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Israel and Hamas agree to first phase of Gaza ceasefire plan

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In a significant diplomatic breakthrough following two years of devastating conflict, Israel and Hamas have consented to the initial phase of a ceasefire deal intended to conclude the war in Gaza.

President Donald Trump announced on Truth Social that both sides “have signed off on the first Phase of our Peace Plan.” The U.S.-brokered agreement was reached through intensive indirect negotiations and involved several mediators, including Qatar, Turkey and Egypt.

“This means that ALL of the Hostages will be released very soon, and Israel will withdraw their Troops to an agreed upon line as the first steps toward a Strong, Durable, and Everlasting Peace,” Trump wrote.

“This is a GREAT Day for the Arab and Muslim World, Israel, all surrounding Nations, and the United States of America,” Trump said in a Truth Social post, “and we thank the mediators from Qatar, Egypt, and Turkey, who worked with us to make this Historic and Unprecedented Event happen.”

The announcement came hours after Trump told reporters at the White House he was prepared to travel to the Middle East as early as this weekend. He later told Axios he is “likely going to Israel in the coming days” to address the Knesset, describing the deal as “a great day for Israel and for the world.”

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said the agreement was a “diplomatic success and a national and moral victory” for his country.

Negotiations in Sharm el-Sheikh

The accord followed days of indirect negotiations in Sharm el-Sheikh, Egypt, involving U.S., Qatari, Egyptian, and Turkish mediators. Israel and Hamas do not communicate directly, making third-party facilitation essential. Key figures in the talks included U.S. Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff and Trump’s son-in-law Jared Kushner, Qatari Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al-Thani, Turkish intelligence chief Ibrahim Kalin, and Egyptian intelligence director Hassan Mahmoud Rashad.

From Israel, Strategic Affairs Minister Ron Dermer, Mossad and Shin Bet leaders, Netanyahu’s foreign policy adviser Ophir Falk, and hostages coordinator Gal Hirsch participated. The Hamas delegation was led by Khalil Al-Hayya, the group’s exiled Gaza chief. Islamic Jihad representatives, who also hold Israeli captives, were present as well.

Details of the Initial Phase of Gaza Ceasefire Deal

While the precise operational specifics of the troop withdrawal remain to be officially detailed by Israel, a senior White House official, speaking on condition of anonymity, provided a timeline for the initial implementation. “The deal goes to the Israeli cabinet tomorrow. Once they vote yes, Israel has to withdraw to the line which should take under 24 hours. Then the 72 hour clock begins, and Hamas will try to go earlier if possible. Our assessment is that hostages will begin getting released on Monday.”

Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu confirmed the cabinet would meet Thursday “to approve the agreement and bring all our beloved hostages home.”

The agreement is believed to hinge on a significant exchange: the release of nearly 50 Israeli hostages, both living and dead, in return for the freedom of nearly 2,000 Palestinian prisoners and detainees. An official familiar with the details indicated that all living hostages, believed to number about 20, are expected to be released at once, likely on Sunday, while the remains of up to 28 hostages will be returned in stages.

The underlying framework for the deal is President Trump’s sweeping, multi-point peace plan, which calls for a cessation of all military operations, a freezing of battle lines, and a complete staged withdrawal of Israeli forces following the full release of all hostages. Hamas, along with Qatar, one of the mediating countries, indicated that the agreement would also permit the immediate, full entry of aid into Gaza.

International Diplomacy and Mediation

The agreement was the culmination of intensive indirect talks held in Sharm-El-Sheikh, Egypt. Given the lack of direct communication between Israel and Hamas, the negotiations required the concerted efforts of key international and regional players.

The U.S. delegation was led by President Trump’s Middle East envoy, Steve Witkoff, and the president’s son-in-law, Jared Kushner, who served as Middle East envoy during Trump’s first term. Regional mediation was provided by key officials from Qatar, Egypt, and Turkey. President Trump specifically acknowledged the contribution of the regional partners, stating, “we thank the mediators from Qatar, Egypt, and Turkey, who worked with us to make this Historic and Unprecedented Event happen.”

The involvement of Turkey’s national intelligence chief, Ibrahim Kalin, highlights an increased role for the NATO member, which maintains close contacts with Hamas. Qatar’s Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman al-Thani also played a central role as a long-standing mediator.

Trump’s 20-Point Peace Plan

The agreement marks the first implementation phase of Trump’s 20-point “Peace Plan,” unveiled last month. The plan calls for Israeli forces to withdraw to agreed positions, a full suspension of military operations, and the release of all hostages—alive and dead—within 72 hours of the ceasefire. Once completed, Israel is to free 250 Palestinians serving life sentences and 1,700 Gazans arrested during the war.

Members of Hamas “who commit to peaceful coexistence” and surrender their weapons will be granted amnesty, while those seeking to leave Gaza will receive safe passage to other countries. The plan also stipulates that aid deliveries into Gaza will resume at full volume through U.N. agencies without interference from either side.

A “Board of Peace,” chaired by Trump and possibly including former British Prime Minister Tony Blair, is envisioned to oversee implementation. The agreement affirms that “Israel will not occupy or annex Gaza,” and that Israeli forces will hand over control of the territory to an International Stabilization Force once the ceasefire is secured.

Uncertainties and Hamas position

Despite the announced breakthrough, significant long-term complexities remain unresolved. Hamas stated that the agreement would lead to the end of the war and Israel’s withdrawal from the territory, calling on the mediating parties “to fully implement the agreement’s requirements.”

However, core security issues have yet to be discussed in depth. Hamas has publicly rejected Prime Minister Netanyahu’s demand that it disarm, and there was no public mention of the militant group’s weapons in the statements issued by Israel, the U.S., Qatar, or Hamas. The implementation of the broader peace plan, which includes elements such as amnesty for Hamas members “who commit to peaceful coexistence” and the eventual handing over of Gaza territory to an International Stabilization Force, is expected to face future obstacles.

Gaza City destruction
Destruction in Gaza City in June 2024. (Image Credit: MSF)

The Gaza war began on October 7, 2023, when Hamas militants attacked Israel, killing about 1,200 people and abducting more than 250. Israel’s military campaign has since killed over 67,000 Palestinians, according to the Gaza Health Ministry, which reports that most of the dead are women and children. The conflict has displaced nearly all of Gaza’s population and left the enclave in ruins.

Scenes of Relief and Celebration

News of the ceasefire sparked emotional reactions across the region. In Gaza, residents poured into the streets in celebration. “It’s a huge day, huge joy,” said Ahmed Sheheiber, a displaced Palestinian in Gaza City, crying as he heard the news. In Khan Younis, Ayman Saber said, “I can’t believe the news,” while in Al-Mawasi, people chanted “Allahu Akbar” and fired celebratory rounds into the air.

