IAEA Daily Press Review
The objective of the DPR is to present a general overview of international, English-language, media coverage of the IAEA and nuclear issues, that does not purport to be exhaustive. The following articles are obtained from external news sources for whose content the IAEA takes no responsibility.
May 29, 2012
IAEA in the News
U.N. inspectors find high-grade uranium traces in Iran United Nations nuclear inspectors have found uranium particles refined to a higher-than-expected level at an underground site where Iran has installed more than 50 percent more enrichment centrifuges, a U.N. watchdog report said on Friday. Reuters / NYT / AP
Iran still rejects inspection The UN nuclear watchdog has not yet given good enough reasons to visit an Iranian site where it suspects there may have been experiments for developing nuclear weapons, Iranian media said. Reuters
Soltanieh: IAEA report proves peaceful nature of Iran’s nuclear activities Iran’s Permanent Representative to the International Atomic Energy Agency Ali Asghar Soltanieh said on Saturday Amano’s new report proves peaceful nature of Iran’s nuclear activities. IRNA
China encourages enhanced cooperation between IAEA, Iran China encourages the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) and Iran to improve dialogue and cooperation, so as to accommodate international concerns over Iran’s nuclear program, a Foreign Ministry spokesman said Monday. Xinhua
IAEA begins inspecting S. Korea’s Wolseong nuclear power plant The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) on Monday began a safety inspection of the No. 1 reactor at the Wolseong nuclear power plant in Gyeongju, about 370 km southeast of Seoul, amid lingering concerns over nuclear plant safety in South Korea. Xinhua
Other Nuclear News
After Talks Falter, Iran Says It Won’t Halt Uranium Work Iran’s nuclear chief, reversing the country’s previous statements, said on state television on Sunday that the country would not halt its production of higher-grade uranium, suggesting that the Iranian government was veering back to a much harder line after talks in Baghdad with the West last week ended badly. NYT / AP
Israel pours cold water on big-power talks with Iran International nuclear talks with Iran have achieved nothing, a senior Israeli official said on Tuesday, suggesting that some Western nations were happy to see the negotiations drag on. Reuters
Iran to launch new nuclear plant project: state TV Iran is to build a new nuclear power plant, alongside its sole existing one in the southern city of Bushehr, by early 2014, state television reported on Sunday, quoting the head of the country’s Atomic Energy Organisation. AFP / FNA
Japan starts atomic watchdog debate, reactor decision nears Japan’s parliament began a debate on Tuesday about plans for a new nuclear watchdog, raising hopes of a compromise after months of political bickering that has postponed a tightening of industry oversight after the Fukushima crisis. Reuters
Japan power firm urges PM to OK nuclear plant restart The head of Japanese utility Kansai Electric Power Company Monday urged the prime minister to quickly decide on restarting two nuclear reactors at its Oi plant to avoid summer power shortages. AFP
Japan’s ex-PM Naoto Kan: I was frightened by nuclear crisis Japan’s leader felt fearful and helpless during last year’s nuclear disaster and lacked experts capable of giving him guidance, he testified this week in his first response to a public investigative inquiry on the crisis. AP / AFP / NYT
Fukushima radiation seen in tuna off California Low levels of nuclear radiation from the tsunami-damaged Fukushima power plant have turned up in bluefin tuna off the California coast, suggesting that these fish carried radioactive compounds across the Pacific Ocean faster than wind or water can. Reuters
Lithuania blasts Russia, Belarus atomic energy plans Lithuania on Monday blasted plans by Russia and Belarus to build nuclear power plants close to its borders, accusing both of lax safety and environmental standards. AFP
Bulgaria shuts nuclear reactor after generator problem Bulgaria has shut down a reactor at its Kozloduy nuclear power plant because of a generator problem, the operator said on Sunday, adding that there was no radiation leak. AFP
Obama picks new US nuclear chief US President Barack Obama on Thursday nominated a new chairman of the Nuclear Regulatory Commission, after the former head Gregory Jaczko resigned after months of personnel controversy. AFP / WNN
Slovenian nuclear plant resumes production after 42 days Slovenia’s only nuclear power plant resumed production on Sunday after a regular 42-day maintenance shutdown, authorities at the Krsko nuclear plant said. AFP
Opinion and Analysis
The Iranian view on how to strike a deal WP
Hopes Dim for Nuclear Breakthrough With Iran WSJ
Despite endgame fears, no need to rush Iran nuclear talks BBC
Continued Iran talks could work in Israel’s favour Xinhua
Japan plants and prays for radiation-free rice AP