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Americans have been flying past it for years. A new direct flight from Newark has plans to change that.  

Miniature Floating Nuclear Plants Could Supply Clean Power To Greek Islands

Authored by Prabhat Ranjan Mishra via Interesting Engineering,

Miniature floating nuclear power plants (FNPP) could help Greek islands by supplying power, according to a new study. Such plants could also help decarbonize Greece's non-interconnected islands, according to the study by the Deon Policy Institute, ABS, Core Power, and Athlos Energy.

The concept of floating nuclear power plants is not new. (Representational image)

A floating nuclear power plant is a nuclear installation in which one or more reactors are integrated into a floating platform or vessel, designed to generate electricity, heat, and, in some cases, potable water through desalination. They are powered by Small Modular Reactors - smaller-capacity reactors designed to be manufactured as standardized units in factory settings and transported to their deployment sites, according to the study.

Floating Nuclear Power Plants' Deployment

Deon also highlighted that Greece's extensive coastline and archipelagic geography favor floating deployment, enabling generation near demand without permanent land use or competition with renewables, agriculture, or housing.

It's also claimed that FNPPs can replace oil-fired units on non-interconnected islands, support port electrification and coastal hubs without straining the grid, and offer relocation flexibility that limits long-term infrastructure lock-in.

Deon also emphasized that, as the world's leading maritime power, Greece has a unique comparative advantage. FNPPs leverage shipyard capacity and regulatory expertise, with approximately 75% of total value added associated with the Balance of Plant - areas where the Greek maritime-industrial base already possesses relevant capabilities.

The concept of floating nuclear power plants is not new - the Russian FNPP Akademik Lomonosov has been in commercial operation since 2019, and the sector shares a common technological and regulatory foundation with decades of naval nuclear propulsion experience in military submarines and surface vessels.

No Institutional Barriers Were Identified

"This study shows that FNPPs are not a distant or purely theoretical option for Greece. No fundamental technical or institutional barriers were identified. The real challenge is building the policy, regulatory, financial and social foundations needed for responsible assessment," said George Laskaris, president of the Deon Policy Institute.

It's also claimed that Greece's potential deployment of Floating Nuclear Power Plants (FNPPs) is increasingly viable but remains constrained more by institutional preparedness and political continuity than by technology.

The study claimed that the FNPP technology is considered mature and commercially credible rather than experimental. It also revealed that no major legal or regulatory barriers were identified, and low emissions and limited land use are significant but remain undercommunicated in public discourse.

"Initial findings shed important light on how FNPPs can be assessed and integrated within existing frameworks, a critical question as the industry moves toward practical deployment. The real challenge before us is integration into policy and regulatory frameworks, and ABS is committed to helping the industry navigate that path," said Patrick Ryan, ABS Senior Vice President and Chief Technology Officer, in a statement ahead of next week's Posidonia conference in Athens.

Regulatory work remains to be done, and public acceptance must be secured, but otherwise, a floating nuclear plant could be in operation in Greece by 2035-40, according to Maritime Executive.

Tyler Durden Fri, 05/29/2026 - 06:30

He believes that marketing is not simply promotion.

Several acts are still enthusiastically on board — including Vanilla Ice, Flo Rida, Bret Michaels and C+C Music Factory.

Several acts are still enthusiastically on board — including Vanilla Ice, Flo Rida, Bret Michaels and C+C Music Factory.

Yankees utilityman Max Schuemann spent the past two years with the Athletics at an … interesting time.

In the AI consumer app space, technology is no longer the only differentiator.

The madman accused of stabbing three men in a frenzied rush hour attack at a Swiss train station is not a “terrorist” but someone who is “mentally ill and needs help”, his dad has claimed. Nesip Dedeler, who allegedly shouted Allahu Akhbar during Thursday’s rampage, was described by his dad Ayhan, 55, as someone who...

"AI warfare isn't going to work unless you have our product," said Brian Streem.