In Israel, families of hostages wept with relief as they awaited confirmation of release schedules. Trump told Axios that Prime Minister Netanyahu “is so happy. He should be. It is a great achievement. The whole world has come together to reach this deal, including countries that were enemies.”

Montaser Bahja, an English teacher displaced in Khan Younis, captured the mood across Gaza: “Joy for the end of the war and the killing, and sorrow for everything we’ve lost.”

Gold prices top $4,000 an ounce for the first time ever amid global uncertainty

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Global Markets Experience Historic Rally in Precious Metals as Investors Seek Safe Haven

In a historic marker for the global financial landscape, the price of gold surged past the $4,000 per ounce level for the first time. This rally is driven by a confluence of geopolitical instability, economic uncertainty, and expectations of further interest rate reductions by the Federal Reserve.

Spot gold, which traded below $2,000 just two years prior, was up 1.9% at $4,057.12 per ounce, with U.S. gold futures for December delivery gaining 1.9% to reach $4,079.40.

The record-breaking rally, which has seen gold climb over 50% year-to-date, signals a broad-based flight to safety, outpacing advances in global equity markets and Bitcoin. Silver also hit a record high, gaining 3.2% to $49.35 per ounce, benefiting from the same factors propelling gold.

Geopolitical Risks and De-Dollarization factor

A significant driver of the metals’ surge is the growing concern over the resilience of traditional safe-haven assets, particularly the U.S. dollar, against the backdrop of global trade frictions and increasing U.S. sovereign risk. Billionaire investor Ken Griffin characterized the development of gold as a safer asset than the dollar as “really concerning.”

“We’re seeing substantial asset inflation away from the dollar as people are looking for ways to effectively de-dollarize, or de-risk their portfolios vis-a-vis US sovereign risk,” Griffin said in an interview with Bloomberg.

The shift is reinforced by global central bank activity. Data from the People’s Bank of China showed the bank added gold to its reserves in September for the eleventh consecutive month. Analysts note that China and other nations are diversifying away from U.S. Treasurys and into gold following the imposition of stiff sanctions on Russia.

Global crises, including the Middle East conflict and the war in Ukraine, along with political turmoil in France and Japan, have also stoked demand for bullion.

Fed Policy Expectations and Economic Uncertainty

Gold, which traditionally thrives in a low interest rate environment, has been propelled by market expectations of further rate cuts by the Federal Reserve. The market continues to price in a quarter-point reduction at the Fed’s upcoming meeting, with a similar reduction expected at its December meeting.

The current U.S. government shutdown, which has delayed the release of crucial federal data, including the monthly jobs report and key inflation figures, has compounded the uncertainty. This has forced investors to rely on secondary, non-government data to gauge the timing and scope of Fed rate adjustments.

Suki Cooper, Global Head, Commodities Research at Standard Chartered Bank, noted that the rally has been supported by “hefty ETP inflows.” According to the World Gold Council, global inflows into gold exchange-traded funds (ETFs) hit $64 billion year-to-date, with a record $17.3 billion recorded in September alone.

Expert Analysis and Price Projections

Investment professionals are adjusting their forecasts upward, anticipating the current factors will persist into 2026.

Goldman Sachs on Monday raised its December 2026 price forecast for gold to $4,900 per ounce from a previous $4,300.

Michael Langford, chief investment officer at Scorpion Minerals, stated, “I see gold reaching $4,300 per ounce over the next six months as the US dollar is expected to continue to depreciate.”

Matthew Piggott, director of gold and silver at Metals Focus, commented that gold’s strength “reflects an extremely positive macroeconomic and geopolitical background for safe-haven assets, plus concerns over other traditional safe havens.” He added, “With these factors persisting into 2026, we fail to see any catalyst for gold to meaningfully retrace at present. Therefore, we expect gold to continue to push up throughout the year to attempt a challenge of $5,000/oz.”

Portfolio Diversification and Cautionary Notes

The historic rally has prompted prominent investors to reaffirm gold’s role as a portfolio hedge. Ray Dalio, founder of Bridgewater Associates, compared the current economic environment to the early 1970s, a period marked by inflation, significant government spending, and reduced confidence in currencies.

Dalio recommended that investors put “something like 15% of your portfolio in gold.” He noted, “Debt instruments are not an effective store of wealth,” and emphasized that gold is “the one asset that does very well when the typical parts of your portfolio go down.”

Despite the bullish sentiment, caution remains. Bank of America urged investors to approach gold cautiously, warning clients that the price faces “uptrend exhaustion,” which could lead to “a consolidation or correction” in the fourth quarter.

Meanwhile, the momentum has seeped into other precious metals, with platinum gaining 2.8% to $1,660.78 and palladium climbing 7.2% to $1,434.25, reaching its highest level since June 2023.

Trio of physicists win Nobel Prize for quantum tunnelling experiments

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Three scientists, John Clarke, Michel Devoret and John Martinis, have been awarded the 2025 Nobel Prize in Physics for groundbreaking experiments that revealed quantum mechanical behavior in systems large enough to be seen and touched.

The Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences said their work “revealed the bizarre properties of the quantum world can be made concrete in a system big enough to be held in the hand.”

The trio’s experiments in the 1980s showed how quantum mechanical tunneling – a phenomenon that allows particles to pass through barriers – could occur not only at the subatomic level but also in engineered electrical circuits. The discovery laid the foundation for technologies underpinning quantum computing, advanced cryptography, and ultra-sensitive sensors.

“It is wonderful to be able to celebrate the way that century-old quantum mechanics continually offers new surprises. It is also enormously useful, as quantum mechanics is the foundation of all digital technology,” said Olle Eriksson, chair of the Nobel Committee for Physics.

Bridging the Microscopic and the Macroscopic

Quantum mechanics, formulated a century ago by physicists such as Werner Heisenberg and Erwin Schrödinger, describes how matter and energy behave at atomic and subatomic scales. Its principles are counterintuitive: particles can exist in multiple states simultaneously and pass through barriers that would seem impenetrable under classical physics.

The laureates’ experiments demonstrated these effects in superconducting electrical systems. “This year’s Nobel Prize recognizes the pioneers who first showed us that even an electrical circuit can behave as a genuine quantum system,” said Malcolm Connolly, assistant professor of physics at Imperial College London. “Their discoveries of tunneling and energy quantization laid the foundation for today’s superconducting qubits, one of the leading platforms in the global race to build practical quantum computers.”

