Disaster

Today, Japan marks the fifth anniversary of the tragic and catastrophic meltdown of the Fukushima nuclear plant. On March 11, 2011, a massive earthquake and tsunami hit the northeast coast of Japan, killing 20,000 people. Another 160,000 then fled the radiation in Fukushima. It was the world’s worst nuclear disaster since Chernobyl, and according to some it would be far worse, if the Japanese government did not cover up the true severity of the devastation.

Nasdaq risk is dramatically higher than S&P risk at current levels. Despite the exuberant ramp of the last few weeks, the ratio of Nasdaq VIX to S&P VIX is at its highest in over 6 months.

This is worrisome since the last time Nasdaq traders were this much more concerned about future risk than S&P traders, was right before the August flash-crash collapse...

And if that wasn't enough, look where we are...

h/t @NorthmanTrader

An RAF Tornado jet was badly damaged after it collided with a stray dog while landing at a British airbase in Cyprus. The £9.4 million Tornado GR4 was returning to its base after reportedly fighting ISIS targets in Syria on Tuesday when the incident occurred. RT reports: The 14 ton jet needed “hundreds of thousands” of pounds worth of repairs, a source told the Sun, and was taken out of action. The plane was approaching the coastal base at around 200mph when a stray dog ran across the airstrip.

Britain could lose out on European scientific talent and progress in future if it chooses Brexit and leaves the European Union, according to Professor Stephen Hawking and 150 other distinguished scientists. Tech Week reports: The UK should stay within the European Union as an exit would be a “disaster” for British science. This was the stark warning from 150 scientists of the Royal Society, including renowned physicist Stephen Hawking, who signed a letter to the Times newspaper.

A Japanese court has ordered the shutdown of two nuclear reactors due to safety issues.  The order, made by the Otsu District Court came on Wednesday just days before the fifth anniversary of the Fukushima atomic disaster The reactors to be closed are Kansai Electric’s No. 3 and No. 4 reactors at Takahama plant on the coast of Fukui prefecture. The court sided with residents who had filed a lawsuit against the operation of the two reactors over safety reasons.