“This is a shocking contract and will result in higher room rates and loss of services, because something has to give,” said one hotel executive.

While the number of eggs that women are born with is genetically predetermined, there are potential ways to optimize ovarian longevity and become an ova-achiever.

South African Impeachment Committee To Hold First Meeting On President's "Farmgate" Scandal

South Africa's parliament has scheduled for Monday the first meeting of an impeachment committee ​that will probe allegations around President Cyril Ramaphosa's "Farmgate" scandal, Reuters reported citing the Democratic Alliance ‌party. 

The meeting is the next stage in an impeachment process against Ramaphosa that was revived by the Constitutional Court this month, in a setback for the leader for whom the ​affair has been a major embarrassment during his presidency. 

South African President Cyril Ramaphosa speaks to lawmakers in parliament, in Cape Town, South Africa, May 14, 2026

Ramaphosa has denied wrongdoing ​in the scandal, in which bundles of cash were stolen from ⁠a sofa on his farm in 2020, raising questions about where he had ​acquired the money and why it was hidden in furniture.

"The good thing is that ​parliament seems to be moving forward," said DA parliamentary leader George Michalakis.

The first order of business for the committee's 31 members will be to elect a chairperson, he said, adding: "The DA's strong ​opinion is that it shouldn't be someone from the ANC." The DA is the ​second-biggest party in a coalition government with Ramaphosa's African National Congress party, but the DA remains ‌critical ⁠of the president and has said it will hold him accountable for any findings of wrongdoing.

Ramaphosa on Tuesday filed a legal challenge against an independent panel report which found preliminary ​evidence he had ​committed misconduct, which ⁠some legal analysts said may delay the impeachment proceedings. The president has also threatened to seek an urgent court order to halt ​impeachment proceedings if parliament moves ahead with the process while ​his legal ⁠challenge is pending.

The ANC holds about 40% of seats in the National Assembly, which means it should be able to shoot down any eventual impeachment vote, which would require ⁠a ​two-thirds majority to pass. The party's leadership has ​said it fully backs the president. But the ANC holds only 9 seats out of 31 seats on the impeachment ​committee.

 

 

Tyler Durden Fri, 05/29/2026 - 05:45

An Amtrak work train broke out in flames near New York's Penn Station on Friday morning, injuring five people and disrupting rail service into midtown for thousands of commuters.

"There would have had to be a lot of other co-conspirators," former CIA staff operations officer Tracy Walder told The Post.

We'll witness a clash of generations at the French Open on Friday morning.

I proudly consider myself a Fanttik fanatic (and you will be too.)

France To Reimburse Patients For Anti-Obesity Drugs

Authored by Guy Birchall via The Epoch Times,

France is set to begin reimbursing severely obese people for the cost of weight-loss drugs, French Health Minister Stéphanie Rist said on May 28.

Wegovy at a pharmacy in London on March 8, 2024. Hollie Adams/Reuters

She said that Paris would subsidize the use of Danish company Novo Nordisk's Wegovy and American pharma giant Eli Lilly's Mounjaro from mid-June.

"I am quite proud, because we are the first country in the European Union to provide reimbursement ... on a permanent basis," Rist told French broadcaster TFI.

Officially, reimbursement will cover 65 percent of the cost of the weight-loss drugs, "but almost all patients will be covered" in full if they have "comorbidities, such as high blood pressure or diabetes," she said.

"For the vast majority, it will be 100 percent reimbursement," Rist added.

She said the eligibility criteria for the scheme would remain strict.

"It was decided to reimburse these medicines for people with severe obesity, with a body mass index above 35 with comorbidities, or above 40. These are people who may be candidates for surgery, for an operation to treat their obesity, and who will be able to receive these medicines if the doctor considers that they should be prescribed," Rist said.

She estimated the cost to French public finances at "around 100 million euros [$116 million] annually."

Elsewhere in Europe, though outside the EU, the UK and Switzerland both subsidize the use of similar weight-loss medications, known as glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists (GLP-1s).