Jonathan Bagger, CEO of the American Physical Society, explained that the laureates helped make quantum mechanics tangible. “When quantum mechanics was discovered, it was thought to be applicable only to very esoteric situations,” he said. “What these guys showed is how actually, you can elevate quantum mechanics to apply to the observable, to the larger world, to the human scale world.”

In classical terms, quantum tunneling defies common sense. While a single atom can pass through an energy barrier, a phenomenon that underpins nuclear fusion and electron flow in semiconductors, a macroscopic object such as a tennis ball cannot. The laws of classical physics dictate that the ball must bounce back unless it possesses enough energy to overcome the barrier. However, the Nobel-winning experiments revealed that under precise superconducting conditions, even systems large enough to see and touch can exhibit tunneling behavior once thought exclusive to the quantum realm.

Researchers and their Legacy

John Clarke, a British-born physicist at the University of California, Berkeley, said he was “completely stunned” to receive the award. “We had not realized in any way that this might be the basis of a Nobel Prize,” Clarke said at a news conference. Speaking by phone during the announcement, he added, “I’m speaking on my cell phone and I suspect that you are too, and one of the underlying reasons that the cell phone works is because of all this work.”

Michel H. Devoret, a French-born scientist, is a professor at Yale University and the University of California, Santa Barbara, where American physicist John M. Martinis also teaches. Martinis previously led Google’s Quantum Artificial Intelligence Lab, which in 2019 announced it had achieved “quantum supremacy,” demonstrating a quantum computer that performed a calculation beyond the reach of classical supercomputers. Devoret serves as chief scientist of Google Quantum AI.

The three laureates share the Nobel’s 11 million Swedish kronor ($1.2 million) prize. French President Emmanuel Macron congratulated Devoret on social media, celebrating his role in advancing a field central to future technology and global innovation.

Quantum Physics and Strategic Technology

Quantum mechanics underpins all modern electronics, but its next-generation applications are reshaping the geopolitical and security landscape. The Nobel Committee noted that the laureates’ discoveries have “provided opportunities for developing the next generation of quantum technology, including quantum cryptography, quantum computers, and quantum sensors.”

Quantum computing is viewed as a domain of strategic competition among the United States, China, and Europe. Its potential to revolutionize encryption, intelligence analysis, and materials science could redefine technological power balances. Quantum sensors and secure communication networks also promise new defense and intelligence applications.

“Their experiments were a crucial building block in the fast-developing world of quantum mechanics,” said Bagger. “The results of their findings are just starting to appear in advanced technology and could pave the way for the development of supercharged computing.”

A Century of Quantum Science

The 2025 Nobel Prize coincides with the 100th anniversary of quantum mechanics. The United Nations designated this year as the International Year of Quantum Science and Technology. “It wasn’t a conscious decision to mark that anniversary with the 2025 prize,” said Ulf Danielsson, a member of the Nobel Committee for Physics, “but it could not have been more fitting.”

Past laureates in the field, Albert Einstein, Max Planck, Niels Bohr, and Erwin Schrödinger, laid the theoretical foundations that Clarke, Devoret, and Martinis have now extended into the practical realm. As Anthony Leggett, the 2003 physics laureate, observed, their work echoes Schrödinger’s thought experiment of a cat that is both alive and dead, showing that quantum mechanics can indeed manifest beyond the microscopic.

The Nobel Prizes, established in the will of Alfred Nobel, remain among the most prestigious honors in global science and diplomacy. The physics award will be presented in Stockholm on December 10, alongside those for medicine, chemistry, literature, and economics, while the Peace Prize will be awarded in Oslo.

Sanae Takaichi is set to become Japan’s first female prime minister

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Japan is set to appoint its first female prime minister after the ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) elected Sanae Takaichi, a hardline conservative and security hawk, as its new leader.

The move positions the 64-year-old former economic security minister to lead the coalition government of the world’s fourth-largest economy, steering the country through political instability, rising living costs, and intensifying regional tensions.

Takaichi defeated Agriculture Minister Shinjiro Koizumi, the son of former Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi, in a runoff election among party members. Her victory follows weeks of internal maneuvering within the embattled LDP, which has suffered repeated election losses and public dissatisfaction over economic stagnation and governance scandals.

“I made history for the LDP,” Takaichi said after the results were announced, bowing to lawmakers and supporters. “Right now, instead of savoring joy, I’m overwhelmed by what’s ahead, a mountain of challenges that I have to tackle with help from all of you.”

She added that her goal is to “make our party one that is more energetic and cheerful so that we can change the people’s worries into hope.”

LPD seeks to regain Public Confidence

The LDP, which suffered consecutive election losses in the past year and now holds a weakened parliamentary position, hopes Takaichi’s leadership will consolidate conservative support and stabilize the party’s image ahead of upcoming national elections.

The leadership election involved 295 LDP parliamentarians and roughly one million dues-paying members, representing about 1% of Japan’s population. A parliamentary vote, expected in mid-October, will formalize Takaichi’s appointment as prime minister, given the LDP’s majority position in the lower house and a fragmented opposition.

Outgoing Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba congratulated his successor, saying, “I hope the LDP will band together under new president Takaichi to serve for the country and the people, as well as the world and for the new era.”

Analysts note that Ishiba’s resignation, reportedly pressured by the LDP’s ultraconservative faction, underscores the party’s rightward drift under Abe-era loyalists.

Who is Sanae Takaichi?

Born in Nara Prefecture in 1961, Sanae Takaichi was first elected to parliament in 1993 and has since served in key cabinet roles, including as minister of economic security, internal affairs, and gender equality. A former drummer in a heavy-metal band and an avid motorbike rider in her youth, Takaichi has built a reputation as a disciplined, uncompromising conservative who openly admires Margaret Thatcher and remains a protégé of former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe.

Her frequent visits to the Yasukuni Shrine – a memorial site seen by many in East Asia as a symbol of Japan’s wartime militarism—have drawn criticism from Beijing and Seoul. She supports expanding Japan’s defense capabilities, maintaining male-only imperial succession, and opposes both same-sex marriage and reforms to Japan’s 19th-century civil code that would allow married couples to retain separate surnames.

While she has pledged to “drastically increase” the number of women in her cabinet, critics say her leadership may paradoxically slow progress on gender equality. “Now that the LDP has its first female president, its scenery will change a little,” Takaichi said after her victory. Yet she avoided discussing gender issues during her campaign and reiterated her commitment to conservative social norms, remarking, “I will abandon the word ‘work-life balance.’ I will work, work, work and work.”

