plants

India's power plants are running down coal inventories to a three-year low as generators burn more coal to make up for weak hydroelectric output. The government has ordered all captive coal plants above 50 MW to run at full capacity to head off a potential power shortage, highlighting the strain on the country's electricity supply during the current demand season.

The Trump administration is moving forward with a plan to supply Cold War-era plutonium from dismantled nuclear warheads to companies that would convert the material into fuel for nuclear power plants. The proposal has generated debate and some unease, with critics questioning the safety and wisdom of handing surplus weapons-grade material to commercial fuel producers.

Donald Trump has announced plans for a $15 billion steel plant in Iowa, framing the project as a major investment in American manufacturing. The announcement comes as the president seeks to shore up support for his party ahead of midterm elections, with commentators reading the move as a political effort to revive flagging enthusiasm among voters.

Thai power company Electricity Generating (EGCO) has closed its acquisition of a 49% stake in a 339-megawatt portfolio of solar and wind plants in the United States. The deal adds renewable generation capacity to the company's overseas portfolio and reflects its strategy of expanding into clean energy assets abroad, according to the announcement of the completed purchase.

As solar and wind replace conventional power plants, grids lose the natural inertia that traditionally kept frequency stable, raising concerns about blackout risks. UK-based Reactive Technologies is addressing this by sending sonar-like pulses through the grid to measure live inertia directly, revealing risks that standard models miss. The company has received €19 million in backing from the European Investment Bank to expand the approach.

Kansas officials have asked US Immigration and Customs Enforcement to scale back enforcement operations at the state's meat processing plants. The request reflects concern that workplace raids disrupt a key industry that depends heavily on immigrant labor and affect local communities. The detail has been reported by NPR, though officials' full reasoning and ICE's response are not yet clear.

The New York Times reports that the Trump administration has acted on the coal industry's requests for a rescue, reportedly involving support for coal-fired power plants. The piece frames the move as a federal intervention on behalf of a declining fossil fuel sector, drawing attention from climate and energy observers discussing the policy's environmental and political implications.

The US Nuclear Regulatory Commission has completed its environmental review for the proposed restart of the Crane Clean Energy Center in Pennsylvania, the former Three Mile Island Unit 1 reactor. The review is a key step toward restarting the plant, which is being pursued to supply power to Microsoft under an agreement with owner Constellation Energy.

New research suggests climate change could significantly alter the future of Chinese milk vetch, a legume widely grown as green manure in southern China's rice paddies. Shifting temperatures and rainfall patterns may affect where and how well the plant grows, with implications for soil fertility and sustainable rice farming in the region.

Vanguard International Semiconductor, a smaller affiliate of TSMC, is considering building a second chipmaking plant in Singapore through its joint venture to meet growing demand for chips. The move would expand Singapore's role in global semiconductor supply at a time when manufacturers are investing heavily in new capacity worldwide.

President Trump has announced a $15 billion investment by an India-based company to build a steel plant in Iowa. The announcement, delivered via his preferred announcement channels, frames the project as a major boost to American steel manufacturing and Midwest jobs. Details on the firm, timeline and state incentives were not immediately available, and reactions are still coming in.

Volkswagen workers in Mexico are considering a strike as the company pushes ahead with job cuts across its global operations. The labor dispute reflects growing tensions between the automaker's restructuring plans and its workforce, with unions weighing industrial action in response to threatened employment at Mexican plants.

Kazakhstan will introduce an early financing mechanism for the 2027 sowing campaign starting this October, agricultural news outlets report. The move is aimed at giving farmers access to funds well before planting season, a change relevant to the country's grain sector, where timely credit for seeds, fuel and equipment often determines harvest outcomes.

Researchers are examining Indigenous foods such as wild rice and tarwi for their potential health benefits, according to reporting by News-Medical. The work highlights growing scientific interest in traditional crops and how they might contribute to nutrition and disease prevention, drawing attention to knowledge held by Indigenous communities and the role these foods could play in modern diets.

Donald Trump has announced plans for a new steel plant project in Iowa. The announcement was carried live by PBS and is drawing attention as part of the president's ongoing push to revive American manufacturing and steel production. Details about the plant's location, cost, and timeline have not yet been confirmed.

Botanist Richard Lent notes that Sarracenia oreophila, the green pitcher plant, differs from its relative S. leucophylla by producing its main pitchers in spring rather than late summer. Those pitchers are now dying back ahead of winter dormancy, with smaller non-trap leaves called phyllodia forming at the base of the plant.

Spanish renewable energy company Cox has secured financing for a 75.2-MWp solar project in Guatemala. The deal will fund the construction of the large-scale solar plant, adding significant clean power capacity to the Central American country's grid. The financing marks another step in Cox's international expansion of solar energy developments across Latin America.

Gesa Power House Theatre, a performing arts venue housed in a former power plant in Walla Walla, Washington, is the subject of a brief news mention in the Union-Bulletin. The reference gives no details of a specific event or announcement. No further information about what happened at the theatre is available.

Hortidaily reports on a new horticulture tool that gives growers direct access to real-time plant feedback within a single environment. The system is presented as a way for greenhouse and crop producers to monitor plant conditions and adjust cultivation decisions more quickly, consolidating data streams that were previously handled through separate tools.

South Korean officials say an explosion in the Demilitarized Zone was 'highly likely' caused by North Korean land mines, according to the Wall Street Journal. The assessment comes amid heightened tensions on the inter-Korean border, with Seoul monitoring the site and Pyongyang's activities closely. The finding underscores continuing dangers from mines planted along the heavily fortified frontier.

Mission-K 2026, an event bringing together Europe's space and defence community, is being held in Kalkar, Germany. The venue is notable for its unusual history: the town is home to a never-activated nuclear power plant turned leisure complex, giving the gathering a striking backdrop. Organisers and attendees are highlighting the site's surreal character as a fitting stage for discussions on Europe's security and space ambitions.