GLP-1s are hormones produced naturally within the body that regulate blood sugar and suppress appetite.

The UK's National Health Service (NHS) offers limited access to such drugs, with medications prescribed and a standard prescription fee of 9.90 pounds per item (about $13.26), or free, depending on the patient's circumstances.

In Switzerland, people who meet certain criteria are also eligible for reimbursement for the use of Wegovy under the government's mandatory health insurance scheme.

Further afield, Japan operates a scheme similar to Switzerland's, while Canada last month approved the sale of generic versions of semaglutide, the active ingredient in Ozempic and Wegovy, paving the way for more widespread subsidized prescriptions for the medication. In Canada, the availability of subsidized Ozempic varies by province.

In the United States, U.S. President Donald Trump said on May 1 that Medicare patients will soon be able to obtain coverage for weight-loss drugs for $50 per month.

Speaking at an event in Florida, Trump said coverage for weight-loss and diabetes medications will begin in July.

"Today, I'm thrilled to announce that starting on July 1, we will also provide Medicare patients with the coverage for weight-loss drugs like Ozempic, Zepbound, Wegovy," he said. "So if it was $1,300, now it's $50. And the $1,300 doesn't cover a whole month. So it's really even more than that. So it's now down to $50."

In December 2025, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) announced a voluntary model known as Better Approaches to Lifestyle and Nutrition for Comprehensive Health to expand access to GLP-1 medications for weight management and metabolic health, allowing Medicare Part D plans and state Medicaid agencies to cover the drugs while negotiating lower prices.

The model, which would enable the CMS to negotiate directly with pharmaceutical companies for lower prices and standard terms of coverage, was initially expected to launch in January 2027, but officials said in April it would be delayed "pending further evaluation and data collection."

The CMS said in April that it would extend its bridge program, a short-term solution to provide eligible Medicare Part D beneficiaries with access to certain GLP-1 drugs, until December 2027.

Part D refers to the prescription drug benefit run by private insurers approved by Medicare. CMS stated on its website that the bridge program would "operate outside of the Medicare Part D benefit's coverage and payment flow."

Overweight people walk through the city center in Glasgow, Scotland, on Oct. 10, 2006. Jeff J. Mitchell/Getty Images Tyler Durden Fri, 05/29/2026 - 05:00

Rescuers working at a flooded cave in Laos said Friday that they were trying to drain water out to help extricate five villagers who have been trapped for more than a week.

Vance Says Trump Not Ready To Approve Iran Deal, Citing Distance On Nuclear Issue Summary

• Rtrs citing Iran's Fars: Iran's armed forces carries out a missile launch operation from southern regions of the country toward specified targets. Reports of US ships targeted (unconfirmed); also 'warning shots' fired on 'illicit' vessels.
• Per Axios: "U.S. and Iranian negotiators have reached an agreement on a 60-day memorandum of understanding to extend the ceasefire and launch negotiations on Iran's nuclear program, but President Trump has yet to give it his final approval."
• Unconfirmed reports of Ayatollah denial of MOU.
• Saudi state media reports Pakistan is seeking to convince Washington to allow transfer of Iran's highly enriched uranium to China (Al Hadath).
• Iran launches ballistic missile on US base in Kuwait, which was reportedly intercepted by Kuwaiti forces.
• Fresh launch is retaliation for prior evening's skirmish involving US intercepting Iranian drones, and targeting coastal launch location.

//--> //--> //--> US x Iran permanent peace deal by June 30, 2026?
Yes 42% · No 59%
View full market & trade on Polymarket

*  *  *

Vance says Trump Not Ready to Approve MOU with Tehran

Vice President J.D. Vance says that US President Trump is not yet ready to endorse the Iran agreement, but still noted that US and Iran made a lot of progress towards a ceasefire deal, according to AFP

The US and Iran remain at odds on uranium enrichment and stockpiles, he confirmed. And further:

US VP Vance says US and Iran are exchanging proposals regarding some drafting points including issue of enrichment, adds time is still early to know when an agreement with Iran will be reached and if it will happen at all

Reports of New Military Incident in Hormuz Strait

Following earlier reports of the US & Iran having tentatively reached a Memorandum of Understanding on 60-day truce for talks, and pending Trump's approval, there has been fresh Thursday night (local time) chatter out of Iran on potential fresh attacks in the Strait of Hormuz.