Policy Outlook: Security Hawk with an Economic Focus

Takaichi’s ascent signals continuity with Abe’s strategic vision – assertive defense policies, economic revitalization through fiscal spending, and stronger deterrence against China and North Korea. She advocates for expanding Japan’s military capabilities, deepening ties with the United States, investing in nuclear fusion and cybersecurity, and tightening immigration controls.

Her leadership will soon face an early diplomatic test: a potential meeting with U.S. President Donald Trump during the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit in South Korea later this month. Washington is expected to press Tokyo to increase defense spending and assume a greater regional security role.

Analysts suggest that Takaichi’s hardline positions could complicate Japan’s alliance management and domestic coalition politics. Her hawkish nationalism contrasts sharply with the Buddhist-backed Komeito Party, the LDP’s centrist coalition partner, potentially straining their long-standing alliance. However, her appeal among conservative voters could help reclaim support from far-right groups such as Sanseito, which made notable gains in recent elections.

Challenges ahead

Despite her historic election, Takaichi faces an uphill task: stabilizing the LDP’s internal factions, restoring voter confidence, and steering Japan through an increasingly volatile geopolitical landscape.

She inherits an economy grappling with inflation and energy costs, alongside public skepticism over the LDP’s entrenched political dominance. Her ability to balance ideological conviction with pragmatic governance will determine not only her longevity as prime minister but also Japan’s policy trajectory in the years ahead.

Europe rallies behind ‘Drone Wall’ to counter Russian incursions, defense industry welcome aerial shield

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Europe’s leading defense manufacturers have welcomed a sweeping European Union initiative to construct a “drone wall” along the continent’s eastern flank, a move aimed at countering a growing threat from Russian unmanned aircraft.

The policy proposal, discussed this week in Copenhagen by dozens of EU leaders and defense officials, reflects mounting concern over repeated drone and jet incursions into European airspace. As Russia’s war in Ukraine nears its fourth year, European capitals are accelerating defense cooperation on technologies once viewed as niche but now seen as central to national security.

EU leaders discuss security at Copenhagen summit

Momentum for a continent-wide aerial defense network has built rapidly in recent weeks, fueled by a series of reported airspace violations over Poland, Estonia, Lithuania, Romania, Denmark, and Norway. Officials say unidentified drones and Russian aircraft forced temporary airport closures and air traffic disruptions. Moscow has denied any involvement, calling the allegations “unfounded accusations.”

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said Tuesday that Europe “must deliver a strong and united response to Russia’s drone incursions at our borders.” She announced plans to “propose immediate actions to create the drone wall as part of the Eastern Flank Watch,” pledging to move forward in coordination with Ukraine and NATO.

“The EU must heed the call of our Baltic friends and build a drone wall,” von der Leyen said earlier. “This is the bedrock of credible defense.”

Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen emphasized the urgency of the initiative, saying, “Europe must be able to defend itself. We need to strengthen our production of drones, of anti-drone capabilities, and this includes building up a European network of anti-drone measures that can protect and, of course, also neutralize intrusion from outside.”

Danish airspace closed to civilian drones
All Danish airspace was closed to civilian drones as part of the ramped-up security around the two high-stakes summits in the Danish capital. (Image Credit: AP)

What is a “Drone Wall”?

The proposed drone wall would not be a physical barrier, but a multi-layered system of detection and interception technologies spanning the EU’s eastern borders. Officials describe it as a “network of sensors and weapons to detect, track, and neutralize intruding unmanned aircraft.”

Experts believe it could consist of mobile tactical radars, small and medium-range interceptors, and cannon-based countermeasures designed to engage low-flying or swarm drones. A special radar network was set up in Copenhagen this week to protect the summits following several airspace incidents.

German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius warned that full implementation could take “at least three or four years,” while EU Defense Commissioner Andrius Kubilius called the project a “core element” of the bloc’s front-line defenses.

Defense industry backs Drone Wall Plan

Europe’s defense industry has broadly endorsed the initiative, seeing both strategic and commercial opportunity in strengthening Europe’s aerial defenses.

Swedish manufacturer Saab said it welcomed initiatives to enhance Europe’s security, adding that it “would be happy” to discuss how the defense industry can contribute to the proposed drone wall. “It is clear that the drone threat is rapidly increasing in civilian as well as military contexts and that a collaborative European effort could effectively meet this threat,” said Mattias Rådström, Saab’s head of media relations.

British defense contractor BAE Systems, whose Typhoon aircraft provide “the backbone” of European air power through NATO’s air-policing mission, also expressed support. “We stand ready to further support the initiatives and requirements of NATO allies and partners,” a company spokesperson said.

Germany’s Rheinmetall pointed to surging interest across Europe in both unmanned aerial systems and counter-drone technologies. “Drones are relatively easy targets to combat because they often fly slowly and very low,” a company spokesperson said. “The challenges lie in detecting and distinguishing between small drones (mini and micro drones) and in defending against swarm attacks. Effective drone defence must combine several countermeasures, with cannon-based drone defence taking centre stage in our view, as this is the only cost-effective measure.” The spokesperson described a cannon-based system as “the ideal means” of defending against drones at close range in terms of cost-benefit, efficiency and reliability.

NATO Endorsement

NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte praised the drone wall concept as “timely and necessary,” saying it fits within the Alliance’s broader push to modernize air defense and integrate surveillance systems across member states.

“Russia will continue and we have to be ready, we have to strengthen our preparedness,” Finnish Prime Minister Petteri Orpo said after the meeting.

According to a source familiar with internal discussions, the EU’s upcoming Defense Readiness Roadmap will feature four major defense initiatives, including the drone wall as its flagship project. The roadmap aims to align funding mechanisms and operational standards between EU members and NATO, a critical step for interoperability.

Balancing Europe’s Defense Priorities

While the drone wall concept has drawn broad support, some leaders have urged a wider approach. Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni cautioned that Europe’s southern borders should not be neglected, while French President Emmanuel Macron emphasized the need for stronger deterrence alongside defensive systems. “In reality, we need advanced early-warning systems to better anticipate threats,” Macron said.

The European Commission has not yet disclosed the total cost or timeline for deployment, but experts note that its success will hinge on financing, coordination, and sustained political will — areas where Europe has historically struggled to maintain momentum.

The Copenhagen summit highlighted a transformation in Europe’s security mindset. Once fragmented in its defense posture, the EU is now moving toward a shared aerial defense architecture aimed at protecting its sovereignty and reinforcing NATO’s deterrent framework.

Though still conceptual, the drone wall represents a turning point. It signals Europe’s recognition that the next frontier of defense may not be on land or sea, but in the contested skies above.

