German cabinet approves 2022 nuclear shutdown | Germany | Deutsche Welle | 06.06.2011

German cabinet members voted in a special session Monday morning to confirm government plans to shut down all the country's nuclear power stations by 2022.

This decision means the proposal can now be debated in the houses of parliament, with Chancellor Angela Merkel's government currently hoping to pass the new law on July 8.

Merkel's administration is seeking to hurry through its energy about-face as quickly as possible, having radically altered its approach to nuclear power since the accident at Japan's Fukushima power plant and the resultant backlash to atomic energy in Germany.

Alternative energies face off as Germany exits the nuclear age | Environment & Development | Deutsche Welle | 06.06.2011

'Nuclear energy is a cost-efficient bridge technology which is needed for the transition into the era of renewable energy sources.'

Or at least it was when Chancellor Angela Merkel's coalition of conservatives and pro-business Free Democrats was using this line of reasoning to justify overturning her predecessor's timetable for phasing out nuclear power by the end of the decade.

Then Fukushima happened.

Chinese stand to profit from German nuclear exit | Business | Deutsche Welle | 06.06.2011

While some industry groups in Germany complain about the federal government's decision to phase out nuclear energy by 2022, others, particularly in the renewable energy sector, couldn't be happier.

Manufacturers of solar panels, wind turbines and electricity network systems are among the key groups that stand to benefit most from the country's decision to shut down its nuclear plants. But whether the country's own home-grown manufacturers will be the big winners in the scramble for potentially lucrative contracts remains to be seen.

Fukushima to get 370 tanks for radioactive water

Hundreds of water tanks are to be sent to Japan's crippled Fukushima nuclear plant to hold thousands of tons of water contaminated in the effort to keep its reactors cool, the operator said Sunday.

Plant operator Tokyo Electric Power Co. (TEPCO) has sourced 370 tanks with a total capacity for more than 40,000 tons of radioactive water, a company spokeswoman said.

"Two of the tanks got on the way to the plant late Saturday," said TEPCO spokeswoman Ai Tanaka, adding that they would reach the site in two days or so. "It will be in mid-August that all the 370 tanks will get to the plant."

A massive 9.0-magnitude earthquake and monster tsunami knocked out cooling systems at the plant on the Pacific coast on March 11.

In a stop-gap measure to contain the emergency at the plant, workers have been pouring massive amounts of water onto reactors where fuel rods are reported to have melted, and topped up pools for spent fuel rods.

British scientist identifies genetic sequences in new E. coli strain | Science & Technology | Deutsche Welle | 06.06.2011

In a DW interview, a UK bioinformatician says he's part of a group 'crowdsourcing' E. coli analysis. They are using public data made available from Chinese researchers as a way to better understand the new strain.

Beansprouts likely cause of E.coli outbreak - HEALTH - FRANCE 24

AP - Health authorities say locally grown beansprouts in northern Germany have been identified as the likely cause of an outbreak of E. coli that has killed at least 22 people and sickened hundreds in Europe.

Lower Saxony agriculture ministry spokesman Gert Hahne told The Associated Press his state is sending an alert warning people to stop eating the sprouts, which are often used in mixed salads.

Analysis - E.coli outbreak poses questions for organic farming | Reuters

(Reuters) - The warm, watery, organic growing environment suspected as the source of a deadly E.coli outbreak in Germany may produce delicious, nutritious bean sprouts, but is also an ideal breeding ground for the dangerous bacteria.

Bean sprouts are often prime suspects in E.coli outbreaks around the world, and health experts say it is no surprise the hunt for source of the lethal strain that has killed 22 people and made more than 2,200 sick has led to an organic bean farmer.

Some say the case raises questions about the future of organic growing methods.

Economy in QLD is already feeling a pinch...even prior to floods...let alone after. Tourism is in a bad shape and everything else is suffering. All tho mines are back in business. Seems like other states are doing better and federal help may reduce suffering. But I (as usually, ha-ha) am not that optimistic, considering global economy that is definitely going to hit us at some point. March quarter (in Australian economy) showed weak results and treasurer is blaming it on floods and cyclone...but I think there is more there to be concerned about.

Science without religion is lame, religion without science is blind...Albert Einstein

Lightning in Hamburg struck the building housing solar energy company Conergy yesterday, sending an executive to the hospital in serious condition.

"Life shrinks or expands in proportion to one's courage." - Anaïs Nin