France operates the country's most powerful nuclear reactor
The Flamanville 3 nuclear reactor in Normandy, France, was officially connected to the national grid at 11:48 a.m. on December 21, after a 12-year delay. This is the most powerful reactor in France with a capacity of 1,600 MW, enough to power more than 2 million homes.
President Emmanuel Macron called it a “great moment”, affirming the importance of low-carbon energy in the reindustrialization strategy. The Flamanville 3 project, part of the EPR generation, is considered a historic step forward for the French nuclear energy industry.
US Navy causes shock when it shoots down its own fighter jet
On December 22, the US Navy accidentally shot down its F/A-18 fighter jet over the Red Sea during an attack on Houthi forces in Yemen. The incident occurred when the cruiser USS Gettysburg mistakenly shot down a plane that had just taken off from the aircraft carrier USS Harry S. Truman.
Two pilots managed to escape and were rescued, one suffered minor injuries. The Pentagon confirmed the incident and is investigating the cause. This incident caused a stir in public opinion, affecting the image of the "Operation Prosperity Guardian" campaign.
Passenger plane crash in Kazakhstan
On December 25, an Azerbaijan Airlines passenger plane crashed near the city of Aktau, Kazakhstan. The Kazakh Ministry of Emergency Situations confirmed that the plane caught fire at the scene but there were many survivors.
The plane was flying from Baku to Grozny but was diverted due to heavy fog, Reuters reported. The number of passengers on board remains unclear, with reports ranging from 67 to 110. The cause of the crash is under investigation.
China approves mega dam with capacity 3 times that of Three Gorges
On December 26, China approved the construction of a super dam on the Yarlung Tsangpo River, Tibet, with a capacity three times that of the Three Gorges Dam, according to Xinhua News Agency.
The project is expected to generate nearly 300 billion kWh of electricity per year, far exceeding the 88.2 billion kWh generated by the Three Gorges Dam. The total investment could exceed 1 trillion yuan ($137 billion). The mega-dam will be built in sparsely populated Medog County and is expected to provide sustainable energy for China’s green future.
Ukraine accuses Russia of mass Christmas attacks
On December 25, Russia launched large-scale attacks on Ukraine’s energy infrastructure, injuring at least six people in Kharkiv and killing one in Dnipropetrovsk. Nearly 500,000 people in Kharkiv lost heating, while many other regions suffered power outages.
The US strongly condemned and pledged military aid to help Ukraine restore its energy system. Moldova also criticized Russia for violating its airspace after a missile flew over.
The US Ambassador to Ukraine called it a devastating "Christmas gift", as Russia used more than 70 missiles and 100 UAVs in the attack.