Robots race, fight, play and flop at world’s first Humanoid Robot Games in China

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Robots sprinted, stumbled, and squared off in combat as China opened the world’s first World Humanoid Robot Games in Beijing. Over 500 robots from 16 countries competed in events ranging from football and kickboxing to medicine sorting and dance, part of a high-profile showcase of China’s ambitions in artificial intelligence and robotics.

The three-day competition, staged at the National Speed Skating Oval, built for the 2022 Winter Olympics, attracted global participants from universities and private enterprises, with teams hailing from the United States, Germany, Japan, Brazil, and China. More than 500 robots took part, many produced by Chinese manufacturers such as Unitree Robotics, X-Humanoid, and Booster Robotics.


From martial arts to 1,500 meters

Events included kickboxing bouts between pint-sized humanoids, athletic contests such as the 400-meter and 1,500-meter runs, football matches, and skills-based challenges testing robots’ ability to sort medicines, move materials, and perform cleaning services.

Chinese robotics firm Unitree’s H1 model dominated the opening 1,500-meter race, securing first and third place, with Beijing-based X-Humanoid’s Tien Kung Ultra placing second. Unitree founder and CEO Wang Xingxing told Phoenix News that the performance of its H1 robots was “meaningful,” as the model was the first humanoid the company ever made.

Yet technical hurdles were evident. Robots repeatedly collapsed during sprints, crashed into one another during football matches, and in one case, lost an arm mid-race. “Keeping [the head] balanced while in movement is the biggest challenge for us,” said Wang Ziyi, a 19-year-old student from Beijing Union University, after his team’s robot lost its head during a distance race.

Robots competed in events ranging from football, track and field, and table tennis to specialized tasks such as sorting medicines, handling materials, and cleaning services.

At the Beijing games, where tickets ranged from 128 to 580 yuan ($17.83–$80.77), humanoids at times crashed and toppled during football matches, with one game seeing four robots collide and collapse in a tangled heap. Others faltered mid-sprint during running events, drawing both gasps and applause from spectators.


Blending culture and technology

Beyond athletic contests, organizers highlighted robotics’ cultural potential. In one performance, four robots dressed in 3D-printed terracotta warrior armor beat drums while five others danced alongside a live performer. “With their dexterous hands, these humanoid robots hold drumsticks and execute precise strikes perfectly in time with the music,” said Gao Qian, deputy head of the academic affairs office of Beijing Dance Academy.

The troupe’s choreography, inspired by the Terracotta Warriors of China’s Qin Dynasty, won the first gold medal in the group dance event. “We are confident in showcasing traditional Chinese culture by integrating dance moves into robots’ movements,” Gao added.

Lou Kaiqi, deputy general manager of Optics Valley Dongzhi, the developer of the robots, said the performance required upgrades to motors, hardware, and algorithms. “If two robots sense that their distance is too close, they can autonomously make minor adjustments to their direction of travel to avoid veering off course or colliding with each other,” Lou explained.


Strategic ambitions behind the spectacle

China has positioned humanoid robotics at the forefront of its artificial intelligence strategy. In March, Beijing announced a one-trillion-yuan ($139 billion) fund to support technology startups, including robotics and AI.

“Through the games, China has shown the world its strengths in humanoid robot design, industry chains and a large user base. Global AI developers can integrate their algorithms with China’s top-tier hardware to solve problems such as emergency rescue and household services,” said Zhou Changjiu, president of the RoboCup Asia-Pacific Confederation, one of the event’s organizers.

Analysts note that China’s drive reflects both domestic needs and geopolitical competition. With an aging population and strategic rivalry with the United States in advanced technologies, Beijing is investing billions in humanoids and “embodied AI.”


Research and reality

For international participants, the games were not only about competition but also experimentation. “We come here to play and to win. But we are also interested in research,” said Max Polter, a member of the HTWK Robots football team from Germany, affiliated with Leipzig University of Applied Sciences. “You can test a lot of interesting new and exciting approaches in this contest. If we try something and it doesn’t work, we lose the game. That’s sad but it is better than investing a lot of money into a product which failed.”

Joost Weerheim, a member of the Dutch five-a-side robot football team, told AFP he was struck by the rapid progress of Chinese robotics teams. “I think right now if they are not already the world leader, they are very, very quickly becoming it,” he said.

Despite frequent malfunctions and comic mishaps that drew cheers from audiences, engineers stressed the games provided valuable data. “The games serve as a platform to display our robot’s hardware performance and stable motion system,” said Shi Xuanyang, an engineer from RobotEra, whose L7 robot won gold in the standing high jump with a leap of 95.641 cm.

Organizers emphasized that the goal extends beyond public spectacle. “We hope to truly advance humanoid robots from the laboratory into real-world applications in factories, hospitals, homes and other scenarios. This is a crucial step toward achieving large-scale production,” said Li Zhiqi from the Beijing municipal government’s counsellors’ office.

Zhou Changjiu underlined why humanoids, in particular, matter: “From the height of bookshelves to toys children play with, everything in a house is created in accordance with human needs and based on human height and body shape. It is only a matter of time before humanoid robots enter households.”

Flash floods kill more than 300 in Pakistan as forecasters warn of more rain

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More than 300 people have been killed in northwest Pakistan after two days of torrential rains, flash floods, and landslides, local officials confirmed on Saturday.

The Provincial Disaster Management Authority reported 307 fatalities, with dozens still missing, marking the deadliest downpour of this year’s monsoon season.

The disaster struck the mountainous Khyber Pakhtunkhwa region, where cloudbursts, lightning strikes, and floods swept through remote villages. In Buner district, north of Islamabad, at least 184 people were confirmed dead after a sudden torrent inundated villages. “There was no time for anyone to react,” said Bilal Faizi, spokesperson for Pakistan’s official 1122 rescue service. “There was a cloud burst in Buner early on Friday creating a torrent of water that swept down to the villages below.”

Mohammad Suhail, an emergency services spokesman, said hundreds of rescuers are still searching for survivors. “Rescue workers are trying to recover bodies from the worst-hit villages of Pir Baba and Malik Pura,” said Kashif Qayyum, deputy commissioner in Buner.

Survivors recall harrowing escapes

Accounts from survivors underscore the sudden devastation. Saeedullah, a resident of Bajaur district near the Afghan border, described being jolted awake by thunder before discovering his home destroyed. “Helped by neighbours, he dug through the debris and found the bodies of his wife and five children,” local officials said. “There is destruction everywhere, piles of rubble,” Saeedullah, 42, added.

In Buner, resident Zahid Hussain said floodwaters engulfed his village within minutes. “The floodwater washed away our house in front of our eyes. Within minutes, we were made homeless,” he said from a hospital where he was treating his injured nephew.