Israel and US media correspondents have commented based on emerging accounts of Iranian sources: Iran has reportedly targeted American ships in Hormuz. Times of Israel writes:

The fresh fighting appeared to begin when Iranian forces fired at four ships attempting to cross the strait, state broadcaster IRIB reported on Thursday.

“Four vessels attempted to cross the Strait of Hormuz and enter the Persian Gulf without coordination with the security forces,” IRIB posted on Telegram, saying the incident took place at around 12:35 a.m. local time. It did not provide details on the ships.

“They were warned, but after they ignored the warning, warning shots were fired at them, forcing them to return,” the broadcaster added.

Iranian channels claim that Iran targeted 4 American ships that attempted to cross Hormuz https://t.co/LOIvivvamF

— Guy Elster גיא אלסטר (@guyelster) May 28, 2026

And Reuters:

IRAN'S FARS: IRAN'S ARMED FORCES CARRIES OUT A MISSILE LAUNCH OPERATION FROM SOUTHERN REGIONS OF THE COUNTRY TOWARD SPECIFIED TARGETS

Israel's Channel 12 also cited Iranian 'opposition sources' to say that there was a missile launch observed near the city of Bushehr in southern Iran. If this fresh incident is confirmed, it would mark the third such clash between US and Iranian forces in the contested waters within just a couple days.

Some latest on MOU status:

⚡️Iranian official tells me that from Iran’s perspective, there is a final draft of an MOU w/ the U.S. But Iran has zero trust in Trump or the U.S. word & can’t rule out chance of more U.S.-Israeli strikes. Therefore Iran is proceeding cautiously on any official announcement.…

— jeremy scahill (@jeremyscahill) May 28, 2026 Bessent: We are being Patient, & Strikes could Come Back

Q: The US attacked Iranian drones, and this morning CENTCOM accused Iran of an 'egregious ceasefire violation.' How can the administration still argue that a ceasefire is in effect?

BESSENT: We are being patient. But if the president doesn't think he can get a peace deal, then… pic.twitter.com/Aqe6RL7e2b

— Aaron Rupar (@atrupar) May 28, 2026 Reports that Ayatollah has Not Accepted MOU

And very quickly on the heels of the Axios report, there chatter that the Iranian side has not actually approved:

Reports Mojtaba Khamenei Did Not Approve Deal - i24 @AmichaiStein1 https://t.co/cUVMLI3YDy pic.twitter.com/K1PiYumQLU

— LiveSquawk (@LiveSquawk) May 28, 2026 Oil Tumbles on Reported MOU Breakthrough

Per Barak Ravid: "U.S. and Iranian negotiators have reached an agreement on a 60-day memorandum of understanding to extend the ceasefire and launch negotiations on Iran's nuclear program, but President Trump has yet to give it his final approval," two US officials have told Axios. This could be the hugest diplomatic breakthrough yet, after weeks of stalled talks, but it awaits President Trump's.

"U.S. officials said the deal terms were mostly agreed as of Tuesday, but both sides still needed to get approval from senior leadership," Axios notes by way of caveat. According to some emerging details from the report:

• The U.S. officials claimed the Iranians later came back and said they had the necessary approvals and were prepared to sign. Iran has not confirmed that.
• The U.S. negotiators briefed Trump on the details of the final deal and he asked to take a few days to think about it.
• "The president relayed to the mediators that he wants a couple of days to think about it," a U.S. official said.

Key question: is Iran's high enriched nuclear material part of the MOU? This could put it in jeopardy.

