Japan’s Nuclear Regulation Authority (NRA) has officially lifted a two-year operational ban on Tokyo Electric Power Company’s (TEPCO) Kashiwazaki-Kariwa nuclear power plant. The decision comes after the plant, with an impressive capacity of 8,212 megawatts, had been offline since the 2011 Fukushima disaster necessitated the shutdown of all nuclear power plants in Japan. TEPCO now…

It wasn’t Christmas lights illuminating the sky in Crimea overnight; video of what purports to be a Ukrainian airstrike against a Russian navy warship shows an explosion sending a fireball into the air. The size of the initial blast and secondary explosions indicate Ukraine likely used a deep strike missile like the Storm Shadow, and…

America retaliates against Iran-backed militant groups following an attack on U.S. servicemembers in Iraq. And, as of today, Dec. 26, some of Apple’s most popular watches are no longer for sale. These stories and more highlight The Morning Rundown for Tuesday, Dec. 26, 2023. US strikes Iran-backed groups after attack injures 3 US servicemembers in…

Dr. Ali Bramson, a planetary scientist and assistant professor at Purdue University, collaborates with NASA, focusing on the shapes and features of planets, particularly Mars. Her work holds significance for deciphering resource utilization on Mars and planning future human exploration. Under her YouTube channel, “Ali’s Planet Adventures,” she shares her passion for planetary science. In…

Japan is selling the United States Patriot missiles because Ukraine needs more of them. Japan is expected to send several dozen Patriot interceptors to the U.S. The sale helps backfill a depleted supply and gives Washington some breathing room while it tries to help Ukraine strengthen its air defenses. “This holds significant meaning in terms…

North Korea may be building up its nuclear arsenal. The U.N. Atomic Agency reports the country started operating a light-water reactor at its main nuclear complex. The agency believes the operation is an attempt to produce bomb fuels. The initiative aligns with leader Kim Jong Un’s repeated vows to build more nuclear weapons. Kim said…

Tensions that Moscow said had been put to bed between Finland and Russia are heating up again after Finland signed a defense cooperation agreement (DCA) with the U.S. Finland and Russia share a long border and have a troubled history, most notably the 1939 Winter War, when Finland repelled an invasion by the militarily superior…

Early in the Cold War, the United States shaped the political landscape of the Middle East. In recent years, Washington’s influence in the region has declined. Amid the ongoing Israel-Hamas war, two questions emerge: Can the U.S. exert significant influence in the Middle East again, and is it inclined to do so? In his “post-American”…

Israel releases new details after three hostages taken by Hamas were mistakenly killed by Israeli troops. And, a driver crashes into President Biden’s motorcade outside his campaign headquarters. These stories and more highlight The Morning Rundown for Monday, Dec. 18, 2023. Israel reveals more details on 3 hostages mistakenly killed by IDF troops U.S. Defense…

South Korea and Japan deployed fighter jets on Thursday, Dec. 14, in response to Chinese and Russian military planes entering their air defense zones, according to military officials in both countries. The incident first occurred in the Korea Air Defense Identification Zone (KADIZ) off South Korea’s east coast.  In a statement by South Korea’s Joint Chiefs…