Local police officer Imtiaz Khan, who narrowly escaped, said, “A stream near Pir Baba village in Buner swelled without warning. At first, we thought it was a normal flash flood, but when tons of rocks came crashing down with the water, 60 to 70 houses were swept away in moments. Our police station was washed away too and if we hadn’t climbed to higher ground, we would not have survived.”

One survivor in Buner described the scene as “doomsday.” Azizullah told AFP, “I heard a loud noise as if the mountain was sliding. I rushed outside and saw the entire area shaking, like it was the end of the world.”

National Response and Relief Efforts

Pakistan’s deputy prime minister and foreign minister, Ishaq Dar, said both civilian and military teams were deployed for rescue and relief operations, while the prime minister chaired an emergency meeting in Islamabad. Provincial Chief Secretary Shahab Ali Shah confirmed that medical camps were being set up and food supplies arranged for families who lost their homes.

In the midst of the crisis, a military rescue helicopter crashed due to poor weather, killing all five crew members. “The M-17 helicopter crashed due to bad weather while flying to Bajaur,” said Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur.

Authorities in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa have declared a day of mourning, while clerics have led mass funeral prayers across devastated districts. Schoolteacher Suleman Khan, who lost 25 members of his extended family in Qadar Nagar, said he and his brother survived only because they were away from home when the floods hit. “Before yesterday’s floods, the area was bustling with life. Now, there is grief and sorrow everywhere,” said local cleric Mufti Fazal.

Forecasts warn of more rainfall

The Pakistan Meteorological Department warned of more torrential rains in the coming days, with monsoon activity expected to intensify across northern and northwestern regions. The National Disaster Management Authority also raised alarms of heightened risk of flooding and landslides through August 21.

“Many among the dead were children and men, while women were away in the hills collecting firewood and grazing cattle,” said Dr. Mohammad Tariq in Buner, underscoring the vulnerability of rural households.

Climate pressures intensify Pakistan’s Monsoon Risks

Pakistan has received higher-than-normal monsoon rainfall this year, which experts link to climate change. According to the National Disaster Management Authority, at least 541 people have died in rain-related incidents since June 26. Scientists say rising global temperatures are intensifying monsoon rains, while glacial melt in northern Pakistan further destabilizes mountainsides.

Pakistan’s chief meteorologist Zaheer Babar warned that homes built near rivers and streams, combined with obstructed waterways, are amplifying the destruction. “Heavy rainfall in the mountains meant people in lower-lying areas were not aware of the strength of the downpour until it reached them as a flash flood,” Babar said.

Friederike Otto, climate scientist at Imperial College London, added: “Pakistan is on the frontline of climate change. It is enduring temperatures above 50 degrees Celsius (122 Fahrenheit) and relentless droughts, wildfires, and catastrophic floods fueled by extreme monsoon rains and rapidly melting glaciers.”

Pakistan, home to 250 million people, contributes only 0.5 percent of global greenhouse gas emissions but remains one of the world’s most climate-vulnerable nations. Its 2022 monsoon season killed more than 1,700 people and caused an estimated $40 billion in damages.

Full Transcript: Trump and Putin’s Remarks at Alaska Summit

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All eyes were on Anchorage, Alaska, on Friday (August 15) as U.S. President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin met for closely watched talks on the war in Ukraine, without Ukraine at the table. The summit ended without a ceasefire deal, and despite vague claims of progress, both leaders offered few specifics and left reporters’ questions unanswered.

Billed as a press conference, their brief appearance featured no joint statement and little mention of Ukraine. Putin spoke broadly about shared U.S.-Russia ties, while Trump said “many points were agreed to,” but acknowledged key issues remain unresolved.

Below is the full transcript of what Trump and Putin said at the press conference: 

PUTIN: Mr. President, ladies and gentlemen, our negotiations have been held in a constructive atmosphere of mutual respect. 

We have very thorough negotiations that were quite useful. I would like to thank once again my American counterpart, for the proposal to travel out here to Alaska. It only makes sense that we’ve met here, because our countries, though separated by the oceans, are close neighbors. So when we’ve met, when I came out of the plane and I said, ‘Good afternoon, dear neighbor. Very good to see you in good health and to see you alive.’ I think that is very neighborly. I think that’s some kind words that we can say to each other. We’re separated by the strait of Bering, though, there are two islands only between the Russian Island and the U.S. Island. They’re only four kilometers apart. We are close neighbors, and it’s a fact. 

It’s also important that Alaska has to do with our common heritage, common history between Russia and the U.S., and many positive events have to do with that territory. Still, there is tremendous cultural heritage, back from the Russian America, for example, Orthodox churches, and a lot of- more than 700 geographical names of Russian origin. During the Second World War, it was here in Alaska that was the origin of the legendary air bridge for the supply of military aircraft and other equipment under the Lend-Lease Program. 

It was a dangerous and treacherous route over the vast emptiness of ice. However, the pilots of both countries did everything to bring closer the victory. They risked their lives and they gave it all for the common victory. I was just in the city of Magadan in Russia. And there is a memorial there dedicated to the Russian, the U.S. pilots. And there are two flags, the U.S. flag and the Russian flag. And I know that here as well, there is such a memorial. There is a military burial place several kilometers away from here. The Soviet pilots are buried there who died during that dangerous mission. We’re thankful to the citizens and the government of the U.S. for carefully taking care of their memory. I think that’s very worthy and noble. We’ll always remember other historical examples when our countries defeated common enemies together in the spirit of battle camaraderie and allyship that supported each other and facilitated each other. I am sure that this heritage will help us rebuild and foster mutually beneficial and equal ties at this new stage, even during the hardest conditions. 

It is known that there have been no summits between Russia and the U.S. for four years, and that’s a long time. This time was very hard for bilateral relations, and let’s be frank, they’ve fallen to the lowest point since the Cold War. I think that’s not benefiting our countries and the world as a whole. It is apparent that sooner or later, we have to amend the situation to move on from the confrontation to dialog, and in this case, a personal meeting between the heads of state has been long overdue, naturally, under the condition of serious and painstaking work, and this work has been done.

In general, me and President Trump have very good direct contact. We’ve spoken multiple times. We spoke frankly on the phone. And the special envoy of the president, Mr. Witkoff, traveled out to Russia several times. Our advisers and heads of foreign ministries kept in touch all the time, and we know fully well that one of the central issues was the situation around Ukraine. 