Oil tumbles on the headline...

Uranium Transfer to China?

According to Saudi state-funded Al Hadath, Pakistan will present to the US the "transfer of Iranian uranium to Beijing under international supervision."

The report seems unlikely, given it is also worded in such a way as to suggest the scheme originates with Pakistan, as a desperate attempt to keep stalled talks alive. Tehran has never indicated it would contemplate sending its enriched uranium stockpile abroad, even to a 'friendly' nation. 

Iranian Launch on Kuwait

The government of Kuwait on Thursday has made clear it retains all rights to take measures to preserve its security, following a overnight Iranian missile strike. Kuwait's Foreign Ministry further condemned the fresh missile ⁠and drone ⁠attacks on its territory as ‌a serious escalation and "blatant violation of sovereignty and ⁠security." The Iranian launch, which Tehran says targeted a US base in Kuwait, came in response to US bombardment of an Iranian drone base near the southern city of Bandar Abbas which occurred just prior.

via Associated Press

In a new statement, US Central Command (CENTCOM) confirms that "At 10:17 p.m. ET on May 27, Iran launched a ballistic missile toward Kuwait that was successfully intercepted by Kuwaiti forces."

"This egregious ceasefire violation by the Iranian regime occurred hours after Iranian forces launched five one-way attack drones that posed a clear threat in and near the Strait of Hormuz," the US military statement continued.

"All drones were successfully intercepted by U.S. forces which also prevented a sixth drone launch from an Iranian ground control site in Bandar Abbas," it added. "U.S. Central Command and regional partners remain vigilant and measured as we continue to defend our forces and interests from unjustified Iranian aggression."

Additionally, the Gulf statement strongly condemned the fresh Iranian attack, with the head of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), Jasem Mohamed Al-Budaiwi, denouncing it as follows: "The secretary-general pointed out that the continuation of these treacherous attacks is a flagrant violation of the principles of international law, the Charter of the United Nations, and the principles of good neighborliness." The GCC statement added: "His excellency affirmed the GCC countries’ full support for the state of Kuwait in all measures it takes to preserve its security and stability, and the safety of its citizens and residents,"

A separate statement from Saudi-led Gulf allies further condemned the act of 'terrorism' - per Al Aljazeera:

The United Arab Emirates, Qatar and Saudi Arabia have condemned a missile attack on a US airbase in Kuwait with only the UAE expressly naming Iran as responsible for the “terrorist attacks”.

In statements shared on social media, the foreign ministries of the UAE, Qatar, and Saudi Arabia said they consider the attack “a flagrant violation” of Kuwait’s sovereignty, and expressed their countries’ “full solidarity” with Kuwait and “support for all measures” it takes to preserve its sovereignty, security and stability.

Two US-Iran Clashes Incidents This Week

This marks the second live-fire attack flare-up this week, after earlier Wednesday Iran fired drones on American and other foreign commercial vessels in the Strait of Hormuz.

"American F/A-18, F-16 and F-35 jet fighters shot down the drones, then the F/A-18s hit the ground-control unit before it could launch a fifth drone, one of the officials said," The Wall Street Journal summarizes of that first incident.

State TV released video of the ballistic missile launch targeting a US base in Kuwait:

Iran’s Revolutionary Guard released footage showing the launch of missiles toward the U.S. base in Kuwait, describing it as retaliation for the American attack near Bandar Abbas in southern Iran.

The video also featured symbolic anti-U.S. imagery. pic.twitter.com/s1qlIQEQRy

— Clash Report (@clashreport) May 28, 2026 Stalemated Talks Hung Up on Nuclear Issue

It seems that Iran is asserting some red lines through single, sporadic attacks, when it perceives a US military violation of its sovereignty. WSJ cites the following:

The spokesman for the National Security Commission in Iran’s parliament said Trump’s unwillingness to acknowledge that the U.S. and Tehran were still at war was a sign of his weak negotiating position. "Diplomats should not let go of the enemy’s weak point and should impose maximum demands on them," the spokesman said.

