Germany shuts down last of its nuclear plants

GERMANY BEGAN WINDING down its three remaining nuclear power plants on Saturday as part of a long-planned transition toward renewable energy. The shutdown of the reactors Emsland, Neckarwestheim II and Isar II, agreed to more than a decade ago, was being closely watched abroad.

- 

Other industrialised countries, such as the United States, Japan, China, France and Britain, are counting on nuclear energy to replace planet-warming fossil fuels. Germany's decision to stop using both has met some scepticism, as well as unsuccessful calls to stop the shutdown.