Australia shortlists six sites for nuclear dump

SYDNEY • Australia yesterday announced six sites, including some in outback areas, on a shortlist for the nation's first nuclear waste dump.

The government said it had received 28 applications from owners willing to house low to intermediate waste - mostly nuclear medicine by-products - and had whittled that down to six, to be subject to feedback.

Plans for Australia's first nuclear waste dump at Muckaty Station in the Northern Territory were abandoned last year after a battle with Aboriginal landowners.

AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE

Pentagon chief fires aide over 'misconduct'

WASHINGTON • US Defence Secretary Ashton Carter has fired his top military adviser Ron Lewis over allegations of unspecified "misconduct" and has ordered an investigation.

Lieutenant-General Lewis, who accompanied Mr Carter last week on his trip to Asia, is a former helicopter pilot who served in Iraq and Afghanistan. The Defence Department said it would conduct the inquiry.

AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE, REUTERS

Egypt crash: Black box to be studied overseas

CAIRO • A recording from Russian Airbus A-321 which caught a sound before the plane disintegrated in mid-air on Oct 31 will be sent abroad for analysis, Egypt's Civil Aviation Minister Hossam Kamal was quoted as saying by a report yesterday in state newspaper Al-Ahram.

It was not clear which nation would receive the copy of the black box recording, a key clue in the probe into the disaster that killed all 224 on board.

Several countries, including Britain and Israel, believe the plane was most likely downed by a bomb on board after it took off from Egypt's Sharm el-Sheikh resort town.

AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE