UN nuclear watchdog chief pushes back on Moscow’s calls for objectivity after Kursk plant visit

Published

10 months ago

August 29, 2024

admin

The head of the U.N. nuclear watchdog has pushed back against Moscow’s calls for further objectivity, following an inspection at the nuclear facility in the embattled Russian region of Kursk.

Last week, Russia accused Ukraine of attempting a drone strike at the Kursk nuclear plant during a lightning cross-border incursion that has been under way since early August and which Moscow is still trying to repel.

CNBC could not independently verify the incident and has reached out to the Ukrainian Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

“What we need to do is to objectively, not to stoke any hysteria or anything like that, but to indicate when a danger exists. And here it does. It objectively [exists],” Rafael Grossi, director general of the International Atomic Energy Agency, told CNBC’s “Squawk Box Europe” on Thursday.

“The spokesperson of the Russian ministry of foreign affairs rightly says, be objective. Yes, we are being objective. We are saying here that this nuclear power plant … is within range of a potential artillery strike, which means that the danger exists. Is this danger inherent to the technology? Absolutely not,” he said, adding that these facilities hold “strategic value” in military conflicts because they serve national energy infrastructure.

“They are, I wouldn’t say pawns, but they are factors in a wider confrontation,” he noted.

His comments come after Russia on Wednesday urged more objectivity from the IAEA in the performance of its duties.

“We see both the assessments and the work of this structure [the IAEA], but each time we want a more objective and clear expression of this structure’s position, not in favor of our country, not in favor of confirming Moscow’s position, but in favor of facts with one specific goal: ensuring security and preventing the development of a scenario along a catastrophic path, to which the Kiev regime is pushing everyone,” Maria Zakharova, official representative of the Russian foreign ministry, said Wednesday on Sputnik radio, according to a Google-translated report from Russian state-owned news outlet Ria Novosti.

Grossi on Thursday acknowledged that parties at war are likely to retain a “strategic ambiguity that surrounds any military operation,” translating into less disclosure over their activities.

“I also understand these attempts to drag me, or us, the agency, into their own preferred narrative that we need to avoid,” he said.

Grossi led a delegation to inspect the Kursk facility on Wednesday, telling reporters in a subsequent briefing that “the core of the reactor containing nuclear material is protected just by a normal roof. This makes it extremely exposed and fragile, for example, to artillery impact or drone[s] or missiles.”

On Thursday, Grossi explained that the Kursk nuclear plant contains reactors of the Soviet RBMK-type, similar to the ones present in the Chernobyl facility, which suffered one of the worst nuclear disasters in history in 1986.

This make of reactors lacks a reinforced roof, meaning that “if there was an attack, or, wittingly or unwittingly, or as a result of any exchange, there could be a possibility of an impact on nuclear material. And therefore release of radioactivity into the atmosphere,” Grossi said.

Recounting his on-site findings, he described the Kursk facility as still operating in “relatively normal conditions,” but noted “indications around the perimeter of the plant of impacts of projectiles, shrapnel markings, so on, which indicate or could indicate the existence of these kinetic events in the past.”

The risk of nuclear detonation as a result of nearby military activity has been a chief concern since the February 2022 start of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and Moscow’s subsequent occupation of the Ukrainian plant in Zaporizhzhia — the largest nuclear power facility in Europe

Nuclear concerns have only mounted since this month’s start of the Ukrainian counter-offensive on the territory of Russia, which is the fifth-largest owner of nuclear reactors globally, according to the World Economic Forum.

Clashes between Moscow and Kyiv intensified at the start of the week, with Russia launching a massive barrage of 236 drones and missiles on what the Ukrainian air force described as “critical Ukrainian infrastructure.”

Referencing the offensive, the permanent mission of Ukraine to the IAEA reported in a note that “due to fluctuations in the national power grid caused by Russia’s attack, at 17:10 (EEST}, power unit 3 of the South Ukraine NPP was disconnected from the grid.”

“The Russian Federation continues to deliberately target Ukraine’s energy infrastructure, intending to disrupt the operation of the country’s nuclear power plants, which provide most of Ukraine’s electricity. Russian attacks pose a significant risk to the stable operation of nuclear facilities in Ukraine and the safety of millions of people,” the mission said.

Russia’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs did not immediately respond to a CNBC request for comment.

Environment

Lucid (LCID) finally added this popular feature

Published

3 hours ago

June 17, 2025

admin

Lucid (LCID) finally added this popular feature

After several months of waiting, Lucid Air drivers now have access to Android Auto. Lucid (LCID) launched the popular feature through a software update this week.

Lucid Air owners gain access to Android Auto

Lucid promised it was coming, and now it’s finally here. “Android Auto is one of the most requested features,” according to Lucid’s head of software engineering, Dr Jean-Philippe Gauthier.

All Lucid Air vehicles now have access to Android Auto Smart Driving Companion through an OTA software update (Lucid OS 2.7.0).

You can now view Android apps, messages, and other media on Lucid’s massive 34″ Air Glass Cockpit. For those with Android 11 or higher, you can connect to Android Auto wirelessly. Those with Android 9.0 or higher will require a USB cable.

Advertisement – scroll for more content

Lucid said it would launch the popular feature late last year, but it’s just beginning to roll out to Air owners this week. The company website says the Gravity SUV “will support both wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto,” but no further specifics are mentioned.

The 2025 Lucid Air is the “world’s most efficient car” with over 420 miles of EPA-estimated driving range. It also boasts the highest MPGe of any EV at 146 MPGe.

After resuming Gravity deliveries in April, Lucid is quickly ramping up production of its first electric SUV. Lucid expects to produce 20,000 vehicles this year, more than double the 9,000 it made last year.

The Lucid Gravity GT is now available for sale at $94,900, boasting an impressive range of up to 450 miles. Later this year, Lucid will launch the lower-priced Touring trim, starting at $79,900.

After launching its largest discounts to date earlier this month, Lucid is currently offering over $30,000 off select 2025 Air models.

Looking to test one out for yourself? You can use our links below to find current deals on the Lucid Air and Gravity near you.

FTC: We use income earning auto affiliate links. More.

Environment

Honda has a funky new affordable EV that looks a bit familiar

Published

4 hours ago

June 17, 2025

admin

Honda has a funky new affordable EV that looks a bit familiar

Another entry-level electric car is on the way. The Honda Super EV Concept may look a bit funky, but it could be the automaker’s next big hit at an affordable price.

Is Honda launching an affordable EV?

We will get our first full look at the funky new Super EV Concept at the 2025 Goodwood Festival of Speed in West Sussex, England, next month.

The concept will make its global debut during the event, previewing a “new, small-size” electric vehicle. Despite its compact size, the company promises that it will be fun to drive, with an experience that is “unique to Honda.”

Designed as an A-segment electric SUV, Honda says the affordable EV offers an “uplifting, heart-pounding driving experience.”

Advertisement – scroll for more content

The company is already testing prototypes in the UK. Although Honda confirmed plans to launch a production model in the future, it didn’t specify a date or offer any other technical details.

Honda will also use the event to hold the European premiere of the electric 0 Series SUV. Earlier this year, we got a look at the upcoming electric SUV (also a bit funky looking) after a prototype was showcased at a Formula One event in Tokyo.

You can see Honda is using the same purple camouflage used for the 0 Series electric SUV to disguise it. The Super EV Concept looks like a futuristic successor to the Honda e. However, with a new EV platform, batteries, and motor, Honda’s new models look to be a significant upgrade.

The new EV SUV will be one of seven new electric vehicles Honda plans to launch by 2030. A production version of the Super EV concept is expected to join it.

Honda-new-electric-SUV — Honda 0 electric SUV hits the road for the first time (Source: Honda)

The new Super EV Concept will make its official debut, climbing the 1.16-mile (1.856 km) hill course at Goodwood FOS, which runs from July 10 to July 13.

Will Honda launch its new entry-level EV in the US? According to a Nikkei report earlier this year, Honda plans to launch an affordable EV, priced under $30,000 in the US, following the 0 Series electric SUV and sedan.

We’ll have to wait until closer to launch for confirmation. Check back soon for more info. We’ll keep you updated with the latest.

FTC: We use income earning auto affiliate links. More.

Environment

Tesla (TSLA) plans to pause production at Gigafactory Texas for second time in 2 months

Published

5 hours ago

June 17, 2025

admin

Tesla (TSLA) plans to pause production at Gigafactory Texas for second time in 2 months

Tesla (TSLA) has reportedly told employees that it will pause production at Gigafactory Texas, where it produces Model Y and Cybertruck vehicles, for the second time in as many months.

In late May, Tesla extended a long weekend into a week-long production shutdown at Gigafactory Texas.

The move came amid lower demand and inventory buildups.

We reported earlier today that Tesla has to rent out empty parking lots around the US to use as overflow lots for its extra inventory.

Advertisement – scroll for more content

Now, Tesla told employees that it is again shutting down Model Y and Cybertruck production at Gigafactory Texas over the first week of July.

With the Fourth of July being a Friday this year, it was going to be a long weekend, but Tesla again decided to extend the production shutdown from June 30th through the following week, according to employees talking to Business Insider.

Tesla claimed that it will enable the company to perform “maintenance and improvements on production lines.” Employees are being offered paid time off or to come in for training.

As we have previously reported, Tesla has been throttling down production of the Cybertruck in 2025 as sales are currently tracking about half of last year.

That’s despite having launched cheaper versions of the electric truck, gaining access to the federal tax credit for the Cybertruck, and offering bigger discounts and incentives.

Tesla reported a 13% decrease in deliveries in Q1 2025 compared to the same period last year, which the automaker attributed to its Model Y design changeover reducing production.

However, Tesla’s deliveries are currently tracking to be down even more in the second quarter compared to last year, despite Tesla having ramped up production.

Electrek’s Take

What’s going to be the excuse this quarter? As I reported earlier today, Tesla is currently tracking to deliver 355,000-360,000 units in Q2, which would be down 19-20% compared to 2024.

It would be an even steeper decline even with the new Model Y.

It clearly wasn’t the problem.

The automaker had already reduced its production capacity at most factories in 2024, when it ran at about 60% capacity due to lower demand.

Now, Tesla is stopping production of its best-selling Model Y with the new design twice in two months?

This is not looking good.

FTC: We use income earning auto affiliate links. More.