‘(Reuters) – Germany has embarked on a state-sponsored shift away from nuclear energy toward renewables and fossil fuels as worries over atomic power have grown in the wake of Japan’s nuclear disaster.’

via Germany debates how to dump nuclear power | Reuters.

‘MIDDLETON, Mass. – Authorities say a Massachusetts chemical plant exploded, shaking nearby homes and injuring at least four people.’

via Mass. chemical plant explodes, injuring 4 – Yahoo! News.

‘ST. PETERSBURG, Russia – Wild tigers could become extinct in 12 years if countries where they still roam fail to take quick action to protect their habitats and step up the fight against poaching, global wildlife experts told a “tiger summit” Sunday.’

via Tigers could be extinct in 12 years if unprotected – Yahoo! News.

‘A possible new energy source—electricity stored in water in the atmosphere—has been discovered, according to a team of scientists from the University of Campinas in Brazil.’

via Hygroelectricity: Possible New Energy Source | Science | Epoch Times.

‘BRASILIA, Brazil – A judge on Wednesday temporarily halted bidding on a controversial hydroelectric dam in the Amazon, a move hailed as a “small victory” by movie director James Cameron, who has taken up the fight against the project.’

via Cameron: ‘Victory’ in Brazil halting dam – Yahoo! News.

‘A Brazilian official lately revealed that the public bidding for the country’s offshore saline oil blocks had charmed three Chinese energy front-runners, including China National Petroleum Corporation (CNPC), China Petrochemical Corporation (Sinopec Group), and China National Offshore Oil Corporation (CNOOC)’

via China Energy Giants Said to Bid for Brazil Saline Oilfields | TradingMarkets.com.

‘PRAGUE — The United States and Russia opened what they called a new era in their tumultuous relationship on Thursday as they signed an arms control treaty and presented a largely united front against Iran’s nuclear program, marking a sharp change since they broke over the Georgia war two years ago.’

via Russia and U.S. Sign Nuclear Arms Reduction Pact – NYTimes.com.

Solar-powered plane soars above Switzerland

via Solar-powered plane soars above Switzerland | Reuters.

‘WASHINGTON — President Obama said Monday that he was revamping American nuclear strategy to substantially narrow the conditions under which the United States would use nuclear weapons.’

via Obama Limits When U.S. Would Use Nuclear Arms – NYTimes.com.