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.
October 3, 2012
IAEA in the News
Nuclear “birth control” helps Croatia fruit farmers fight flies At the height of the tangerine season in Croatia’s Neretva river delta, two pickup trucks scour a maze of water channels carrying an odd-looking contraption: a mortar-like pipe spraying orchards with sterilized flies. … Scientists are developing and refining the Sterile Insect Technology (SIT) for different species – including the tsetse fly in Africa – at the Seibersdorf laboratory of the U.N.’s International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) outside Vienna. Reuters
Other Nuclear News
Iran to enrich uranium to 60 percent if nuclear talks fail Iran would enrich uranium up to 60 percent purity if negotiations with major powers over its nuclear program fail, an Iranian lawmaker said on Tuesday, in comments that may add to Western alarm about Iranian intentions. Reuters
Iran may still be years away from any nuclear-armed missile Iran already has enough low-enriched uranium for several atomic bombs if refined to a high degree but it may still be a few years away from being able to build a nuclear-armed missile if it decided to go down that path. Reuters
Iran to continue nuclear programme Iran will press on with its nuclear programme despite the problems caused by Western sanctions, including a dramatic slide in the value of its currency, President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad said. Al-Jazeera
Iran’s FM: Israel Main Obstacle to Regional Stability, Security Iranian Foreign Minister Ali Akbar Salehi said that the Zionist regime of Israel is using war rhetoric against Iran to attain its political objectives, and described the regime as the main obstacle to stability and security in the region. FNA
Israeli prime minister to talk to European leaders about tougher sanctions against Iran An Israeli official says Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu will visit Europe in a few months to persuade leaders to step up sanctions on Iran over its nuclear program. AP / NYT
Europe’s nuclear plants need € From missing seismic devices to insufficient emergency systems, Europe’s nuclear power plants face hundreds of problems requiring billions in new investment, a European Union report said Tuesday. AFP / BBC
Less radioactive cesium found in food items as decontamination work progresses Lower levels of radioactive cesium exceeding government-set standards were found in food items tested by local municipalities over the past six months thanks apparently to progress in decontamination work on farm land, the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries said. Mainichi
Amid Dim Prospects for Mideast WMD Summit, Some Hopes Glimmer Political instability in the Arab world and military tensions between Israel and Iran might conspire to scuttle a December summit of Mideast nations on a proposed regional ban on weapons of mass destruction. GSN
More technical problems at nuclear reactors Nuclear power plant fears, already stoked by last year’s Fukushima disaster in Japan and a power outage, then subsequent cover-up, at Busan’s Kori No. 1 Nuclear Power Plant, were fanned further by technical problems Oct. 2 that led to shutdowns at the Shin-Kori No. 1 and Yeonggwang No. 5 power stations. Hani
Russian Firm to Bid for Building Argentinian Nuclear Plant Argentinian Energy Minister, Julio De Vido, confirmed today the qualification of Russian corporation Rosatom to bid for the construction of the fourth and fifth nuclear power station in Argentina. Prensa Latina
Finnish utility claims $2.3 billion from Areva-Siemens for 5-year delay in nuclear project Finnish utility TVO is claiming €1.8 billion ($2.3 billion) in compensation from nuclear supplier Areva-Siemens for a five-year delay in the construction of the Olkiluoto 3 nuclear power plant. AP
Opinion and Analysis
What if we’re wrong on Iran? LATimes
Study: Thousands Would Die in an Attack on Iran’s Nuclear Sites RFE/RL
Netanyahu aligns with Obama on Iran FP
Muffling the drums of war with Iran WP
Are Europe’s nuclear plants dangerous? DW
Spent nuclear fuel: A danger or resource? TNN