Currently, negotiations are still primarily stuck on the nuclear issue. President Trump has vowed not to let off sanctions pressure until Tehran agrees to dismantle its nuclear program by handing over highly enriched uranium to be transferred off its territory. Iranian officials say this simply will not happen, and that it would be tantamount to handing over the country's sovereignty. Tehran has insisted the nuclear file must be dealt with after the war is over, and later on down the line.

More Latest Developments

Round-up via Newsquawk...

• US official said US military carried out new strikes on an Iranian military site and shot down multiple Iranian drones that posed a threat to US forces and commercial maritime in the Strait of Hormuz.
• IRGC said it targeted the US air base in response to the US aggression earlier near Bandar Abbas Airport, according to Tasnim. said:. Any further US attacks would trigger a more decisive response. Washington bears responsibility for consequences.
• Military source tells Tasnim that hours ago, a US oil tanker intended to cross the Strait of Hormuz by turning off radar system, but IRGC Navy fired at it and forced it to turn back, while US army fired into Bandar Abbas but caused no damage. This was the cause of the earlier reported explosions. No casualties or damages were caused by the US, which fired at a scorched-earth area.
• Iran's Navy forced four vessels to turn back in the Strait of Hormuz by firing warning shots, according to Tasnim.
• Sound of three explosions heard from the east of Bandar Abbas, Iran, with exact location and source of the sounds still unclear, while air defences were activated for a few minutes, according to Fars News Agency.
• "Hearing the sound of multiple explosions in Kuwait", ISNA reported, "Kuwait’s official news agency stated that air defense systems are currently countering missile and drone attacks" [likely referring to earlier reported].
• Air raid sirens sounding in Kuwait, while Kuwaiti Army said air defense intercept hostile missile and drone attacks, according to Al Hadath.
• Commentary
• US Treasury Secretary Bessent said Gulf Strait Authority action targets Hormuz tolls, adds the Treasury is maintaining maximum pressure on Iran.
• Iranian National Security Council Official Bagheri said Iran’s assets must be released unconditionally, Tasnim reported.
• US issues fresh Iran-related sanctions by adding Persian Gulf Strait Authority to its SDN list.
• US has carried out a defence operation in Bandar Abbas, Iran, according to Faytuks Network citing an official that said, “the US will act to safeguard its regional interests, and this does not affect the ceasefire”.
• Iran Supreme National Security Council Deputy Secretary Baqeri met with Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Ryabkov, and discuss a number of important issues on the current international agenda with focus on the situation around Iran's nuclear program. Via IRNA/Telegram.
• Deputy Head of Public Relations for the IRGC Aerospace Force, Ali Naderi, said on Wednesday If enemies launch military action again, the Islamic Republic's response will be different from anything seen so far. said: "...they will face a new image of Iran".
• Head of Iranian Parliament National Security Committee said Iran will not be pushed back by US President Trump's rhetoric from its red lines: rights to enrich uranium and its possession, authority over the Strait of Hormuz and removal of sanctions.
• IRIB reporter said no signs of an explosion have been seen in Bandar Abbas, while some people have heard the sound of this explosion and none of the officials concerned about the matter have issued any official statement.
• Axios reported that US military had shot down 4 Iranian drones targeting ships and an Iranian drone launcher on the ground.
• Israeli fighter jets carry out attack on the city of Tyre in southern Lebanon, according to Mehr News Agency.
• Hamas spokesperson said the Gaza ceasefire agreement faces risk of collapse due to occupation's crimes and ongoing violations, Al Jazeera reported.
• IDF said it's striking Hezbollah infrastructure in the area of Tyre in southern Lebanon.

Tyler Durden Fri, 05/29/2026 - 04:44

Tragedy has unfolded in Tennessee, where persistent wet weather and flooding have resulted in the death of a woman on Thursday.