary measures as soon as possible for the de-occupation of the Zaporizhzhia NPP, because the nuclear and radiation safety of all mankind is at stake!” it said.
Fighting around the plant, and Russian management of the site, have become a focus of intense international concern.
The Conservative MP Tobias Ellwood, who chairs the House of Commons defence select committee, warned on Friday that a nuclear accident at the site risked drawing Nato into the war.
“Let’s make it clear now: ANY deliberate damage causing potential radiation leak to a Ukrainian nuclear reactor would be a breach of Nato’s Article 5,” he said on Twitter.
Guterres, at a news conference on Thursday with the Ukrainian president, Volodymyr Zelenskiy, said: “The facility must not be used as part of any military operation. Instead, agreement is urgently needed to re-establish Zaporizhzhia’s purely civilian infrastructure and to ensure the safety of the area.”
Zelenskiy said he agreed with Guterres on a framework for a visit by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) to inspect the site. “We agreed with the secretary general the conditions of a possible mission by the IAEA to the Zaporizhzhia nuclear plant, in a legal way, via territory free from occupiers,” Zelenskiy told reporters.
International
American man arrested for beating tourist to death at Ireland hotel
American man arrested for beating tourist to death at Ireland hotel
A 30 year old American man whose name was not given by security officials, has been arrested for beating up a 60 year old tourist to death at the Ballyfin Demesne hotel in Laois, Ireland.
The Irish police force commonly known as ‘Garda Síochána’ announced that the incident occurred in the late hours of Tuesday, November 12.
Ballyfin Demesne hotel, is a popular luxury five-star hotel located in Laois, Ireland and special guests such as Kanye West, Kim Kardashian, George Clooney e.t.c had made use of the hotel in times past.
The victim was discovered unconscious in the late hours of Tuesday, November 12 and was then rushed to the hospital were he died due to severe beating inflicted on him by the culprit.
READ ALSO:
- Mike Tyson back in ring to face Youtuber Paul
- NNPCL sacks CFO, announces three new appointments
- NRC increases trips on Abuja-Kaduna route from four to six
Independent local councilor James Kelly stated that nearby communities were ‘stunned’ upon learning about the incident at the renowned hotel.
He said, “There would be a lot of staff from the area and they’re totally shocked by what has happened here.
“It’s something we didn’t think we’d be waking up to this morning.”
The police also noted that a senior officer has been assigned to lead the investigation and an incident room has been set up at Portlaoise Garda Station, Ireland.
Furthermore, a family liaison officer will be designated to assist the family of the deceased.
International
FBI raids home of crypto platform Polymarket CEO, after accurate prediction of Trump win
FBI raids home of crypto platform Polymarket CEO, after accurate prediction of Trump win
The Federal Bureau of Investigation on Wednesday carried out a raid at the home of Shayne Coplan, CEO of cryptocurrency prediction outlet Polymarket.
Authorities seized Mr Coplan’s phone during the raid, according to New York Post which first reported the incident.
Mr Coplan, 26, has been running the famous platform for bets throughout the 2024 presidential election in the United States.
READ ALSO:
- 24-hour power supply: FG seeks private sector support for $10bn funding gap
- Shell working to address Nigeria’s energy challenges – MD
- 12-yr-old Nigerian girl invents air filter, gets $11.5m funding
It wasn’t immediately clear why the search was conducted, but Polymarket promptly said it might be due to its activities during the election. Users on the platform had correctly predicted Donald Trump was going to defeat Kamala Harris. The company paid out a substantial amount to winners following the election.
“This is obvious political retribution by the outgoing administration against Polymarket for providing a market that correctly called the 2024 presidential election,” a spokesperson for Polymarket said in a statement from its headquarters in New York. “Polymarket is a fully transparent prediction market that helps everyday people better understand the events that matter most to them, including elections.”
It was unclear whether or not the FBI would be filing charges after the raid.
FBI raids home of crypto platform Polymarket CEO, after accurate prediction of Trump win
International
Two dead, buildings destroyed in American factory explosion
Two dead, buildings destroyed in American factory explosion
Two employees of Givaudan sense colour, a factory known for making colourings for beverages, located in Louisville, Kentucky, United States (US) were killed in an explosion that took place at the company’s facility.
The factory reported that the incident which took place on Tuesday, November 12 in the afternoon have also destroyed buildings around the company.
READ ALSO:
- Alleged fraud: South Africa FA President, Danny Jordaan, arrested
- Okpebholo sacks all political appointees, Board executives in Edo
- A’Ibom police saved man from being lynched after son’s corpse found in carton
Louisville Mayor, Craig Greenberg stated that firefighters managed to rescue and evacuate numerous individuals from the site, including some who sustained life-threatening injuries.
He also confirmed that all employees present at the plant during the explosion have been accounted for.
Earlier reports indicated that at least 11 workers were hospitalized.
The cause of the explosion is still under investigation.
Two dead, buildings destroyed in American factory explosion
-
International3 days agoBelgium University offers scholarship up to €12,000 for Master’s students
-
Sports9 hours agoBREAKING: Super Eagles qualify for AFCON 2025
-
Railway2 days agoNigerian railway adds extra train to Friday, Saturday trips on Lagos-Ibadan route
-
International2 days agoUK announces 45,000 seasonal worker visas for 2025
-
Aviation10 hours agoDisaster averted as bird strike hits Abuja-Lagos Air Peace flight
-
Education1 day ago12-year-old Nigerian girl Eniola Shokunbi invents air filter to reduce spread of diseases in US schools
-
International3 days agoSaudi crown prince says Israel committing ‘genocide’ in Gaza
-
Business2 days agoTop 5 crypto apps that work with Nigerian Bank accounts