We see the strive of the administration and President Trump personally to help facilitate the resolution of the Ukrainian conflict, and his strive to get to the crux of the matter, to understand this history, is precious. As I’ve said, the situation in Ukraine has to do with fundamental threats to our security. Moreover, we’ve always considered the Ukrainian nation, and I’ve said it multiple times, a brotherly nation. How strange it may sound in these conditions. We have the same roots, and everything that’s happening is a tragedy for us, and terrible wound. Therefore, the country is sincerely interested in putting an end to it. 

At the same time, we’re convinced that in order to, to make the settlement lasting and long term, we need to eliminate all the primary roots, the primary causes of that conflict, and we’ve said it multiple times, to consider all legitimate concerns of Russia and to reinstate a just balance of security in Europe and in the world on the whole, and agree with President Trump, as he has said today, that naturally, the security of Ukraine should be ensured as well. Naturally, we are prepared to work on that. 

I would like to hope that the agreement that we’ve reached together will help us bring closer that goal and will pave the path towards peace in Ukraine. We expect that Kyiv and European capitals will perceive that constructively and that they won’t throw a wrench in the works. They will not make any attempts to use some backroom dealings to conduct provocations to torpedo the nascent progress.

Incidentally, when the new administration came to power, bilateral trade started to grow. It’s still very symbolic. Still, we have a growth of 20%. As I’ve said, we have a lot of dimensions for joint work. It is clear that the U.S. and Russian investment and business cooperation has tremendous potential. Russia and the U.S. can offer each other so much in trade, digital, high tech and in space exploration. We see that arctic cooperation is also very possible, in our international context. For example, between the far east of Russia and the West Coast of the U.S. 

Overall, it’s very important for our countries to turn the page to go back to cooperation. It is symbolic that, not far away from here, the border between Russia and the US, there was a so-called International Date Line. I think you can step over, literally, from yesterday into tomorrow, and I hope that’s- will succeed in that, in the political sphere. I would like to thank President Trump for our joint work, for the well wishing and trustworthy tone of our conversation. 

It’s important that both sides are result-oriented and we see that the president of the U.S. has a very clear idea of what he would like to achieve. He sincerely cares about the prosperity of his nation. Still, he understands that Russia has its own national interests. 

I expect that today’s agreements will be the starting point, not only for the solution of the Ukrainian issue, but also will help us bring back business-like and pragmatic relations between Russia and the U.S. 

And in the end, I would like to add one more thing. I’d like to remind you that in 2022, during the last contact with the previous administration, I tried to convince my previous American colleague, it should not- the situation should not be brought to the point of no return, when it would come to hostilities and accept it quite directly back then, that is a big mistake. Today, when President Trump is saying that if he was the president back then, there would be no war, and I’m quite sure that it would indeed be so. I can confirm that. I think that overall, me and President Trump have built a very good business-like and trustworthy contact, and have every reason to believe that moving down this path, we can come and assume it better to the end of the conflict in Ukraine. Thank you. Thank you.

TRUMP: Thank you very much, Mr. President, that was very profound, and I will say that I believe we had a very productive meeting. There were many, many points that we agreed on, most of them, I would say, a couple of big ones that we haven’t quite gotten there, but we’ve made some headway. So there’s no deal until there’s a deal. 

I will call up NATO in a little while, I will call up the various people that I think are appropriate, and I’ll of course, call up President Zelenskyy and tell him about today’s meeting. It’s ultimately up to them. They’re going to have to agree with what Marco and Steve and some of the great people from the Trump administration who’ve come here, Scott and John Ratcliffe. Thank you very much. But we have some of our really great leaders. They’ve been doing a phenomenal job. 

We also have some tremendous Russian business representatives here. And I think, you know, everybody wants to deal with us. We’ve become the hottest country anywhere in the world in a very short period of time, and we look forward to that. We look forward to dealing- we’re going to try and get this over with. 

We really made some great progress today. I’ve always had a fantastic relationship with President Putin, with Vladimir. We had many, many tough meetings, good meetings. We were interfered with by the Russia, Russia, Russia hoax. It made it a little bit tougher to deal with, but he understood it. I think he’s probably seen things like that during the course of his career. He’s seen- he’s seen it all. But we had to put up with the Russia, Russia, Russia hoax. He knew it was a hoax, and I knew it was a hoax, but what was done was very criminal, but it made it harder for us to deal as a country, in terms of the business, and all of the things that would like to have dealt with, but we’ll have a good chance when this is over.

So just to put it very quickly, I’m going to start making a few phone calls and tell them what happened. But we had an extremely productive meeting, and many points were agreed to. There are just a very few that are left. Some are not that significant. One is probably the most significant, but we have a very good chance of getting there. We didn’t get there, but we have a very good chance of getting there. I would like to thank President Putin and his entire team, whose faces who I know, in many cases, otherwise, other than that, whose- whose faces I get to see all the time in the newspapers, you’re very- you’re almost as famous as the boss, but especially this one right over here.

But we had some good meetings over the years, right? Good, productive meetings over the years, and we hope to have that in the future. Let’s do the most productive one right now. We’re going to stop, really, 5, 6, 7 thousand, 1000s of people a week from being killed, and President Putin wants to see that as much as I do. So again, Mr. President, I’d like to thank you very much, and we’ll speak to you very soon, and probably see you again very soon. Thank you very much, Vladimir.

PUTIN: Next time in Moscow.

TRUMP: Ooh, that’s an interesting one. I don’t know. I’ll get a little heat on that one, but I could see it possibly happening. Thank you very much, Vladimir, and thank you all. Thank you. Thank you.

PUTIN: Thank you so much. 

Global Plastic Treaty talks collapse in Geneva as nations remain deeply divided

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Talks aimed at finalizing the world’s first legally binding treaty on plastic pollution collapsed in Geneva on Friday, with delegates from more than 180 countries leaving without a deal after nearly two weeks of negotiations. The session, which extended into overtime after a planned ten-day schedule, ended in deadlock over fundamental disagreements on how to confront the crisis.

The session, chaired by Ecuador’s Luis Vayas Valdivieso, ended in the early hours with no consensus and no clear timetable for resumption. “We did not get where we want but people want a deal,” said Inger Andersen, Executive Director of the United Nations Environment Program (UNEP).

French ecology minister Agnes Pannier-Runacher told the closing session that she was “enraged because despite genuine efforts by many, and real progress in discussions, no tangible results have been obtained.”

Bjorn Beeler, international coordinator for the International Pollutants Elimination Network, declared after the adjournment: “Consensus is dead.”

Production caps versus recycling focus

At the heart of the dispute was whether the treaty should impose limits on new plastic production, much of it derived from petroleum, gas, and coal. More than 100 countries, including members of the European Union and small island states, argued that only strict production caps could address what they describe as an escalating crisis.

