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South Korea

South Korea Shuts Nuclear Reactors Over Dodgy Parts

THE KOREA HERALD (South Korea), BBC NEWS (UK)

Worldcrunch

SEOUL - South Korea has shut down two nuclear reactors after it was revealed that some parts used had not been properly vetted, reports BBC News.

Almost all the parts were used in a nuclear power complex in Yeonggwang, which is located some 330 kilometers southwest of Seoul.

Knowledge Economy Minister Hong Suk-woo warned it could lead to an "unprecedented" power shortage in the country. In South Korea, temperatures regularly drop well below freezing during winter.

According to the Korea Herald, Hong said eight part suppliers faked 60 warranties for 234 parts since 2003.

All together, they supplied 7,682 unqualified items worth 820 million won ($750,000) to the Korea Hydro & Nuclear Power Co., KHNP, the state-run operator of the nation’s 23 nuclear reactors.

However, Hong said the parts were "non-core" components and posed no safety threat.

The parts include fuses, cooling fans and power switches.

He also said prosecutors would investigate the suppliers as well as possible collusion by officials of the state-run KHNP.

South Korea's nuclear plants, which supply 35% of the country's electricity, have experienced a series of malfunctions over the past few months, adds BBC News.

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Italy

The Benefits Of "Buongiorno"

Our Naples-based psychiatrist reflects on her morning walk to work, as she passes by people who simply want to see a friendly smile.

Photograph of a woman looking down onto the street from her balcony in Naples

A woman looks down from her balcony in Naples

Ciro Pipoli/Instagram
Mariateresa Fichele

In Naples, lonely people leave their homes early in the morning. You can tell they're lonely by the look in their eyes. Mostly men, often walking a dog, typically mixed breeds that look as scruffy as their owners. You see them heading to the coffee bar, chatting with the newsstand owner, buying cigarettes, timidly interacting with each another.

This morning as I was going to work, I tried to put myself in their shoes. I woke up tired and moody, but as soon as I left the building, I felt compelled, like every day, to say to dozens of "buongiorno!" (good morning!) and smile in return just as many times.

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