Oil- and gas-producing states Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, and the United States resisted efforts to curtail production, arguing that the treaty should prioritize better product design and recycling. The U.S. supported provisions to improve waste collection and reuse but declined to back production caps. Saudi Arabia said the proposed drafts lacked balance and weighted negotiations toward other nations’ demands.

Saudi Arabia and Kuwait argued that the latest draft treaty text failed to balance competing views, while the U.S. delegation declined to comment publicly. The draft acknowledged that current production and consumption levels were “unsustainable” and exceeded waste management capacities, but it stopped short of calling for specific limits.

Colombia’s delegate Haendel Rodriguez accused opponents of blocking progress: a deal had been “blocked by a small number of states who simply did not want an agreement.”

“Of course we cannot hide that it is tragic and deeply disappointing to see some countries trying to block an agreement,” said Danish Environment Minister Magnus Heunicke, who represented the EU in the talks.

A repeat of past failures

This week’s breakdown echoes the collapse of negotiations in South Korea late last year, which also ended without agreement. Despite 10 days of talks in Geneva, delegates could not agree to use either of the draft texts presented as the basis for future negotiations.

The negotiations had been billed as the final round in a two-year process launched in 2022, when states agreed to produce a treaty covering the entire lifecycle of plastics. Without stronger policies, global plastic production, already at around 460 million metric tons annually, could rise by 70% by 2040, according to the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development.

Garbage dump filled with plastics
Garbage dump filled with plastics in Rodriguez, Rizal province, Philippines, on Nov. 28, 2024. (Image Credit: Reuters)

Frustration and anger as delegates leave Geneva without a deal

The failure sparked open frustration from several delegations. French Ecology Minister Agnès Pannier-Runacher told the closing session she was “enraged because despite genuine efforts by many, and real progress in discussions, no tangible results have been obtained.” Colombia’s delegate Haendel Rodríguez accused a “small number of states who simply did not want an agreement” of blocking progress.

Civil society groups echoed the anger. “The vast majority of governments want a strong agreement, yet a handful of bad actors were allowed to use the process to drive such ambition into the ground,” said Graham Forbes, global plastics campaign lead for Greenpeace USA. Ana Rocha, Global Plastics Policy Director at GAIA, argued that “no treaty is better than a bad treaty.”

Erin Simon, head of plastic waste and business at environmental non-profit WWF, said it was “deeply disappointing” to leave Geneva without a meaningful way forward. “This breakdown in negotiations means the plastic crisis will continue unchecked, while the world waits for the urgent action it so desperately needs.”

South Africa’s delegate said, “It is very clear that the current process will not work.” Madagascar’s representative added, the world is “expecting action, not reports from us.”

The plastics industry, facing increasing scrutiny, urged governments to compromise. Marco Mensink of the International Council of Chemical Associations said manufacturers remained “committed to supporting a treaty that keeps plastics in the economy and out of the environment by advancing a circular economy.”

Despite deep divisions, several delegates pledged to continue pressing for a deal. “The Earth is not ours only. We are stewards for those who come after us. Let us fulfill that duty,” said European Commissioner Jessika Roswall.

Jellyfish invasion shuts down reactors at French nuclear power plant

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Four reactors at the Gravelines nuclear power plant in northern France were taken offline this week following an unexpected and overwhelming influx of jellyfish that clogged the facility’s cooling water intake system, French energy firm Électricité de France (EDF) confirmed.

“These shutdowns are the result of the massive and unforeseeable presence of jellyfish in the filter drums of the pumping stations, located in the non-nuclear part of the installations,” an EDF spokesperson said in a statement.

The incident, which began late Sunday evening and continued into Monday morning, triggered automatic safety mechanisms that shut down three of the six reactors on Sunday night. A fourth reactor followed early Monday. The remaining two units were already offline for scheduled maintenance, resulting in a complete halt of operations at the plant.

Operational disruption amid broader environmental oressures

Gravelines is one of France’s largest nuclear plants, producing a total of 5.4 gigawatts of power across six units, each with a capacity of 900 megawatts. The facility draws its cooling water from a canal connected to the North Sea, an increasingly jellyfish-prone region.

Citizen scientist Aäron Fabrice de Kisangani identified the species involved as English Barrel jellyfish, a native, non-stinging type that can grow up to 90 centimeters in diameter. “The current would have pushed the jellyfish from the harbor and into the canal towards the nuclear plant, and then they would not have been able to escape the suction of the water coolant system, pulling them into the filters,” he explained.

EDF stressed there was no threat to safety. “The automatic shutdowns of four units had no impact on the safety of the facilities, the safety of personnel, or the environment,” the company stated on its website.

However, the timing coincides with a broader regional heatwave that has been straining power infrastructure and complicating nuclear plant operations across France. Although EDF has not explicitly linked the shutdown to heat-related complications, the heatwave could be contributing to conditions favoring jellyfish blooms.

Plant restart plans delayed as Financial impact mounts

EDF data initially showed that all four affected reactors were expected to restart by Tuesday. However, revised schedules released on Tuesday indicated a delayed return to full operations. Unit 6 was projected to restart first, followed by one reactor per day until Friday.

By 12:50 GMT on Tuesday, the first unit had yet to resume operations. EDF did not provide a reason for the delay, though elevated sea temperatures and biofouling risks are known stressors on nuclear cooling systems.

The financial impact is not insignificant. A single day of downtime for each reactor can cost EDF approximately $1.16 million, according to estimates cited by Reuters.

Operational risk

Jellyfish-related shutdowns are not new. Gravelines experienced a similar incident in 1993. In 2011, Scotland’s Torness nuclear plant faced an almost identical disruption.

Scientists are increasingly concerned that such ecological events will become more frequent. Factors contributing to jellyfish proliferation include global warming, habitat degradation for natural predators, overfishing, and shifts in ocean salinity and temperature.

“This year, higher average sea temperatures could cause larger jellyfish blooms,” Kisangani said. He also noted that “jellyfish were staying longer in the North Sea due to mild autumns and winters.”

Such disruptions pose growing operational challenges for the nuclear energy sector, particularly in coastal regions where marine life dynamics are shifting rapidly. While nuclear facilities are designed with safety redundancies, events like these highlight the increasing influence of climate variability and ecological imbalance on critical energy infrastructure.

EDF has reiterated that the presence of jellyfish in the plant’s filtration system remains a non-nuclear issue and does not compromise reactor safety. Diagnostic checks and necessary interventions are ongoing to bring the units back online safely.

As the French nuclear sector grapples with environmental stressors, ranging from marine invasions to heat-related cooling issues, operators are likely to face intensified scrutiny over resilience planning and biodiversity monitoring in plant design and operation.